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1CHAPTERICHAPTERIICHAPTERIIICHAPTERIVCHAPTERVCHAPTERVICHAPTERVIICHAPTERVIIICHAPTERIXCHAPTERXCHAPTERXICHAPTERXIICHAPTERXIIICHAPTERXIVCHAPTERXVCHAPTERXVICHAPTERXVIICHAPTERXVIIICHAPTERICHAPTERIICHAPTERIIICHAPTERIVCHAPTERVCHAPTERVICHAPTERVIICHAPTERVIIICHAPTERIXCHAPTERXCHAPTERXICHAPTERXIICHAPTERXIIICHAPTERXIVCHAPTERXVCHAPTERXVICHAPTERXVII TheMuckerbyEdgarRiceBurroughs2TheMuckerbyEdgarRiceBurroughsProjectGutenberg'sEtextofTheMuckerbyEdgarRiceBurroughsPleasetakealookattheimportantinformationinthisheader.Weencourageyoutokeepthisfileonyourowndisk,keepinganelectronicpathopenforthenextreaders.Donotremovethis.**WelcomeToTheWorldofFreePlainVanillaElectronicTexts****EtextsReadableByBothHumansandByComputers,Since1971***TheseEtextsPreparedByHundredsofVolunteersandDonations*InformationoncontactingProjectGutenbergtogetEtexts,andfurtherinformationisincludedbelow.Weneedyourdonations.TheMuckerbyEdgarRiceBurroughsSeptember,1995[Etext#331]ProjectGutenberg'sEtextofTheMuckerbyEdgarRiceBurroughs*****Thisfileshouldbenamedtroll10.txtormuckr10.zip******CorrectedEDITIONSofouretextsgetanewNUMBER,muckr11.txt.VERSIONSbasedonseparatesourcesgetnewLETTER,muckr10a.txt.ThisetextwascreatedbyJudithBoss,Omaha,Nebraska.Theequipment:anIBM-compatible486/50,aHewlett-PackardScanJetIIcflatbedscanner,andCaleraRecognitionSystems'M/600SeriesProfessionalOCRsoftwareandRISCacceleratorboarddonatedbyCaleraRecognitionSystems.Wearenowtryingtoreleaseallourbooksonemonthinadvanceoftheofficialreleasedates,fortimeforbetterediting.Pleasenote:neitherthislistnoritscontentsarefinaltillmidnightofthelastdayofthemonthofanysuchannouncement.TheofficialreleasedateofallProjectGutenbergEtextsisatMidnight,CentralTime,ofthelastdayofthestatedmonth.Apreliminaryversionmayoftenbepostedforsuggestion,commentandeditingbythosewhowishtodoso.Tobesureyouhaveanuptodatefirstedition[xxxxx10x.xxx]pleasecheckfilesizesinthefirstweekofthenextmonth.Sinceourftpprogramhasabuginitthatscramblesthedate[triedtofixandfailed]alookatthefilesizewillhavetodo,butwewilltrytoseeanewcopyhasatleastonebytemoreorless.InformationaboutProjectGutenberg(onepage)Weproduceabouttwomilliondollarsforeachhourwework.Thefiftyhoursisoneconservativeestimateforhowlongitwetaketogetanyetextselected,entered,proofread,edited,copyrightsearchedandanalyzed,thecopyrightletterswritten,etc.Thisprojectedaudienceisonehundredmillionreaders.Ifourvaluepertextisnominallyestimatedatonedollarthenweproduce$4milliondollarsperhourthisyearaswereleasesome 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CHAPTERI6BALLANTINEBOOKS,INC.101FifthAvenue,NewYork,NewYork10003CONTENTSCHAPTERI">PartICHAPTERIBILLYBYRNEBILLYBYRNEwasaproductofthestreetsandalleysofChicago'sgreatWestSide.FromHalstedtoRobey,andfromGrandAvenuetoLakeStreettherewasscarceabartenderwhomBillyknewnotbyhisfirstname.And,inproportiontotheirnumberwhichwasconsiderablyless,heknewthepatrolmenandplainclothesmenequallyaswell,butnotsopleasantly.Hiskindergarteneducationhadcommencedinanalleybackofafeed-store.Hereagangofolderboysandmenwerewonttocongregateatsuchtimesastheyhadnaughtelsetooccupytheirtime,andasthebridewellwastheonlyplaceinwhichtheyeverheldajobformorethanadayortwo,theyhadconsiderabletimetodevotetocongregating.Theywerepickpocketsandsecond-storymen,madeandinthemaking,andallweremuckers,readytoinsultthefirstwomanwhopassed,orpickaquarrelwithanystrangerwhodidnotappeartooburly.Bynighttheypliedtheirrealvocations.Bydaytheysatinthealleybehindthefeedstoreanddrankbeerfromabatteredtinpail.Thequestionoflaborinvolvedintransportingthepail,empty,tothesaloonacrossthestreet,andreturningit,full,tothealleybackofthefeed-storewassolvedbythepresenceofadmiringandenviouslittleboysoftheneighborhoodwhohung,wide-eyedandthrilled,abouttheseheroesoftheirchildishlives.BillyByrne,atsix,wasrushingthecanforthisnobleband,andincidentallypickinguphisknowledgeoflifeandtherudimentsofhiseducation.Hegloriedinthefactthathewaspersonallyacquaintedwith"Eddie"Welch,andthatwithhisownearshehadheard"Eddie"telltheganghowhestuckupaguyonWestLakeStreetwithinfiftyyardsoftheTwenty-eighthPrecinctPoliceStation.ThekindergartenperiodlasteduntilBillywasten;thenhecommenced"swiping"brassfaucetsfromvacantbuildingsandsellingthemtoafencewhoranajunkshoponLincolnStreetnearKinzie.Fromthismanheobtainedthehintthatgraduatedhimtoahighergrade,sothatattwelvehewasrobbingfreightcarsintheyardsalongKinzieStreet,anditwasaboutthissametimethathecommencedtofindpleasureinthefeelofhisfistagainstthejawofafellow-man.Hehadhadhisboyishscrapswithhisfellowsoffandoneversincehecouldremember;buthisfirstrealfightcamewhenhewastwelve.Hehadhadanaltercationwithanerstwhilepaloverthedivisionofthereturnsfromsomefreight-carbooty.Thegangwasallpresent,andaswordsquicklygaveplacetoblows,astheyhaveahabitofdoingincertainsectionsoftheWestSide,themenandboysformedaroughringaboutthecontestants. CHAPTERI7Thebattlewasalongone.Thetwowererollingaboutinthedustofthealleyquiteasoftenastheywereupontheirfeetexchangingblows.Therewasnothingfair,nordecent,norscientificabouttheirmethods.Theygougedandbitandtore.Theyusedkneesandelbowsandfeet,andbutforthetimelypresenceofabrickbatbeneathhisfingersatthepsychologicalmomentBillyByrnewouldhavegonedowntohumiliatingdefeat.Asitwastheotherboywentdown,andforaweekBillyremainedhiddenbyoneofthegangpendingthereportfromthehospital.Whenwordcamethatthepatientwouldlive,Billyfeltanimmenseloadliftedfromhisshoulders,forhedreadedarrestandexperiencewiththelawthathehadlearnedfromchildhoodtoderideandhate.Ofcoursetherewasthelossofprestigethatwouldnaturallyhaveaccruedtohimcouldhehavebeenpointedoutasthe"guythatcroakedSheehan";butthereisalwaysaflyintheointment,andBillyonlysighedandcameoutofhistemporaryretirement.ThatbattlestartedBillytothinking,andtheresultofthatmentalactivitywasadeterminationtolearntohandlehismittsscientifically--peopleoftheWestSidedonothavehands;theyareequippedbyNaturewithmittsanddukes.Afewhavepawsandflippers.Hehadnoopportunitytorealizehisnewdreamforseveralyears;butwhenhewasaboutseventeenaneighbor'ssonsurprisedhislittleworldbysuddenlydevelopingfromanunknownteamsterintoalocallyfamouslight-weight.Theyoungmanneverhadbeenaffiliatedwiththegang,ashisescutcheonwasdefiledwitharecordofsteadyemployment.SoBillyhadknownnothingofthesparringlessonshisyoungneighborhadtaken,oroftheworkhehaddoneatthedown-towngymnasiumofLarryHilmore.Nowithappenedthatwhilethenewlight-weightwasunknowntothecharmedcircleofthegang,Billyknewhimfairlywellbyreasonoftheproximityoftheirrespectiveparentalbackyards,andsowhentheglamourofpugilisticsuccesshaloedtheyoungmanBillylostnotimeinbaskinginthelightofreflectedglory.Hesawmuchofhisnewheroallthefollowingwinter.Heaccompaniedhimtomanymills,andononegloriousoccasionoccupiedapositioninthecomingchampion'scorner.Whentheprizefightertoured,BillycontinuedtohangaroundHilmore'splace,runningerrandsanddoingoddjobs,thewhilehepickeduppugilisticlore,andabsorbedthespiritofthegamealongwiththerudimentsandfinerpointsofitsscience,almostunconsciously.Thenhisambitionchanged.Oncehehadlongedtoshineasagunman;nowhewasdeterminedtobecomeaprizefighter;buttheoldgangstillsawmuchofhim,andhewasafamiliarfigureaboutthesalooncornersalongGrandAvenueandLakeStreet.DuringthisperiodBillyneglectedtheboxcarsonKinzieStreet,partiallybecausehefeltthathewasfittedformoredignifiedemployment,andaswellforthefactthattherailroadcompanyhaddoubledthenumberofwatchmenintheyards;butthereweretimeswhenhefelttheoldyearningforexcitementandadventure.ThesetimeswereusuallycoincidentwithanacutefinancialdepressioninBilly'schangepocket,andthenhewouldfareforthinthestillwatchesofthenight,withacoupleofbooncompanionsandrollasouse,orstickupasaloon.ItwasuponanoccasionofthisnaturethataneventoccurredwhichwasfatedlatertochangetheentirecourseofBillyByrne'slife.UpontheWestSidetheoldergangsarejealousofthesanctityoftheirownterritory.Outsidersdonottrespasswithimpunity.FromHalstedtoRobey,andfromLaketoGrandlaythebroadhuntingpreserveofKelly'sgang,towhichBillyhadbeenalmostborn,onemightsay.Kellyownedthefeed-storebackofwhichtheganghadloafedforyears,andthoughhimselfarespectablebusinessmanhisnamehadbeenattachedtothepackofhoodlumswhoheldforthathisbackdoorastheeasiestmeansoflocatingandidentifyingitsmotleymembers. CHAPTERI8ThepoliceandcitizenryofthisgreatterritorywerethenaturalenemiesandpreyofKelly'sgang,butasthekingsofoldprotectedthedeeroftheirgreatforestsfrompoachers,soKelly'sgangfeltitincumbentuponthemtosafeguardthelivesandpropertywhichtheyconsideredtheirsbydivineright.Itisdoubtfulthattheythoughtofthematterinjustthisway,buttheeffectwasthesame.AndsoitwasthatasBillyByrnewendedhomewardaloneintheweehoursofthemorningafteremptyingthecashdrawerofoldSchneider'ssaloonandlockingtheweepingSchneiderinhisownicebox,hewasdeeplygrievedandangeredtoseethreerankoutsidersfromTwelfthStreetbeatingPatrolmanStanleyLaskywithhisownbaton,thewhiletheysimultaneouslystrovetokickinhisribswiththeirheavyboots.NowLaskywasnofriendofBillyByrne;buttheofficerhadbeenbornandraisedinthedistrictandwasattachedtotheTwenty-eighthPrecinctStationonLakeStreetnearAshlandAvenue,andsowaspartandparcelofthenaturalpossessionofthegang.Billyfeltthatitwasentirelyethicaltobeatupacop,providedyouconfinedyoureffortstothoseofyourowndistrict;butforabunchofyapsfromsouthofTwelfthStreettoattempttopulloffanysuchcoarseworkinhisbailiwick--whyitwasunthinkable.AheroandrescueroflesserexperiencethanBillyByrnewouldhaverushedmelodramaticallyintothemidstofthefray,andinallprobabilityhavehadhisfacepushedcompletelythroughthebackofhishead,fortheguysfromTwelfthStreetwerenotoftherah-rah-boytypeofhoodlum--theywerebadmen,withanuppercaseB.SoBillycreptstealthilyalongintheshadowsuntilhewasquiteclosetothem,andbehindthem.Onthewayhehadgatheredupacutelittlegranitepavingblock,thanwhichthereisnothingintheworldharder,notevenaTwelfthStreetskull.Hewasquiteclosenowtooneofthemen--hewhowaswieldingtheofficer'sclubtosuchexcellentdisadvantagetotheofficer--andthenheraisedthepavingblockonlytoloweritsilentlyandsuddenlyuponthebackofthatunsuspectinghead--"andthenthereweretwo."Beforetheman'scompanionsrealizedwhathadhappenedBillyhadpossessedhimselfofthefallenclubandstruckoneofthemablinding,staggeringblowacrosstheeyes.Thennumberthreepulledhisgunandfiredpoint-blankatBilly.Thebullettorethroughthemucker'sleftshoulder.Itwouldhavesentamorehighlyorganizedandnervouslyinclinedmantothepavement;butBillywasneitherhighlyorganizednornervouslyinclined,sothatabouttheonlyimmediateeffectithaduponhimwastomakehimmad--beforehehadbeenbutpeeved--peevedattherankcrustthathadpermittedthesecheap-skatesfromsouthofTwelfthStreettoworkhisterritory.Thoroughlyaroused,Billywasawonder.Fromalonglineofburlyancestorshehadinheritedthephysiqueofaprizebull.Fromearliestchildhoodhehadfought,alwaysunfairly,sothatheknewallthetricksofstreetfighting.DuringthepastyeartherehadbeenaddedtoBilly'snaturalfightingabilityandinstinctaknowledgeofthescientificendofthesport.Theresultwassomethingappalling--totheginkfromTwelfthStreet.BeforeheknewwhetherhisshothadkilledBillyhisgunhadbeenwrenchedfromhishandandflungacrossthestreet;hewasdownonthegranitewithahandashardasthepavingblockscramblinghisfacialattractionsbeyondhopeofrecall.BythistimePatrolmanLaskyhadstaggeredtohisfeet,andmostopportunelyatthat,forthemanwhomBillyhaddazedwiththeclubwasrecovering.Laskypromptlyputhimtosleepwiththebuttofthegunthathehadbeenunabletodrawwhenfirstattacked,thenheturnedtoassistBilly.ButitwasnotBillywhoneededassistance--itwasthegentlemanfromBohemia.WithdifficultyLaskydraggedBillyfromhisprey."Leaveenoughofhimfortheinquest,"pleadedLasky.WhenthewagonarrivedBillyhaddisappeared,butLaskyhadrecognizedhimandthereafterthetwohadnoddedpleasantlytoeachotheruponsuchoccasionsastheychancedtomeetuponthestreet. CHAPTERI9TwoyearselapsedbeforetheeventtranspiredwhichprovedacrisisinBilly'slife.Duringthisperiodhisexistencehadbeenmuchthesameasbefore.Hehadcollectedwhatwascomingtohimfromcarelessandlessmuscularcitizens.Hehadhelpedtostickupahalf-dozensaloons.Hehadrobbedthenightmenintwoelevatedstations,andforawhilehadbeenuponthepay-rollofacertainunionanddonestrongarmworkinallpartsofthecityfortwenty-fivedollarsaweek.BydayhewasageneralutilitymanaboutLarryHilmore'sboxingacademy,andtimeandtimeagainHilmoreurgedhimtoquitdrinkingandlivestraight,forhesawintheyounggiantthemakingsofagreatheavy-weight;butBillycouldn'tleavetheboozealone,andsothebestthathegotwasanoccasionalfivespotforappearinginpreliminaryboutswiththird-andfourth-rateheaviesandhas-beens;butduringthethreeyearsthathehadhungaboutHilmore'shehadacquiredanenviableknowledgeofthemanlyartofself-defense.OnthenightthatthingsreallybegantohappeninthelifeofBillyByrnethatestimablegentlemanwaslollinginfrontofasaloonatthecornerofLakeandRobey.Thedipsthatcongregatednightlythereundertheprotectionofthepowerfulpoliticianwhoownedtheplacewerecommencingtoassemble.Billyknewthemall,andnoddedtothemastheypassedhim.Henotedsurpriseinthefacesofseveralastheysawhimstandingthere.Hewonderedwhatitwasallabout,anddeterminedtoaskthenextmanwhoevincedevenmutewondermentathispresencewhatwaseatinghim.ThenBillysawaharnessbullstrollingtowardhimfromtheeast.ItwasLasky.WhenLaskysawBillyhetooopenedhiseyesinsurprise,andwhenbecamequiteclosetothemuckerhewhisperedsomethingtohim,thoughhekepthiseyesstraightaheadasthoughhehadnotseen,Billyatall.IndeferencetothewhisperedrequestBillypresentlystrolledaroundthecornertowardWalnutStreet,butatthealleybackofthesaloonheturnedsuddenlyin.AhundredyardsupthealleyhefoundLaskyintheshadowofatelephonepole."Wotinellareyoudoin'aroundhere?askedthepatrolman."Didn'tyouknowthatSheehanhadpeached?"TwonightsbeforeoldmanSchneider,goadedtodesperationbytherepeatedraidsuponhiscashdrawer,hadshownfightwhenheagainhadbeeninvitedtoelevatehishands,andtheholdupmenhadshothimthroughtheheart.Sheehanhadbeenarrestedonsuspicion.BillyhadnotbeenwithSheehanthatnight.Asamatteroffactheneverhadtrainedwithhim,for,sincetheboyishbattlethatthetwohadwaged,therehadalwaysbeenillfeelingbetweenthem;butwithLasky'swordsBillyknewwhathadhappened."SheehansaysIdoneit,eh?"hequestioned."That'swhathesays.""Iwasn'twithinamileofSchneider'sthatnight,"protestedBilly."TheLieutthinksdifferent,"saidLasky."He'dbeonlytoogladtosoakyou;foryou'vealwaysbeentooslicktogetnickedbefore.Ordersisouttogetyou,andifIwereyouI'dbeatitandbeatitquick.Idon'thavetotellyouwhyI'mhandingyouthis,butit'sallIcandoforyou.Nowtakemyadviceandmakeyourselfscarce,thoughyou'llhavetogosometomakeyourget-awaynow--everymanontheforcehasyourdescriptionbythistime."BillyturnedwithoutawordandwalkedeastinthealleytowardLincolnStreet.LaskyreturnedtoRobeyStreet.InLincolnStreetBillywalkednorthtoKinzie.Hereheenteredtherailroadyards.Anhourlaterhewas CHAPTERI10bumpingoutoftowntowardtheWestonafastfreight.ThreeweekslaterhefoundhimselfinSanFrancisco.Hehadnomoney,butthemethodsthathadsooftenreplenishedhisdepletedexchequerathomehefeltwouldservethesamepurposehere.BeingunfamiliarwithSanFrancisco,Billydidnotknowwherebesttowork,butwhenbyaccidenthestumbleduponastreetwherethereweremanysaloonswhosepatronswereobviouslyseafaringmenBillywasdistinctlyelated.Whatcouldbebetterforhispurposethanadrunkensailor?Heenteredoneofthesaloonsandstoodwatchingagameofcards,orthusheseemedtobeoccupied.Asamatteroffacthiseyeswereconstantlyuponthealert,roving,abouttheroomtowhereveramanwasintheactofpayingforaroundofdrinksthatafatwalletmightbelocated.Presentlyonethatfilledhimwithlongingrewardedhiscarefulwatch.ThemanwassittingatatableashortdistancefromBilly.Twoothermenwerewithhim.Ashepaidthewaiterfromawell-filledpocketbookhelookeduptomeetBilly'seyesuponhim.Withadrunkensmilehebeckonedtothemuckertojointhem.BillyfeltthatFatewasoverkindtohim,andhelostnotimeinheedinghercall.Amomentlaterhewassittingatthetablewiththethreesailors,andhadorderedadropofred-eye.Thestrangerwasverylavishinhisentertainment.HescarcelywaitedforBillytodrainoneglassbeforeheorderedanother,andonceafterBillyhadleftthetableforamomenthefoundafreshdrinkawaitinghimwhenhereturned--hishosthadalreadypoureditforhim.Itwasthislastdrinkthatdidthebusiness. CHAPTERII11CHAPTERIISHANGHAIEDWHENBillyopenedhiseyesagainhecouldnotrecall,fortheinstant,verymuchofhisrecentpast.Atlastherememberedwithpainfulregretthedrunkensailorithadbeenhisintentiontoroll.Hefeltdeeplychagrinedthathisrightfulpreyshouldhaveescapedhim.Hecouldn'tunderstandhowithadhappened."ThisFriscoboozemustbesomethingfierce,"thoughtBilly.Hisheadachedfrightfullyandhewasverysick.Sosickthattheroominwhichhelayseemedtoberisingandfallinginahorriblyrealisticmanner.EverytimeitdroppeditbroughtBilly'sstomachnearlytohismouth.Billyshuthiseyes.Stilltheawfulsensation.Billygroaned.Heneverhadbeensosickinallhislifebefore,and,my,howhispoorheaddidhurt.FindingthatitonlyseemedtomakemattersworsewhenheclosedhiseyesBillyopenedthemagain.Helookedabouttheroominwhichhelay.Hefounditastuffyholefilledwithbunksintiersthreedeeparoundthesides.Inthecenteroftheroomwasatable.Abovethetablealamphungsuspendedfromoneofthewoodenbeamsoftheceiling.ThelamparrestedBilly'sattention.Itwasswingingbackandforthratherviolently.Thiscouldnotbeahallucination.Theroommightseemtoberisingandfalling,butthatlampcouldnotseemtobeswingingaroundinanysuchmannerifitwerenotreallyandtrulyswinging.Hecouldn'taccountforit.Againheshuthiseyesforamoment.Whenheopenedthemtolookagainatthelamphefounditstillswungasbefore.Cautiouslyheslidfromhisbunktothefloor.Itwaswithdifficultythathekepthisfeet.Stillthatmightbebuttheeffectsoftheliquor.Atlasthereachedthetabletowhichheclungforsupportwhileheextendedonehandtowardthelamp.Therewasnolongeranydoubt!Thelampwasbeatingbackandforthliketheclapperofagreatbell.Wherewashe?Billysoughtawindow.Hefoundsomelittleround,glass-coveredholesnearthelowceilingatonesideoftheroom.Itwasonlyatthegreatestrisktolifeandlimbthathemanagedtocrawlonallfourstooneofthem.Ashestraightenedupandglancedthroughhewasappalledatthesightthatmethiseyes.Asfarashecouldseetherewasnaughtbutatumblingwasteofwater.Andthenthetruthofwhathadhappenedtohimbrokeuponhisunderstanding."An'Iwasgoin'torollthatguy!"hemutteredinhelplessbewilderment."Iwasa-goin'torollhim,andnowlookherewothehasdonetome!"Atthatmomentalightappearedaboveasthehatchwasraised,andBillysawthefeetandlegsofalargemandescendingtheladderfromabove.WhenthenewcomerreachedthefloorandturnedtolookabouthiseyesmetBilly's,andBillysawthatitwashishostofthepreviousevening."Well,myhearty,howgoesit?"askedthestranger."Youpulleditoffprettyslick,"saidBilly."Whatdoyoumean?"askedtheotherwithafrown. CHAPTERII12"Comeoff,"saidBilly;"youknowwhatImean.""Lookhere,"repliedtheothercoldly."Don'tyouforgetthatI'mmateofthisship,an'thatyouwanttospeakrespectfultomeifyouain'tlookin'fortrouble.Myname'sMR.Ward,an'whenyouspeaktomesaySIR.Understand?"Billyscratchedhishead,andblinkedhiseyes.Heneverbeforehadbeenspokentoinanysuchfashion--atleastnotsincehehadputontheavoirdupoisofmanhood.Hisheadachedhorriblyandhewassicktohisstomach--frightfullysick.Hismindwasmoreuponhisphysicalsufferingthanuponwhatthematewassaying,sothatquiteaperceptibleintervaloftimeelapsedbeforethetruedimensionsoftheaffronttohisdignitycommencedtopercolateintothebefoggedandpain-rackedconvolutionsofhisbrain.Thematethoughtthathisblusterhadbluffedthenewhand.Thatwaswhathehadcomebelowtoaccomplish.Experiencehadtaughthimthatanearlylessonindisciplineandsubordinationsavedunpleasantencountersinthefuture.Healsohadlearnedthatthereisnobettertimetoputabluffofthisnatureacrossthanwhenthevictimissufferingfromtheafter-effectsofwhiskeyandadrug--mentality,vitality,andcouragearethenattheirlowestebb.Abravemanoftenisreducedtothepitifulconditionofayellowdogwhennauseasitsastridehisstomach.ButthematewasnotacquaintedwithBillyByrneofKelly'sgang.Billy'sbrainwasbefuddled,sothatittooksometimeforanideatowriggleitswaythrough,buthiscouragewasallthere,andalltothegood.Billywasamucker,ahoodlum,agangster,athug,atough.Whenhefought,hismethodswouldhavebroughtaflushofshametothefaceofHisSatanicMajesty.Hehadhitoftenerfrombehindthanfrombefore.Hehadalwaystakeneveryadvantageofsizeandweightandnumbersthathecouldcalltohisassistance.Hewasaninsulterofgirlsandwomen.Hewasabar-roombrawler,andasaloon-cornerloafer.Hewasallthatwasdirty,andmean,andcontemptible,andcowardlyintheeyesofabraveman,andyet,notwithstandingallthis,BillyByrnewasnocoward.Hewaswhathewasbecauseoftrainingandenvironment.Heknewnoothermethods;noothercode.Whateverthemeagerethicsofhiskindhewouldhaveliveduptothemtothedeath.Heneverhadsquealedonapal,andheneverhadleftawoundedfriendtofallintothehandsoftheenemy--thepolice.Norhadheeverletamanspeaktohim,asthematehadspoken,andgetawaywithit,andso,whilehedidnotactasquicklyaswouldhavebeenhiswonthadhisbrainbeenclear,hedidact;buttheintervaloftimehadledthemateintoanerroneousconceptionofitscause,andintoafurtherrashshowofauthority,andhadthrownhimoffhisguardaswell."Whatyouneed,"saidthemate,advancingtowardBilly,"isabashonthebeezer.It'llhelpyourememberthatyouain'tnothin'butadirtydamnlandlubber,an'whenyourbetterscomearoundyou'll--"ButwhatBillywouldhavedoneinthepresenceofhisbettersremainedstillborninthemate'simaginationinthefaceofwhatBillyreallydiddotohisbetterasthatworthyswungasudden,viciousblowatthemucker'sface.BillyByrnehadnotbeenscrappingwiththird-andfourth-rateheavies,andsparringwithreal,liveonesfornothing.Themate'sfistwhistledthroughemptyair;theblear-eyedhunkofclaythathadseemedsucheasypreytohimwasmetamorphosedontheinstantintoanalert,catlikebundleofsteelsinews,andBillyByrneswungthatawfulrightwiththepile-driverweight,thatevenTheBigSmokehimselfhadacknowledgedrespectfor,straighttotheshortribsofhisantagonist.Withascreechofsurpriseandpainthematecrumpledinthefarcorneroftheforecastle,rammedhalfwaybeneathabunkbytheforceoftheterrificblow.LikeatigerBillyByrnewasafterhim,anddraggingthemanoutintothecenterofthefloorspacehebeatandmauledhimuntilhisvictim'sblood-curdlingshrieksechoedthroughtheshipfromstemtostern. CHAPTERII13Whenthecaptain,followedbyahalf-dozenseamenrusheddownthecompanionway,hefoundBillysittingastridetheprostrateformofthemate.Hisgreatfingerscircledtheman'sthroat,andwithmightyblowshewasdashingthefellow'sheadagainstthehardfloor.Anothermomentandmurderwouldhavebeencomplete."Avastthere!"criedthecaptain,andasthoughtopunctuatehisremarkheswungtheheavystickheusuallycarriedfulluponthebackofBilly'shead.Itwasthatblowthatsavedthemate'slife,forwhenBillycametohefoundhimselfinadarkandsmellyhole,chainedandpadlockedtoaheavystanchion.TheykeptBillythereforaweek;buteverydaythecaptainvisitedhiminanattempttoshowhimtheerrorofhisway.ThemediumusedbytheskipperforimpressinghisideasofdisciplineuponBillywasalarge,hardstick.AttheendoftheweekitwasnecessarytocarryBillyabovetokeeptheratsfromdevouringhim,forthecontinuedbeatingsandstarvationhadreducedhimtolittlemorethananunconsciousmassofrawandbleedingmeat."There,"remarkedtheskipper,asheviewedhisworkbythelightofday,"Iguessthatfellow'llknowhisplacenexttimeanofficeran'agentlemanspeakstohim."ThatBillysurvivedisoneofthehithertounrecordedmiraclesofthepowerofmatterovermind.Amanofintellect,ofimagination,abeingofnerves,wouldhavesuccumbedtotheshockalone;butBillywasnotasthese.Hesimplylaystillandthoughtless,exceptforhalf-formedideasofrevenge,untilNature,unaided,builtupwhatthecaptainhadsoruthlesslytorndown.TendaysaftertheybroughthimupfromtheholdBillywaslimpingaboutthedeckoftheHalfmoondoinglightmanuallabor.Fromtheothersailorsaboardhelearnedthathewasnottheonlymemberofthecrewwhohadbeenshanghaied.Asidefromahalf-dozenrecklessmenfromthecriminalclasseswhohadsignedvoluntarily,eitherbecausetheycouldnotgetaberthuponadecentship,ordesiredtoflitasquietlyfromthelawzoneoftheUnitedStatesaspossible,notamanwastherewhohadbeensignedregularly.TheywereastoughandviciousalotasFateeverhadforegatheredinoneforecastle,andwiththemBillyByrnefeltperfectlyathome.Hisearlythreatsofawfulvengeancetobewreakeduponthemateandskipperhadsubsidedwiththeroughbutsensibleadviceofhismessmates.Themate,forhispart,gavenoindicationofharboringtheassaultthatBillyhadmadeuponhimotherthantoassignthemostdangerousordisagreeabledutiesoftheshiptothemuckerwheneveritwaspossibletodoso;buttheresultofthiswastohastenBilly'snauticaleducation,andkeephiminexcellentphysicaltrim.Alltracesofalcoholhadlongsincevanishedfromtheyoungman'ssystem.Hisfaceshowedtheeffectsofhisenforcedabstemiousnessinamarkeddegree.Thered,puffy,blotchycomplexionhadgivenwaytoaclear,tannedskin;brighteyessupplantedthebleary,bloodshotthingsthathadgiventhebestialexpressiontohisfaceinthepast.Hisfeatures,alwaysregularandstrong,hadtakenonapeculiarlyrefineddignityfromthesaltair,thecleanlife,andthedangerousoccupationofthedeep-seasailor,thatwouldhaveputKelly'sgangtoapinchtohaverecognizedtheirerstwhilecronyhadhesuddenlyappearedintheirmidstinthealleybackofthefeed-storeonGrandAvenue.WiththenewlifeBillyfoundhimselftakingonanewcharacter.Hesurprisedhimselfsingingathiswork--hewhosewholelifeuptonowbadbeendevotedtododginghonestlabor--whosemottobadbeen:Theworldowesmealiving,andit'suptometocollectit.Also,hewassurprisedtodiscoverthathelikedtowork,thathetookkeenprideinstrivingtooutdothemenwhoworkedwithhim,andthisspirit,despitethesuspicionwhichthecaptainentertainedofBillysincetheepisodeoftheforecastle,wentfartomakinghislifemoreendurableonboardtheHalfmoon,forworkerssuchasthemuckerdevelopedintoarenottobesneezedat,andthoughhehadlittleideaofsubordinationitwasworthputtingupwithsomethingtokeephiminconditiontowork.ItwasthislineofreasoningthatsavedBilly'sskullononeortwooccasionswhenhisimpudencehadbeensufficienttohaveprovokedtheskippertoapersonalassaultuponhimunderordinaryconditions;and CHAPTERII14Mr.Ward,havingtastedofBilly'smedicineonce,hadnocravingforanotherencounterwithhimthatwouldentailpersonalconflict.Theentirecrewwasmadeupofruffiansandunhungmurderers,butSkipperSimmshadhadlittleexperiencewithseamenofanyotherilk,sohehandledthemroughshod,usinghishornyfist,andtheshort,heavystickthathehabituallycarried,inlieuofargument;butwiththeexceptionofBillythemenallhadservedbeforethemastinthepast,sothatship'sdisciplinewastosomeextentingrainedinthemall.Enjoyinghiswork,thelifewasnotanunpleasantoneforthemucker.Themenoftheforecastlewereofthekindhehadalwaysknown--therewasnohonoramongthem,novirtue,nokindliness,nodecency.WiththemBillywasathome--hescarcelymissedtheoldgang.Hemadehisfriendsamongthem,andhisenemies.Hepickedquarrels,ashadbeenhiswaysincechildhood.Hisscienceandhisgreatstrength,togetherwithhisendlessstockofunderhandtricksbroughthimoutofeachencounterwithfreshlaurels.Presentlyhefounditdifficulttopickafight--hismessmateshadhadenoughofhim.Theylefthimseverelyalone.Theseofttimesbloodybattlesengenderednodeep-seatedhatredintheheartsofthedefeated.Theywerepartoftheday'sworkandplayofthehalf-brutesthatSkipperSimmshadgatheredtogether.TherewasonlyonemanaboardwhomBillyreallyhated.Thatwasthepassenger,andBillyhatedhim,notbecauseofanythingthatthemanhadsaidordonetoBilly,forhehadneverevensomuchasspokentothemucker,butbecauseofthefineclothesandsuperiorairwhichmarkedhimplainlytoBillyasoneofthatloathedelementofsociety--agentleman.Billyhatedeverythingthatwasrespectable.Hehadhatedthesmug,self-satisfiedmerchantsofGrandAvenue.Hehadwrithedintortureatthesightofeveryshiny,purringautomobilethathadeverpassedhimwithitsloadofwell-groomedmenandwomen.Aclean,stiffcollarwastoBillyasaredragtoabull.Cleanliness,success,opulence,decency,spelledbutonethingtoBilly--physicalweakness;andhehatedphysicalweakness.Hisideaofindicatingstrengthandmanlinesslayindisplayingasmuchofbrutalityanduncouthnessaspossible.ToassistawomanoveramudholewouldhaveseemedtoBillyanacknowledgementofpusillanimity--tostickouthisfootandtriphersothatshesprawledfulllengthinit,thehallmarkofbluffmanliness.Andsohehated,withallthestrengthofastrongnature,theimmaculate,courteous,well-bredmanwhopacedthedeckeachdaysmokingafragrantcigarafterhismeals.InwardlyhewonderedwhatthedudewasdoingonboardsuchavesselastheHalfmoon,andmarveledthatsoweakathingdaredventureamongrealmen.Billy'scontemptcausedhimtonoticethepassengermorethanhewouldhavebeenreadytoadmit.Hesawthattheman'sfacewashandsome,buttherewasanunpleasantshiftinesstohisbrowneyes;andthen,entirelyoutsideofhisformerreasonsforhatinghim,Billycametoloathehimintuitively,asonewhowasnottobetrusted.Finallyhisdislikeforthemanbecameanobsession.Hehaunted,whendisciplinepermitted,thatpartofthevesselwherehewouldbemostlikelytoencountertheobjectofhiswrath,hoping,alwayshoping,thatthe"dude"wouldgivehimsomeslightpretextfor"pushinginhismush,"asBillywouldsopicturesquelyhavewordedit.Hewasloiteringaboutthedeckforthispurposeoneeveningwhenheoverheardpartofalow-voicedconversationbetweentheobjectofhiswrathandSkipperSimms--justenoughtosethimtowonderingwhatwasdoing,andtoshowhimthatwhateveritmightbeitwascrookedandthattheimmaculatepassengerandSkipperSimmswereboth"inonit."Hequestioned"Bony"Sawyerand"Red"Sanders,butneitherhadnearlyasmuchinformationasBillyhimself,andsotheHalfmooncametoHonoluluandlayatanchorsomehundredyardsfromastanch,trim,whiteyacht,andnoneknew,otherthantheHalfmoon'sofficersandhersinglepassenger,therealmissionoftheharmless-lookinglittlebrigantine. CHAPTERIII15CHAPTERIIITHECONSPIRACYNOSHOREleavewasgrantedthecrewoftheHalfmoonwhilethevessellayoffHonolulu,anddeepandominouswerethegrumblingsofthemen.OnlyFirstOfficerWardandthesecondmatewentashore.SkipperSimmskeptthemenbusypaintingandholystoningasaventfortheirpentemotions.BillyByrnenoticedthatthepassengerhadabandonedhisdaylightstrollsondeck.InfactheneveroncelefthiscabinwhiletheHalfmoonlayatanchoruntildarknesshadfallen;thenhewouldcomeondeck,oftenstandingforanhouratatimewitheyesfastenedsteadilyuponthebravelittleyachtfromthecanopiedupperdeckofwhichgaylaughterandsoftmusiccamefloatingacrossthestillwater.WhenMr.Wardandthesecondmatecametoshoreastrangethinghappened.Theyenteredathird-ratehotelnearthewaterfront,engagedaroomforaweek,paidinadvance,wereintheirroomforhalfanhourandemergedclothedincivilianraiment.Thentheyhastenedtoanotherhostelry--afirst-classonethistime,andthesecondmatewalkedaheadinfrockcoatandsilkhatwhileMr.Wardtrailedbehindinaneat,bluesergesacksuit,carryingbothbags.AtthesecondhotelthesecondmateregisteredasHenriTheriere,CountdeCadenet,andservant,France.Hisfirstactthereafterwastohandanotetotheclerkaskingthatitbedispatchedimmediately.ThenotewasaddressedtoAnthonyHarding,Esq.,OnBoardYachtLotus.CountdeCadenetandhisservantrepairedimmediatelytothecount'srooms,theretoawaitananswertothenote.HenriTheriere,thesecondofficeroftheHalfmoon,infrockcoatandsilkhatlookedeveryinchanoblemanandagentleman.Whathispasthadbeenonlyheknew,buthispolishedmanners,hisknowledgeofnavigationandseamanship,andhisleaningtowardthewaysofthemartinetinhisdealingswiththemenbeneathhimhadledSkipperSimmstoassumethathehadonceheldacommissionintheFrenchNavy,fromwhichhedoubtlesshadbeenkicked--indisgrace.Themanwascold,cruel,ofamoodydisposition,andquicktoanger.HehadbeensignedassecondofficerforthiscruisethroughtheinterventionofDivineandClinker.HehadsailedwithSimmsbefore,buttheskipperhadfoundhimtoohardacustomertodealwith,andhadbeenonthepointofseekinganothersecondwhenDivineandClinkerdiscoveredhimonboardtheHalfmoonandaftertenminutes'conversationwithhimfoundthathefittedsoperfectlyintotheirschemeofactionthattheywouldnothearofSimms'releasinghim.WardhadlittleusefortheFrenchman,whosehaughtymannerandcondescendingairsgratedonthesensibilitiesoftheuncouthandboorishfirstofficer.ThedutywhichnecessitatedhimactinginthecapacityofTheriere'sservantwasaboutasdistastefultohimasanythingcouldbe,andonlyservedtoaddtohishatredfortheinferior,who,inthebottomofhisheart,heknewtobeineveryway,exceptupontherosteroftheHalfmoon,hissuperior;butmoneycanworkwonders,andDivine'spromisethattheofficersandcrewoftheHalfmoonwouldhaveacoolmillionUnitedStatesdollarstodivideamongthemincaseofthesuccessoftheventurehadquiteeffectuallyovercomeanydislikewhichMr.Wardhadfeltforthisparticularphaseofhisduty.ThetwoofficerssatinsilenceintheirroomatthehotelawaitingananswertothenotetheyhaddispatchedtoAnthonyHarding,Esq.ThepartstheyweretoacthadbeencarefullyrehearsedonboardtheHalfmoonmanytimes.Eachwasoccupiedwithhisownthoughts,andastheyhadnothingincommonoutsidethepresentrascalitythathadbroughtthemtogether,andasthatsubjectwasonenotwelltodiscussmorethannecessary,thereseemednocallforconversation. CHAPTERIII16OnboardtheyachtintheharborpreparationswerebeingmadetolandasmallpartythatcontemplatedamotortripuptheNuuanuValleywhenasmallboatdrewalongside,andamessengerfromthehotelhandedasealednotetooneofthesailors.FromthedeckoftheHalfmoonSkipperSimmswitnessedthetransaction,smilinginwardly.BillyByrnealsosawit,butitmeantnothingtohim.HehadbeenlollinguponthedeckofthebrigantineglaringattheyachtLotus,hatingherandthegay,well-dressedmenandwomenhecouldseelaughingandchattinguponherdeck.Theyrepresentedtohimtheconcentratedessenceofallthatwaspusillanimous,disgusting,loathsomeinthatotherworldthatwasasfarseparatedfromhimasthoughhehadbeenagrubworminthemanurepilebackofBrady'sliverystable.Hesawthenotehandedbythesailortoagray-haired,smooth-facedman--alarge,sleek,well-groomedman.Billycouldimaginethewhitehandsandpolishednailsofhim.Thethoughtwasnauseating.ThemanwhotookandopenedthenotewasAnthonyHarding,Esq.Hereadit,andthenpassedittoayoungwomanwhostoodnear-bytalkingwithotheryoungpeople."Here,Barbara,"hesaid,"issomethingofmoreinteresttoyouthantome.IfyouwishI'llcalluponhimandinvitehimtodinnertonight."Thegirlwasreadingthenote.AnthonyHarding,Esq.OnBoardYachtLotus,HonoluluMydearMr.Harding:Thiswillintroduceaverydearfriendofmine,CountdeCadenet,whoexpectstobeinHonoluluaboutthetimethatyouarethere.Thecountistravelingforpleasure,andasheisentirelyunacquaintedupontheislandsanycourtesieswhichyoumayshowhimwillhegreatlyappreciated.Cordially,L.CORTWRITEDIVINE.Thegirlsmiledasshefinishedperusingthenote."Larryisalwayspickinguptitlesandmakingdearfriendsofthem,"shelaughed."Iwonderwherehefoundthisone.""Orwherethisonefoundhim,"suggestedMr.Harding."Well,Isupposethattheleastwecandoistohavehimaboardfordinner.We'llbeleavingtomorrow,sotherewon'tbemuchentertainingwecando.""Let'spickhimuponourwaythroughtownnow,"suggestedBarbaraHarding,"andtakehimwithusfortheday.Thatwillbesettlingourdebttofriendship,anddinnertonightcandependuponwhatsortofpersonwefindthecounttobe.""Asyouwill,"repliedherfather,andsoitcameaboutthattwobigtouringcarsdrewupbeforetheCountdeCadenet'shotelhalfanhourlater,andAnthonyHarding,Esq.,enteredandsentuphiscard.The"count"camedowninpersontogreethiscaller.Hardingsawataglancethatthemanwasagentleman,andwhenhehadintroducedhimtotheothermembersofthepartyitwasevidentthattheyappraisedhimquiteashadtheirhost.BarbaraHardingseemedparticularlytakenwiththeCountdeCadenet,insistingthathejointhosewhooccupiedhercar,andsoitwasthatthesecondofficeroftheHalfmoonrodeoutofHonoluluinpleasantconversationwiththeobjectofhisvisittotheisland. CHAPTERIII17BarbaraHardingfoundDeCadenetaninterestingman.Therewasnocorneroftheglobehoweverremotewithwhichhewasnottosomedegreefamiliar.Hewaswellread,andpossessedtheabilitytodiscusswhathehadreadintelligentlyandentertainingly.Therewasnoevidenceofmoodinessinhimnow.Hewasthepersonificationofaffability,forwashenotmonopolizingthesocietyofaverybeautiful,andverywealthyyounglady?Theday'soutinghadtwosignificantresults.ItputintotheheadofthesecondmateoftheHalfmoonthatwhichwouldhavecausedhisskipperandtheretiringMr.Divineacutementalperturbationcouldtheyhaveguessedit;anditputDeCadenetintopossessionofinformationwhichnecessitatedhisrefusingtheurgentinvitationtodineupontheyacht,Lotus,thatevening--theinformationthatthepartywouldsailthefollowingmorningenroutetoManila."Icannottellyou,"hesaidtoMr.Harding,"howmuchIregretthecircumstancethatmustrobmeofthepleasureofacceptingyourinvitation.Onlyabsolutenecessity,Iassureyou,couldpreventmebeingwithyouaslongaspossible,"andthoughhespoketothegirl'sfatherhelookeddirectlyintotheeyesofBarbaraHarding.Ayoungwomanoflessexperiencemighthavegivensomeoutwardindicationoftheeffectofthisspeechuponher,butwhethershewaspleasedorotherwisetheCountdeCadenetcouldnotguess,forshemerelyvoicedthesmilingregretsthatcourtesydemanded.TheyleftDeCadenetathishotel,andashebidthemfarewellthemanturnedtoBarbaraHardingwithalowaside."Ishallseeyouagain,MissHarding,"hesaid,"very,verysoon."Shecouldnotguesswhatwasinhismindashevoicedthisrather,underthecircumstances,unusualstatement.Couldshehave,thegirlwouldhavebeenterror-stricken;butshesawthatinhiseyeswhichshecouldtranslate,andshewonderedmanytimesthateveningwhethershewerepleasedorangrywiththemessageitconveyed.ThemomentDeCadenetenteredthehotelhehurriedtotheroomwheretheimpatientMr.Wardawaitedhim."Quick!"hecried."Wemustbundleoutofhereposthaste.Theysailtomorrowmorning.Yourdutiesasvalethavebeenlightandshort-lived;butIcangiveyouanexcellentrecommendationshouldyoudesiretotakeservicewithanothergentleman.""That'llbeaboutallofthat,Mr.Theriere,"snappedthefirstofficer,coldly."Ididnotembarkuponthistheatricalenterpriseforamusement--Iseenothingfunnyinit,andIwishyoutorememberthatIamstillyoursuperiorofficer."Theriereshrugged.Warddidnotchancetocatchtheuglylookinhiscompanion'seye.Togethertheygathereduptheirbelongings,descendedtotheoffice,paidtheirbill,andafewmomentslaterwerechangingbacktotheirseaclothesinthelittlehotelwheretheyfirsthadengagedaccommodations.HalfanhourlatertheysteppedtothedeckoftheHalfmoon.BillyByrnesawthemfromwhereheworkedinthevicinityofthecabin.Whentheywerenotlookinghescowledmaliciouslyatthem.Theywerethepersonalrepresentativesofauthority,andBillyhatedauthorityinwhateverguiseitmightbevisiteduponhim.Hehatedlawandorderanddiscipline."I'dliketomeetoneofdemguysonGreenStreetsomenight,"hethought. CHAPTERIII18Hesawthementerthecaptain'scabinwiththeskipper,andthenhesawMr.Divinejointhem.Billynotedthehastedisplayedbythefouranditsethimtowondering.ThescrapofconversationbetweenDivineandSimmsthathehadoverheardreturnedtohim.Hewantedtohearmore,andasBillywasnothandicappedbyanyoverlyrefinednotionsoftheethicswhichfrownuponeavesdroppinghelostnotimeintransferringthesceneofhislaborstoapointsufficientlyclosetooneofthecabinportstopermithimtonotewhattookplacewithin.Whatthemuckerbeardofthatconversationmadehimprickuphisears.Hesawthatsomethingafterhisownheartwasdoing--somethingcrooked,andhewonderedthatsopusillanimousathingasDivinecouldhaveahandinit.ItalmostchangedhisestimateofthepassengeroftheHalfmoon.ThemeetingbrokeupsosuddenlythatBillyhadtodroptohiskneestoescapetheobservationofthosewithinthecabin.Asitwas,Theriere,whohadstartedtoleaveasecondbeforetheothers,caughtafleetingglimpseofafacethatquicklyhadbeenwithdrawnfromthecabinskylightasthoughitsownerwerefearfulofdetection.WithoutawordtohiscompanionstheFrenchmanleftthecabin,butonceoutsideheboundedupthecompanionwaytothedeckwiththespeedofasquirrel.Norwasheaninstanttoosoon,forasheemergedfrombelowhesawthefigureofamandisappearingforward."Heythere,you!"hecried."Comebackhere."Themuckerturned,asulkyscowluponhisloweringcountenance,andthesecondofficersawthatitwasthefellowwhohadgivenWardsuchatrimmingthefirstdayout."Oh,it'syouisit,Byrne?"hesaidinanotunpleasanttone."Cometomyquartersamoment,Iwanttospeakwithyou,"andsosayinghewheeledaboutandretracedhiswaybelow,theseamanathisheels."Myman,"saidTheriere,oncethetwowerebehindthecloseddooroftheofficer'scabin,"Ineedn'taskhowmuchyouoverheardoftheconversationinthecaptain'scabin.Ifyouhadn'toverheardagreatdealmorethanyoushouldyouwouldn'thavebeensokeentoescapedetectionjustnow.WhatIwantedtosaytoyouisthis.Keepaclosetongueinyourheadandstickbymeinwhat'sgoingtohappeninthenextfewdays.Thisbunch,"hejerkedhisthumbinthedirectionofthecaptain'scabin,"arefixingtheirnecksforhalters,an'Iforonedon'tintendtopokemyheadthroughanynooseofanotherman'smaking.There'smoreinthisthingifit'shandledright,andhandledwithouttoomanymeninonthewhack-upthanwecangetoutofitifthatmanDivinehastobecountedin.I'veaplanofmyown,an'itwon'ttakebutthreeorfourofustoputitacross."Youdon'tlikeWard,"hecontinued,"andyoumaybealmightysurethatMr.Wardain'tlosinganysleepnightsoverloveofyou.IfyousticktothatbunchWardwilldoyououtofyourshareassureasyouareafoothigh,an'thechancesarethathe'lldoyououtofawholelotmorebesides--asamatteroffact,Byrne,you'reamightypoorlifeinsuranceriskrightnow,withalifeexpectancythat'sprettynearminusaslongasBenderWardisonthesameshipwithyou.DoyouunderstandwhatImean?""Aw,"saidBillyByrne,"Iain'tafraido'thatstiff.Lethimmakeanyfunnycrackatmean'I'llcaveinahandfulofslatsforhim--thepiker.""That'sallrighttoo,Byrne,"saidTheriere."Ofcourseyoucandoitifanybodycan,providedyougetthechance;butWardisn'tthemantogiveyouanychance.Theremaybeshootingnecessarywithinthenextdayorso,andthere'snothingtopreventWardlettingyouhaveitintheback,purelybyaccident;andifhedon'tdoitthenthere'llbeallkindsofopportunitiesforitbeforeanyofuseverseeawhiteman'sportagain.He'llgetyou,Byrne,he'sthatkind. CHAPTERIII19"Now,withmypropositionyou'llbeshutofWard,SkipperSimms,andDivine.There'llbemoremoneyinitforyou,an'youwon'thavetogoaroundexpectingabulletinthesmallofyourbackeveryminute.Whatdoyousay?Areyougame,orshallIhavetogobacktoSkipperSimmsandWardandtellthemthatIcaughtyoueavesdropping?""Oh,I'mgame,"saidBillyByrne,"ifyou'llpromisemeasquaredealonthedivvy."TheFrenchmanextendedhishand."Let'sshakeonit,"hesaid.Billytooktheprofferedpalminhis."That'sago,"hesaid;"buthadn'tyoubetterwisemetowot'sdoin'?""Notnow,"saidTheriere,"someonemightoverhearjustasyoudid.WaitabituntilIhaveabetteropportunity,andI'lltellyouallthereistoknow.Inthemeantimethinkoverwho'dbethebestmentoletintothiswithus--we'llneedthreeorfourmorebesidesourselves.Nowgoondeckaboutyourdutiesasthoughnothinghadhappened,andifI'mabitrougherthanusualwithyouyou'llunderstandthatit'stoavertanypossiblesuspicionlater.""I'mnext,"saidBillyByrne. CHAPTERIV20CHAPTERIVPIRACYBYDUSKthetrimlittlebrigantinewasscuddingawaytowardthewestbeforeawindthatcouldnothavesuitedherbetterhaditbeenmadetoorderatthespecialbehestofthedevilhimselftospeedhisminionsupontheirdevil'swork.Allhandswereinthebestofhumor.ThecrewhadforgottentheirrecentrancoratnothavingbeenpermittedshoreleaveatHonoluluintheexpectancyofadventureinthenearfuture,fortherewasthatintheatmosphereoftheHalfmoonwhichproclaimedlouderthanwordstheproximityofexcitement,andthegoaltowardwhichtheyhadbeensailingsincetheyleftSanFrancisco.SkipperSimmsandDivinewereelatedattheluckwhichhadbroughtthemtoHonoluluinthenickoftime,andatthesuccessofTheriere'smissionatthatport.TheyhadfigureduponaweekatleasttherebeforethesecondofficeroftheHalfmooncouldingratiatehimselfsufficientlyintothegoodwilloftheHardingstolearntheirplans,andnowtheywerecongratulatingthemselvesupontheiracumeninselectingsofitanagentastheFrenchmanfortheworkhehadhandledsoexpeditiouslyandsowell.Wardwaspleasedthathehadnotbeenforcedtoprolongthegallingmasqueradeofvalettohisinferiorofficer.Hewashopeful,too,thatcomingeventswouldbringtotheforeanopportunitytosatisfythevengeancehehadinwardlyswornagainstthesailorwhohadsoroughlymanhandledhimafewweekspast--Therierehadnotbeeninerrorinhisestimateofhisfellow-officer.BillyByrne,thearduouslaborofmakingsailoverforthetime,wasdevotinghisenergiestothetaskofpiecingoutfromwhatTherierehadtoldhimandwhathehadoverheardoutsidetheskipper'scabinsomesortofexplanationoftheworkahead.AsheponderedTheriere'spropositionhesawthewisdomofit.Itwouldgivethoseinterestedalargeramountofthebootyfortheirshare.Anotherfeatureofitwasthatitwasunderhandedandthatappealedstronglytothemucker.Now,ifhecouldbutdevisesomeschemefordouble-crossingTherierethepleasureandprofitoftheadventurewouldbetripled.Itwasthispropositionthatwasoccupyinghisattentionwhenhecaughtsightof"Bony"Sawyerand"Red"Sandersemergingfromtheforecastle.BillyByrnehailedthem.WhenthemuckerhadexplainedthepossibilitiesofprofitthatweretobehadbyenteringtheconspiracyaimedatSimmsandWardthetwoseamenwereenthusiasticallyforit."Bony"Sawyersuggestedthattheblackcook,Blanco,wasabouttheonlyothermemberofthecrewuponwhomtheycoulddepend,andatByrne'srequest"Bony"promisedtoenlistthecooperationofthegiantEthiopian.FromearlymorningoftheseconddayoutofHonolulukeeneyesscannedtheeasternhorizonthroughpowerfulglasses,untilabouttwobellsoftheafternoonwatchaslightsmudgebecamevisibleabouttwopointsnorthofeast.ImmediatelythecourseoftheHalfmoonwasalteredsothatsheborealmostdirectlynorthbywestinanefforttocomesafelyintothecourseofthesteamerwhichwasseenrisingrapidlyabovethehorizon.Thenewcourseofthebrigantinewasheldaslongasitseemedreasonablysafewithoutdangerofbeingsightedunderfullsailbytheoncomingvessel,thenherheadwasbroughtintothewind,andonebyonehersailswereloweredandfurled,asthekeeneyesofSecondOfficerTheriereannouncedthattherewasno CHAPTERIV21questionbutthatthewhitehullinthedistancewasthatofthesteampleasureyachtLotus.Uponthedeckoftheunsuspectingvesselamerrypartylaughedandchattedinhappyignoranceoftheplottersintheirpath.ItwasnearlyhalfanhouraftertheHalfmoonhadcometorest,driftingidlyunderbarepoles,thatthelookoutupontheLotussightedher."Sailin'vessellyin'to,westhalfsouth,"heshouted,"flyin'distresssignals."Inaninstantguestsandcrewhadhurriedtopointsofvantagewheretheymightobtainunobstructedviewofthestranger,andtakeadvantageofthisbreakinthemonotonyofalongseavoyage.AnthonyHardingwasonthebridgewiththecaptain,andbothmenhadleveledtheirglassesuponthedistantship."Canyoumakeherout?"askedtheowner."She'sabrigantine,"repliedtheofficer,"andallthatIcanmakeoutfromherewouldindicatethateverythingwasshipshapeabouther.Hercanvasisneatlyfurled,andsheisevidentlywellmanned,forIcanseeanumberoffiguresabovedeckapparentlyengagedinwatchingus.I'llalterourcourseandspeaktoher--we'llseewhat'swrong,andgiveherahandifwecan.""That'sright,"repliedHarding;"doanythingyoucanforthem."Amomentlaterhejoinedhisdaughterandtheirgueststoreportthemeagerinformationhehad."Howexciting,"exclaimedBarbaraHarding."Ofcourseit'snotarealshipwreck,butmaybeit'sthenextthingtoit.ThepoorsoulsmayhavebeendriftingabouthereinthecenterofthePacificwithoutfoodorwaterforgoodnessknowshowmanyweeks,andnowjustthinkhowtheymustbeliftingtheirvoicesinthankstoGodforhisinfinitemercyinguidingustothem.""Ifthey'vebeendriftingforanyconsiderablenumberofweekswithoutfoodorwater,"hazardedBillyMallory,"abouttheonlythingsthey'llneed'llbewhatwedidn'thavetheforesighttobringalong--anundertakerandapreacher.""Don'tbehorrid,Billy,"returnedMissHarding."YouknowperfectlywellthatIdidn'tmeanweeks--Imeantdays;andanywaythey'llbegratefultousforwhatwecandoforthem.Icanscarcelywaittoheartheirstory."BillyMallorywasinspectingthestrangerthroughMr.Harding'sglass.Suddenlyhegaveanexclamationofdismay."ByGeorge!"hecried."Itisseriousafterall.Thatship'safire.Look,Mr.Harding,"andhepassedtheglassovertohishost.Andsureenough,astheowneroftheLotusfoundthebrigantineagaininthecenterofhislenshesawathincolumnofblacksmokerisingamidships;butwhathedidnotseewasMr.WardupontheoppositesideoftheHalfmoon'scabinsuperintendingtheburningbytheblackcookofabundleofoilyragsinanironboiler."ByJove!"exclaimedMr.Harding."Thisisterrible.Thepoordevilsarepanic-stricken.Lookat'emmakingfortheboats!"andwiththathedashedbacktothebridgetoconferwithhiscaptain."Yes,"saidthatofficer,"Inoticedthesmokeaboutthesametimeyoudid--funnyitwasn'tapparentbefore.I'vealreadysignaledfullspeedahead,andI'veinstructedMr.Fostertohavetheboatsinreadinesstolower CHAPTERIV22awayifwefindthatthey'reshortofboatsonthebrigantine."WhatIcan'tunderstand,"headdedafteramoment'ssilence,"iswhytheydidn'tshowanysignsofexcitementaboutthatfireuntilwecamewithineasysightofthem--itlooksfunny.""Well,we'llknowinafewminutesmore,"returnedMr.Harding."Thechancesarethatthefireisjustarecentadditiontotheirpredicament,whateveritmaybe,andthattheyhaveonlyjustdiscovereditthemselves.""Thenitcan'thavegainedenoughheadway,"insistedthecaptain,"tocausethemanysuchimmediateterroraswouldbeindicatedbythehastewithwhichthewholeship'screwistumblingintothoseboats;butasyousay,sir,we'llhavetheirstoryoutoftheminafewminutesnow,soit'sidlespeculatingbeforehand."TheofficersandmenoftheHalfmoon,insofarasthoseonboardtheLotuscouldguess,hadallenteredtheboatsatlast,andwerepullingfranticallyawayfromtheirownshiptowardtherapidlynearingyacht;butwhattheydidnotguessandcouldnotknowwasthatMr.Divinepacednervouslytoandfroinhiscabin,whileSecondOfficerTherieretendedthesmokingragsthatWardandBlancohadresignedtohimthattheymighttaketheirplacesintheboats.Therierehadbeengreatlydisgustedwiththeturneventshadtakenforhehaddetermineduponalineofactionthathefeltsurewouldprovehighlyremunerativetohimself.IthadbeennothinglessthanaboldresolvetocallBlanco,Byrne,"Bony,"and"Red"tohissidethemomentSimmsandWardrevealedthetruepurposeoftheirrusetothoseonboardtheLotus,andwithhishenchmentakesideswiththemenoftheyachtagainsthisformercompanions.AshehadexplainedittoBillyByrnetheideawastopermitMr.HardingtobelievethatTheriereandhiscompanionshadbeendupedbySkipperSimms--thattheyhadhadnoideaoftheworkthattheyweretobecalledupontoperformuntilthelastmomentandthatthentheyhaddonetheonlythingtheycouldtoprotectthepassengersandcrewoftheLotus."Andthen,"Therierehadconcluded,"whentheythinkweareabandofheroes,andthebestfriendstheyhaveonearthwe'lljustnaturallybeinapositiontograbthewholelotofthem,andcollectransomsontenorfifteeninsteadofjustone.""Bully!"exclaimedthemucker."Yousuregotsomebean,mate."AsamatteroffactTherierehadhadnointentionofcarryingthematterasfarashehadintimatedtoBillyexceptasalastresort.HehadbeenmightilysmittenbythefaceandfortuneofBarbaraHardingandhadseeninthetrendofeventsapossibleopportunityofsodeeplyobligatingherfatherandherselfthatwhenhepaidcourttohershemightfallawillingvictimtohiswiles.Inthiscasehewouldbeobligedtorisknothing,andcouldmakeawaywithhisaccomplicesbyexplainingtoMr.HardingthathehadbeencompelledtoconcoctthisotherschemetoobtaintheirassistanceagainstSimmsandWard;thentheycouldthrowthethreeintoironsandallwouldbelovely;butnowthatfoolWardhadupsetthewholethingbyhittinguponthisasininefirehoaxasanexcuseforboardingtheLotusinforce,andhadfurtherdampenedTheriere'spetschemebysuggestingtoSkipperSimmsthedangerofTherierebeingrecognizedastheywereboardingtheLotusandbringingsuspicionuponthemallimmediately.TheyallknewthatapleasureyachtliketheLotuswaswellsuppliedwithsmallarms,andthatatthefirstintimationofdangertherewouldbeplentyofmenaboardtorepelassault,and,inallprobability,withentiresuccess.ThattherewereexcellentgroundsforTheriere'sbeliefthathecouldwinBarbaraHarding'shandwithsuchaflyingstartashisdaringplanwouldhaveassuredhimmaynotbequestioned,forthemanwascultivated, CHAPTERIV23polishedand,inasinisterway,good-looking.Thetitlethathehadborneupontheoccasionofhisvisittotheyacht,was,allunknowntohisaccomplices,hisbyrightofbirth,sothattherewasnothingotherthanalong-deadscandalintheFrenchNavythatmighthaveprovedabartoanaffiancesuchashedreamedof.Andnowtobethwartedatthelastmoment!Itwasunendurable.ThatpigofaWardhadsealedhisowndeathwarrant,ofthatTherierewasconvinced.Theboatswerenowquiteclosetotheyacht,whichhadsloweddownalmosttoadeadstop.InanswertothequeryoftheLotus'captainSkipperSimmswasexplainingtheirtrouble."I'mCaptainJones,"heshouted,"ofthebrigantineClarinda,FriscotoYokohamawithdynamite.Wedisabledourrudderyesterday,an'thisafternoonfirestartedinthehold.It'smakin'headwayfastnow,an'llreachthedynamitemostanytime.You'dbettertakeusaboard,an'getawayfromhereasquickasyoucan.'Tain'tsafenowherewithinfivehun'erdfathomofher.""You'dbettermakehaste,Captain,hadn'tyou?"suggestedMr.Harding."Idon'tlikethelooksofthings,sir,"repliedthatofficer."Sheain'tflyin'anydynamiteflag,an'ifshewasan'hadaholdfulltherewouldn'tbeanyparticulardangertous,an'anyonethathasevershippeddynamitewouldknowit,oroughtto.It'snotfirethatdetonatesdynamite,it'sconcussion.Nosir,Mr.Harding,there'ssomethingqueerhere--Idon'tlikethelooksofit.Whyjusttakeagoodlookatthefacesofthosemen.Didyoueverseesuchanugly-lookingpackofunhungmurderersinyourlife,sir?""Imustadmitthatthey'renotanoverlyprepossessingcrowd,Norris,"repliedMr.Harding."Butit'snotalwayseitherfairorsafetojudgestrangersentirelybyappearances.I'mafraidthatthere'snothingelseforitinthenameofcommonhumanitythantotakethemaboard,Norris.I'msureyourfearsareentirelygroundless.""Thenit'syourorders,sir,totakethemaboard?"askedCaptainNorris."Yes,Captain,Ithinkyou'dbetter,"saidMr.Harding."Verygood,sir,"repliedtheofficer,turningtogivethenecessarycommands.TheofficersandmenoftheHalfmoonswarmedupthesidesoftheLotus,dark-visaged,fierce,andforbidding."Remindsmeofaboardingpartyofpirates,"remarkedBillyMallory,ashewatchedBlanco,thelasttothrowalegovertherail,reachthedeck."They'renotverypretty,arethey?"murmuredBarbaraHarding,instinctivelyshrinkingclosertohercompanion."'Pretty'scarcelydescribesthem,Barbara,"saidBilly;"anddoyouknowthatsomehowIamhavingdifficultyinimaginingthemontheirkneesgivingupthankstotheLordfortheirrescue--thatwasyourrecentideaof'em,youwillrecall.""Ifyouhavepurposelysetyourselfthetaskofbeingmorethanordinarilydisagreeabletoday,Billy,"saidBarbarasweetly,"I'msureitwillpleaseyoutoknowthatyouaresucceeding.""I'mgladI'msuccessfulatsomethingthen,"laughedtheman."I'vecertainlybeenunsuccessfulenoughinanothermatter.""What,forexample?"askedBarbara,innocently. CHAPTERIV24"Whyintryingtomakemyselfsoagreeableheretoforethatyou'dfinallyconsenttosay'yes'forachange.""Nowyouaregoingtomakeitalltheworsebybeingstupid,"criedthegirlpetulantly."Whycan'tyoubenice,asyouusedtobebeforeyougotthissillynotionintoyourhead?""Idon'tthinkit'sasillynotiontobeheadoverheelsinlovewiththesweetestgirlonearth,"criedBilly."Hush!Someonewillhearyou.""Idon'tcareiftheydo.I'dliketoadvertiseittothewholeworld.I'mproudofthefactthatIloveyou;andyoudon'tcareenoughaboutittorealizehowreallyhardI'mhit--whyI'ddieforyou,Barbara,andwelcomethechance;why--MyGod!What'sthat?""OBilly!Whatarethosemendoing?"criedthegirl."They'reshooting.They'reshootingatpapa!Quick,Billy!Dosomething.Forheaven'ssakedosomething."Onthedeckbelowthemthe"rescued"crewofthe"Clarinda"hadsurroundedMr.Harding,CaptainNorris,andmostofthecrewoftheLotus,flashingquick-drawnrevolversfrombeneathshirtsandcoats,andfiringattwooftheyacht'smenwhoshowedfight."Keepquiet,"commandedSkipperSimms,"an'therewon'tnoneofyougethurted.""Whatdoyouwantofus?"criedMr.Harding."Ifit'smoney,takewhatyoucanfindaboardus,andgoonyourway.Noonewillhinderyou."SkipperSimmspaidnoattentiontohim.Hiseyessweptalofttotheupperdeck.Therehesawawide-eyedgirlandamanlookingdownuponthem.Hewonderedifshewastheonetheysought.Therewereotherwomenaboard.Hecouldseethem,huddledfrightenedbehindHardingandNorris.Someofthemwereyoungandbeautiful;buttherewassomethingaboutthegirlabovehimthatassuredhimshecouldbenoneotherthanBarbaraHarding.TodiscoverthetruthSimmsresortedtoaruse,forheknewthatwerehetoaskHardingoutrightifthegirlwerehisdaughterthechancesweremorethaneventhattheoldmanwouldsuspectsomethingofthenatureoftheirvisitanddenyheridentity."Whoisthatwomanyouhaveonboardhere?"hecriedinanaccusingtoneofvoice."That'swhatwe'rea-heretofindout.""Whyshe'smydaughter,man!"blurtedHarding."Whodidyou--""Thanks,"saidSkipperSimms,withaself-satisfiedgrin."That'swhatIwantedtobesureof.Hey,you,Byrne!You'renearestthecompanionway--fetchthegirl."Atthecommandthemuckerturnedandleapedupthestairwaytotheupperdeck.BillyMalloryhadoverheardtheconversationbelowandSimms'commandtoByrne.DisengaginghimselffromBarbaraHardingwhoinherterrorhadclutchedhisarm,heranforwardtotheheadofthestairway.ThemenoftheLotuslookedoninmuteandhelplessrage.Allwerecoveredbythegunsoftheboardingparty--thestillformsoftwooftheircompanionsbearingeloquentwitnesstotheslendernessofprovocationnecessarytotightenthetriggerfingersofthebeastsstandingguardoverthem.BillyByrneneverhesitatedinhisrushfortheupperdeck.Thesightofthemanawaitinghimabovebutwhettedhisappetiteforbattle.Thetrimflannels,thewhiteshoes,thenattycap,weretothemuckerassufficientcauseforjustifiablehomicideasisanorangeribbonincertainportionsoftheWestSideofChicago CHAPTERIV25onSt.Patrick'sDay.Aswere"RemembertheAlamo,"and"RemembertheMaine"tothefightingmenofthedaysthattheywerelivethingssowerethehabilimentsofgentilitytoBillyByrneatalltimes.BillyMallorywasanoldermanthanthemucker--twenty-fourperhaps--andfullyaslarge.Forfouryearshehadplayedrightguardonagreateasternteam,andforthreehehadpulledstrokeuponthecrew.DuringthetwoyearssincehisgraduationhehadpridedhimselfuponthemaintenanceofthephysicalsupremacythathadmadethenameofMalloryfamousincollegiateathletics;butinonevitalessentialhewashopelesslyhandicappedincombatwithsuchasBillyByrne,forMallorywasagentleman.AsthemuckerrushedupwardtowardhimMalloryhadalltheadvantageofpositionandpreparedness,andhadhedonewhatBillyByrnewouldhavedoneunderlikecircumstanceshewouldhaveplantedakickinthemidstofthemucker'sfacialbeautieswithallthepowerandweightandenergyathiscommand;butBillyMallorycouldnomorehaveperpetratedacowardlytricksuchasthisthanhecouldhavestruckawoman.Instead,hewaited,andasthemuckercameonanevenfootingwithhimMalloryswungaviciousrightfortheman'sjaw.Byrneduckedbeneaththeblow,cameupinsideMallory'sguard,andstruckhimthreetimeswithtrip-hammervelocityandpile-drivereffectiveness--onceuponthejawandtwice--belowthebelt!Thegirl,clingingtotherail,rivetedbytheparalysisoffright,sawherchampionstaggerbackandhalfcrumpletothedeck.Thenshesawhimmakeabraveanddesperaterally,as,thoughtornwithagony,helurchedforwardinanendeavortoclinchwiththebrutebeforehim.Againthemuckerstruckhisvictim--quickchoppyhooksthatrockedMallory'sheadfromsidetoside,andagainthebrutalblowbelowthebelt;butwiththetenacityofabulldogthemanfoughtforaholduponhisfoe,andatlast,notwithstandingByrne'sbestefforts,hesucceededinclosingwiththemuckeranddragginghimtothedeck.Herethetwomenrolledandtumbled,Byrnebiting,gouging,andkickingwhileMallorydevotedallofhisfast-waningstrengthtoanefforttoclosehisfingersuponthethroatofhisantagonist.Buttheterriblepunishmentwhichthemuckerhadinflicteduponhimovercamehimatlast,andasByrnefelttheman'seffortsweakeninghepartiallydisengagedhimselfandraisinghimselfupononearmdealthisnowalmostunconsciousenemyahalf-dozenfrightfulblowsupontheface.WithashriekBarbaraHardingturnedfromtheawfulsightasBillyMallory'sbloodyandswolleneyesrolledupandset,whilethemuckerthrewtheinertformroughlyfromhim.Quicktothegirl'smemorysprangMallory'srecentdeclaration,whichshehadthoughtatthetimebuttheempty,andvaingloriousboastingofthemaninlove--"WhyI'ddieforyou,Barbara,andwelcomethechance!""Poorboy!Howsoon,andhowterriblyhasthechancecome!"moanedthegirl.Thenaroughhandfelluponherarm."Here,youse,"acoarsevoiceyelledinherear."Comeouto'detrance,"andatthesametimeshewasjerkedroughlytowardthecompanionway.Instinctivelythegirlheldback,andthenthemucker,truetohistraining,truetohimself,gaveherarmasuddentwistthatwrenchedascreamofagonyfromherwhitelips."Dencomealong,"growledBillyByrne,"an'quitdismonkeybusiness,orI'llsuretwistyerflippercleanoff'nyeh."Withanoath,AnthonyHardingsprangforwardtoprotecthisdaughter;butthebuttofWard'spistolbroughthimunconscioustothedeck. CHAPTERIV26"Goeasythere,Byrne,"shoutedSkipperSimms;"thereain'tnocalltoinjurethehussy--acorpsewon'tbeworthnothingtous."Inmuteterrorthegirlnowpermittedherselftobeledtothedeckbelow.Quicklyshewasloweredintoawaitingboat.ThenSkipperSimmsorderedWardtosearchtheyachtandremoveallfirearms,afterwhichhewastoengagehimselftonavigatethevesselwithherowncrewunderarmedguardofhalfadozenoftheHalfmoon'scutthroats.Thesethingsattendedto,SkipperSimmswiththebalanceofhisowncrewandsixofthecrewoftheLotustotaketheplacesuponthebrigantineofthoseleftasaprizecrewaboardtheyachtreturnedwiththegirltotheHalfmoon.Thesailingvessel'ssailsweresoonhoistedandtrimmed,andinhalfanhour,followedbytheLotus,shewasscuddingbrisklysouthward.Forforty-eighthoursthiscoursewashelduntilSimmsfeltassuredthattheywerewelloutofthelaneofregulartrans-Pacifictraffic.DuringthistimeBarbaraHardinghadbeenkeptbelow,lockedinasmall,untidycabin.ShehadseennooneotherthanagreatNegrowhobroughthermealstoherthreetimesdaily--mealsthatshereturnedscarcelytouched.NowtheHalfmoonwasbroughtupintothewindwhereshelaywithflappingcanvaswhileSkipperSimmsreturnedtotheLotuswiththesixmenoftheyacht'screwthathehadbroughtaboardthebrigantinewithhimtwodaysbefore,andasmanymoreofhisownmen.OnceaboardtheLotusthemenwereputtoworkwiththosealreadyontheyacht.Theboat'srudderwasunshippedanddroppedintotheocean;herfireswereputout;herengineswereattackedwithsledgesuntiltheywerelittlebetterthansomuchjunk,andtomaketheslenderchancesofpursuitthatremainedtoherentirelynileveryounceofcoaluponherwasshoveledintothePacific.Herextramastsandsparesailsfollowedthewayofthecoalandtherudder,sothatwhenSkipperSimmsandFirstOfficerWardleftherwiththeirownmenthathadbeenaboardhershewaslittlebetterthanadriftingderelict.FromhercabinwindowBarbaraHardinghadwitnessedthewantonwreckingofherfather'syacht,andwhenitwasoverandthecrewofthebrigantinehadreturnedtotheirownshipshepresentlyfeltthemovementofthevesselasitgotunderway,andsoontheLotusdroppedtothesternandbeyondtherangeofhertinyport.Withamoanofhopelessnessandterrorthegirlsankprostrateacrossthehardberththatspannedoneendofherprisoncell.Howlongshelaythereshedidnotknow,butfinallyshewasarousedbytheopeningofhercabindoor.Asshesprangtoherfeetreadytodefendherselfagainstwhatshefeltmighteasilybesomenewformofdangerhereyeswentwideinastonishmentastheyrestedonthefaceofthemanwhostoodframedinthedoorwayofhercabin."You?"shecried. CHAPTERV27CHAPTERVLARRYDIVINEUNMASKED"YES,Barbara,itisI,"saidMr.Divine;"andthankGodthatIamheretodowhatlittleanymanmaydoagainstthisbandofmurderingpirates.""But,Larry,"criedthegirl,inevidentbewilderment,"howdidyoucometobeaboardthisship?Howdidyougethere?Whatareyoudoingamongstsuchasthese?""Iamaprisoner,"repliedtheman,"justasareyou.Ithinktheyintendholdingusforransom.TheygotmeinSanFrancisco.Sluggedmeandhustledmeaboardthenightbeforetheysailed.""Wherearetheygoingtotakeus?"sheasked."Idonotknow,"hereplied,"althoughfromsomethingIhaveoverheardoftheirconversationsIimaginethattheyhaveinmindsomedistantislandfarfromthebeatentrackofcommerce.TherearethousandssuchinthePacificthatarevisitedbyvesselsscarceonceinacentury.TheretheywillholdusuntiltheycanproceedwiththeshiptosomepointwheretheycangetintocommunicationwiththeiragentsintheStates.Whentheransomispaidovertotheseagentstheywillreturnforusandlandusuponsomeotherislandwhereourfriendscanfindus,orleavinguswherewecandivulgethelocationofourwhereaboutstothosewhopaytheransom."ThegirlhadbeenlookingintentlyatMr.Divineduringtheirconversation."Theycannothavetreatedyouverybadly,Larry,"shesaid."Youareaswellgroomedandwellfed,apparently,asever."Aslightflushmountingtotheman'sfacemadethegirlwonderabitthoughitarousednosuspicioninhermind."Oh,no,"hehastenedtoassureher,"theyhavenottreatedmeatallbadly--whyshouldthey?IfIdietheycancollectnoransomonme.Itisthesamewithyou,Barbara,soIthinkyouneedapprehendnoharshtreatment.""Ihopeyouareright,Larry,"shesaid,butthehopelessnessofherairratherbeliedanybeliefthataughtbutharmcouldcomefromcaptivitywithsuchasthosewhoofficeredandmannedtheHalfmoon."Itseemssoremarkable,"shewenton,"thatyoushouldbeaprisoneruponthesameboat.Icannotunderstandit.Whyonlyafewdaysagowereceivedandentertainedafriendofyourswhobroughtaletterfromyoutopapa--theCountdeCadenet."Againthattelltaleflushmantledtheman'scheek.Hecursedhimselfinwardlyforhislackofself-control.Thegirlwouldhavehiswholesecretoutofhiminanotherhalf-hourifhewerenotmorecareful."Theymademedothat,"hesaid,jerkinghisthumbinthegeneraldirectionofSkipperSimms'cabin."Maybethataccountsfortheirbringingmealong.The'CountdeCadenet'isafellownamedTheriere,secondmateofthisship.Theysenthimtolearnyourplans;whenyouexpectedsailingfromHonoluluandyourcourse.Theyareallcrooksandvillains.IfIhadn'tdoneastheybidtheywouldhavekilledme."Thegirlmadenocomment,butDivinesawthecontemptinherface. CHAPTERV28"Ididn'tknowthattheyweregoingtodothis.IfIhadI'dhavediedbeforeI'dhavewrittenthatnote,"headdedratherlamely.Thegirlwassuddenlylookingverysad.ShewasthinkingofBillyMallorywhohaddiedinanefforttosaveher.ThementalcomparisonshewasmakingbetweenhimandMr.Divinewasnotoverlyflatteringtothelattergentleman."TheykilledpoorBilly,"shesaidatlast."Hetriedtoprotectme."ThenMr.Divineunderstoodthetrendofherthoughts.Hetriedtofindsomeexcuseforhiscowardlyact;butwiththerealizationofthetruecowardlinessandtreacheryofitthatthegirldidn'tevenguessheunderstoodthefutilityofseekingtoextenuateit.Hesawthatthechanceswereexcellentthatafterallhewouldbecompelledtoresorttoforceorthreatstowinherhandatthelast."BillywouldhavedonebettertohavebowedtotheinevitableasIdid,"hesaid."LivingIamabletohelpyounow.DeadIcouldnothavepreventedthemcarryingouttheirintentionsanymorethanBillyhas,norcouldIhavebeenheretoaidyounowanymorethanheis.Icannotseethathisactionhelpedyoutoanygreatextent,braveasitwas.""Thememoryofitandhimwillalwayshelpme,"sheansweredquietly."Theywillhelpmetobearwhateverisbeforemebravely,and,whenthetimecomes,todiebravely;forIshallalwaysfeelthatupontheothersideatrue,braveheartisawaitingme."Themanwassilent.Afteramomentthegirlspokeagain."IthinkIwouldratherbealone,Larry,"shesaid."Iamveryunhappyandnervous.PossiblyIcouldsleepnow."Withabowheturnedandleftthecabin.ForweekstheHalfmoonkeptsteadilyonhercourse,alittlesouthofwest.Therewasnomaterialchangeintherelationsofthoseaboardher.BarbaraHarding,findingherselfunmolested,finallyaccededtotherepeatedpleasofMr.Divine,towhosesocietyshehadbeendrivenbylonelinessandfear,andappearedondeckfrequentlyduringthedaylightwatches.Here,oneafternoon,shecamefacetofacewithTheriereforthefirsttimesinceherabduction.Theofficerliftedhiscapdeferentially;butthegirlmethislookofexpectantrecognitionwithacold,blankstarethatpassedthroughandbeyondhimasthoughhehadbeenemptyair.Atingeofcolorrosetotheman'sface,andhecontinuedonhiswayforamomentasthoughcontenttoacceptherrebuff;butafterasteportwoheturnedsuddenlyandconfrontedher."MissHarding,"hesaid,respectfully,"Icannotblameyouforthefeelingofloathinganddistrustyoumustharbortowardme;butincommonjusticeIthinkyoushouldhearmebeforefinallycondemning.""Icannotimagine,"shereturnedcoldly,"whatdefensetherecanbeforthecowardlyactyouperpetrated.""Ihavebeenutterlydeceivedbymyemployers,"saidTheriere,hasteningtotakeadvantageofthetacitpermissiontoexplainwhichherreplycontained."Iwasgiventounderstandthatthewholethingwastobebutahoax--thatIwastakingpartinagreatpracticaljokethatMr.Divinewastoplayuponhisoldfriends,theHardingsandtheirguests.UntiltheywreckedanddesertedtheLotusinmid-oceanIhadnoideathatanythingelsewascontemplated,althoughIfeltthatthematter,evenbeforethatevent,hadbeencarriedquitefarenoughforajoke."Theyexplained,"hecontinued,"thatbeforesailingyouhadexpressedthehopethatsomethingreallyexcitingandadventurouswouldbefalltheparty--thatyouweretiredofthemonotonoushumdrumoftwentieth-century CHAPTERV29existence--thatyouregrettedthedecadenceofpiracy,andtheexpungingofromancefromtheseas."Mr.Divine,theytoldme,wasaverywealthyyoungman,towhomyouwereengagedtobemarried,andthathecouldeasilyaffordthegreatexpenseoftheratherremarkablehoaxweweresupposedtobeperpetrating.Isawnoharmintakingpartinit,especiallyasIknewnothingofthesupposititiouspurposeofthecruiseuntiljustbeforewereachedHonolulu.BeforethatIhadbeenledtobelievethatitwasbutapleasuretriptotheSouthPacificthatMr.Divineintended."Yousee,MissHarding,thatIhavebeenasbadlydeceivedasyou.Won'tyouletmehelptoatoneformyerrorbybeingyourfriend?Icanassureyouthatyouwillneedonewhomyoucantrustamongstthisshiploadofscoundrels.""WhoamItobelieve?"criedthegirl."Mr.Divineassuresmethathe,too,hasbeenforcedintothisaffair,butbythreatsofdeathratherthandeception."TheexpressiononMr.Theriere'sfacewaseloquentofsarcasticincredulity."HowaboutthenoteofintroductionthatIcarriedtoyourfatherfromMr.Divine?"askedTheriere."Hesaysthathewascompelledtowriteitatthepointofarevolver,"repliedthegirl."Comewithme,MissHarding,"saidtheofficer."IthinkthatImaybeabletoconvinceyouthatMr.DivineisnotonanysuchbadtermswithSkipperSimmsaswouldbethecasewerehisstorytoyoutrue."Ashespokehestartedtowardthecompanionwayleadingtotheofficers'cabins.BarbaraHardinghesitatedatthetopofthestairway."Havenofear,MissHarding,"Therierereassuredher."RememberthatIamyourfriendandthatIammerelyattemptingtoproveittoyourentiresatisfaction.Youoweittoyourselftodiscoverassoonaspossiblewhoyourfriendsareaboardthisship,andwhoyourenemies.""Verywell,"saidthegirl."Icanbeinnomoredangeroneplaceaboardherthananother."Theriereledherdirectlytohisowncabin,cautioninghertosilencewithupraisedforefinger.Softly,likeskulkingcriminals,theyenteredthelittlecompartment.ThenTheriereturnedandclosedthedoor,slippingtheboltnoiselesslyashedidso.Barbarawatchedhim,herheartbeatingrapidlywithfearandsuspicion."Here,"whisperedTheriere,motioninghertowardhisberth."Ihavefounditadvantageoustoknowwhatgoesonbeyondthispartition.Youwillfindasmallroundholeneartheheadoftheberth,aboutafootabovethebedding.Putyoureartoitandlisten--IthinkDivineisintherenow."Thegirl,stillfrightenedandfearfuloftheman'sintentions,did,nevertheless,ashebid.Atfirstshecouldmakeoutnothingbeyondthepartitionbutaconfusedmurmurofvoices,andtheclinkofglass,asofthetouchoftheneckofabottleagainstagoblet.Foramomentsheremainedintensesilence,herearpressedtothetinyaperture.Then,distinctly,sheheardthevoiceofSkipperSimms."I'ma-tellin'you,man,"hewassaying,"thattherewan'tnothin'elsetobedone,an'I'ma-gettin'damnsicko'hearin'youfindingfaultallthetimewiththewayIbeena-runnin'o'thislittlejob.""I'mnotfindingfault,Simms,"returnedanothervoicewhichthegirlrecognizedimmediatelyasDivine's;"althoughIdothinkthatitwasamistaketosototallydisabletheLotusasyoudid.Why,howonearthareweevertoreturntocivilizationifthatboatislost?Hadshebeensimplydamagedalittle,inawaythattheycould CHAPTERV30themselveshavefixedup,thedelaywouldhavebeensufficienttopermitustoescape,andthen,whenMissHardingwasreturnedinsafetytoherfather,afterourmarriage,theywouldhavebeensogladtobereunitedthatheeasilycouldhavebeenpersuadedtodropthematter.Thenanotherthing;youintendedtodemandaransomforbothMissHardingandmyself,tocarryoutthefictionofmyhavingbeenstolenalso--howcanyoudothatifMr.Hardingbedead?AnddoyousupposeforamomentthatMissHardingwillleaveasinglestoneunturnedtobringtheguiltytojusticeifanyharmhasbefallenherfatherorhisguests?IfsoyoudonotknowheraswellasI."Thegirlturnedawayfromthepartition,herfacewhiteanddrawn,hereyesinexpressiblysad.Sherosetoherfeet,facingTheriere."Ihaveheardquiteenough,thankyou,Mr.Theriere,"shesaid."YouareconvincedthenthatIamyourfriend?"heasked."IamconvincedthatMr.Divineisnot,"sherepliednon-committally.Shetookasteptowardthedoor.Therierestoodlookingather.Shewasunquestionablyverygoodtolookat.Hecouldnotremembereverhavingseenamorebeautifulgirl.Agreatdesiretoseizeherinhisarmssweptovertheman.Therierehadnotoftenmadeanyefforttoharnesshisdesires.Whathewantedithadbeenhiscustomtotake--byforceifnecessary.HetookasteptowardBarbaraHarding.Therewasasuddenlightinhiseyesthatthegirlhadnotbeforeseenthere,andshereachedquicklytowardtheknobofthedoor.Therierewasuponher,andthen,quickly,hemasteredhimself,forherecalledhiscoollythought-outplanbasedonwhatDivinehadtoldhimofthatclauseinthewillofthegirl'sdepartedgrandparentwhichstipulatedthatthemanwhosharedthebequestwithhermustbethechoiceofbothherselfandherfather.Hecouldaffordtobidehistime,andplaythechivalrousprotectorbeforeheessayedtheroleoflover.Barbarahadturnedahalf-frightenedlooktowardhimasheadvanced--indoubtastohisintentions."Pardonme,MissHarding,"hesaid;"thedoorisbolted--letmeunlatchitforyou,"andverygallantlyhedidso,swingingtheportalwidethatshemightpassout."Ifearedinterruption,"hesaid,inexplanationofthebolt.Insilencetheyreturnedtotheupperdeck.Theintoxicationofsuddenpassionnowundercontrol,Therierewasagainmasterofhimselfandreadytoplaythecold,calculating,waitinggamethathehaddeterminedupon.PartofhisplanwastoseejustenoughofMissHardingtoinsureaplaceinhermindatalltimes;butnotenoughtosuggestthathewasforcinghimselfuponher.Rightly,heassumedthatshewouldappreciatethoughtfuldeferencetohercomfortandsafetyundertheharrowingconditionsofherpresentexistencemorethanaforcedcompanionshipthatmightentailtooopendevotiononhispart.Andsoheraisedhiscapandlefther,onlyurginghertocalluponhimatanytimethathemightbeofservicetoher.Leftalonethegirlbecamelostinunhappyreflections,andintheharrowingordealofattemptingtoreadjustherselftotheknowledgethatLarryDivine,herlifelongfriend,wastheinstigatoroftheatrociousvillainythathadbeenperpetratedagainstherandherfather.ShefounditalmostequallydifficulttobelievethatMr.Therierewassomuchmoresinnedagainstthansinningashewouldhavehadherbelieve.Andyet,didhisstorynotsoundevenmoreplausiblethanthatofDivinewhichshehadacceptedbeforeTherierehadmadeitpossibleforhertoknowthetruth?Why,then,wasitsodifficultforhertobelievetheFrenchman?Shecouldnotsay,butintheinmostrecessesofherheartsheknewthatshemistrustedandfearedtheman.Asshestoodleaningagainsttherail,burieddeepinthought,BillyByrnepassedclosebehindher.Atsightofherasneercurledhislip.Howhehatedher!Notthatsheeverhaddoneaughttoharmhim,butratherbecausesherepresentedtohiminconcreteformallthathehadlearnedtohateandloathesinceearlychildhood. CHAPTERV31Hersoft,whiteskin;hershapelyhandsandwell-cared-fornails;hertrimfigureandperfectlyfittingsuitalltauntedhimwiththeirsuperiorityoverhimandhiskind.Heknewthatshelookeddownuponhimasaninferiorbeing.Shewasoftheclassthataddressedthoseinhiswalkoflifeas"myman."Lord,howhehatedthatappellation!Theintentnessofhisgazeuponherbackhadtheeffectsooftennotedbytheobservant,andsuddenlyarousedfromthelethargyofhermiserythegirlswungaroundtomeettheman'seyessquarelyuponher.InstantlysherecognizedhimasthebrutewhohadkilledBillyMallory.Iftherehadbeenhateinthemucker'seyesashelookedatthegirl,itwasasnothingbycomparisonwiththeloathinganddisgustwhichsprangtohersastheyresteduponhissullenface.Sodeepwasherfeelingofcontemptforthisman,thatthesuddenappearanceofhimbeforeherstartledasingleexclamationfromher."Coward!"cametheoneword,involuntarily,fromherlips.Theman'sscowldeepenedmenacingly.Hetookathreateningsteptowardher."Wot'sdat?"hegrowled."Don'tgetgaywitme,orI'llblackdemlampsferyeh,"andheraisedaheavyfistasthoughtostrikeher.Themuckerhadlookedtoseethegirlcowerbeforehisthreatenedblow--thatwouldhavebeenampleatonementforherinsult,andwouldhaveappealedgreatlytohisKelly-gangsenseofhumor.Manyatimehadhethreatenedwomenthus,forthekeenenjoymentofhearingtheirscreamsoffrightandseeingthemturnandfleeinterror.Whentheyhadheldtheirgroundandopposedhim,assomeupontheWestSidehadfeltsufficientlymusculartodo,themuckerhadnothesitatedto"handthemone."ThusonlymightamanupholdhisreputationforbraveryinthevicinageofGrandAvenue.Hehadlookedtoseethisgirloftheeffeteandeffeminateupperclassswoonwithterrorbeforehim;buttohisintenseastonishmentshebutstooderectandbravebeforehim,herheadhighheld,hereyescoldandlevelandunafraid.Andthenshespokeagain."Coward!"shesaid.Billyalmoststruckher;butsomethingheldhishand.What,hecouldnotunderstand.Coulditbethathefearedthisslendergirl?Andatthisjuncture,whenthethreatofhisattitudewasthemostapparent,SecondOfficerTherierecameuponthescene.Ataglancehetookinthesituation,andwithaboundhadsprungbetweenBillyByrneandBarbaraHarding. CHAPTERVI32CHAPTERVITHEMUCKERATBAY"WHAThasthismansaidtoyou,MissHarding?"criedTheriere."Hasheofferedyouharm?""Idonotthinkthathewouldhavedaredstrikeme,"repliedthegirl,"thoughhethreatenedtodoso.HeisthecowardwhomurderedpoorMr.MalloryupontheLotus.Hemightstooptoanythingafterthat."TheriereturnedangrilyuponByrne."Gobelow!"heshouted."I'llattendtoyoulater.IfMissHardingwerenothereI'dthrashyouwithinaninchofyourlifenow.AndifIeverhearofyourspeakingtoheragain,orofferinghertheslightestindignityI'llputabulletthroughyousoquickyouwon'tknowwhathasstruckyou.""T'ellyehwill!"sneeredBillyByrne."Igotyournumber,yehbigstiff;an'yehbetternotgetgaywitme.Deyain'tnoguyonboarddisman'sshipdatcanhandBillyByrnedatkin'o'guffan'getawaywithit--see?"andbeforeTheriereknewwhathadhappenedaheavyfisthadcaughthimuponthepointofthechinandliftedhimclearoffthedecktodrophimunconsciousatMissHarding'sfeet."Yehseewothappenstoguysdatgetgaywitme?"saidthemuckertothegirl,andthenstoopingovertheprostrateformofthemateBillyByrnewithdrewahugerevolverfromTheriere'shippocket."IguessI'llneeddisgatinmybusinesspurtysoon,"heremarked.Thenheplantedaviciouskickinthefaceoftheunconsciousmanandwenthiswaytotheforecastle."Nowmaybeshe'lltinkBillyByrne'sacoward,"hethought,ashedisappearedbelow.BarbaraHardingstoodspeechlesswithshockatthebrutalityandferocityoftheunexpectedattackuponTheriere.Neverinallherlifehadshedreamedthattherecouldexistuponthefaceoftheearthathinginhumanformsodevoidofhonor,andchivalry,andfairplayasthecreaturethatshehadjustwitnessedthreateningadefenselesswoman,andkickinganunconsciousmanintheface;butthenBarbaraHardinghadneverlivedbetweenGrandAvenueandLakeStreet,andHalstedandRobey,wherestandardsofmasculinebraveryarestrangeandfearful.Whenshehadrecoveredherequanimityshehastenedtotheheadofthecabincompanionwayandcalledaloudforhelp.InstantlySkipperSimmsandFirstOfficerWardrushedondeck,eachcarryingarevolverinreadinessfortheconflictwiththeircrewthatthesetwoworthieswerealwaysexpecting.BarbarapointedoutthestillformofTheriere,quicklyexplainingwhathadoccurred."ItwasthefellowByrnewhodidit,"shesaid."Hehasgoneintotheforecastlenow,andhehasarevolverthathetookfromMr.Theriereafterhehadfallen."Severalofthecrewhadnowcongregatedabouttheprostrateofficer."Hereyou,"criedSkipperSimmstoacoupleofthem;"youtakeMr.Therierebelowtohiscabin,an'throwcoldwaterinhisface.Mr.Ward,getsomebrandyfrommylocker,an'tryan'bringhimto.Therestofyouarmyourselveswithcrowbarsandaxes,an'seethatthatsonofaseacookdon'tgetoutondeckagainalive.Holdhimthere'tilIgetacoupleofguns.Thenwe'llgethim,damnhim!" CHAPTERVI33SkipperSimmshastenedbelowwhiletwoofthemenwerecarryingTherieretohiscabinandMr.Wardwasfetchingthebrandy.AmomentlaterBarbaraHardingsawtheskipperreturntotheupperdeckwitharifleandtworevolvers.ThesailorswhomhehaddetailedtokeepByrnebelowweregatheredaboutthehatchwayleadingtotheforecastle.Someofthemwereexchangingprofaneandpleasantbadinagewiththeprisoner."Yehbettercomeupan'getkilledeasy-like;"onecalleddowntothemucker."We'reapttomussyehallupdownthereinthedarkwiththesehereaxesandcrowbars,an'thenwenwesendyehhomeyerporemawwon'tknowherlittleboyatall.""Yehcomeondownhere,an'trymussin'meup,"yelledbackBillyByrne."Icanlickdewholegangwitonehan'tiedbehin'me--see?""Deskipper'sgorntogethisbarkers,Billy,"criedBonySawyer."Yehbettercomeupan'stan'trialifhegivesyehthechanct.""Stan'nothin',"sneeredBilly."SwellchanctI'dhavewithiman'SquintEyeholdin'courtoverme.Notonyerlife,Bony.I'mhere,an'hereIstaystillIcroaks,butyehbetterbelieveme,I'mgoin,tocroakafewbeforeIgoes,soifanyofyouginksaremefrien'syehbetterkeepoutenhereso'syehwon'tgethurted.An'anuddertingI'mgoin'todoaforeIcashesin--I'mgoin'toputafewofdemginksindecabinwisetowheredeystandswitoneanudder.IfIdon'tstartsomethingbeforeIgoesoutmename'snotBillyByrne."AtthisjunctureSkipperSimmsappearedwiththethreeweaponshehadgonetohiscabintofetch.HehandedonetoBonySawyer,anothertoRedSandersandathirdtoamanbythenameofWison."Now,mymen,"saidSkipperSimms,"wewillgobelowandbringByrneup.Bringhimaliveifyoucan--butbringhim."Noonemadeamovetoentertheforecastle."Goonnow,movequickly,"commandedSkipperSimmssharply."Thoughthesaid'we',"remarkedoneofthesailors.SkipperSimms,lividwithrage,turnedtosearchouttheoffenderfromtheseveralmenbehindhim."Whowasthat?"heroared."Showmetheblitherin'swab.Jes'showhimtome,Itellyou,anI'lllearnhim.Nowyou,"heyelledatthetopofhisvoice,turningagaintothemenhehadorderedintotheforecastleafterBillyByrne,"youcowardlylandlubbersyou,getbelowtherequickaforeIkickyoubelow."Stillnoonemovedtoobeyhim.Fromwhitehewenttored,andthenbacktowhiteagain.Hefairlyfrothedatthemouthashejumpedupanddown,cursingthemen,andthreatening.Butalltonoavail.Theywouldnotgo."Why,Skipper,"spokeupBonySawyer,"it'ssuredeathforanymanasgoesbelowthere.It'seasier,an'safer,tostarvehimout.""Starvenothin',"shriekedSkipperSimms."DoyoureckonI'ma-goin'tositquiethereforaweekan'letanyblankedwharfratownthattherefo'c's'lejustbecauseIgotaloto'white-liveredcowardsaboard?Nosir!You'rea-goin'downafterthatwould-bebadmanan'fetchhimupdeadoralive,"andwiththathestartedmenacinglytowardthethreewhostoodnearthehatch,holdingtheirfirearmssafelyoutofrangeofBillyByrnebelow. CHAPTERVI34WhatwouldhavehappenedhadSkipperSimmscompletedthethreateningmaneuverhehadundertakencanneverbeknown,foratthismomentTherierepushedhiswaythroughthecircleofmenwhowereinterestedspectatorsoftheimpendingtragedy."What'sup,sir?"heaskedofSimms."AnythingthatIcanhelpyouwith?""Oh!"exclaimedtheskipper;"soyouain'tdeadafterall,eh?Wellthatdon'tchangethelooksofthingsamite.Wegottagetthatmanoutatherean'theseflea-bittenimitationsofmenain'tgotthegutstogoinafterhim.""He'sgotyourgun,sir,"spokeupWison,"an'Gawdknowshebetheoneas'udon'ybetoogladforthechancttouseit.""LetmeseeifIcan'thandlehim,sir,"saidTherieretoSkipperSimms."Wedon'twanttoloseanymenifwecanhelpit."Theskipperwasonlytoogladtowelcomethisunexpectedrescuefromthepredicamentinwhichhehadplacedhimself.HowTherierewastoaccomplishthesubjugationofthemutinoussailorhecouldnotguess,nordidhecaresolongasitwasdonewithoutrisktohisownskin."Nowifyou'llgoaway,sir,"saidTheriere,"andorderthemenawayI'llseewhatIcando."SkipperSimmsdidasTherierehadrequested,sothatpresentlytheofficerstoodalonebesidethehatch.Acrossthedeck,amidships,themenhadcongregatedtowatchTheriere'soperations,whilebeyondthemstoodBarbaraHardingheldfascinatedbythegrimtragedythatwasunfoldingbeforeheruponthisaccursedvessel.Theriereleanedovertheopenhatch,infullviewofthewaitingByrne,readybelow.TherewastheinstantreportofafirearmandabulletwhizzedclosepastTheriere'shead."Avastthere,Byrne!"heshouted."It'sI,Theriere.Don'tshootagain,Iwanttospeaktoyou.""Nomonkeybusinessnow,"growledthemuckerinreply."Iwon'tmissagain.""Iwanttotalkwithyou,Byrne,"saidTheriereinalowtone."I'mcomingdownthere.""Noyouain't,cul,"returnedByrne;"leastwaysyehain'ta-comin'downherealive.""YesIam,Byrne,"repliedTheriere,"andyoudon'twanttobefoolishaboutit.I'munarmed.Youcancovermewithyourgununtilyouhavesatisfiedyourselfastothat.I'mtheonlymanontheshipthatcansaveyourlife--theonlymanthathasanyreasontowantto;butwe'vegottotalkitoverandwecan'ttalkthiswaywherethere'sachanceofbeingoverheard.I'llbeonthesquarewithyouifyouwillwithme,andifwecan'tcometotermsI'llcomeaboveagainandyouwon'tbeanyworseoffthanyouarenow.HereIcome,"andwithoutwaitingforanacceptanceofhispropositionthesecondofficeroftheHalfmoonslippedovertheedgeofthehatchwayanddisappearedfromthesightofthewatchersabove.ThathewasabravemanevenBillyByrnehadtoadmit,andthoseabovewhoknewnothingoftherelationsexistingbetweenthesecondmateandthesailor,whohadsorecentlyfelledhim,thoughtthathiscouragewaslittleshortofmarvelous.Theriere'sstockwentupbyleapsandboundsintheestimationofthesailorsoftheHalfmoon,fordegradedthoughtheyweretheycouldunderstandandappreciatephysicalcourageofthissort,whiletoBarbaraHardingtheman'sactseemedunparalleledinitsutterdisregardoftheconsequencesoflifeanddeathtohimselfthatitentailed.ShesuddenlywassorrythatshehadentertainedanysuspicionsagainstTheriere--sobraveamancouldnotbeotherthanthesoulofhonor,sheargued. CHAPTERVI35OncebelowTherierefoundhimselfcoveredbyhisownrevolverinthehandsofaverydesperateandaveryunprincipledman.HesmiledatByrneasthelattereyedhimsuspiciously."Seehere,Byrne,"saidTheriere."ItwouldbefoolishformetosaythatIamdoingthisforloveofyou.ThefactisthatIneedyou.Wecannotsucceed,eitheroneofus,alone.Ithinkyoumadeafoolplaywhenyouhitmetoday.YouknowthatourunderstandingwasthatIwastobeevenalittlerougherwithyouthanusual,inordertoavoidsuspicionbeingattachedtoanyseemingfamiliaritybetweenus,shouldwebecaughtconferringtogether.Ihadthechancetobawlyououttoday,andIthoughtthatyouwouldunderstandthatIwasbuttakingadvantageoftheopportunitywhichitaffordedtomakeitplaintoMissHardingthattherecouldbenothingotherthanhatredbetweenus--itmighthavecomeinprettyhandylatertohaveherbelievethat."IfI'dhadanyideathatyoureallyintendedhittingmeyou'dhavebeenadeadmanbeforeyourfistreachedme,Byrne.Youtookmeentirelybysurprise;butthat'sallinthepast--I'mwillingtoletbygonesbebygones,andhelpyououtoftheprettypickleyou'vegotyourselfinto.Thenwecangoaheadwithourworkasthoughnothinghadhappened.Whatdoyousay?""Ididn'tknowyehwaskiddin,"repliedthemucker,"orIwouldn'thavehityeh.Yehactedlikeyehmeantit.""Verywell,thatpart'sunderstood,"saidTheriere."NowwillyoucomeoutifIcansquarethethingwiththeskipperso'syouwon'tgetmorethanadayorsoinirons--he'llhavetogiveyousomethingtosavehisownface;butIpromisethatyou'llgetyourfoodregularlyandthatyouwon'tbebeatenupthewayyouwerebeforewhenhehadyoubelow.Ifhewon'tagreetowhatIproposeIgiveyoumywordtotellyouso.""Goahead,"saidBillyByrne;"Idon'ttrustnobodywenIdon'thaveto;butI'llbedingedifIseeanyotherwayoutofit."Therierereturnedtothedeckandseekingouttheskipperdrewhimtooneside."IcangethimuppeaceablyifIcanassurehimthathe'llonlygetadayorsointhecooler,withfullrationsandnobeatings.Ithink,sir,thatthatwillbetheeasiestwayoutofit.Wecannotspareamannow--ifwewanttogetthefellowlaterwecanalwaysfindsomepretext.""Verywell,Mr.Theriere,"repliedtheskipper,"I'llleavethematterentirelyinyourhands--youcandowhatyouwantwiththefellow;it'syouashadyourfacepunched."Therierereturnedimmediatelytotheforecastle,fromwhichhepresentlyemergedwiththeerstwhilerecalcitrantByrne,andfortwodaysthelatterlanguishedindurancevile,andthatwastheendoftheepisode,thoughitseffectsweremanifold.ForonethingitimplantedintheheartofTheriereapersonalhatredforthemucker,sothatwhileheretoforehisintentionofriddinghimselfofthemanwhenhenolongerneededhimwasduepurelytoamatterofpolicy,itwasnowreinforcedbyakeendesireforpersonalrevenge.TheoccurrencehadalsohaditsinfluenceuponBarbaraHarding,inthatithadshownherMr.Theriereinanewlight--onethatreflectedcredituponhim.Shehadthoughthismagnanimoustreatmentofthesailorlittleshortofheroic;andithaddeepenedthegirl'shorrorofBillyByrneuntilitnowamountedtolittleshortofanobsession.Sovividanimpressionhadhisbrutalitymadeuponherthatshewouldstartfromdeepslumber,dreamingthatshewasmenacedbyhim.AfterBillywasreleasedfordutyfollowinghisimprisonment,heseveraltimespassedthegirlupondeck.Henoticedthatsheshrankfromhimindisgustandterror;butwhatsurprisedhimwasthatinsteadofthethrillofpridewhichheformerlywouldhavefeltatthisacknowledgmentofhistoughness,forBillypridedhimselfonbeingatough,henowfeltasingularresentmentagainstthegirlforherattitude,sothathecametohateherevenmorethanhehadbeforehated.Formerlyhehadhatedherforthethingsshestoodfor,nowhehatedher CHAPTERVI36forherself.Therierewasoftenwithhernow,and,lessfrequently,Divine;foratthesecondofficer'ssuggestionBarbarahadnotacquaintedthatgentlemanwiththefactthatshewasawareofhisduplicity."Itisjustaswellnottolethimknow,"saidTheriere."Itgivesyouanadvantagethatwouldbewantingshouldhesuspectthetruth,sothatnowyouarealwaysinapositiontobewarnedinplentyoftimeagainstanyulteriorsuggestionhemaymake.Keepmepostedastoallhetellsyouofhisplans,andinthiswaywecandefeathimmuchmoreeasilythanasthoughyoufollowedyournaturalinclinationsandrefusedtoholdcommunicationofanysortwithhim.Itmightbewell,MissHarding,eventoencouragehiminthehopethatyouwillwedhimvoluntarily.Ithinkthatthatwouldthrowhimentirelyoffhisguard,andpavethewayforyourearlyrelease.""Oh,IdoubtifIcoulddothat,Mr.Theriere,"exclaimedthegirl."YoucannotimaginehowIloathethemannowthatIknowhiminhistruecolors.Foryearshehasimportunedmetomarryhim,andthoughInevercaredforhiminthatwayatall,andnevercould,Ifeltthathewasaverygoodfriendandthathisconstancydemandedsomereturnonmypart--myfriendshipandsympathyatleast;butnowIshiverwheneverheisnearme,justasIwouldwereItofindasnakecoiledclosebesideme.Icannotabidetreachery.""NorI,MissHarding,"agreedTheriereglibly."Themandeservesnothingbutyourcontempt,thoughforpolicy'ssakeIhopethatyouwillfinditpossibletoleadhimonuntilhisverytreacheryprovesthemeansofyoursalvation,forbelieveme,ifhehasbeenfalsetoyouhowmuchmorequicklywillhebefalsetoSimmsandWard!Hewouldditchtheminaminuteiftheopportunitypresenteditselfforhimtowinyouwithouttheiraid.Ihadthoughtitmightbefeasibletoleadhimintoattemptingtotaketheshipbyforce,andreturnyoutoSanFrancisco,or,betterstillpossibly,tothenearestcivilizedport."Youmight,withproprietysuggestthistohim,tellinghimthatyoubelievethatIwouldstandreadytoassistintheundertaking.Icanpromiseyouthesupportofseveralofthemen--quiteasufficientnumberwithDivineandmyself,easilytotaketheHalfmoonawayfromherpresentofficers.""Iwillthinkoveryoursuggestion,Mr.Theriere,"repliedBarbara,"andIthankyouforthegenerousimpulsethathaspromptedyoutobefriendme--heavenknowshowbadlyIneedafriendnowamongsomanyenemies.Whatisit,Mr.Theriere?Whatisthematter?"Theofficerhadturnedhiseyescasuallytowardthesoutheastasthegirlspoke,andjustnowhehadgivenasuddenexclamationofsurpriseandalarm."Thatcloud,MissHarding,"heanswered."We'reinforabadblow,andit'llbeonusinaminute,"andwiththathestartedforwardonarun,callingbackoverhisshoulder,"you'dbettergobelowatonce." CHAPTERVII37CHAPTERVIITHETYPHOONTHEstormthatstrucktheHalfmoontookherentirelyunaware.Ithadsprung,apparently,outofaperfectlyclearsky.Boththelookoutandthemanatthewheelwerereadytotakeoaththattheyhadscannedthehorizonnotahalf-minutebeforeSecondMateTherierehadcomeracingforwardbellowingforallhandsondeckandorderingasailorbelowtoreportthemenacingconditionstoCaptainSimms.BeforethatofficerreachedthedeckTherierehadtheentirecrewalofttakinginsail;butthoughtheyworkedwiththedesperationofdoomedmentheywereonlypartiallysuccessfulintheirefforts.Theskyandseahadassumedasicklyyellowishcolor,exceptforthemightyblackcloudthatracedtowardthem,lowoverthewater.Thelowmoaningsoundthathadfollowedthefirstappearanceofthestorm,gaveplacetoasullenroar,andthen,ofasudden,thethingstrucktheHalfmoon,rippingherremainingcanvasfromherasifithadbeenwroughtfromtissuepaper,andwiththeflyingcanvas,spars,andcordagewentthemainmast,snappingtenfeetabovethedeck,andcrashingoverthestarboardbowwithanoiseandjarthatroseabovethebellowingofthetyphoon.FullyhalfthecrewoftheHalfmooneitherwentdownwiththefallingriggingorwerecrushedbythecrashingweightofthemastasithurtledagainstthedeck.SkipperSimmsrushedbackandforthscreamingoutcursesthatnooneheeded,andordersthattherewasnonetofill.Theriere,onhisownresponsibility,lookedtothehatches.Wardwithahandfulofmenarmedwithaxesattemptedtochopawaythewreckage,forthejaggedbuttofthefallenmastwasdashingagainsttheship'ssidewithsuchviciousblowsthatitseemedbutamatterofsecondsereitwouldstaveaholeinher.WiththeutmostdifficultyaseaanchorwasriggedandtumbledovertheHalfmoon'spitchingbowintotheangrysea,thatwasrisingtomoregiganticproportionswitheachsucceedingminute.Thisfrailmakeshiftwhichatbestcouldbutkeepthevessel'sbowintothewind,savingherfrominstantengulfmentinthesea'strough,seemedtoTherierebutasorrymeansofprolongingtheagonyofsuspenseprecedingtheinevitableend.Thatnothingcouldsavethemwasthesecondofficer'sfirmbelief,norwashealoneinhisconviction.NotonlySimmsandWard,buteveryexperiencedsailorontheshipfeltthatthelifeoftheHalfmoonwasnowbutamatterofhours,possiblyminutes,whilethoseoflesserexperiencewereequallypositivethateachsucceedingwavemustmarktheterminationofthelivesofthevesselandhercompany.Thedeck,washednowalmostcontinuouslybyhurtlingtonsofstorm-madwater,asonemountainouswavefollowedanotherthelengthoftheship,hadbecomeentirelyimpossible.Withdifficultythemenwereattemptingtogetbelowbetweenwaves.Allsemblanceofdisciplinehadvanished.Forthemostparttheywereapackofhowling,cursing,terror-riddenbeasts,fightingatthehatcheswiththosewhowouldhaveheldthemclosedagainstthedangerofeachnewassaultofthesea.WardandSkipperSimmshadbeenamongthefirsttoseektheprecarioussafetybelowdeck.Therierealoneoftheofficershadremainedondutyuntilthelast,andnowhewasexertinghiseveryfacultyintheefforttosaveasmanyofthemenaspossiblewithoutlosingtheshipinthedoingofit.Onlybetweenwaveswastheentrancetothemaincabinsnegotiable,whiletheforecastlehatchhadbeenabandonedentirelyafterithadwithdifficultybeenreplacedfollowingtheretreatofthreeofthecrewtothatpartoftheship.ThemuckerstoodbesideTheriereasthelatterbeatbackthemenwhentheseasthreatened.Itwastheman'sfirstexperienceofthekind.Neverhadhefaceddeathinthecourage-blightingformwhichthegrimharvesterassumeswhenhecallsunbridledNaturetodohisghastlybidding.Themuckersawtherough,brawlingbulliesoftheforecastlereducedtowhite-faced,gibberingcowards,clawingandfightingtoclimboverone CHAPTERVII38anothertowardthelesserdangerofthecabins,whilethematefoughtthemoff,exceptashefounditexpedienttoletthempasshim;healonecoolandfearless.Byrnestoodasoneapartfromthedangersandhystericstrivingsofhisfellows.OncewhenTherierehappenedtoglanceinhisdirectiontheFrenchmanmentallyascribedthemucker'sseeminglethargytotheparalysisofabjectcowardice."Thefellowisinabluefunk,"thoughtthesecondmate;"Ididnotmisjudgehim--likeallhiskindheisacowardatheart."Thenagreatwavecame,followingunexpectedlycloseupontheheelsofalesserone.IttookTheriereoffhisguard,threwhimdownandhurtledhimroughlyacrossthedeck,landinghiminthescuppers,bleedingandstunned.Thenextwavewouldcarryhimoverboard.Releasedfromsurveillancethebalanceofthecrewpushedandfoughttheirwayintothecabin--onlythemuckerremainedwithout,staringfirstattheprostrateformofthemateandthenattheopencabinhatch.Hadonebeenwatchinghimhemightreasonablyhavethoughtthattheman'smindwasinamuddleofconfusedthoughtsandfears;butsuchwasfarfromthecase.Billywaswaitingtoseeifthematewouldrevivesufficientlytoreturnacrossthedeckbeforethenextwaveswepttheship.Itwasveryinteresting--hewonderedwhatoddsO'Learywouldhavelaidagainsttheman.Inanothermomentthewavewouldcome.Billyglancedattheopencabinhatch.Thatwouldneverdo--thecabinwouldbefloodedwithtonsofwatershouldthenextwavefindthehatchstillopen.Billyclosedit.ThenhelookedagaintowardTheriere.Themanwasjustrecoveringconsciousness--andthewavewascoming.SomethingstirredwithinBillyByrne.Itgrippedhimandmadehimactquicklyasthoughbyinstincttodosomethingthatnoone,Billyhimselfleastofall,wouldhavesuspectedthattheGrandAvenuemuckerwouldhavebeencapableof.AcrossthedeckTherierewasdragginghimselfpainfullytohishandsandknees,asthoughtoattempttheimpossiblefeatofcrawlingbacktothecabinhatch.ThewavewasalmostuponBilly.Inamomentitwouldengulfhim,andthenrushonacrosshimtotearTherierefromthedeckandhurlhimbeyondtheshipintothetumbling,watery,chaosofthesea.Themuckersawallthis,andintheinstanthelaunchedhimselftowardthemanforwhomhehadnouse,whosekindhehated,reachinghimasthegreatwavebrokeoverthem,crushingthemtothedeck,chokingandblindingthem.Foramomenttheywereburiedintheswirlingmaelstrom,andthenastheHalfmoonroseagain,shakingthewateryenemyfromherback,thetwomenweredisclosed--Therierehalfovertheship'sside--themuckerclingingtohimwithonehand,theotherclutchingdesperatelyatahugecleatuponthegunwale.Byrnedraggedthematetothedeck,andthenslowlyandwithinfinitedifficultyacrossittothecabinhatch.Throughithepushedtheman,tumblingafterhimandclosingtheaperturejustasanotherwaveswepttheHalfmoon.Therierewasconsciousandbutlittletheworseforhisexperience,thoughbadlybruised.Helookedatthemuckerinastonishmentasthetwofacedeachotherinthecabin."Idon'tknowwhyyoudidit,"saidTheriere."NeitherdoI,"repliedBillyByrne."Ishallnotforgetit,Byrne,"saidtheofficer. CHAPTERVII39"Yeh'dbetter,"answeredBilly,turningaway.Themuckerwasextremelypuzzledtoaccountforhisact.Hedidnotlookuponitatallasapieceofheroism;butratherasa"foolplay"whichheshouldbeashamedof.Theveryidea!Savingthelifeofaginkwho,despitehisbrutalways,belongedtothemuch-despised"highbrow"class.Billywaspeevedwithhimself.Theriere,forhispart,wassurprisedattheunexpectedheroismofthemanhehadlongsinceratedasacowardlybully.HewasfullydeterminedtorepayByrneinsofarashecouldthegreatdebtheowedhim.Allthoughtsofrevengeforthemucker'sformerassaultuponhimweredropped,andhenowlookeduponthemanasatruefriendandally.ForthreedaystheHalfmoonplungedhelplesslyuponthestorm-wrackedsurfaceofthemadsea.Nosoulaboardherentertainedmorethanthefaintestglimmerofahopethattheshipwouldrideoutthestorm;butduringthethirdnightthewinddieddown,andbymorningtheseahadfallensufficientlytomakeitsafeforthemenoftheHalfmoontoventureupondeck.Theretheyfoundthebrigantineclean-sweptfromstemtostern.Tothenorthofthemwaslandataleagueortwo,perhaps.Hadthestormcontinuedduringthenighttheywouldhavebeendasheduponthecoast.God-fearingmenwouldhavegiventhanksfortheirmiraculousrescue;butnotsothese.Instead,thefearofdeathremoved,theyassumedtheirformerbravado.SkipperSimmsboastedoftheseamanshipthathadsavedtheHalfmoon--hisownseamanshipofcourse.Wardwascursingtheluckthathaddisabledtheshipatsocrucialaperiodofheradventure,andrevolvinginhisevilmindvariouspossibleschemesforturningthemisfortunetohisownadvantage.BillyByrne,sittinguponthecornerofthegalleytable,hobnobbedwithBlanco.Thesechoicerepresentativesoftheship'scompanywereplanningaraidontheskipper'sbrandychestduringthedisembarkationwhichthesightoflandhadrenderednotimprobable.TheHalfmoon,withthewinddown,wallowedheavilyinthetroughofthesea,butevensoBarbaraHarding,weariedwithdaysofconfinementinherstuffycabinbelow,venturedabovedeckforabreathofsweet,cleanair.ScarcehadsheemergedfrombelowthanTheriereespiedher,andhastenedtoherside."Well,MissHarding,"heexclaimed,"itseemsgoodtoseeyouondeckagain.Ican'ttellyouhowsorryIhavefeltforyoucoopedupaloneinyourcabinwithoutasinglewomanforcompanionship,andallthosefrightfuldaysofdanger,fortherewasscarceoneofusthatthoughttheoldhookerwouldweathersolongandhardablow.Weweremightyfortunatetocomethroughitsohandily.""Handily?"queriedBarbaraHarding,withawrysmile,glancingaboutthedeckoftheHalfmoon."Icannotseethatweareeitherthroughithandilyorthroughitatall.Wehavenomasts,nocanvas,noboats;andthoughIamnotmuchofasailor,Icanseethatthereislittlelikelihoodofoureffectingalandingontheshoreaheadeitherwithorwithoutboats---itlooksmostforbidding.Thenthewindhasgonedown,andwhenitcomesupagainitispossiblethatitwillcarryusawayfromtheland,orifittakesustowardit,dashustopiecesatthefootofthosefrightfulcliffs.""Iseeyouaretoogoodasailorbyfartobecheeredbyanyquestionablehopes,"laughedTheriere;"butyoumusttakethewillintoconsideration--Ionlywishedtogiveyouarayofhopethatmightlightenyourburdenofapprehension.However,honestly,Idothinkthatwemayfindawaytomakeasafelandingiftheseacontinuestogodownasithasinthepasttwohours.Wearenotmorethanaleaguefromshore,andwiththejurymastandsailthatthemenaresettingunderMr.Wardnowwecanworkincomparativesafetywithalightbreeze,whichweshouldhaveduringtheafternoon.Therearefewcoasts,howeverruggedtheymay CHAPTERVII40appearatadistance,thatdonotoffersomefootholdforthewreckedmariner,andIdoubtnotbutthatweshallfindthisnoexceptiontotherule.""Ihopeyouareright,Mr.Theriere,"saidthegirl,"andyetIcannotbutfeelthatmypositionwillbelesssafeonlandthanithasbeenupontheHalfmoon.Oncefreefromtherestraintsofdisciplinewhichtradition,custom,andlawenforceuponthehighseasthereisnotellingwhatatrocitiesthesemenwillcommit.Tobequitecandid,Mr.Theriere,IdreadalandingworsethanIdreadedthedangersofthestormthroughwhichwehavejustpassed.""Ithinkyouhavelittletofearonthatscore,MissHarding,"saidtheFrenchman."IintendmakingitquiteplainthatIconsidermyselfyourprotectoroncewehavelefttheHalfmoon,andIcancountonseveralofthementosupportme.EvenMr.Divinewillnotdaredootherwise.ThenwecansetupacampofourownapartfromSkipperSimmsandhisfactionwhereyouwillbeconstantlyguardeduntilsuccormaybeobtained."BarbaraHardinghadbeenwatchingtheman'sfaceashespoke.Thememoryofhisconsiderationandrespectfultreatmentofherduringthetryingweeksofhercaptivityhaddonemuchtoerasetheintuitivefeelingofdistrustthathadtingedherthoughtsofhimearlierintheiracquaintance,whilehisheroicactindescendingintotheforecastleinthefaceofthearmedanddesperateByrnehadthrownaglamourofromanceabouthimthatcouldnothelpbuttendtofascinateagirlofBarbaraHarding'stype.ThentherewasthelookshehadseeninhiseyesforabriefinstantwhenshehadfoundherselflockedinhiscabinontheoccasionthathehadrevealedtoherLarryDivine'sduplicity.Thatexpressionnored-bloodedgirlcouldmistake,andthefactthathehadsubduedhispassionspokeeloquentlytothegirlofthefinenessandchivalryofhisnature,sonowitwaswithafeelingofuttertrustfulnessthatshegladlygaveherselfintothekeepingofHenriTheriere,CountdeCadenet,SecondOfficeroftheHalfmoon."OMr.Theriere,"shecried,"ifyouonlycanbutarrangeitso,howrelievedandalmosthappyIshallbe.HowcanIeverrepayyouforallthatyouhavedoneforme?"Againshesawthelightleaptotheman'seyes--thelightofalovethatwouldnotbedeniedmuchlongerotherthanthroughtheagencyofamightywill.Loveshethoughtit;buttheeye-lightofloveandlustaretwinlightsbetweenwhichittakesmuchworldlywisdomtodifferentiate,andBarbaraHardingwasnotworldly-wiseinthewaysofsin."MissHarding,"saidTheriere,inavoicethatheevidentlyfounditdifficulttocontrol,"donotaskmenowhowyoumayrepayme;I--;"butwhathewouldhavesaidhechecked,andwithaneffortofwillthatwasalmostappreciabletotheeyehetookafreshgripuponhimself,andcontinued:"Iamamplyrepaidbybeingabletoserveyou,andthustoretrievemyselfinyourestimation--Iknowthatyouhavedoubtedme;thatyouhavequestionedtheintegrityofmyactsthathelpedtoleaduptotheunfortunateaffairoftheLotus.Whenyoutellmethatyounolongerdoubt--thatyouacceptmeasthefriendIwouldwishtobe,Ishallbemorethanamplyrepaidforanythingwhichitmayhavebeenmygoodfortunetohavebeenabletoaccomplishforyourcomfortandsafety.""ThenImaypartiallyrepayyouatonce,"exclaimedthegirlwithasmile,"forIcanassureyouthatyoupossessmyfriendshiptothefullest,andwithit,ofcourse,myentireconfidence.ItistruethatIdoubtedyouatfirst--IdoubtedeveryoneconnectedwiththeHalfmoon.Whyshouldn'tI?ButnowIthinkthatIamabletodrawaveryclearlinebetweenmyfriendsandmyenemies.Thereisbutoneupontherightsideofthatline--you,myfriend,"andwithanimpulsivelittlegestureBarbaraHardingextendedherhandtoTheriere.ItwaswithalmostasheepishexpressionthattheFrenchmantooktheprofferedfingers,fortherehadbeenthatinthefrankavowalofconfidenceandfriendshipwhichsmoteuponachordofhonorintheman'ssoulthathadnotvibratedinresponsetoachivalrousimpulseforsomanylongyearsthatithadnearatrophiedfromdisuse. CHAPTERVII41Then,ofasudden,thesecondofficeroftheHalfmoonstraightenedtohisfullheight.Hisheadwenthigh,andhetookthesmallhandofthegirlinhisownstrong,brownone."MissHarding,"hesaid,"Ihaveledahard,bitterlife.IhavenotalwaysdonethosethingsofwhichImightbemostproud:buttherehavebeentimeswhenIhaverememberedthatIamthegrandsonofoneofNapoleon'sgreatestfieldmarshals,andthatIbearanamethathasbeenhonoredbyamightynation.Whatyouhavejustsaidtomerecallsthesefactsmostvividlytomymind--Ihope,MissHarding,thatyouwillneverregrethavingspokenthem,"andtothebottomofhisheartthemanmeantwhathesaid,atthemoment;forinherentchivalryisasdifficulttosuppressoruprootasisinherentviciousness.Thegirlletherhandrestinhisforamoment,andastheireyesmetshesawinhisatruthandhonestyandcleannesswhichrevealedwhatTherieremighthavebeenhadFateordainedhisyoungmanhoodtodifferentchannels.Andinthatmomentaquestionsprang,allunbiddenandunforeseentohermind;aquestionwhichcausedhertowithdrawherhandquicklyfromhis,andwhichsentaslowcrimsontohercheek.BillyByrne,slouchingby,castabitterlookofhatreduponthetwo.ThefactthathehadsavedTheriere'slifehadnotincreasedhisloveforthatgentleman.Hewasstillmuchpuzzledtoaccountforthestrangeidiocythathadpromptedhimtothatact;andtwoofhisfellowshadfelttheweightofhismightyfistwhentheyhadspokenwordsofroughpraiseforhisheroism--Billyhadthoughtthattheywerekiddinghim.ToBillytheknockingoutofTheriere,andthesubsequentkickwhichhehadplantedintheunconsciousman'sface,weretrueindicationsofmanliness.HegaugedsuchmattersbystandardspurelyGrandAvenuesqueandnowitenragedhimtoseethatthegirlbeforewhoseveryeyeshehaddemonstratedhissuperiorityoverTheriereshouldsolookwithfavorupontheofficer.ItdidnotoccurtoBillythathewouldcaretohavethegirllookwithfavoruponhim.Suchathoughtwouldhavesenthimintoaberserkerrage;butthefactremainedthatBillyfeltastrongdesiretocutoutTheriere'sheartwhenhesawhimnowincloseconversewithBarbaraHarding--justwhyhefeltsoBillycouldnothavesaid.ThetruthofthematteristhatBillywasfarfromintrospective;infacthedidverylittlethinking.Hismindhadneverbeentrainedtoit,ashismuscleshadbeentrainedtofighting.Billyreactedmorequicklytoinstinctthantotheprocessesofreasoning,andonthisaccountitwasdifficultforhimtoexplainanygreatnumberofhisactsormoods--itistobedoubted,however,thatBillyByrnehadeverattemptedtogetatthebottomofhissoul,ifhepossessedone.Bethatasitmay,hadTheriereknownithewasveryneardeaththatmomentwhenasummonsfromSkipperSimmscalledhimaftandsavedhislife.Thenthemucker,unseenbytheofficer,approachedthegirl.Inhisheartwererageandhatred,andasthegirlturnedatthesoundofhisstepbehindhershesawthemmirroredinhisdark,scowlingface. CHAPTERVIII42CHAPTERVIIITHEWRECKOFTHE"HALFMOON"INSTANTLYBarbaraHardinglookedintothefaceofthemuckershereadherdanger.Whythemanshouldhatehersoshecouldnotguess;butthathedidwasevidencedbythemalevolentexpressionofhissurlycountenance.Foramomenthestoodglaringather,andthenhespoke."I'mwisetowotyousean'datguywaschinnin'about,"hegrowled,"an'I'mrightheretotellyousedatyoudon'twantatryan'putnothin'overonme,see?Youseain'ta-goin'todouble-crossBillyByrne.Igottagoodnotiontohan'yousewot'scomin'toyou.Ifithadn'tbeenferyouseIwouldn'thavebeenherenowondisGawd-forsakenwreck.Youseisdecauseofalldetrouble.Wotyouseoughttogetiscroakedan'denderewouldn'tbenothin'tobotheranyofus.Youan'yerbunchofkale,deygivemeaswiftpain.FerhalfacentI'dsoakyouseawalloptodesolarplexusdatwouldputyousetosleepferdelongcount,you--you--"butherewordsfailedBilly.Tohissurprisethegirlshowednottheslightestindicationoffear.Herheadwashigh,andherlevelgazeneverwaveredfromhisowneyes.Presentlyasneerofcontemptcurledherlip."Youcoward!"shesaidquietly."Toinsultandthreatenawoman!Youarenothingbutaninsufferablebully,andacowardlymurderer.YoumurderedamanontheLotuswhoselittlefingerheldmoretruemanhood,bravery,andworththanthewholeofyourgreat,hulkingcarcass.Youareonlyfittostrikefrombehind,orwhenyourvictimisunsuspecting,asyoudidMr.Therierethatotherday.DoyouthinkIfearaTHINGsuchasyou--abeastwithouthonorthatkicksanunconsciousmanintheface?Iknowthatyoucankillme.IknowthatyouarecowardenoughtodoitbecauseIamadefenselesswoman;andthoughyoumaykillme,younevercanmakemeshowfearforyou.Thatiswhatyouwishtodo--thatisyourideaofmanliness.Ihadneverimaginedthatsuchathingasyoulivedintheguiseofman;butIhavereadyou,Mr.Byrne,sinceIhavehadoccasiontonoticeyou,andIknownowthatyouarewhatisknowninthegreatcitiesasamucker.Thetermnevermeantmuchtomebefore,butIseenowthatitfitsyourkindperfectly,forinitisalltheloathingandcontemptthatarealman--agentleman--mustfeelforsuchasyou."AsshespokeBillyByrne'seyesnarrowed;butnotwiththecunningofpremeditatedattack.Hewasthinking.Forthefirsttimeinhislifehewasthinkingofhowheappearedintheeyesofanother.NeverhadanyhumanbeingtoldBillyByrnethuscoollyandsuccinctlywhatsortofpersonheseemedtothem.Intheheatofangermenofhisownstamphadappliedvileepithetstohim,describinghimluridlyassuchthatbythesimplestlawsofnaturehecouldnotpossiblybe;butthisgirlhadspokencoolly,andherdescriptionshadbeenexplicit--backedbyillustrations.Shehadgivenrealreasonsforhercontempt,andsomehowithadmadethatcontemptseemverytangible.OnewhohadknownBillywouldhaveexpectedhimtoflyintoarageandattackthegirlbrutallyafterherscathingdiatribe.Billydidnothingofthesort.BarbaraHarding'swordsseemedtohavetakenallthefightoutofhim.Hestoodlookingatherforamoment--itwasoneofthestrangecontradictionsofBillyByrne'spersonalitythathecouldholdhiseyesquitesteadyandlevel,meetingthegazeofanotherunwaveringly--andinthatmomentsomethinghappenedtoBillyByrne'sperceptivefaculties.Itwasasthoughscaleswhichhaddimmedhismentalvisionhadpartiallydroppedaway,forsuddenlyhesawwhathehadnotbeforeseen--averybeautifulgirl,braveandunflinchingbeforethebrutalmenaceofhisattitude,andthoughthemuckerthoughtthathestillhatedher,therealizationcametohimthatbemustnotraiseahandagainsther--thatforthelifeofhimhecouldnot,noreveragainagainstanyotherwoman.Whythischange,Billydidnotknow,hesimplyknewthatitwasso,andwithanuglygruntheturnedhisbackuponherandwalkedaway.AslightbreezehadrisenfromthesouthwestsinceTherierehadleftBarbaraHardingandnowallhandswerebusilyengagedincompletingthejuryriggingthattheHalfmoonmighttakeadvantageofthewindandmake CHAPTERVIII43theshorethatroseabruptlyfromthebosomoftheoceanbutaleagueaway.Beforetheworkwascompletedthewindincreasedrapidly,sothatwhenthetinybitofcanvaswashoistedintopositionitbelliedbravely,andtheHalfmoonmovedheavilyforwardtowardtheland."Wegottamakeamightyquickrunofit,"saidSkipperSimmstoWard,"orwe'llgotopiecesonthemrocksaforeeverwefindalanding.""Thatwewillifthiswindrisesmuchmore,"repliedWard;"and'sfarasIcanseethereain'tnomorechancetomakealandingtherethantherewouldbeonthesideofahouse."AndindeedastheHalfmoonnearedthetoweringcliffsitseemedutterlyhopelessthataughtelsethanaflycouldfindafootholduponthatsheerandrockyfacethatroseabruptlyfromtheocean'ssurface.Sometwohundredyardsfromtheshoreitbecameevidentthattherewasnolandingtobemadedirectlybeforethem,andsothecourseoftheshipwasalteredtocarrythemalongparalleltotheshoreinanefforttolocateacove,orbeachwherealandingmightsafelybeeffected.Thewind,increasingsteadily,wasnowwhippingtheseaintoangrybreakersthatdashedresoundinglyagainsttherockybarrieroftheisland.TodriftwithinreachofthosefrightfuldestroyerswouldmeantheinstantannihilationoftheHalfmoonandallhercompany,yetthiswaspreciselywhatthealmostunmanageablehulkwasdoingatthewheelundertheprofanedirectionofSkipperSimms,whileWardandTherierewithahandfulofmenalteredthemeagersailfromtimetotimeinanefforttokeeptheshipofftherocksforafewmomentslonger.TheHalfmoonwasalmostuponthecliff'sbasewhenanarrowopeningshowedsomehundredfathomsbeforehernose,anopeningthroughwhichthesearaninlong,surgingsweeps,rollingbackuponitselfinangrybreakersthatfilledtheaperturewithswirlingwaterandhigh-flungspume.Tohaveattemptedtodrivetheshipintosuchaplacewouldhavebeentheheightofmadnessunderordinarycircumstances.Nomanknewwhatlaybeyond,norwhethertheopeningcarriedsufficientwatertofloattheHalfmoon,thoughthelong,powerfulsweepoftheseaasitenteredtheopeningdenotedconsiderabledepth.SkipperSimms,seeingthegrimrocksrisingclosebesidehisvessel,realizedthatnaughtcouldkeepherfromthemnow.Hesawdeathpeeringclosetohisface.HefelttheicybreathoftheGrimReaperuponhisbrow.Acowardatheart,helosteveryvestigeofhisnerveatthiscrucialmomentofhislife.Leapingfromthewheelhousetothedeckheranbackwardandforwardshriekingatthetopofhislungsbeggingandentreatingsomeonetosavehim,andofferingfabulousrewardstothemanwhocarriedhimsafelytotheshore.Thesightoftheircaptaininabluefunkhaditseffectuponthemajorityofthecrew,sothatinamomentapackofscreaming,terror-riddenmenhadsupplantedthebravosandbulliesoftheHalfmoon.FromthecabincompanionwayBarbaraHardinglookeduponthedisgustingscene.Herlipcurledinscornatthesightofthesemenweepingandmoaningintheirfright.ShesawWardbusyaboutoneofthehatches.ItwasevidentthatheintendedmakingafutileattempttoutilizeitasameansofescapeaftertheHalfmoonstruck,forhewasattachingropestoitanddraggingittowardtheportsideoftheship,awayfromtheshore.LarryDivinecrouchedbesidethecabinandwept.WhenSimmsgaveuptheshipBarbaraHardingsawthewheelmen,therehadbeentwoofthem,deserttheirpost,andalmostinstantlythenoseoftheHalfmoonturnedtowardtherocks;butscarcelyhadthemenreachedthedeckthanTheriereleapedtotheirplaceatthewheel.Unassistedhecoulddolittlewiththeheavyhelm.Barbarasawthathealoneofalltheofficersandmenofthe CHAPTERVIII44brigantinewasmakinganattempttosavethevessel.Howeverfutiletheeffortmightbe,itatleastbespokethecoolnessandcourageoftheman.Withthesightofhimtherewrestlingwithdeathinahopelessstrugglealittlewaveofpridesurgedthroughthegirl.Hereindeedwasaman!Andhelovedher--thatsheknew.Whetherornoshereturnedhisloveherplacewasbesidehimnow,togivewhatencouragementandphysicalaidlayinherpower.Quicklysherantothewheelhouse.Therieresawherandsmiled."There'snohope,I'mafraid,"hesaid;"but,byGeorge,Iintendtogodownfighting,andnotlikethosemiserableyellowcurs."Barbaradidnotreply,butshegraspedthespokesoftheheavywheelandtuggedashetugged.Therieremadenoefforttodissuadeherfromthestrenuouslabor--everyounceofweightwouldhelpsomuch,andthemanhadawild,madideathathewasattemptingtoputintoeffect."Whatdoyouhopetodo?"askedthegirl."Makethatopeninginthecliffs?"Therierenodded."Doyouthinkmecrazy?"heasked."Itissuchachanceasonlyabravemanwoulddaretotake,"shereplied."Doyouthinkthatwecangethertotakeit?""Idoubtit,"heanswered."Withanothermanatthewheelwemight,though."BelowthemthecrewoftheHalfmoonranhitherandthitheralongthedeckonthesideawayfromthebreakers.Theyfoughtwithoneanotherforuselessbitsofplankingandcordage.Thegiantfigureoftheblackcook,Blanco,roseabovetheothers.Inhishandwasahugebutcherknife.Whenhesawapieceofwoodhecovetedinthehandsofanotherherusheduponhishelplessvictimwithwild,bestialhowls,menacinghimwithhisgleamingweapon.Thushewasrapidlyaccumulatingthematerialforaliferaft.Buttherewasasinglefigureuponthedeckthatdidnotseemmadwithterror.Ahugefellowhewaswhostoodleaningagainstthecapstanwatchingthewildanticsofhisfellowswithacertainwonderingexpressionofincredulity,thewhileacontemptuoussmilecurledhislips.AsBarbaraHardingchancedtolookinhisdirectionhealsochancedtoturnhiseyestowardthewheelhouse.Itwasthemucker.Thegirlwassurprisedthathe,thegreatestcowardofthemall,shouldbeshowingnosignsofcowardicenow--probablyhewasparalyzedwithfright.Themomentthatthemansawthetwowhowereinthewheelhouseandtheworkthattheyweredoinghesprangquicklytowardthem.AthisapproachthegirlshrankclosertoTheriere.Whatnewoutragedidthefellowcontemplate?Nowhewasbesideher.Thehabitualdarkscowlblackenedhisexpression.HelaidaheavyhandonBarbaraHarding'sarm."Comeouto'dat,"hebellowed."Dat'snokindo'jobferabroiler."AndbeforeeithersheorTherierecouldguesshisintentionthemuckerhadpushedBarbaraasideandtakenherplaceatthewheel."Goodforyou,Byrne!"criedTheriere."Ineededyoubadly." CHAPTERVIII45"Whydidn'tyehsaysoden?"growledtheman.WiththeaidofByrne'sHerculeanmusclesandgreatweightthebowoftheHalfmooncommencedtocomeslowlyaroundsothatpresentlyshealmostparalleledthecliffsagain,butnowshewasmuchcloserinthanwhenSkipperSimmshaddesertedhertoherfate--soclosethatTherierehadlittlehopeofbeingabletocarryouthisplanoftakingheroppositetheopeningandthenturningandrunningherbeforethewindstraightintotheswirlingwatersoftheinlet.Nowtheywerealmostoppositetheapertureandbetweenthegiantcliffsthatroseoneithersideofthenarrowentranceasightwasrevealedthatfilledtheirheartswithrenewedhopeandrejoicing,foratinycovewasseentoliebeyondthefissure--acovewithalong,wide,sandybeachupwhichthewaves,brokenattheentrancetothelittlehaven,rolledwithmuchdiminishedviolence."Canyouholdheraloneforasecond,Byrne?"askedTheriere."WemustmaketheturninanothermomentandI'vegottoletoutsail.Theinstantthatyouseemecutherlooseputyourhelmhardtostarboard.She'llcomearoundeasyenoughIimagine,andthenholdhernosestraightforthatopening.It'sonechanceinathousand;butit'stheonlyone.Areyougame?""Youknowit,cul--goto't,"wasBillyByrne'slaconicrejoinder.AsTheriereleftthewheelBarbaraHardingsteppedtothemucker'sside."Letmehelpyou,"shesaid."Weneedeveryhandthatwecangetforthenextfewmoments.""Beatit,"growledtheman."Idon'twantnoskirtsinmyway."Withaflush,thegirldrewback,andthenturningwatchedTherierewherehestoodreadytocutloosethesailattheproperinstant.Thevesselwasnowoppositethecleftinthecliffs.Therierehadlashedanewsheetinposition.Nowhecuttheoldone.Thesailswungarounduntilcaughtinpositionbythestoutline.Themuckerthrewthehelmhardtostarboard.Thenoseofthebrigantineswungquicklytowardtherocks.Thesailfilled,andaninstantlatertheshipwasdashingtowhatseemedherinevitabledoom.SkipperSimms,seeingwhatTherierehaddoneafteritwastoolatetopreventit,dashedmadlyacrossthedecktowardhisjunior."Youfool!"heshrieked."Youfool!Whatareyoudoing?Drivingusstraightfortherocks--murderingthewholelotofus!"andwiththathesprangupontheFrenchmanwithmaniacalfury,bearinghimtothedeckbeneathhim.BarbaraHardingsawtheattackofthefear-dementedman,butshewaspowerlesstopreventit.Themuckersawittoo,andgrinned--hehopedthatitwouldbeagoodfight;therewasnothingthatheenjoyedmore.Hewassorrythathecouldnottakeahandinit,butthewheeldemandedallhisattentionnow,sothathewasevenforcedtotakehiseyesfromthecombatantsthathemightrivetthemuponthenarrowentrancetothecovetowardwhichtheHalfmoonwasnowplowingherwayatconstantlyincreasingspeed.Theothermembersoftheship'scompany,allunmindfulofthebattlethatatanothertimewouldhavecommandedtheirundividedattention,stoodwitheyesglueduponthewildchanneltowardwhichthebrigantine'snosewaspointed.TheysawnowwhatSkipperSimmshadfailedtosee--thelittlecovebeyond,andthechanceforsafetythattheboldstrokeofferedifitprovedsuccessful.Withsteadymusclesandgiantsinewsthemuckerstoodbythewheel--nursingtheerraticwreckasnoonemighthavesupposeditwasinhimtodo.BehindhimBarbaraHardingwatchedfirstTheriereandSimms,and CHAPTERVIII46thenByrneandtheswirlingwaterstowardwhichhewasheadingtheship.Eventhestrainofthemomentdidnotpreventherfromwonderingatthestrangecontradictionsoftheburlyyoungruffianwhocouldatonemomentshowsuchtraitsofcowardlinessandthenextrisesocoollytothehighestpinnaclesofcourage.Asshewatchedhimoccasionallynowshenotedforthefirsttimetheleoninecontourofhishead,andshewassurprisedtonotethathisfeatureswereregularandfine,andthensherecalledBillyMalloryandthecowardlykickthatshehadseendeliveredinthefaceoftheunconsciousTheriere--withalittleshudderofdisgustsheturnedawayfromthemanatthewheel.TherierebythistimehadmanagedtogetontopofSkipperSimms,butthatworthystillclungtohimwiththedesperationofadrowningman.TheHalfmoonwasrisingonagreatwavethatwouldbearherwellintothemaelstromofthecove'sentrance.Thewindhadincreasedtotheproportionsofagale,sothatthebrigantinewasfairlyracingeithertoherdoomorhersalvation--whocouldtellwhich?Halfwaythroughtheentrancethewavedroppedtheship,andwithamightycrashthatthrewBarbaraHardingtoherfeetthevesselstruckfullamidshipsuponasunkenreef.Likeathingofglassshebrokeintwowiththeterrificimpact,andinanotherinstantthewatersaboutherwerefilledwithscreamingmen.BarbaraHardingfeltherselfhurtledfromthedeckasthoughshotfromacatapult.Theswirlingwatersengulfedher.Sheknewthatherendhadcome,onlythemostpowerfulofswimmersmighthopetowinthroughthatlashinghellofwaterstothebeachbeyond.Foragirltodoitwastoohopelesseventocontemplate;butsherecalledTheriere'swordsofsoshortatimeago:"There'snohope,I'mafraid;but,byGeorge,Iintendtogodownfighting,"andwiththerecollectioncamealikeresolveonherpart--togodownfighting,andsoshestruckoutagainstthepowerfulwatersthatswirledherhitherandthither,nowperilouslyclosetotherockysidesoftheentrance,andnowintothemadchaosofthechannel'scenter.WouldtoheaventhatTherierewerenearher,shethought,forifanycouldsaveheritwouldbehe.Sinceshehadcometobelieveintheman'sfriendshipandsincerityBarbaraHardinghadfeltrenewedhopeofeventualsalvation,andwiththehopehadcomeadesiretolivewhichhadalmostbeenlackingforthegreaterpartofherdetentionupontheHalfmoon.BravelyshebattlednowagainsttheawfuloddsofthemightyPacific,butsoonshefeltherstrengthwaning.Moreandmoreineffectivebecameherpunyefforts,andatlastsheceasedalmostentirelythefutilestruggle.Andthenshefeltastronghandgraspherarm,andwithasuddensurgeshewasswungoverabroadshoulder.Quicklyshegraspedtheroughshirtthatcoveredthebackofherwould-berescuer,andthencommencedabattlewiththewavesthatformanyminutes,thatseemedhourstothefrightenedgirl,hunginthebalance;butatlasttheswimmerbeneathherforgedsteadilyandpersistentlytowardthesandybeachtoflounderoutatlastwithanunconsciousburdeninhismightyarms.AsthemanstaggeredupoutofreachofthewaterBarbaraHardingopenedhereyestolookinastonishmentintothefaceofthemucker. CHAPTERIX47CHAPTERIXODAYORIMOTOONLYfourmenoftheHalfmoon'screwwerelostinthewreckofthevessel.Allhadbeencrowdedinthebowwhentheshipbrokeintwo,andbeingfar-flungbytheforwardpartofthebrigantineasitlungedtowardthecoveonthewavefollowingtheonewhichhaddroppedthecraftuponthereef,withtheexceptionofthefourwhohadperishedbeneaththewreckagetheyhadbeenabletoswimsafelytothebeach.LarryDivine,whohadsatweepinguponthedeckofthedoomedshipduringthetimethathopehadbeenatitslowest,hadrecoveredhispoise.SkipperSimms,subduedforthemoment,sooncommencedtoregainhisbluster.HetookTherieretotaskforthelossoftheHalfmoon."An'everwemakeacivilizedport,"heshouted,"I'llpreferchargesag'in'you,youswabyou;a-losin'ofthefinestbarkaseverweatheredastorm.Efithadn'to'beenferyoua-mutinyin'agin'meI'da-broughtherthroughinsafetyan'neverlostabloomin'soul."'Stowit!"admonishedTheriereatlast;"yourfoolishblustercan'thidethebaldfactthatyoudesertedyourpostintimeofdanger.We'reashorenow,remember,andthereisnomoreshipforyoutocommand,sowereIyouI'dbemightycarefulhowItalkedtomybetters.""What'sthat!"screamedtheskipper."Mybetters!Youfrog-eatin'greaseryou,I'llteachyou.Here,someofyou,clapthisswabintoirons.I'lllearnhimthatI'mstillcaptainofthisherebunch."Therierelaughedintheman'sface;butWardandacoupleofhandswhohadbeenshownfavoritismbytheskipperandfirstmateclosedmenacinglytowardthesecondofficer.TheFrenchmantookinthesituationataglance.Theywereashorenow,wheretheydidn'tthinkthattheyneededhimfurtherandtheprocessofeliminationhadcommenced.Well,itmightaswellcometoashowdownnowaslater."Justamoment,"saidTheriere,raisinghishand."You'renotgoingtotakemealive,andIhavenoideathatyouwanttoanyhow,andifyoustartanythinginthekillinglinesomeofyouaregoingtoDavyJones'lockeralongwithme.Thebestthingforallconcernedistodivideupthispartynowonceandforall."AshefinishedspeakingheturnedtowardBillyByrne."Areyouandtheotherswithme,oragainstme?"heasked."I'mag'in'Simms,"repliedthemuckernon-committally.BonySawyer,RedSanders,Blanco,Wison,andtwoothersdrewinbehindBillyByrne."Weall'swidBilly,"announcedBlanco.DivineandBarbaraHardingstoodalittleapart.Bothwerealarmedatthesudden,hostileturneventshadtaken.Simms,Ward,andTheriereweretheonlymembersofthepartyarmed.Eachworearevolverstrappedabouthiships.Allwerestilldrippingfromtheirrecentplungeintheocean.FivemenstoodbehindSkipperSimmsandWard,butthereweretworevolversuponthatsideoftheargument.SuddenlyWardturnedtowardDivine. CHAPTERIX48"Areyouarmed,Mr.Divine?"heasked.Divinenoddedaffirmatively."Thenyou'dbettercomeoverwithus--itlookslikewemightneedyoutohelpputdownthismutiny,"saidWard.Divinehesitated.Hedidnotknowwhichsidewasmorelikelytobevictorious,andhewantedtobesuretobeonthewinningside.Suddenlyaninspirationcametohim."Thisispurelyamattertobesettledbytheship'sofficers,"hesaid."Iamonlyaprisoner,callmeapassengerifyoulike--Ihavenointerestwhateverinthematter,andshallnottakesides.""Yesyouwill,"saidMr.Ward,inalow,butmenacingtone."You'reintoodeeptotrytoditchusnow.Ifyoudon'tstandbyuswe'lltreatyouasoneofthemutineerswhenwe'rethroughwiththem,andyoucancomeprettyneara-guessin'whatthey'llget."Divinewasabouttoreply,andthenatureofhisanswerwassuggestedbythefactthathehadalreadytakenafewstepsinthedirectionofSimms'faction,whenhewasstoppedbythelowvoiceofthegirlbehindhim."Larry,"shesaid,"Iknowall--yourentireconnectionwiththisplot.Ifyouhaveasparkofhonorormanhoodleftyouwilldowhatlittleyoucantoretrievetheterriblewrongyouhavedoneme,andmyfather.Youcannevermarryme.IgiveyoumywordofhonorthatIshalltakemyownlifeifthatistheonlywaytothwartyourplansinthatdirection,andsoasthefortunecanneverbeyoursitseemstomethatthenextbestthingwouldbetotryandsavemefromtheterriblepredicamentinwhichyourcupidityhasplacedme.Youcanmakethestartnow,Larry,bywalkingoverandplacingyourselfatMr.Theriere'sdisposal.Hehaspromisedtohelpandprotectme."Adeepflushmountedtotheman'sneckandface.Hedidnotturnabouttofacethegirlhehadsogrievouslywronged--forthelifeofhimhecouldnothavemethereyes.Slowlyheturned,andwithgazebentuponthegroundwalkedquicklytowardTheriere.Wardwasquicktorecognizetheturneventshadtaken,andtoseethatitgaveTherierethebalanceofpower,withtwogunsandninemeninhispartyagainsttheirtwogunsandsevenmen.ItalsowasevidenttohimthattotheotherpartythegirlwouldnaturallygravitatesinceDivine,anoldacquaintance,hadcasthislotwithit;norhadthegrowingintimacybetweenMissHardingandTherierebeenlostuponhim.WardknewthatSimmswasanarrantcoward,norwashehimselfoverlykeenforanupstanding,man-to-manencountersuchasmustquicklyfollowanyattemptuponhisparttoupholdtheauthorityofSimms,ortheirclaimuponthecustodyofthegirl.IntrigueandtrickeryweremoretoMr.Ward'sliking,andsohewasquicktoalterhisplanofcampaigntheinstantthatitbecameevidentthatDivinehadelectedtojoinforceswiththeopposingfaction."Ireckon,"hesaid,directinghisremarkstowardnooneinparticular,"thatwe'veallbeenratherhastyinthismatter,beinghetupaswewerewiththestrainofwhatwebeenthroughan'soitseemstome,takin'intoconsiderationthatMr.Therierereallydonehisbesttosavetheship,an'thatasamatteroffactwewasallmightyluckytocomeoutofitalive,thatwe'dbetterletbygonesbebygones,forthetimebein'atleast,an'allofuspitchintosavewhatwecanfromthewreckage,huntwater,rigupacamp,an'getthingssorto'shipshapehereinstido'squabblin'amongstourselves.""Suityourself,"saidTheriere,"it'sallthesametous,"andhisuseoftheobjectivepronounseemeddefinitely CHAPTERIX49toestablishtheexistenceofhisfactionasaseparateanddistinctparty.Simms,fromyearsofexperiencewithhisastutemate,waswonttoacquiesceinanythingthatWardproposed,thoughhehadnotthebrainsalwaystoappreciatethepurposesthatpromptedWard'ssuggestions.Now,therefore,henoddedhisapprovalofSquintEye'sproposal,feelingthatwhateverwasinWard'smindwouldbemorelikelytoworkouttoSkipperSimms'intereststhansomeunadvisedactofSkipperSimmshimself."Supposin',"continuedWard,"thatwelettwoo'yourmenan'twoo'ournunderMr.Divine,shinupthemcliffsbacko'thecovean'searchferwateran'asitefercamp--theresto'us'llhaveourhandsfullwiththesalvage.""Good,"agreedTheriere."Miller,youandSwensonwillaccompanyMr.Divine."Warddetailedtwoofhismen,andthepartyoffivebeganthedifficultascentofthecliffs,whilefarabovethemalittlebrownmanwithbeady,blackeyessetinnarrowfleshyslitswatchedthemfrombehindaclumpofbushes.Strange,medievalarmorandtwowicked-lookingswordsgavehimamostwarlikeappearance.Histempleswereshaved,andabroadstriponthetopofhisheadtojustbeyondthecrown.Hisremaininghairwasdrawnintoanunbraidedqueue,tiedtightlyattheback,andthequeuethenbroughtforwardtothetopoftheforehead.Hishelmetlayinthegrassathisfeet.Atthenearerapproachofthepartytotheclifftopthewatcherturnedandmeltedintotheforestathisback.HewasOdaYorimoto,descendantofapowerfuldaimiooftheAshikagaDynastyofshogunswhohadfledJapanwithhisfaithfulsamurainearlythreehundredandfiftyyearsbeforeupontheoverthrowoftheAshikagaDynasty.UponthisunfrequentedanddistantJapaneseisletheexileshadretainedalloftheirmedievalmilitarysavagery,towhichhadbeenaddedtheaboriginalferocityofthehead-huntingnativestheyhadfoundthereandwithwhomtheyhadintermarried.Thelittlecolony,farfrommakinganyadvancesinartsorlettershad,onthecontrary,relapsedintoprimevalignoranceasdeepasthatofthenativeswithwhomtheyhadcasttheirlot--onlyintheirarmsandarmor,theirmilitarytraininganddisciplinedidtheyshowanyoftheinfluenceoftheircivilizedprogenitors.Theywerecruel,crafty,resourcefulwildmentrappedinthehabilimentsofadeadpast,andarmedwiththekeenweaponsoftheirforbears.TheyhadnoteventhecrudereligionoftheMalaysianstheyhadabsorbedunlessahighlyexaggeratedpropensityforhead-huntingmightbedignifiedbythenameofreligion.TothetendermerciesofsuchasthesewerethecastawaysoftheHalfmoonlikelytobeconsigned,forwhatmightsixteenmenwithbutfourrevolversamongthemaccomplishagainstnearathousandsavagesamurai?Theriere,Ward,Simms,andtheremainingsailorsatthebeachbusiedthemselveswiththetaskofretrievingsuchofthewreckageandthesalvageoftheHalfmoonasthewaveshaddepositedintheshallowsofthebeach.Therewerecasksoffreshwater,kegsofbiscuit,clothing,tinnedmeats,andasimilarheterogeneousmassofflotsam.Thisarduouslaborconsumedthebestpartoftheafternoon,anditwasnotuntilithadbeencompletedthatDivineandhispartyreturnedtothebeach.Theyreportedthattheyhaddiscoveredaspringoffreshwatersomethreemileseastofthecoveandabouthalfamileinland,butitwasdecidedthatnoattemptbemadetotransportthesalvageofthepartytothenewcampsiteuntilthefollowingmorning.TheriereandDivineerectedarudeshelterforBarbaraHardingcloseunderthefootofthecliff,asfarfromthewateraspossible,whileabovethemOdaYorimotowatchedtheirproceedingswithbeady,glitteringeyes.Thistimeahalf-dozenofhisfiercesamuraicrouchedathisside.Besidestheirtwoswordstheselatterboretheprimitivespearsoftheirmothers'savagetribe.OdaYorimotowatchedthewhitemenuponthebeach.Also,hewatchedthewhitegirl--evenmore,possibly,thanhewatchedthemen.Hesawtheshelterthatwasbeingbuilt,andwhenitwascompletehesawthegirl CHAPTERIX50enterit,andheknewthatitwasforheralone.OdaYorimotosuckedinhislipsandhiseyesnarrowedevenmorethannaturehadintendedthattheyshould.AfireburnedbeforetherudedomicilethatBarbaraHardingwastooccupy,andanother,largerfireroaredahundredyardstothewestwherethemenwerecongregatedaboutBlanco,whowasattemptingtoevolveamealfromthemiscellanyofhislarderthathadbeencastupbythesea.Thereseemednowbutlittletoindicatethatthepartywasdividedintotwobitterfactions,butwhenthemealwasoverTherierecalledhismentoapointmidwaybetweenBarbara'sshelterandthemaincampfire.Herehedirectedthemtodisposethemselvesforthenightasbesttheycould,buildingafireoftheirowniftheychose,forwiththecomingofdarknessthechillofthetropicalnightwouldrenderafiremorethanacceptable.Allwerethoroughlytiredandexhausted,sothatdarknesshadscarcefalleneretheentirecampseemedwrappedinslumber.AndstillOdaYorimotosatwithhissamuraiuponthecliff'ssummit,beadyeyesfixeduponhisintendedprey.Foranhourhesatthusinsilence,until,assuredthatallwereasleepbeforehim,hearoseandwithafewwhisperedinstructionscommencedthedescentoftheclifftowardthecovebelow.Scarcehadhestarted,however,withhismenstringinginsinglefilebehindhim,thanhecametoasuddenhalt,forbelowhiminthecampthatlaybetweenthegirl'sshelterandthewesterlycampafigurehadarisenstealthilyfromamonghisfellows.ItwasTheriere.Cautiouslyhemovedtoasleepernearbywhomheshookgentlyuntilhehadawakenedhim."Hush,Byrne,"cautionedtheFrenchman."ItisI,Theriere.Helpmeawakentheothers--seethatthereisnonoise.""Wot'sdoin'?"queriedthemucker."Wearegoingtobreakcamp,andoccupythenewlocationbeforethatbunchofpiratescanbeatustoit,"whisperedTheriereinreply;"and,"headded,"we'regoingtotakethesalvageandthegirlwithus."Themuckergrinned."Gee!"hesaid."Won'tdeybeasorebunchindemornin'?"Theworkofawakeningthebalanceofthepartyrequiredbutafewminutesandwhentheplanwasexplainedtothem,allseemeddelightedwiththeprospectofdiscomfitingSkipperSimmsandSquintEye.Itwasdecidedthatonlytheeatablesbecarriedawayonthefirsttrip,andthatifasecondtripwaspossiblebeforedawntheclothing,canvas,andcordagethathadbeentakenfromthewatermightthenbepurloined.MillerandSwensonweredetailedtobringuptherearwithMissHarding,assistingherupthesteepsideofthecliff.Divinewastoactasguidetothenewcamp,lendingahandwherevernecessaryinthescalingoftheheightswiththeloot.Cautiouslytheparty,withtheexceptionofDivine,Miller,andSwenson,crepttowardthelittlepileofsuppliesthatwereheapedfiftyorsixtyfeetfromthesleepingmembersofSimms'faction.ThethreeleftbehindwalkedinsilencetoBarbaraHarding'sshelter.HereDivinescratchedatthepieceofsailclothwhichservedasadooruntilhehadsucceededinawakeningthesleeperwithin.AndfromaboveOdaYorimotowatchedtheactivityinthelittlecovewithintentandunwaveringeyes.Thegirl,rousedfromafitfulslumber,cametothedoorwayofherprimitiveabode,alarmedbythisnocturnalsummons. CHAPTERIX51"ItisI,Larry,"whisperedtheman."Areyoudressed?""Yes,"repliedthegirl,steppingoutintothemoonlight."Whatdoyouwant?Whathashappened?""WearegoingtotakeyouawayfromSimms--TheriereandI,"repliedtheman,"andestablishasafecampofourownwheretheycannotmolestyou.Theriereandtheothershavegoneforthesuppliesnowandassoonastheyreturnwefurtherpreparationstomake,Barbara,pleasemakehaste,aswemustgetawayfromhereasquicklyaspossible.ShouldanyofSimms'peopleawakenthereissuretobeafight."Thegirlturnedbackintothesheltertogathertogetherahandfulofwrapsthathadbeensavedfromthewreck.DownbythesalvageTheriere,Byrne,BonySawyer,RedSanders,Blanco,andWisonwereselectingthegoodsthattheywishedtocarrywiththem.Itwasfoundthattwotripswouldbenecessarytocarryoffthebulkoftherations,soTherieresentthemuckertosummonMillerandSwenson."We'llcarryallthateightofuscantothetopofthecliffs,"hesaid"hideitthereandthencomebackforthebalance.Wemaybeabletogetitlaterifweareunabletomaketwotripstothecamptonight."WhiletheywerewaitingforByrnetoreturnwiththetworecruitsoneofthesleepersinSimms'campstirred.Instantlythefivemaraudersdroppedstealthilytothegroundbehindtheboxesandcasks.OnlyTherierekepthiseyesabovethelevelofthetopoftheirshelterthathemightwatchthemovementsoftheenemy.Thefiguresatupandlookedabout.ItwasWard.Slowlybearoseandapproachedthepileofsalvage.Therieredrewhisrevolver,holdingitinreadinessforanemergency.ShouldthefirstmatelookinthedirectionofBarbaraHarding'sshelterhemustcertainlyseethefourfigureswaitingthereinthemoonlight.Theriereturnedhisownheadinthedirectionoftheshelterthathemightseehowplainlythementherewerevisible.Tohisdelighthesawthatnoonewasinsight.EithertheyhadseenWard,orforthesakeofgreatersafetyfromdetectionhadmovedtotheoppositesideoftheshelter.Wardwasquiteclosetotheboxesupontheothersideofwhichcrouchedthenightraiders.Theriere'sfingerfoundthetriggerofhisrevolver.Hewasconvincedthatthematehadbeendisturbedbythemovementincampandwasinvestigating.TheFrenchmanknewthatthesearchwouldnotendupontheoppositesideofthesalvage--inamomentWardwouldbeuponthem.Hewassorry--notforWard,butbecausehehadplannedtocarrytheworkoutquietlyandhehatedtohavetomussthingsupwithakilling,especiallyonBarbara'saccount.Wardstoppedatoneofthewatercasks.Hetippeditup,fillingatincupwithwater,tookalongdrink,setthecupbackontopofthecask,and,turning,retracedhisstepstohisblanket.Therierecouldhavehuggedhimself.Themanhadsuspectednothing.Hemerelyhadbeenthirstyandcomeoverforadrink--inanothermomenthewouldbefastasleeponcemore.Sureenough,beforeByrnereturnedwithMillerandSwenson,Therierecouldbearthesnoresofthefirstmate.Onthefirsttriptotheclifftopeightmencarriedheavyburdens,DivinealoneremainingtoguardBarbaraHarding.Thesecondtripwasmadewithequaldispatchandsafety.Nosoundormovementcamefromthecampoftheenemy,otherthanthatofsleepingmen.OnthesecondtripDivineandTheriereeachcarriedaburdenupthecliffs,MillerandSwensonfollowingwithBarbaraHarding,andastheycameOdaYorimotoandhissamuraislunkbackintotheshadowsthattheirpreymightpassunobserving.Therierehadthebulkoftheloothiddeninarockycrevicejustbeyondthecliff'ssummit.Brushtornfromthemassofluxurianttropicalvegetationthatcoveredthegroundwasstrewnoverthecache.Allhadbeenaccomplishedinsafetyandwithoutdetection.Thecampbeneaththemstilllaywrappedinsilence. CHAPTERIX52Themarchtowardthenewcamp,undertheguidanceofDivine,wasimmediatelyundertaken.OnthereturntripafterthesearchforwaterDivinehaddiscoveredawell-markedtrailalongtheedgeofthecliffstoapointoppositethespring,andanotherleadingfromthemaintraildirectlytothewater.Inhisignorancehehadthoughtthesetherunwaysofanimals,whereastheyweretheage-oldhighwaysofthehead-hunters.Nowtheypresentedacomparativelyquickandeasyapproachtothedestinationofthemutineers,butsonarrowaoneassoontoconvinceTherierethatitwasnotfeasibleforhimtomovebackandforthalongtheflankofhiscolumn.Hehadtrieditonce,butitsogreatlyinconveniencedandretardedtheheavilyladenmenthatheabandonedtheeffort,remainingnearthecenterofthecavalcadeuntilthenewcampwasreached.Herehefoundafair-sizedspaceaboutaclearandplentifulspringofcoldwater.Onlyafewlowbushesdottedthegrassyclearingwhichwasalmostcompletelysurroundedbydenseandimpenetrablejungle.Themenhaddepositedtheirburdens,andstillTherierestoodwaitingforthebalanceofhisparty--MillerandSwensonwithBarbaraHarding.Buttheydidnotcome,andwhen,inalarm,theentirepartystartedbackinsearchofthemtheyretracedtheirstepstotheverybrinkofthedeclivityleadingtothecovebeforetheycouldbelievethetestimonyoftheirownperceptions--BarbaraHardingandthetwosailorshaddisappeared. CHAPTERX53CHAPTERXBARBARACAPTUREDBYHEAD-HUNTERSWHENBarbaraHarding,withMillerbeforeandSwensonbehindher,hadtakenupthemarchbehindtheloot-ladenpartysevendusky,noiselessshadowshademergedfromtheforesttofollowclosebehind.Forhalfamilethepartymovedalongthenarrowtrailunmolested.Therierehadcomebacktoexchangeahalf-dozenwordswiththegirlandhadagainmovedforwardtowardtheheadofthecolumn.Millerwasnotmorethantwenty-fivefeetbehindthefirstmanaheadofhim,andMissHardingandSwensonfollowedatintervalsofbutthreeorfouryards.Suddenly,withoutwarning,SwensonandMillerfell,piercedwithsavagespears,andatthesameinstantsinewyfingersgrippedBarbaraHarding,andasilencinghandwasclappedoverhermouth.Therehadbeennosoundabovethemuffledtreadoftheseamen.Ithadallbeenaccomplishedsoquicklyandsoeasilythatthegirldidnotcomprehendwhathadbefallenherforseveralminutes.Inthedarknessoftheforestshecouldnotclearlydistinguishtheformsorfeaturesofherabductors,thoughshereasoned,aswasonlynatural,thatSkipperSimms'partyhadbecomeawareoftheplotagainstthemandhadtakenthismeansofthwartingapartofit;butwhenhercaptorsturneddirectlyintothemazesofthejungle,awayfromthecoast,shebeganfirsttowonderandthentodoubt,sothatpresentlywhenasmallclearingletthemoonlightfulluponthemshewasnotsurprisedtodiscoverthatnoneofthemembersoftheHalfmoon'scompanywasamongherguard.BarbaraHardinghadnotcircledtheglobehalfadozentimesfornothing.Therewerefewracesornationswithwhosehistory,pastandpresent,shewasnotfairlyfamiliar,andsothesightthatgreetedhereyeswaswellsuitedtofillherwithastonishment,forshefoundherselfinthehandsofwhatappearedtobeapartyofJapanesewarriorsofthefifteenthorsixteenthcentury.Sherecognizedthemedievalarmsandarmor,theancienthelmets,thehairdressingofthetwo-swordedmenofoldJapan.Atthebeltsoftwoofhercaptorsdangledgrislytrophiesofthehunt.InthemoonlightshesawthattheyweretheheadsofMillerandSwenson.Thegirlwashorrified.Shehadthoughtherlotbeforeasbadasitcouldbe,buttobeintheclutchesofthesestrange,fiercewarriorsofalong-deadagewasunthinkablyworse.ThatshecouldeverhavewishedtobebackupontheHalfmoonwouldhaveseemed,afewdayssince,incredible;yetthatwaspreciselywhatshelongedfornow.Onthroughthenightmarchedthelittle,brownmen--grimandsilent--untilatlasttheycametoasmallvillageinavalleyawayfromthecoast--avalleythatlaynestledhighamongloftymountains.Herewerecavelikedwellingsburrowedhalfunderground,theupperwallsandthatchedroofsrisingscarcefourfeetabovethelevel.Granariesonstiltsweredottedhereandthereamongthedwellings.IntooneofthefilthydensBarbaraHardingwasdragged.Shefoundasingleroominwhichseveralnativeandhalfcastewomenweresleeping,aboutthemstretchedandcurledandperchedamotleythrongofdirtyyellowchildren,dogs,pigs,andchickens.ItwasthepalaceofDaimioOdaYorimoto,LordofYoka,ashisancestorshadchristenedtheirnewislandhome.OncewithinthewarrenthetwosamuraiwhohadguardedBarbarauponthemarchturnedandwithdrew--shewasalonewithOdaYorimotoandhisfamily.Fromthecenteroftheroomdependedaswingingshelfuponwhichagreatpileofgrinningskullsrested.AtthebackoftheroomwasadoorwhichBarbarahadnotatfirstnoticed--evidentlytherewasanotherapartmenttothedwelling. CHAPTERX54Thegirlwasgivenlittleopportunitytoexaminehernewprison,forscarcehadtheguardswithdrawnthanOdaYorimotoapproachedandgraspedherbythearm."Come!"hesaid,inJapanesethatwassufficientlysimilartomodernNippontobeeasilyunderstoodbyBarbaraHarding.Withthewordhedrewhertowardasleepingmatonaraisedplatformatonesideoftheroom.Oneofthewomenawokeatthesoundoftheman'svoice.ShelookedupatBarbarainsullenhatred--otherwiseshegavenoindicationthatshesawanythingunusualtranspiring.ItwasasthoughanexquisiteAmericanbellewereadailyvisitorattheOdaYorimotohome."Whatdoyouwantofme?"criedthefrightenedgirl,inJapanese.OdaYorimotolookedatherinastonishment.Wherehadthiswhitegirllearnedtospeakhistongue?"Iamthedaimio,OdaYorimoto,"hesaid."Thesearemywives.Nowyouareoneofthem.Come!""Notyet--nothere!"criedthegirlclutchingatastraw."Wait.Givemetimetothink.Ifyoudonotharmmemyfatherwillrewardyoufabulously.Tenthousandkokuhewouldgladlygivetohavemereturnedtohimsafely."OdaYorimotobutshookhishead."Twentythousandkoku!"criedthegirl.Stillthedaimioshookhisheadnegatively."Ahundredthousand--nameyourownprice,ifyouwillbutnotharmme.""Silence!"growledtheman."Whatareevenamillionkokutomewhoonlyknowthewordfromthelegendsofmyancestors.Wehavenoneedforkokuhere,andhadwe,myhillsarefulloftheyellowmetalwhichmeasuresitsvalue.No!youaremywoman.Come!""Nothere!Nothere!"pleadedthegirl."Thereisanotherroom--awayfromallthesewomen,"andsheturnedhereyestowardthedoorattheoppositesideofthechamber.OdaYorimotoshruggedhisshoulders.Thatwouldbeeasierthanafight,heargued,andsoheledthegirltowardthedoorwaythatshehadindicated.Withintheroomallwasdark,butthedaimiomovedasoneaccustomedtotheplace,andashemovedthroughtheblacknessthegirlathissidefeltwithstealthyfingersattheman'sbelt.AtlastOdaYorimotoreachedthefarsideofthelongchamber."Here!"hesaid,andtookherbytheshoulders."Here!"answeredthegirlinalow,tensevoice,andattheinstantthatshespokeOdaYorimoto,LordofYoka,feltaquicktugathisbelt,andbeforeheguessedwhatwastohappenhisownshortswordhadpiercedhisbreast.Asingleshriekbrokefromthelipsofthedaimio;butitwassohighandshrillandliketheshriekofawomaninmortalterrorthatthewomaninthenextroomwhohearditbutsmiledacrooked,wickedsmileofhateandturnedoncemoreuponherpallettosleep. CHAPTERX55AgainandagainBarbaraHardingplungedtheswordofthebrownmanintothestillheart,untilsheknewbeyondperadventureofadoubtthatherenemywasforevermorepowerlesstoinjureher.Thenshesank,exhaustedandtrembling,uponthedirtfloorbesidethecorpse.WhenTherierecametotherealizationthatBarbaraHardingwasgonehejumpedtothenaturalconclusionthatWardandSimmshaddiscoveredtherusethathehadworkeduponthemjustintimetopermitthemtointerceptMillerandSwensonwiththegirl,andcarryherbacktothemaincamp.Theotherswerepronetoagreewithhim,thoughthemuckergrumbledthat"itlistenedfishy."However,allhandsreturnedcautiouslydownthefaceofthecliff,expectingmomentarilytobeattackedbytheguardswhichtheyfeltsureWardwouldpostinexpectationofareturnofthemutineers,themomenttheydiscoveredthatthegirlhadbeentakenfromthem;buttothesurpriseofalltheyreachedthecovewithoutmolestation,andwhentheyhadcreptcautiouslytothevicinityofthesleeperstheydiscoveredthatallwerethere,inpeacefulslumber,justastheyhadleftthemafewhoursbefore.Silentlythepartyretraceditsstepsupthecliff.TheriereandBillyByrnebroughtuptherear."Whatdoyoumakeofitanyway,Byrne?"askedtheFrenchman."Ifyouwantagetitstraight,cul,"repliedthemucker,"Itinkyouseknowawholelotmoreaboutitdanyou'dliketohavederestofustink.""Whatdoyoumean,Byrne?"criedTheriere."Outwithitnow!""SureI'lloutwidit.Youdidn'ttinkIwasbashfuldidja?Wotferdidyoudetaildemtwopikers,MillerandSwenson,toguarddeskirtferifitwasn'tfersomespecialframe-upofyerown?Deyneverbeeninourgang,anddatsjustwotyouwanted'emfer.Itwaseasytotipdemofftohikeoutwiddesquab,anddefirstchanctyougetyou'llhikeafterdem,whileweholddebag.Toughtyou'ddouble-crossuseasy,didn'tyeh?Yehcheap-skate!""Byrne,"saidTheriere,anditwaseasytoseethatonlythroughthestrengthofhiswill-powerdidhekeephistemper,"youmayhavecausetosuspectthemotivesofeveryoneconnectedwiththisoutfit.Ican'tsaythatIblameyou;butIwantyoutorememberwhatIsaytoyounow.TherewasatimewhenIfullyintendedto'double-cross'you,asyousay--thatwasbeforeyousavedmylife.SincethenIhavebeenonthesquarewithyounotonlyindeedbutinthoughtaswell.Igiveyouthewordofamanwhosewordoncemeantsomething--Iamplayingsquarewithyounowexceptinonething,andIshalltellyouwhatthatisatonce.IdonotknowwhereMissHardingis,orwhathashappenedtoher,andMiller,andSwenson.ThatisGod'struth.NowfortheonethingthatIjustmentioned.RecentlyIchangedmyintentionsrelativetoMissHarding.Iwasafterthemoneythesameastherest--thatIamfreetoadmit;butnowIdon'tgivearapforit,andIhadintendedtakingadvantageofthefirstopportunitytoreturnMissHardingtocivilizationunharmedandwithoutthepaymentofapennytoanyone.Thereasonformychangeofheartismyownaffair.Inallprobabilityyouwouldn'tbelievethesincerityorhonestyofmymotivesshouldIdisclosethem.Iamonlytellingyouthesethingsbecauseyouhaveaccusedmeofdoubledealing,andIdonotwantthemanwhosavedmylifeattheriskofhisowntohavetheslightestgroundstodoubtmyhonestywithhim.I'vebeenafairlybadegg,Byrne,foragreatmanyyears;but,byGeorge!I'mnotentirelyrottenyet."Byrnewassilentforafewmoments.He,too,hadrecentlycometotheconclusionthatpossiblyhewasnotentirelyrotteneither,andhadinavagueandhalf-formedsortofwaywishedfortheopportunitytodemonstratethefact,sohewaswillingtoconcedetoanotherthatwhichhecravedforhimself."Yehlistenallright,cul,"hesaidatlast;"an'I'mwillin'totakeyehatyerownsay-sountilIlearndifferent." CHAPTERX56"Thanks,"saidTherieretersely."NowwecanworktogetherinthesearchforMissHarding;butwhere,inthenameofallthat'sholy,arewetostart?""Why,whereweseenherlast,ofcourse,"repliedthemucker."Righthereontopofdesebluffs.""Thenwecan'tdoanythinguntildaylight,"saidtheFrenchman."Notating,andatdaylightwe'llmostlikelyhaveascraponourhandsfrombelow,"andthemuckerjerkedhisthumbinthedirectionofthecove."Ithink,"saidTheriere,"thatwehadbetterspendanhourarmingourselveswithsticksandstones.We'veamightygoodpositionuphere.Onethatwecandefendsplendidlyfromanassaultfrombelow,andifwearepreparedforthemwecanstave'emoffforawhileifweneedthetimetosearchaboutuphereforclewstoMissHarding'swhereabouts."Andsothepartysettoworktocutstoutbludgeonsfromthetreesaboutthem,andpileloosefragmentsofrockinhandyplacesneartheclifftop.Theriereevenwentsofarastothrowupalowbreastworkacrossthetopofthetrailupwhichtheenemymustclimbtoreachthesummitofthecliff.Whentheyhadcompletedtheirpreparationsthreemencouldhaveheldtheplaceagainsttentimestheirownnumber.Thentheylaydowntosleep,leavingBlancoandDivineonguard,forithadbeendecidedthatthesetwo,withBonySawyer,shouldbeleftbehindonthemorrowtoholdtheclifftopwhiletheothersweresearchingforclewstothewhereaboutsofBarbaraHarding.Theyweretorelieveeachotheratguarddutyduringthebalanceofthenight.ScarcehadthefirstsuggestionofdawnlightenedtheeasternskythanDivine,whowasagainonguard,awakenedTheriere.Inamomenttheotherswerearoused,andahastyraidonthecachedprovisionsmade.Thelackofwaterwaskeenlyfeltbyall,butitwastoofartothespringtochancetakingthetimenecessarytofetchthemuch-cravedfluidandthosewhoweretoforgeintothejungleinsearchofBarbaraHardinghopedtofindwaterfartherinland,whileitwasdecidedtodispatchBonySawyertothespringforwaterforthosewhoweretoremainonguardattheclifftop.Ahurriedbreakfastwasmadeonwater-soakedship'sbiscuit.Theriereandhissearchingpartystuffedtheirpocketsfullofthem,andamomentlaterthesearchwason.Firstthementraversedthetrailtowardthespring,lookingforindicationsofthespotwhereBarbaraHardinghadceasedtofollowthem.ThegirlhadwornheellessbuckskinshoesatthetimeshewastakenfromtheLotus,andtheseleftlittleornospoorinthewell-trampedearthofthenarrowpath;butacarefulandminuteexaminationonthepartofTherierefinallyresultedinthedetectionofasinglesmallfootprintahundredyardsfromthepointtheyhadstruckthetrailafterascendingthecliffs.Thisfaratleastshehadbeenwiththem.Themennowspreadoutuponeithersideofthetrack--TheriereandRedSandersupononeside,ByrneandWisonupontheother.OccasionallyTherierewouldreturntothetrailtosearchforfurtherindicationsofthespoortheysought.Thepartyhadproceededinthisfashionfornearlyhalfamilewhensuddenlytheywereattractedbyalowexclamationfromthemucker."Here!"hecalled."Here'sMilleran'theSwede,an'theysurehavemussed'emupturrible."Theothershastenedinthedirectionofhisvoice,tocometoahorrifiedhaltatthesidesoftheheadlesstrunksofthetwosailors. CHAPTERX57"MonDieu!"exclaimedtheFrenchman,revertingtohismothertongueasheneverdidexceptunderthestressofgreatexcitement."Whodoneit?"queriedRedSanders,lookingsuspiciouslyatthemucker."Head-hunters,"saidTheriere."God!Whatanawfulfateforthatpoorgirl!"BillyByrnewentwhite."Yehdon'tmeandatdey'veloppedoffherblock?"hewhisperedinanawedvoice.Somethingstrangeroseinthemucker'sbreastatthethoughthehadjustvoiced.Hedidnotattempttoanalyzethesensation;butitwasfarfromjoyatthesuggestionthatthewomanhesohatedhadmetahorribleanddisgustingdeathatthehandsofsavages."I'mafraidnot,Byrne,"saidTheriere,inavoicethatnonetherewouldhaverecognizedasthatoftheharshandmasterfulsecondofficeroftheHalfmoon."Yerafraidnot!"echoedBillyByrne,inamazement."ForhersakeIhopethattheydid,"saidTheriere;"forsuchassheitwouldhavebeenafarlesshorriblefatethantheoneIfeartheyhavereservedherfor.""Youmean--"queriedByrne,andthenhestopped,fortherealizationofjustwhatTherieredidmeansweptoverhimquitesuddenly.TherewasnoparticularreasonwhyBillyByrneshouldhavefelttowardwomenthefinersentimentswhicharesocherishedapossessionofthosemenwhohavebeengentlybornandraised,evenaftertheyhavelearnedthatallwomenarenotaswasthefeminineidealoftheirboyhood.Billy'smother,alwaysfoul-mouthedandquarrelsome,hadbeenaveritabledemonwhendrunk,anddrunkshehadbeenwhenevershecould,byhookorcrook,raisethepriceofwhiskey.Never,toBilly'srecollection,hadshespokenawordofendearmenttohim;andsoterriblyhadsheabusedhimthatevenwhilehewasyetalittleboy,scarceoutofbabyhood,hehadlearnedtoviewherwithahatredasdeeprootedasistheaffectionofmostlittlechildrenfortheirmothers.Whenhehadcometoman'sestatehehaddefendedhimselffromthewoman'sbrutalassaultsashewouldhavedefendedhimselffromanotherman--whenshehadstruck,Billyhadstruckback;theonlythingtohiscreditbeingthatheneverhadstruckherexceptinself-defense.Chastityinwomanwastohimathingtojokeof--hedidnotbelievethatitexisted;forhejudgedotherwomenbytheoneheknewbest--hismother.Andashehatedher,sohehatedthemall.HehaddoublyhatedBarbaraHardingsinceshenotonlywasawoman,butawomanoftheclassheloathed.Andsoitwasstrangeandinexplicablethatthesuggestionofthegirl'sprobablefateshouldhaveaffectedBillyByrneasitdid.Hedidnotstoptoreasonaboutitatall--hesimplyknewthathefeltamadandunreasoningrageagainstthecreaturesthathadbornethegirlaway.OutwardlyBillyshowednoindicationoftheturmoilthatragedwithinhisbreast."Wegottafindher,bo,"hesaidtoTheriere."Wegottafindtheskirt."OrdinarilyBillywouldhaveblusteredabouttheterriblethingshewoulddototheobjectsofhiswrathwhenoncehehadtheminhispower;butnowhewasstrangelyquiet--onlythefirmsetofhisstrongchin,andthesteelyglitterofhisgrayeyesgavetokenoftheironresolutionwithin. CHAPTERX58Theriere,whohadbeenwalkingslowlytoandfroaboutthedeadmen,nowcalledtheotherstohim."Here'stheirtrail,"hesaid."Ifit'sasplainasthatallthewaywewon'tbelonginoverhaulingthem.Comealong."Beforehehadthewordshalfoutofhismouththemuckerwasforgingaheadthroughthejunglealongthewell-markedspoorofthesamurai."Wotkindofmendoyousupposetheyare?"askedRedSanders."Malaysianhead-hunters,unquestionably,"repliedTheriere.RedSandersshudderedinwardly.Theappellationhadamostgruesomesound."Comeon!"criedTheriere,andstartedoffafterthemucker,whoalreadywasoutofsightinthethickforest.RedSandersandWisontookafewstepsaftertheFrenchman.Theriereturnedoncetoseethattheywerefollowinghim,andthenaturninthetrailhidthemfromhisview.RedSandersstopped."DammeifI'mgoin'togetmycoconuthackedoffonanysuchwild-goosechaseasthis,"hesaidtoWison."Thegirl'smore'nlikelydeadlongago,"saidtheother."Suresheis,"returnedRedSanders,"an'ifwegobuttin'intothattherethicketwe'llbedeadtoo.Ugh!PoorMiller.PoorSwenson.It'sorful.Didyouseewottheydoneto'embesidecuttin'offtheirheads?""Yes,"whisperedWison,lookingsuddenlybehindhim.RedSandersgavealittlestart,peeringinthedirectionthathiscompanionhadlooked."Wotwasit?"hewhimpered."Wotdidyoudothatfer?""IthoughtIseensomethingmovethere,"repliedWison."FerGawd'ssakelet'sgetoutenthis,"andwithoutwaitingforawordofassentfromhiscompanionthesailorturnedandranatbreakneckspeedalongthelittlepathtowardthespotwhereDivine,Blanco,andBonySawyerwerestationed.WhentheyarrivedBonywasjustonthepointofsettingoutforthespringtofetchwater,butatsightofthefrightened,breathlessmenhereturnedtoheartheirstory."What'sup?"shoutedDivine."Youmenlookasthoughyou'dseenaghost.Wherearetheothers?""They'reallmurdered,andtheirheadscutoff,"criedRedSanders."WefoundthebunchthatgotMiller,Swenson,andthegirl.They'dkilled'emallandwaseatin'of'emwhenwejumps'em.Beforeweknewwothadhappenedaboutathousandmoreofthedevilscamerunnin'up.Theygotusseparated,andwhenweseenTheriereandByrnekiltwejestnatch'rallybeatit.Gawd,butitwasorful.""Doyouthinktheywillfollowyou?"askedDivine.Atthesuggestioneveryheadturnedtowardthetraildownwhichthetwopanic-strickenmenhadjustcome.Atthesamemomentahoarseshoutarosefromthecovebelowandthefivelookeddowntoseeasceneofwildactivityuponthebeach.ThedefectionofTheriere'spartyhadbeendiscovered,aswellastheabsenceofthegirlandthetheftoftheprovisions. CHAPTERX59SkipperSimmswasdancingaboutlikeamadman.Hisbellowedoathsrolledupthecliffslikethunder.PresentlyWardcaughtaglimpseofthemenatthetopofthecliffabovehim."Theretheyare!"hecried.SkipperSimmslookedup."Theswabs!"heshrieked."A-stealin'ofourgrub,an'abductin'ofthatthereporegirl.Theswabs!Lemmeto'em,Isay;jestlemmeto'em.""We'dallbettergoto'em,"saidWard."We'vegotafightonheresure.Gatherupsomerocks,men,an'comealong.Skipper,you'retoofattodoanyfightin'onthattherehillside,soyoubetterstayherean'letoneo'thementakeyourgun,"forWardknewsowellthemettleofhissuperiorthathemuchpreferredhisabsencetohispresenceinthefaceofrealfighting,andwiththeguninthehandsofabravermanitwouldbevastlymoreeffective.Wardhimselfwasnoloverofafight,buthesawnowthatstarvationmightstaretheminthefacewiththeirfoodgone,andeverythingbelostwiththelossofthegirl.ForfoodandmoneyamuchmorecowardlymanthanBenderWardwouldfighttothedeath.Upthefaceoftheclifftheyhurried,expectingmomentarilytobeeitherchallengedorfireduponbythoseabovethem.Divineandhispartylookeddownwithmixedemotionsuponthosewhowereascendinginsothreateningamanner.Theyfoundthemselvestrulybetweenthedevilandthedeepsea.Wardandhismenwerehalfwayupthecliff,yetDivinehadmadenomovetorepelthem.Heglancedtimorouslytowardthedarkforestbehindfromwhichhemomentarilyexpectedtoseethesavage,snarlingfacesofthehead-huntersappear."Surrender!Youswabs,"calledWardfrombelow,"orwe'llstringthelastmother'ssonofyoutotheyardarm."ForreplyBlancohurledaheavyfragmentofrockattheassaulters.ItgrazedperilouslyclosetoWard,againstwhomBlancocherishedakeenhatred.InstantlyWard'srevolverbarked,thebulletwhistlingclosebyDivine'shead.L.CortwriteDivine,cotillionleader,duckedbehindTheriere'sbreastwork,wherehelaysprawleduponhisbelly,tremblinginterror.BonySawyerandRedSandersfollowedtheexampleoftheircommander.BlancoandWisonalonemadeanyattempttorepeltheassault.ThebigNegrorantoDivine'ssideandsnatchedtheterror-strickenman'srevolverfromhisbelt.ThenturninghefiredatWard.Thebullet,missingitsintendedvictim,piercedtheheartofasailordirectlybehindhim,andasthemancrumpledtotheground,rollingdownthesteepdeclivity,hisfellowssoughtcover.Wisonfolloweduptheadvantagewithashowerofwell-aimedmissiles,andthenhostilitiesceasedtemporarily."Havetheygone?"queriedDivine,withtremblinglips,noticingthequietthatfollowedtheshot."Gonenothin',"yobigcowahd,"repliedBlanco."Doyodonesupposedattwomenisa-gwinetostan'offfive?Efyowhite-liveredskunks'udgitupan'fightwemighthaveachanct.I'seagoodmin'tocutoutyocowahdlyheartferyo,daswotIhas--a-lyin'deronyobellysettin'datkin'o'exampletoyomen!"Divine'sterrorhadplacedhimbeyondthereachofcontumelyorreproach. CHAPTERX60"What'stheuseoffightingthem?"hewhimpered."Weshouldneverhaveleftthem.It'sallthefaultofthatfoolTheriere.Whatcanwedoagainstthesavagesofthisawfulislandifwedivideourforces?TheywillpickusoffafewatatimejustastheypickedoffMillerandSwenson,TheriereandByrne.WeoughttotellWardaboutit,andcallthisfoolishbattleoff.""Nowyou'retalkin',"criedBonySawyer."I'mnota-goin'tosquatuphereanylongerwithmyfriendsa-shootin'atmefrombelowan'alotofwildheathencreepingdownonmefromabovetocutoffmybloomin'head.""Samehere!"chimedinRedSanders.BlancolookedtowardWison.ForhisownparttheNegrowouldnothavebeenaversetoreturningtothefoldcouldthethingbeaccomplishedwithoutdangerofreprisalonthepartofSkipperSimmsandWard;butheknewthemensowellthathefearedtotrustthemevenshouldtheyseeminglyacquiescetoanysuchproposal.Ontheotherhand,hereasoned,itwouldbeasmuchtotheiradvantagetohavethedesertersreturntothemasitwouldtothedesertersthemselves,forwhentheyhadheardthestorytoldbyRedSandersandWisonofthemurderoftheothersofthepartytheytoowouldrealizethenecessityformaintainingthestrengthofthelittlecompanytoitsfullest."Idon'tseethatwe'regoin'togainnothin'byfightin''em,"saidWison."Thereain'tnothin'initanymorenohowfornobodysincethegirl'sgorn.Let'schuckit,an'seewottermswecanmakewithSquintEye.""Well,"grumbledtheNegro,"Ican'tfight'emalone;Whatyodoin'dere,Bony?"DuringtheconversationBonySawyerhadbeenbusywithastickandapieceofrag,andnowasheturnedtowardhiscompanionsoncemoretheysawthathehadriggedawhiteflagofsurrender.Noneinterferedasheraiseditabovetheedgeofthebreastwork.Immediatelytherewasahailfrombelow.ItwasWard'svoice."Surrenderin',eh?Comin'toyoursenses,areyou?"heshouted.Divine,feelingthatimmediatedangerfrombulletswaspast,raisedhisheadabovetheedgeoftheearthwork."Wehavesomethingtocommunicate,Mr.Ward,"hecalled."Spititout,then;I'ma-listenin',"calledbackthemate."MissHarding,Mr.Theriere,Byrne,Miller,andSwensonhavebeencapturedandkilledbynativehead-hunters,"saidDivine.Ward'seyeswentwide,andheblewouthischeeksinsurprise.Thenhisfacewentblackwithanangryscowl."Youseewhatyoudonenow,youblitherin'fools,you!"hecried,"withyourfunnybusiness?Yougonean'killedthegoosewhatlaidthegoldeneggs.Thoughtyou'dgetitall,didn'tyou?andnownobodywon'tgetnothin',unlessitisthehalter.Niceloto'numbskullsyoube,an'whimperin''roundnowexpectin'ofustotakeyouback--well,Ireckonnot,notonyourmeaslylives,"andwiththatheraisedhisrevolvertofireagainatDivine.ThesocietymantoppledoverbackwardintothepitbehindthebreastworkbeforeWardhadachancetopullthetrigger. CHAPTERX61"Hol'ontheremate!"criedBonySawyer;"thereain'tnocallnowfergettin'excited.Waituntilyouhearallwegottasay.Youcan'tblameusporesailormen.ItwasthisherefooldudeandthatscoundrelTherierethatputusuptoit.Theytoldusthatyouan'SkipperSimmswasa-fixin'todoublecrossusallan'leaveusheretostarveonthisGawd-forsakenislan'.Therieresaidthathewaswithyouwhenyouplannedit.Thatyouwantedtogitrido'asmanyofusasyoucouldsothatyou'dhavemoreoftheransomtodivide.Soallwedonewasinself-defense,asitwere."Whynotletbygonesbebygones,an'allofusjoinforcesag'in'thesemurderin'heathen?Therewon'tbeanytoomanyofusatbest--Redan'Wisonseenmore'ntwothousan'oftheman-eatin'devils.They'rea-creepin'uponusfrombehin'rightthisminute,an'youcanlaytothat;an'thechancesarethattheygotsomespecialkindo'routeintothattherecove,an'maybethey'rea-watchin'ofyourightnow!"Wardturnedanapprehensiveglancetoeitherside.TherewaslogicinBony'sproposal.Theycouldn'tspareamannow.Laterhecouldpunishtheoffendersathisleisure--whenhedidn'tneedthemanyfurther."WillyouswearontheBooktodoyourdutybySkipperSimmsan'meifwetakeyouback?"askedWard."Youbet,"answeredBonySawyer.Theothersnoddedtheirheads,andDivinesprangupandstarteddowntowardWard."Hol'onyou!"commandedthemate."Thisherearrangementdon'includeyou--it'sjes'betweenSkipperSimmsan'hissailors.You'rearankoutsider,an'youbuttsinan'startsamutiny.Efyoucomebackyougottastandtrialferthat--see?""Youbetterduck,mister,"advisedRedSanders;"they'llhangyousure."Divinewentwhite.TofacetrialbeforetwosuchmenasSimmsandWardmeantdeath,ofthathewaspositive.Tofleeintotheforestmeantdeath,almostequallycertain,andmuchmorehorrible.Themanwenttohisknees,liftingsupplicatinghandstothemate."ForGod'ssake,Mr.Ward,"hecried,"bemerciful.IwasledintothisbyTheriere.Heliedtomejustashedidtothemen.Youcan'tkillme--itwouldbemurder--they'dhangyouforit.""We'llhangforthismussyougotusintoanyway,ifwe'reevercaught,"growledthemate."Efyouhadn'ta-carriedthegirlofftobemurderedwemighthavehadenoughransommoneytohavegotclearsomeway,butnowyougoneandcookedthewholegooseferthelotofus.""Youcancollectransomonme,"criedDivine,clutchingatastraw."I'llpayahundredthousandmyselfthedayyousetmedowninacivilizedport,safeandfree."Wardlaughedinhisface."Youain'tgotacent,youfour-flusher,"hecried."ClinkerputusnexttothatlongbeforewesailedfromFrisco.""Clinkerlies,"criedDivine."Hedoesn'tknowanythingaboutit--I'mrich.""Wot'sdeuseobchewin'derag'boutalldis,"criedBlanco,seeingwherehemightsquarehimselfwithWardandSimmseasily."Doesyo'takebackallussailormen,Mr.Ward,an'promisenott'punishnoneo'us,efwesweartostickbyyo'allindefuture?""Yes,"repliedthemate. CHAPTERX62BlancotookasteptowardDivine."Denyocomealongtooasaprisoner,whiteman,"andtheburlyblackgraspedDivinebythescruffoftheneckandforcedhimbeforehimdownthesteeptrailtowardthecove,andsothemutineersreturnedtothecommandofSkipperSimms,andL.CortwriteDivinewentwiththemasaprisoner,chargedwithacrimethepunishmentforwhichhasbeendeathsincemensailedtheseas. CHAPTERXI63CHAPTERXITHEVILLAGEOFYOKAFORseveralminutesBarbaraHardinglaywhereshehadcollapsedafterthekeenshortswordofthedaimiohadfreedherfromthemenaceofhislust.Shewasinahalf-stuporthattookcognizanceonlyofafreezingterrorandexhaustion.Presently,however,shebecameawareofhercontactwiththecorpsebesideher,andwithastifledcrysheshrankawayfromit.Slowlythegirlregainedherself-controlandwithitcametherealizationoftheextremityofherdanger.Sherosetoasittingpostureandturnedherwideeyestowardthedoorwaytotheadjoiningroom--thewomenandchildrenseemedyetwrappedinslumber.Itwasevidentthattheman'sscreamhadnotdisturbedthem.Barbaragainedherfeetandmovedsoftlytothedoorway.Shewonderedifshecouldcrosstheinterveningspacetotheouterexitwithoutdetection.Onceintheopenshecouldfleetothejungle,andthentherewasachanceatleastthatshemightfindherwaytothecoastandTheriere.Shegrippedtheshortswordwhichshestillheld,andtookastepintothelargerroom.Oneofthewomenturnedandhalfrousedfromsleep.Thegirlshrankbackintothedarknessofthechambershehadjustquitted.Thewomansatupandlookedaround.Thensheroseandthrewsomesticksuponthefirethatburnedatonesideofthedwelling.Shecrossedtoashelfandtookdownacookingutensil.Barbarasawthatshewasabouttocommencethepreparationofbreakfast.Allhopeofescapewasthusended,andthegirlcautiouslyclosedthedoorbetweenthetworooms.Thenshefeltaboutthesmallerapartmentforsomeheavyobjectwithwhichtobarricadeherself;buthersearchwasfruitless.Finallyshebethoughtherselfofthecorpse.Thatwouldholdthedooragainsttheaccidentofachildordogpushingitopen--itwouldbebetterthannothing,butcouldshebringherselftotouchtheloathsomething?Theinstinctofself-preservationwillworkwondersevenwithafrailanddelicatewoman.BarbaraHardingsteeledherselftothetask,andafterseveralmomentsofeffortshesucceededinrollingthedeadmanagainstthedoor.Thescrapingsoundofthebodyasshedraggeditintopositionhadsentcoldshiversrunningupherspine.Shehadremovedtheman'slongswordandarmorbeforeattemptingtomovehim,andnowshecrouchedbesidethecorpsewithboththeswordsbesideher--shewouldsellherlifedearly.Theriere'swordscamebacktohernowastheyhadwhenshewasstrugglinginthewaterafterthewreckoftheHalfmoon:"but,byGeorge,Iintendtogodownfighting."Well,shecoulddonoless.Shecouldhearthemovementofseveralpersonsinthenextroomnow.Thevoicesofwomenandchildrencametoherdistinctly.ManyofthewordswereJapanese,butotherswereofatonguewithwhichshewasnotfamiliar.Presentlyherownchamberbegantolighten.Shelookedoverhershoulderandsawthefirstfaintraysofdawnshowingthroughasmallapertureneartheroofandattheoppositeendoftheroom.Sheroseandmovedquicklytowardit.Bystandingontiptoeandpullingherselfupatriflewithherhandsuponthesillshewasabletoraisehereyesabovethebottomofthewindowframe.Beyondshesawtheforest,notahundredyardsaway;butwhensheattemptedtocrawlthroughtheopeningshediscoveredtoherchagrinthatitwastoosmalltopermitthepassageofherbody.Andthentherecameaknockingonthedoorshehadjustquitted,andawoman'svoicecallingherlordandmastertohismorning CHAPTERXI64meal.Barbararanquicklyacrossthechambertothedoor,thelongswordraisedaboveherheadinbothhands.Againthewomanknocked,thistimemuchlouder,andraisedhervoiceasshecalledagainuponOdaYorimototocomeout.Thegirlwithinwaspanic-stricken.Whatshouldshedo?Withbutalittlerespiteshemightenlargethewindowsufficientlytopermithertoescapeintotheforest,butthewomanatthedoorevidentlywouldnotbedenied.Suddenlyaninspirationcametoher.Itwasaforlornhope,butwellworthputtingtothetest."Hush!"shehissedthroughthecloseddoor."OdaYorimotosleeps.Itishiswishthathebenotdisturbed."Foramomenttherewassilencebeyondthedoor,andthenthewomangrunted,andBarbaraheardherturnback,mutteringtoherself.Thegirlbreathedadeepsighofrelief--shehadreceivedabriefreprievefromdeath.Againsheturnedtothewindow,where,withtheshortsword,shecommencedherlaborofenlargingittopermitthepassageofherbody.Theworkwasnecessarilyslowbecauseofthefactthatitmustproceedwithutternoiselessness.Foranhoursheworked,andthenagaincameaninterruptionatthedoor.Thistimeitwasaman."OdaYorimotostillsleeps,"whisperedthegirl."Goawayanddonotdisturbhim.Hewillbeveryangryifyouawakenhim."Butthemanwouldnotbeputoffsoeasilyashadthewoman.Hestillinsisted."Thedaimiohasorderedthatthereshallbeagreathunttodayfortheheadsofthesei-yo-jinwhohavelandeduponYoka,"persistedtheman."Hewillbeangryindeedifwedonotcallhimintimetoaccomplishthetasktoday.Letmespeakwithhim,woman.IdonotbelievethatOdaYorimotostillsleeps.WhyshouldIbelieveoneofthesei-yo-jin?Itmaybethatyouhavebewitchedthedaimio,"andwiththathepushedagainstthedoor.Thecorpsegavealittle,andthemangluedhiseyestotheaperture.Barbaraheldtheswordbehindher,andwithhershoulderagainstthedoorattemptedtorecloseit."Goaway!"shecried."IshallbekilledifyouawakenOdaYorimoto,and,ifyouenter,you,too,shallbekilled."Themansteppedbackfromthedoor,andBarbaracouldhearhiminlowconversewithsomeofthewomenofthehousehold.Amomentlaterhereturned,andwithoutawordofwarningthrewhiswholeweightagainsttheportal.Thecorpseslippedbackenoughtopermittheentranceoftheman'sbody,andashestumbledintotheroomthelongswordoftheLordofYokafellfullandkeenacrossthebackofhisbrownneck.Withoutasoundhelungedtothefloor,dead;butthewomenwithouthadcaughtafleetingglimpseofwhathadtakenplacewithinthelittlechamber,evenbeforeBarbaraHardingcouldslamthedooragain,andwithshrieksofrageandfrighttheyrushedintothemainstreetofthevillageshoutingatthetopsoftheirvoicesthatOdaYorimotoandHawaNishohadbeenslainbythewomanofthesei-yo-jin.Instantly,thevillageswarmedwithsamurai,women,children,anddogs.TheyrushedtowardthehutofOdaYorimoto,fillingtheouterchamberwheretheyjabberedexcitedlyforseveralminutes,thewarriorsattemptingtoobtainacoherentstoryfromthemoaningwomenofthedaimio'shousehold. CHAPTERXI65BarbaraHardingcrouchedclosetothedoor,listening.Sheknewthatthecrucialmomentwasathand;thattherewereatbestbutafewmomentsforhertolive.Asilentprayerrosefromherpartedlips.SheplacedthesharppointofOdaYorimoto'sshortswordagainstherbreast,andwaited--waitedforthecomingofthemenfromtheroombeyond,snatchingafewbriefsecondsfrometernityereshedrovetheweaponintoherheart.Theriereplungedthroughthejungleatarunforseveralminutesbeforehecaughtsightofthemucker."Areyoustillonthetrail?"hecalledtothemanbeforehim."Sure,"repliedByrne."It'sdeadeasy.Theymusto'beenatleastadozenof'em.Evenamuttlikemecouldn'tmissit.""Wewanttogocarefully,Byrne,"cautionedTheriere."I'vehadexperiencewiththesefellowsbefore,andIcantellyouthatyouneverknowwhenoneof'emisnearyoutillyoufeelaspearinyourback,unlessyou'realmightywatchful.We'vegottomakeallthehastewecan,ofcourse,butitwon'thelpMissHardinganyifwerushintoanambushandgetourheadsloppedoff."Byrnesawthewisdomofhiscompanion'sadviceandtriedtoprofitbyit;butsomethingwhichseemedtodominatehimtodaycarriedhimaheadatreckless,breakneckspeed--theflightofaneaglewouldhavebeenalltooslowtomeettherequirementsofhisunaccountablehaste.Oncehefoundhimselfwonderingwhyhewasriskinghislifetoavengeorrescuethisgirlwhombehatedso.Hetriedtothinkthatitwasfortheransom--yes,thatwasit,theransom.Ifhefoundheralive,andrescuedherheshouldclaimthelion'sshareofthebooty.TherieretoowonderedwhyByrne,ofalltheothermenupontheHalfmoonthelastthatheshouldhaveexpectedtoriskathingforthesakeofMissHarding,shouldbetheforemostinpursuitofhercaptors."IwonderhowfarbehindSandersandWisonare,"heremarkedtoByrneaftertheyhadbeenonthetrailforthebetterpartofanhour."Hadn'twebetterwaitforthemtocatchupwithus?Fourcandoawholelotmorethantwo.""NotwenBillyByrne'soneofdetwo,"repliedthemucker,andcontinueddoggedlyalongthetrail.Anotherhalf-hourbroughtthemsuddenlyinsightofanativevillage,andBillyByrnewasfordashingstraightintothecenterofitand"cleaningitup,"asheputit,butTheriereputhisfootdownfirmlyonthatproposition,andfinallyByrnesawthattheotherwasright."Thetrailleadsstraighttowardthatplace,"saidTheriere,"soIsupposehereiswheretheybroughther,butwhichofthehutsshe'sinnowweoughttotrytodeterminebeforewemakeanyattempttorescueher.Well,byGeorge!Nowwhatdoyouthinkofthat?""Tinko'wot?"askedthemucker."Wot'seatin'yeh?""Seethosethreemendownthereinthevillage,Byrne?"askedtheFrenchman."They'renomoreaboriginalheadhuntersthanIam--they'reJaps,man.Theremustbesomethingwrongwithourtrailing,forit'sascertainasfateitselfthatJapsarenothead-hunters.""Thereain'tbeennothin'fonyaboutourtrailin',bo,"insistedByrne,"an'whetherJapsarebeancollectorsornothere'swheredeginksdatcoppeddedollhikedfer,anifdeyain'tderenowit'sbecausedeywentt'roughan'outdeodderside,see." CHAPTERXI66"Hush,Byrne,"whisperedTheriere."Dropdownbehindthisbush.Someoneiscomingalongthisothertrailtotherightofus,"andashespokehedraggedthemuckerdownbesidehim.Foramomenttheycrouched,breathlessandexpectant,andthentheslimfigureofanalmostnudeboyemergedfromthefoliageclosebesideandenteredthetrailtowardthevillage.Uponhisheadheboreabundleoffirewood.WhenhewasdirectlyoppositethewatchersTherieresprangsuddenlyuponhim,clappingasilencinghandovertheboy'smouth.InJapanesehewhisperedacommandforsilence."Weshallnotharmyouifyoukeepstill,"hesaid,"andanswerourquestionstruthfully.Whatvillageisthat?""ItisthechiefcityofOdaYorimoto,LordofYoka,"repliedtheyouth."IamOdaIseka,hisson.""AndthelargehutinthecenterofthevillagestreetisthepalaceofOdaYorimoto?"guessedTheriereshrewdly."Itis."TheFrenchmanwasnotunversedinthewaysoforientals,andheguessedalsothatifthewhitegirlwerestillaliveinthevillageshewouldbeinnootherhutthanthatofthemostpowerfulchief;buthewishedtoverifyhisdeductionsifpossible.Heknewthatadirectquestionastothewhereaboutsofthegirlwouldcallfortheitheracleverorientalevasionoranequallycleverorientallie."DoesOdaYorimotointendslayingthewhitewomanthatwasbroughttohishouselastnight?"askedTheriere."Howshouldthesonknowtheintentionsofhisfather?"repliedtheboy."Isshestillalive?"continuedTheriere."HowshouldIknow,whowasasleepwhenshewasbrought,andonlyheardthewomenfolkthismorningwhisperingthatOdaYorimotohadbroughthomeanewwomanthenightbefore.""Couldyounotseeherwithyourowneyes?"askedTheriere."Myeyescannotpassthroughthedoorofthelittleroombehind,inwhichtheystillwerewhenIlefttogatherfirewoodahalfhoursince,"retortedtheyouth."Wot'sdeChinksayin'?"askedBillyByrne,impatientoftheconversation,nowordofwhichwasintelligibletohim."Hesays,insubstance,"repliedTheriere,withagrin,"thatMissHardingisstillalive,andinthebackroomofthatlargesthutinthecenterofthevillagestreet;but,"andhisfaceclouded,"OdaYorimoto,thechiefofthetribe,iswithher."Themuckersprangtohisfeetwithanoath,andwouldhaveboltedforthevillagehadnotTherierelaidadetaininghanduponhisshoulder."Itistoolate,myfriend,"hesaidsadly,"tomakehastenow.Wemay,ifwearecautious,beabletosaveherlife,andlater,possibly,avengeherwrong.Letusactcoolly,andaftersomemannerofplan,sothatwemayworktogether,andnotthrowourlivesawayuselessly.Thechanceisthatneitherofuswillcomeoutofthat CHAPTERXI67villagealive,butwemustminimizethatchancetotheutmostifwearetoserveMissHarding.""Well,wot'sdeword?"askedthemucker,forhesawthatTherierewasright."Thejungleapproachesthevillagemostcloselyontheoppositeside--thesideinrearofthechief'shut,"pointedoutTheriere."Wemustcircleaboutuntilwecanreachthatpointundetected,thenwemayformulatefurtherplansfromwhatourobservationstheredevelop.""An'dis?"ByrneshovedathumbatOdaIseka."We'lltakehimwithus--itwouldn'tbesafetolethimgonow.""Whynotcroakhim?"suggestedByrne."Notunlesswehaveto,"repliedTheriere;"he'sjustaboy--we'lldoubtlesshaveallthekillingwewantamongthemenbeforewegetoutofthis.""IneverdidhavenouseferChinks,"saidthemucker,asthoughinextenuationofhissuggestionthattheymurdertheyouth.Forsomeunaccountablereasonhehadfeltasuddencompunctionbecauseofhisthoughtlessremark.Whatintheworldwascomingoverhim,hewondered.He'dbewearingwhitepantsandplayinglawntennispresentlyifhecontinuedtogrowmuchsofterandmoreunmanly.Sothethreesetoutthroughthejungle,followingatrailwhichledaroundtothenorthofthevillage.Therierewalkedaheadwiththeboy'sarminhisgrasp.Byrnefollowedcloselybehind.TheyreachedtheirdestinationintherearofOdaYorimoto's"palace"withoutinterruptionordetection.Heretheyreconnoiteredthroughthethickfoliage."Dere'salittlewinderindebackofdehouse,"saidByrne."Datmustbewheredemguyscoopedupdelittlebroiler.""Yes,"saidTheriere,"itwouldbeinthebackroomwhichtheboydescribed.Firstlet'stieandgagthisyoungheathen,andthenwecanproceedtobusinesswithoutfearofalarmfromhim,"andtheFrenchmanstrippedalong,grassropefromaboutthewaistofhisprisoner,withwhichhewassecurelytrussedup,apieceofhisloinclothbeingforcedintohismouthasagag,andsecuredtherebyanotherstrip,tornfromthesamegarment,whichwaspassedaroundthebackoftheboy'shead."Ratheruncomfortable,Iimagine,"commentedTheriere;"butnotparticularlypainfulordangerous--andnowtobusiness!""I'mgoin'tomakeabreakferdatwinder,"announcedthemucker,"andyousesquathereindetallgrasswidyergatan'pickoffanyfreshguysdatgetgayinbackhere.Den,ifIneedyouseyoucancomea-runnin'an'openupalloverdeshopwiddeartillery,orifIgetsdelizzieoutendejugan'deChinkspushmetooclostyouse'llbeherewhereyehcanpick'emoffeasy-like.""You'llbetakingalltheriskthatway,Byrne,"objectedTheriere,"andthat'snotfair.""Oneo'usisprettysuretogethurted,"explainedthemuckerindefenseofhisplan,"an,ifit'sacroakit'salotbetterdatitbemethanyouse,ferthegirlwouldn'tbecrazyaboutbein'lef'alonewidme--sheain'tgotnouseferthelikeso'me.Nowyouseareherkin,an'soyousestayherew'ereyehcanhelpherafterIgitherout--Idon'twantnothingtodowidheranyhow.Shegivesmeaswiftpain,and,"headdedasthoughitwereanafter-thought,"Iain'tgotnouseferdatransomeider--yousecanhavedat,too." CHAPTERXI68"Holdon,Byrne,"criedTheriere;"Ihavesomethingtosay,too.IdonotseehowIcanexpectyoutobelieveme;butunderthecircumstances,whenoneofusandmaybebothareprettysuretodiebeforethedayismucholder,itwouldn'tbeworthwhilelying.Idonotwantthatdamnedransomanymore,either.IonlywanttodowhatIcantorightthewrongthatIhavehelpedtoperpetrateagainstMissHarding.I--I--Byrne,Iloveher.Ishallnevertellherso,forIamnotthesortofmanadecentgirlwouldcaretomarry;butIdidwantthechancetomakeacleanbreasttoherofallmyconnectionwiththewholedirtybusiness,andgetherforgivenessifIcould;butfirstIwantedtoprovemyrepentancebyhelpinghertocivilizationinsafety,anddeliveringhertoherfriendswithoutthepaymentofacentofmoney.Imayneverbeabletodothatnow;butifIdieintheattempt,andyoudon't,IwishthatyouwouldtellherwhatIhavejusttoldyou.Paintmeasblackasyoucan--youcouldn'tcommencetomakemeasblackasIhavebeen--butletherknowthatforloveofherIturnedwhiteatthelastminute.Byrne,sheisthebestgirlthatyouorIeversaw--we'renotfittobreathethesameairthatshebreathes.NowyoucanseewhyIshouldliketogofirst.""It'oughtyousewassoftonher,"repliedthemucker,"an'dat'sdereasonw'yyouseotternotgofirst;butwot'sdeuseo'chewin',lesflipacointoseew'ichgoesanw'ichstays--gotone?"Therierefeltinhistrousers'pocket,fishingoutadime."Heads,yougo;tails,Igo,"hesaidandspunthesilverpieceintheair,catchingitintheflatofhisopenpalm."It'sheads,"saidthemucker,grinning."Gee!Wot'sderacket?"Bothmenturnedtowardthevillage,whereajabberingmobofhalf-casteJapanesehadsuddenlyappearedinthestreets,hurryingtowardthehutofOdaYorimoto."Somepindoin',eh?"saidthemucker."Well,heregoes--s'long!"AndhebrokefromthecoverofthejungleanddashedacrosstheclearingtowardtherearofOdaYorimoto'shut. CHAPTERXII69CHAPTERXIITHEFIGHTINTHEPALACEBARBARAHARDINGheardthesamuraiintheroombeyondherprisonadvancingtowardthedoorthatseparatedthemfromher.Shepressedthepointofthedaimio'sswordclosetoherheart.Aheavyknockfelluponthedoorandatthesameinstantthegirlwasstartledbyanoisebehindher--anoiseatthelittlewindowatthefarendoftheroom.Turningtofacethisnewdanger,shewasstartledintoalittlecryofsurprisetoseetheheadandshouldersofthemuckerframedinthebrokensquareofthehalf-demolishedwindow.Thegirldidnotknowwhethertofeelrenewedhopeorutterdespair.ShecouldnotforgettheheroismofherrescuebythisbrutalfellowwhentheHalfmoonhadgonetopiecesthedaybefore,norcouldshebanishfromhermindhisthreatsofviolencetowardher,orhisbrutaltreatmentofMalloryandTheriere.Andthequestionaroseinhermindastowhethershewouldbeanybetteroffinhispowerthanintheclutchesofthesavagesamurai.BillyByrnehadheardtheknockuponthedoorbeforewhichthegirlknelt.Hehadseenthecorpsesofthedeadmenatherfeet.Hehadobservedthetelltalepositionoftheswordwhichthegirlheldtoherbreastandhehadreadmuchofthestoryoftheimpendingtragedyataglance."Cheerup,kid!"hewhispered."I'llbewidyouseinaminute,an'Theriere'southeretoo,tohelpyouseifIcan'tdoitalone."Thegirlturnedtowardthedooragain."Wait,"shecriedtothesamuraiupontheotherside,"untilImovethedeadmen,thenyoumaycomein,theirbodiesbarthedoornow."AllthatkeptthewarriorsoutwasthefearthatpossiblyOdaYorimotomightnotbedeadafterall,andthatshouldtheyforcetheirwayintotheroomwithouthispermissionsomeofthemwouldsufferfortheirtemerity.Naturallynoneofthemwaskeentolosehisheadfornothing,butthemomentthatthegirlspokeofthedead"men"theyknewthatOdaYorimotohadbeenslain,too,andwithoneaccordtheyrushedthelittledoor.Thegirlthrewallherweightagainstherside,whilethedeadmen,eachtotheextentofhisownweight,aidedthewomanwhohadkilledtheminherefforttorepulsetheirfellows;andbehindthethreeBillyByrnekickedandtoreatthemudwallaboutthewindowinafranticefforttoenlargetheaperturesufficientlytopermithishugebulktopassthroughintothelittleroom.Themuckerwontothegirl'ssidefirst,andsnatchingOdaYorimoto'slongswordfromthefloorhethrewhisgreatweightagainstthedoor,andcommandedthegirltomakeforthewindowandescapetotheforestasquicklyasshecould."Theriereiswaitingdere,"hesaid."Hewillseeyousedemomentyehreachdewindow,anddenyousewillbesafe.""Butyou!"criedthegirl."Whatofyou?""Neveryehmindme,"commandedBillyByrne."Yousejes'doasItellsyeh,see?Now,beatit,"andhegaveheraroughshovetowardthewindow. CHAPTERXII70Andthen,betweenthecombinedeffortsofthesamuraiupononesideandBillyByrneofKelly'sgangupontheotherthefraildoorburstfromitsrottenhingesandfelltooneside.ThefirstofthesamuraiintothelittleroomwascleftfromcrowntobreastbonewiththekeenedgeoftheswordoftheLordofYokawieldedbythemightyarmofthemucker.Thesecondtookthecountwithalefthooktothejaw,andthenallthatcouldcrowdthroughthelittledoorswarmeduponthehuskybruiserfromGrandAvenue.BarbaraHardingtookonelookatthecarnagebehindherandthensprangtothewindow.Atashortdistanceshesawthejungleandatitsedgewhatshewassurewasthefigureofamancrouchinginthelonggrass."Mr.Theriere!"shecried."Quick!TheyarekillingByrne,"andthensheturnedbackintotheroom,andwiththeshortswordwhichshestillgraspedinherhandsprangtothesideofthemuckerwhowasofferinghislifetosaveher.Byrnecastahorrifiedglanceatthefigurefightingbyhisside."Ferdeloveo'Mike!Beatit!"hecried."Duck!Gitouto'here!"Butthegirlonlysmiledupbravelyintohisfaceandkeptherplacebesidehim.Themuckertriedtopushherbehindhimwithonehandwhilehefoughtwiththeother,butshedrewawayfromhimtocomeupagainalittlefartherfromhim.Thesamuraiwerepushingthemcloselynow.Threemenatatimewerereachingforthemuckerwiththeirlongswords.Hewasbleedingfromnumerouswounds,butathisfeetlaytwodeadwarriors,whileathirdcrawledawaywithamortalwoundinhisabdomen.BarbaraHardingdevotedherenergiestothrustingandcuttingatthosewhotriedtopresspastthemucker,thattheymighttakehimfrombehind.Thebattlecouldnotlastlong,sounequalweretheodds.Shesawtheroombeyondfilledwithsurgingwarriorsalltryingtoforcetheirwaywithinreachofthegreatwhitemanwhobattledlikesomedemigodofoldintheclose,dark,evilwarrenofthedaimio.Sheshotasideglanceattheman.Hewaswonderful!Thefireofbattlehadtransformedhim.Nolongerwashethesullen,sulky,hulkingbruteshehadfirstknownupontheHalfmoon.Instead,huge,muscular,alert,hetoweredabovehispygmyantagonists,hisgrayeyesgleaming,ahalf-smileuponhisstronglips.Shesawthelongsword,wieldedawkwardlyinhisunaccustomedhands,beatdowntheweaponsofhisskilledfoemenbytheveryferocityofitshurtlingattack.Shesawitpassthroughaman'sshoulder,cleavingboneandmuscleasiftheyhadbeencheese,untilitstoppedtwo-thirdsacrossitsvictim'sbody,cuttinghimalmostintwo.Shesawasamuraileappastherchampion'sguardinanattempttocloseuponhimwithadagger,andwhenshehadrushedforwardtothwartthefellow'sdesignshehadseenByrneswinghismightylefttothewarrior'sfacewithablowthatmightwellhavefelledanox.ThenanotherleapedintocloserquartersandshesawByrneatthesameinstantburyhisswordinthebodyofadark-visageddevilwholookedmoreMalaythanJap,andasthestrickenmanfellshesawthehiltofthemucker'sbladewrenchedfromhisgripbythedeadbodyofhisfoe.ThesamuraiwhohadcloseduponByrneatthatinstantfoundhisenemyunarmed,andwithahowlofdelighthestruckfullatthebroadchestwithhislong,thindagger.ButBillyByrnewasnottobedispatchedsoeasily.Withhisleftforearmhestruckupthehandthatwieldedthemenacingblade,andthencatchingthefellowbytheshoulderswunghimaround,graspedhimaboutthewaistandliftinghimabovehisheadhurledhimfullinthefacesoftheswordsmenwhowerepressingthrough CHAPTERXII71thenarrowdoorway.AlmostsimultaneouslyaspearshotthroughatinyopeningintheranksbeforeBillyByrne,andwithalittlegaspofdismaythehugefellowpitchedforwarduponhisface.AtthesameinstantashotrangoutbehindBarbaraHarding,andTheriereleapedpasthertostandacrossthebodyofthefallenmucker.Withthesoundoftheshotasamuraisanktothefloor,dead,andtheothers,unaccustomedtofirearms,drewbackindismay.AgainTherierefiredpoint-blankintothecrowdedroom,andthistimetwomenfell,struckbythesamebullet.Oncemorethewarriorsretreated,andwithanexultantyellTherierefolloweduphisadvantagebychargingmenacinglyuponthem.Theystoodforamoment,thenwavered,turnedandfledfromthehut.WhenTheriereturnedbacktowardBarbaraHardinghefoundherkneelingbesidethemucker."Ishedead?"askedtheFrenchman."No.Canwelifthimtogetherandgethimthroughthatwindow?""Itistheonlyway,"repliedTheriere,"andwemusttryit."Theyseizeduponthehugebodyanddraggedittothefarendoftheroom,butdespitetheirbesteffortsthetwowerenotabletoliftthegreat,inertmassoffleshandboneandmuscleandpassitthroughthetinyopening."Whatshallwedo?"criedTheriere."Wemuststayherewithhim,"repliedBarbaraHarding."Icouldneverdesertthemanwhohasfoughtsonobleafightformewhileabreathofliferemainedinhim."Therieregroaned."NorI,"hesaid;"butyou--hehasgivenhislifetosaveyours.Shouldyourenderhissacrificeofnoavailnow?""Icannotgoalone,"sheansweredsimply,"andIknowthatyouwillnotleavehim.Thereisnootherway--wemuststay."Atthisjuncturethemuckeropenedhiseyes."Whohitme?"hemurmured."Jes'showmedebigstiff."Therierecouldnotrepressasmile.BarbaraHardingagainkneltbesidetheman."Noonehityou,Mr.Byrne,"shesaid."Youwerestruckbyaspearandarebadlywounded."BillyByrneopenedhiseyesalittlewider,turningthemuntiltheyrestedonthebeautifulfaceofthegirlsoclosetohis."MR.Byrne!"heejaculatedindisgust."Forgetit.WotdoyousetinkIam,oneofdosepaper-collardudes?"Thenhesatup.Bloodwasflowingfromawoundinhischest,saturatinghisshirt,andrunningslowlytotheearthfloor.Thereweretwofleshwoundsuponhishead--oneabovetherighteyeandtheotherextendingentirelyacrosstheleftcheekfrombelowtheeyetothelobeoftheear--butthesehehadreceivedearlierinthe CHAPTERXII72fracas.Fromcrowntoheelthemanwasamassofblood.Throughhiscrimsonmaskhelookedatthepileofbodiesinthefarendoftheroom,andabroadgrincrackedthedriedbloodabouthismouth."WotwedonetodemChinkswassureaplenty,kiddo,"heremarkedtoMissHarding,andthenhecametohisfeet,seeminglyasstrongasever,shakinghimselflikeagreatbull."ButIguessit'sluckyyousebuttedinwhenyoudid,oldpot,"headded,turningtowardTheriere;"deyjestabouthadmedownferdelongcount."BarbaraHardingwaslookingatthemaninwide-eyedamazement.Amomentbeforeshehadbeenexpectinghim,momentarily,tobreathehislast--nowhewasstandingbeforehertalkingasunconcernedlyasthoughhehadnotreceivedascratch--heseemedtotallyunawareofhiswounds.Atleasthewasentirelyindifferenttothem."You'reprettybadlyhurt,oldman,"saidTheriere."Doyoufeelabletomaketheattempttogettothejungle?TheJapswillbebackinamoment.""Sure!"criedBillyByrne."Comeahead,"andhesprangforthewindow."Passdekiduptome.Quick!Dey'recomin'frominback."TheriereliftedBarbaraHardingtothemuckerwhodrewherthroughtheopening.ThenBillyextendedahandtotheFrenchman,andamomentlaterthethreestoodtogetheroutsidethehut.Adozensamuraiwererunningtowardthemfromaroundtheendofthe"Palace."Thejunglelayahundredyardsacrosstheclearing.Therewasnotimetobelost."YougofirstwithMissHarding,"criedTheriere."I'llcoverourretreatwithmyrevolver,followingclosebehindyou."Themuckercaughtthegirlinhisarms,throwingheracrosshisshoulder.Thebloodfromhiswoundssmearedherhandsandclothing."Hangtight,kiddo,"hecried,andstartedatabrisktrottowardtheforest.Therierekeptclosebehindthetwo,reservinghisfireuntilitcouldbeeffectivelydelivered.Withsavageyellsthesamuraileapedaftertheirescapingquarry.Thenativesallcarriedthelong,sharpspearsoftheaboriginalhead-hunters.Theirswordsswungintheirharness,andtheirancientarmorclankedastheyran.Itwasastrange,weirdpicturethattheoddlycontrastedpartypresentedastheyracedacrosstheclearingofthisforgottenisletowardajungleasprimitiveaswhen"theeveningandthemorningwerethethirdday."AnAmericangirlofthehighestsocialcasteborneinthearmsofthatmostviciousofallsocialpariahs--thecriminalmuckeroftheslumsofagreatcity--anddefendingthemwithdrawnrevolver,aFrenchcountandsoldieroffortune,whileintheirwakestreamedayellingpackofhalf-castedemonsclothedinthehabilimentsofsixteenthcenturyJapan,andwieldingthebarbarousspearsofthesavagehead-huntingaborigineswhosefiercebloodcoursedintheirveinswiththatofthedescendantsofTaka-mi-musu-bi-no-kami.Three-quartersofthedistancehadbeencoveredinsafetybeforethesamuraicamewithinsafespearrangeofthetrio.Theriere,seeingthedangertothegirl,droppedbackafewpaceshopingtoholdthebrownwarriorsfromher.Theforemostofthepursuersraisedhisweaponaloft,carryinghisspearhandbackofhisshoulderforthethrow.Theriere'srevolverspoke,andthemanpitchedforward,rollingoverandoverbeforehecametorest.Ahowlofragewentupfromthesamurai,andahalf-dozenspearsleapedatlongrangetowardTheriere.Oneoftheweaponstransfixedhisthigh,bringinghimtoearth.Byrnewasattheforest'sedgeastheFrenchman CHAPTERXII73fell--itwasthegirl,though,whowitnessedthecatastrophe."Stop!"shecried."Mr.Theriereisdown."Themuckerhalted,andturnedhisheadinthedirectionoftheFrenchman,whohadraisedhimselftooneelbowandwasfiringattheadvancingenemy.Hedroppedthegirltoherfeet."Waithere!"hecommandedandsprangbacktowardTheriere.Beforehereachedhimanotherspearhadcaughtthemanfullinthechest,topplinghim,unconscious,totheearth.Thesamuraiwererushingrapidlyuponthewoundedofficer--itwasaquestionwhowouldreachhimfirst.Therierehadbeennippedintheactofreloadinghisrevolver.Itlaybesidehimnow,thecylinderfulloffreshcartridges.Themuckerwasfirsttohisside,andsnatchingtheweaponfromthegroundfiredcoollyandrapidlyattheadvancingJapanese.Fourofthemwentdownbeforethatdeadlyfusillade;butthemuckercursedbeneathhisbreathbecauseofhistwomisses.Byrne'sstandcheckedthebrownmenmomentarily,andinthesucceedinglullthemanliftedtheunconsciousFrenchmantohisshoulderandborehimbacktotheforest.Intheshelterofthejungletheylaidhimupontheground.Tothegirlitseemedthatthefrightfulwoundinhischestmustprovefatalwithinafewmoments.Byrne,apparentlyunmovedbytheseriousnessofTheriere'scondition,removedtheman'scartridgebeltandbuckleditabouthisownwaist,replacingthesixemptyshellsintherevolverwithsixfreshones.PresentlyhenoticedtheboundandgaggedOdaIsekalyinginthebrushbehindthemwhereheandTherierehadlefthim.Thesamuraiwerenowsneakingcautiouslytowardtheirrefuge.Asuddeninspirationcametothemucker."Didn'tIhearyousechewin'deragwitdeChinkswenIhitdedumpoverdere?"heaskedofBarbara.Thegirl,oddly,understoodhim.Shenoddedherhead,affirmatively."Yousesavvydeyrelingoden,eh?""Alittle.""TelldisgazimbattowisehispalstodefactdatI'llcroak'im,ifdeydon'tbeatit,an'letusmakeourget-away.Therieresaysashowhe'skinkwhenhisolemancroaks,an'hisolemanwasdeguyyouseputtosleepindechickencoop,"explainedthemuckerlucidly;"sodisslob'skinkhisselfnow."BarbaraHardingwasquicktoseethestrengthoftheman'ssuggestion.Steppingtotheedgeoftheclearinginfullviewoftheadvancingenemy,withthemuckeratherside,revolverinhand,shecalledtotheminthelanguageoftheirforbearstolistentohermessage.ThensheexplainedthattheyheldthesonofOdaYorimotoprisoner,andthathislifewouldbethepriceofanyfurtherattackuponthem.Thesamuraiconferredtogetherforamoment,thenoneofthemcalledoutthattheydidnotbelieveher,thatOdaIseka,sonofOdaYorimoto,wassafeinthevillage."Wait!"repliedthegirl."Wewillshowhimtoyou,"andturningtoByrnesheaskedhimtofetchtheyouth.Whenthewhitemanreturnedwiththeboyinhisarms,awailofmingledanguishandragerosefromthenatives. CHAPTERXII74"Ifyoumolestusnofurtherweshallnotharmhim,"criedBarbara,"andwhenweleaveyourislandweshallsethimfree;butrenewyourattackuponusandthiswhitemanwhoholdshimsaysthathewillcutouthisheartandfeedittothefox,"whichwasratherabloodthirstystatementforsogentleacharacterasBarbaraHarding;butsheknewenoughofthesuperstitiousfearsoftheancientJapanesetofeelconfidentthatthisthreatwouldhaveconsiderableweightwiththesubjectsoftheyoungLordofYoka.Againthenativesconferredinwhispers.Finallyhewhohadactedasspokesmanbeforeturnedtowardthestrangers."Weshallnotharmyou,"hesaid,"solongasyoudonotharmOdaIseka;butweshallwatchyoualwaysuntilyouleavetheisland,andifharmbefallshimthenshallyouneverleave,forweshallkillyouall."Barbaratranslatedtheman'swordstothemucker."Doyousefallferdat?"heasked."Ithinktheywillbecarefultomakenoopenassaultuponus,"repliedthegirl;"butneverforaninstantmustweceaseourwatchfulnessforatthefirstopportunityIamsurethattheywillmurderus."TheyturnedbacktoTherierenow.Themanstilllay,unconsciousandmoaning,whereByrnehaddepositedhim.ThemuckerremovedthegagfromOdaIseka'smouth."Whichwayiswater?Askhim,"hesaidtoBarbara.Thegirlputthequestion."Hesaysthatstraightupthisravinebehindusthereisalittlespring,"translatedthegirl.ByrneliftedTheriereinhisarms,afterlooseningOdaIseka'sfeetandtetheringhimtohisownbeltwiththesamegrassrope;thenhemotionedtheyouthuptheravine."Walkbesideme,"hesaidtoBarbaraHarding,"an'keepyerlampspeeledbehind."Thus,insilence,thepartycommencedtheascentofthetrailwhichsoonbecameroughandprecipitous,whilebehindthem,undercoverofthebrush,sneakedfourtrailingsamurai.Afterhalfanhourofthemostarduousclimbingthemuckercommencedtofeeltheeffectsoflossofbloodfromhismanywounds.Hecoughedalittlenowfromtheexertion,andwhenhedidthebloodspurtedanewfromthefreshwoundinhisbreast.Yettherewasnowaveringorweaknessapparenttothegirlwhomarchedbesidehim,andshewonderedatthephysicalenduranceoftheman.Butwhenatlasttheycametoaclearpoolofwater,halfhiddenbyoverhangingrocksandlongmassesofdependingmosses,inthemidstofanaturalgrottoofenchantingloveliness,andOdaIsekasignaledthattheirjourneywasatanend,ByrnelaidTherieregentlyupontheflower-starredsward,andwithalittle,chokinggaspcollapsed,unconscious,besidetheFrenchman.BarbaraHardingwashorror-stricken.Shesuddenlyrealizedthatshehadcommencedtofeelthatthisgiantoftheslumswasinvulnerable,andwiththethoughtcameanother--thattohimshehadcometolookmorethantoTheriereforeventualrescue;andnow,hereshefoundherselfinthecenterofasavageisland,surroundedasshefeltconfidentshewasbyskulkingmurderers,withonlytwodyingwhitemenandabrownhostageascompanions. CHAPTERXII75AndnowOdaIsekatookinthesituation,andwithagrinoftriumphraisedhisvoiceinaloudhalloo."Comequickly,mypeople!"hecried;"forboththewhitemenaredying,"andfromthejunglebelowthemcameanansweringshout."Wecome,OdaIseka,LordofYoka!Yourfaithfulsamuraicome!" CHAPTERXIII76CHAPTERXIIIAGENTLEMANOFFRANCEATTHEsoundoftheharshvoicessocloseuponherBarbaraHardingwasgalvanizedintoinstantaction.SpringingtoByrne'ssideshewhippedTheriere'srevolverfromhisbelt,whereitreposedaboutthefallenmucker'ships,andwithitturnedlikeatigressupontheyouth."Quick!"shecried."Tellthemtogoback--thatIshallkillyouiftheycomecloser."Theboyshrankbackinterrorbeforethefieryeyesandmenacingattitudeofthewhitegirl,andthenwiththeterrorthatanimatedhimringingplainlyinhisvoicehescreamedtohishenchmentohalt.RelievedforamomentatleastfromimmediatedangerBarbaraHardingturnedherattentiontowardthetwounconsciousmenatherfeet.Fromappearancesitseemedthateithermightbreathehislastatanymoment,andasshelookedatTheriereawaveofcompassionsweptoverher,andthetearswelledtohereyes;yetitwastothemuckerthatshefirstministered--why,shecouldnotforthelifeofherhaveexplained.Shedashedcoldwaterfromthespringuponhisface.Shebathedhiswrists,andwashedhiswounds,tearingstripsfromherskirttobandagethehorridgashuponhisbreastinanefforttostanchtheflowoflifebloodthatwelledforthwiththeman'severybreath.Andatlastshewasrewardedbyseeingtheflowofbloodquelledandsignsofreturningconsciousnessappear.Themuckeropenedhiseyes.CloseabovehimbenttheradiantvisionofBarbaraHarding'sface.Uponhisfeveredforeheadhefeltthesoothingstrokesofhercool,softhand.Heclosedhiseyesagaintobattlewiththeeffeminaterealizationthatheenjoyedthisstrange,newsensation--thesensationofbeingministeredtobyagentlewoman--and,perishthethought,byagentlewoman!Withaneffortheraisedhimselftooneelbow,scowlingather."Gwan,"hesaid;"Iain'tnoboobdude.Cutoutdemush.Lemmebe.Beatit!"Hurt,morethanshewouldhavecaredtoadmit,BarbaraHardingturnedawayfromherungratefulandungraciouspatient,torepeatherministrationstotheFrenchman.Themuckerreadinherexpressionsomethingofthewoundhiswordshadinflicted,andhelaythinkinguponthematterforsometime,watchingherdeft,whitefingersastheyworkedoverthescarcebreathingTheriere.Hesawherwashthebloodanddirtfromtheghastlywoundintheman'schest,andashewatchedherealizedwhataworldofcourageitmustrequireforawomanofherstamptodogruesomeworkofthissort.Neverbeforewouldsuchathoughthaveoccurredtohim.Neitherwouldhehavecaredatallforthepainhisrecentwordstothegirlmighthaveinflicted.Insteadhewouldhavefeltkeenenjoymentofherdiscomfiture.Andnowanotherstrangenewemotiontookpossessionofhim.Itwasnoneotherthanadesiretoatoneinsomewayforhiswords.WhatwonderfultransformationwastakingplaceintheheartoftheKellygangster?"Say!"heblurtedoutsuddenly.BarbaraHardingturnedquestioningeyestowardhim.Inthemwasthecold,haughtyaloofnessagainthathadmarkedhercognizanceofhimupontheHalfmoon--thelookthathadmadehishateofherburnmostfiercely.Ittookthemucker'sbreathawaytowitnessit,anditmadethespeechhehadcontemplatedmoredifficultthanever--nay,almostimpossible.Hecoughednervously,andtheolddark,loweringscowlreturnedtohisbrow. CHAPTERXIII77"Didyouspeak?"askedMissHarding,icily.BillyByrneclearedhisthroat,andthenthereblurtedfromhislipsnotthespeechthathehadintended,butasudden,hatefulrushofwordswhichseemedtoemanatefromanotherpersonality,fromonewhomBillyByrneoncehadbeen."Ain'tdatboobcroakedyet?"hegrowled.TheshockofthatbrutalquestionbroughtBarbaraHardingtoherfeet.Inhorrorshelookeddownatthemanwhohadspokenthusofabraveandnoblecomradeinthefaceofdeathitself.Hereyesblazedangrilyashot,bitterwordsrushedtoherlips,andthenofasuddenshethoughtofByrne'sself-sacrificingheroisminreturningtoTheriere'ssideinthefaceoftheadvancingsamurai--ofthecoolcouragehehaddisplayedasbecarriedtheunconsciousmanbacktothejungle--ofthedevotion,almostsuperhuman,thathadsustainedhimashestruggled,uncomplaining,upthesteepmountainpathwiththeburdenoftheFrenchman'sbodythewhilehisownlifebloodleftacrimsontrailbehindhim.Suchdeedsandthesewordswereincompatibleinthesameindividual.Therecouldbebutoneexplanation--Byrnemustbetwomen,withastotallydifferentcharactersasthoughtheyhadpossessedseparatebodies.Andwhomaysaythatherhypothesiswasnotcorrect--atleastitseemedthatBillyByrnewasundergoingametamorphosis,andattheinstanttherewasstillaquestionastowhichpersonalityshouldeventuallydominate.Byrneturnedawayfromthereproachwhichreplacedthehorrorinthegirl'seyes,andwithatiredsighlethisheadfalluponhisoutstretchedarm.Thegirlwatchedhimforamoment,apuzzledexpressionuponherface,andthenreturnedtoworkaboveTheriere.TheFrenchman'srespirationwasscarcelyappreciable,yetafteratimeheopenedhiseyesandlookedupwearily.Atsightofthegirlhesmiledwanly,andtriedtospeak,butafitofcoughingfleckedhislipswithbloodyfoam,andagainheclosedhiseyes.Fainterandfaintercamehisbreathing,untilitwaswithdifficultythatthegirldetectedanymovementofhisbreastwhatever.Shethoughtthathewasdying,andshewasafraid.Wistfullyshelookedtowardthemucker.Themanstilllaywithhisheadburiedinhisarm,butwhetherhewerewrappedinthought,inslumber,orindeaththegirlcouldnottell.Atthefinalthoughtshewentwhitewithterror.Slowlysheapproachedtheman,andleaningoverplacedherhanduponhisshoulder."Mr.Byrne!"shewhispered.Themuckerturnedhisfacetowardher.Itlookedtiredandhaggard."Wotisit?"heasked,andhistonewassofterthanshehadeverheardit."IthinkMr.Theriereisdying,"shesaid,"andI--I--Oh,Iamsoafraid."Themanflushedtotherootsofhishair.Allthathecouldthinkofweretheuglywordshehadspokenashorttimebefore--andnowTherierewasdying!ByrnewouldhavelaughedhadanyonesuggestedthatheentertainedanyothersentimentthanhatredtowardthesecondofficeroftheHalfmoon--thatishewouldhavetwenty-fourhoursbefore;butnow,quiteunexpectedly,herealizedthathedidn'twantTherieretodie,andthenitdawneduponhimthatanewsentimenthadbeenbornwithinhim--asentimenttowhichhehadbeenastrangerallhishardlife--friendship.HefeltfriendshipforTheriere!Itwasunthinkable,andyetthemuckerknewthatitwasso.Painfullyhe CHAPTERXIII78crawledovertotheFrenchman'sside."Theriere!"hewhisperedintheman'sear.Theofficerturnedhisheadwearily."Doyouseknowme,oldpal?"askedthemucker,andBarbaraHardingknewfromtheman'svoicethatthereweretearsinhiseyes;butwhatshedidnotknowwasthattheywelledthereinresponsetothewordsthemuckerhadjustspoken--thenearestapproachtowordsofendearmentthateverhadpassedhislips.TherierereachedupandtookByrne'shand.Itwasevidentthathetoohadnotedtheunusualqualityofthemucker'svoice."Yes,oldman,"hesaidveryfaintly,andthen"water,please."BarbaraHardingbroughthimadrink,holdinghisheadagainstherkneewhilehedrank.Thecoolliquidseemedtogivehimnewstrengthforpresentlyhespoke,quitestrongly."I'mgoing,Byrne,"hesaid;"butbeforeIgoIwanttotellyouthatofallthebravemenIeverhaveknownIhavelearnedwithinthepastfewdaystobelievethatyouarethebravest.AweekagoIthoughtyouwereacoward--Iaskyourforgiveness.""Fergetit,"whisperedByrne,"feraweekagoIguessIwasacoward.Dereseemstobemore'nonekindo'nerve--I'mjesta-learnin'oftherightkind,Iguess.""And,Byrne,"continuedTheriere,"don'tforgetwhatIaskedofyoubeforewetosseduptoseewhichshouldenterOdaYorimoto'shouse.""I'llnotferget,"saidBilly."Good-bye,Byrne,"whisperedTheriere."TakegoodcareofMissHarding.""Good-bye,oldpal,"saidthemucker.Hisvoicebroke,andtwobigtearsrolleddownthecheeksof"detoughestguyondeWes'Side."BarbaraHardingsteppedtoTheriere'sside."Good-bye,myfriend,"shesaid."Godwillrewardyouforyourfriendship,yourbravery,andyourdevotion.Theremustbeaspecialhonorrollinheavenforsuchnoblemenasyou."Therieresmiledsadly."Byrnewilltellyouall,"hesaid,"exceptwhoIam--hedoesnotknowthat""Isthereanymessage,myfriend,"askedthegirl,"thatyouwouldliketohavemedeliver?"Theriereremainedsilentforamomentasthoughthinking."Myname,"hesaid,"isHenriTheriere.IamtheCountdeCadenetofFrance.Thereisnomessage,MissHarding,otherthanyouseefittodelivertomyrelatives.TheylivedinParisthelastIheardofthem--mybrother,Jacques,wasadeputy."Hisvoicehadbecomesolowandweakthatthegirlcouldscarcedistinguishhiswords.Hegaspedonceortwice,andthentriedtospeakagain.Barbaraleanedcloser,herearalmostagainsthislips. CHAPTERXIII79"Good-bye--dear."Thewordswerealmostinaudible,andthenthebodystiffenedwithalittleconvulsivetremor,andHenriTheriere,CountdeCadenet,passedoverintothekeepingofhisnobleancestors."He'sgone!"whisperedthegirl,dry-eyedbutsuffering.Shehadnotlovedthisman,sherealized,butshehadlearnedtothinkofhimasheronetruefriendintheirlittleworldofscoundrelsandmurderers.Shehadcaredforhimverymuch--itwasentirelypossiblethatsomedayshemighthavecometoreturnhisevidentaffectionforher.Sheknewnothingoftheseamysideofhishardlife.Shehadguessednothingofthescoundrellyduplicitythathadmarkedhisfirstadvancestowardher.Shethoughtofhimonlyasatrue,bravegentleman,andinthatshewasright,forwhateverHenriTherieremighthavebeeninthepastthelastfewdaysofhislifehadrevealedhiminthetruecolorsthatbirthandnaturehadintendedhimtowearthroughabrilliantcareer.Inhisdeathhehadatonedformanysins.Andinthoselastfewdayshehadtransferred,allunknowntohimselfortheotherman,ameasureofthegentilityandchivalrythatwerehisbirthright,for,unrealizing,BillyByrnewaspatterninghimselfafterthemanhehadhatedandhadcometolove.Afterthegirl'sannouncementthemuckerhadcontinuedtositwithbowedheadstaringattheground.Afternoonhaddeepenedintoevening,andnowthebrieftwilightofthetropicswasuponthem--inafewmomentsitwouldbedark.PresentlyByrnelookedup.Hiseyeswanderedaboutthetinyclearing.Suddenlyhestaggeredtohisfeet.BarbaraHardingsprangup,startledbytheevidentalarmintheman'sattitude."Whatisit?"shewhispered."Whatisthematter?""DeChink!"hecried."WhereisdeChink?"And,sureenough,OdaIsekahaddisappeared!TheyouthfuldaimiohadtakenadvantageofthepreoccupationofhiscaptorsduringthelastmomentsofTherieretognawintwothegrassropewhichboundhimtothemucker,andwithhandsstillfastboundbehindhimhadslunkintothejunglepaththatledtowardhisvillage."Theywillbeuponusagainnowatanymoment,"whisperedthegirl."Whatcanwedo?""Webetterduck,"repliedthemucker."IhatestorunawayfromabunchofChinks,butIguessit'suptoustobeatit.""ButpoorMr.Theriere?"askedthegirl."I'llhavetoburyhimcloseby,"repliedthemucker."Idon'ttinkIcouldpackhimveryfertonight--Idon'tfeeljestquitefitaginyet.Youwouldn'tmindmuchifIburiedhimhere,wouldyou?""Thereisnootherway,Mr.Byrne,"repliedthegirl."Youmustn'tthinkoftryingtocarryhimfar.WehavedoneallwecanforpoorMr.Theriere--youhavealmostgivenyourlifeforhimalready--anditwouldn'tdoanygoodtocarryhisdeadbodywithus.""Ihatestotinko'demhead-huntin'Chinksgettin'him,'repliedByrne;"butmaybeIkinhidehisgraveso'sdeywon'ttumbletoit.""Youareinnoconditiontocarryhimatall,"saidthegirl."Idoubtifyoucangofarevenwithoutanyburden." CHAPTERXIII80Themuckergrinned."Yousedon'tknowme,miss,"hesaid,andstoopingheliftedthebodyoftheFrenchmantohisbroadshoulder,andstartedupthehillsidethroughthetracklessunderbrush.Itwouldhavebeenanimpossiblefeatforanordinarymaninthepinkofcondition,butthemucker,weakfrompainandlossofblood,strodesturdilyupwardwhilethemarvelinggirlfollowedclosebehindhim.Ahundredyardsabovethespringtheycameuponalittlelevelspot,andherewiththetwoswordsofOdaYorimotowhichtheystillcarriedtheyscoopedashallowgraveinwhichtheyplacedallthatwasmortaloftheCountdeCadenet.BarbaraHardingwhisperedashortprayerabovethenewmadegrave,whilethemuckerstoodwithbowedheadbesideher.Thentheyturnedtotheirflightagainupthewildfaceofthesavagemountain.Themooncameupatlasttolightenthewayforthem,butitwasaroughanddangerousclimbatbest.Inmanyplacestheywereforcedtowalkhandinhandforconsiderabledistances,andtwicethemuckerhadliftedthegirlbodilyinhisarmstobearheracrossparticularlydangerousordifficultstretches.Shortlyaftermidnighttheystruckasmallmountainstreamupwhichtheyfolloweduntilinanaturalcul-de-sactheycameuponitssourceandfoundtheirfartherprogressbarredbyprecipitouscliffswhichroseabovethem,sheerandunscalable.Theyhadenteredthelittleamphitheaterthroughanarrow,rockypassinthebottomofwhichthetinystreamflowed,andnow,weakandtired,themuckerwasforcedtoadmitthathecouldgonofarther."Who'do't'oughtdatIwassuchasissy?"heexclaimeddisgustedly."Ithinkthatyouareverywonderful,Mr.Byrne,"repliedthegirl."Fewmencouldhavegonethroughwhatyouhavetodayandbeenalivenow."Themuckermadeadeprecatorygesture."Isupposewegottamakedebestofit,"hesaid."Anyhow,disoughttomakeaswelljointtodefend."Weakashewashesearchedaboutforsomesoftgrasseswhichhethrewinapilebeneathastuntedtreethatgrewwellbackinthehollow."Here'syerdowny,"hesaid,withanattemptatjocularity."Nowyou'dbetterhitdehay,feryousemustbedeadfagged.""Thanks!"repliedthegirl."IAMnearlydead."Sotiredwasshethatshewasasleepalmostassoonasshehadfoundacomfortablepositioninthethickmatofgrass,sothatshegavenothoughttothestrangepositioninwhichcircumstancehadplacedher.Thesunwaswellupthefollowingmorningbeforethegirlawakened,anditwasseveralminutesbeforeshecouldreadjustherselftoherstrangesurroundings.Atfirstshethoughtthatshewasalone,butfinallyshediscernedagiantfigurestandingattheopeningwhichledfromtheirmountainretreat.Itwasthemucker,andatsightofhimtheresweptoverthegirltheterribleperilofherposition--aloneinthesavagemountainsofasavageislandwiththemurdererofBillyMallory--thebeastthathadkickedtheunconsciousTheriereintheface--themuckerwhohadinsultedandthreatenedtostrikeher!Sheshudderedatthethought.Andthensherecalledtheman'sotherside,andforthelifeofhershecouldnottellwhethertobe CHAPTERXIII81afraidofhimornot--italldependeduponwhatmoodgovernedhim.Itwouldbebesttopropitiatehim.Shecalledapleasantgoodmorning.Byrneturned.Shewasshockedatthepallorofhishaggardface."Goodmorning,"hesaid."Howdidyehsleep?""Oh,justsplendidly,andyou?"shereplied."So-so,"heanswered.Shelookedathimsearchinglyasheapproachedher."WhyIdon'tbelievethatyouhavesleptatall,"shecried."Ididn'tfeelverysleepy,"herepliedevasively."Yousatupallnightonguard!"sheexclaimed."Youknowyoudid.""DeChinksmighto'beenshadowin'us--itwasn'tsafetosleep,"headmitted;"butI'lltearoffafewdismornin'afterwefindafeedofsomekind.""Whatcanwefindtoeathere?"sheasked."Discrickisfullo'fish,"heexplained,"an'efyousegotapinIguesswekinrigupaschemetohookacouple."Thegirlfoundapinthathesaidwouldanswerverynicely,andwithashoelaceforalineandabiglocustasbaitthemuckersetforthtoangleinthelittlemountaintorrent.Thefish,unwary,andhungrythusearlyinthemorningprovedeasyprey,andtwocastsbroughtforthtwosplendidspecimens."Icouldeatadozenofdemminnows,"announcedthemucker,andhecastagainandagain,untilintwentyminuteshehadagoodlymessofplump,shinytroutonthegrassbesidehim.Withhispocketknifehecleanedandscaledthem,andthenbetweentworockshebuiltafireandpassingsticksthroughthebodiesofhiscatchroastedthemall.Theyhadneithersalt,norpepper,norbutter,noranyotherviandthanthefish,butitseemedtothegirlthatneverinherlifehadshetastedsopalatableameal,norhaditoccurredtoheruntiltheodorofthecookingfishfilledhernostrilsthatnofoodhadpassedherlipssincetheseconddaybefore--nowonderthatthetwoateravenously,enjoyingeverymouthfuloftheirrepast."An'now,"saidBillyByrne,"ItinkI'llpoun'myearferafew.YoukinkeepyerlampspeeledferdeChinks,an'defirstfonynoiseyousehears,w'ybesuretowakemeup,"andwiththatherolledoveruponthegrass,asleepalmostontheinstant.Thegirl,towhileawaythetime,exploredtheirrock-boundhaven.Shefoundthatithadbutasinglemeansofingress,thenarrowpassthroughwhichthebrookfoundoutlet.Beyondtheentranceshedidnotventure,butthroughitshesaw,beneath,awoodedslope,andtwicedeerpassedquiteclosetoher,stoppingatthebrooktodrink.Itwasanidealspot,onewhosebeautiesappealedtoherevenundertheharrowingconditionswhichhadforcedhertoseekitsprecarioussafety.Inanotherlandandwithcompanionsofherownkindshecouldwellimaginethejoyofafortnightspentinsuchasylvanparadise. CHAPTERXIII82Thethoughtarousedanother--howlongwouldthemuckerremainasafecompanion?Sheseemedtobecontinuallyfallingfromthefryingpanintothefire.Sofarshehadnotbeenburned,butwithreturningstrength,andtheknowledgeoftheirutterisolationcouldsheexpectthisbrutalthugtoplaceanycheckuponhisnaturaldesires?Whytherewerefewmenofherownstationinlifewithwhomshewouldhavefeltsafetospendafortnightaloneuponasavage,uncivilizedisland!Sheglancedatthemanwherehelaystretchedindeepslumber.Whatahugefellowhewas!Howhelplesswouldshebewerehetoturnagainsther!Yethisverysize;yes,andthebrutalityshefeared,wereheronlysalvationagainsteveryotherdangerthanhehimself.Themanwasphysicallyanaturalprotector,forhewasabletocopewithoddsanddangerstowhichanordinarymanwouldlongsincehavesuccumbed.Soshefoundthatshewasbothsaferandlesssafebecausethemuckerwashercompanion.Assheponderedthequestionhereyesrovedtowardtheslopebeyondtheopeningtotheamphitheater.Withastartshecametoherfeet,shadinghereyeswithherhandandpeeringintentlyatsomethingthatshecouldhaveswornmovedamongthetreesfarbelow.No,shecouldnotbemistaken--itwasthefigureofaman.SwiftlysherantoByrne,shakinghimroughlybytheshoulder."Someoneiscoming,"shecried,inresponsetohissleepyquery. CHAPTERXIV83CHAPTERXIVTHEMUCKERSEESANEWLIGHTTOGETHERthegirlandthemuckerapproachedtheentrancetotheamphitheater.Frombehindashoulderofrocktheypeereddownintotheforestbelowthem.Forseveralminutesneithersawanycauseforalarm."Iguessyousemusto'beenseein'things,"saidByrne,drily."Yes,"saidthegirl,"andIseethemagain.Look!Quick!Downthere--totheright."Byrnelookedinthedirectionsheindicated."Chinks,"hecommented."Gee!Lookat'emcomin'.Deremustbeahundredof'em."Heturnedaruefulglancebackintotheamphitheater."Idunnoasdisplacelooksasgoodtomeasitdid,"heremarked."Doseyapswiddetoadstabberscouldhikeupontopo'desecliffsan'makeitacaseo''thencebycarriagestoCalvary'foroursinabouttwoshakes.""Yes,"saidthegirl,"I'mafraidit'saregularcul-de-sac.""Idunnonothin'aboutdat,"repliedthemucker;"butIdoknowdatifwewantstogetouto'herewegottagetahumponourselvesgoodan'lively.Comeahead,"andwithhiswordsheranquicklythroughtheentrance,andturningsquarelytowardtherightskirtedtheperpendicularcliffsthatextendedasfarastheycouldseetobelosttoviewintheforestthatranuptomeetthemfrombelow.Thetreesandunderbrushhidthemfromthehead-hunters.Therehadbeendangerofdetectionbutforthebriefinstantthattheypassedthroughtheentranceofthehollow,butatthetimetheyhadchosentheenemyhadbeenhiddeninaclumpofthickbrushfardowntheslope.Forhoursthetwofugitivescontinuedtheirflight,passingoverthecrestofaridgeanddownwardtowardanothervalley,untilbyasmallbrooktheypausedtorest,hopefulthattheyhadentirelyeludedtheirpursuers.AgainByrnefished,andagaintheysattogetherataone-coursemeal.Astheyatethemanfoundhimselflookingatthegirlmoreandmoreoften.Forseveraldaysthewonderofherbeautyhadbeengrowinguponhim,untilnowhefounditdifficulttotakehiseyesfromher.Thriceshesurprisedhimintheactofstaringintentlyather,andeachtimehehaddroppedhiseyesguiltily.Atlengththegirlbecamenervous,andthenterriblyfrightened--wasitcomingsosoon?Themanhadtalkedbutlittleduringthismeal,andforthelifeofherBarbaraHardingcouldnotthinkofanytopicwithwhichtodistracthisattentionfromhisthoughts."Hadn'twebetterbemovingon?"sheaskedatlast.Byrnegavealittlestartasthoughsurprisedinsomequestionableact."Isupposeso,"hesaid;"thisain'tnoplacetospendthenight--it'stooopen.Wegottafindasorto'hidingplaceifwecan,datafellowkinbarricadewitsomething."Againtheytookuptheirseeminglyhopelessmarch--anaimlesswanderinginsearchoftheyknewnotwhat.Awayfromonedangertopossibledangersmanyfoldmoreterrible.Barbara'sheartwasveryheavy,foragain CHAPTERXIV84shefearedandmistrustedthemucker.Theyfolloweddownthelittlebrooknowtowhereitemptiedintoariverandthendownthevalleybesidetheriverwhichgrewwiderandmoreturbulentwitheverymile.Wellpastmid-afternoontheycameoppositeasmall,rockyisland,andasByrne'seyesfelluponitanexclamationofgratificationburstfromhislips."Jestdeplace!"hecried."Weorterbeabletohidedereforever.""Buthowarewetogetthere?"askedthegirl,lookingfearfullyattheturbulentriver."Itain'tdeep,"Byrneassuredher."Comeahead;I'llcarryyehacrost,"andwithoutwaitingforareplyhegatheredherinhisarmsandstarteddownthebank.Whatwiththethoughtsthathadoccupiedhismindoffandonduringtheafternoonthesuddenandclosecontactofthegirl'swarmyoungbodyclosetohistookBillyByrne'sbreathaway,andsentthehotbloodcoursingthroughhisveins.Itwaswiththeutmostdifficultythatherestrainedamaddesiretocrushhertohimandcoverherfacewithkisses.Andthenthefatalthoughtcametohim--whyshouldherestrainhimself?Whatwasthisgirltohim?Hadhenotalwayshatedherandherkind?Didshenotlookwithloathingandcontemptuponhim?Andtowhomdidherlifebelonganywaybuttohim--hadhenotsavedittwice?Whatdifferencewoulditmake?They'dnevercomeoutofthissavageworldalive,andifhedidn'ttakehersomemonkey-facedChinkwouldgether.Theywereinthemiddleofthestreamnow.Byrne'sarmsalreadyhadcommencedtotightenuponthegirl.Withasuddentughestrovetopullherfacedowntohis;butsheputbothhandsuponhisshouldersandheldhislipsatarms'length.Andherwideeyeslookedfullintotheglowinggrayonesofthemucker.Andeachsawintheother'ssomethingthatheldtheirlooksforafullminute.Barbarasawwhatshehadfeared,butshesawtoosomethingelsethatgaveheraquick,pulsinghope--alookofhonestlove,orcouldshebemistaken?Andthemuckersawthetrueeyesofthewomanhelovedwithoutknowingthathelovedher,andhesawthepleaforpityandprotectioninthem."Don't,"whisperedthegirl."Pleasedon't,youfrightenme."AweekagoBillyByrnewouldhavelaughedatsuchaplea.Doubtless,too,hewouldhavestruckthegirlinthefaceforherresistance.Hedidneithernow,whichspokevolumesforthechangethatwastakingplacewithinhim,butneitherdidherelaxhisholduponher,ortakehisburningeyesfromherfrightenedones.Thushestrodethroughtheturbulent,shallowrivertoclamberupthebankontotheisland.Inhissoulthebattlestillraged,buthehadbynomeansrelinquishedhisintentiontohavehiswaywiththegirl.Fear,numb,freezingfear,wasinthegirl'seyesnow.Themuckerreaditthereasplainasprint,andhadshenotsaidthatshewasfrightened?ThatwaswhathehadwantedtoaccomplishbackthereupontheHalfmoon--tofrightenher.Hewouldhaveenjoyedthesight,buthehadnotbeenabletoaccomplishthething.Nowshenotonlyshowedthatshewasfrightened--shehadadmittedit,anditgavethemuckernopleasure--onthecontraryitmadehimunaccountablyuncomfortable.Andthencamethelaststraw--tearswelledtothoselovelyeyes.Achokingsobwrackedthegirl'sframe--"AndjustwhenIwaslearningtotrustyouso!"shecried.Theyhadreachedthetopofthebank,now,andtheman,stillholdingherinhisarms,stooduponamatofjunglegrassbeneathagreattree.Slowlyheloweredhertoherfeet.Themadnessofdesirestillgrippedhim;butnowtherewasanotherforceatworkcombatingtheevilthathadpredominatedbefore. CHAPTERXIV85Theriere'swordscamebacktohim:"Good-bye,Byrne;takegoodcareofMissHarding,"andhisadmissiontotheFrenchmanduringthatlastconversationwiththedyingman:"--aweekagoIguessIwasacoward.Dereseemstobemore'nonekindo'nerve--I'mjusta-learnin'oftherightkind,Iguess."Hehadbeenstandingwitheyesupontheground,hisheavyhandstillgrippingthegirl'sarm.Helookedintoherfaceagain.Shewaswaitingthere,hergreateyesuponhisfilledwithfearandquestioning,likeaprisonerbeforethebarawaitingthesentenceofherjudge.AsthemanlookedatBarbaraHardingstandingtherebeforehimhesawherinastrangenewlight,andasuddenrealizationofthetruthflasheduponhim.Hesawthathecouldnotharmhernow,orever,forhelovedher!AndwiththeawakeningtherecametoBillyByrnethewithering,numbingknowledgethathislovemustforeverbeahopelessone--thatthisgirlofthearistocracycouldneverbeforsuchashe.BarbaraHarding,stilllookingquestioninglyathim,sawthechangethatcameacrosshiscountenance--shesawtheswiftpainthatshottotheman'seyes,andshewondered.Hisfingersreleasedtheirgraspuponherarm.Hishandsfelllimplytohissides."Don'tbeafraid,"hesaid."Pleasedon'tbeafraido'me.Icouldn'thurtyouseifItried."Adeepsighofreliefbrokefromthegirl'slips--reliefandjoy;andsherealizedthatitscausewasasmuchthatthemanhadprovedtruetothenewestimateshehadrecentlyplaceduponhimasthatthedangertoherselfhadpassed."Come,"saidBillyByrne,"we'dbettermoveinabitouto'sighto'demainland,an'lookferaplacetomakecamp.Ireckonwe'dorterresthereforafewdaystillwegitinshapeag'in.Iknowyousemustbedeadbeat,an'Isuream,allright,allright."Togethertheysoughtafavorablesitefortheirnewhome,anditwasasthoughthehorridspecterofafewmomentsbeforehadneverrisentomenacethem,forthegirlfeltthatagreatburdenofapprehensionhadbeenliftedforeverfromhershoulders,andthoughadullachegnawedatthemucker'sheart,stillhewashappierthanhehadeverbeenbefore--happytobenearthewomanheloved.WiththelongswordofOdaYorimoto,BillyByrnecutsaplingsandbambooandthefrondsoffanpalms,andwithlongtoughgrassesboundthemtogetherintothesemblanceofarudehut.Barbaragatheredleavesandgrasseswithwhichshecoveredthefloor."NumberOne,RiversideDrive,"saidthemucker,withagrin,whentheworkwascompleted;"an'nowI'llgodownonderiverfrontan'builddeBowery.""Oh,areyoufromNewYork?"askedthegirl."Notonyerlife,"repliedBillyByrne."I'mfromgoodol'Chi;butIbeentoNooYorktwictwitdeGooseIslandKid,an'soIknowsallaboutit.DeroughnecksbelongsondeBowery,sodat'swotwe'llcallmydumpdownbyderiver.You'reahighbrow,soyousegottaliveonRiversideDrive,see?"andthemuckerlaughedathislittlepleasantry.Butthegirldidnotlaughwithhim.Insteadshelookedtroubled."Wouldn'tyouratherbea'highbrow'too?"sheasked,"andliveuponRiversideDrive,rightacrossthestreetfromme?" CHAPTERXIV86"Idon'tbelong,"saidthemuckergruffly."Wouldn'tyouratherbelong?"insistedthegirl.AllhislifeBillyhadlookedwithcontemptuponthehated,pusillanimoushighbrows,andnowtobeaskedifhewouldnotratherbeone!Itwasunthinkable,andyet,strangetorelate,herealizedanoddlongingtobelikeTheriere,andBillyMallory;yes,insomerespectslikeDivine,even.Hewantedtobemorelikethementhatthewomanhelovedknewbest."It'stoolatefermeevertobelong,now,"hesaidruefully."Yehgottabebornedtoit.Gee!Wouldn'tIlookfunnyinwitepants,an'oneo'demdinky,little'Willie-off-de-yacht'lids?"EvenBarbarahadtolaughatthepicturetheman'swordsraisedtoherimagination."Ididn'tmeanthat,"shehastenedtoexplain."Ididn'tmeanthatyoumustnecessarilydresslikethem;butBElikethem--actlikethem--talklikethem,asMr.Therieredid,youknow.Hewasagentleman.""An'I'mnot,"saidBilly."Oh,Ididn'tmeanTHAT,"thegirlhastenedtoexplain."Well,whetheryousemeantitornot,it'sso,"saidthemucker."Iain'tnogent--I'mamucker.Ihaveyourwordforit,youknow--yehsaidsothattimeondeHalfmoon,an'Iain'tfergotit;butyousewasright--Iamamucker.Iain'tneverlearnedhowtobeanythingelse.Iain'tneverwantedtobeanythingelseuntiltoday.Now,I'dliketobeagent;butit'stoolate.""Won'tyoutry?"askedthegirl."Formysake?""Goto't,"returnedthemuckercheerfully;"I'devenwearsidewhiskersferyouse.""Horrors!"exclaimedBarbaraHarding."Icouldn'tlookatyouifyoudid.""Well,then,tellmewotyousedowantmetodo."Barbaradiscoveredthathertaskwastobeadifficultoneifsheweretoaccomplishitwithoutwoundingtheman'sfeelings;butshedeterminedtostrikewhiletheironwashotandriskoffendinghim--whysheshouldbeinterestedintheregenerationofMr.BillyByrneitneveronceoccurredtohertoaskherself.Shehesitatedamomentbeforespeaking."Oneofthefirstthingsyoumustdo,Mr.Byrne,"shesaid,"istolearntospeakcorrectly.Youmustn'tsay'youse'for'you,'or'wot'for'what'---youmusttrytotalkasItalk.Nooneintheworldspeaksanylanguagefaultlessly,buttherearecertainmoreorlessobviousirregularitiesofgrammarandpronunciationthatareparticularlydistastefultopeopleofrefinement,andwhichareeasytoguardagainstifonebecareful.""Allright,"saidBillyByrne,"youse--youkinpitchinan'learnmewot--whateveryouwanttoan'I'lldomebesttotalklikeadude--feryoursake."Andsothemucker'seducationcommenced,andastherewaslittleelseforthetwotodoitprogressedrapidly,foroncestartedthemangrewkeenlyinterested,spurredonbytheevidentpleasurewhichhisself-appointedtutortookinhisprogress--furtheritmeantjustsomuchmoreofclosecompanionshipwithher.Forthreeweekstheyneverleftthelittleislandexcepttogatherfruitwhichgrewhardbyontheadjacent CHAPTERXIV87mainland.Byrne'swoundshadtroubledhimconsiderably--attimeshehadbeenthreatenedwithbloodpoisoning.Histemperaturehadmountedoncetoalarmingheights,andforawholenightBarbaraHardinghadsatbesidehimbathinghisforeheadandeasinghissufferingsasfarasitlaywithinherpowertodo;butatlastthewonderfulvitalityofthemanhadsavedhim.Hewasmuchweakenedthoughandneitherofthemhadthoughtitsafetoattempttoseekthecoastuntilhehadfullyregainedhisold-timestrength.Sofarbutlittlehadoccurredtogivethemalarm.Twicetheyhadseennativesonthemainland--evidentlyhuntingparties;butnosignofpursuithaddeveloped.Thosewhomtheyhadseenhadbeenpure-bloodMalays--therehadbeennosamuraiamongthem;buttheirsavage,warlikeappearancehadwarnedthetwoagainstrevealingtheirpresence.Theyhadsubsisteduponfishandfruitprincipallysincetheyhadcometotheisland.OccasionallythisdiethadbeenrelievedbymessesofwildfowlandfoxthatByrnebadbeensuccessfulinsnaringwithaprimitivetrapofhisowninvention;butlatelythepreyhadbecomewary,andeventhefishseemedlessplentiful.Aftertwodaysoffruitdiet,Byrneannouncedhisintentionofundertakingahuntingtripuponthemainland."Amessofvenisonwouldn'ttastehalfbad,"heremarked."Yes,"criedthegirl,"I'mnearlyfamishedformeat--itseemsasthoughIcouldalmosteatitraw.""IknowthatIcould,"statedBilly."LordhelpthedeerthatgetswithinrangeofthisoldgatofTheriere's,andyoumaynotgetevenamouthful--I'mthathungryI'llprobablyeatitall,hoof,hide,andhorns,beforeeverIgetanyofitbackheretoyou.""You'dbetternot,"laughedthegirl."Good-byeandgoodluck;butpleasedon'tgoveryfar--Ishallbeterriblylonelyandfrightenedwhileyouareaway.""Maybeyou'dbettercomealong,"suggestedBilly."No,Ishouldbeintheway--youcan'thuntdeerwithagallery,andgetany.""Well,I'llstaywithinhailingdistance,andyoucanlookformebackanytimebetweennowandsundown.Good-bye,"andhepickedhiswaydownthebankintotheriver,whilefrombehindabushuponthemainlandtwowicked,blackeyeswatchedhismovementsandthoseofthegirlontheshorebehindhimwhilealong,sinewy,brownhandclosedmoretightlyuponaheavywarspear,andsteelmusclestensedforthesavagespringandtheswiftthrow.ThegirlwatchedBillyByrneforginghiswaythroughtheswiftrapids.Whatamightyengineofstrengthandendurancehewas!Whataman!Yes,brute!AndstrangetorelateBarbaraHardingfoundherselfadmiringtheverybrutalitythatoncehadbeenrepellenttoher.Shesawhimleaplightlytotheoppositebank,andthenshesawaquickmovementinabushcloseathisside.Shedidnotknowwhatmannerofthinghadcausedit,butherintuitionwarnedherthatbehindthatconcealingscreenlaymortaldangertotheunconsciousman."Billy!"shecried,theunaccustomednameburstingfromherlipsinvoluntarily."Inthebushatyourleft--lookout!"AtthenoteofwarninginhervoiceByrnehadturnedatherfirstword--itwasallthatsavedhislife.Hesawthehalf-nakedsavageandtheout-shootingspeararm,andashewould,instinctively,haveduckedaright-for-the-headinthesquaredcircleofhisotherdays,heduckednow,sidesteppingtotheright,andtheheavyweaponspedharmlesslyoverhisshoulder.Thewarrior,withagrowlofrage,drewhissharpparang,leapingtoclosequarters.BarbaraHardingsaw CHAPTERXIV88ByrnewhipTheriere'srevolverfromitsholster,andsnapitinthefaceofthesavage;buttoherhorrorthecartridgefailedtoexplode,andbeforehecouldfireagainthewarriorwasuponhim.Thegirlsawthewhitemanleaptoonesidetoescapethefuriouscutaimedathimbyhisfoe,andthenshesawhimturnwiththeagilityofapantherandspringtoclosequarterswiththewildman.Byrne'sleftarmwentaroundtheMalay'sneck,andwithhisheavyrightfistherainedblowafterblowuponthebrownface.Thesavagedroppedhisuselessparang--clawingandbitingatthemightycreatureinwhosepowerhefoundhimself;butneveroncedidthoseterrific,relentlessblowsceasetofalluponhisunprotectedface.Thesolewitnesstothisbattleprimevalstoodspellboundatthesightofthefierce,brutalferocityofthewhiteman,andthelion-likestrengthheexhibited.Slowlybutsurelyhewasbeatingthefaceofhisantagonistintoanunrecognizablepulp--withhisbarehandshehadmetandwaskillinganarmedwarrior.Itwasincredible!NotevenTheriereorBillyMallorycouldhavedonesuchathing.BillyMallory!Andshewasgazingwithadmirationuponhismurderer! CHAPTERXV89CHAPTERXVTHERESCUEAFTERByrnehaddroppedthelifelessformofhisenemytothegroundheturnedandretracedhisstepstowardtheisland,abroadgrinuponhisfaceasheclimbedtothegirl'sside."IguessI'dbetteroverhaulthisgat,"hesaid,"andstickaroundhome.Itisn'tsafetoleaveyoualonehere--Icanseethatprettyplainly.Gee,supposin'I'dgotoutofsightbeforeheshowedhimself!"Andthemanshudderedvisiblyatthethought.Thegirlhadnotspokenandthemanlookedupsuddenly,attractedbyhersilence.Hesawalookofhorrorinhereyes,suchashehadseenthereoncebeforewhenhehadkickedtheunconsciousTherierethattimeupontheHalfmoon."What'sthematter?"heasked,alarmed."WhathaveIdonenow?Ihadtocroakthestiff--he'dhavegotmesureifIhadn't,andthenhe'dhavegotyou,too.Ihadtodoitforyoursake--I'msorryyousawit.""Itisn'tthat,"shesaidslowly."Thatwasverybrave,andverywonderful.It'sMr.MalloryI'mthinkingof.OBilly!Howcouldyoudoit?"Themanhunghishead."Pleasedon't,"hebegged."I'dgivemylifetobringhimbackagain,foryoursake.Iknownowthatyoulovedhim,andI'vetriedtodoallIcouldtoatoneforwhatIdidtohim;justasItriedtoplaywhitewithTherierewhenIfoundthathelovedyou,andintendedtobeonthesquarewithyou.Hewasyourkind,andIhopedthatbyhelpinghimtowinyoufairlyitmighthelptowipeoutwhatIhaddonetoMallory.Iseethatnothingevercanwipethatout.I'vegottogothroughliferegrettingitbecauseyouhavetaughtmewhatabrutal,cowardlythingIdid.Ifithadn'tbeenforyouI'dalwayshavebeenproudofit--butyouandTherieretaughtmetolookatthingsinadifferentwaythanIeverhadlearnedtobefore.I'mnotsorryforthat--I'mglad,forifremorseisapartofmypunishmentI'lltakeitgladlyandwelcomethechancetogetalittleofwhat'scomingtome.Onlypleasedon'tlookatmethatwayanymore--it'smorethanIcanstand,fromyou."Itwasthefirsttimethatthemaneverhadopenedhisheartinanysuchwhole-souledwaytoher,andittouchedthegirlmorethanshewouldhavecaredtoadmit."ItwouldbesillytotellyouthatIevercanforgetthatterribleaffair,"shesaid;"butsomehowIfeelthatthemanwhodidthatwasanentirelydifferentmanfromthemanwhohasbeensobraveandchivalrousinhistreatmentofmeduringthepastfewweeks.""Itwasmethatdidit,though,"hesaid;"youcan'tgetawayfromthat.It'llalwaysstickinyourmemory,sothatyoucanneverthinkofMr.Mallorywithoutthinkingofthedamnedbeastthatmurderedhim--God!andIthoughtitsmart!"ButyouhavenoideahowIwasraised,MissHarding,"hewenton."Notthatthat'sanyexcuseforthethingIdid;butitdoesmakeitseemawonderthatIevercouldhavemadeastartevenatbeingdecent.Ineverwaswellacquaintedwithanyhumanbeingthatwasn'tathief,orapickpocket,oramurderer--andtheywereallbeasts,eachinhisownparticularway,onlytheyweren'tasdecentasdumbbeasts."Iwasn'tascraftyasmostofthem,soIhadtoholdmyownbybruteforce,andIdidit;but,gad,howIaccomplishedit.Theideaoffightingfair,"helaughedatthethought,"wasutterlyunknowntome.IfI'deverhavetrieditI'dhaveseenmyfinishinahurry.Noonefoughtfairinmygang,orinanyothergangthatIever CHAPTERXV90ranupagainst.Itwasanhonortokillaman,andifyouaccomplisheditbykickinghimtodeathwhenhewasunconsciousitdetractednothingfromthegloryofyourexploit--itwasWHATyoudid,notHOWyoudidit,thatcounted."Icouldhavebeendecent,though,ifI'dwantedto.Otherfellowswhowerebornandraisednearmeweredecentenough.Theygotgoodjobsandstucktothem,andlivedstraight;buttheymademesick--Ilookeddownonthem,andspentmytimehangingaroundsalooncornersrushingthecanandinsultingwomen--Ididn'twanttobedecent--notuntilImetyou,andlearnedto--to,"hehesitated,stammering,andtheredbloodcreptuphisneckandacrosshisface,"andlearnedtowantyourrespect."Itwasn'twhathehadintendedsayingandthegirlknewit.TheresprangintohermindasuddenwishtohearBillyByrnesaythewordsthathehaddarednotsay;butshepromptlycheckedthedesire,andamomentlateraqualmofself-disgustcameoverherbecauseoftheweaknessthathadpromptedhertoentertainsuchawishinconnectionwithapersonofthisman'sstationinlife.Daysranintoweeks,andstillthetworemainedupontheirlittleislandrefuge.Byrnefoundfirstoneexcuseandthenanothertodelaythemarchtothesea.Heknewthatitmustbemadesoonerorlater,andheknew,too,thatitscommencementwouldmarkthebeginningoftheendofhisassociationwithMissHarding,andthatafterthatwasendedlifewouldbeadrearywaste.Eithertheywouldbepickedupbyapassingvesselormurderedbythenatives,butinthelattereventhisseparationfromthewomanhelovedwouldbenomorecertainorabsolutethaninherreturntoherownpeople,forBillyByrneknewthathe"didn'tbelong"inanysocietythatknewMissBarbaraHarding,andhefearedthatoncetheyhadregainedcivilizationtherewouldbeareturnonthegirl'sparttotheoldhaughtyaloofness,andthatagainhewouldbetoheronlyacreatureofalowerorder,suchassheandherkindaddressedwithapatronizingairas,"myman."Heintended,ofcourse,tomakeeverypossibleattempttorestorehertoherhome;but,heargued,wasitwrongtosnatchafewgoldenhoursofhappinessinreturnforhisservice,andaspartialrecompenseforthelifetimeoflonelymiserythatmustbehiswhenthewomanhelovedhadpassedoutofhislifeforever?Billythoughtnot,andsohetarriedonupon"ManhattanIsland,"asBarbarahadchristenedit,andhelivedinthesecondfinestresidenceintownupontheoppositesideof"RiversideDrive"fromthepalatialhomeofMissHarding.NearlytwomonthshadpassedbeforeBilly'sstockofexcusesanddelayranout,andadefinitedatewassetforthecommencementofthejourney."Ibelieve,"MissHardinghadsaid,"thatyoudonotwishtoberescuedatall.Mostofyourreasonsforpostponingthetriphavebeentrivialandridiculous--possiblyyouareafraidofthedangersthatmayliebeforeus,"sheadded,banteringly."I'mafraidyou'vehititoffaboutright,"herepliedwithagrin."Idon'twanttoberescued,andIamverymuchafraidofwhatliesbefore--me.""BeforeYOU?""I'mgoingtoloseyou,anywayyoulookatit,and--and--oh,can'tyouseethatIloveyou?"heblurtedout,despiteallhisgoodintentions.BarbaraHardinglookedathimforamoment,andthenshedidtheonethingthatcouldhavehurthimmost--shelaughed. CHAPTERXV91ThecolormountedtoBillyByrne'sface,andthenhewentverywhite.Thegirlstartedtosaysomething,andatthesameinstanttherecamefaintlytothemfromthemainlandthesoundofhoarseshouting,andofshots.Byrneturnedandstartedonaruninthedirectionofthefiring,thegirlfollowingcloselybehind.Attheisland'sedgehemotionedhertostop."Waithere,itwillbesafer,"hesaid."Theremaybewhitementhere--thoseshotssoundlikeit,butagaintheremaynot.Iwanttofindoutbeforetheyseeyou,whoevertheyare."Thesoundoffiringhadceasednow,butloudyellingwasdistinctlyaudiblefromdowntheriver.Byrnetookastepdownthebanktowardthewater."Wait!"whisperedthegirl."Heretheycomenow,wecanseethemfromhereinamoment,"andshedraggedthemuckerdownbehindabush.Insilencethetwowatchedtheapproachingparty."They'retheChinks,"announcedByrne,whoinsistedonusingthiswordtodescribetheproudandhaughtysamurai."Yes,andtherearetwowhitemenwiththem,"whisperedBarbaraHarding,anoteofsuppressedexcitementinhervoice."Prisoners,"saidByrne."SomeofthepreciousbunchfromtheHalfmoondoubtless."Thesamuraiweremovingstraightuptheedgeoftheriver.Inafewminutestheywouldpasswithinahundredfeetoftheisland.Billyandthegirlcrouchedlowbehindtheirshelter."Idon'trecognizethem,"saidtheman."Why--why--OMr.Byrne,itcan'tbepossible!"criedthegirlwithsuppressedexcitement."ThosetwomenareCaptainNorrisandMr.Foster,mateoftheLotus!"Byrnehalfrosetohisfeet.Thepartywasoppositetheirhidingplacenow."Sittight,"hewhispered."I'mgoin'toget'em,"andthen,fiercely"foryoursake,becauseIloveyou--nowlaugh,"andhewasgone.Heranlightlydowntheriverbankunnoticedbythesamuraiwhohadalreadypassedtheisland.Inonehandheborethelongwarspearofthehead-hunterbehadslain.AthisbelthungthelongswordofOdaYorimoto,andinitsholsterreposedtherevolveroftheCountdeCadenetBarbaraHardingwatchedhimasbefordedtheriver,andclambereduptheoppositebank.Shesawhimspringrapidlyafterthesamuraiandtheirprisoners.Shesawhisspearhandgoup,andthenfromthedeeplungsofthemanroseasavageyellthatwouldhavedonecredittoawholetribeofApaches.Thewarriorsturnedintimetoseetheheavyspearflyingtowardthemandthen,ashedashedintotheirmidst,BillyByrnedrewhisrevolverandfiredtorightandleft.Thetwoprisonerstookadvantageoftheconsternationoftheirguardstograpplewiththemandpossessthemselvesofweapons. CHAPTERXV92Therehadbeenbutsixsamuraiintheparty,twohadfallenbeforeByrne'sinitialonslaught,buttheotherfour,recoveredfromtheirfirstsurprise,turnednowtobattlewithalltheterrificferocityoftheirkind.Again,atacrucialmoment,hadTheriere'srevolvermissedfire,andindisgustByrnediscardedit,fallingbackuponthelongswordwithwhichhewasnomatchforthesamurai.NorrissnatchedByrne'sspearfromtheground,andranitthroughthebodyofoneoftheJapswhowaspressingByrnetooclosely.Oddswereevennow--theyfoughtthreeagainstthree.Norrisstillclungtothespear--itwasbyfarthemosteffectiveweaponagainstthelongswordsofthesamurai.WithithekilledhisantagonistandthenrushedtotheassistanceofFoster.BarbaraHardingfromtheislandsawthatByrne'sfoewaspressinghimclosely.Thewhitemanhadnochanceagainstthesuperiorswordsmanshipofthesamurai.ShesawthatthemuckerwastryingtogetpasttheJap'sguardandgethishandsuponhim,butitwasevidentthatthemanwastoocraftyandskilledafightertopermitofthat.TherecouldbebutoneoutcometothatduelunlessByrnehadassistance,andthatmightyquickly.Thegirlgraspedtheshortswordthatsheconstantlyworenow,andrushedintotheriver.ShehadneverbeforecrosseditexceptinByrne'sarms.Shefoundthecurrentswiftandstrong.Italmostsweptheroffherfeetbeforeshewashalfwayacross,butsheneverforaninstantthoughtofabandoninghereffort.Afterwhatseemedaneternitysheflounderedoutuponthemainland,andwhenshereachedthetopofthebankshesawtoherdelightthatByrnewasstillonhisfeet,fighting.FosterandNorriswerepushingtheirmanback--theywereinnodanger.QuicklysherantowardByrneandthesamurai.Shesawawickedsmileuponthebrownfaceofthelittlewarrior,andthenshesawhisgleamingswordtwistinasuddenfeint,andasByrnelungedoutawkwardlytoparrytheexpectedblowthekeenedgeswervedandcamedownuponhishead.Shewasaninstanttoolatetosave,butjustintimetoavenge--scarcelyhadthesamurai'sswordtouchedthemuckerthanthepointofOdaYorimoto'sshortsword,wieldedbythefairhandofBarbaraHarding,plungedintohisheart.Withashriekhecollapsedbesidethebodyofhisvictim.BarbaraHardingthrewherselfbesideByrne.Apparentlylifewasextinct.Withalittlecryofhorrorthegirlputherearclosetotheman'slips.Shecouldhearnothing."Comeback!Comeback!"shewailed."Forgivemethatcruellaugh.OBilly!Billy!Iloveyou!"andthedaughterofoldAnthonyHarding,multimillionaireandscionoftheoldestaristocracythatAmericaboasts,tooktheheadoftheGrandAvenuemuckerinherarmsandcoveredthewhite,bloodyfacewithkisses--andinthemidstofitBillyByrneopenedhiseyes.Shewascaughtintheact.Therewasnoescape,andasacrimsonflushsuffusedherfaceBillyByrneputhisarmsaboutheranddrewherdownuntiltheirlipsmet,andthistimeshedidnotputherhandsuponhisshouldersandpushhimaway."Iloveyou,Billy,"shesaidsimply."RememberwhoandwhatIam,"hecautioned,fearfullestthisgreathappinessbestolenawayfromhimbecauseshehadforgottenforthemoment."IloveyouBilly,"sheanswered,"forwhatyouARE.""Forever?""Untildeathdouspart!" CHAPTERXV93AndthenNorrisandFoster,havingdispatchedtheirman,camerunningup."Ishebadlyhurt,madam?"criedCaptainNorris."Idon'tknow,"repliedMissHarding;"I'mjusttryingtohelphimup,CaptainNorris,"shelaboriouslyexplainedinanefforttoaccountforherarmsaboutBilly'sneck.Norrisgaveastartofsurpriseathearinghisname."Whoareyou?"hecried."Howdoyouknowme?"andasthegirlturnedherfacetowardhim,"MissHarding!ThankGod,MissHarding,youaresafe.""Butwhereonearthdidyoucomefrom?"askedBarbara."It'salongstory,MissHarding,"repliedtheofficer,"andtheendingofitisgoingtobeprettyhardonyou--youmusttrytobearupthough.""Youdon'tmeanthatfatherisdead?"sheasked,alookofterrorcomingtohereyes."Notthat--wehope,"repliedNorris."Hehasbeentakenprisonerbythesehalf-breeddevilsontheisland.Idoubtiftheyhavekilledhim--weweregoingtohisrescuewhenweourselveswerecaptured.HeandMr.Malloryweretakenthreedaysago.""Mallory!"shoutedBillyByrne,whohadentirelyrecoveredfromtheblowthathadmerelyservedtostunhimforamoment."IsMalloryalive?""Hewasyesterday,"repliedNorris;"thesefellowsfromwhomyousobravelyrescuedustoldusthatmuch.""ThankGod!"whisperedBillyByrne."Whatmadeyouthinkhewasdead?"inquiredtheofficer,lookingcloselyatByrneasthoughtryingtoplacehim.AnothermanmighthaveattemptedtoevadethequestionbutthenewBillyByrnewasnocowardinanydepartmentofhismoralorphysicalstructure."BecauseIthoughtthatIhadkilledhim,"hereplied,"thedaythatwetooktheLotus."CaptainNorrislookedatthespeakerinundisguisedhorror."You!"hecried."Youwereoneofthosedamnedcut-throats!YouthemanthatnearlykilledpoorMr.Mallory!MissHarding,hasheofferedyouanyindignities?""Don'tjudgehimrashly,CaptainNorris,"saidthegirl."ButforhimIshouldhavebeendeadandworsethandeadlongsince.SomedayIwilltellyouofhisheroismandhischivalry,anddon'tforget,Captain,thathehasjustsavedyouandMr.Fosterfromcaptivityandprobabledeath.""That'sright,"exclaimedtheofficer,"andIwanttothankhim;butIdon'tunderstandaboutMallory.""Nevermindabouthimnow,"saidBillyByrne."Ifhe'salivethat'sallthatcounts--Ihaven'tgothisbloodonmyhands.Goonwithyourstory." CHAPTERXV94"Well,afterthatgangofpiratesleftus,"continuedthecaptain,"weriggedanextrawirelessthattheydidn'tknowwehad,anditwasn'tlongbeforeweraisedthewarshipAlaska.HercommanderputacrewonboardtheLotuswithmachinistsandeverythingnecessarytopatchherup--coaledandprovisionedherandthenlaybywhilewegotherinrunningorder.Itdidn'ttakenearaslongasyouwouldhaveimagined.Thenwesetoutincompanywiththewarshiptosearchforthe'Clarinda,'asyourCaptainSimmscalledher.WegotonhertrackthroughapiratejunkjustnorthofLuzon--hesaidhe'dheardfromthenativesofalittleout-of-the-wayislandnearFormosathatabrigantinehadbeenwreckedthereintherecenttyphoon,andhisdescriptionofthevesselledustobelievethatitmightbethe'Clarinda,'orHalfmoon."Wemadetheisland,andafterconsiderablesearchfoundthesurvivors.Eachof'emtriedtolaytheblameontheothers,butfinallytheyallagreedthatamanbythenameofTherierewithaseamancalledByrne,hadtakenyouintotheinterior,andthattheyhadbelievedyoudeaduntilafewdayssincetheyhadcapturedoneofthenativesandlearnedthatyouhadallescaped,andwerewanderinginsomepartoftheislandunknowntothem."Thenwesetoutwithacompanyofmarinestofindyou.Yourfather,impatientoftheseemingslownessoftheofficerincommand,pushedaheadwithMr.Mallory,Mr.Poster,andmyself,andtwoofthemenoftheLotuswhomhehadbroughtalongwithus."ThreedaysagowewereattackedandyourfatherandMr.Mallorytakenprisoners.Therestofusescaped,andendeavoredtomakeourwaybacktothemarines,butwebecameconfusedandhavebeenwanderingaimlesslyabouttheislandeversinceuntilweweresurprisedbythesenativesafewmomentsago.BoththeseamenwerekilledinthislastfightandMr.Fosterandmyselftakenprisoners--therestyouknow."Byrnewasonhisfeetnow.Hefoundhisswordandrevolverandreplacedtheminhisbelt."YoumenstayhereontheislandandtakecareofMissHarding,"hesaid."IfIdon'tcomebackthemarineswillfindyousoonerorlater,oryoucanmakeyourwaytothecoast,andworkaroundtowardthecove.Good-bye,MissHarding.""Whereareyougoing?"criedthegirl."Togetyourfather--andMr.Mallory,"saidthemucker. CHAPTERXVI95CHAPTERXVITHESUPREMESACRIFICETHROUGHthebalanceofthedayandallduringthelongnightBillyByrneswungalonghislonelyway,retracingthefamiliarstepsofthejourneythathadbroughtBarbaraHardingandhimselftothelittleislandintheturbulentriver.JustbeforedawnhecametotheedgeoftheclearingbehindthedwellingofthelateOdaYorimoto.Somewherewithinthesilentvillagehewassurethatthetwoprisonerslay.Duringthelongmarchhehadthrashedoveragainandagainallthatthesuccessofhisrashventurewouldmeantohim.Ofallthosewhomightconceivablystandbetweenhimandthewomanheloved--thewomanwhohadjustacknowledgedthatshelovedhim--thesetwomenwerethemosttobefeared.BillyByrnedidnotforamomentbelievethatAnthonyHardingwouldlookwithfavorupontheGrandAvenuemuckerasaprospectiveson-in-law.AndthentherewasMallory!HewassurethatBarbarahadlovedthisman,andnowshouldheberestoredtoherasfromthegravethereseemedlittledoubtbutthattheoldlovewouldbearousedinthegirl'sbreast.ThetruthofthematterwasthatBillyByrnecouldnotconceivethetruthofthetestimonyofhisownears--evennowhescarcedaredbelievethatthewonderfulMissHardinglovedhim--him,thedespisedmucker!Butthedepthoftheman'sloveforthegirl,andthegenuinenessofhisnew-foundcharacterwereprovenbeyondquestionbytherelentlessseveritywithwhichheputawayeverythoughtofhimselfandtheconsequencestohiminthematterhehadundertaken.FORHERSAKE!hadbecomehisslogan.Whatthoughtheresultssenthimtoasavagedeath,ortoalifeoflonelymisery,ortothearmsofhisbeloved!InthefaceofdutytheresultwasallthesametoBillyByrne.Foramomenthestoodlookingatthemoon-bathedvillage,listeningforanysignofwakefulnessorlife,thenwithallthestealthofanIndian,andwiththetrainedwarinessofthethiefthathehadbeen,themuckerslunknoiselesslyacrosstheclearingtotheshadowsofthenearesthut.HelistenedbeneaththewindowthroughwhichheandBarbaraandTherierehadmadetheirescapeafewweeksbefore.Therewasnosoundfromwithin.Cautiouslyheraisedhimselftothesill,andamomentlaterdroppedintotheinkydarknessoftheinterior.Withgropinghandshefeltabouttheroom--itwasunoccupied.Thenhepassedtothedooratthefarend.Cautiouslyheopenedituntilanarrowcrackgavehimaviewofthedimlylightedchamberbeyond.Withinallseemedasleep.Themuckerpushedthedoorstillfurtheropenandsteppedwithin--somusthesearcheveryhutwithinthevillageuntilhehadfoundthosehesought?Theywerenotthere,andonsilentfeetthatdisturbednoteventhelightlyslumberingcursthemanpassedoutbythefrontentranceintothestreetbeyond.Throughasecondandthirdhuthemadehisprecariousway.InthefourthamanstirredasByrnestoodupontheoppositesideoftheroomfromthedoor--withacatlikeboundthemuckerwasbesidehim.Wouldthefellowawake?Billyscarcebreathed.Thesamuraiturnedrestlessly,andthen,withastart,satupwithwide-openeyes.Atthesameinstantironfingerscloseduponhisthroatandthelongswordofhisdeaddaimiopassedthroughhisheart. CHAPTERXVI96Byrneheldthecorpseuntilhewaspositivethatlifewasextinct,thenhedroppeditquietlybackuponitspallet,anddepartedtosearchtheadjoiningdwelling.Herehefoundalargefrontroom,andasmallerchamberintherear--anarrangementsimilartothatinthedaimio'shouse.Thefrontroomrevealednocluetothemissingmen.Withinthesmaller,rearroomByrneheardthesubduedhumofwhisperedconversationjustashewasabouttoopenthedoor.Likeagravenimagehestoodinsilence,hiseargluedtothefraildoor.Foramomenthelistenedthusandthenhisheartgaveathrobofexultation,andhecouldhaveshoutedaloudinthanksgiving--themenwereconversinginEnglish!QuietlyByrnepushedopenthedoorfarenoughtoadmithisbody.Thosewithinceasedspeakingimmediately.Byrneclosedthedoorbehindhim,advancinguntilhefeltoneoftheoccupantsoftheroom.Themanshrankfromhistouch."Iguesswe'redonefor,Mallory,"saidthemaninalowtone;"they'vecomeforus.""Sh-sh,"warnedthemucker."AreyouandMalloryalone?""Yes--forGod'ssakewhoareyouandwheredidyoucomefrom?"askedthesurprisedMr.Harding."Bestill,"admonishedByrne,feelingforthecordsthatheknewmustbindthecaptive.Hefoundthempresentlyandwithhisjackknifecutthemasunder.ThenhereleasedMallory."Followme,"hesaid,"butgoquietly.Takeoffyourshoesifyouhave'emon,andhang'emaroundyourneck--tietheendsofthelacestogether."Themendidashebidandamomentlaterhewasleadingthemacrosstheroom,filledwithsleepingmen,women,children,anddomesticanimals.Atthefarsidestoodarackfilledwithlongswords.Byrneremovedtwowithoutthefaintestsuspicionofanoise.Hehandedonetoeachofhiscompanions,cautioningthemtosilencewithagesture.ButneitherAnthonyHardingnorBillyMalloryhadhadsecond-storyexperience,andtheformerstruckhisweaponaccidentallyagainstthedoorframewitharesoundingclatterthatbroughthalftheinmatesoftheroom,wide-eyed,tosittingpostures.Thesightthatmetthenatives'eyeshadthemontheirfeet,yellinglikemadmen,anddashingtowardtheirescapingprisoners,inaninstant."Quick!"shoutedBillyByrne."Followme!"Downthevillagestreetthethreemenran,buttheshoutsofthenativeshadbroughtarmedsamuraitoeverydoorwithaceleritythatwasuncanny,andinanothermomentthefugitivesfoundthemselvessurroundedbyapackofhowlingwarriorswhocutatthemwithlongswordsfromeveryside,blockingtheirretreatandhemmingtheminineverydirection.Byrnecalledtohiscompanionstoclosein,backtoback,andthus,thegangsterinadvance,thethreeslowlyfoughttheirwaytowardtheendofthenarrowstreetandthejunglebeyond.ThemuckerfoughtwithhislongswordinonehandandTheriere'srevolverintheother--hewingawaytowardfreedomforthetwomenwhomheknewwouldtakehislovefromhim.Beneaththebrillianttropicmoonthatlightedthescenealmostasbrilliantlyasmightthesunhimselfthebattlewaged,andthoughtheoddswerepainfullyuneventhewhitemenmovedsteadily,thoughslowly,towardthejungle.Itwasevidentthatthenativesfearedthegiantwhitewholedthethree.AnthonyHarding,familiarwithJapanese,couldtranslatesufficientoftheirjargontobesureofthat,hadnottherespectfuldistancemostof CHAPTERXVI97themkeptfromByrnebeenampleproof.Outofthevillagestreettheycameatlastintotheclearing.Thewarriorsdancedaboutthem,yellingthreatsandtauntsthewhiletheymadeoccasionaldashestoclosequartersthattheymightdeliveraswiftswordcutandretreatagainbeforethegreatwhitedevilcouldgetthemwiththeswordthathadbeenOdaYorimoto's,orthestrangefirestickthatspokeinsuchaterrifyingvoice.FiftyfeetfromthejungleMallorywentdownwithaspearthroughthecalfofhisleg.Byrnesawhimfall,anddroppingbackliftedthemantohisfeet,supportinghimwithonearmasthetwobackedslowlyinfrontoftheonpressingnatives.Thespearswereflyingthickandfastnow,forthesamuraiallwereuponthesamesideoftheenemyandtherewasnodangerofinjuringoneoftheirownnumberwiththeirflyingweaponsastherehadbeenwhenthehostentirelysurroundedthethreemen,andwhenthewhitesatlastenteredthetallgrassesofthejungleaperfectshowerofspearsfollowedthem.WiththevolleyByrnewentdown--hehadbeentheprincipaltargetforthesamuraiandthreeoftheheavyshaftshadpiercedhisbody.Twowereburiedinhischestandoneinhisabdomen.AnthonyHardingwashorrified.Bothhiscompanionsweredown,andthesavageswerepressingcloselyontowardtheirhidingplace.Mallorysatuponthegroundtryingtotearthespearfromhisleg.Finallyhewassuccessful.Byrne,stillconscious,calledtoHardingtopullthethreeshaftsfromhim."Whatarewetodo?"criedtheolderman."Theywillgetusagainassureasfate.""Theyhaven'tgotusyet,"saidBilly."Wait,Igotascheme.Canyouwalk,Mallory?"Mallorystaggeredtohisfeet."I'llsee,"hesaid,andthen:"Yes,Icanmakeit.""Good,"exclaimedByrne."Nowlisten.Almostduenorth,acrossthisrangeofhillsbehindusisavalley.Inthecenterofthevalleyisariver.Itisagoodfifteen-hourmarchforawellman--itwilltakeMalloryandyoulonger.Followdowntherivertillyoucometoalittleisland--itshouldbethefirstonefromwhereyoustriketheriver.OnthatislandyouwillfindMissHarding,Norris,andFoster.Nowhurry.""Butyou,man!"exclaimedMallory."Wecan'tleaveyou.""Never!"saidAnthonyHarding."You'llhaveto,though,"repliedBilly."That'spartofthescheme.Itwon'tworkanyotherway."Heraisedhisrevolverandfiredasingleshotinthedirectionofthehowlingsavages."That'stolet'emknowwe'restillhere,"hesaid."I'llkeepthatup,offandon,aslongasIcan.It'llfool'emintothinkingthatwe'reallhere,andcoveryourescape.See?""Iwon'tdoit,"saidMallory."Yesyouwill,"repliedthemucker."It'snotanyofusthatcounts--it'sMissHarding.AsmanyascanhavegottogetbacktoherjustasquickastheLord'llletus.Ican't,soyoutwo'llhaveto.I'mdonefor--ablindmancouldseethat.Itwouldn'tdoabitofgoodforyoutwotohangaroundhereandgetkilled,waitin'formetodie;butitwoulddoalotofharm,foritmightmeanthatMissHardingwouldbelosttoo." CHAPTERXVI98"Yousaymydaughterisonthisislandyouspeakof,withNorrisandFoster--isshequitesafeandwell?"askedHarding."Perfectly,"saidByrne;"andnowbeatit--you'rewastingalotofprecioustime.""ForBarbara'ssakeitlooksliketheonlyway,"saidAnthonyHarding,"butitseemswickedandcowardlytodesertanoblefellowlikeyou,sir.""Itiswicked,"saidBillyMallory."Theremustbesomeotherway.Bytheway,oldman,whoareyouanyhow,andhowdidyouhappentobehere?"Byrneturnedhisfaceupwardsothatthefullmoonlightedhisfeaturesclearly."Thereisnootherway,Mallory,"hesaid."Nowtakeagoodlookatme--don'tyourecognizeme?"Mallorygazedintentlyatthestrongfacelookingintohis.Heshookhishead."Thereissomethingfamiliaraboutyourface,"hesaid;"butIcannotplaceyou.Nordoesitmakeanydifferencewhoyouare--youhaveriskedyourlifetosaveoursandIshallnotleaveyou.LetMr.Hardinggo--itisnotnecessaryforbothtostay.""Youwillbothgo,"insistedByrne;"andyouwillfindthatitdoesmakeabigdifferencewhoIam.Ihadn'tintendedtellingyou,butIseethereisnootherway.I'mthemuckerthatnearlykilledyouonboardtheLotus,Mallory.I'mthefellowthatman-handledMissHardinguntileventhatbeastofaSimmsmademequit,andMissHardinghasbeenalonewithmeonthisislandforweeks--nowgo!"Heturnedawaysothattheycouldnolongerseehisface,withthementalanguishthatheknewmustbewritlargeuponit,andcommencedfiringtowardthenativesoncemore.AnthonyHardingstoodwithwhitefaceandclinchedhandsduringByrne'srecitalofhisidentity.Atitsclosehetookathreateningsteptowardtheprostrateman,raisinghislongsword,withamuffledoath.BillyMallorysprangbeforehim,catchinghisupraisedarm."Don't!"hewhispered."Thinkwhatweowehimnow.Come!"andthetwomenturnednorthintothejunglewhileBillyByrnelayuponhisbellyinthetallgrassfiringfromtimetotimeintothedirectionfromwhichcameanoccasionalspear.AnthonyHardingandBillyMallorykeptoninsilencealongtheirdismalway.Thecrackofthemucker'srevolver,growingfainterandfainter,astheydrewawayfromthesceneofconflict,apprisedthementhattheirrescuerstilllived.Afteratimethedistantreportsceased.Thetwowalkedoninsilenceforafewminutes."He'sgone,"whisperedMallory.AnthonyHardingmadenoresponse.Theydidnothearanyfurtherfiringbehindthem.Onandontheytrudged.Nightturnedtoday.Dayrolledslowlyonintonightoncemore.Andstilltheystaggeredon,footsoreandweary.Mallorysufferedexcruciatingagonyfromhiswound.Thereweretimeswhenitseemedthatitwouldbeimpossibleforhimtocontinueanotheryard;butthenthethoughtthatBarbaraHardingwassomewhereaheadofthem,andthatinashorttimenowtheymustbewithheroncemorekepthimdoggedlyathispainfultask. CHAPTERXVI99Theyhadreachedtheriverandwerefollowingslowlydownitsbank.Themoon,fullandgorgeous,floodedthelandscapewithsilverylight."Look!"exclaimedMallory."Theisland!""ThankGod!"whisperedHarding,fervently.Onthebankoppositetheystoppedandhallooed.Almostinstantlythreefiguresrushedfromtheinterioroftheislandtotheshorebeforethem--twomenandawoman."Barbara!"criedAnthonyHarding."Omydaughter!Mydaughter!"NorrisandFosterhastenedthroughtheriverandbroughtthetwomentotheisland.BarbaraHardingthrewherselfintoherfather'sarms.AmomentlatershehadgraspedMallory'soutstretchedhands,andthenshelookedbeyondthemforanother."Mr.Byrne?"sheasked."WhereisMr.Byrne?""Heisdead,"saidAnthonyHarding.Thegirllooked,wide-eyedanduncomprehending,atherfatherforafullminute."Dead!"shemoaned,andfellunconsciousathisfeet. CHAPTERXVII100CHAPTERXVIIHOMEAGAINBILLYBYRNEcontinuedtofireintermittentlyforhalfanhourafterthetwomenhadlefthim.Thenhefiredseveralshotsinquicksuccession,anddragginghimselftohishandsandkneescrawledlaboriouslyandpainfullybackintothejungleinsearchofahidingplacewherehemightdieinpeace.Hehadprogressedsomehundredyardswhenhefelttheearthgivewaybeneathhim.Heclutchedfranticallyaboutforsupport,buttherewasnone,andwithasickeninglungeheplungeddownwardintoStygiandarkness.Hisfallwasashortone,andhebroughtupwithapainfulthudatthebottomofadeerpit--acoveredtrapwhichthenativesdigtocatchtheirfleet-footedprey.Thepainofhiswoundsafterthefallwasexcruciating.Hisheadwhirleddizzily.Heknewthathewasdying,andthenallwentblack.Whenconsciousnessreturnedtothemuckeritwasdaylight.Theskyaboveshonethroughtheraggedholethathisfallingbodyhadbrokeninthepit'scoveringthenightbefore."Gee!"mutteredthemucker;"andIthoughtthatIwasdead!"Hiswoundshadceasedtobleed,buthewasveryweakandstiffandsore."IguessI'mtootoughtocroak!"hethought.HewonderedifthetwomenwouldreachBarbarainsafety.Hehopedso.Mallorylovedher,andhewassurethatBarbarahadlovedMallory.Hewantedhertobehappy.Nothoughtofjealousyenteredhismind.Mallorywasherkind.Mallory"belonged."Hedidn't.Hewasamucker.Howwouldhehavelookedtrainingwithherbunch.Shewouldhavebeenashamedofhim,andhecouldn'thavestoodthat.No,itwasbetterasithadturnedout.He'dsquaredhimselfforthebeasthe'dbeentoher,andhe'dsquaredhimselfwithMallory,too.Atleastthey'dhaveonlydecentthoughtsofhim,dead;butalive,thatwouldbeanentirelydifferentthing.Hewouldbeintheway.Hewouldbeaconstantembarrassmenttothemall,fortheywouldfeelthatthey'dhavetobenicetohiminreturnforwhathehaddoneforthem.Thethoughtmadethemuckersick."I'drathercroak,"hemurmured.Buthedidn't"croak"--instead,hewaxedstronger,andtowardeveningthepangsofhungerandthirstdrovehimtoconsidermeansforescapingfromhishidingplace,andsearchingforfoodandwater.Hewaiteduntilafterdark,andthenhecrawled,withutmostdifficulty,fromthedeeppit.Hehadheardnothingofthenativessincethenightbefore,andnow,intheopen,therecametohimbutthefaintsoundsofthevillagelifeacrosstheclearing.ByrnedraggedhimselftowardthetrailthatledtothespringwherepoorTherierehaddied.Ittookhimalongtimetoreachit,butatlasthewassuccessful.Theclear,coldwaterhelpedtoreviveandstrengthenhim.Thenhesoughtfood.Somewildfruitpartiallysatisfiedhimforthemoment,andhecommencedthelaborioustaskofretracinghisstepstoward"ManhattanIsland."ThetrailthathehadpassedoverinfifteenhoursashehadhastenedtotherescueofAnthonyHardingandBillyMalloryrequiredthebetterpartofthreedaysnow.Occasionallyhewonderedwhyintheworldhewas CHAPTERXVII101traversingitanyway.Hadn'thewantedtodie,andleaveBarbarafree?Butlifeissweet,andtheredbloodstillflowedstrongintheveinsofthemucker."Icangomyownway,"hethought,"andnotbotherher;butI'llbedingedifIwanttocroakinthisGod-forsakenhole--GrandAvenueformine,whenitcomestopassinginmychecks.Gee!butI'dliketoheartherattleoftheLakeStreet'L'andseethedollscomingdownthestationstepsbySkidmore'swhenthecrowdcomeshomefromtheLoopatnight."BillyByrnewashomesick.Andthen,too,hisheartwasveryheavyandsadbecauseofthegreatlovehehadfound--alovewhichherealizedwasashopelessasitwasgreat.Hehadthememory,though,ofthegirl'sarmsabouthisneck,andherdearlipscrushedtohisforabriefinstant,andherwords--ah,thosewords!TheywouldringinBilly'sheadforever:"Iloveyou,Billy,forwhatyouARE."Andasuddenresolvecameintothemucker'smindashewhisperedthosewordsoverandoveragaintohimself."Ican'thaveher,"hesaid."Sheisn'tforthelikesofme;butifIcan'tlivewithher,Icanliveforher--asshe'dwantmetolive,and,s'helpme,thosewords'llkeepmestraight.IfsheeverhearsofBillyByrneagainitwon'tbeanythingtomakeherashamedthatshehadherarmsaroundhim,kissinghim,andtellinghimthatshelovedhim."Attheriver'sedgeacrossfromthelittleislandBillycametoahalt.Hehadreachedthepointnearmidnight,andhesitatedtocrossoveranddisturbthepartyatthathour.Atlast,however,hedecidedtocrossquietly,andliedownnearHERhutuntilmorning.Thecrossingwasmostdifficult,forhewasveryweak,butatlasthecametotheoppositebankanddrewhimselfuptoliepantingforafewminutesontheslopingbank.Thenhecrawledonagainuptothetop,andstaggeringtohisfeetmadehiswaycautiouslytowardthetwohuts.Allwasquiet.Heassumedthatthepartywasasleep,andsohelaydownneartherudeshelterhehadconstructedforBarbaraHarding,andfellasleep.Itwasbroaddaylightwhenheawoke--thesunwasfullythreehourshigh,andyetnoonewasstirring.ForthefirsttimemisgivingscommencedtoassailBilly'smind.Coulditbepossible?Hecrossedovertohisownhutandentered--itwasdeserted.ThenherantoBarbara's--it,too,wasunoccupied.Theyhadgone!AllduringthepainfultripfromthevillagetotheislandBillyhadmomentarilyexpectedtomeetapartyofrescuerscomingbackforhim.Hehadnotbeenexactlydisappointed,butaqueerlittlelumphadrisentohisthroatasthedayspassedandnohelphadcome,andnowthiswasthefinalblow.Theyhaddesertedhim!Lefthimwoundedanddyingonthissavageislandwithouttakingthetroubletoassurethemselvesthathereallywasdead!Itwasincredible!"Butwasit?"thoughtBilly."Didn'tItellthemthatIwasdying?Ithoughtsomyself,andthereisnoreasonwhytheyshouldn'thavethoughtsotoo.IsupposeIshouldn'tblamethem,andIdon't;butIwouldn'thaveleftthemthatwayandnotcomeback.Theyhadawarshipfullofbluejacketsandmarines--therewouldn'thavebeenmuchdangertothem."Presentlyitoccurredtohimthatthepartymayhavereturnedtothecoasttogetthemarines,andthatevennowtheyweresearchingforhim.Hehastenedtoreturntothemainland,andoncemorehetookuphiswearisomejourney.Thatnighthereachedthecoast.Earlythenextmorninghecommencedhissearchfortheman-of-war.Bywalkingentirelyaroundtheislandheshouldfindherhefeltsure.Shortlyafternoonhescaledahighpromontorywhichjuttedoutintothesea.FromitssummithehadanunobstructedviewofthebroadPacific.Hisheartleapedtohisthroat,fortherebutashortdistanceoutwerea CHAPTERXVII102greatbattleshipandatrimwhiteyacht--theAlaskaandtheLotus!Theyweresteamingslowlyouttosea.Hewasjustintime!Filledwithhappinessthemuckerrantothepointofthepromontoryandstrippingoffhisshirtwavedithighabovehishead,thewhileheshoutedatthetopofhislungs;butthevesselskeptontheircourse,givingnoansweringsignal.Forhalfanhourthemancontinuedhisfutileeffortstoattracttheattentionofsomeoneonboardeithercraft,buttohisdismayhesawthemgrowsmallerandsmalleruntilinafewhourstheypassedovertherimoftheworld,disappearingfromhisviewforever.Weak,wounded,anddespairing,Billysanktotheground,buryinghisfaceinhisarms,andtherethemoonfoundhimwhensherose,andhewasstilltherewhenshepassedfromthewesternsky.ForthreemonthsBillyByrnelivedhislonelylifeuponthewildisland.Thetrappingandfishingweregoodandtherewasaplentifulsupplyofgoodwater.Heregainedhisloststrength,recoveringentirelyfromhiswounds.Thenativesdidnotmolesthim,forhehadstumbleduponasectionoftheshorewhichtheyconsideredbewitchedandtowhichnoneofthemwouldcomeunderanycircumstances.Onemorning,atthebeginningofhisfourthmonthofsolitude,themuckersawasmudgeofsmokeuponthehorizon.Slowlyitincreasedinvolumeandthespeckbeneathitresolveditselfintothehullofasteamer.Closerandclosertotheislanditcame.BillygatheredtogetheraquantityofdrybrushandlightedasignalfireontheloftypointfromwhichhehadseentheAlaskaandtheLotusdisappear.Asitcommencedtoblazefreelyhethrewfresh,greenboughsuponituntilaverticalcolumnofsmokearosehighabovetheisland.InbreathlesssuspenseBillywatchedthemovementsofthesteamer.Atfirstitseemedthatshewouldpasswithouttakingnoticeofhissignal,butatlasthesawthatshewaschanginghercourseandmovingdirectlytowardtheisland.Closeinshecame,fortheseawascalmandthewaterdeep,andwhenBillywassurethatthoseonboardsawhimandhisfranticwaving,hehurried,stumblingandfalling,downthesteepfaceoftheclifftothetinybeachatitsfoot.Alreadyaboathadbeenloweredandwasputtinginforland.Billywadedouttotheendoftheshortshelvingbeachandwaited.Thesightthatmettheeyesoftherescuerswasonethatfilledthemwithawe,fortheysawbeforethemahuge,giantofawhiteman,half-nakedexceptforafewtatteredrags,whoworethelongswordofanancientsamuraiathisside,amodernrevolverathiship,andboreinhisbrawnyhandtheheavywarspearofahead-hunter.Longblackhair,andahugebeardcoveredtheman'sheadandface,butcleangrayeyesshonefromoutofthetangle,andabroadgrinwelcomedthem."Oh,youwhitemen!"shoutedthemucker."Youcertainlydolookgoodtome."Sixmonthslaterabig,smooth-facedgiantinill-fittingseatogsstrolledupSixthAvenue.ItwasBillyByrne--broke,buthappy;GrandAvenuewaslessthanathousandmilesaway!"Gee!"hemurmured;"butit'sgoodtobehomeagain!"TherewereplacesinNewYorkwhereBillywouldfindacquaintances.Oneinparticularherecalled--alittle,third-floorgymnasiumnotfardistantfromtheBattery.Thitherheturnedhisstepsnow.Asheenteredthe CHAPTERXVII103stuffyroominwhichtwobigfellows,strippedtothewaist,weresparring,astout,low-browedmansittinginaback-tiltedchairagainstonewalllookedupinquiringly.Billycrossedovertohim,withoutstretchedhand."Howdy,Professor!"hesaid."Yehgotme,kid,"repliedProfessorCassidy,takingtheprofferedhand."IwasupherewithLarryHilmoreandtheGooseIslandKidayearorsoago--myname'sByrne,"exclaimedBilly."Sure,"saidtheprofessor;"Igotchanow.You'redeguy'atLarrywasatellin'meabout.Hesaidyou'dbeagreatheavyifyou'dleavedeboozealone."Billysmiledandnodded."Youdon'tlookmuchlikeaboozefighternow,"remarkedCassidy."AndIain't"saidthemucker."I'vebeenonthewagonformostayear,andI'mnevercomin'down.""That'sright,kid,"saidtheprofessor;"butwotsthegoodword?Wotyoudoin'inlittleol'NooYork?""Lookin'forajob,"saidBilly."Strip!"commandedProfessorCassidy."I'mlookin'forsparrin'partnersforaginkdat'sgoin'tocleanupdeBigSmoke--ifhe'llevercomebackan'scrap.""You'reon,"saidBilly,commencingtodivesthimselfofhisouterclothing.StrippedtothewaisthedisplayedaswondrousasetofmusclesasevenProfessorCassidyhadeverseen.Themanwaxedenthusiasticoverthem."Yousureoughttohavesomewallopupyoursleeve,"hesaid,admiringly.HethenintroducedBillytotheHarlemHurricane,andBattlingDagoPete."Pete'sdeguyIwastellin'youabout,"explainedProfessorCassidy."He'sgotsuchawallopdatIcan'tkeepnosparrin'partnersforhim.TheHurricanehere'sdeonlyblokewitdegutstostaywithim--he'safiendforpunishment,Hurricaneis;hejestnatchrlyeatsit."Ifyou'rebrokeI'llgiveyouyourkeepaslongasyoustaywitPetean'don'tgetcoldfeet,an'I'llfixupamillforyounowan'thenso'syoukinpulldownalittlecoinferyourself.Areyougame?""Youknowit,"saidBilly."Alltothegoodthen,"saidtheprofessorgaily;"nowyouputonthemittsan'spellHurricaneforacoupleo'rounds."Billyslippedhishugehandsintothetight-fittinggloves."It'sbeenmore'nayearsinceIhadtheseon,"hesaid,"an'Imaybealittleslowan'staleatfirst;butafterIgetwarmedupI'lldobetter."CassidygrinnedandwinkedatHurricane."Hewon'tnevergetwarmedup,"Hurricaneconfided;"Pete'llknockhisblockoffinabouttwominutes,"andthemensettledbacktowatchthefunwithill-concealedamusementwrittenupontheirfaces. CHAPTERXVII104WhathappenedwithinthenextfewminutesinthestuffylittleroomofProfessorCassidy'sthird-floor"gymnasium"marksanepochintheprofessor'slife--hestilltalksofit,anddoubtlessshalluntiltheGreatRefereecountshimoutintheLastRound.Thetwomensparredforamoment,gagingoneanother.ThenBattlingDagoPeteswungaviciousleftthatlandedsquareonBilly'sface.Itwasablowthatmighthavefelledanox;butBillyonlyshookhishead--itscarceseemedtojarhim.Petehadhalfloweredhishandsasherecoveredfromtheblow,sosurehewasthatitwouldfinishhisnewsparringpartner,andnowbeforehecouldregainhisguardthemuckertoreintohimlikeawhirlwind.ThatsingleblowtothefaceseemedtohavebroughtbacktoBillyByrneallthatheeverhadknownofthemanlyartofself-defense.BattlingDagoPetelandedafewmorebeforethefightwasover,butasanyoldfighterwilltellyouthereisnothingmorediscouragingthantodiscoverthatyourmosteffectiveblowsdonotfeezeyouropponent,andonlytheknowledgeofwhatadefeatatthehandsofanewsparringpartnerwouldmeantohisfuture,kepthimpluggingawayatthehopelesstaskofattemptingtoknockoutthismountainofboneandmuscle.ForafewminutesBillyByrneplayedwithhisman,hittinghimwhenandwherehewould.Hefought,crouching,muchasJeffriesusedtofight,andinhissizeandstrengthwasmuchthatremindedCassidyofthefallenidolthatinhisheartofheartshestillworshiped.Andthen,likeapanther,themuckerspranginwithaviciouslefthooktothejaw,followed,withlightningrapidity,byarightuppercuttothechinthatliftedBattlingDagoPeteafootfromthefloortodrophim,unconscious,againstthefootofthefurtherwall.Itwasacleanknock-out,andwhenCassidyandHurricanegotthroughministeringtothefallenman,andindicationsofreturningconsciousnesswereapparent,theprofessorturnedtoBilly."Gotanymore'hopes'lyin'aroundloose?"askedthemuckerwithagrin."Iguessthebigdinge'ssafeforawhileyet.""Notifyou'llkeeponstayin'awayfromthebooze,kid,"saidProfessorCassidy,"an'letmehandleyou.""IgotchaSteve,"saidBilly;"gotoit;butfirst,stakemetoafeed.Thefrontsideofmystomach'swrappedaroundmybackbone." CHAPTERXVIII105CHAPTERXVIIITHEGULFBETWEENFORthreemonthsBillymethas-beens,andthird-andfourth-ratefightersfromNewYorkanditsenvirons.Hethrashedthemall--usuallybytheknockoutrouteandfinallylocalsportscommencedtalkingabouthimabit,andhewasmatchedupwithsecond-ratersfromothercities.Thesemenhecleanedupashandilyashehadtheothers,sothatitwasapparenttofightfandomthatthebig,quiet"unknown"wasacomer;andprettysoonProfessorCassidyreceivedanofferfromanothertrainer-managertomatchBillyagainstareal"hope"whostoodintheforefrontofhopedom.Thisothermanagerstatedthathethoughtthemillwouldproveexcellentpracticeforhismanwhowashavingdifficultyinfindingopponents.ProfessorCassidythoughtsotoo,andgrinnedfortwohoursstraightafterreadingthechallenge.Thedetailsofthefightwerequicklyarranged.Inaccordancewiththestateregulationsitwastobeatenround,nodecisionbout--theweightofthegloveswasprescribedbylaw.Thenameofthe"whitehope"againstwhomBillywastogowassufficienttodrawafairhouse,andthereweresometherewhohadseenBillyinotherfightsandlookedforagoodmill.Whenthe"comingchampion,"asBilly'sopponentwasintroduced,steppedintotheringhereceivedaheartyroundofapplause,whereastherewasbutascatteredrippleofhandclappingtogreetthemucker.Itwasthefirsttimeheeverhadsteppedintoaringwithafirst-ratefighter,andashesawthehugemusclesofhisantagonistandrecalledthestorieshehadheardofhisprowessandscience,Billy,forthefirsttimeinhislife,feltatremorofnervousness.Hiseyeswanderedacrosstheropestotheseaoffacesturneduptowardhim,andallofasuddenBillyByrnewentintoabluefunk.ProfessorCassidy,shrewdandexperienced,sawitevenassoonasBillyrealizedit--hesawthefadingofhishighhopes--hesawhiscastlesinSpaintumblinginruinsabouthisears--hesawhishugegiantlyingpronewithinthatsquaredcircleasthehandoftherefereeroseandfellincadencetothetickingofsecondsthatwouldcounthismanout."Here,"hewhispered,"takeaswigo'this,"andhepressedabottletowardBilly'slips.Billyshookhishead.Thestuffhadkepthimdownallhislife--hehadswornnevertotouchanotherdropofit,andheneverwould,whetherhelostthisandeveryotherfightheeverfought.HehadsworntoleaveitaloneforHERsake!Andthenthegongcalledhimtothecenterofthering.Billyknewthathewasafraid--hethoughtthathewasafraidofthebig,trainedfighterwhofacedhim;butCassidyknewthatitwasaplaincaseofstagefrightthathadgrippedhisman.Heknew,too,thatitwouldbeenoughtodefeatBilly'severychanceforvictory,andafterthebig"whitehope"hadfelledBillytwiceinthefirstminuteofthefirstroundCassidyknewthatitwasalloverbuttheshouting.Thefans,manyofthem,werelaughing,andyellingderogatoryremarksatBilly."Stan'upan'fight,yehbigstiff!"and"Backtodefarmferyouse!"andthen,highabovetheothersashrillvoicecried"Coward!Coward!"ThewordpenetratedBilly'shopeless,muddledbrain.Coward!SHEhadcalledhimthatonce,andthenshehadchangedhermind.Therierehadthoughthimacoward,yetashediedhehadsaidthathewasthebravestmanheeverhadknown.Billyrecalledtheyellingsamuraiwiththeirkeenswordsandterriblespears.Hesawthelittleroominthe"palace"ofOdaYorimoto,andagainhefacedthebrowndevilswhohadhackedand CHAPTERXVIII106hewedandstabbedathimthatdayashefoughttosavethewomanheloved.Coward!WhatwasthereinthispaddedringforamantofearwhohadfaceddeathasBillyhadfacedit,andwithoutaninstant'sconsciousnessofthemeaningofthewordfear?Whatwaswrongwithhim,andthentheshoutsandcursesandtauntsofthecrowdsmoteuponhisears,andheknew.Itwasthecrowd!Againtheheavyfistofthe"comingchampion"broughtBillytothemat,andthen,beforefurtherdamagecouldbedonehim,thegongsavedhim.Itwasasurprisedandchastenedmuckerthatwalkedwithbentheadtohiscornerafterthefirstround.The"whitehope"wasgrinningandconfident,andsohereturnedtothecenteroftheringforthesecondround.DuringtheshortintervalBillyhadthrashedthewholethingout.Thecrowdhadgottenonhisnerves.Hewastryingtofightthewholecrowdinsteadofjustoneman--hewoulddobetterinthisround;butthefirstthingthathappenedafterhefacedhisopponentsentthefansintodeliriousecstasiesofshoutingandhooting.Billyswunghisrightforhisfoe'sjaw--aterribleblowthatwouldhaveendedthefighthaditlanded--butthemanside-steppedit,andBilly'smomentumcarriedhimsprawlinguponhisface.Whenheregainedhisfeetthe"whitehope"waswaitingforhim,andBillywentdownagaintoliethere,quitestill,whilethehandoftherefereemarkedtheseconds:One.Two.Three.Four.Five.Six.Billyopenedhiseyes.Seven.Billysatup.Eight.Themeaningofthatmonotonouscountfinallypercolatedtothemucker'snumbedperceptivefaculties.Hewasbeingcountedout!Nine!Likeaflashhewasonhisfeet.Hehadforgottenthecrowd.Rage--cool,calculatingragepossessedhim--notthefeverish,hystericalvarietythattakesitsvictim'sbrainsaway.TheyhadbeencountingoutthemanwhomBarbaraHardinghadonceloved!--themanshehadthoughtthebravestintheworld!--theyweremakingamonkeyandacowardofhim!He'dshowthem!The"whitehope"waswaitingforhim.Billywasscarceoffhiskneesbeforethemanrushedathimwickedly,asmileplayingabouthislips.Itwastobethelastofthatsmile,however.Billymettherushwithhisoldfamiliarcrouch,andstoppedhismanwithastraighttothebody.Cassidysawitandalmostsmiled.Hedidn'tthinkthatBillycouldcomeback--butatleasthewasfightingforaminuteinhisoldform.Thesurprised"hope"rushedintopunishhispresumingfoe.Thecrowdwassilent.Billyduckedbeneathaviciousleftswingandputarighttothesideofthe"hope's"headthatsentthemantohisknees.Thencamethegong.InthethirdroundBillyfoughtcarefully.Hehadmadeuphismindthathewouldshowthisbunchofpikersthatheknewhowtobox,sothatnonemightsaythathehadwonwithaluckypunch,forBillyintendedtowin.Theroundwasonewhichmightfillwithdelightthesoulofthefanwhoknowsthefinerpointsofthegame.Andwhenitwasover,whilelittledamagehadbeendoneoneitherside,itleftnoshadowofadoubtinthemindsofthosewhoknewthattheunknownfighterwasthemoreskilfulboxer.Thencamethefourthround.Ofcoursetherewasnoquestioninthemindsofthemajorityofthespectatorsastowhowouldwinthefight.Thestrangerhadmerelyshownoneofthosesuddenandephemeralburstsofformthatoccasionallyarewitnessedineverybranchofsport;buthecouldn'tlastagainstsuchamanasthe"whitehope'!--theylookedforaknock-outanyminutenow.Nordidtheylookinvain.Billywasquitesatisfiedwiththeworkhehaddoneintheprecedinground.Nowhewouldshowthemanotherstyleoffighting!Andhedid.Fromthetapofthegongherushedhisopponentabouttheringatwill.Hehithimwhenandwherehepleased.Themanwasabsolutelyhelplessbeforehim.WithleftandrighthooksBillyrockedthe"comingchampion's"headfromsidetoside.Helandedupontheswellingopticsofhisvictimashelisted. CHAPTERXVIII107Thriceherushedhimtotheropes,andoncethemanfellthroughthemintothelapsofthehootingspectators--onlynowtheywerenothootingBilly.UntilthegongBillyplayedwithhismanasacatmightplaywithamouse;yetnotoncehadhelandedaknock-outblow."Whydidn'tyoufinishhim?"criedProfessorCassidy,asBillyreturnedtohiscorneraftertheround."Youhad'imgoin'man--whyintheworlddidn'tyehfinishhim?""Ididn'twantto,"saidBilly;"notinthatround.I'mreservingthefinishforthefifthround,andifyouwanttowinsomemoneyyoucantakethehunch!""Doyoumeanit?"askedCassidy."Sure,"saidBilly."YoumightmakemorebylayingthatI'dmakehimtakethecountinthefirstminuteoftheround--youcanplaceahundredofmineonthat,ifyouwill,please."Cassidytookthehunch,andamomentlaterasthetwomenfacedeachotherheregrettedhisact,fortohissurprisethe"whitehope"cameupforthefifthroundsmilingandconfidentoncemore."Someone'sbeenhandin'himanearful,"grumbledCassidy,"an'itmightbeallheneededtotake'imthroughthefirstminuteoftheround,andmaybethewholeround--I'veseenthatdidlotso'times."Asthetwomenmetthe"whitehope"wastheaggressor.HerushedintoclosequartersaimingastingingblowatBilly'sface,andthentoCassidy'schagrinandthecrowd'swonder,themuckerloweredhisguardandtookthewallopfullonthejaw.Theblowseemednevertojarhimtheleast.The"hope"swungagain,andtherestoodBillyByrne,likeahugebronzestatuetakingblowafterblowthatwouldhaveputanordinarymandownforthecount.Thefanssawandappreciatedthespectacularbravadooftheact,andtheywentwild.Cheeroncheerrose,hoarseanddeafening,totherafters.The"whitehope"losthisself-controlandwhatlittleremainedofhisshorttemper,anddeliberatelystruckBillyafoulblow,butbeforetherefereecouldinterferethemuckerswunganotherjustsuchblowashehadmissedandfallenwithinthesecondround;butthistimehedidnotmiss--hismightyfistcaughtthe"comingchampion"onthepointofthechin,liftedhimoffhisfeetandlandedhimhalfwaythroughtheropes.Therehelaywhiletherefereetolledoffthecountoften,andastheofficialtookBilly'shandinhisandraiseditaloftinsignalthathehadwonthefighttheficklecrowdcheeredandscreamedinadeliriumofjoy.CassidycrawledthroughtheropesandthrewhisarmsaroundBilly."Iknewyousecoulddoit,kid!"hescreamed."You'reasgoodasmadenow,an'you'redenextchamp,orIneverseenone."Thefollowingmorningthesportingsheetshailed"Sailor"Byrneasthegreatest"whitehope"ofthemall.Flashlightsofhimfilledaquarterofapage.Therewereinterviewswithhim.Interviewswiththemanhehaddefeated.InterviewswithCassidy.Interviewswiththereferee.Interviewswitheverybody,andallwereagreedthathewasthemostlikelyheavysinceJeffries.Corbettadmittedthat,whileinhisprimehecoulddoubtlesshavebestedthenewwonder,hewouldhavefoundhimatoughcustomer.EveryonesaidthatByrne'sfuturewasassured.Therewasnotamaninsightwhocouldtouchhim,andnonewhohadseenhimfightthenightbeforebutwouldhavestakedhislastdollaronhiminamillwiththeblackchampion.CassidywiredachallengetotheNegro'smanager,andreceivedananswerthatwasmostfavorable.Theterms CHAPTERXVIII108were,asusual,ratherone-sidedbutCassidyacceptedthem,anditseemedbeforenoonthatafightwasassured.BillywasmorenearlyhappyagainthanhehadbeensincethedayhehadrenouncedBarbaraHardingtothemanhethoughtsheloved.Hereadandre-readtheaccountsinthepapers,andthensearchingformorereferencestohimselfoffthesportingpageheranupontheverynamethathadbeenconstantlyinhisthoughtsforallthesemonths--Harding.PersistentrumorhasitthattheengagementofthebeautifulMissHardingtoWm.J.Malloryhasbeenbroken.MissHardingcouldnotbeseenatherfather'shomeuptoalatehourlastnight.Mr.Malloryrefusedtodiscussthematter,butwouldnotdenytherumor.Therewasmore,butthatwasallthatBillyByrneread.Thepaperdroppedfromhishand.Battlesandchampionshipsfadedfromhisthoughts.Hesatwithhiseyesbentuponthefloor,andhismindwasthousandsofmilesawayacrossthebroadPacificuponalittleislandinthemidstofaturbulentstream.Andfaruptownanothersatwiththesamepaperinherhand.BarbaraHardingwasglancingthroughthesportingsheetinsearchofthescoresofyesterday'swoman'sgolftournament.Andasshesearchedhereyessuddenlybecameriveteduponthepictureofagiantman,andsheforgotabouttournamentsandlowscores.Hastilyshesearchedtheheadsandtextuntilshecameuponthename--"'Sailor'Byrne!"Yes!Itmustbehe.Greedilyshereadandre-readallthathadbeenwrittenabouthim.Yes,she,BarbaraHarding,scionofanaristocratichouse--ultra-societygirl,readandre-readtheaccountsofabrutalprizefight.Ahalfhourlateramessengerboyfound"Sailor"ByrnethecenterofanadmiringthronginProfessorCassidy'sthird-floorgymnasium.WithworshipingeyestakinginhisnewherofromheadtofoottheyouthhandedByrneanote.Hestoodstaringattheheavyweightuntilhehadperusedit."Anyanswer?"heasked."Noanswer,kid,"repliedByrne,"thatIcan'ttakemyself,"andhetossedadollartotheworshipingboy.AnhourlaterBillyByrnewasascendingthebroad,whitestepsthatledtotheentranceofAnthonyHarding'sNewYorkhouse.Theservantwhoansweredhisringeyedhimsuspiciously,forBillyByrnestilldressedlikeateamsteronholiday.Hehadnocard!"TellMissHardingthatMr.Byrnehascome,"hesaid.Theservantlefthimstandinginthehallway,andstartedtoascendthegreatstaircase,buthalfwayuphemetMissHardingcomingdown."Nevermind,Smith,"shesaid."IamexpectingMr.Byrne,"andthenseeingthatthefellowhadnotseatedhervisitorsheadded,"Heisaverydearfriend."Smithfadedquicklyfromthescene."Billy!"criedthegirl,rushingtowardhimwithout-stretchedhands."OBilly,wethoughtyouweredead.Howlonghaveyoubeenhere?Whyhaven'tyoubeentoseeme?"Byrnehesitated.Agreat,madhopehadbeensurgingthroughhisbeingsincehehadreadofthebrokenengagementand CHAPTERXVIII109receivedthegirl'snote.Andnowinhereyes,inherwholeattitude,hecouldread,asunmistakablyasthoughherlipshadformedthewordsthathehadnothopedinvain.Butsomestrangeinfluencehadseemedsuddenlytocometoworkuponhim.EveninthebriefmomentofhisentranceintothemagnificenceofAnthonyHarding'shomehehadfeltastrangelittlestrictureofthethroat--achoking,half-suffocatingsensation.Theattitudeoftheservant,thesplendorofthefurnishings,thestatelinessofthegreathall,andtheapartmentsopeninguponit--allhadwhisperedtohimthathedidnot"belong."AndnowBarbara,clothedinsomewondrousforeigncreation,beliedbyherveryappearancetheexpressionthatsuffusedhereyes.No,BillyByrne,themucker,didnotbelongthere.Norevercouldhebelong,morethanBarbaraevercouldhave"belonged"onGrandAvenue.AndBillyByrneknewitnow.Hisheartwentcold.Thebottomseemedsuddenlytohavedroppedoutofhislife.Bravelyhehadbattledtoforgetthiswonderfulcreature,or,rather,hishopelessloveforher--herhecouldneverforget.Butthenotefromher,andthesightofherhadbutservedtorekindletheoldfirewithinhisbreast.Hethoughtquickly.Hisownlifeorhappinessdidnotcount.NothingcountednowbutBarbara.Hehadseenthelovelightinhereyes.HethankedGodthathehadrealizedwhatitallwouldhavemeant,beforeheletherseethathehadseenit."I'vebeenbackseveralmonths,"hesaidpresently,inanswertoherquestion;"butIgotsenseenoughtostaywhereIbelong.Gee!Wouldn'tIlookgreatcomin'upherebuttin'in,wityousebunchofhighlifes?"BillyslappedhisthighresoundinglyandlaughedinstentoriantonesthatcausedtheeyebrowsofthesensitiveSmithonthefloorabovetoelevateinshockedhorror."Denderewasdemills.Icouldn'tbreakawayfrommework,couldI,tochaseabunchofskirts?"BarbarafeltaqualmofkeendisappointmentthatBillybadfallenagainintotheolddialectthatshehadallbuteradicatedduringthosedaysupondistant"ManhattanIsland.""Iwouldn'to'comeupatal,"hewenton,"ifIhadn'to'readindepoiperhowyousean'Malloryhadbusted.It'oughtI'dbreezeinan'seewotdetroublewas."Hiseyeshadbeenaverted,mostly,ashetalked.Nowheswungsuddenlyuponher."He'sondesquare,ain'the?"hedemanded."Yes,"saidBarbara.Shewasnotquitesurewhethertofeeloffended,ornot.ButthememoryofBilly'santecedentscametohisrescue.Ofcoursehedidn'tknowthatitwassuchterriblybadformtobroachsuchasubjecttoher,shethought."Well,then,"continuedthemucker,"wot'sup?Mallory'sdeguyferyouse.Youselovedhimoryousewouldn'thavegotengagedtohim."Thestatementwasalmostaninterrogation. CHAPTERXVIII110Barbaranoddedaffirmatively."Yousee,Billy,"shestarted,"IhavealwaysknownMr.Mallory,andalwaysthoughtthatIlovedhimuntil--until--"TherewasnoansweringlightinBilly'seyes--noencouragementforthewordsthatwereonherlips.Shehaltedlamely."Then,"shewentonpresently,"webecameengagedafterwereachedNewYork.Weallthoughtyoudead,"sheconcludedsimply."Doyouthinkasmuchofhimnowasyoudidwhenyoupromisedtomarryhim?"heasked,ignoringherreferencetohimselfandallthatitimplied.Barbaranodded."Whatisatthebottomofthisrow?"persistedBilly.HehadfallenbackintothedecentpronunciationthatBarbarahadtaughthim,butneithernoticedthechange.Foramomenthehadforgottenthathewasplayingapart.Thenherecollected."Nothingmuch,"repliedthegirl."Icouldn'tridmyselfofthefeelingthattheyhadmurderedyou,byleavingyoubacktherealoneandwounded.Ibegantothink'coward'everytimeIsawMr.Mallory.Icouldn'tmarryhim,feelingthatwaytowardhim,and,Billy,IreallyneverLOVEDhimas--as--"Againshestumbled,butthemuckermadenoattempttograsptheopportunityopenedbeforehim.Insteadhecrossedthelibrarytothetelephone.Runningthroughthebookhecamepresentlyuponthenumberhesought.Amomentlaterhehadhisconnection."IsthisMallory?"heasked."I'mByrne--BillyByrne.DeguydatcrackedyourpussferyouseondeLotus.""Dead,hell!Notme.Say,I'muphereatBarbara's.""Yes,dat'swotIsaid.Shewantsyousetobeatituphere'sswiftasyousekinbeatit."BarbaraHardingsteppedforward.Hereyeswereblazing."Howdareyou?"shecried,attemptingtoseizethetelephonefromBilly'sgrasp.Heturnedhishugeframebetweenherandtheinstrument."Gitamove!"heshoutedintothemouthpiece."Good-bye!"andhehungup.Thenheturnedbacktowardtheangrygirl."Lookhere,"hesaid."Onceyousewasstrongondesobstuffwitme,tellin'mehownobleIwas,an'alldedifferenttingsyousewoulddofermetorepayallIdoneferyouse.Nowyousegotdechanct.""Whatdoyoumean?"askedthegirl,puzzled."WhatcanIdoforyou?""Yousekindodisferme.WhenMallorygitshereyousekintellhimdatdeengagementisallonagain--see!"InthewideeyesofthegirlBillyreadadeeperhurtthanhehaddreamedof.Hehadthoughtthatitwouldnotbedifficultforhertoturnbackfromthevulgarmuckertothepolishedgentleman.Andwhenhesawthatshewassuffering,andguessedthatitwasbecausehehadtriedtocrushherlovebybruteforcehecouldcarrythegamenofurther. CHAPTERI111"OBarbara,"hecried,"can'tyouseethatMalloryisyourkind--thatHEisafitmateforyou.IhavelearnedsinceIcameintothishouseafewminutesagotheunbridgeablechasmthatstretchesbetweenBillyByrne,themucker,andsuchasyou.OnceIaspired;butnowIknowjustasyoumusthavealwaysknown,thatasinglelifetimeisfartooshortforamantocoverthedistancefromGrandAvenuetoRiversideDrive."Iwantyoutobehappy,Barbara,justasIintendtobe.BackthereinChicagothereareplentyofgirlsonGrandAvenueasstraightandcleanandfineastheymake'emonRiversideDrive.Girlsofmyownkind,theyare,andI'mgoingbacktheretofindtheonethatGodintendedforme.You'vetaughtmewhatagoodgirlcandotowardmakingamanofabeast.You'vetaughtmeprideandself-respect.You'vetaughtmesomuchthatI'dratherthatI'ddiedbacktherebeneaththespearsofOdaIseka'swarriorsthanliveherebeneaththesneersandcontemptofservants,andthepityandcondescensionofyourfriends."Iwantyoutobehappy,Barbara,andsoIwantyoutopromisemethatyou'llmarryBillyMallory.Thereisn'tanymanonearthquitegoodenoughforyou;butMallorycomesnearertoitthananyoneIknow.I'veheard'emtalkingabouthimaroundtownsinceIcameback--andthereisn'tarottenstorychalkedupagainsthimnowhere,andthat'salotmorethanyoucansayforninety-nineofahundredNewYorkersthataretalkedaboutatall."AndMallory'saman,too--thekindthateverywomanoughttohave,onlytheyain'tenoughof'emtogo'round.DoyourememberhowhestoodupthereonthedeckoftheLotusandfoughtfairagainstmydirtytricks?He'samanandagentleman,Barbara--thesortyoucanbeproudof,andthat'sthesortyougottohave.YouseeIknowyou."AndhefoughtagainstthosefellowsofYokainthestreetofOdaIseka'svillagelikeamanshouldfight.Thereain'tanyyellowinhim,Barbara,andhedidn'tleavemeuntilthereseemednootherway,eveninthefaceofthethingsItoldthemtomakethemgo.Don'tharborthatagainsthim--Ionlywonderthathedidn'tcroakme;yourdadwantedto,andMallorywouldn'tlethim.""Theynevertoldmethat,"saidBarbara.Thebellrang."Hereheisnow,"saidBilly."Good-bye--I'drathernotseehim.Smith'llletmeouttheservants'door.Guessthat'llmakehimfeelbetter.You'lldoasIask,Barbara?"Hehadpausedatthedoor,turningtowardherasheaskedthefinalquestion.Thegirlstoodfacinghim.Hereyesweredimwithunshedtears.BillyByrneswambeforetheminahazymist."You'lldoasIask,Barbara!"herepeated,butthistimeitwasacommand.AsMalloryenteredtheroomBarbaraheardthedooroftheservants'entranceslambehindBillyByrne.CHAPTERI"> PARTIINEWPAGE112PARTIICHAPTERITHEMURDERTRIALBILLYBYRNEsquaredhisbroadshouldersandfilledhisdeeplungswiththefamiliarmediumwhichisknownasairinChicago.HewasstandingupontheplatformofaNewYorkCentraltrainthatwaspullingintotheLaSalleStreetStation,andthoughtheyoungmanwasfarfromhappysomethinginthenatureofcontentpervadedhisbeing,forhewascominghome.AftersomethingmorethanayearofworldwanderingandstrangeadventureBillyByrnewascomingbacktothegreatWestSideandGrandAvenue.NowthereisnotmuchuponeithersideordownthecenteroflongandtortuousGrandAvenuetoarouseenthusiasm,norwasBillyparticularlyenthusiasticaboutthatmoreorlesssqualidthoroughfare.ThethingthatexaltedBillywastheideathathewascomingbacktoSHOWTHEM.Hehadleftunderacloudandwithareputationforgenuinetoughnessandrowdyismthathasseenfewparallelsevenintheungentledistrictofhisbirthandupbringing.Agirlhadchangedhim.ShewasasfarremovedfromBilly'ssphereasthestarsthemselves;butBillyhadlovedherandlearnedfromher,andintryingtobecomemoreasheknewthemenofherclasswerehehadsloughedoffmuchoftheuncouthnessthathadalwaysbeenapartofhim,andalloftherowdyism.BillyByrnewasnolongerthemucker.HehadgivenherupbecauseheimaginedthegulfbetweenGrandAvenueandRiversideDrivetobeunbridgeable;buthestillclungtotheidealsshehadawakenedinhim.Hestillsoughttobeallthatshemightwishhimtobe,eventhoughherealizedthathenevershouldseeheragain.GrandAvenuewouldbetheeasiestplacetoforgethissorrow--herhecouldneverforget.Andthen,hisnewlyawakenedprideurgedhimbacktothehauntsofhisformerlifethathemight,ashewouldputithimself,showthem.Hewantedthegangtoseethathe,BillyByrne,wasn'tafraidtobedecent.Hewantedsomeoftheneighborstorealizethathecouldworksteadilyandearnanhonestliving,andhelookedforwardwithdelighttothepleasureandsatisfactionofrubbingitintosomeofthesaloonkeepersandbartenderswhohadhelpedkeephimdrunksomefivedaysoutofseven,forBillydidn'tdrinkanymore.Butmostofallhewantedtovindicatehimselfintheeyesoftheonce-hatedlaw.HewantedtoclearhisrecordoftheunjustchargeofmurderwhichhadsenthimscurryingoutofChicagooverayearbefore,thatnightthatPatrolmanStanleyLaskyoftheLakeStreetStationhadtippedhimoffthatSheehanhadimplicatedhiminthemurderofoldmanSchneider.NowBillyByrnehadnotkilledSchneider.Hehadbeennowhereneartheoldfellow'ssaloonatthetimeoftheholdup;butSheehan,whohadbeenarrestedandchargedwiththecrime,wasanoldenemyofBilly's,andSheehanhadseenachancetodivertsomeofthesuspicionfromhimselfandsquareaccountswithByrneatthesametime.ThenewBillyByrnewasreadytoacceptatfacevalueeverythingwhichseemedtobelonginanywaytotheenvironmentofthatexaltedrealmwheredweltthegirlheloved.Law,order,andjusticeappearedtoBillyinanewlightsincehehadrubbedelbowswiththeculturedandrefined.Henolongerdistrustedorfearedthem.Theywouldgivehimwhathesought--asquaredeal. CHAPTERI113ItseemedoddtoBillythatheshouldbeseekinganythingfromthelaworitsminions.Foryearshehadwagedaperpetualbattlewithboth.Nowhewascomingbackvoluntarilytogivehimselfup,witheveryconvictionthatheshouldbeexoneratedquickly.Billy,knowinghisowninnocence,realizinghisownintegrity,assumedthatothersmustimmediatelyappreciateboth."First,"thoughtBilly,"I'llgotakealookatlittleoldGrandAve.,thenI'llgivemyselfup.Thetrialmaytakealongtime,an'ifitdoesIwanttoseesomeoftheoldbunchfirst."SoBillyenteredan"L'coachandleaningonthesillofanopenwindowwatchedgrimyChicagorattlepastuntiltheguard's"Granavenoo"announcedtheendofhisjourney.MaggieShanewassittingontheupperstepofthelongflightofstairswhichleanprecariouslyagainstthescarredfaceoftheframeresidenceuponthesecondfloorfrontofwhichthelaresandpenatesoftheShanefamilyarecrowdedintothreeill-smellingrooms.ItwasSaturdayandMaggiewasoff.ShesatthereratherdisconsolatefortherewasadearthofbeauxforMaggie,nonehavingarisentofilltheachingvoidleftbythesuddendepartureof"Coke"Sheehansincethatworthygentlemanhadsoughtamoresalubriousclime--totheconsternationofbothMaggieShaneandMr.Sheehan'sbondsmen.Maggiescowleddownuponthefrowsystreetfilledwithfrowsywomenandfrowsychildren.Shescowleduponthestreetcarsrumblingbywiththeirfrowsyloads.Occasionallyshevariedthemonotonybydrawingoutherchewinggumtowondrouslengths,holdingoneendbetweenathumbandfingerandtheotherbetweenherteeth.PresentlyMaggiespiedaratherpleasingfiguresaunteringupthesidewalkuponhersideofthestreet.Themanwastoofarawayforhertorecognizehisfeatures,buthissizeandbearingandgeneralappearanceappealedtothelonesomeMaggie.Shehopeditwassomeonesheknew,orwithwhomshemighteasilybecomeacquainted,forMaggiewasboredtodeath.Shepattedthehairatthebackofherheadandrightedthemopwhichhungoveroneeye.Thensherearrangedherskirtsandwaited.Asthemanapproachedshesawthathewasbetterlookingthanshehadevendaredtohope,andthattherewassomethingextremelyfamiliarabouthisappearance.Itwasnot,though,untilhewasalmostinfrontofthehousethathelookedupatthegirlandsherecognizedhim.ThenMaggieShanegaspedandclutchedthehandrailatherside.Aninstantlaterthemanwaspastandcontinuinghiswayalongthesidewalk.MaggieShaneglaredafterhimforaminute,thensheranquicklydownthestairsandintoagrocerystoreafewdoorswest,wheresheaskedifshemightusethetelephone."GimmeWest2063,"shedemandedoftheoperator,andamomentlater:"IsthisLakeStreet?""Wellsay,BillyByrne'sback.Ijustseehim.""Yesan'nevermindwhoIam;butifyouseguyswanthimhe'swalkin'westonGrandAvenoorightnow.IjustthisminuteseenhimnearLincoln,"andshesmashedthereceiverbackintoitshook.BillyByrnethoughtthathewouldlookinonhismother,notthatheexpectedtobewelcomedeventhoughshemighthappentobesober,ornotthathecaredtoseeher;butBilly'swholemannerofthoughthadalteredwithintheyear,andsomethingnowseemedtotellhimthatitwashisdutytodothethinghecontemplated.Maybehemightevenbeofhelptoher. CHAPTERI114Butwhenhereachedthegloomyneighborhoodinwhichhischildhoodhadbeenspentitwastolearnthathismotherwasdeadandthatanotherfamilyoccupiedthetumble-downcottagethathadbeenhishome.IfBillyByrnefeltanysorrowbecauseofhismother'sdeathhedidnotrevealitoutwardly.Heowedhernothingbutforkicksandcuffsreceived,andforthesurroundingsandinfluencesthathadstartedhimuponalifeofcrimeatanagewhenmostboysarejustenteringgrammarschool.Reallythemanwasrelievedthathehadnothadtoseeher,anditwaswithalighterstepthatheturnedbacktoretracehiswayalongGrandAvenue.Nooneofthefewhehadmetwhorecognizedhimhadseemedparticularlydelightedathisreturn.Thewholeaffairhadbeensomethingofadisappointment.ThereforeBillydeterminedtogoatoncetotheLakeStreetStationandlearnthestatusoftheSchneidermurdercase.Possiblytheyhaddiscoveredtherealmurderer,andifthatwasthecaseBillywouldbepermittedtogohisway;butifnotthenhecouldgivehimselfupandaskforatrial,thathemightbeexonerated.AshenearedWoodStreettwomenwhohadbeenwatchinghisapproachsteppedintothedoorwayofasaloon,andashepassedtheysteppedoutagainbehindhim.Oneuponeithersidetheyseizedhim.Billyturnedtoremonstrate."Comeeasynow,Byrne,"admonishedoneofthemen,"an'don'tmakenofuss.""Oh,"saidBilly,"it'syou,isit?Well,Iwasjustgoin'overtothestationtogivemyselfup."Bothmenlaughed,skeptically."We'lljustsaveyouthetrouble,"saidoneofthem."We'lltakeyouover.Youmightloseyourwayifyoutriedtogoalone."Billywentalonginsilencetherestofthewaytowherethepatrolwaitedatanothercorner.Hesawtherewasnothingtobegainedbytalkingtothesedetectives;buthefoundthelieutenantequallyinclinedtodoubthisintentions.He,too,onlylaughedwhenBillyassuredhimthathewasonhiswaytothestationattheveryinstantofarrest.Astheweeksdraggedalong,andBillyByrnefoundnofriendlyinterestinhimselforhisdesiretoliveonthesquare,andnobeliefinhisprotestationsthathehadhadnaughttodowiththekillingofSchneiderhebegantohavehisdoubtsastothewisdomofhisact.Healsocommencedtoentertainsomeofhisformeropinionsofthepolice,andofthelawofwhichtheyaresupposedtobetheguardians.Acell-matetoldhimthatthepapershadscoredthedepartmentheavilyfortheirfailuretoapprehendthemurdereroftheinoffensiveoldSchneider,andthatpublicopinionhadbeensoarousedthatageneralpoliceshakeuphadfollowed.Theresultwasthatthepolicewerekeentofastentheguiltuponsomeone--theydidnotcarewhom,solongasitwassomeonewhowasintheircustody."Youmaynoto'doneit,"venturedthecell-mate;"butthey'llsendyouupforit,iftheycan'thangyou.They'regoin'totrytogetthedeathsentence.Theyhain'tgotnoloveforyou,Byrne.Youcaused'emaloto'throubleinyourdayan'theyhaven'tforgotit.I'dhatetobeinyourboots."BillyByrneshrugged.Wherewerehisdreamsofjustice?Theyseemedtohavefadedbackintotheolddistrustandhatred.Heshookhimselfandconjuredinhismindthevisionofabeautifulgirlwhohadbelievedinhimandtrustedhim--whohadinculcatedwithinhimaloveforallthatwasfinestandbestintruemanhood,fortheverythingsthathehadmosthatedalltheyearsofhislifebeforeshehadcomeintohisexistencetoalteritandhim. CHAPTERI115AndthenBillywouldbelieveagain--believethatintheendjusticewouldtriumphandthatitwouldallcomeoutright,justthewayhehadpicturedit.WiththecomingofthelastdayofthetrialBillyfounditmoreandmoredifficulttoadheretohisregardforlaw,order,andjustice.TheprosecutionhadshownconclusivelythatBillywasahardcustomer.Thepolicehadbroughtwitnesseswhodidnothesitatetoperjurethemselvesintheirtestimony--testimonywhichitseemedtoBillythedensestofjurymencouldplainlyseehadbeenframedupandlearnedbyroteuntilitwasletter-perfect.Thesewitnessescouldrecallwithstartlingaccuracyeverydetailthathadoccurredbetweenseventeenminutesaftereightandtwenty-oneminutespastnineonthenightofSeptember23overayearbefore;butwheretheyhadbeenandwhattheyhaddonetenminutesearlierortenminuteslater,orwheretheywereatnineo'clockintheeveninglastFridaytheycouldn'tforthelivesofthemremember.AndBillywaspracticallywithoutwitnesses.Theresultwasaforegoneconclusion.EvenBillyhadtoadmitit,andwhentheprosecutingattorneydemandedthedeathpenaltytheprisonerhadanuncannysensationasofthetighteningofahempenropeabouthisneck.AshewaitedforthejurytoreturnitsverdictBillysatinhiscelltryingtoreadanewspaperwhichakindlyguardhadgivenhim.Buthiseyespersistedinboringthroughthewhitepaperandtheblacktypetoscenesthatwerenotinanypaper.Hesawaturbulentrivertumblingthroughasavageworld,andintheswirlofthewaterlayalittleisland.Andhesawamanthereupontheisland,andagirl.Thegirlwasteachingthemantospeakthelanguageofthecultured,andtoviewlifeaspeopleofrefinementviewit.Shetaughthimwhathonormeantamongherclass,andthatitwasbettertoloseanyotherpossessionratherthanlosehonor.Billyrealizedthatithadbeentheselessonsthathadspurredhimontothemadschemethatwastoendnowwiththeverdictof"Guilty"--hehadwishedtovindicatehishonor.Ahardlaughbrokefromhislips;butinstantlyhesoberedandhisfacesoftened.Ithadbeenforhersakeafterall,andwhatmattereditiftheydidsendhimtothegallows?Hehadnotsacrificedhishonor--hehaddonehisbesttoassertit.Hewasinnocent.Theycouldkillhimbuttheycouldn'tmakehimguilty.AthousandjuriespronouncinghimsocouldnotmakeittruethathehadkilledSchneider.Butitwouldbehard,afterallhishopes,afteralltheplanshehadmadetolivesquare,toSHOWTHEM.Hiseyesstillboringthroughthepapersuddenlyfoundthemselvesattractedbysomethinginthetextbeforethem--aname,Harding.BillyByrneshookhimselfandcommencedtoread:ThemarriageofBarbara,daughterofAnthonyHarding,themultimillionaire,toWilliamMallorywilltakeplaceonthetwenty-fifthofJune.ThearticlewasdatedNewYork.Therewasmore,butBillydidnotreadit.Hehadreadenough.ItistruethathehadurgedhertomarryMallory;butnow,inhislonesomenessandfriendlessness,hefeltalmostasthoughshehadbeenuntruetohim."Comealong,Byrne,"abailiffinterruptedhisthoughts,"thejury'sreachedaverdict."ThejudgewasemergingfromhischambersasBillywasledintothecourtroom.Presentlythejuryfiledinandtooktheirseats.Theforemanhandedtheclerkabitofpaper.EvenbeforeitwasreadBillyknewthathehad CHAPTERI116beenfoundguilty.Hedidnotcareanylonger,sohetoldhimself.Hehopedthatthejudgewouldsendhimtothegallows.Therewasnothingmoreinlifeforhimnowanyway.Hewantedtodie.ButinsteadhewassentencedtolifeimprisonmentinthepenitentiaryatJoliet.Thiswasinfinitelyworsethandeath.BillyByrnewasappalledatthethoughtofremainingforlifewithinthegrimstonewallsofaprison.Oncemoretheresweptoverhimalltheold,unreasoninghatredofthelawandallthatpertainedtoit.Hewouldliketoclosehissteelfingersaboutthefatneckofthered-facedjudge.Thesmugjurymenrousedwithinhimthelusttokill.Justice!BillyByrnelaughedaloud.Abailiffrappedfororder.Oneofthejurymenleanedclosetoaneighborandwhispered."Ahardenedcriminal,"hesaid."Societywillbesaferwhenheisbehindthebars."ThenextdaytheytookBillyaboardatrainboundforJoliet.Hewashandcuffedtoadeputysheriff.Billywascalmoutwardly;butinwardlyhewasaragingvolcanoofhate.InacertainverybeautifulhomeonRiversideDrive,NewYorkCity,ayounglady,comfortablybackedbydownypillows,satinherbedandalternatedherattentionbetweencoffeeandrolls,andamorningpaper.Ontheinsideofthemainsheetaheadingclaimedherlanguidattention:CHICAGOMURDERERGIVENLIFESENTENCE.OflateChicagohadarousedinBarbaraHardingagreaterproportionofinterestthaneverithadinthepast,andsoitwasthatshenowpermittedhereyestowandercasuallydowntheprintedcolumn.Murdererofharmlessoldsaloonkeeperisfinallybroughttojustice.ThenotoriousWestSiderowdy,"Billy"Byrne,apprehendedaftermorethanayearasfugitivefromjustice,issenttoJolietforlife.BarbaraHardingsatstony-eyedandcoldforwhatseemedmanyminutes.Thenwithastifledsobsheturnedandburiedherfaceinthepillows.ThetrainbearingBillyByrneandthedeputysherifftowardJoliethadcoveredperhapshalfthedistancebetweenChicagoandBilly'spermanentdestinationwhenitoccurredtothedeputysheriffthatheshouldliketogointothesmokerandenjoyacigar.Now,fromthemomentthathehadbeensentencedBillyByrne'smindhadbeencenteredupononethought--escape.Heknewthatthereprobablywouldbenottheslightestchanceforescape;butneverthelesstheideawasalwaysuppermostinhisthoughts.Hiswholebeingrevolted,notaloneagainsttheinjusticewhichhadsenthimintolifeimprisonment,butatthethoughtofthelongyearsofawfulmonotonywhichlayaheadofhim.Hecouldnotendurethem.Hewouldnot!Thedeputysheriffrose,andmotioninghisprisoneraheadofhim,startedforthesmoker.Itwastwocarsahead.Thetrainwasvestibuled.Thefirstplatformtheycrossedwastightlyenclosed;butatthesecondBillysawthatacarelessporterhadleftoneofthedoorsopen.Thetrainwasslowingdownforsomereason--itwasgoing,perhaps,twentymilesanhour.Billywasthefirstupontheplatform.Hewasthefirsttoseetheopendoor.Itmeantoneoftwothings--achancetoescape,or,death.Eventhelatterwastobepreferredtolifeimprisonment.Billydidnothesitateaninstant.Evenbeforethedeputysheriffrealizedthatthedoorwasopen,hisprisonerhadleapedfromthemovingtraindragginghisguardafterhim. CHAPTERII117CHAPTERIITHEESCAPEBYRNEhadnotimetopickanyparticularspottojumpfor.Whenhedidjumphemighthavebeendirectlyoverapicketfence,orabottomlesspit--hedidnotknow.Nordidhecare.Asithappenedhewasoverneither.Theplatformchancedtobepassingacrossaculvertattheinstant.Beneaththeculvertwasaslimypool.Intothisthetwomenplunged,alightingunharmed.Byrnewasthefirsttoregainhisfeet.Hedraggedthedeputysherifftohisknees,andbeforethatfrightenedandastonishedofficerofthelawcouldgatherhiswitstogetherhehadbeenrelievedofhisrevolverandfoundhimselflookingintoitscoldandbusiness-likemuzzle.ThenBillyByrnewadedashore,proddingthedeputysheriffintheribswithcoldsteel,andwarninghimtosilence.Abovethepoolstoodalittlewood,thickwithtangledwildwood.IntothisByrneforcedhisprisoner.WhentheyhadcomedeepenoughintotheconcealmentofthefoliagetomakediscoveryfromtheoutsideimprobableByrnehalted."Nowsayyerprayers,"hecommanded."I'ma-goingtocroakyeh."Thedeputysherifflookedupathiminwild-eyedterror."MyGod!"hecried."Iain'tdonenothin'toyou,Byrne.Haven'tIalwaysbeenyourfriend?What'veIeverdonetoyou?ForGod'ssakeByrneyouain'tgoin'tomurderme,areyou?They'llgetyou,sure."BillyByrneletaratherunpleasantsmilecurlhislips."No,"hesaid,"youseain'tdonenothin'tome;butyoustandforthelaw,damnit,andI'mgoingtocroakeverythingImeetthatstandsforthelaw.Theywantedtosendmeupforlife--me,aninnocentman.Yourkinddoneit--thecops.Youain'tnocop;butyou'rejustasrotten.Nowsayyerprayers."Heleveledtherevolverathisvictim'shead.ThedeputysheriffslumpedtohiskneesandtriedtoembraceBillyByrne'slegsashepleadedforhislife."Cutitout,youpoorboob,"admonishedBilly."You'vegottadieandifyouwashalfamanyou'dwannadielikeone."Thedeputysheriffslippedtotheground.Histerrorhadovercomehim,leavinghiminhappyunconsciousness.Byrnestoodlookingdownuponthemanforamoment.Hiswristwaschainedtothatoftheother,andthepullofthedeputy'sbodywasirritating.Byrnestoopedandplacedthemuzzleoftherevolverbackoftheman'sear."Justice!"hemuttered,scornfully,andhisfingertighteneduponthetrigger.Then,conjuredfromnothing,thererosebetweenhimselfandtheunconsciousmanbesidehimthefigureofabeautifulgirl.Herfacewasbraveandsmiling,andinhereyeswastrustandpride--wholeworldsofthem.TrustandprideinBillyByrne.Billyclosedhiseyestightasthoughinphysicalpain.Hebrushedhishandquicklyacrosshisfare. CHAPTERII118"Gawd!"hemuttered."Ican'tdoit--butIcameawfulclosetoit."Droppingtherevolverintohissidepockethekneeledbesidethedeputysheriffandcommencedtogothroughtheman'sclothes.Afteramomenthecameuponwhathesought--akeyringconfiningseveralkeys.Billyfoundtheonehewishedandpresentlyhewasfree.Hestillstoodlookingatthedeputysheriff."Ioughttocroakyou,"hemurmured."I'llnevermakemyget-awayifIdon't;butSHEwon'tletme--Godblessher."SuddenlyathoughtcametoBillyByrne.Ifhecouldhaveastarthemightescape.Itwouldn'thurtthemananytostayhereforafewhours,orevenforaday.Billyremovedthedeputy'scoatandtoreitintostrips.Withtheseheboundthemantoatree.Thenhefastenedagaginhismouth.Duringtheoperationthedeputyregainedconsciousness.HelookedquestioninglyatBilly."Idecidednottocroakyou,"explainedtheyoungman."I'mjusta-goin'toleaveyouhereforawhile.They'llbelookin'allalongtherighto'wayinafewhours--itwon'tbelongaforetheyfindyou.Nowsolong,andtakecareofyerself,bo,"andBillyByrnehadgone.AmistakethatprovedfortunateforBillyByrnecausedthepenitentiaryauthoritiestoexpecthimandhisguardbyalatertrain,sonosuspicionwasarousedwhentheyfailedtocomeuponthetraintheyreallyhadstartedupon.ThisgaveBillyagoodtwohours'startthathewouldnototherwisehavehad--anopportunityofwhichhemadegooduse.WhereforeitwasthatbythetimetheauthoritiesawoketothefactthatsomethinghadhappenedBillyByrnewasfiftymileswestofJoliet,bowlingalongaboardafastSantaFefreight.ShortlyafternighthadfallenthetraincrossedtheMississippi.BillyByrnewashungryandthirsty,andasthetrainsloweddownandcametoastopoutinthemidstofadarksolitudeofsilent,sweet-smellingcountry,Billyopenedthedoorofhisboxcaranddroppedlightlytotheground.SofarnoonehadseenBillysincehehadpassedfromthekenofthetrusseddeputysheriff,andasBillyhadnodesiretobeseenheslippedovertheedgeoftheembankmentintoadryditch,wherehesquatteduponhishauncheswaitingforthetraintodepart.Thestopoutthereinthedarknightwasoneofthosemysteriousstopswhichtrainsarepronetomake,unexplainedanddoubtlessunexplainablebyanyotherthanahigherintelligencewhichdirectsthemovementsofmenandrollingstock.Therewasnotown,andnotevenaswitchlight.Presentlytwostaccatoblastsbrokefromtheengine'swhistle,therewasaprogressivejerkingatcouplingpins,whichstartedupatthebiglocomotiveandranrapidlydownthelengthofthetrain,therewasthesqueakingofbrakeshoesagainstwheels,andthetrainmovedslowlyforwardagainuponitslongjourneytowardthecoast,gainingmomentummomentbymomentuntilfinallytheway-carrolledrapidlypastthehiddenfugitiveandthefreightrumbledawaytobeswallowedupinthedarkness.WhenithadgoneBillyroseandclimbedbackuponthetrack,alongwhichheploddedinthewakeofthedepartingtrain.Somewherearoadwouldpresentlycutacrossthetrack,andalongtheroadtherewouldbefarmhousesoravillagewherefoodanddrinkmightbefound.Billywaspenniless,yethehadnodoubtbutthatheshouldeatwhenhehaddiscoveredfood.Hewasthinkingofthisashewalkedbrisklytowardthewest,andwhathethoughtofinducedadoubtinhismindastowhetheritwas,afterall,goingtobesoeasytostealfood."Shaw!"heexclaimed,halfaloud,"shewouldn'tthinkitwrongforaguytoswipealittlegrubwhenhewasstarvin'.Itain'tlikeIwasgoin'tostickaguyupforhisroll.Sureshewouldn'tseenothin'wrongformetoget CHAPTERII119somethingtoeat.Iain'tgotnomoney.Theytookitallawayfromme,an'Igotarighttolive--but,somehow,Ihatetodoit.Iwishttherewassomeotherway.Gee,butshe'smadeasissyouto'me!Funnyhowafellercanchange.WhyIalmostlikebein'asissy,"andBillyByrnegrinnedatthealmostinconceivableidea.BeforeBillycametoaroadhesawalightdowninalittledepressionatonesideofthetrack.Itwasnotsuchalightasalampshiningbeyondawindowmakes.Itroseandfell,winkingandflaringclosetotheground.Itlookedmuchlikeacampfire,andasBillydrewnearerhesawthatsuchitwas,andheheardavoice,too.Billyapproachedmorecarefully.Hemustbecarefulalwaystoseebeforebeingseen.Thelittlefireburneduponthebankofastreamwhichthetrackbridgeduponaconcretearch.Billydroppedoncemorefromtherightofway,andclimbedafenceintoathinwood.Throughthisheapproachedthecampfirewithsmallchanceofbeingobserved.Asheneareditthevoiceresolveditselfintoarticulatewords,andpresentlyBillyleanedagainstatreeclosebehindthespeakerandlistened.Therewasbutasinglefigurebesidethesmallfire--thatofamansquattinguponhishaunchesroastingsomethingabovetheflames.Atoneedgeofthefirewasanemptytincanfromwhichsteamarose,andanaromathatwasnowandagainwaftedtoBilly'snostrils.Coffee!My,howgooditsmelled.Billy'smouthwatered.Butthevoice--thatinterestedBillyalmostasmuchasthepreparationsforthecomingmeal.**We'lldanceamerrysarabandfromheretodrowsySamarcand.Alongthesea,acrosstheland,thebirdsareflyingSouth,Andyou,mysweetPenelope,outtheresomewhereyouwaitforme,Withbuds,ofrosesinyourhairandkissesonyourmouth.ThewordstookholdofBillysomewhereandmadehimforgethishunger.Likeasweetincensewhichinducespleasantdaydreamstheywerewaftedinuponhimthroughtherich,mellowvoiceofthesolitarycamper,andtheliltofthemeterenteredhisblood.Butthevoice.ItwasthevoiceofsuchasBillyByrnealwayshadloathedandridiculeduntilhehadsatatthefeetofBarbaraHardingandlearnedmanythings,includinglove.Itwasthevoiceofcultureandrefinement.Billystrainedhiseyesthroughthedarknesstohaveacloserlookattheman.Thelightofthecampfirefelluponfrayedandbaggingclothes,anduponthebackofaheadcoveredbyashapeless,anddisreputablesofthat.Obviouslythemanwasahobo.Thecoffeeboilinginadiscardedtincanwouldhavebeenproofpositiveofthiswithoutotherevidence;butthereseemedplentymore.Yes,themanwasahobo.Billycontinuedtostandlistening.Themountainsareallhidinmist,thevalleyislikeamethyst,Thepoplarleavestheyturnandtwist,oh,silver,silvergreen!Outtheresomewherealongtheseaashipiswaitingpatiently,Whileupthebeachthebubblesslipwithwhiteafloatbetween."Gee!"thoughtBillyByrne;"butthat'sgreatstuff.Iwonderwherehegetsit.ItmakesmewanttohikeuntilIfindthatplacehe'ssingin'about." CHAPTERII120Billy'sthoughtswereinterruptedbyasoundinthewoodtoonesideofhim.Asheturnedhiseyesinthedirectionoftheslightnoisewhichhadattractedhimhesawtwomenstepquietlyoutandcrosstowardthemanatthecampfire.These,too,wereevidentlyhobos.Doubtlesspalsofthepoeticalone.Thelatterdidnothearthemuntiltheyweredirectlybehindhim.Thenheturnedslowlyandroseastheyhaltedbesidehisfire."Evenin',bo,"saidoneofthenewcomers."Goodevening,gentlemen,"repliedthecamper,"welcometomyhumblehome.Haveyoudined?""Naw,"repliedthefirstspeaker,"weain't;butwe'regoin'to.Nowcanthechatteran'duck.Thereain'tenoughferonehere,letalonethree.Beatit!"andtheman,whowasbigandburly,assumedamenacingattitudeandtookatruculentstepnearerthesolitarycamper.Thelatterwasshortandslender.Thelargermanlookedasthoughhemighthaveeatenhimatasinglemouthful;butthecamperdidnotflinch."Youpainme,"hesaid."Youinducewithinmeasevereandhighlylocalizedpain,andfurthermoreIdon'tlikeyourwhiskers."Withwhichapparentlyirrelevantremarkheseizedthemattedbeardofthelargertrampandstruckthefellowaquick,sharpblowintheface.Instantlythefellow'scompanionwasuponhim;butthecamperretainedhisdeathgripuponthebeardofthenowyellingbullyandcontinuedtorainblowafterblowuponheadandface.BillyByrnewasaninterestedspectator.Heenjoyedagoodfightasheenjoyedlittleelse;butpresentlywhenthefirsttrampsucceededintanglinghislegsaboutthelegsofhischastiseranddragginghimtotheground,andthesecondtrampseizedaheavystickandranforwardtodashtheman'sbrainsout,Billythoughtittimetointerfere.Steppingforwardhecalledaloudashecame:"Cutitout,boes!Youcan'tpulloffanyroughstufflikethatwiththisheresweetsinger.Canit!Canit!"asthesecondtrampraisedhissticktostrikethenowprostratecamper.AshespokeBillyByrnebrokeintoarun,andasthestickfellhereachedtheman'ssideandswungablowtothetramp'sjawthatsentthefellowspinningbackwardtotheriver'sbrim,wherehetottereddrunkenlyforamomentandthenplungedbackwardintotheshallowwater.ThenBillyseizedtheotherattackerbytheshoulderanddraggedhimtohisfeet."Doyouwantsome,too,youbigstiff?"heinquired.Themansplutteredandtriedtobreakaway,strikingatBillyashedidso;butasuddenpunch,suchapunchasBillyByrnehadoncehandedthesurprisedHarlemHurricane,removedfromthemindofthetrampthelastvestigeofanythoughthemighthaveharboredtodothenewcomerbodilyinjury,andwithitremovedallelsefromtheman'smind,temporarily.Asthefellowslumped,unconscious,totheground,thecamperrosetohisfeet."Somewallopyouhaveconcealedinyoursleeve,myfriend,"hesaid;"placeitthere!"andheextendedaslender,shapelyhand. CHAPTERII121Billytookitandshookit."Itdon'tgetundertheribslikethoseversesofyours,though,bo,"hereturned."Itseemstohaveinsinuateditselfbeneaththisguy'sthickskull,"repliedthepoeticalone,"andit'sacinchmyverses,noranyotherwouldevergetthere."Thetrampwhohadplumbedthedepthsofthecreek'sfootofwaterandtwofeetofsoftmudwascrawlingashore."WhaddaYOUwantnow?"inquiredBillyByrne."Apieceo'soap?""I'llgetyouseyet,"splutteredthemoistonethroughhiswaterywhiskers."Fergetit,"admonishedBilly,"an'hitthetrail."Hepointedtowardtherailroadrightofway."An'you,too,JohnL,"headdedturningtotheothervictimofhisartisticexecution,whowasnowsittingup."Hike!"Mumblingandgrowlingthetwounwashedshuffledaway,andwerepresentlylosttoviewalongthevanishingtrack.Thesolitarycamperhadreturnedtohisculinaryeffort,asunruffledandunconcerned,apparently,asthoughnaughthadoccurredtodisturbhispeacefulsolitude."Sitdown,"hesaidafteramoment,lookingupatBilly,"andhaveabitetoeatwithme.Takethatleathereasychair.TheLouisQuatorzeistoosmallandspindle-leggedforcomfort."Hewavedhishandinvitinglytowardtheswardbesidethefire.Foramomenthewasentirelyabsorbedintheroastingfowlimpaleduponasharpstickwhichheheldinhisrighthand.Thenhepresentlybrokeagainintoverse.Aroundtheworldandbackagain;wesawitall.ThemistandrainInEnglandandthehotoldplainfromNeedlestoBerdoo.Wekepta-ramblingallthetime.Irustledgrub,herustledrhyme--Blind-baggage,hoofit,rideorclimb--wealwaysputitthrough."You'reagoodsort,"hebrokeoff,suddenly."Thereain'tmanyboesthatwouldhavedoneasmuchforafellow.""Itwastwoagainstone,"repliedBilly,"an'Idon'tlikethemodds.BesidesIlikeyourpoetry.Whered'yegetit--makeitup?""Lord,no,"laughedtheother."IfIcoulddothatIwouldn'tbepan-handling.AguybythenameofHenryHerbertKnibbsdidthem.Great,ain'tthey?""Theysureis.TheygetmerightwhereIlive,"andthen,afterapause;"sureyougotenoughfertwo,bo?""Ihaveenoughforyou,oldtop,"repliedthehost,"evenifIonlyhadhalfasmuchasIhave.Here,takefirstcrackattheambrosia.SorryIhavebutasinglecup;butJameshasbrokentheothers.Jamesisverycareless.SometimesIalmostfeelthatIshallhavetolethimgo.""Who'sJames?"askedBilly. CHAPTERII122"James?Oh,Jamesismyman,"repliedtheother.Billylookedupathiscompanionquizzically,thenhetastedthedark,thickconcoctioninthetincan."Thisiscoffee,"heannounced."Ithoughtyousaiditwasambrose.""Ionlywishedtoseeifyouwouldrecognizeit,myfriend,"repliedthepoeticalonepolitely."Iamhighlycomplimentedthatyoucanguesswhatitisfromitstaste."Forseveralminutesthetwoateinsilence,passingthetincanbackandforth,andslicing--hackingwouldbemorenearlycorrect--piecesofmeatfromthehalf-roastedfowl.ItwasBillywhobrokethesilence."Ithink,"saidhe,"thatyoubeenstringin'me--'boutJamesandambrose."Theotherlaughedgood-naturedly."Youarenotoffended,Ihope,"saidhe."Thisisasadoldworld,youknow,andwe'realllookingforamusement.Ifaguyhasnomoneytobuyitwith,hehastomanufactureit.""Sure,Iain'tsore,"Billyassuredhim."Say,spielthatpartagain'boutPenelopewiththekissesonhermouth,an'youcankidmetillthecowscomehome."ThecamperbythecreekdidasBillyaskedhim,whilethelattersatwithhiseyesuponthefireseeinginthesputteringlittleflamestheovalfaceofherwhowasPenelopetohim.Whentheversewascompletedhereachedforthhishandandtookthetincaninhisstrongfingers,raisingitbeforehisface."Here'sto--tohisKnibbs!"hesaid,anddrank,passingthebatteredthingovertohisnewfriend."Yes,"saidtheother;"here'stohisKnibbs,and--Penelope!""Drinkhearty,"returnedBillyByrne.Thepoeticalonedrewasackoftobaccofromhishippocketandarumpledpackageofpapersfromthepocketofhisshirt,extendingbothtowardBilly."Wantthemakings?"heasked."Iain'tstuckonsponging,"saidBilly;"butmaybeIcangetevensomeday,andIsuredowantasmoke.YouseeIwasfrisked.Iain'tgotnothin'--theydidn'tleavemeasoumarkee."Billyreachedacrossoneendofthefireforthetobaccoandcigarettepapers.Ashedidsothemovementbaredhiswrist,andasthefirelightfelluponitthemarksofthesteelbraceletshowedvividly.Inthefallfromthetrainthemetalhadbittenintotheflesh.Hiscompanion'seyeshappenedtofalluponthetelltalemark.Therewasanalmostimperceptibleraisingoftheman'seyebrows;buthesaidnothingtoindicatethathehadnoticedanythingoutoftheordinary.Thetwosmokedonformanyminuteswithoutindulginginconversation.ThecamperquotedsnatchesfromServiceandKipling,thenhecamebacktoKnibbs,whowasevidentlyhisfavorite.Billylistenedandthought. CHAPTERII123"Goin'anywheresinparticular?"heaskedduringamomentarylullintherecitation."Oh,southorwest,"repliedtheother."Nowhereinparticular--anyplacesuitsmejustsoitisn'tnorthoreast.""That'sme,"saidBilly."Let'straveldouble,then,"saidthepoeticalone."Myname'sBridge.""Andmine'sBilly.Here,shake,"andByrneextendedhishand."Untiloneofusgetsweariedoftheother'scompany,"saidBridge."You'reon,"repliedBilly."Let'sturnin.""Good,"exclaimedBridge."Iwonderwhat'skeepingJames.Heshouldhavebeenherelongsincetoturndownmybedandfixmybath."Billygrinnedandrolledoveronhisside,hisheaduphillandhisfeettowardthefire.AcoupleoffeetawayBridgeparalleledhim,andinfiveminutesbothwerebreathingdeeplyinhealthyslumber. CHAPTERIII124CHAPTERIII"FIVEHUNDREDDOLLARSREWARD""'WEKEPTa-ramblingallthetime.Irustledgrub,herustledrhyme,'"quotedBillyByrne,sittingupandstretchinghimself.Hiscompanionrousedandcametooneelbow.Thesunwastoppingthescantwoodbehindthem,glintingonthesurfaceofthelittlecreek.Arobinhoppedabouttheswardquiteclosetothem,andfromthebranchofatreeahundredyardsawaycamethesweetpipingofasongbird.Fartheroffwerethedistance-subduednoisesofanawakeningfarm.Thelowingofcows,thecrowingofarooster,theyelpingofahappydogjustreleasedfromanightofcaptivity.Bridgeyawnedandstretched.Billyrosetohisfeetandshookhimself."Thisisthelife,"saidBridge."Whereyougoing?""Torustlegrub,"repliedBilly."That'smyparto'thesketch."Theotherlaughed."Gotoit,"hesaid."Ihateit.That'sthepartthathascomenearestmakingmeturnrespectablethananyother.Ihatetoaskforahand-out."Billyshrugged.He'ddoneworsethingsthanthatinhislife,andoffhetrudged,whistling.Hefelthappierthanhehadformanyaday.Heneverhadguessedthatthecountryinthemorningcouldbesobeautiful.Behindhimhiscompanioncollectedthematerialforafire,washedhimselfinthecreek,andsetthetincan,filledwithwater,attheedgeofthekindling,andwaited.Therewasnothingtocook,soitwasuselesstolightthefire.Ashesatthere,thinking,hismindrevertedtotheredmarkuponBilly'swrist,andhemadeawryface.Billyapproachedthefarmhousefromwhichthesoundsofawakeningstillemanated.Thefarmersawhimcoming,andceasinghisactivitiesaboutthebarnyard,leanedacrossagateandeyedhim,nonetoohospitably."Iwannagetsomethingtoeat,"explainedBilly."Gotanymoneytopayforitwith?"askedthefarmerquickly."No,"saidBilly;"butmepartneran'mearehungry,an'wegottaeat."Thefarmerextendedagnarledforefingerandpointedtowardtherearofthehouse.Billylookedinthedirectionthusindicatedandespiedawoodpile.Hegrinnedgoodnaturedly.Withoutawordhecrossedtothecordedwood,pickedupanaxwhichwasstuckinachoppingblock,and,sheddinghiscoat,wenttowork.Thefarmerresumedhischores.HalfanhourlaterhestoppedonhiswayintobreakfastandeyedthegrowingpilethatlaybesideBilly."Youdon'thevtochopallthewoodinthecountytogetamealfromJedWatson,"hesaid."Iwannagetenoughformepartner,too,"explainedBilly."Well,yew'vechoppedenoughfertwomeals,son,"repliedthefarmer,andturningtowardthekitchendoor,hecalled:"Here,Maw,fixthisboyupwithsuthin't'eat--enoughferacoupleofmealsfertwoon'em." CHAPTERIII125AsBillywalkedawaytowardhiscamp,hisarmsladenwithmilk,butter,eggs,aloafofbreadandsomecoldmeat,hegrinnedrathercontentedly."Ayearorsoago,"hemused,"I'dastuck'emupferthis,an'thoughtIwassmart.Funnyhowafeller'llchange--an'allferaskirt.Askirtthatbelongstosomebodyelsenow,too.Hell!what'sthedifference,anyhow?She'dbegladifsheknew,an'itmakesmefeelbettertoactlikeshe'dwant.Thatoldfarmerguy,now.Who'deverhavetakenhimferhavin'aheartatall?WenIseenhimfirstIthoughthe'dliketosicthedogonme,an'therehecomesalongan'tells'Maw'topassmeahand-outlikethis!Gee!it'safunnyworld.Sheusedtosaythatmosteverybodywasdecentifyouwentat'emright,an'Iguesssheknew.Sheknewmosteverything,anyway.Lord,Iwishshe'dbeenbornonGrandAve.,orIonRiversideDrive!"AsBillywalkeduptohiswaitingcompanion,whohadtouchedamatchtothefirewoodashesightedthenumerouspackagesintheforager'sarms,hewasrepeating,overandover,asthoughthewordsheldhiminthethralloffascination:"Thereain'tnosweetPenelopesomewherethat'slongingmuchforme."BridgeeyedthepackagesasBillydepositedthemcarefullyandoneatatimeuponthegrassbesidethefire.Themilkwasinacleanlittlegranitewarepail,theeggshadbeenplacedinapaperbag,whiletheotherarticleswerewrappedinpiecesofnewspaper.Astheopeningofeachrevealeditscontents,fresh,clean,andinviting,BridgeclosedoneeyeandcockedtheotherupatBilly."Didhediehard?"heinquired."Didwhodiehard?"demandedtheother."Whythedog,ofcourse.""Heain'tdeadasIknowof,"repliedBilly."Youdon'tmeantosay,myfriend,thattheyletyougetawaywithallthiswithoutsicingthedogonyou,"saidBridge.Billylaughedandexplained,andtheotherwasrelieved--theredmarkaroundBilly'swristpersistedinremaininguppermostinBridge'smind.WhentheyhadeatentheylaybackuponthegrassandsmokedsomemoreofBridge'stobacco."Well,"inquiredBridge,"what'sdoingnow?""Let'sbehikin',"saidBilly.Bridgeroseandstretched."'Myfeetaretiredandneedachange.Comeon!It'suptoyou!'"hequoted.Billygatheredtogetherthefoodtheyhadnotyeteaten,andmadetwoequal-sizedpackagesofit.HehandedonetoBridge."We'lldividethepack,"heexplained,"andhere,drinktheresto'thismilk,Iwantthepail.""Whatareyougoingtodowiththepail?"askedBridge."Returnit,"saidBilly."'Maw'justloanedittome." CHAPTERIII126Bridgeelevatedhiseyebrowsatrifle.Hehadbeenmistaken,afterall.Atthefarmhousethefarmer'swifegreetedthemkindly,thankedBillyforreturningherpail--which,ifthetruthwereknown,shehadnotexpectedtoseeagain--andgavethemeachahandfulofthick,light,golden-browncookies,thetopsofwhichwereencrustedwithsugar.AstheywalkedawayBridgesighed."Nothingonearthlikeagoodwoman,"hesaid."'Maw,'or'Penelope'?"askedBilly."Either,orboth,"repliedBridge."IhavenoPenelope,butIdidhaveamightyfine'maw'."Billymadenoreply.Hewasthinkingoftheslovenly,blear-eyedwomanwhohadbroughthimintotheworld.Thememorywasfarfrompleasant.Hetriedtoshakeitoff."'Bridge,'"hesaid,quitesuddenly,andaproposofnothing,inanefforttochangethesubject."That'sanoddname.I'veheardofBridgesandBridger;butIneverheardBridgebefore.""JustanameafellowgavemeonceupontheYukon,"explainedBridge."Iusedtouseafewwordshe'dneverheardbefore,sohecalledme'TheUnabridged,'whichwastoolong.Thefellowsshorteneditto'Bridge'anditstuck.Ithasalwaysstuck,andnowIhaven'tanyother.Ieventhinkofmyself,now,asBridge.Funny,ain'tit?""Yes,"agreedBilly,andthatwastheendofit.Heneverthoughtofaskinghiscompanion'struename,anymorethanBridgewouldhavequestionedhimastohis,orofhispast.Theethicsoftheroadsidefireandtheemptytomatotindonotcountenancesuchimpertinences.ForseveraldaysthetwocontinuedtheirleisurelywaytowardKansasCity.Oncetheyrodeafewmilesonafreighttrain,butforthemostparttheywerecontenttoplodjoyouslyalongthedustyhighways.Billycontinuedto"rustlegrub,"whileBridgerelievedthemonotonybyanoccasionalburstofpoetry."Youknowsomuchofthatstuff,"saidBillyastheyweresmokingbytheircampfireoneevening,"thatI'dthinkyou'dbeabletomakesomeupyourself.""I'vetried,"admittedBridge;"buttherealwaysseemstobesomethinglackinginmystuff--itdon'tgetunderyourbelt--thedivineafflatusisnotthere.Imaystartoutallright,butIalwaysendupwhereIdidn'texpecttogo,andwherenobodywantstobe.""'Memberanyofit?"askedBilly."TherewasoneIwroteaboutalakewhereIcampedonce,"saidBridge,reminiscently;"butIcanonlyrecallonestanza.""Let'shaveit,"urgedBilly."IbetithasKnibbshangin'totheropes."Bridgeclearedhisthroat,andrecited:Silveraretheripples,Solemnarethedunes,Happyarethefishes,Fortheyarefullofprunes.HelookedupatBilly,asmiletwitchingatthecornersofhismouth."How'sthat?"heasked.Billyscratchedhishead. CHAPTERIII127"It'sallrightbutthelastline,"saidBilly,candidly."Thereissomethingwrongwiththatlastline.""Yes,"agreedBridge,"thereis.""IguessKnibbsissafeforanotherroundatleast,"saidBilly.Bridgewaseyinghiscompanion,notingthebroadshoulders,thedeepchest,themightyforearmandbicepswhichtheother'slightcottonshirtcouldnotconceal."Itisnoneofmybusiness,"hesaidpresently;"butfromyourgeneralappearance,frombitsofidiomyouoccasionallydrop,andfromthewayyouhandledthosetwoboesthenightwemetIshouldrathersurmisethatatsometimeorotheryouhadbeenlessthanathousandmilesfromthew.k.ropedarena.""Iseenaprizefightonce,"admittedBilly.ItwasthedaybeforetheywereduetoarriveinKansasCitythatBillyearnedahand-outfromarestaurantkeeperinasmalltownbydoingsomeoddjobsfortheman.ThefoodhegaveBillywaswrappedinanoldcopyoftheKansasCityStar.WhenBillyreachedcamphetossedthepackagetoBridge,who,inadditiontohishonorablepostaspoetlaureate,wasalsocook.ThenBillywalkeddowntothestream,near-by,thathemightwashawaythegrimeandsweatofhonesttoilfromhishandsandface.AsBridgeunwrappedthepackageandthepaperunfoldedbeneathhiseyesanarticlecaughthisattention--justcasuallyatfirst;butpresentlytotheexclusionofallelse.Ashereadhiseyebrowsalternatedbetweenapositionofconsiderableelevationtothatofadeepfrown.Occasionallyhenoddedknowingly.FinallyheglancedupatBillywhowasjustrisingfromhisablutions.HastilyBridgetorefromthepaperthearticlethathadattractedhisinterest,foldedit,andstuffeditintooneofhispockets--hehadnothadtimetofinishthereadingandhewantedtosavethearticleforalateropportunityforcarefulperusal.ThateveningBridgesatforalongtimescrutinizingBillythroughhalf-closedlids,andoftenhefoundhiseyeswanderingtotheredringabouttheother'swrist;butwhatevermayhavebeenwithinhisthoughtshekepttohimself.ItwasnoonwhenthetwosaunteredintoKansasCity.Billyhadadollarinhispocket--awholedollar.Hehadearneditassistinganautomobilistoutofaditch."We'llhaveaswellfeed,"hehadconfidedtoBridge,"an'sleepinabedjusttolearnhowmuchniceritissleepin'outundertheblackskyandtheshinylittlestars.""You'reaprofligate,Billy,"saidBridge."Idunnowhatthatmeans,"saidBilly;"butifit'ssomethingIshoudn'tbeIprobablyam."Thetwowenttoarooming-houseofwhichBridgeknew,wheretheycouldgetacleanroomwithadoublebedforfiftycents.Itwasratherahighpricetopay,ofcourse,butBridgewasmoreorlessfastidious,andheadmittedtoBillythathe'drathersleepinthecleandirtoftheroadsidethaninthebreedofdirtonefindsinanuncleanbed.Attheendofthehallwasawashroom,andtowardthisBridgemadehisway,afterremovinghiscoatandthrowingitacrossthefootofthebed.AfterhehadlefttheroomBillychancedtonoticeafoldedbitofnewspaperonthefloorbeneathBridge'scoat.Hepickedituptolayitonthelittletablewhichansweredthepurposeofadresserwhenasinglewordcaughthisattention.Itwasaname:Schneider. CHAPTERIII128Billyunfoldedtheclippingandashiseyestookintheheadingastrangeexpressionenteredthem--ahard,coldgleamsuchashadnottouchedthemsincethedaythatheabandonedthedeputysheriffinthewoodsmidwaybetweenChicagoandJoliet.ThisiswhatBillyread:BillyByrne,sentencedtolifeimprisonmentinJolietpenitentiaryforthemurderofSchneider,theoldWestSidesaloonkeeper,hurledhimselffromthetrainthatwasbearinghimtoJolietyesterday,draggingwithhimthedeputysherifftowhomhewashandcuffed.Thedeputywasfoundafewhourslaterboundandgagged,lyinginthewoodsalongtheSantaFe,notfarfromLemont.Hewasuninjured.HesaysthatByrnegotagoodstart,anddoubtlesstookadvantageofittoreturntoChicago,whereamanofhisstampcouldfindmorenumerousandsaferretreatsthanelsewhere.Therewasmuchmore--adetailedaccountofthecrimeforthecommissionofwhichBillyhadbeensentenced,afullandcompletedescriptionofBilly,arecordofhislongyearsoftransgression,and,atlast,thementionofafive-hundred-dollarrewardthattheauthoritieshadofferedforinformationthatwouldleadtohisarrest.WhenBillyhadconcludedthereadingherefoldedthepaperandplaceditinapocketofthecoathanginguponthefootofthebed.AmomentlaterBridgeenteredtheroom.Billycaughthimselflookingoftenathiscompanion,andalwaystherecametohismindtheterminationofthearticlehehadfoundinBridge'spocket--thementionofthefive-hundred-dollarreward."Fivehundreddollars,"thoughtBilly,"isaloto'coin.Ijustwondernow,"andhelethiseyeswandertohiscompanionasthoughhemightreaduponhisfacethepurposewhichlayintheman'sheart."Hedon'tlookit;butfivehundreddollarsisaloto'coin--ferabo,andwotinelldidhehavethatarticlehidinhisclothesfer?That'swotI'dliketoknow.Iguessit'suptometoblow."AlltherecentlyacquiredcontentwhichhadbeenBilly'ssincehehadcomeuponthepoeticBridgeandthetwohadmadetheircarefree,leisurelywayalongshadedcountryroadsides,orpausedbesidecoolbrookletsthatmeanderedlazilythroughsweet-smellingmeadows,wasdissipatedintheinstantthathehadrealizedthenatureofthearticlehiscompanionhadbeencarryingandhidingfromhim.Fordaysnothoughtofpursuitorcapturehadarisentoperplexhim.Hehadseemedsuchatinythingoutthereamidstthevastnessofrollinghills,ofwoods,andplainthattherehadbeeninducedwithinhimanunconsciousassurancethatnoonecouldfindhimeventhoughtheymightseekforhim.TheideaofmeetingaplainclothesmanfromdetectiveheadquartersaroundthenextbendofapeacefulMissouriroadwassopreposterousandincongruousthatBillyhadfounditimpossibletogivethematterseriousthought.Heneverbeforehadbeeninthecountrydistrictsofhisnativeland.TohimtheUnitedStateswasalllikeChicagoorNewYorkorMilwaukee,thethreecitieswithwhichhewasmostfamiliar.Hisexperienceofunurbanlocalitieshadbeengainedamidsttheprimevaljunglesoffar-awayYoka.Therehadbeennodetectivesergeantsthere--unquestionablytherecouldbenonehere.Detectivesergeantswereindigenoustothesoilthatgrewcornersaloonsandpoolrooms,andtononeother--aswellexpecttodiscoveroneofOdaYorimoto'ssamuraihidingbehindafireplugonMichiganBoulevard,astolookforoneofthoseothersalongafarm-borderedroad.ButhereinKansasCity,amidstthenoisesandodorsthatmeantalargecity,itwasdifferent.Herethenextmanhemetmightbelookingforhim,orifnotthentheveryfirstpolicemantheyencounteredcouldarresthimuponawordfromBridge--andBridgewouldgetfivehundreddollars.JustthenBridgeburstforthinto CHAPTERIII129poetry:Inaflannelshirtfromearth'scleandirt,Here,pal,ismycallousedhand!Oh,Iloveeachdayasarovermay,Norseektounderstand.Toenjoyisgoodenoughforme;ThegypsyofGodamI.Thenhere'sahailto--"Say,"heinterruptedhimself;"what'sthematterwithgoingoutnowandwrappingourselvesaroundthatswellfeedyouwerespeakingof?"Billyrose.Itdidn'tseempossiblethatBridgecouldbegoingtodouble-crosshim.Inaflannelshirtfromearth'scleandirt,Here,pal,ismycallousedhand!Billyrepeatedthelineshalfaloud.TheyrenewedhisconfidenceinBridge,somehow."Likethem?"askedthelatter."Yes,"saidBilly;"s'moreofKnibbs?""No,Service.Comeon,let'sgoanddine.HowabouttheMidland?"andhegrinnedathislittlejokeasheledthewaytowardthestreet.Itwaslateafternoon.Thesunalreadyhadset;butitstillwastoolightforlamps.Bridgeledthewaytowardacertaineating-placeofwhichheknewwhereamanmightdinewellandfromacleanplatterfortwobits.Billyhadbeenkeepinghiseyesopenfordetectives.Theyhadpassednouniformedpolice--thatwouldbethecrucialtest,thoughthe--unlessBridgeintendedtippingoffheadquartersonthequietandhavingthepinchmadeatnightafterBillyhadgonetobed.Astheyreachedthelittlerestaurant,whichwasinabasement,BridgemotionedBillydownaheadofhim.Justforaninstanthe,himself,pausedattheheadofthestairsandlookedabout.Ashedidsoamansteppedfromtheshadowofadoorwayupontheoppositesideofthestreet.IfBridgesawhimheapparentlygavenosign,forheturnedslowlyandwithdeliberatestepsfollowedBillydownintotheeating-place. CHAPTERIV130CHAPTERIVONTHETRAILASTHEYenteredtheplaceBilly,whowasahead,soughtatable;butashewasabouttohanguphiscapandseathimselfBridgetouchedhiselbow."Let'sgotothewashroomandcleanupabit,"hesaid,inavoicethatmightbeheardbythosenearest."Why,wejustwashedbeforeweleftourroom,"expostulatedBilly."Shutupandfollowme,"Bridgewhisperedintohisear.ImmediatelyBillywasallsuspicion.Hishandflewtothepocketinwhichthegunofthedeputysheriffstillrested.Theywouldnevertakehimalive,ofthatBillywaspositive.Hewouldn'tgobacktolifeimprisonment,notafterhehadtastedthesweetfreedomofthewidespaces--suchafreedomasthetrammeledcitycannotoffer.Bridgesawthemovement."Cutit,"hewhispered,"andfollowme,asItellyou.IjustsawaChicagodickacrossthestreet.Hemaynothaveseenyou,butitlookedalmightylikeit.He'llbedownhereinabouttwosecondsnow.Comeon--we'llbeatitthroughtherear--Iknowtheway."BillyByrneheavedagreatsighofrelief.Suddenlyhewasalmostreconciledtothethoughtofcapture,forintheinstanthehadrealizedthatithadnotbeensomuchhisfreedomthathehaddreadedtoloseashisfaithinthecompanioninwhomhehadbelieved.Withoutsignofhastethetwowalkedthelengthoftheroomanddisappearedthroughthedoorwayleadingintothewashroom.Beforethemwasawindowopeninguponasqualidbackyard.Thebuildingstooduponahillside,sothatwhiletheentrancetotheeating-placewasbelowthelevelofthestreetinfront,itsrearwasflushwiththeground.BridgemotionedBillytoclimbthroughthewindowwhileheshottheboltupontheinsideofthedoorleadingbackintotherestaurant.Amomentlaterhefollowedthefugitive,andthentookthelead.Downnarrow,dirtyalleys,andthroughlitter-piledbackyardshemadehisway,whileBillyfollowedathisheels.Duskwasgathering,andbeforetheyhadgonefardarknesscame.Theyneitherpausednorspokeuntiltheyhadleftthebusinessportionofthecitybehindandwerewelloutofthezoneofbrightlights.Bridgewasthefirsttobreakthesilence."IsupposeyouwonderhowIknew,"hesaid."No,"repliedBilly."Iseenthatclippingyougotinyourpocket--itfelloutonthefloorwhenyoutookyourcoatoffintheroomthisafternoontogoandwash.""Oh,"saidBridge,"Isee.Well,asfarasI'mconcernedthat'stheendofit--wewon'tmentionitagain,oldman.Idon'tneedtotellyouthatI'mforyou.""No,notaftertonight,"Billyassuredhim. CHAPTERIV131Theywentonagainforsomelittletimewithoutspeaking,thenBillysaid:"Igottwothingstotellyou.ThefirstisthatafterIseenthatnewspaperarticleinyourclothesIthoughtyouwasfigurin'ondouble-crossin'mean'claimin'thefivehun.Ioughttoofknownbetter.TheotheristhatIdidn'tkillSchneider.Iwasn'tnearhisplacethatnight--an'that'sstraight.""I'mgladyoutoldmeboth,"saidBridge."Ithinkwe'llunderstandeachotherbetterafterthis--we'reeachrunnin'awayfromsomething.We'llruntogether,eh?"andheextendedhishand."Inflannelshirtfromearth'scleandirt,here,pal,ismycallousedhand!"hequoted,laughing.Billytooktheother'shand.HenoticedthatBridgehadn'tsaidwhatHEwasrunningawayfrom.Billywondered;butaskednoquestions.Souththeywentaftertheyhadleftthecitybehind,outintothesweetandsilentdarknessofthecountry.DuringthenighttheycrossedthelineintoKansas,andmorningfoundtheminabeautiful,hillycountrytowhichallthoughtsofcities,crime,andpoliceseemedsoutterlyforeignthatBillycouldscarcebelievethatonlyafewhoursbeforeaChicagodetectivehadbeenlessthanahundredfeetfromhim.Thenewsunburstuponthemastheytoppedagrassyhill.Thedew-bespangledbladesscintillatedbeneaththegorgeousrayswhichwouldpresentlysweepthemawayagainintothenothingnessfromwhichtheyhadsprung.Bridgehaltedandstretchedhimself.Hethrewhisheadbackandletthewarmsunbeatdownuponhisbronzedface.There'ssunshineintheheartofme,Mybloodsingsinthebreeze;Themountainsareapartofme,I'mfellowtothetrees.MygoldenyouthI'msquandering,Sun-libertineamI,A-wandering,a-wandering,UntilthedayIdie.Andthenhestoodforminutesdrinkingindeepbreathsofthepure,sweetairofthenewday.Besidehim,aheadtaller,savagelystrong,stoodBillyByrne,hisbroadshoulderssquared,hisgreatchestexpandingasheinhaled."It'sgreat,ain'tit?"hesaid,atlast."Ineverknewthecountrywaslikethis,an'Idon'tknowthatIeverwouldhaveknownitifithadn'tbeenforthosepoetguysyou'realwaysspouting."Ialwayshadanideatheywassissyfellows,"hewenton;"butaguycan'tbeasissyan'thinkthethoughtstheymustathoughttowritestuffthatsendsthebloodchasin'throughafellerlikehe'dhadadrinkonanemptystomach."Iusedtothinkeverybodywasasissywhowasn'tatoughguy.Iwasatoughguyallright,an'Iwasmightyproudofit.Iain'tanymorean'haven'tbeenforalongtime;butbeforeItookatumbletomyselfI'dhavehatedyou,Bridge.I'da-hatedyourfinetalk,an'yourpoetry,an'thethingaboutyouthatmakesyouhatetotouchaguyforahand-out."I'da-hatedmyselfifI'dthoughtthatIcouldevertalkmushylikeIamnow.Gee,Bridge,butIwasthelimit!Agirl--anicegirl--calledmeamuckeronce,an'acoward.Iwasboth;butIhadthereputationofbein'thetoughestguyontheWestSide,an'IthoughtIwasaman.Inearlypokedherfaceforher--thinkofit,Bridge!Inearlydid;butsomethingstoppedme--somethingheldmyhandfromit,an'latelyI'velikedtothinkthatmaybewhatstoppedmewassomethinginmethathadalwaysbeenthere--somethingdecentthatwasreallyapartofme.IhatetothinkthatIwassuchabeastatheartasIactedlikeallmylifeuptothatminute.Ibegantochangethen.Itwasmightyslow,an'I'mstillaroughneck;butI'mgettin'on.Shehelpedmemost,of CHAPTERIV132course,an'nowyou'rehelpin'mealot,too--youan'yourpoetrystuff.Ifsomedickdon'tgetmeImaygettobeahumanbein'beforeIdie."Bridgelaughed."ItISodd,"hesaid,"howourviewpointschangewithchangedenvironmentandthepassingoftheyears.Timewas,Billy,whenI'dhavehatedyouasmuchasyouwouldhavehatedme.Idon'tknowthatIshouldhavesaidhate,forthatisnotexactlytheword.ItwasmorecontemptthatIfeltformenwhomIconsideredasnotbelonginguponthatintellectualorsocialplanetowhichIconsideredIhadbeenborn."Ithoughtofpeoplewhomovedoutsidemylimitedsphereas'thegreatunwashed.'Ipitiedthem,andIhonestlybelievenowthatinthebottomofmyheartIconsideredthemofdifferentclaythanI,andwithsouls,iftheypossessedsuchthings,aboutonaparwiththesoulsofsheepandcows."Icouldn'thaveseenthemaninyou,Billy,then,anymorethanyoucouldhaveseenthemaninme.Ihavelearnedmuchsincethen,thoughIstillsticktoapartofmyoriginalarticlesoffaith--Idobelievethatallmenarenotequal;andIknowthatthereareagreatmanymorewithwhomIwouldnotpalthantherearethosewithwhomIwould."BecauseonemanspeaksbetterEnglishthananother,orhasreadmoreandremembersit,onlymakeshimabettermaninthatparticularrespect.Ithinknonethelessofyoubecauseyoucan'tquoteBrowningorShakespeare--thethingthatcountsisthatyoucanappreciate,asIdo,ServiceandKiplingandKnibbs."Nowmaybewearebothwrong--maybeKnibbsandKiplingandServicedidn'twritepoetry,andsomepeoplewillsayasmuch;butwhateveritisitgetsyouandmeinthesameway,andsointhisrespectweareequals.Whichbeingthecaselet'sseeifwecan'trustlesomegrub,andthenfindanicesoftspotwhereontopoundourrespectiveears."Billy,decidingthathewastoosleepytoworkforfood,investedhalfofthecapitalthatwastohavefurnishedtheswellfeedthenightbeforeinwhattwobitswouldpurchasefromageneroushousewifeonanear-byfarm,andthen,stretchingthemselvesbeneaththeshadeofatreesufficientlyfarfromtheroadthattheymightnotattractunnecessaryobservation,theysleptuntilafternoon.Buttheirprecautionfailedtoservetheirpurposeentirely.Alittlebeforenoontwofilthy,beardedknightsoftheroadclamberedlaboriouslyoverthefenceandheadeddirectlyfortheverytreeunderwhichBillyandBridgelaysleeping.InthemindsofthetwowasthesamethoughtthathadinducedBillyByrneandthepoeticBridgetoseekthissamesecludedspot.Therewasinthestiffshuffleofthemensomethingratherfamiliar.Wehaveseenthembefore--justforafewminutesitistrue;butundercircumstancesthatimpressedsomeoftheircharacteristicsuponus.Theverylastwesawofthemtheywereshufflingawayinthedarknessalongarailroadtrack,afterpromisingthateventuallytheywouldwreakdirevengeanceuponBilly,whohadjusttrouncedthem.Nowastheycameunexpectedlyuponthetwosleeperstheydidnotimmediatelyrecognizeinthemtheobjectsoftheirrecenthate.Theyjuststoodlookingstupidlydownonthem,wonderinginwhatwaytheymightturntheirdiscoverytotheirownadvantage.NothingintheraimenteitherofBillyorBridgeindicatedthatherewasanyparticularlyrichfieldforloot,and,too,theathleticfigureofByrnewouldratherhavediscouragedanyattempttorollhimwithoutfirsthandinghimthe"k.o.",asthetwowouldhavenaivelyputit.Butastheygazeddownuponthefeaturesofthesleeperstheeyesofoneofthetrampsnarrowedtotwougly CHAPTERIV133slitswhilethoseofhiscompanionwentwideinincredulityandsurprise."Doyouseknowdemguys?"askedthefirst,andwithoutwaitingforareplyhewenton:"Dem'sdeguysdatbeatusupbackderedeuddersideo'K.C.Doyouseget'em?""Sure?"askedtheother."Sure,I'dknowdeminat'ous'n'.Le'shand'emacouplean'beatit,"andhestoopedtopickupalargestonethatlaynearathand."Cutit!"whisperedthesecondtramp."Yousedon'tknowdemguysatall.Deymaybedeguysdatbeatsusup;butdatbigstiffdereismoredandat.He'swantedinChi,an'dere'shalfat'ouon'im.""Whoputyousejerrytoalldat?"inquiredthefirsttramp,skeptically."Iwasindestillwit'im--hecroakedsomeguy.He'salifer.Ondewaytodepenhepushesdisdickoff'nderattleran'makeshisget-away.Datpeter-boywemeetsatQuincyslipsmeanearfulabouthim.Here'sw'erewedrawsdowndefivehundredifwe'recagey.""Whaddayamean,cagey?""Whyweleaves'emalonean'goestodenex'farman'callsupK.C.an'tipsoffdedicks,see?""Yousedon'ttinkwe'llgetanyo'datfivehun,doyouse,witdedicksinonit?"Theotherscratchedhishead."No,"hesaid,ratherdubiously,afteramoment'sdeepthought;"deydon'tnobodygetnothin'datdedicksseefirst;butwe'llgetevenwithdeseblokes,annyway.""Maybedey'llpassusacouplebucks,"saidtheotherhopefully."Dey'dorterdodatmuch."DetectiveSergeantFlannaganofHeadquarters,Chicago,slouchedinachairintheprivateofficeofthechiefofdetectivesofKansasCity,Missouri.SergeantFlannaganwassore.Hewouldhavesaidasmuchhimself.HehadbeensentwesttoidentifyasuspectwhomtheKansasCityauthoritieshadarrested;buthadbeenunabletodoso,andhadbeenpreparingtoreturntohishomecitywhenthebrilliantaureolaofanunusualpieceofexcellentfortunehadshoneuponhimforamoment,andthenfadedawaythroughthegrimyentranceofabasementeating-place.Hehadbeenwalkingalongthestreetthepreviouseveningthinkingofnothinginparticular;butwitheyesandearsalertasbecomesasuccessfulpoliceofficer,whenhehadespiedtwomenapproachingupontheoppositesidewalk.Therewassomethingfamiliarintheswingofthegiantframeofoneofthemen.So,truetoyearsoftraining,SergeantFlannaganmeltedintotheshadowsofastoreentranceandwaiteduntilthetwoshouldhavecomecloser.Theyweredirectlyoppositehimwhenthetruthflasheduponhim--thebigfellowwasBillyByrne,andtherewasafive-hundred-dollarrewardoutforhim.Andthenthetwoturnedanddisappeareddownthestairwaythatledtotheundergroundrestaurant.SergeantFlannagansawByrne'scompanionturnandlookbackjustasFlannagansteppedfromthedoorwaytocross CHAPTERIV134thestreetafterthem.ThatwasthelastSergeantFlannaganhadseeneitherofBillyByrneorhiscompanion.Thetrailhadceasedattheopenwindowofthewashroomattherearoftherestaurant,andsearchashewouldhehadbeenunabletopickitupagain.NooneinKansasCityhadseentwomenthatnightansweringthedescriptionsFlannaganhadbeenabletogive--atleastnoonewhomFlannagancouldunearth.FinallyhehadbeenforcedtotaketheKansasCitychiefintohisconfidence,andalreadyadozenmenwerescouringsuchsectionsofKansasCityinwhichitseemedmostlikelyanescapedmurdererwouldchoosetohide.Flannaganhadbeenouthimselfforawhile;butnowhewasintolearnwhatprogress,ifany,hadbeenmade.Hehadjustlearnedthatthreesuspectshadbeenarrestedandwaswaitingtohavethemparadedbeforehim.WhenthedoorswunginandthethreewereescortedintohispresenceSergeantFlannagangaveasnortofdisgust,indicativeprobablynotonlyofdespair;butinamannerregisteringhisprivateopinionofthementalhorsepowerandefficiencyoftheKansasCitysleuths,forofthethreeonewasapasty-faced,chestlessyouth,eventhenundertheinfluenceofcocaine,anotherwasanold,bewhiskeredhobo,whilethethirdwasunquestionablyaChinaman.EvenprofessionalcourtesycouldscarcerestrainSergeantFlannagan'sdesiretowardbittersarcasm,andhewasuponthepointoflaunchingforthintoavitriolicarraignmentofeverythingwestofChicagouptoandincluding,specifically,theKansasCitydetectivebureau,whenthetelephonebellatthechief'sdeskinterruptedhim.Hehadwantedthechieftohearjustwhathethought,sohewaited.Thechieflistenedforafewminutes,askedseveralquestionsandthen,placingafathandoverthetransmitter,hewheeledabouttowardFlannagan."Well,"hesaid,"IguessIgotsomethingforyouatlast.There'saboonthewirethatsayshe'sjustseenyourmandownnearShawnee.Hewantstoknowifyou'llsplittherewardwithhim."Flannaganyawnedandstretched."Isuppose,"hesaid,ironically,"thatifIgodownthereI'llfindhe'scorraledanigger,"andhelookedsorrowfullyatthethreespecimensbeforehim."Idunno,"saidthechief."ThisguysaysheknowsByrnewell,an'thathe'sgotitinforhim.ShallItellhimyou'llbedown--andsplitthereward?""TellhimI'llbedownandthatI'lltreathimright,"repliedFlannagan,andafterthechiefhadtransmittedthemessage,andhungupthereceiver:"WhereisthishereShawnee,anyhow?""I'llsendacoupleofmenalongwithyou.Itisn'tfaracrosstheline,an'therewon'tbenotroubleingettingbackwithoutnobodyknowin'anythingaboutit--ifyougethim.""Allright,"saidFlannagan,hisvisionsoffivehundredalreadydwindledtoapossibleone.Itwasbutalittlepastoneo'clockthatatouringcarrolledsouthoutofKansasCitywithDetectiveSergeantFlannaganinthefrontseatwiththedriverandtwoburlyrepresentativesofMissourilawintheback. CHAPTERV135CHAPTERVONETURNDESERVESANOTHERWHENthetwotrampsapproachedthefarmhouseatwhichBillyhadpurchasedfoodafewhoursbeforethefarmer'swifecalledthedogthatwasasleepinthesummerkitchenandtookashotgundownfromitshookbesidethedoor.Fromlongexperiencetheladywasareaderofcharacter--ofhobocharacteratleast--andshesawnothingintheappearanceofeitherofthesetwothatinspiredevenamodicumofconfidence.Nowtheyoungfellowwhohadbeenthereearlierinthedayandwho,wonderofwonders,hadactuallypaidforthefoodshegavehim,hadbeenofadifferentstamp.Hisclothinghadproclaimedhimatramp,but,thankstotherazorBridgealwayscarried,hewascleanshaven.Hisyearoftotalabstinencebadgivenhimcleareyesandahealthyskin.Therewasafreshnessandvigorinhisappearanceandcarriagethatinspiredconfidenceratherthansuspicion.Shehadnotmistrustedhim;buttheseothersshedidmistrust.Whentheyaskedtousethetelephonesherefusedandorderedthemaway,thinkingitbutanexcusetoenterthehouse;buttheyarguedthematter,explainingthattheyhaddiscoveredanescapedmurdererhidingnear--by--infactinherownmeadow--andthattheywishedonlytocalluptheKansasCitypolice.Finallysheyielded,butkeptthedogbyhersideandtheshotguninherhandwhilethetwoenteredtheroomandcrossedtothetelephoneupontheoppositeside.Fromtheconversationwhichsheoverheardthewomanconcludedthat,afterall,shehadbeenmistaken,notonlyaboutthesetwo,butabouttheyoungmanwhohadcomeearlierinthedayandpurchasedfoodfromher,forthedescriptionthetrampgaveofthefugitivetalliedexactlywiththatoftheyoungman.Itseemedincrediblethatsohonestlookingamancouldbeamurderer.Thegoodwomanwasshocked,andnotalittleunstrungbythethoughtthatshehadbeeninthehousealonewhenhehadcomeandthatifhehadwishedtohecouldeasilyhavemurderedher."Ihopetheygethim,"shesaid,whenthetramphadconcludedhistalkwithKansasCity."It'sawfulthecarryingsontheyisnowadays.Whyabodycan'tnevertellwhototrust,andIthoughthimsuchaniceyoungman.Andhepaidmeforwhathegot,too."Thedog,boredbytheinaction,hadwanderedbackintothesummerkitchenandresumedhisbrokenslumber.Oneofthetrampswasleaningagainstthewalltalkingwiththefarmerwoman.Theotherwasbusilyengagedinscratchinghisrightshinwithwhatremainedoftheheelofhisleftshoe.HesupportedhimselfwithonehandonasmalltableuponthetopofwhichwasafamilyBible.Quiteunexpectedlyhelosthisbalance,thetabletipped,hewasthrownstillfartherovertowardit,andallintheflashofaneyetramp,table,andfamilyBiblecrashedtothefloor.WithalittlecryofalarmthewomanrushedforwardtogatheruptheHolyBook,inherhasteforgettingtheshotgunandleavingitbehindherleaningagainstthearmofachair.Almostsimultaneouslythetwotrampssawtherealcauseofherperturbation.Thelargebookhadfallenuponitsback,open;andasseveraloftheleavesturnedoverbeforecomingtoresttheireyeswentwideatwhatwasrevealedbetween.UnitedStatescurrencyindenominationsoffive,ten,andtwenty-dollarbillslaysnuglyinsertedbetweentheleavesoftheBible.Thetrampwholayonthefloor,asyettoosurprisedtoattempttorise,rolledoverand CHAPTERV136seizedthebookasafootballplayerseizesthepigskinafterafumble,coveringitwithhisbody,hisarms,andstickingouthiselbowsasafurtherprotectiontotheinvaluablething.Atthefirstcryofthewomanthedogrose,growling,andboundedintotheroom.Thetrampleaningagainstthewallsawthebrutecoming--amongrelhound-dog,bristlingandsavage.Theshotgunstoodalmostwithintheman'sreach--astepanditwasinhishands.Asthoughsensingthefellow'sintentionsthedogwheeledfromthetrampuponthefloor,towardwhomhehadleaped,andsprangfortheotherraggedscoundrel.Themuzzleofthegunmethimhalfway.Therewasadeafeningroar.Thedogcollapsedtothefloor,hischesttornout.Nowthewomanbegantoscreamforhelp;butinaninstantboththetrampswereuponherchokinghertosilence.Oneofthemrantothesummerkitchen,returningamomentlaterwithapieceofclothesline,whiletheothersatastridethevictim,hisfingersclosedaboutherthroat.Oncehereleasedhisholdandshescreamedagain.Presentlyshewassecuredandgagged.ThenthetwocommencedtorifletheBible.Elevenhundreddollarsinbillswerehiddenthere,becausethewomanandherhusbanddidn'tbelieveinbanks--thesavingsofalifetime.Inagony,assheregainedconsciousness,shesawthelastoftheirlittlehoardtransferredtothepocketsofthetramps,andwhentheyhadfinishedtheydemandedtoknowwhereshekepttherest,looseninghergagthatshemightreply.Shetoldthemthatthatwasallthemoneyshehadintheworld,andbeggedthemnottotakeit."Youse'vegotmorecoindandis,"growledoneofthemen,"an'yousehadbetterpassitover,orwe'llfindawaytomakeyouse."Butstillsheinsistedthatthatwasall.Thetrampsteppedintothekitchen.Awoodfirewasburninginthestove.Apairofplierslayuponthewindowsill.Withtheseheliftedoneofthehotstove-holecoversandreturnedtotheparlor,grinning."Iguessshe'llremembershe'sgotmorewendisbeginstowoik,"hesaid."Takeoffhershoes,Dink."Theothergrowledanobjection."Yehpoorboob,"hesaid."Dedicks'llbehereinalittlewhile.We'dbetterbemakin'ourget-awaywidw'atwegot.""Gee!"exclaimedhiscompanion."Icleanforgotallaboutdedicks,"andthenafteramoment'ssilenceduringwhichhisevilfaceunderwentvariouschangesofexpressionfromfeartofinalrelief,heturnedanugly,crookedgrimaceuponhiscompanion."Wegottocroakher,"hesaid."Deyain'tnoudderway.Ifdeyfindsheraliveshe'llblabsure,an'deywon'tbenotrouble'boutgettin'usoridentifyin'usneither."Theothershrugged."Le'sbeatit,"hewhined."Wecan'tmore'ndotimeferdisjobifwestopnow;butdeudder'llmean--"andhemadeasuggestivecirclewithagrimyfingerclosetohisneck."Noitwon'tnothin'ofdekind,"urgedhiscompanion."Igotitalldopedout.Wegotlotso'timebeforede CHAPTERV137dicksaredue.We'llcroakdeskirt,an'denwe'llbeatitupderoadAN'MEETDEDICKS--see?"Theotherwasaghast."Wendidyousegonuts?"heasked."Iain'tgonenuts.Wait'tilIgetst'rough.Wemeetsdedicks,innocent-like;butfirstwecachesdedoughindewoods.Wetells'emwehurriedrightontolead'emtodisByrneguy,an'wenwegetsbackheretodefarmhousean'findswot'shappenedherewe'llbeasflabbergastedasdeybe.""Oh,nuts!"exclaimedtheotherdisgustedly."Yousedon'ttinkyousecanputdatoveronanywiseguyfromChi,doyouse?Whowilldeytinkcroakeddeoldwomanan'deki-yi?Willdeytinkdeykiltdeyreselves?""Dey'lltinkByrnean'hispardnercroaked'em,yousimp,"repliedCrumb.Dinkscratchedhishead,andasthepossibilitiesoftheschemefilteredintohisdullbrainabroadgrinbaredhisyellowteeth."You'redere,pal,"heexclaimed,realadmirationinhistone."Butwho'sgoin'todoit?""I'lldoit,"saidCrumb."Dereain'tnochanctofgettin'inbadforit,soIjestassoondothejob.Getmeaknife,oranaxfromdekitchen--degatmakestoomuchnoise."SomethingawokeBillyByrnewithastart.Faintly,inthebackofhisconsciousness,thedimsuggestionofaloudnoisestillreverberated.Hesatupandlookedabouthim."Iwonderwhatthatwas?"hemused."Itsoundedlikethereportofagun."Bridgeawokeaboutthesametime,andturnedlazilyover,raisinghimselfuponanelbow.HegrinnedatBilly."Goodmorning,"hesaid,andthen:SaysI,"Thenlet'sbeonthefloat.Youcertainlyhavegotmygoat;Youmakemehungryinmythroatforseeingthingsthat'snew.Outtheresomewherewe'llridetherangea-lookingforthenewandstrange;Myfeetaretiredandneedachange.Comeon!It'suptoyou!""Comeon,then,"agreedBilly,comingtohisfeet.Asherosetherecame,faintly,butdistinct,theunmistakablescreamofafrightenedwoman.Fromthedirectionofthefarmhouseitcame--fromthefarmhouseatwhichBillyhadpurchasedtheirbreakfast.WithoutwaitingforarepetitionofthecryBillywheeledandbrokeintoarapidruninthedirectionofthelittleclusterofbuildings.Bridgeleapedtohisfeetandfollowedhim,droppingbehindthough,forhehadnothadtheroadworkthatBillyrecentlyhadbeenthroughinhistrainingforthebattleinwhichhehaddefeatedthe"whitehope"thattimeinNewYorkwhenProfessorCassidyhadwageredhisentirepileuponhim,norinvain.Dinksearchedaboutthesummerkitchenforanaxorhatchet;butfailingtofindeitherrummagedthroughatabledraweruntilhecameuponalargecarvingknife.Thiswoulddothejobnicely.HethumbedtheedgeashecarrieditbackintotheparlortoCrumb.Thepoorwoman,lyinguponthefloor,wasquiteconscious.Hereyeswerewideandrollinginhorror.She CHAPTERV138struggledwithherbonds,andtriedtoforcethegagfromhermouthwithhertongue;buthereveryeffortwasuseless.Shehadheardeverywordthathadpassedbetweenthetwomen.Sheknewthattheywouldcarryouttheplantheyhadformulatedandthattherewasnochancethattheywouldbeinterruptedintheirgruesomework,forherhusbandhaddrivenovertoafarmbeyondHolliday,leavingbeforesunrise,andtherewaslittleprospectthathewouldreturnbeforemilkingtimeintheevening.ThedetectivesfromKansasCitycouldnotpossiblyreachthefarmuntilfartoolatetosaveher.ShesawDinkreturnfromthesummerkitchenwiththelongknife.Sherecalledthedayshehadboughtthatknifeintown,andthevarioususestowhichshehadputit.Thatverymorningshehadslicedsomebaconwithit.Howdistinctlysuchlittlethingsrecurredtoheratthisfrightfulmoment.Andnowthehideouscreaturestandingbesideherwasgoingtouseittocutherthroat.ShesawCrumbtaketheknifeandfeeloftheblade,runninghisthumbalongit.Shesawhimstoop,hiseyesturneddownuponhers.Hegraspedherchinandforceditupwardandback,thebettertoexposeherthroat.Oh,whycouldshenotfaint?Whymustshesufferallthesehideouspreliminaries?Whycouldshenotevenclosehereyes?Crumbraisedtheknifeandheldthebladecloseaboveherbaredneck.Ashudderranthroughher,andthenthedoorcrashedopenandamansprangintotheroom.ItwasBillyByrne.Throughthewindowhehadseenwhatwaspassingintheinterior.HishandfelluponCrumb'scollarandjerkedhimbackwardfromhisprey.Dinkseizedtheshotgunandturneditupontheintruder;buthewastooclose.Billygraspedthebarreloftheweaponandthrewthemuzzleuptowardtheceilingasthetramppulledthetrigger.Thenhewrencheditfromtheman'shands,swungitonceabovehisheadandcrashedthestockdownuponDink'sskull.Dinkwentdownandoutforthecount--forseveralcounts,infact.Crumbstumbledtohisfeetandmadeabreakforthedoor.InthedoorwayheranfullintoBridge,winded,butready.Thelatterrealizingthatthemattedonewasattemptingtoescape,seizedahandfulofhistangledbeard,and,ashehaddoneuponanotheroccasion,heldthetramp'sheadinrigidpositionwhileheplantedaseriesofblowsinthefellow'sface--blowsthatleftCrumbascompletelyoutofbattleaswashismildewedcomrade."Watch'em,"saidBilly,handingBridgetheshotgun.Thenheturnedhisattentiontothewoman.Withthecarvingknifethatwastohaveendedherlifehecutherbonds.Removingthegagfromhermouthheliftedherinhisstrongarmsandcarriedhertothelittlehorsehairsofathatstoodinonecorneroftheparlor,layingheruponitverygently.Hewasthinkingof"Maw"Watson.Thiswomanresembledherjustalittle--particularlyinhercomfortable,motherlyexpansiveness,andshehadhadakindwordandacheerygood-byeforhimthatmorningashehaddeparted.Thewomanlayuponthesofa,breathinghard,andmoaningjustalittle.Theshockhadbeenalmosttoomuchevenforherstolidnerves.PresentlysheturnedhereyestowardBilly."Youareagoodboy,"shesaid,"andyoucomejustinthenicko'time.Theygotallmymoney.It'sintheirclothes,"andthenalookofterroroverspreadherface.Forthemomentshehadforgottenwhatshehadheardaboutthisman--thathewasanescapedconvict--aconvictedmurderer.Wassheanybetteroffnowthatshehadlethimknowaboutthemoneythanshewaswiththeothersaftertheydiscoveredit?AtherwordsBridgekneeledandsearchedthetwotramps.Hecountedthebillsasheremovedthemfromtheirpockets. CHAPTERV139"Elevenhundred?"heasked,andhandedthemoneytoBilly."Elevenhundred,yes,"breathedthewoman,faintly,hereyeshorror-filledandfearfulasshegazeduponBilly'sface.Shedidn'tcareforthemoneyanymore--theycouldhaveitalliftheywouldonlyletherlive.Billyturnedtowardherandheldtherumpledgreenmassout."Here,"hesaid;"butthat'sanawfulloto'coinforawomantohaveaboutdehouse--an'herallalone.Yououghtnottoa-doneit."Shetookthemoneyintremblingfingers.Itseemedincrediblethatthemanwasreturningittoher."ButIknewit,"shesaidfinally."Knewwhat?"askedBilly."Iknewyouwasagoodboy.Theysaidyouwasamurderer."Billy'sbrowscontracted,andanexpressionofpaincrossedhisface."Howdidtheycometosaythat?"heasked."Iheardthemtelephonin'toKansasCitytothepolice,"shereplied,andthenshesatboltupright."Thedetectivesareontheirwayherenow,"shealmostscreamed,"andevenifyouAREamurdererIdon'tcare.Iwon'tstandbyandsee'emgetyouafterwhatyouhavedoneforme.Idon'tbelieveyou'reamurdereranyhow.You'reagoodboy.Myboywouldbeaboutasoldandasbigasyoubynow--ifhelives.Heranawayalongtimeago--maybeyou'vemethim.Hisname'sEddie--EddieShorter.Iain'theardfromhimferyears."No,"shewenton,"Idon'tbelievewhattheysaid--yougottoogoodaface;butifyouareamurdereryougetoutnowbeforetheycomean'I'llsend'emonawild-goosechaseinthewrongdirection.""Butthese,"saidBilly."Wecan'tleavethesehere.""Tie'emupandgivemetheshotgun,"shesaid."I'llbettheydon'tcomeanymorefunnybusinessonme."Shehadregainedbothhercomposureandhernervebythistime.TogetherBillyandBridgetrussedupthetwotramps.Anelephantcouldn'thaveforcedthebondstheyplaceduponthem.ThentheycarriedthemdowncellarandwhentheyhadcomeupagainMrs.Shorterbarredthecellardoor."Ireckontheywon'tgetoutofthereveryfast,"shesaid."Andnowyoutwoboysrunalong.Gotanymoney?"andwithoutwaitingforareplyshecountedtwenty-fivedollarsfromtherollshehadtuckedinthefrontofherwaistandhandedthemtoBilly."Nothin'doin',"saidhe;"butt'anksjustthesame.""Yougottotakeit,"sheinsisted."LetmemakebelieveI'mgivin'ittomyboy,Eddie--please,"andthetearsthatcametohereyesprovedfarmoreeffectivethanhergenerouswords."Aw,allright,"saidBilly."I'lltakeitan'passitalongtoEddieifIevermeethim,eh?""Nowpleasehurry,"sheurged."Idon'twantyoutobecaught--evenifyouareamurderer.Iwishyouweren't CHAPTERV140though.""I'mnot,"saidBilly;"butdelawsaysIaman'whatdelawsays,goes."HeturnedtowardthedoorwaywithBridge,callingagoodbyetothewoman,butashesteppedoutupontheverandathedustofafast-movingautomobileappearedaboutabendintheroadahalf-milefromthehouse."Toolate,"hesaid,turningtoBridge."Heretheycome!"Thewomanbrushedbythemandpeereduptheroad."Yes,"shesaid,"itmustbethem.Lordy!What'llwedo?""I'llduckoutthebackway,that'swhatI'lldo,"saidBilly."Itwouldn'tdoamiteofgood,"saidMrs.Shorter,withashakeofherhead."They'lltelephoneeveryfarmerwithintwentymileofhereineverydirection,an'they'llgetyousure.Wait!Igotascheme.Comewithme,"andsheturnedandbustledthroughthelittleparlor,outofadoorwayintosomethingthatwashalfhallandhalfstoreroom.Therewasaflightofstairsleadingtotheupperstory,andshewaddledupthemasfastasherlegswouldcarryher,motioningthetwomentofollowher.Inarearroomwasatrapdoorintheceiling."Dragthatcommodeunderthis,"shetoldthem."Thenclimbintotheattic,andclosethetrapdoor.Theywon'tneverfindyouthere."Billypulledtheancientarticleoffurniturebeneaththeopening,andinanothermomentthetwomenwereinthestuffyatmosphereoftheunventilatedloft.BeneaththemtheyheardMrs.Shorterdraggingthecommodebacktoitsaccustomedplace,andthenthesoundofherfootstepsdescendingthestair.Presentlytherecametothemtherattlingofamotorwithout,followedbythevoicesofmeninthehouse.Foranhour,halfasphyxiatedbytheclosenessoftheattic,theywaited,andthenagaintheyheardthesoundoftherunningengine,diminishingasthemachinedrewaway.Shortlyafter,Mrs.Shorter'svoicerosetothemfrombelow:"Youkencomedownnow,"shesaid,"they'vegone."Whentheyhaddescendedsheledthemtothekitchen."Igotabitetoeatreadyforyouwhiletheywashere,"sheexplained."Whenyou'vedoneyoukenhideinthebarn'tildark,an'afterthatI'llhavemyol'mantakeyou'crosstoDodson,that'sajunction,an'you'daughterbeabletogitawayeasyenoughfromthere.Itold'emyoustartedforOlathe--there'swherethey'vegonewiththetwotramps."My,butIdidhaveatimeofit!Iain'tmuchgoodatstory-tellin'butIreckonItoldmorestoriesthisarternoonthanIevertolebeforeinallmylife.Itold'emthattheywastwoofyou,an'thatthebiggestonehedredhair,an'thelittleonewasallpock-marked.Thentheysaidyouprob'lywasn'tthemanatall,an'my!howtheydidswearatthemtwotrampsfergettin''emwayouthereonawild-goosechase;butthey'regoin'tolookferyoujes'thesameinOlathe,onlytheywon'tfindyouthere,"andshelaughed,abitnervouslythough.ItwasduskwhenMr.ShorterreturnedfromHolliday,butafterhehadheardhiswife'sstoryhesaidthathe'd CHAPTERV141drive"themtwobyes"allthewaytoMexico,iftherewasn'tanybetterplan."Dodson'sfarenough,"Bridgeassuredhim,andlatethatnightthegratefulfarmersetthemdownattheirdestination.AnhourlatertheywerespeedingsouthontheMissouriPacific.Bridgelayback,luxuriously,ontheredplushofthesmokerseat."Someclasstous,eh,bo?"askedBilly.Bridgestretched.Thetide-houndsracefaruptheshore--thehuntison!Thebreakersroar!Hersparsaretippedwithgold,ando'erherdeckthesprayisflung,Thebuoysthatfrolicinthebay,theynodtheway,theynodtheway!Thehuntisup!Iamtheprey!Thehunter'sbowisstrung! CHAPTERVI142CHAPTERVI"BABYBANDITS"ITWAStwenty-fourhoursbeforeDetectiveSergeantFlannaganawoketothefactthatsomethinghadbeenputoveronhim,andthataKansasfarmer'swifehaddonetheputting.Hemanagedtopieceitoutfinallyfromthenarrativesofthetwotramps,andwhenhehadreturnedtotheShorterhomeandlistenedtothecontradictoryandwhole-souledimprovisationsofShorterpereandmerehewasconvinced.WhereuponheimmediatelytelegraphedChicagoheadquartersandobtainedthenecessaryauthoritytoproceeduponthetrailofthefugitive,Byrne.AndsoitwasthatSergeantFlannaganlandedinElPasoafewdayslater,drawnthitherbyvariouspiecesofintelligencehehadgatheredenroute,thoughwithmuchdelayandconsequentvexation.Evenafterhehadquittedthetrainhewasnonetoosurethathewasupontherighttrailthoughheatoncerepairedtoatelegraphofficeandwiredhischiefthathewashotonthetrailofthefugitive.Asamatteroffacthewasmuchhotterthanheimagined,forBillyandBridgewerethatveryminutenottwosquaresfromhim,debatingastothefutureandthebestmannerofmeetingitbeforeitarrived."Ithink,"saidBilly,"thatI'llduckacrosstheborder.Iwon'tneverbesafeinlittleoldU.S.,an'withthingshoppin'inMexicothewaytheyhavebeenforthelastfewyearsIorterbeabletolosemyselfprettywell."Nowyou'reallright,ol'top.Youdon'thavetoducknothin'foryouain'tdidnothin'.Idon'tknowwhatyou'rerunnin'awayfrom;butIknowitain'tnothin'thepoliceisworryin'about--Icantellthatbythewayyouact--soIguesswe'llsplithere.You'dbeaboobtocrossifyoudon'thaveto,ferifVilladon'tgetyoutheCarranzistaswill,unlesstheZapatistasnabyoufirst."Comin'orgoin'somegreasy-muggedhighbinder'sboundtocroakyouifyoucross,fromwhatlittleI'veheardsincewelandedinElPaso."We'llfeeduptogethertonight,ferthelasttime.ThenI'llpullmyfreight."Hewassilentforawhile,andthen:"Ihatetodoit,bo,feryou'rethewhitestguyIeverstruck,"whichwasagreatdealforBillyByrneofGrandAvenuetosay.Bridgefinishedrollingabrownpapercigarettebeforehespoke."Yourwordsarepureandunadulteratedwisdom,myfriend,"hesaid."ThechancesarescarcelyeventhattwogringohoboeswouldlasttheweekoutafootandbrokeinVivaMexico;butithasbeenmanyyearssinceIfollowedthedictatesofwisdom.ThereforeIamgoingwithyou."Billygrinned.Hecouldnotconcealhispleasure."You'repasttwenty-one,"hesaid,"an'drybehindtheears.Let'sgoan'eat.Thereisstillsomeofthattwenty-fiveleft."TogethertheyenteredasaloonwhichBridgerememberedaspermittingaverylargeconsumptionoffreelunchuponthepurchaseofasingleschoonerofbeer. CHAPTERVI143Therewereroundtablesscatteredaboutthefloorinfrontofthebar,andafterpurchasingtheirbeertheycarriedittooneofthesethatstoodinafarcorneroftheroomclosetoareardoor.HereBridgesatonguardoverthefoamingopensesametofoodwhileBillycrossedtothefreelunchcounterandappropriatedallthatazealousattendantwouldpermithimtocarryoff.Whenhereturnedtothetablehetookachairwithhisbacktothewallinconformitytoahabitoflongstandingwhen,asnow,ithadstoodhimingoodsteadtobeinapositiontoseetheotherfellowatleastassoonastheotherfellowsawhim.Theotherfellowbeingmoreoftenthannotalargegentlemanwithabitofshinymetalpinnedtohisleftsuspenderstrap."Thatguy'satightone,"saidBilly,jerkinghishandinthedirectionoftheguardianofthefreelunch."Iscoopsupaboutagood,squaremealforacanarybird,an'hemakesmecoughuphalfofit.WantstoknowifIt'inkIcangointotherestaurantbusinessonafi'-centschoonerofsuds."Bridgelaughed."Well,youdidn'tdosobadlyatthat,"hesaid."Iknowplaceswherethey'dindictyouforgrandlarcenyifyoutookmuchmorethanyouhavehere.""Rottenbeer,"commentedBilly."Alwaysisrottendownhere,"repliedBridge."Isometimesthinktheyputmothballsinitsoitwon'tspoil."Billylookedupandsmiled.Thenheraisedhistallglassbeforehim."Here'sto,"hestarted;buthegotnofurther.Hiseyestravelingpasthiscompanionfelluponthefigureofalargemanenteringthelowdoorway.Atthesameinstantthegentleman'seyesfelluponBilly.Recognitionlitthoseofeachsimultaneously.Thebigmanstartedacrosstheroomonarun,straighttowardBillyByrne.Thelatterleapedtohisfeet.Bridge,guessingwhathadhappened,rosetoo."Flannagan!"heexclaimed.Thedetectivewastuggingathisrevolver,whichhadstuckinhishippocket.Byrnereachedforhisownweapon.Bridgelaidahandonhisarm."Notthat,Billy!"hecried."There'sadoorbehindyou.Here,"andhepulledBillybackwardtowardthedoorwayinthewallbehindthem.Byrnestillclungtohisschoonerofbeer,whichhehadtransferredtohislefthandashesoughttodrawhisgun.Flannaganwasclosetothem.BridgeopenedthedoorandstrovetopullBillythrough;butthelatterhesitatedjustaninstant,forhesawthatitwouldbeimpossibletocloseandbarthedoor,providedithadabar,beforeFlannaganwouldbeagainstitwithhisgreatshoulders.Thepolicemanwasstillstrugglingtodisentanglehisrevolverfromtheliningofhispocket.Hewasbellowinglikeabull--yellingatBillythathewasunderarrest.Menatthetableswereontheirfeet.ThoseatthebarhadturnedaroundasFlannaganstartedtorunacrossthefloor.Nowsomeofthemweremovinginthedirectionofthedetectiveandhisprey,butwhetherfromcuriosityorwithsinisterintentionsitisdifficulttosay. CHAPTERVI144Onething,however,iscertain--ifallthelovethatwasfeltforpolicemeningeneralbythemeninthatroomcouldhavebeencombinedinasingleindividualitstillscarcelywouldhaveconstitutedagrandpassion.Flannaganfeltratherthansawthatotherswereclosinginonhim,andthen,fortunatelyforhimself,hethought,hemanagedtodrawhisweapon.ItwasjustasBillywasfadingthroughthedoorwayintotheroombeyond.Hesawtherevolvergleaminthepoliceman'shandandthenitbecameevidentwhyBillyhadclungsotenaciouslytohisschoonerofbeer.Left-handedandhurriedlyhethrewit;butevenFlannaganmusthavebeenconstrainedtoadmitthatitwasagoodshot.Itstruckthedetectivedirectlyinthemidstofhisfeatures,gavehimanastycutonthecheekasitbrokeandfilledhiseyesfullofbeer--andbeerneverwasintendedasaneyewash.Splutteringandcursing,Flannagancametoasuddenstop,andwhenhehadwipedthebeerfromhiseyeshefoundthatBillyByrnehadpassedthroughthedoorwayandclosedthedoorafterhim.TheroominwhichBillyandBridgefoundthemselveswasasmalloneinthecenterofwhichwasalargeroundtableatwhichweregatheredahalf-dozenmenatpoker.Abovethetableswungasinglearclamp,castingagarishlightupontheplayersbeneath.Billylookedquicklyaboutforanotherexit,onlytofindthatbesidesthedoorwaythroughwhichhehadenteredtherewasbutasingleapertureinthefourwalls-asmallwindow,heavilybarred.Theplacewasaveritabletrap.Attheirhurriedentrancethemenhadceasedtheirplay,andoneortwohadriseninprofanequestioningandprotest.Billyignoredthem.Hewasstandingwithhisshoulderagainstthedoortryingtosecureitagainstthedetectivewithout;buttherewasneitherboltnorbar.Flannaganhurtlingagainsttheoppositesideexertedhisnoblesteffortstoforceanentrancetotheroom;butBillyByrne'sgreatweightheldfirmasGibraltar.Hismindrevolvedvariouswildplansofescape;butnonebadefairtooffertheslightestfootholdtohope.Themenatthetablewereclamoringforanexplanationoftheinterruption.TwoofthemwereapproachingBillywiththeavowedintentionof"turninghimout,"whenheturnedhisheadsuddenlytowardthem."Candebeef,youpoorboobs,"hecried."Dere'sabuncho'dicksoutdere--dejoint'sbeenpinched."Instantlypandemoniumensued.Cards,chips,andmoneyweresweptasbymagicfromtheboard.Adozendog-earedandfilthymagazinesandnewspapersweresnatchedfromahidingplacebeneaththetable,andinthefractionofasecondtheroomwastransformedfromagamblingplacetoaninnocentreading-room.Billygrinnedbroadly.Flannaganhadceasedhiseffortstobreakdownthedoor,andwasendeavoringtopersuadeBillythathemightaswellcomeoutquietlyandsubmittoarrest.Byrnehaddrawnhisrevolveragain.NowhemotionedtoBridgetocometohisside."Followme,"hewhispered."Don'tmove'tilImove--thenmovesudden."Then,turningtothedooragain,"Youbigstiff,"hecried,"youcouldn'ttakeacriptoahospital,letalonetakin'BillyByrnetothestill.Beatit,beforeIcomeoutan'spreadyourbeezeracrostyourmap."IfBillyhaddesiredtoarousetheireofDetectiveSergeantFlannaganbythislittlespeechhesucceededquiteaswellashecouldhavehoped.Flannagancommencedtogrowlandthreaten,andpresentlyagainhurledhimselfagainstthedoor.InstantlyByrnewheeledandfiredasingleshotintothearclamp,theshatteredcarbonrattledtothetablewith CHAPTERVI145fragmentsoftheglobe,andByrnesteppedquicklytooneside.ThedoorflewopenandSergeantFlannagandoveheadlongintothedarkenedroom.Afootshotoutfrombehindtheopeneddoor,andFlannagan,strikingit,sprawleduponhisfaceamidstthelegsoftheliterarylightswhohelddog-earedmagazinesrightsideuporupsidedown,astheychancedtohavepickedthemup.SimultaneouslyBillyByrneandBridgedodgedthroughtheopendoorway,bangedthedoortobehindthem,andspedacrossthebarroomtowardthestreet.AsFlannaganshotintotheirmidstthemenatthetableleapedtotheirfeetandboltedforthedoorway;butthedetectivewasupandafterthemsoquicklythatonlytwosucceededingettingoutoftheroom.Oneofthesegenerouslyslammedthedoorinthefacesofhisfellows,andtheretheypulledandhauledateachotheruntilFlannaganwasamongthem.Inthepitchdarknesshecouldrecognizenoone;buttobeonthesafesidehehitoutpromiscuouslyuntilhehaddriventhemallfromthedoor,thenhestoodwithhisbacktowardit--theinmatesoftheroomhisprisoners.Thusheremainedforamomentthreateningtoshootatthefirstsoundofmovementintheroom,andthenheopenedthedooragain,andsteppingjustoutsideorderedtheprisonerstofileoutoneatatime.AseachmanpassedhimFlannaganscrutinizedhisface,anditwasnotuntiltheyhadallemergedandhehadreenteredtheroomwithalightthathediscoveredthatonceagainhisquarryhadeludedhim.DetectiveSergeantFlannaganwaspeeved.Thesunsmotedownuponadustyroad.Aheat-hazelayuponthearidlandthatstretchedawayuponeitherhandtowardgray-brownhills.Alittleadobehut,backedbyafewsqualidoutbuildings,stoodout,ascreaminghigh-lightinitscoatofwhitewash,againstabackgroundthatwasgarishwithlight.Twomenploddedalongtheroad.Theircoatswereoff,thebrimsoftheirtatteredhatswerepulleddownovereyesclosedtomereslitsagainstsunanddustOneofthemen,glancingupatthedistanthut,brokeintoverse:Yetthenthesunwasshiningdown,a-blazingonthelittletown,Amileorso'waydownthetracka-dancinginthesun.Butsomehow,asIwaitedthere,therecameashiverintheair,"Thebirdsareflyingsouth,"hesaid."Thewinterhasbegun."Hiscompanionlookedupathimwhoquoted."Thereain'tnotrack,"hesaid,"an'that'dobeshackdon'tlookmuchlikeatown;butotherwisehisKnibbshasgotournumberallright,allright.Wearethebirdsa-flyin'south,andFlannaganwastheshiverintheair.Flannaganisareg'larfrost.Gee!butIbetchadatguy'ssore.""Whyisit,Billy,"askedBridge,afteramoment'ssilence,"thatuponoccasionyouspeakking'sEnglishafterthemanneroftheboulevard,andagainafterthatofthebackalley?Sometimesyousay'that'and'dat'inthesamesentence.Yourconversationalclashesarenumerous.Surelysomethingorsomeonehascrampedyouroriginalstyle.""Iwasbornandbroughtupon'dat,'"explainedBilly."SHEtaughtmetheotherlineoftalk.SometimesIforget.Ihadabouttwentyyearsoftheotherandonlyoneofhers,andtwentytooneisalongshot--moreapttolosethanwin." CHAPTERVI146"'She,'Itakeit,isPENELOPE,"musedBridge,halftohimself."Shemusthavebeenafinegirl.""'Fine'isn'ttherightword,"Billycorrectedhim."Ifathing'sfinetheremaybesomethingfiner,andthensomethingelsefinest.Shewasbetterthanfinest.She--shewas--why,Bridge,I'dhavetobeawalkingdictionarytotellyouwhatshewas."Bridgemadenoreply,andthetwotrudgedontowardthewhitewashedhutinsilenceforseveralminutes.ThenBridgebrokeit:Andyou,mysweetPenelope,outtheresomewhereyouwaitformeWithbudsofrosesinyourhairandkissesonyourmouth.Billysighedandshookhishead."Thereain'tnosuchluckforme,"hesaid."She'smarriedtoanotherginknow."Theycameatlasttothehut,upontheshadysideofwhichtheyfoundaMexicansquattingpuffinguponacigarette,whileuponthedoorstepsatawoman,evidentlyhiswife,busilyengagedinthepreparationofsomemanneroffoodstuffcontainedinalarge,shallowvessel.Aboutthemplayedacoupleofhalf-nakedchildren.Ababysprawleduponablanketjustwithinthedoorway.Themanlookedup,suspiciously,asthetwoapproached.BridgesalutedhiminfairlyunderstandableSpanish,askingforfood,andtellingthemanthattheyhadmoneywithwhichtopayforalittle--notmuch,justalittle.TheMexicanslowlyunfoldedhimselfandarose,motioningthestrangerstofollowhimintotheinteriorofthehut.Thewoman,atawordfromherlordandmaster,followedthem,andathisfurtherdictationbroughtthemfrijolesandtortillas.Thepriceheaskedwasnominal;buthiseyesneverleftBridge'shandsasthelatterbroughtforththemoneyandhandeditover.Heappearedjustatrifledisappointedwhennomoremoneythanthestipulatedpurchasepricewasrevealedtosight."Whereyougoing?"heasked."We'relookingforwork,"explainedBridge."WewanttogetjobsononeoftheAmericanranchesormines.""Youbettergoback,"warnedtheMexican."I,myself,havenothingagainsttheAmericans,senor;buttherearemanyofmycountrymenwhodonotlikeyou.TheAmericansareallleaving.Somealreadyhavebeenkilledbybandits.Itisnotsafetogofarther.Pesita'smenareallabouthere.EvenMexicansarenotsafefromhim.NooneknowswhetherheisforVillaorCarranza.IfhefindsaVillaranchero,thenPesitacriesVivaCarranza!andhismenkillandrob.If,ontheotherhand,aneighborofthelastvictimhearsofitintime,andlaterPesitacomestohim,heassuresPesitathatheisforCarranza,whereuponPesitacriesVivaVilla!andfallsuponthepoorunfortunate,whoisluckyifheescapeswithhislife.ButAmericans!Ah,Pesitaasksthemnoquestions.Hehatesthemall,andkillsthemall,wheneverhecanlayhishandsuponthem.HehassworntoridMexicoofthegringos.""Wot'stheDagotalkin'about?"askedBilly.BridgegavehiscompanionabriefsynopsisoftheMexican'sconversation."OnlythegentlemanisnotanItalian,Billy,"heconcluded."He'saMexican." CHAPTERVI147"WhosaidhewasanEyetalian?"demandedByrne.AsthetwoAmericansandtheMexicanconversedwithinthehutthereapproachedacrossthedustyflat,fromthedirectionofthenearerhills,apartyoffivehorsemen.Theyroderapidly,comingtowardthehutfromthesidewhichhadneitherdoornorwindow,sothatthosewithinhadnowarningoftheircoming.Theywereswarthy,raggedruffians,fullyarmed,andwithanequipmentwhichsuggestedthattheymightbeapartofaquasi-militaryorganization.Closebehindthehutfourofthemdismountedwhilethefifth,remaininginhissaddle,heldthebridlereinsofthehorsesofhiscompanions.Thelattercreptstealthilyaroundtheoutsideofthebuilding,towardthedoor--theircarbinesreadyintheirhands.Itwasoneofthelittlechildrenwhofirstdiscoveredthepresenceofthenewcomers.Withapiercingscreamsheboltedintotheinteriorandrantoclingtohermother'sskirts.Billy,Bridge,andtheMexicanwheeledtowardthedoorwaysimultaneouslytolearnthecauseofthegirl'sfright,andastheydidsofoundthemselvescoveredbyfourcarbinesinthehandsofasmanymen.AshiseyesfelluponthefacesoftheintrudersthecountenanceoftheMexicanfell,whilehiswifedroppedtothefloorandembracedhisknees,weeping."Wotinell?"ejaculatedBillyByrne."What'sdoin'?""Weseemtohavebeenmadeprisoners,"suggestedBridge;"butwhetherbyVillistasorCarranzistasIdonotknow."TheirhostunderstoodhiswordsandturnedtowardthetwoAmericans."ThesearePesita'smen,"hesaid."Yes,"spokeuponeofthebandits,"wearePesita'smen,andPesitawillbedelighted,Miguel,togreetyou,especiallywhenheseesthesortofcompanyyouhavebeenkeeping.YouknowhowmuchPesitalovesthegringos!""Butthismandoesnotevenknowus,"spokeupBridge."Westoppedheretogetameal.Heneversawusbefore.WeareonourwaytotheElOroboRanchoinsearchofwork.Wehavenomoneyandhavebrokennolaws.Letusgoourwayinpeace.Youcangainnothingbydetainingus,andasforMiguelhere--thatiswhatyoucalledhim,Ibelieve--Ithinkfromwhathesaidtousthathelovesagringoaboutasmuchasyourreveredchiefseemsto."MiguellookedhisappreciationofBridge'sdefenseofhim;butitwasevidentthathedidnotexpectittobearfruit.Nordidit.Thebrigandspokesmanonlygrinnedsardonically."YoumaytellallthistoPesitahimself,senor,"hesaid."Nowcome--getamoveon--beatit!"ThefellowhadonceworkedinElPasoandtookgreatprideinhis"higherEnglish"education.AshestartedtoherdthemfromthehutBillydemurred.HeturnedtowardBridge."Mostofthistalkgetsbyme,"hesaid."Iain'tjerrytoalltheDagojabberyet,thoughI'vecoppedoffalittleofitinthepasttwoweeks.Putmewisetothegink'slay." CHAPTERVI148"Elementary,Watson,elementary,"repliedBridge."Wearecapturedbybandits,andtheyaregoingtotakeustotheirdelightfulchiefwhowilldoubtlesshaveusshotatsunrise.""Bandits?"snappedBilly,withasneer."Yousedon'tcalldeselittleruntsbandits?""Babybandits,Billy,babybandits,"repliedBridge."An'you'regoin'tostan'ferlettin''empulloffthisroughstuffwithouthandin''emacome-back?"demandedByrne."Weseemtobeupagainstjustthatverything,"saidBridge."Therearefourcarbinesquitereadyforus.Itwouldmeansuddendeathtoresistnow.Laterwemayfindanopportunity--Ithinkwe'dbetteractsimpleandwait."Hespokeinaquick,lowwhisper,forthespokesmanofthebrigandsevidentlyunderstoodalittleEnglishandwasonthealertforanytrickery.Billyshrugged,andwhentheircaptorsagainurgedthemforwardhewentquietly;buttheexpressiononhisfacemighthaveperturbedtheMexicanshadtheyknownBillyByrneofGrandAvenuebetter--hewassmilinghappily.Miguelhadtwoponiesinhiscorral.Thesethebrigandsappropriated,placingBillyupononeandMiguelandBridgeupontheother.Billy'sgreatweightrendereditinadvisabletodoublehimupwithanotherrider.AstheyweremountingBillyleanedtowardBridgeandwhispered:"I'llgettheseguys,pal--watchme,"hesaid."Iamwiththee,William!--horse,foot,andartillery,"laughedBridge."Whichremindsme,"saidBilly,"thatIhaveanace-in-the-hole--theboobsneverfriskedme.""AndIamreminded,"returnedBridge,asthehorsesstartedofftotheyankofhackamoreropesinthehandsofthebrigandswhowereleadingthem,"ofatouchinglittlethingofService's:Justthink!SomenightthestarswillgleamUponacoldgraystone,Andtraceanamewithsilverbeam,Andlo!'twillbeyourown."You'reacheerfulguy,"wasBilly'sonlycomment. CHAPTERVII149CHAPTERVIIINPESITA'SCAMPPESITAwasashort,stockymanwithalarge,darkmustache.Heattiredhimselfafterhisownideasofwhatshouldconstitutetheuniformofageneral--ideasmoreorlessinfluencedandmodifiedbythechanceandcapriceoffortune.AtthemomentthatBilly,Bridge,andMiguelweredraggedintohispresencehistorsowasenwrappedinaonceresplendentcoatcoveredwithyardsofgoldbraid.Uponhisshoulderswerebrassepauletssuchasareconnectedonlyinone'smindwiththeancientchorusladiesofthelightoperasoffifteenortwentyyearsago.Uponhislegsweresomerustyandraggedoveralls.Hisfeetwerebare.Hescowledferociouslyattheprisonerswhilehislieutenantnarratedthethrillingfactsoftheircapture--thrillingbyembellishment."YouareAmericanos?"heaskedofBridgeandBilly.Bothagreedthattheywere.ThenPesitaturnedtowardMiguel."WhereisVilla?"heasked."HowshouldIknow,mygeneral?"parriedMiguel."WhoamI--apoormanwithatinyrancho--toknowofthemovementsofthegreatonesoftheearth?IdidnotevenknowwherewasthegreatGeneralPesitauntilnowIambroughtintohisgraciouspresence,tothrowmyselfathisfeetandimplorethatIbepermittedtoservehimineventhemeanestofcapacities."PesitaappearednottohearwhatMiguelhadsaid.Heturnedhisshouldertowardtheman,andaddressedBillyinbrokenEnglish."YouwereonyourwaytoElOroboRancho,eh?Areyouacquaintedthere?"heasked.Billyrepliedthattheywerenot--merelylookingforemploymentuponanAmerican-ownedranchorinanAmericanmine."Whydidyouleaveyourowncountry?"askedPesita."WhatdoyouwanthereinMexico?""Well,ol'top,"repliedBilly,"youseedebirdswasflyin'southan'winterwasindeair,anafat-headdickfromChiwasonmetrail--soIducks.""Ducks?"queriedPesita,mystified."Ah,theducks--theyflysouth,Isee.""Naw,youpoorsimp--Iblows,"explainedBilly."Ah,yes,"agreedPesita,notwishingtoadmitanyignoranceofplainAmericanevenbeforeadespisedgringo."Butthelarge-faceddick--whatmightthatbe?IhavespendmuchtimeintheStates,butIdonotknowthat""Isaid'fat-headdick'--dat'saflycop,"Billyelucidated."Itishethenthatisthebird."Pesitabeamedatthisevidenceofhisownsagacity."Hefly." CHAPTERVII150"Flannaganain'tnobird--Flannagan'sadub."Bridgecametotherescue."Myeruditefriendmeans,"heexplained,"thatthepolicechasedhimoutoftheUnitedStatesofAmerica."Pesitaraisedhiseyebrows.Allwasnowcleartohim."Butwhydidhenotsayso?"heasked."Hetriedto,"saidBridge."Hedidhisbest.""Quityerkiddin',"admonishedBilly.AbrightfightsuddenlyburstuponPesita.HeturneduponBridge."YourfriendisnotthenanAmerican?"heasked."Iguessedit.ThatiswhyIcouldnotunderstandhim.HespeaksthelanguageofthegringolesswelleventhanI.Fromwhatcountryishe?"BillyByrnewouldhaveassertedwithsomeshowofasperitythathewasnothingifnotAmerican;butBridgewasquicktoseeapossibleloopholeforescapeforhisfriendinPesita'sbeliefthatBillywasnogringo,andwarnedthelattertosilencebyaquickmotionofhishead."He'sfrom'Gran'Avenoo,'"hesaid."ItisnotexactlyinGermany;butthereareagreatmanyGermansthere.Myfriendisanative,sohedon'tspeakGermanorEnglisheither--theyhavealanguageoftheirownin'Gran'Avenoo'.""Isee,"saidPesita--"aGermancolony.IliketheGermans--theyfurnishmewithmuchammunitionandrifles.Theyaremyverygoodfriends.TakeMiguelandthegringoaway"--thistothesoldierswhohadbroughttheprisonerstohim--"IwillspeakfurtherwiththismanfromGranavenoo."WhentheothershadpassedoutofhearingPesitaaddressedBilly."Iamsorry,senor,"hesaid,"thatyouhavebeenputtosomuchinconvenience.Mymencouldnotknowthatyouwerenotagringo;butIcanmakeitallright.Iwillmakeitallright.Youareabigman.Thegringoshavechasedyoufromtheircountryastheychasedme.Ihatethem.Youhatethem.Butenoughofthem.YouhavenobusinessinMexicoexcepttoseekwork.Igiveyouwork.Youarebig.Youarestrong.Youarelikeabull.Youstaywithme,senor,andImakeyoucaptain.IneedmenwhatcantalksomeEnglishandlooklikegringo.Youdofine.Wemakemuchmoney--youandI.WemakeitalltimewhilewefighttoliberatemypoorMexico.WhenMexicoliberatewefightsomemoretoliberateheragain.TheGermanstheygivememuchmoneytoliberateMexico,and--thereareotherwaysofgettingmuchmoneywhenoneisridingaroundthroughrichcountrywithsoldiersliberatinghispoor,bleedingcountry.Sabe?""Yep,IguessIsavvy,"saidBilly,"an'itlistensallrighttome'sfar'syou'vegone.Mypalinonit?""Eh?""Youmakemyfrien'acaptain,too?"Pesitahelduphishandsandrolledhiseyesinholyhorror.Takeagringointohisband?Itwasunthinkable."Heshot,"hecried."Isweartokillallgringo.Ibecomesaviorofmycountry.IridherofallAmericanos." CHAPTERVII151"Nixonthecaptainstuffferme,then,"saidBilly,firmly."Thatguy'sarightone.Ifanybigstiffthinkshecancroaklittleol'BridgewhileBillyByrne'saroun'he'sgotanuddert'inkcomin'.Why,mean'him'sjustlikebrudders.""Youlikethisgringo?"askedPesita."Youbet,"criedBilly.Pesitathoughtforseveralminutes.Inhismindwasaschemewhichrequiredthehelpofjustsuchanindividualasthisstranger--someonewhowasutterlyunknowninthesurroundingcountryandwhosepresenceinatowncouldnotbyanystretchoftheimaginationbeconnectedinanywaywiththebandit,Pesita."Itellyou,"hesaid."Iletyourfriendgo.IsendhimundersafeescorttoElOroboRancho.Maybehehelpusthereafterawhile.IfyoustayIlethimgo.OtherwiseIshootyoubothwithMiguel.""WotyougotitinforMigfer?"askedBilly."He'saharmlesssorto'guy.""HeVillista.VillistawithgringosrunMexico--gringosandthechurch.JustlikeHuertawouldhavedoneitifthey'dgivenhimachance,onlyHuertamoreforchurchthanforgringos.""Aw,letthepoorboobgo,"urgedBilly,"an'I'llcomealongwityou.Whyhe'sgotawifean'kids--youwouldn'twanttoleavethemwithoutnoonetolookaftertheminthisGod-forsakencountry!"Pesitagrinnedindulgently."Verywell,SenorCaptain,"hesaid,bowinglow."IletMiguelandyourhonorablefriendgo.Isendsafeescortwiththem.""Bullyferyou,ol'pot!"exclaimedBilly,andPesitasmileddelightedlyinthebeliefthatsomecomplimentarytitlehadbeenappliedtohiminthelanguageof"Granavenoo.""I'llgoan'tell'em,"saidBilly."Yes,"saidPesita,"andsaytothemthattheywillstartearlyinthemorning."AsBillyturnedandwalkedinthedirectionthatthesoldiershadledBridgeandMiguel,Pesitabeckonedtoasoldierwholeaneduponhisgunatashortdistancefromhis"general"--abarefooted,slovenlyattemptataheadquartersorderly."SendCaptainRozalestome,"directedPesita.Thesoldiershuffledawaytowherealittlecircleofmeninwide-brimmed,metal-encrustedhatssquattedintheshadeofatree,chatting,laughing,androllingcigarettes.Hesalutedoneoftheseanddeliveredhismessage,whereuponthetall,gauntCaptainRozalesaroseandcameovertoPesita."Thebigonewhowasbroughtintodayisnotagringo,"saidPesita,bywayofopeningtheconversation."HeisfromGranavenoo.Hecanbeofgreatservicetous,forheisveryfriendlywiththeGermans--yetbelookslikeagringoandcouldpassforone.Wecanutilizehim.Alsoheisverylargeandappearstobeequallystrong.Heshouldmakeagoodfighterandwehavenonetoomany.Ihavemadehimacaptain."Rozalesgrinned.AlreadyamongPesita'sfollowingofahundredmentherewerefifteencaptains."WhereisGranavenoo?"askedRozales. CHAPTERVII152"Youmeantosay,mydearcaptain,"exclaimedPesita,"thatamanofyoureducationdoesnotknowwhereGranavenoois?Iamsurprised.Why,itisaGermancolony.""Yes,ofcourse.Irecallitwellnow.Forthemomentithadslippedmymind.Mygrandfatherwhowasagreattravelerwastheremanytimes.Ihaveheardhimspeakofitoften.""ButIdidnotsummonyouthatwemightdiscussEuropeangeography,"interruptedPesita."IsentforyoutotellyouthatthestrangerwouldnotconsenttoservemeunlessIliberatedhisfriend,thegringo,andthatsneakingspyofaMiguel.Iwasforcedtoyield,forwecanusethestranger.SoIhavepromised,mydearcaptain,thatIshallsendthemupontheirroadwithasafeescortinthemorning,andyoushallcommandtheguard.Uponyourliferespectmypromise,Rozales;butifsomeofVilla'scutthroatsshouldfalluponyou,andinthebattle,whileyouweretryingtodefendthegringoandMiguel,bothshouldbeslainbythebulletsoftheVillistas--ah,butitwouldbedeplorable,Rozales,butitwouldnotbeyourfault.Who,indeed,couldblameyouwhohadfoughtwellandriskedyourmenandyourselfintheperformanceofyoursacredduty?Rozales,shouldsuchathingoccurwhatcouldIdointokenofmygreatpleasureotherthanmakeyouacolonel?""Ishalldefendthemwithmylife,mygeneral,"criedRozales,bowinglow."Good!"criedPesita."Thatisall."Rozalesstartedbacktowardtheringofsmokers."Ah,Captain!"criedPesita."Anotherthing.WillyoumakeitknowntotheotherofficersthatthestrangerfromGranavenooisacaptainandthatitismywishthathebewelltreated,butnottoldsomuchasmightinjurehim,orhisusefulness,aboutoursacredworkofliberatingpoor,bleedingunhappyMexico."AgainRozalesbowedanddeparted.Thistimehewasnotrecalled.BillyfoundBridgeandMiguelsquattingonthegroundwithtwodirty-facedpeonsstandingguardoverthem.Thelatterweresomelittledistanceaway.TheymadenoobjectionwhenBillyapproachedtheprisonersthoughtheyhadlookedinmildsurprisewhentheysawhimcrossingtowardthemwithoutaguard.BillysatdownbesideBridge,andbrokeintoalaugh."What'sthejoke?"askedBridge."Arewegoingtobehangedinsteadofbeingshot?""Weain'tgoin'tobeeither,"saidBilly,"an'I'macaptain.Whaddayaknowaboutthat?"HeexplainedallthathadtakenplacebetweenhimselfandPesitawhileBridgeandMiguellistenedattentivelytohiseveryword."It'oughtitwasaboutdeonlywayoutferus,"saidBilly."WewereinworsethanIt'ought.""CantheBowerystuff,Billy,"criedBridge,"andtalklikeawhiteman.Youcan,youknow.""Allright,bo,"criedBilly,good-naturedly."YouseeIforgetwhenthereisanythingpressinglikethis,tochewabout.ThenIfallbackintotheoldlingo.Well,asIwassaying,Ididn'twanttodoitunlessyouwouldstaytoo,buthewouldn'thaveyou.Hehasitinforallgringos,andthatbullyoupassedhimaboutmebeingfromaforeigncountrycalledGrandAvenue!Hefellforitlikearubeforthetapped-wirestuff.HesaidifIwouldn'tstayandhelphimhe'dcroakthebunchofus.""Howaboutthatace-in-the-hole,youweretellingmeabout?"askedBridge. CHAPTERVII153"Istillgotit,"andBillyfondledsomethinghardthatswungunderhisleftarmbeneathhisshirt;"but,Lord,man!whatcouldIdoagainstthewholebunch?Imightgetafewofthem;butthey'dgetusallintheend.Thisotherwayisbetter,thoughIhatetohavetosplitwithyou,oldman."Hewassilentthenforamoment,lookinghardattheground.Bridgewhistled,andclearedhisthroat."I'vealwayswantedtospendayearinRio,"hesaid."We'llmeetthere,whenyoucanmakeyourget-away.""You'vesaidit,"agreedByrne."It'sRioassoonaswecanmakeit.Pesita'spromisedtosetyoubothlooseinthemorningandsendyouundersafeescort--Migueltohishappyhome,andyoutoElOroboRancho.Iguesstheoldstiffisn'tsobadafterall."MiguelhadprickeduphisearsatthesoundofthewordESCORT.Heleanedfarforward,closertothetwoAmericans,andwhispered."Whoistocommandtheescort?"heasked."Idunno,"saidBilly."Whatdifferencedoesitmake?""Itmakesallthedifferencebetweenlifeanddeathforyourfriendandforme,"saidMiguel."ThereisnoreasonwhyIshouldneedanescort.IknowmywaythroughoutallChihuahuaaswellasPesitaoranyofhiscutthroats.Ihavecomeandgoneallmylifewithoutanescort.Ofcourseyourfriendisdifferent.ItmightbewellforhimtohavecompanytoElOrobo.Maybeitisallright;butwaituntilwelearnwhocommandstheescort.IknowPesitawell.Iknowhismethods.IfRozalesridesoutwithustomorrowmorningyoumaysaygood-byetoyourfriendforever,foryouwillneverseehiminRio,orelsewhere.HeandIwillbedeadbeforeteno'clock.""Whatmakesyouthinkthat,bo?"demandedBilly."Idonotthink,senor,"repliedMiguel;"Iknow.""Well,"saidBilly,"we'llwaitandsee.""IfitisRozales,saynothing,"saidMiguel."Itwilldonogood;butwemaythenbeonthewatch,andifpossibleyoumightfindthemeanstoobtainacoupleofrevolversforus.Inwhichcase--"heshruggedandpermittedafaintsmiletoflexhislips.Astheytalkedasoldiercameandannouncedthattheywerenolongerprisoners--theyweretohavethefreedomofthecamp;"but,"heconcluded,"thegeneralrequeststhatyoudonotpassbeyondthelimitsofthecamp.Therearemanydesperadoesinthehillsandhefearsforyoursafety,nowthatyouarehisguests."ThemanspokeSpanish,sothatitwasnecessarythatBridgeinterprethiswordsforthebenefitofBilly,whohadunderstoodonlypartofwhathesaid."Askhim,"saidByrne,"ifthatstuffgoesforme,too.""Hesaysno,"repliedBridgeafterquestioningthesoldier,"thatthecaptainisnowoneofthem,andmaygoandcomeasdotheotherofficers.SucharePesita'sorders."Billyarose.Themessengerhadreturnedtohispostatheadquarters.Theguardhadwithdrawn,leavingthethreemenalone. CHAPTERVII154"Solong,oldman,"saidBilly."IfI'mgoin'tobeofanyhelptoyouandMigthelessI'mseenwithyouthebetter.I'llblowoverandmixwiththeDagobunch,an'practicesittin'onmyheels.Itseemstobetherightdopedownhere,an'IgottolearnallIcanaboutbein'agreaserseein'thatI'veturnedone.""Good-byeBilly,rememberRio,"saidBridge."Andtherevolvers,senor,"addedMiguel."Youbet,"repliedBilly,andstrolledoffinthedirectionofthelittlecircleofcigarettesmokers.AsheapproachedthemRozaleslookedupandsmiled.Then,rising,extendedhishand."SenorCaptain,"hesaid,"wewelcomeyou.IamCaptainRozales."HehesitatedwaitingforBillytogivehisname."Mymonacker'sByrne,"saidBilly."Pleasedtomeetyou,Cap.""Ah,CaptainByrne,"andRozalesproceededtointroducethenewcomertohisfellow-officers.Several,likeRozales,wereeducatedmenwhohadbeenofficersinthearmyunderformerregimes,buthadturnedbanditasthesaferalternativetosufferingimmediatedeathatthehandsofthefactiontheninpower.Theothers,forthemostpart,werepure-bloodedIndianswhoseadultliveshadbeenspentinoutlawryandbrigandage.Allweresmallofstaturebesidethegiant,Byrne.RozalesandtwoothersspokeEnglish.WiththoseBillyconversed.HetriedtolearnfromthemthenameoftheofficerwhowastocommandtheescortthatwastoaccompanyBridgeandMiguelintothevalleyonthemorrow;butRozalesandtheothersassuredhimthattheydidnotknow.WhenhehadaskedthequestionBillyhadbeenlookingstraightatRozales,andhehadseentheman'spupilscontractandnoticedtheslightbackwardmovementofthebodywhichalsodenotesdetermination.Billyknew,therefore,thatRozaleswaslying.Hedidknowwhowastocommandtheescort,andtherewassomethingsinisterinthatknowledgeorthefellowwouldnothavedeniedit.TheAmericanbegantoconsiderplansforsavinghisfriendfromthefatewhichPesitahadoutlinedforhim.Rozales,too,wasthinkingrapidly.Hewasnofool.Whyhadthestrangerdesiredtoknowwhowastocommandtheescort?Heknewnoneoftheofficerspersonally.Whatdifferencethen,diditmaketohimwhorodeoutonthemorrowwithhisfriend?Ah,butMiguelknewthatitwouldmakeadifference.Miguelhadspokentothenewcaptain,andarousedhissuspicions.Rozalesexcusedhimselfandrose.AmomentlaterhewasinconversationwithPesita,unburdeninghimselfofhissuspicions,andoutliningaplan."Donotsendmeinchargeoftheescort,"headvised."SendCaptainByrnehimself."Pesitapooh-poohedtheidea."Butwait,"urgedRozales."Letthestrangerrideincommand,withahalf-dozenpickedmenwhowillseethatnothinggoeswrong.AnhourbeforedawnIwillsendtwomen--theywillbeourbestshots--onahead.Theywillstopataplacewebothknow,andaboutnoontheCaptainByrneandhisescortwillridebacktocampandtellusthattheywereattackedbyatroopofVilla'smen,andthatbothourguestswerekilled.Itwillbesad;butitwillnotbeourfault.WewillswearvengeanceuponVilla,andtheCaptainByrnewillhatehimasagoodPesitistashould." CHAPTERVII155"YouhavethecunningoftheCoyote,mycaptain,"criedPesita."Itshallbedoneasyousuggest.Gonow,andIwillsendforCaptainByrne,andgivehimhisordersforthemorning."AsRozalesstrolledawayafigurerosefromtheshadowsatthesideofPesita'stentandslunkoffintothedarkness. CHAPTERVIII156CHAPTERVIIIBILLY'SFIRSTCOMMANDANDsoitwasthathavingbreakfastedinthemorningBridgeandMiguelstarteddownwardtowardthevalleyprotectedbyanescortunderCaptainBillyByrne.Anoldservicejacketandawide-brimmedhat,bothdonatedbybrotherofficers,constitutedCaptainByrne'suniform.HismountwasthelargestthatthepicketlineofPesita'sforcescouldproduce.Billyloomedlargeamongsthismen.Foranhourtheyrodealongthetrail,BillyandBridgeconversinguponvarioussubjects,noneofwhichtouchedupontheoneuppermostinthemindofeach.Miguelrode,silentandpreoccupied.TheeveningbeforehehadwhisperedsomethingtoBridgeashehadcrawledoutofthedarknesstolieclosetotheAmerican,andduringabriefmomentthatmorningBridgehadfoundanopportunitytorelaytheMexican'smessagetoBillyByrne.Thelatterhadbutraisedhiseyebrowsatrifleatthetime,butlaterhesmiledmorethanwasusualwithhim.Somethingseemedtopleasehimimmensely.BesidehimattheheadofthecolumnrodeBridgeandMiguel.Behindthemtrailedthesixswarthylittletroopers--thepickedmenuponwhomPesitacoulddepend.Theyhadreachedapointwherethetrailpassesthroughanarrowdryarroyowhichthewatersoftherainyseasonhadcutdeepintothesoft,powderysoil.Uponeitherbankgrewcactiandmesquite,formingashelteringscreenbehindwhicharegimentmighthavehidden.Theplacewasidealforanambuscade."Here,SenorCapitan,"whisperedMiguel,astheynearedtheentrancetothetrap.Alowhillshutofffromtheirviewallbuttheheadofthecut,anditalsohidthemfromthesightofanypossibleenemywhichmighthavebeenlurkinginwaitforthemfartherdownthearroyo.AtMiguel'swordsByrnewheeledhishorsetotherightawayfromthetrailwhichledthroughthebottomofthewaterwayandaroundthebaseofthehill,orratherinthatdirection,forhehadscarcedeviatedfromthedirectwaybeforeoneofthetroopersspurredtohisside,callingoutinSpanishthathewasuponthewrongtrail."Wot'sthisguychewin'about?"askedBilly,turningtoMiguel."Hesaysyoumustkeeptothearroyo,SenorCapitan,"explainedtheMexican."Tellhimtogobackintohisstall,"wasByrne'slaconicrejoinder,ashepushedhismountforwardtopassthebrigand.Thesoldierwasvolubleinhisobjections.AgainhereinedinfrontofBilly,andbythistimehisfivefellowshadspurredforwardtoblocktheway."Thisisthewrongtrail,"theycried."Comethisotherway,Capitan.Pesitahassoorderedit."Catchingthedriftoftheirremarks,Billywavedthemtooneside."I'mbossin'thispicnic,"heannounced."Getouto'theway,an'bequickaboutitifyoudon'twanttobehurted." CHAPTERVIII157Againherodeforward.Againthetroopersinterposedtheirmounts,andthistimetheirleadercockedhiscarbine.Hisattitudewasmenacing.Billywasclosetohim.Theirponieswereshouldertoshoulder,thatofthebanditalmostbroadsideofthetrail.NowBillyByrnewasmorethanpassingwellacquaintedwithmanyofthefundamentalprinciplesofsuddenbrawls.itissafetosaythathehadneverheardofVanBibber;butheknew,aswellasVanBibberknew,thatitiswelltohitfirst.Withoutawordandwithoutwarninghestruck,leaningforwardwithalltheweightofhisbodybehindhisblow,andcatchingthemanfullbeneaththechinheliftedhimasneatlyfromhissaddleasthoughabatteringramhadstruckhim.SimultaneouslyBridgeandMigueldrewrevolversfromtheirshirtsandasBillywheeledhisponytowardtheremainingfivetheyopenedfireuponthem.Thebattlewasshortandsweet.OnealmostescapedbutMiguel,whoprovedtobeanexcellentrevolvershot,broughthimdownatahundredyards.Hethen,withutterdisregardfortherulesofcivilizedwarfare,dispatchedthosewhowerenotalreadydead."WemustletnonereturntocarryfalsetalestoPesita,"heexplained.EvenBillyByrnewincedattheruthlessnessofthecold-bloodedmurders;butherealizedthenecessitywhichconfrontedthemthoughhecouldnothavebroughthimselftodothethingswhichtheMexicandidwithsuchsang-froidandevenevidentenjoyment."Nowfortheothers!"criedMiguel,whenhehadassuredhimselfthateachofthesixwerereallyquitedead.SpurringafterhimBillyandBridgerantheirhorsesovertheroughgroundatthebaseofthelittlehill,andthenparalleltothearroyoforamatterofahundredyards,wheretheyespiedtwoIndians,carbinesinhand,standinginevidentconsternationbecauseoftheunexpectedfusilladeofshotswhichtheyhadjustheardandwhichtheywereunabletoaccountfor.Atthesightofthethreethesharpshootersdroppedbehindcoverandfired.Billy'shorsestumbledatthefirstreport,caughthimself,rearedhighuponhishindlegsandthentoppledover,dead.Hisrider,throwinghimselftooneside,scrambledtohisfeetandfiredtwiceatthepartiallyconcealedmen.MiguelandBridgerodeinrapidlytoclosequarters,firingastheycame.OneofthetwomenPesitahadsenttoassassinatehis"guests"droppedhisgun,clutchedathisbreast,screamed,andsankbackbehindaclumpofmesquite.Theotherturnedandleapedovertheedgeofthebankintothearroyo,rollingandtumblingtothebottominacloudofdrydust.Asherosetohisfeetandstartedonarunupthebedofthedrystream,dodgingazigzagcoursefromonebitofscantcovertoanotherBillyByrnesteppedtotheedgeofthewashoutandthrewhiscarbinetohisshoulder.Hisfacewasflushed,hiseyessparkled,asmilelightedhisregularfeatures."Thisisthelife!"hecried,andpulledthetrigger.Themanbeneathhim,runningforhislifelikeafrightenedjackrabbit,sprawledforwarduponhisface,madeasingleefforttoriseandthenslumpedlimplydown,forever.MiguelandBridge,dismountednow,cametoByrne'sside.TheMexicanwasgrinningbroadly. CHAPTERVIII158"Thecaptainisonegrandfighter,"hesaid."Howmydeargeneralwouldadmiresuchamanasthecaptain.Doubtlesshewouldmakehimacolonel.ComewithmeSenorCapitanandyourfortuneismade.""Comewhere?"askedBillyByrne."Tothecampoftheliberatorofpoor,bleedingMexico--toGeneralFranciscoVilla.""Nothin'doin',"saidBilly."I'mhookedupwiththisPesitapersonnow,an'IguessI'llstick.He'sgivenmemoreofarunformymoneyinthelasttwenty-fourhoursthanI'vehadsinceIpartedfrommydearoldfriend,theLordofYoka.""ButSenorCapitan,"criedMiguel,"youdonotmeantosaythatyouaregoingbacktoPesita!Hewillshootyoudownwithhisownhandwhenhehaslearnedwhathashappenedhere.""Iguessnot,"saidBilly."You'dbettergowithMiguel,Billy,"urgedBridge."Pesitawillnotforgiveyouthis.You'vecosthimeightmentodayandhehasn'tanymorementhanheneedsatbest.Besidesyou'vemadeamonkeyofhimandunlessImissmyguessyou'llhavetopayforit.""No,"saidBilly,"Ikindo'likethisPesitagent.IthinkI'llstickaroundwithhimforawhileyet.AnyhowuntilI'vehadachancetoseehisfaceafterI'vemademyreporttohim.Youguysrunalongnowandmakeyourget-awaygood,an'I'llbeatitbacktocamp."Hecrossedtowherethetwohorsesoftheslainmarksmenwerehidden,turnedoneofthemlooseandmountedtheother."Solong,boes!"hecried,andwithawaveofhishandwheeledaboutandspurredbackalongthetrailoverwhichtheyhadjustcome.MiguelandBridgewatchedhimforamoment,thenthey,too,mountedandturnedawayintheoppositedirection.Bridgerecitednoverseforthebalanceofthatday.Hisheartlayheavyinhisbosom,forhemissedBillyByrne,andwasfearfulofthefatewhichawaitedhimatthecampofthebandit.Billy,blitheasalark,rodegailybackalongthetrailtocamp.HelookedforwardwithunmixeddelighttohiscominginterviewwithPesita,andtothewild,half-savagelifewhichassociationwiththebanditpromised.AllhislifehadBillyByrnefeduponexcitementandadventure.Asgangster,thug,holdupmanandsecond-storyartistBillyhadfoundfoodforhisappetitewithinthedismal,sootystreetsofChicago'sgreatWestSide,andthenFatehadflunghimuponthesavageshoreofYokatofindotherformsofadventurewherethebestthatisinastrongmanmaybebroughtoutinthesternbattleforexistenceagainstprimevalmenandconditions.TheWestSidehaddevelopedonlyBilly'sbasestcharacteristics.HemighthaveslippedbackeasilyintotheoldwayshaditnotbeenforHERandtherecollectionofthatwhichhehadreadinhereyes.Lovehadbeenthere;butgreaterthanthattoholdamanintothestraightandnarrowpathofdecencyandhonorhadbeenrespectandadmiration.IthadseemedincredibletoBillythatagoddessshouldfeelsuchthingsforhim--forthesamemanherscornfullipsoncehadbrandedascowardandmucker;yethehadreadthetrutharight,andsincethenBillyByrnehaddonehisbestaccordingtothefightthathadbeengivenhimtodeservethebeliefshehadinhim.SofartherehadcreptintohisconsciousnessnodisquietingdoubtsastotheconsistencyofhisrecentactioninjoiningtheforceofadepredatingMexicanoutlaw.Billyknewnothingofthepoliticalconditionsoftherepublic.HadPesitatoldhimthathewaspresidentofMexico,Billycouldnothavedisputedthestatementfromanyknowledgeoffactswhichhepossessed.AsamatteroffactaboutallBillyhadeverknownof CHAPTERVIII159MexicowasthatithadsomeconnectionwithanimportantplacecalledJuarezwhererunningmeetswereheld.ToBillyByrne,then,Pesitawasarealgeneral,andBilly,himself,abonafidecaptain.Hehadenteredanarmywhichwasatwarwithsomeotherarmy.WhattheywerewarringaboutBillyknewnot,nordidhecare.Thereshouldbefightingandhelovedthat--thatmuchheknew.TheethicsofPesita'swarfaretroubledhimnot.HehadheardthatsomegreatAmericangeneralhadsaid:"Warishell."Billywaswillingtotakehiswordforit,andacceptanythingwhichcameintheguiseofwarasentirelyproperandasitshouldbe.TheafternoonwasfargonewhenBillydrewreininthecampoftheoutlawband.Pesitawiththebulkofhisraiderswasoutuponsomeexcursiontothenorth.Onlyhalfadozenmenlolledabout,smokingorsleepingawaythehotday.TheylookedatBillyinevidentsurprisewhentheysawhimridinginalone;buttheyaskednoquestionsandBillyofferednoexplanation--hisreportwasfortheearsofPesitaonly.ThebalanceofthedayBillyspentinacquiringfurtherknowledgeofSpanishbyconversingwiththoseofthemenwhoremainedawake,andaskinginnumerablequestions.ItwasalmostsundownwhenPesitarodein.Tworiderlesshorseswereledbytroopersintherearofthelittlecolumnandthreemenswayedpainfullyintheirsaddlesandtheirclothingwasstainedwithblood.EvidentlyPesitahadmetwithresistance.Therewasmuchvolublechatteringonthepartofthosewhohadremainedbehindintheirendeavorstoextractfromtheirreturningcomradesthedetailsoftheday'senterprise.BypiecingtogetherthevariousscrapsofconversationhecouldunderstandBillydiscoveredthatPesitahadriddenfartodemandtributefromawealthyranchero,onlytofindthatwordofhiscominghadprecededhimandbroughtalargedetachmentofVilla'sregularswhoconcealedthemselvesaboutthehouseandoutbuildingsuntilPesitaandhisentireforcewerewellwithincloserange."Wewereluckytogetoffaswellaswedid,"saidanofficer.BillygrinnedinwardlyashethoughtofthepleasantframeofmindinwhichPesitamightnowbeexpectedtoreceivethenewsthateightofhistroopershadbeenkilledandhistwo"guests"safelyremovedfromthesphereofhishospitality.AndevenashisminddweltdelightedlyuponthesubjectaraggedIndiancarryingacarbineandwithheavysilverspursstrappedtohisbarefeetapproachedandsalutedhim."GeneralPesitawishesSenorCapitanByrnetoreporttohimatonce,"saidtheman."SureMike!"repliedBilly,andmadehiswaythroughthepandemoniumofthecamptowardtheheadquarterstent.Ashewentheslippedhishandinsidehisshirtandloosenedsomethingwhichhungbeneathhisleftarm."Li'lol'ace-in-the-hole,"hemurmuredaffectionately.HefoundPesitapacingbackandforthbeforehistent--anenergeticbundleofnerveswhichnoamountofhardridingandfightingcouldtireordiscourage.AsBillyapproachedPesitashotaquickglanceathisface,thathemightread,perhaps,inhisnewofficer'sexpressionwhetherangerorsuspicionhadbeenarousedbythekillingofhisAmericanfriend,forPesitaneverdreamedbutthatBridgehadbeendeadsincemid-forenoon."Well,"saidPesita,smiling,"youleftSenorBridgeandMiguelsafelyattheirdestination?" CHAPTERVIII160"Icouldn'ttake'emalltheway,"repliedBilly,"causeIdidn'thavenomorementoguard'emwith;butIseen'empastthedangerIguessan'wellontheirway.""Youhadnomen?"questionedPesita."Youhadsixtroopers.""Oh,theywasallcroakedbeforewe'dbeengonetwohours.Youseeithappenslikethis:Wegotasfarasthatdryarroyojustbeforethetraildropsdownintothevalley,whenupjumpsabunchofthishereVilla'sguysandcommencedtakin'potshotsatus."Seein'ashowIwassenttoguardBridgean'Mig,Imakesthemdismountandhuntcover,andthenmean'mymenwadesinandcleansupthebunch.Theywasonlyafewofthembuttheycroakedthewholebloomin'sixo'mine."Itellyouitwassomescrapwhileitlasted;butIsavedyourguestsfromgettin'hurtedan'Iknowthatthat'swhatyousentmetodo.It'stoobadaboutthesixmenwelostbut,leaveittome,we'llgetevenwiththatVillaguyyet.Justleadmeto'im."AshespokeBillycommencedscratchinghimselfbeneaththeleftarm,andthen,asthoughtobetterreachthepointofirritation,heslippedhishandinsidehisshirt.IfPesitanoticedtheapparentlyinnocentlittleact,orinterpreteditcorrectlymayormaynothavebeenthefact.HestoodlookingstraightintoByrne'seyesforafullminute.Hisfacedenotedneitherbaffledragenorcontemplatedrevenge.Presentlyaslowsmileraisedhisheavymustacheandrevealedhisstrong,whiteteeth."Youhavedonewell,CaptainByrne,"hesaid."Youareamanaftermyownheart,"andheextendedhishand.Ahalf-hourlaterBillywalkedslowlybacktohisownblankets,andtosaythathewaspuzzledwouldscarcehavedescribedhismentalstate."Ican'tquitemakethatginkout,"hemused."Eitherhe'samightygoodloserorelsehe'sadeeponewho'llwaitayeartogetmethewayhewantstogetme."AndPesitaafewmomentslaterwassayingtoCaptainRozales:"IshouldhaveshothimifIcouldsparesuchaman;butitisseldomIfindonewiththecourageandeffronteryhepossesses.Whythinkofit,Rozales,hekillseightofmymen,andletsmyprisonersescape,andthendarestocomebackandtellmeaboutitwhenhemighteasilyhavegottenaway.Villawouldhavemadehimanofficerforthisthing,andMiguelmusthavetoldhimso.Hefoundoutinsomewayaboutyourlittleplanandheturnedthetablesonus.Wecanusehim,Rozales,butwemustwatchhim.Also,mydearcaptain,watchhisrighthandandwhenheslipsitintohisshirtbecarefulthatyoudonotdrawonhim--unlessyouhappentobebehindhim."Rozaleswasnotinclinedtotakehischief'sviewofByrne'svaluetothem.Hearguedthatthemanwasguiltyofdisloyaltyandthereforeamenace.Whathethought,butdidnotadvanceasanargument,wasofadifferentnature.Rozaleswasfilledwithragetothinkthatthenewcomerhadoutwittedhim,andbeatenhimathisowngame,andhewasjealous,too,oftheman'sascendancyintheesteemofPesita;buthehidhispersonalfeelingsbeneathacloakofseemingacquiescenceinhischief'sviews,knowingthatsomedayhistimewouldcomewhenhemightridhimselfofthedangerofthisobnoxiousrival."Andtomorrow,"continuedPesita,"IamsendinghimtoCuivaca.Villahasconsiderablefundsinbankthere,andthisstrangercanlearnwhatIwanttoknowaboutthesizeofthedetachmentholdingthetown,andthehabitsofthegarrison." CHAPTERIX161CHAPTERIXBARBARAINMEXICOTHEmanagerofElOroboRanchowasanAmericannamedGrayson.Hewasatall,wirymanwhoseeducationhadbeenacquiredprincipallyinthecowcampsofTexas,where,amongotherthingsonedoesNOTlearntolovenortrustagreaser.AsaresultofthisearlytrainingGraysonwaspeculiarlyunfittedinsomerespectstomanageanAmericanranchinMexico;buthewasajustman,andsoifhisvaquerosdidnotlovehim,theyatleastrespectedhim,andeveryonewhowasorpossessedthelatentcharacteristicsofawrongdoerfearedhim.PerhapsitisnotfairtosaythatGraysonwasinanywayunfittedforthepositionheheld,sinceasamatteroffacthewasanidealranchforeman,and,ifthetruthbeknown,thesimplefactthathewasagringowouldhavebeensufficienttohavewonhimthehatredoftheMexicanswhoworkedunderhim--notinthecourseoftheireverydayrelations;butwhenthefiresofracialanimositywerefannedtoflamebysomeuntowardincidentuponeithersideoftheborder.TodayGraysonwasparticularlyrabid.Themoresobecausehecouldnotventhisangeruponthecauseofit,whowasnolessapersonthanhisboss.ItseemedincredibletoGraysonthatanymanofintelligencecouldhaveconceivedandthencarriedoutthefoolthingwhichthebosshadjustdone,whichwastohavecomefromthesafetyofNewYorkCitytothehazardsofwarringMexico,bringing--andthiswastheworstfeatureofit--hisdaughterwithhim.Andatsuchatime!ScarceadaypassedwithoutitsrumorsorreportsofnewaffrontsandevenatrocitiesbeingperpetrateduponAmericanresidentsofMexico.Eachday,too,thegravityoftheseactsincreased.Frommereinsulttheyhadrunoflatetoassaultandeventomurder.Norwastheendinsight.PesitahadopenlysworntoridMexicoofthegringo--tokillonsighteveryAmericanwhofellintohishands.AndwhatcouldGraysondoincaseofadeterminedattackupontherancho?Itistruehehadahundredmen--laborersandvaqueros,butscarceadozenofthesewereAmericans,andtherestwould,almostwithoutexception,followtheinclinationsofconsanguinityincaseoftrouble.ToaddtoGrayson'sirritabilityhehadjustlosthisbookkeeper,andiftherewasonethingmorethananyotherthatGraysonhateditwaspenandink.Theyouthhadbeena"lunger"fromIowa,afairlynicelittlechap,andentirelysuitedtohisdutiesunderanyothercircumstancesthanthosewhichprevailedinMexicoatthattime.Hewasinmortalterrorofhislifeeverymomentthathewasawake,andatlasthadgivenintotheurgeofcowardiceandresigned.ThedayprevioushehadbeenbundledintoabuckboardanddrivenovertotheMexicanCentralwhich,atthattime,stillwasoperatingtrains--occasionally--betweenChihuahuaandJuarez.Hismindfilledwiththeseunpleasantthoughts,Graysonsatathisdeskintheofficeoftheranchtryingtounraveltheriddleofabalancesheetwhichwouldnotbalance.MixedwiththeblueofthesmokefromhisbriarwasthedeeperazureofaspiritedmonologueinwhichGraysonwasengaged.Agirlwaspassingthebuildingatthemoment.Athersidewalkedagray-hairedman--oneofthosemenwhomyoujustnaturallyfitintoamentalpictureofadirector'smeetingsomewherealongWallStreet."Sichlangwidge!"criedthegirl,withalaugh,coveringherearswithherpalms.Themanathersidesmiled."Ican'tsaythatIblamehimmuch,Barbara,"hereplied."Itwasaveryfoolishthingformetobringyoudownhereatthistime.Ican'tunderstandwhateverpossessedmetodoit." CHAPTERIX162"Don'tblameyourself,dear,"remonstratedthegirl,"whenitwasallmyfault.Ibeggedandbeggedandbeggeduntilyouhadtoconsent,andI'mnotsorryeither--ifnothinghappenstoyoubecauseofourcoming.Icouldn'tstayinNewYorkanotherminute.Everyonewassosnoopy,andIcouldjusttellthattheyweredyingtoaskquestionsaboutBillyandme.""Ican'tgetitthroughmyheadyet,Barbara,"saidtheman,"whyintheworldyoubrokewithBillyMallory.He'soneofthefinestyoungmeninNewYorkCitytoday--justmyidealofthesortofmanI'dlikemyonlydaughtertomarry.""Itried,Papa,"saidthegirlinalowvoice;"butIcouldn't--Ijustcouldn't.""Wasitbecause--"themanstoppedabruptly."Well,neverminddear,Ishan'tbesnoopytoo.Herenow,yourunalonganddosomesnoopingyourselfabouttheranch.IwanttostopinandhaveatalkwithGrayson."Downbyoneofthecorralswherethreemenwerebusilyengagedinattemptingtopersuadeanunbrokenponythataspadebitisapleasantthingtowearinone'smouth,Barbarafoundaseatuponawagonboxwhichcommandedanexcellentviewoftheentertainmentgoingonwithinthecorral.Asshesatthereexperiencingacombinationofadmirationfortheagilityandcourageofthemenandpityforthehorsethetonesofapleasantmasculinevoicebrokeinuponherthoughts."Outtheresomewhere!"saysItome."ByGosh,Iguess,thatspoetry!"Outtheresomewhere--Penelope--withkissesonhermouth!"Andthen,thinksI,"Ocollegeguy!yourtalkitgetsmeintheeye,Thenorthiscreepingintheair,thebirdsareflyingsouth."Barbaraswungaroundtoviewthepoet.ShesawaslendermanastrideafaggedMexicanpony.Araggedcoatandraggedtrouserscoveredtheman'snakedness.Indianmoccasinsprotectedhisfeet,whileatornandshapelessfelthatsatuponhiswell-shapedhead.AMERICANwaswrittenalloverhim.Noonecouldhaveimaginedhimanythingelse.Apparentlyhewasatrampaswell--hisapparelproclaimedhimthat;butthereweretwodiscordantnotesintheotherwiseharmoniousensembleofyourtypicalbo.Hewascleanshavenandherodeapony.Herodeerect,too,withtheeasyseatofanarmyofficer.Atsightofthegirlheraisedhisbatteredhatandsweptitlowtohispony'sshoulderashebentinaprofoundbow."Iseekthemajordomo,senorita,"hesaid."Mr.Graysonisupattheoffice,thatlittlebuildingtotheleftoftheranchhouse,"repliedthegirl,pointing.ThenewcomerhadaddressedherinSpanish,andasheheardherreply,inpureandliquidEnglish,hiseyeswidenedatrifle;butthefamiliarsmilewithwhichhehadgreetedherlefthisface,andhispartingbowwasmuchmoredignifiedthoughnolessprofoundthanitspredecessor.Andyou,mysweetPenelope,outtheresomewhereyouwaitforme,Withbudsofrosesinyourhairandkissesonyourmouth.GraysonandhisemployerbothlookedupasthewordsofKnibbs'poemfloatedintothemthroughtheopenwindow."Iwonderwherethatblewinfrom,"remarkedGrayson,ashiseyesdiscoveredBridgeastridethetiredpony,lookingathimthroughthewindow.Apolitesmiletouchedthestranger'slipsashiseyesmetGrayson's,andthenwanderedpasthimtotheimposingfigureoftheEasterner. CHAPTERIX163"Goodevening,gentlemen,"saidBridge."Evenin',"snappedGrayson."GoovertothecookhouseandtheChink'llgiveyousomethingtoeat.Turnyourponyinthelowerpasture.Smith'llshowyouwheretobunktonight,an'youkinhevyourbreakfastinthemornin'.S'long!"Theranchsuperintendentturnedbacktothepaperinhishandwhichhehadbeendiscussingwithhisemployeratthemomentoftheinterruption.HehadvolleyedhisinstructionsatBridgeasthoughpouringarainofleadfromamachinegun,andnowthathehadsaidwhathehadtosaytheincidentwasclosedinsofarashewasconcerned.ThehospitalityoftheSouthwestpermittednostrangertobeturnedawaywithoutfoodandanight'slodging.Graysonhavingarrangedforthesefeltthathehaddoneallthatmightbeexpectedofahost,especiallywhentheuninvitedguestwassoobviouslyahoboanddoubtlessahorsethiefaswell,forwhoeverknewahobotoownahorse?Bridgecontinuedtositwherehehadreinedinhispony.HewaslookingatGraysonwithwhatthediscerningbossjudgedtobepolitelyconcealedenjoyment."Possibly,"suggestedthebossinawhispertohisaide,"themanhasbusinesswithyou.Youdidnotaskhim,andIamsurethathesaidnothingaboutwishingamealoraplacetosleep.""Huh?"gruntedGrayson,andthentoBridge,"Well,whatthedevilDOyouwant?""Ajob,"repliedBridge,"or,tobemoreexplicit,Ineedajob--farbeitfrommetoWISHone."TheEasternersmiled.Graysonlookedabitmystified--andirritated."Well,Ihain'tgotnone,"hesnapped."Wedon'tneednobodynowunlessitmightbeagoodpuncher--onewhocanropeandride.""Icanride,"repliedBridge,"asisevidencedbythefactthatyounowseemeastrideahorse.""IsaidRIDE,"saidGrayson."AnyfoolcanSITonahorse.NO,Ihain'tgotnothin',an'I'mbusynow.Holdon!"heexclaimedasthoughseizedbyasuddeninspiration.HelookedsharplyatBridgeforamomentandthenshookhisheadsadly."No,I'mafraidyoucouldn'tdoit--aguy'sgottobeeddicatedforthejobIgotinmind.""Washingdishes?"suggestedBridge.Graysonignoredtheplayfulnessoftheother'squestion."Keepin'books,"heexplained.Therewasafinalityinhistonewhichsaid:"Asyou,ofcourse,cannotkeepbookstheinterviewisnowover.Getout!""Icouldtry,"saidBridge."Icanreadandwrite,youknow.Letmetry."BridgewantedmoneyforthetriptoRio,and,too,hewantedtostayinthecountryuntilBillywasreadytoleave."SavvySpanish?"askedGrayson."IreadandwriteitbetterthanIspeakit,"saidBridge,"thoughIdothelatterwellenoughtogetalonganywherethatitisspoken."Graysonwantedabookkeeperworsethanhecouldeverrecallhavingwantedanythingbeforeinallhislife. CHAPTERIX164Hisbetterjudgmenttoldhimthatitwastheheightofidiocytoemployaraggedbumasabookkeeper;butthebumwasatleastasmuchofahopetohimasisastrawtoadrowningman,andsoGraysonclutchedathim."Goan'turnyourcayuseinan'thencomebackhere,"hedirected,"an'I'llgiveyouatryout.""Thanks,"saidBridge,androdeoffinthedirectionofthepasturegate."'Fraidhewon'tneverdo,"saidGrayson,ruefully,afterBridgehadpassedoutofearshot."Iratherimaginethathewill,"saidtheboss."Heisaneducatedman,Grayson--youcantellthatfromhisEnglish,whichisexcellent.He'sprobablyoneofthegreatarmyofdown-and-outers.Theworldisfullofthem--poordevils.Givehimachance,Grayson,andanywayheaddsanotherAmericantoourforce,andeachonecounts.""Yes,that'sright;butIhopeyouwon'tneed'embeforeyouan'MissBarbarago,"saidGrayson."Ihopenot,Grayson;butonecannevertellwithconditionsheresuchastheyare.HaveyouanyhopethatyouwillbeabletoobtainasafeconductforusfromGeneralVilla?""Oh,Villa'llgiveusthepaperallright,"saidGrayson;"butitwon'tdousnogoodunlesswedon'tmeetnobodybutVilla'smenonthewayout.ThisherePesita'sthecritterI'mleeryof.He'sgotitinforallAmericans,andespeciallyforElOroboRancho.Youknowwebeatoffaraidofhisaboutsixmonthsago--killedhalfadozenofhismen,an'hewon'tneverforgivethat.Villacan'tspareabigenoughforcetogiveussafeescorttotheborderandhecan'tassurethesafetyofthetrainservice.Itlooksmightybad,sir--Idon'tseewhatinhellyoucamefor.""NeitherdoI,Grayson,"agreedtheboss;"butI'mhereandwe'vegottomakethebestofit.Allthismayblowover--ithasbefore--andwe'lllaughatourfearsinafewweeks.""Thisthingthat'shappenin'nowwon'tneverblowover'tilthestarsandstripesblowoverChihuahua,"saidGraysonwithfinality.AfewmomentslaterBridgereturnedtotheoffice,havingunsaddledhisponyandturneditintothepasture."What'syourname?"askedGrayson,preparingtoenteritinhistimebook."Bridge,"repliedthenewbookkeeper."'Nitials,"snappedGrayson.Bridgehesitated."Oh,putmedownasL.Bridge,"hesaid."Wherefrom?"askedtheranchforeman."ElOroboRancho,"answeredBridge.Graysonshotaquickglanceattheman.Theanswerconfirmedhissuspicionsthatthestrangerwasprobablyahorsethief,which,inGrayson'sestimation,wastheworstthingamancouldbe."Wheredidyougetthatponyyoucomeinon?"hedemanded."Iain'tsayin'nothin'ofcourse,butIjestwanttotellyouthatweain'tgotnouseforhorsethieveshere." CHAPTERIX165TheEasterner,whohadbeenalistener,wasshockedbythebrutalityofGrayson'sspeech;butBridgeonlylaughed."Ifyoumustknow,"hesaid,"Ineverboughtthathorse,an'themanhebelongedtodidn'tgivehimtome.Ijusttookhim.""Yougotyournerve,"growledGrayson."Iguessyoubettergitout.Wedon'twantnohorsethieveshere.""Wait,"interposedtheboss."Thismandoesn'tactlikeahorsethief.Ahorsethief,Ishouldimagine,wouldscarcelyadmithisguilt.Let'shavehisstorybeforewejudgehim.""Allright,"saidGrayson;"buthe'sjustadmittedhestolethehorse."Bridgeturnedtotheboss."Thanks,"hesaid;"butreallyIdidstealthehorse."Graysonmadeagesturewhichsaid:"See,Itoldyouso.""Itwaslikethis,"wentonBridge."Thegentlemanwhoownedthehorse,togetherwithsomeofhisfriends,hadbeenshootingatmeandmyfriends.Whenitwasallovertherewasnoonelefttoinformuswhowerethelegalheirsofthelateownersofthisandseveralotherhorseswhichwereleftuponourhands,soIborrowedthisone.Thelawwouldsay,doubtless,thatIhadstolenit;butIamperfectlywillingtoreturnittoitsrightfulownersifsomeonewillfindthemforme.""Youbeeninascrap?"askedGrayson."Whowith?""ApartyofPesita'smen,"repliedBridge."When?""Yesterday.""Youseetheyareworkingprettyclose,"saidGrayson,tohisemployer,andthentoBridge:"Well,ifyoutookthatcayusefromoneofPesita'sbunchyoucan'tcallthatstealin'.Yourroom'sinthere,backoftheoffice,an'you'llfindsomeclothestherethatthelastmanforgottotakewithhim.Youkenhave'em,an'fromthelookso'yournyouneed'em.""Thankyou,"repliedBridge."Myclothesareabitrusty.IshallhavetospeaktoJamesaboutthem,"andhepassedthroughintothelittlebedroomofftheoffice,andclosedthedoorbehindhim."James?"gruntedGrayson."WhothedevildoeshemeanbyJames?Ihain'tseenbutoneof'em."Thebosswaslaughingquietly."Theman'sacharacter,"hesaid."He'llbeworthallyoupayhim--ifyoucanappreciatehim,whichIdoubt,Grayson.""Ikenappreciatehimifhekenkeepbooks,"repliedGrayson."That'sallIaskofhim."WhenBridgeemergedfromthebedroomhewasclothedinwhiteducktrousers,asoftshirt,andapairoftennisshoes,andsuchachangehadtheywroughtinhisappearancethatneitherGraysonnorhisemployerwouldhaveknownhimhadtheynotseenhimcomefromtheroomintowhichtheyhadsenthimtomaketheexchangeofclothing. CHAPTERIX166"Feelbetter?"askedtheboss,smiling."Clothesarebutanincidentwithme,"repliedBridge."Iwearthembecauseitiseasiertodosothanitwouldbetododgetheweatherandthepolice.WhateverImayhaveuponmybackaffectsinnowaywhatIhavewithinmyhead.No,IcannotsaythatIfeelanybetter,sincetheseclothesarenotascomfortableasmyoldones.HoweverifitpleasesMr.GraysonthatIshouldwearapinkkimonowhileworkingforhimIshallgladlywearapinkkimono.WhatshallIdofirst,sir?"ThequestionwasdirectedtowardGrayson."Sitdownherean'seewhatyoukenmakeofthisbunchoftrouble,"repliedtheforeman."I'lltalkwithyouagainthisevenin'."AsGraysonandhisemployerquittedtheofficeandwalkedtogethertowardthecorralsthelatter'sbrowwascorrugatedbythoughtandhisfacialexpressionthatofonewholaborstofastenuponabafflingandillusiverecollection."Itbeatsall,Grayson,"besaidpresently;"butIamsurethatIhaveknownthisnewbookkeeperofyoursbefore.ThemomenthecameoutofthatroomdressedlikeahumanbeingIknewthatIhadknownhim;butforthelifeofmeIcan'tplacehim.Ishouldbewillingtowagerconsiderable,however,thathisnameisnotBridge.""S'pectyou'reright,"assentedGrayson."He'sprobablyoneo'themeasterndudebankclerkswhat'sgonewrongandcomedownheretohide.Mightyfineplacetohidejestnow,too."Andsay,speakin'ofbanks,"hewenton,"what'llIdo'boutsendin'overtoCuivacaferthepaytomorrow.Nextday'spayday.Idon'tliketosendthisherebum,Ican'ttrustagreasernobetter,an'Ican'tsparenoneofmywhitementhetIkentrust.""SendhimwithacoupleofthemosttrustworthyMexicansyouhave,"suggestedtheboss."Thereain'tnosichcritter,"repliedGrayson;"butIguessthat'sthebestIkendo.I'llsendhimalongwithTonyan'Benito--theyhateeachothertoomuchtoframeupanythingtogether,an'theybothhateagringo.Ireckonthey'llhevalovelytrip.""Butthey'llgetbackwiththemoney,eh?"queriedtheboss."IfPesitadon'tget'em,"repliedGrayson. CHAPTERX167CHAPTERXBILLYCRACKSASAFEBILLYBYRNE,captain,rodeintoCuivacafromthesouth.Hehadmadeawidedetourinordertoaccomplishthis;butunderthecircumstanceshehadthoughtitwisetodoso.InhispocketwasasafeconductfromoneofVilla'sgeneralsfarthersouth--asafeconducttakenbyPesitafromthebodyofoneofhisrecentvictims.ItwouldexplainBilly'spresenceinCuivacasinceithadbeenintendedtocarryitsrightfulpossessortoJuarezandacrosstheborderintotheUnitedStates.HefoundthemilitaryestablishmentatCuivacasmallandillcommanded.Thereweresoldiersuponthestreets;buttheonlyregularlydetailedguardwasstationedinfrontofthebank.NoonequestionedBilly.Hedidnothavetoshowhissafeconduct."Thislookseasy,"thoughtBilly."Areg'larskinch."Hefirstattendedtohishorse,turninghimintoapubliccorral,andthensaunteredupthestreettothebank,whichheentered,stillunquestioned.InsidehechangedabilloflargedenominationwhichPesitahadgivenhimforthepurposeofanexcusetoexaminethelayofthebankfromtheinside.Billytookalongtimetocountthechange.Allthetimehiseyeswanderedabouttheinteriorwhilehemadementalnotesofsuchsalientfeaturesasmightproveofmomenttohimlater.ThemoneycountedBillyslowlyrolledacigarette.Hesawthatthebankwasroughlydividedintotwosectionsbyawireandwoodpartition.Ononesidewerethecustomers,ontheothertheclerksandateller.Thelattersatbehindasmallwicketthroughwhichhereceiveddepositsandcashedchecks.Backofhim,againstthewall,stoodalargesafeofAmericanmanufacture.Billyhadhadbusinessbeforewithsimilarsafes.Adoorwayintherearwallledintotheyardbehindthebuilding.Itwasclosedbyaheavydoorcoveredwithsheetironandfastenedbyseveralboltsandathick,strongbar.Therewerenowindowsintherearwall.Fromthatsidethebankappearedalmostimpregnabletosilentassault.InsideeverythingwasprimitiveandBillyfoundhimselfwonderinghowaweekpassedwithoutseeingabankrobberyinthetown.Possiblythestrongreardefensesandthearmedguardinfrontaccountedforit.Satisfiedwithwhathehadlearnedhepassedoutontothesidewalkandcrossedthestreettoasaloon.Somesoldiersandcitizensweredrinkingatlittletablesinfrontofthebar.Acoupleofcardgameswereinprogress,andthroughtheopenreardoorwayBillysawalittlegatheringencirclingacockfight.InnoneofthesethingswasBillyinterested.Whathehadwishedinenteringthesaloonwasmerelyanexcusetoplacehimselfupontheoppositesideofthestreetfromthebankthathemightinspectthefrontfromtheoutsidewithoutarousingsuspicion.Havingpurchasedanddrunkabottleofpoorbeer,thetemperatureofwhichhadprobablyneverbeenbeloweightysinceitleftthebottlingdepartmentoftheTexasbrewerywhichinflicteditupontheignorant,hesaunteredtothefrontwindowandlookedout.Therehesawthatthebankbuildingwasatwo-storyaffair,theentrancetothesecondstorybeingattheleftsideofthefirstfloor,openingdirectlyontothesidewalkinfullviewofthesentrywhopacedtoandfrobeforethestructure.Billywonderedwhatthesecondfloorwasutilizedfor.Hesawsoiledhangingsatthewindowswhicharousedahopeandasuddeninspiration.Therewasasignabovetheentrancetothesecondfloor;butBilly'sknowledgeofthelanguagehadnotprogressedsufficientlytopermithimtotranslateit,althoughhehadhis CHAPTERX168suspicionsastoitsmeaning.Hewouldlearnifhisguesswascorrect.Returningtothebarheorderedanotherbottleofbeer,andashedrankithepracticeduponthebartendersomeofhisrecentlyacquiredSpanishandlearned,thoughnotwithoutconsiderabledifficulty,thathemightfindlodgingsforthenightuponthesecondfloorofthebankbuilding.Muchelated,Billyleftthesaloonandwalkedalongthestreetuntilhecametotheonegeneralstoreofthetown.AfteranotherheartrendingscrimmagewiththelanguageofFerdinandandIsabellahesucceededinmakingseveralpurchases--twoheavysacks,abrace,twobits,andakeyholesaw.Placingthetoolsinoneofthesackshewrappedthewholeinthesecondsackandmadehiswaybacktothebankbuilding.Uponthesecondfloorhefoundtheproprietoroftherooming-houseandengagedaroomintherearofthebuilding,overlookingtheyard.ThelayoutwaseminentlysatisfactorytoCaptainByrneanditwaswithafeelingofgreatself-satisfactionthathedescendedandsoughtarestaurant.HehadbeensentbyPesitamerelytolookoverthegroundandthedefensesofthetown,thattheoutlawmightlaterrideinwithhisentireforceandlootthebank;butBillyByrne,outofhispastexperienceinsuchmatters,hadevolvedamuchsimplerplanforseparatingtheenemyfromhiswealth.Havingeaten,Billyreturnedtohisroom.Itwasnowdarkandthebankclosedandunlightedshowedthatallhadleftit.Onlythesentrypacedupanddownthesidewalkinfront.GoingatoncetohisroomBillywithdrewhistoolsfromtheirhidingplacebeneaththemattress,andamomentlaterwasbusilyengagedinboringholesthroughtheflooratthefootofhisbed.Foranhourheworked,cautiouslyandquietly,untilhehadaroughcircleofholesenclosingaspaceabouttwofeetindiameter.Thenhelaidasidethebraceandbit,andtookthekeyholesaw,withwhichhepatientlysawedthroughthewoodbetweencontiguousholes,until,thecirclecompleted,heliftedoutasectionofthefloorleavinganaperturelargeenoughtopermithimtosqueezehisbodythroughwhenthetimearrivedforhimtopassintothebankbeneath.WhileBillyhadworkedthreemenhadriddenintoCuivaca.TheywereTony,Benito,andthenewbookkeeperofElOroboRancho.TheMexicans,aftereating,repairedatoncetothejoysofthecantina;whileBridgesoughtaroominthebuildingtowhichhisescortdirectedhim.Aschancewouldhaveit,itwasthesamebuildinginwhichBillylaboredandtheroomlayupontherearsideofitoverlookingthesameyard.ButBridgedidnotlieawaketoinspecthissurroundings.Foryearshehadnotriddenasmanymilesashehadduringthepasttwodays,sothatlongunusedmusclescriedoutforrestandrelaxation.Asaresult,Bridgewasasleepalmostassoonashisheadtouchedthepillow,andsoprofoundwashisslumberthatitseemedthatnothingshortofaconvulsionofnaturewouldarousehim.AsBridgelaydownuponhisbedBillyByrnelefthisroomanddescendedtothestreet.Thesentrybeforethebankpaidnoattentiontohim,andBillypassedalong,unhindered,tothecorralwherehehadlefthishorse.Here,ashewassaddlingtheanimal,hewasaccosted,muchtohisdisgust,bytheproprietor.inbrokenEnglishthemanexpressedsurprisethatBillyrodeoutsolateatnight,andtheAmericanthoughtthathedetectedsomethingmorethancuriosityintheother'smannerandtone--suspicionofthestrangegringo.Itwouldneverdotoleavethefellowinthatstateofmind,andsoBillyleanedclosetotheother'sear,andwithabroadgrinandawinkwhispered:"Senorita,"andjerkedhisthumbtowardthesouth."I'llbebackbymornin',"headded.TheMexican'smanneralteredatonce.Helaughedandnodded,knowingly,andpokedBillyintheribs.Then CHAPTERX169hewatchedhimmountandrideoutofthecorraltowardthesouth--whichwasalsointhedirectionofthebank,totherearofwhichBillyrodewithoutefforttoconcealhismovements.Therehedismountedandlefthishorsestandingwiththebridlereinsdraggingupontheground,whileheremovedthelariatfromthepommelofthesaddle,and,stuffingitinsidehisshirt,walkedbacktothestreetonwhichthebuildingstood,andsomadehiswaypastthesentryandtohisroom.Herehepushedbackthebedwhichhehaddrawnovertheholeinthefloor,droppedhistwosacksthroughintothebank,andtyingthebracetooneendofthelariatlowereditthroughafterthesacks.LoopingthemiddleofthelariatoverabedpostBillygraspedbothstrandsfirmlyandloweredhimselfthroughtheapertureintotheroombeneath.Hemadenomorenoiseinhisdescentthanhehadmadeuponothersimilaroccasionsinhispastlifewhenhehadpracticedthegentleartofporch-climbingalongAshlandAvenueandWashingtonBoulevard.Havinggainedthefloorhepulledupononeendofthelariatuntilhehaddrawnitfreeofthebedpostabove,whenitfellintohiswaitinghands.CoilingitcarefullyBillyplaceditaroundhisneckandunderonearm.Billy,actingasaprofessional,wasacarefulandmethodicalman.Healwayssawthateverylittledetailwasproperlyattendedtobeforehewentontothenextphaseofhisendeavors.BecauseofthisingrainedcautionBillyhadlongsincesecuredthetopsofthetwosackstogether,leavingonlyasufficientopeningtopermitoftheireachbeingfilledwithoutdelayorinconvenience.Nowheturnedhisattentiontothereardoor.Thebarandboltswereeasilyshotfromtheirseatsfromtheinside,andBillysawtoitthatthiswasattendedtobeforehewentfurtherwithhislabors.Itwerewelltohaveone'sretreatassuredattheearliestpossiblemoment.AsingleboltBillyleftinplacethathemightnotbesurprisedbyanintruder;butfirsthehadtesteditanddiscoveredthatitcouldbedrawnwithease.ThesematterssatisfactorilyattendedtoBillyassaultedthecombinationknobofthesafewiththemetalbitwhichhehadinsertedinthebracebeforeloweringitintothebank.Theworkwashardandprogressedslowly.ItwasnecessarytowithdrawthebitoftenandlubricateitwithapieceofsoapwhichBillyhadbroughtalonginhispocketforthepurpose;buteventuallyaholewasboredthroughintothetumblersofthecombinationlock.FromwithoutBillycouldhearthefootstepsofthesentrypacingbackandforthwithinfiftyfeetofhim,allunconsciousthatthebankhewasguardingwasbeinglootedalmostbeneathhiseyes.Onceacorporalcamewithanothersoldierandrelievedthesentry.AfterthatBillyheardthefootfallsnolonger,forthenewsentrywasbarefoot.Theboringfinished,Billydrewabitofwirefromaninsidepocketandinserteditinthehole.Then,workingthewirewithaccustomedfingers,heturnedthecombinationknobthiswayandthat,feelingwiththebitofwireuntilthetumblersshouldallbeinline.This,too,wasslowwork;butitwasinfinitelylessliabletoattractattentionthananyothermethodofsafecrackingwithwhichBillywasfamiliar.ItwaslongpastmidnightwhenCaptainByrnewasrewardedwithsuccess--thetumblersclickedintoposition,thehandleofthesafedoorturnedandtheboltsslippedback.Toswingopenthedoorandtransferthecontentsofthesafetothetwosackswastheworkofbutafewminutes.AsBillyroseandthrewtheheavyburdenacrossashoulderheheardachallengefromwithout,andthenaparley.Immediatelyafterthesoundoffootstepsascendingthestairwaytotherooming-housecame CHAPTERX170plainlytohisears,andthenhehadslippedthelastboltuponthereardoorandwasoutintheyardbeyond.NowBridge,sleepingthesleepofutterexhaustionthattheboomofacannonmightnothavedisturbed,didthatinexplicablethingwhicheveryoneofushasdoneahundredtimesinourlives.Heawakened,withastart,outofasoundsleep,thoughnodisturbingnoisehadreachedhisears.Somethingimpelledhimtositupinbed,andashedidsohecouldseethroughthewindowbesidehimintotheyardattherearofthebuilding.Thereinthemoonlighthesawamanthrowingasackacrossthehornofasaddle.Hesawthemanmount,andhesawhimwheelhishorsearoundaboutandrideawaytowardthenorth.ThereseemedtoBridgenothingunusualabouttheman'sact,norhadtherebeenanyindicationeitherofstealthorhastetoarousetheAmerican'ssuspicions.Bridgelaybackagainuponhispillowsandsoughttowootheslumberwhichthesuddenawakeningseemedtohavebanishedfortheremainderofthenight.AndupthestairwaytothesecondfloorstaggeredTonyandBenito.Theirmoneywasgone;buttheyhadacquiredsomethingelsewhichappearedmuchmoredifficulttocarryandnotsoeasilygottenridof.Tonyheldthekeytotheirroom.Itwasthesecondroomupontherightofthehall.Tonyrememberedthatverydistinctly.Hehadimpressedituponhismindbeforeleavingtheroomearlierintheevening,forTonyhadfearedsomesuchcontingencyasthatwhichhadbefallen.Tonyfumbledwiththehandleofadoor,andstabbedvainlyatanelusivekeyhole."Wait,"mumbledBenito."Thisisnottheroom.Itwastheseconddoorfromthestairway.Thisisthethird."Tonylurchedaboutandstaggeredback.Tonyreasoned:"Ifthatwasthethirddoorthenextbehindmemustbethesecond,andontheright;"butTonytooknotintoconsiderationthathehadreversedthedirectionofhiserraticwobbling.Helungedacrossthehall--notbecausehewishedtobutbecausethespiritsmovedhim.Hecameincontactwithadoor."This,then,mustbetheseconddoor,"hesoliloquized,"anditisuponmyright.Ah,Benito,thisistheroom!"Benitowasskeptical.Hesaidasmuch;butTonywasobdurate.Didhenotknowaseconddoorwhenhesawone?Washe,furthermore,notagrownmanandthereforeentirelycapableofdistinguishingbetweenhislefthandandhisright?Yes!Tonywasallofthat,andmore,soTonyinsertedthekeyinthelock--itwouldhaveturnedanylockuponthesecondfloor--and,lo!thedoorswunginwarduponitshinges."Ah!Benito,"criedTony."DidInottellyouso?See!Thisisourroom,forthekeyopensthedoor."Theroomwasdark.Tony,carriedforwardbytheweightofhishead,whichhadlongsincegrownunaccountablyheavy,rushedhisfeetrapidlyforwardthathemightkeepthemwithinafewinchesofhiscenterofequilibrium.Thedistancewhichittookhisfeettocatchupwithhisheadwasequaltothedistancebetweenthedoorwayandthefootofthebed,andwhenTonyreachedthatspot,withBenitomeanderingafterhim,thelatter,muchtohisastonishment,sawinthediffusedmoonlightwhichpervadedtheroom,themiraculousdisappearanceofhisformerenemyanderstwhilefriend.Thenfromthedepthsbelowcameawildscreamandaheavythud.Thesentryuponthebeatbeforethebankheardboth.Foraninstanthestoodmotionless,thenhecalledaloudfortheguard,andturnedtowardthebankdoor.Butthiswaslockedandhecouldbutpeerinthroughthewindows.Seeingadarkformwithin,andbeingaMexicanheraisedhisrifleandfiredthroughtheglassofthedoors.Tony,whohaddroppedthroughtheholewhichBillyhadusedsoquietly,heardthezingofabulletpasshis CHAPTERX171head,andtheimpactasitsploshedintotheadobewallbehindhim.WithasecondyellTonydodgedbehindthesafeandbesoughtMarytoprotecthim.FromaboveBenitopeeredthroughtheholeintotheblacknessbelow.Downthehallcamethebarefootlandlord,awakenedbythescreamsandtheshot.BehindhimcameBridge,bucklinghisrevolverbeltabouthishipsasheran.NothavingbeenfurnishedwithpajamasBridgehadnotthoughtitnecessarytoremovehisclothing,andsohehadlostnotimeindressing.Whenthetwo,nowjoinedbyBenito,reachedthestreettheyfoundtheguardthere,batteringinthebankdoors.Benito,fearingforthelifeofTony,whichifanyonetookshouldbetakenbyhim,rusheduponthesergeantoftheguard,explainingwithbothlipsandhandstheremarkableaccidentwhichhadprecipitatedTonyintothebank.Thesergeantlistened,thoughhedidnotbelieve,andwhenthedoorshadfallenin,hecommandedTonytocomeoutwithhishandsabovehishead.Thenfollowedaninvestigationwhichdisclosedthelootingofthesafe,andthegreatholeintheceilingthroughwhichTonyhadtumbled.ThebankpresidentcamewhilethesergeantandthelandlordwereinBilly'sroominvestigating.Bridgehadfollowedthem."Itwasthegringo,"criedtheexcitedBoniface."Thisishisroom.HehascutaholeinmyfloorwhichIshallhavetopaytohaverepaired."Acaptaincamenext,sleepy-eyedandprofane.Whenheheardwhathadhappenedandthatthewealthwhichhehadbeendetailedtoguardhadbeentakenwhileheslept,hetorehishairandpromisedthatthesentryshouldbeshotatdawn.BythetimetheyhadreturnedtothestreetallthemalepopulationofCuivacawasthereandmostofthefemale."One-thousanddollars,"criedthebankpresident,"tothemanwhostopsthethiefandreturnstomewhatthevillainhasstolen."Adetachmentofsoldierswasinthesaddleandpassingthebankastheofferwasmade."Whichwaydidhego?"askedthecaptain."Didnooneseehimleave?"Bridgewasuponthepointofsayingthathehadseenhimandthathehadriddennorth,whenitoccurredtohimthatathousanddollars--evenathousanddollarsMex--wasagreatdealofmoney,andthatitwouldcarrybothhimselfandBillytoRioandleavesomethingforpleasurebeside.Thenupspokeatall,thinmanwiththeskinofacoffeebean."Isawhim,SenorCapitan,"hecried."Hekepthishorseinmycorral,andatnighthecameandtookitoutsayingthathewasridingtovisitasenorita.Hefooledme,thescoundrel;butIwilltellyou--herodesouth.Isawhimridesouthwithmyowneyes.""Thenweshallhavehimbeforemorning,"criedthecaptain,"forthereisbutoneplacetothesouthwherearobberwouldride,andhehasnothadsufficientstartofusthathecanreachsafetybeforeweoverhaulhim.Forward!March!"andthedetachmentmoveddownthenarrowstreet."Trot!March!"Andastheypassedthestore:"Gallop!March!" CHAPTERX172Bridgealmostranthelengthofthestreettothecorral.Hisponymustberestedbynow,andafewmilestothenorththegringowhosecapturemeantathousanddollarstoBridgewasontheroadtoliberty."Ihatetodoit,"thoughtBridge;"because,evenifheisabankrobber,he'sanAmerican;butIneedthemoneyandinallprobabilitythefellowisascoundrelwhoshouldhavebeenhangedlongago."OverthetrailtothenorthrodeCaptainBillyByrne,secureinthebeliefthatnopursuitwoulddevelopuntilaftertheopeninghourofthebankinthemorning,bywhichtimehewouldbehalfwayonhisreturnjourneytoPesita'scamp."Ol'manPesita'llbesomesurprisedwhenIshowhimwhatIgotforhim,"musedBilly."Say!"heexclaimedsuddenlyandaloud,"WhythedevilshouldItakeallthisswagbacktothatyellow-facedyegg?Whopulledthisthingoffanyway?Whyme,ofcourse,anddoesanybodythinkBillyByrne'sboobenoughtosplitwithaguythatdidn'thaveahandinitatall.Split!Whythenut'lltakeitall!"Nix!Mefortheborder.Icouldn'tdoathingwithallthiscoindowninRio,an'Bridgie'llbealongtheremostanytime.Wecanhititupsomeinlil'ol'Rioonthisbuncho'dough.Why,saykid,theremustbeamillionhere,fromtheweightofit."Afrownsuddenlycloudedhisface."WhydidItakeit?"heaskedhimself."WasIcrackin'asafe,orwasIpullin'offsomethingfineferpoor,bleedin'Mexico?IfIwasa-doin'thattheyain'tnothin'criminalinwhatIdone--excepttotheguythatownedthecoin.IfIwasjustplaincrackin'asafeonmyownhookwhythenI'macrookagainan'Ican'tbethat--no,notwiththatfaceofyoursstandin'outtheresoplainrightinfrontofme,justasthoughyouwerethereyourself,askin'metorememberan'bedecent.God!Barbara--whywasn'tIbornforthelikesofyou,andnotjustameasly,ornerymuckerlikeIam.Oh,hell!whatisthatthatBridgesingsofKnibbs's:Thereain'tnosweetPenelopesomewherethat'slongingmuchforme,ButIcansmelltheblunderingsea,andheartherigginghum;AndIcanhearthewhisperinglipsthatflybeforetheout-boundships,AndIcanhearthebreakersonthesanda-calling"Come!"Billytookoffhishatandscratchedhishead."Funny,"hethought,"howagirlandpoetrycangetatoughnutlikeme.IwonderwhattheguysthatusedtohangoutinbackofKelly's'udsayiftheyseenwhatwasgoin'oninmybeanjustnow.They'dcallmeLizzy,eh?Well,theywouldn'tcallmeLizzymore'nonce.Imaybegettin'softinthehead,butI'malltothegoodwithmydukes."SpeedisnotconducivetosentimentalthoughtsandsoBillyhadunconsciouslypermittedhisponytodropintoalazywalk.Therewasnoneedforhasteanyhow.Nooneknewyetthatthebankhadbeenrobbed,oratleastsoBillyargued.Hemight,however,havethoughtdifferentlyuponthesubjectofhastecouldhehavehadaglimpseofthehorsemaninhisrear--twomilesbehindhim,now,butrapidlyclosingupthedistanceatakeengallop,whilehestrainedhiseyesacrossthemoonlitflataheadineagersearchforhisquarry.SoabsorbedwasBillyByrneinhisreflectionsthathisearsweredeaftothepoundingofthehoofsofthepursuer'shorseuponthesoftdustofthedryroaduntilBridgewaslittlemorethanahundredyardsfromhim.Forthelasthalf-mileBridgehadhadthefigureofthefugitiveinfullviewandhismindhadbeenplayingrapidlywithseductivevisionsoftheone-thousanddollarsreward--one-thousanddollarsMex,perhaps,butstillquiteenoughtoexcitepleasantthoughts.AtthefirstglimpseofthehorsemanaheadBridgehadreinedhismountdowntoatrotthatthenoiseofhisapproachmighttherebybelessened.Hehaddrawnhisrevolverfromitsholster,andwasuponthepointofputtingspurstohishorseforasuddendashuponthefugitivewhenthemanahead,finallyattractedbythenoiseoftheother'sapproach,turnedinhissaddleandsawhim. CHAPTERX173Neitherrecognizedtheother,andatBridge'scommandof,"Handsup!"Billy,lightning-likeinhisquickness,drewandfired.ThebulletrakedBridge'shatfromhisheadbutlefthimunscathed.BillyhadwheeledhisponyarounduntilhestoodbroadsidetowardBridge.ThelatterfiredscarceasecondafterBilly'sshothadpingedsoperilouslyclose--firedataperfecttargetbutfiftyyardsaway.Atthesoundofthereporttherobber'shorserearedandplunged,then,wheelingandtotteringhighuponitshindfeet,fellbackward.Billy,realizingthathismounthadbeenhit,triedtothrowhimselffromthesaddle;butuntiltheverymomentthatthebeasttoppledoverthemanwasheldbyhiscartridgebeltwhich,astheanimalfirstlunged,hadcaughtoverthehighhornoftheMexicansaddle.Thebeltslippedfromthehornasthehorsewasfalling,andBillysucceededinthrowinghimselfalittletooneside.Oneleg,however,waspinnedbeneaththeanimal'sbodyandtheforceofthefalljarredtherevolverfromBilly'shandtodropjustbeyondhisreach.Hiscarbinewasinitsbootatthehorse'sside,andtheanimalwaslyinguponit.InstantlyBridgerodetohissideandcoveredhimwithhisrevolver."Don'tmove,"hecommanded,"orI'llbeunderthepainfulnecessityofterminatingyourearthlyendeavorsrighthereandnow.""Well,fortheloveo'Mike!"criedthefallenbandit"You?"Bridgewasoffhishorsetheinstantthatthefamiliarvoicesoundedinhisears."Billy!"heexclaimed."Why--Billy--wasityouwhorobbedthebank?"EvenashespokeBridgewasbusyeasingtheweightofthedeadponyfromBilly'sleg."Anythingbroken?"heaskedasthebanditstruggledtofreehimself."Notsoyoucouldnoticeit,"repliedBilly,andamomentlaterhewasonhisfeet."Say,bo,"headded,"it'samightygoodthingyoudroppedlittlepintohere,forI'dasuregotyoumynextshot.Gee!itmakesmesweattothinkofit.Butaboutthisbankrobbin'business.Youcan'texactlysaythatIrobbedabank.Thatmoneywastheenemy'sresources,an'Ijustnickedtheirresources.That'swar.Thatain'trobbery.Iain'ttakin'itformyself--it'sforthecause--thecauseo'poor,bleedin'Mexico,"andBillygrinnedalargegrin."YoutookitforPesita?"askedBridge."Ofcourse,"repliedBilly."Iwon'tgetajitneyofit.Iwouldn'ttakenoneofit,Bridge,honest.I'monthesquarenow.""Iknowyouare,Billy,"repliedtheother;"butifyou'recaughtyoumightfinditdifficulttoconvincetheauthoritiesofyourhighmindednessandyourdisinterestedness.""Authorities!"scoffedBilly."Thereain'tnoauthoritiesinMexico.Onebanditisjustasgoodasanother,andfromPesitatoCarranzathey'reallbanditsatheart.Theyain'taoneof'emthatgivestwowhoopsinhellforpoor,bleedin'Mexico--unlesstheycandothebleedin'themselves.It'sdogeatdoghere.Iftheycaughtmethey'dshootmewhetherI'drobbedtheirbankornot.What'sthat?"Billywassuddenlyalert,straininghiseyesbackinthedirectionofCuivaca."They'recoming,Billy,"saidBridge."Takemyhorse--quick!Youmustgetoutofhereinahurry.Thewhole CHAPTERX174postissearchingforyou.Ithoughtthattheywenttowardthesouth,though.Someofthemmusthavecircled.""What'llyoudoifItakeyourhorse?"askedBilly."Icanwalkback,"saidBridge,"itisn'tfartotown.I'lltellthemthatIhadcomeonlyashortdistancewhenmyhorsethrewmeandranaway.They'llbelieveitfortheythinkI'marottenhorseman--thetwovaqueroswhoescortedmetotownImean."Billyhesitated."Ihatetodoit,Bridge,"hesaid."Youmust,Billy,"urgedtheother."Iftheyfindusheretogetherit'llmerelymeanthatthetwoofuswillgetit,forI'llstickwithyou,Billy,andwecan'tfightoffawholetroopofcavalryouthereintheopen.Ifyoutakemyhorsewecanbothgetoutofit,andlaterI'llseeyouinRio.Good-bye,Billy,I'mofffortown,"andBridgeturnedandstartedbackalongtheroadonfoot.Billywatchedhiminsilenceforamoment.ThetruthofBridge'sstatementoffactwassoapparentthatBillywasforcedtoaccepttheplan.AmomentlaterhetransferredthebagsofloottoBridge'spony,swungintothesaddle,andtookalastbackwardlookatthediminishingfigureofthemanswingingalonginthedirectionofCuivaca."Say,"hemutteredtohimself;"butyou'rearightone,bo,"andwheelingtothenorthheclappedhisspurstohisnewmountandlopedeasilyoffintothenight. CHAPTERXI175CHAPTERXIBARBARARELEASESACONSPIRATORITwasaweeklater,yetGraysonstillwasgrowlingaboutthelossof"thatthereBrazospony."Grayson,theboss,andtheboss'sdaughterweresittingupontheverandaoftheranchhousewhentheforemanrevertedtothesubject."IknewIdidn'thavenobusinesshirin'amanthetcan'tride,"hesaid."WhythetthereBrazosponyneverdidstumble,an'ifhe'dofstumbledhe'da-stoodaroun'ayearwaitin'tobecaughtupagin.Ijestcain'tfiggeritoutnowayshowthettheretenderfootbookkeeperlosthim.Hemusta-shooedhimawaywithastick.An'saddlean'bridlean'allgonetoo.Doggoneit!""I'mtheonewhoshouldbepeeved,"spokeupthegirlwithawrysmile."Brazoswasmypony.He'stheoneyoupickedoutformetoridewhileIamhere;butIamsurepoorMr.Bridgefeelsasbadlyaboutitasanyone,andIknowthathecouldn'thelpit.Weshouldn'tbetoohardonhim.Wemightjustaswellattempttoholdhimresponsibleforthelootingofthebankandthelossofthepay-rollmoney.""Well,"saidGrayson,"Igivehimthethorse'causeIknewhecouldn'tride,an'thetwasthesafesthorseinthecavvy.IwishtI'dgivenhimSantaAnnainstid--Iwouldn'ta-mindedlosin'him.Therewon'tnooneridehimanyhowhe'sthetornery.""Thethingthatsurprisesmemost,"remarkedtheboss,"isthatBrazosdoesn'tcomeback.Hewasfoaledonthisrange,andhe'sneverbeenriddenanywhereelse,hashe?""Hewasfoaledrighthereonthisranch,"Graysoncorrectedhim,"andheain'tneverbeenmore'nahundredmilefromit.Ifheain'tdeadorstolenhe'da-benbackaforethebookkeeperwas.It'salmightyqueer.""WhatsortofbookkeeperisMr.Bridge?"askedthegirl."Oh,he'sallrightIguess,"repliedGraysongrudgingly."Afeller'sgottobesomegoodatsomething.He'sprobablyoneoftheseherepaper-collar,cracker-fedcollegedudesthetdon'tknownothin'else'ceptwritin'inbooks."Thegirlrose,smiled,andmovedaway."IlikeMr.Bridge,anyhow,"shecalledbackoverhershoulder,"forwhateverhemaynotbeheiscertainlyawell-bredgentleman,"whichspeechdidnottendtoraiseMr.Bridgeintheestimationofthehard-fistedranchforeman."Funnythemgreasersdon'tcomeinfromthenorthrangewiththetbuncho'steers.Theybengonealldaynow,"hesaidtotheboss,ignoringthegirl'spartingsally.Bridgesattip-tiltedagainstthefrontoftheofficebuildingreadinganancientmagazinewhichhehadfoundwithin.Hisday'sworkwasdoneandhewasbutwaitingforthegongthatwouldcallhimtotheeveningmealwiththeotheremployeesoftheranch.Themagazinefailedtorousehisinterest.Heletitdropidlytohiskneesandwitheyesclosedrevertedtohisnever-failingsourceofentertainment.Andthenthatslim,poeticguyheturnedandlookedmeintheeye,"....It'soverlandandoverlandandoverseasto--where?""Mostanywherethatisn'there,"Isays.Hisfacewentkindofqueer."Theplacewe'reinisalwayshere.Theotherplaceisthere." CHAPTERXI176Bridgestretchedluxuriously."'There,'"herepeated."I'vebeensearchingforTHEREformanyyears;butforsomereasonIcannevergetawayfromHERE.AbouttwoweeksofanyplaceonearthandthatplaceisjustplainHEREtome,andI'mlongingonceagainforTHERE."Hismusingswereinterruptedbyasweetfemininevoicecloseby.Bridgedidnotopenhiseyesatonce--hejustsatthere,listening.AsIwashikingpastthewoods,thecoolandsleepysummerwoods,Isawaguya-talkingtothesunshineintheair,ThinksI,"He'sgoingtohaveafit--I'llstickaroundandwatchabit,"Buthepaidnoattention,hardlyknowingIwasthere.ThenthegirlbrokeintoamerrylaughandBridgeopenedhiseyesandcametohisfeet."Ididn'tknowyoucaredforthatsortofstuff,"hesaid."Knibbswritesman-verse.Ishouldn'thaveimaginedthatitwouldappealtoayounglady.""Butitdoes,though,"shereplied;"atleasttome.There'saswingtoitandafreedomthat'getsmeintheeye.'"Againshelaughed,andwhenthisgirllaughed,harder-headedandmucholdermenthanMr.L.Bridgefeltstrangeemotionsmovewithintheirbreasts.ForaweekBarbarahadseenagreatdealofthenewbookkeeper.Asidefromherfatherhewastheonlymanofcultureandrefinementofwhichtheranchocouldboast,or,astheranchowouldhaveputit,beashamedof.Shehadoftensoughttheverandaofthelittleofficeandluredthenewbookkeeperfromhiswork,andonseveraloccasionshadhadhimattheranchhouse.Notonlywasheaninterestingtalker;buttherewasanelementofmysteryabouthimwhichappealedtothegirl'ssenseofromance.Sheknewthathewasagentlemanbornandreared,andsheoftenfoundherselfwonderingwhattragictrainofcircumstanceshadsethimadriftamongtheflotsamofhumanity'swreckage.Too,thesamepersistentconvictionthatshehadknownhimsomewhereinthepastthatpossessedherfatherclungtohermind;butshecouldnotplacehim."IoverheardyourdissertationonHEREANDTHERE,"saidthegirl."Icouldnotverywellhelpit--itwouldhavebeenrudetointerruptaconversation."Hereyessparkledmischievouslyandhercheeksdimpled."Youwouldn'thavebeeninterruptingaconversation,"objectedBridge,smiling;"youwouldhavebeenturningamonologueintoaconversation.""Butitwasaconversation,"insistedthegirl."Thewandererwasconversingwiththebookkeeper.Youareavictimofwanderlust,Mr.L.Bridge--don'tdenyit.Youhatebookkeeping,oranyothersuchprosaicvocationasrequirespermanentresidenceinoneplace.""Comenow,"expostulatedtheman."Thatishardlyfair.Haven'tIbeenhereawholeweek?"Theybothlaughed."Whatintheworldcanhaveinducedyoutoremainsolong?"criedBarbara."Howverymuchlikeanoldtimeryoumustfeel--oneoftheoldestinhabitants.""Iamaregularaborigine,"declaredBridge;buthisheartwouldhavechosenanotherreply.Itwouldhave CHAPTERXI177beengladtotellthegirlthattherewasaveryrealandaverygrowinginducementtoremainatElOroboRancho.Themanwastooself-controlled,however,togivewaytotheimpulsesofhisheart.Atfirsthehadjustlikedthegirl,andbeenimmenselygladofhercompanionshipbecausetherewassomuchthatwascommontothemboth--aloveforgoodmusic,goodpictures,andgoodliterature--thingsBridgehadn'thadanopportunitytodiscusswithanotherforalong,longtime.Andslowlyhehadfounddelightinjustsittingandlookingather.Hewasexperiencedenoughtorealizethatthiswasadangeroussymptom,andsofromthemomenthehadbeenforcedtoacknowledgeittohimselfhehadbeenverycarefultoguardhisspeechandhismannerinthegirl'spresence.Hefoundpleasureindreamingofwhatmighthavebeenashesatwatchingthegirl'schangingexpressionasdifferentmoodspossessedher;butasforpermittingahope,even,ofrealizationofhisdreams--ah,hewasfartoopracticalforthat,dreamerthoughhewas.AsthetwotalkedGraysonpassed.Hisrathersternfacecloudedashesawthegirlandthenewbookkeeperlaughingtheretogether."Ain'tyougotnothin'todo?"heaskedBridge."Yes,indeed,"repliedthelatter."Thenwhydon'tyoudoit?"snappedGrayson."Iam,"saidBridge."Mr.Bridgeisentertainingme,"interruptedthegirl,beforeGraysoncouldmakeanyrejoinder."Itismyfault--Itookhimfromhiswork.Youdon'tmind,doyou,Mr.Grayson?"Graysonmumbledaninarticulatereplyandwenthisway."Mr.Graysondoesnotseemparticularlyenthusiasticaboutme,"laughedBridge."No,"repliedthegirl,candidly;"butIthinkit'sjustbecauseyoucan'tride.""Can'tride!"ejaculatedBridge."Why,haven'tIbeenridingeversinceIcamehere?""Mr.Graysondoesn'tconsideranythinginthewayofequestrianismridingunlesstheriddenisperpetuallyseekingthelifeoftherider,"explainedBarbara."JustatpresentheisterriblyputoutbecauseyoulostBrazos.HesaysBrazosneverstumbledinhislife,andevenifyouhadfallenfromhisbackhewouldhavestoodbesideyouwaitingforyoutoremounthim.Youseehewasthekindesthorseontheranch--especiallypickedformetoride.HoweverintheworldDIDyoulosehim,Mr.Bridge?"Thegirlwaslookingfullatthemanasshepropoundedherquery.Bridgewassilent.Afaintflushoverspreadhisface.Hehadnotbeforeknownthatthehorsewashers.Hecouldn'tverywelltellherthetruth,andhewouldn'tlietoher,sohemadenoreply.Barbarasawtheflushandnotedtheman'ssilence.Forthefirsttimehersuspicionswerearoused,yetshewouldnotbelievethatthisgentle,amiabledriftercouldbeguiltyofanycrimegreaterthannegligenceorcarelessness.Butwhyhisevidentembarrassmentnow?Thegirlwasmystified.Foramomentortwotheysatinsilence,thenBarbararose. CHAPTERXI178"Imustrunalongbacknow,"sheexplained."Papawillbewonderingwhathasbecomeofme.""Yes,"saidBridge,andlethergo.Hewouldhavebeengladtotellherthetruth;buthecouldn'tdothatwithoutbetrayingBilly.HehadheardenoughtoknowthatFranciscoVillahadbeensoangeredovertheboldlootingofthebankinthefaceofacompanyofhisownsoldiersthathewouldstopatnothingtosecurethepersonofthethiefoncehisidentitywasknown.Bridgewasperfectlysatisfiedwiththeethicsofhisownactonthenightofthebankrobbery.Heknewthatthegirlwouldhaveapplaudedhim,andthatGraysonhimselfwouldhavedonewhatBridgedidhadalikeemergencyconfrontedtheranchforeman;buttohaveadmittedcomplicityintheescapeofthefugitivewouldhavebeentohaveexposedhimselftothewrathofVilla,andatthesametimerevealedtheidentityofthethief."Nor,"thoughtBridge,"woulditgetBrazosbackforBarbara."ItwasafterdarkwhenthevaquerosGraysonhadsenttothenorthrangereturnedtotheranch.Theycameempty-handedandslowlyforoneofthemsupportedawoundedcomradeonthesaddlebeforehim.TheyrodedirectlytotheofficewhereGraysonandBridgeweregoingoversomeofthebusinessoftheday,andwhentheformersawthemhisbrowcloudedforheknewbeforeheheardtheirstorywhathadhappened."Whodoneit?"heasked,asthemenfiledintotheoffice,halfcarryingthewoundedman."SomeofPesita'sfollowers,"repliedBenito."Didtheygitthesteers,too?"inquiredGrayson."Partofthem--wedroveoffmostandscatteredthem.WesawtheBrazospony,too,"andBenitolookedfrombeneathheavylashesinthedirectionofthebookkeeper."Where?"askedGrayson."OneofPesita'sofficersrodehim--anAmericano.TonyandIsawthissamemaninCuivacathenightthebankwasrobbed,andtodayhewasridingtheBrazospony."AgainthedarkeyesturnedtowardBridge.GraysonwasquicktocatchthesignificanceoftheMexican'smeaning.Themoresoasitwasdirectlyinlinewithsuspicionswhichhehimselfhadbeennursingsincetherobbery.Duringthecolloquythebossenteredtheoffice.Hehadheardthereturningvaquerosrideintotheranchandnotingthattheybroughtnosteerswiththemhadcometotheofficetoheartheirstory.Barbara,spurredbycuriosity,accompaniedherfather."YouheardwhatBenitosays?"askedGrayson,turningtowardhisemployerThelatternodded.AlleyeswereuponBridge."Well,"snappedGrayson,"whatyougottasayferyourself?Ibensuspectin'yourightalong.IknewdernedwellthatthatthereBrazosponyneverrunoffbyhisself.Youan'thatothercrookfromtheStatesframedthiswholethingupprettyslick,didn'tcha?Well,we'll--""Waitamoment,waitamoment,Grayson,"interruptedtheboss."GiveMr.Bridgeachancetoexplain.You'remakingaratherseriouschargeagainsthimwithoutanyparticularlystrongprooftobackyouraccusation.""Oh,that'sallright,"exclaimedBridge,withasmile."IhaveknownthatMr.Graysonsuspectedmeofimplicationintherobbery;butwhocanblamehim--amanwhocan'tridemightbeguiltyofalmostanything." CHAPTERXI179Graysonsniffed.BarbaratookastepnearerBridge.Shehadbeenreadytodoubthimherselfonlyanhourorsoago;butthatwasbeforehehadbeenaccused.Nowthatshefoundothersarrayedagainsthimherimpulsewastocometohisdefense."Youdidn'tdoit,didyou,Mr.Bridge?"Hertonewasalmostpleading."Ifyoumeanrobbingthebank,"hereplied;"IdidnotMissBarbara.IknewnomoreaboutituntilafteritwasoverthanBenitoorTony--infacttheyweretheoneswhodiscovereditwhileIwasstillasleepinmyroomabovethebank.""Well,howdidtherobbergitthetthereBrazosponythen?"demandedGraysonsavagely."Thet'swhatIwanttoknow.""You'llhavetoaskhim,Mr.Grayson,"repliedBridge."Villa'llaskhim,whenhegitsholtofhim,"snappedGrayson;"butIreckonhe'llgitalltheinformationoutofyouthethewantsfirst.He'llbeinCuivacatomorrer,an'sowillyou.""YoumeanthatyouaregoingtoturnmeovertoGeneralVilla?"askedBridge."YouaregoingtoturnanAmericanovertothatbutcherknowingthathe'llbeshotinsideoftwenty-fourhours?"Shootin'stoodamnedgoodferahorsethief,"repliedGrayson.Barbaraturnedimpulsivelytowardherfather."Youwon'tletMr.Graysondothat?"sheasked."Mr.Graysonknowsbesthowtohandlesuchanaffairasthis,Barbara,"repliedherfather."Heismysuperintendent,andIhavemadeitapointnevertointerferewithhim.""YouwillletMr.Bridgebeshotwithoutmakinganefforttosavehim?"shedemanded."Wedonotknowthathewillbeshot,"repliedtheranchowner."Ifheisinnocentthereisnoreasonwhyheshouldbepunished.IfheisguiltyofimplicationintheCuivacabankrobberyhedeserves,accordingtotherulesofwar,todie,forGeneralVilla,Iamtold,considersthatatreasonableact.Someofthefundsuponwhichhisgovernmentdependsformunitionsofwarwerethere--theywerestolenandturnedovertotheenemiesofMexico.""Andifweinterferewe'llturnVillaagainstus,"interposedGrayson."Heain'tanytookeenforAmericansasitis.Why,ifthisfellowwasmybrotherI'dhevtoturnhimovertotheauthorities.""Well,IthankGod,"exclaimedBridgefervently,"thatinadditiontobeingshotbyVillaIdon'thavetoenduretheaddeddisgraceofbeingrelatedtoyou,andI'mnotsosurethatIshallbehangedbyVilla,"andwiththathewipedtheoillampfromthetableagainstwhichhehadbeenleaning,andleapedacrosstheroomforthedoorway.Barbaraandherfatherhadbeenstandingnearesttheexit,andasthegirlrealizedtheboldbreakforlibertythemanwasmaking,shepushedherfathertoonesideandthrewopenthedoor.Bridgewasthroughitinaninstant,withaparting,"Godblessyou,littlegirl!"ashepassedher.Thenthedoorwasclosedwithabang.Barbaraturnedthekey,withdrewitfromthelockandthrewitacrossthedarkenedroom.GraysonandtheunwoundedMexicansleapedafterthefugitiveonlytofindtheirwaybarredbythelocked CHAPTERXI180door.OutsideBridgerantothehorsesstandingpatientlywithloweredheadsawaitingthereturnoftheirmasters.Inaninstanthewasastrideoneofthem,andlashingtheothersaheadofhimwithaquirthespurredawayintothenight.BythetimeGraysonandtheMexicanshadwormedtheirwaythroughoneofthesmallwindowsoftheofficethenewbookkeeperwasbeyondsightandearshot.Astheranchforemanwassaddlingupwithseveralofhismeninthecorraltogivechasetothefugitivethebossstrolledinandtouchedhimonthearm."Mr.Grayson,"hesaid,"Ihavemadeitapointnevertointerferewithyou;butIamgoingtoaskyounownottopursueMr.Bridge.Ishallbegladifhemakesgoodhisescape.Barbarawasright--heisafellow-American.WecannotturnhimovertoVilla,oranyotherMexicantobemurdered."GrumblinglyGraysonunsaddled."Efyou'dseenwhatI'veseenaroundhere,"hesaid,"Iguessyouwouldn'tbesokeentosavethisfeller'shide.""Whatdoyoumean?"askedtheboss."Imeanthathe'sbentryin'tomakelovetoyourdaughter."Theoldermanlaughed."Don'tbeafool,Grayson,"hesaid,andwalkedaway.AnhourlaterBarbarawasstrollingupanddownbeforetheranchhouseinthecoolandrefreshingairoftheChihuahuanight.Hermindwasoccupiedwithdisquietingreflectionsofthepastfewhours.Herpridewasimmeasurablyhurtbythepartimpulsehadforcedhertotakeintheaffairattheoffice.NotthatsheregrettedthatshehadconnivedintheescapeofBridge;butitwashumiliatingthatagirlofherpositionshouldhavebeencompelledtoplaysomelodramaticapartbeforeGraysonandhisMexicanvaqueros.Then,too,wasshedisappointedinBridge.Shehadlookeduponhimasagentlemanwhommisfortuneandwanderlusthadreducedtotheloweststratumofsociety.Nowshefearedthathebelongedtothatsubstratumwhichliesbelowthelowestwhichsocietyrecognizesasapartofitself,andwhichiscomposedsolelyofthecriminalclass.ItwashardforBarbaratorealizethatshehadassociatedwithathief--justforamomentitwashard,untilrecollectionforceduponhertheunwelcomefactofthestatusofanotherwhomshehadknown--towhomshehadgivenherlove.Thegirldidnotwinceatthethought--insteadshesquaredhershouldersandraisedherchin."Iamproudofhim,whateverhemayhavebeen,"shemurmured;butshewasnotthinkingofthenewbookkeeper.WhenshedidthinkagainofBridgeitwastobegladthathehadescaped--"forheisanAmerican,likemyself.""Well!"exclaimedavoicebehindher."Youplayedusaprettytrick,MissBarbara."ThegirlturnedtoseeGraysonapproaching.Tohersurpriseheseemedtoholdnoresentmentwhatsoever.Shegreetedhimcourteously."Icouldn'tletyouturnanAmericanovertoGeneralVilla,"shesaid,"nomatterwhathehaddone.""Ilikedyourspirit,"saidtheman."You'rethekindo'girlIbenlookin'ferallmylife--onewithnervean'grit,an'yougot'emboth.Youlikedthetbookkeepin'critter,an'hewasn'thalfaman.Ilikeyouan'Iamaman,ef CHAPTERXI181Idosaysomyself."Thegirldrewbackinastonishment."Mr.Grayson!"sheexclaimed."Youareforgettingyourself.""NoIain't,"hecriedhoarsely."Iloveyouan'I'mgoin'tohaveyou.You'dlovemetooefyouknewmebetter."Hetookastepforwardandgraspedherarm,tryingtodrawhertohim.Thegirlpushedhimawaywithonehand,andwiththeotherstruckhimacrosstheface.Graysondroppedherarm,andashedidsoshedrewherselftoherfullheightandlookedhimstraightintheeyes."Youmaygonow,"shesaid,hervoicelikeice."Ishallneverspeakofthistoanyone--providedyouneverattempttorepeatit."Themanmadenoreply.Theblowinthefacehadcooledhisardortemporarily,buthaditnotalsoservedanotherpurpose?--tocrystallizeitintoafirmandinexorableresolve.WhenhehaddepartedBarbaraturnedandenteredthehouse. CHAPTERXII182CHAPTERXIIBILLYTOTHERESCUEITWASnearlyteno'clockthefollowingmorningwhenBarbara,sittingupontheverandaoftheranchhouse,sawherfatherapproachingfromthedirectionoftheoffice.Hisfaceworeatroubledexpressionwhichthegirlcouldnotbutnote."What'sthematter,Papa?"sheasked,ashesankintoachairatherside."Yourself-sacrificeoflasteveningwasalltonoavail,"hereplied."BridgehasbeencapturedbyVillistas.""What?"criedthegirl."Youcan'tmeanit--howdidyoulearn?""GraysonjusthadaphonemessagefromCuivaca,"heexplained."TheyonlyrepairedthelineyesterdaysincePesita'smencutitlastmonth.Thiswasourfirstmessage.Anddoyouknow,Barbara,Ican'thelpfeelingsorry.Ihadhopedthathewouldgetaway.""SohadI,"saidthegirl.Herfatherwaseyeinghercloselytonotetheeffectofhisannouncementuponher;buthecouldseenogreaterconcernreflectedthanthatwhichhehimselffeltforafellow-manandanAmericanwhowasdoomedtodeathatthehandsofanalienrace,farfromhisownlandandhisownpeople."Cannothingbedone?"sheasked."Absolutely,"herepliedwithfinality."IhavetalkeditoverwithGraysonandheassuresmethatanattemptatinterventionuponourpartmighttendtoantagonizeVilla,inwhichcaseweareallasgoodaslost.Heisnonetoofondofusasitis,andGraysonbelieves,andnotwithoutreason,thathewouldwelcometheslightestpretextforwithdrawingtheprotectionofhisfavor.Instantlyhedidthatweshouldbecomethepreyofeverymaraudingbandthatinfeststhemountains.NotonlywouldPesitaswoopdownuponus,butthosecompaniesoffreebooterswhichacknowledgenominalloyaltytoVillawouldbeaboutourearsinnotime.No,dear,wemaydonothing.Theyoungmanhasmadehisbed,andnowIamafraidthathewillhavetolieinitalone."Forawhilethegirlsatinsilence,andpresentlyherfatheraroseandenteredthehouse.Shortlyaftershefollowedhim,reappearingsooninridingtogsandwalkingrapidlytothecorrals.HereshefoundanAmericancowboybusilyengagedinwhittlingastickashesatuponanupturnedcrackerboxandshotaccuratestreamsoftobaccojuiceatacoupleofindustrioustumblebugsthathadhadthegreatimpudencetorolltheirlittleballofprovenderwithinthewhittler'srange."OEddie!"shecried.Themanlookedup,andwasatonceelectrifiedintoaction.Hesprangtohisfeetandwhippedoffhissombrero.Abroadsmileilluminedhisfreckledface."Yes,miss,"heanswered."WhatcanIdoforyou?""Saddleaponyforme,Eddie,"sheexplained."Iwanttotakealittleride.""Sure!"heassuredhercheerily."Haveitreadyinajiffy,"andawayhewent,uncoilinghisriata,towardthelittlegroupofsaddleponieswhichstoodinthecorralagainstnecessityforinstantuse. CHAPTERXII183Inacoupleofminuteshecamebackleadingone,whichhetiedtothecorralbars."ButIcan'tridethathorse,"exclaimedthegirl."Hebucks.""Sure,"saidEddie."I'ma-goin'toridehim.""Oh,areyougoingsomewhere?"sheasked."I'mgoin'withyou,miss,"announcedEddie,sheepishly."ButIdidn'taskyou,Eddie,andIdon'twantyou--today,"sheurged."Sorry,miss,"hethrewbackoverhisshoulderashewalkedbacktoropeasecondpony;"butthem'sorders.You'renottobeallowedtoridenoplacewithoutaescort.'Twouldn'tbesafeneither,miss,"healmostpleaded,"an'Iwon'thinderyounone.I'llridebehindfarenoughtobethereefI'mneeded."Directlyhecamebackwithanotherpony,asad-eyed,gentle-appearinglittlebeast,andcommencedsaddlingandbridlingthetwo."Willyoupromise,"sheasked,afterwatchinghiminsilenceforatime,"thatyouwilltellnoonewhereIgoorwhomIsee?""Crossmyhearthopetodie,"heassuredher."Allright,Eddie,thenI'llletyoucomewithme,andyoucanridebesideme,insteadofbehind."Acrosstheflattheyrode,followingthewindingsoftheriverroad,onemile,two,five,ten.Eddiehadlongsincebeenwonderingwhatthepurposeofsosteadyapacecouldbe.Thiswasnopleasureridewhichtooktheboss'sdaughter--"heifer,"Eddiewouldhavecalledher--tenmilesupriveratahardtrot.Eddiewasworried,too.Theyhadpassedthedangerline,andwerewellwithinthestampinggroundofPesitaandhisretainers.Hereeachlittleadobedwelling,andtheywerescatteredatintervalsofamileormorealongtheriver,containedarabidpartisanofPesita,oritcontainednoone--Pesitahadseentothislatterconditionpersonally.Atlasttheyoungladydrewreinbeforeasqualidanddilapidatedhut.Eddiegasped.ItwasJose's,andJosewasanotoriousscoundrelwhomoldagealonekeptfromtheactivepursuitoftheonlycallingheeverhadknown--brigandage.Whyshouldtheboss'sdaughtercometoJose?JosewashandinglovewitheverycutthroatinChihuahua,oratleastwithinaradiusoftwohundredmilesofhisabode.Barbaraswungherselffromthesaddle,andhandedherbridlereinstoEddie."Holdhim,please,"shesaid."I'llbegonebutamoment.""You'renotgoin'intheretoseeoldJosealone?"gaspedEddie."Whynot?"sheasked."Ifyou'reafraidyoucanleavemyhorseandridealonghome."Eddiecoloredtotherootsofhissandyhair,andkeptsilent.Thegirlapproachedthedoorwayofthemeanhovelandpeeredwithin.Atoneendsatabentoldman,smoking.HelookedupasBarbara'sfiguredarkenedthedoorway."Jose!"saidthegirl. CHAPTERXII184Theoldmanrosetohisfeetandcametowardher."Eh?Senorita,eh?"hecackled."YouareJose?"sheasked."Si,senorita,"repliedtheoldIndian."WhatcanpooroldJosedotoservethebeautifulsenorita?""YoucancarryamessagetooneofPesita'sofficers,"repliedthegirl."IhaveheardmuchaboutyousinceIcametoMexico.IknowthatthereisnotanothermaninthispartofChihuahuawhomaysoeasilyreachPesitaasyou."SheraisedherhandforsilenceastheIndianwouldhaveprotested.Thenshereachedintothepocketofherridingbreechesandwithdrewahandfulofsilverwhichshepermittedtotrickle,tinklingly,fromonepalmtotheother."IwishyoutogotothecampofPesita,"shecontinued,"andcarrywordtothemanwhorobbedthebankatCuivaca--heisanAmerican--thathisfriend,SenorBridgehasbeencapturedbyVillaandisbeingheldforexecutioninCuivaca.Youmustgoatonce--youmustgetwordtoSenorBridge'sfriendsothathelpmayreachSenorBridgebeforedawn.Doyouunderstand?"TheIndiannoddedassent."Here,"saidthegirl,"isapaymentonaccount.WhenIknowthatyoudeliveredthemessageintimeyoushallhaveasmuchmore.Willyoudoit?""Iwilltry,"saidtheIndian,andstretchedforthaclawlikehandforthemoney."Good!"exclaimedBarbara."Nowstartatonce,"andshedroppedthesilvercoinsintotheoldman'spalm.ItwasduskwhenCaptainBillyByrnewassummonedtothetentofPesita.Therehefoundaweazened,oldIndiansquattingatthesideoftheoutlaw."Jose,"saidPesita,"haswordforyou."BillyByrneturnedquestioninglytowardtheIndian."Ihavebeensent,SenorCapitan,"explainedJose,"bythebeautifulsenoritaofElOroboRanchototellyouthatyourfriend,SenorBridge,hasbeencapturedbyGeneralVilla,andisbeingheldatCuivaca,wherehewilldoubtlessbeshot--ifhelpdoesnotreachhimbeforetomorrowmorning."PesitawaslookingquestioninglyatByrne.SincethegringohadreturnedfromCuivacawiththelootofthebankandturnedthelastpennyofitovertohimtheoutlawhadlookeduponhisnewcaptainassomethingjustshortofsuperhuman.TohaverobbedthebankthuseasilywhileVilla'ssoldierspacedbackandforthbeforethedoorwayseemedlittleshortofanindicationofmiraculouspowers,whiletohaveturnedthelootoverintacttohischief,notaskingforsomuchasapesoofit,wasabsolutelyincredible.Pesitacouldnotunderstandthisman;butheadmiredhimgreatlyandfearedhim,too.SuchamanwasworthahundredoftheordinaryrunofhumanitythatenlistedbeneathPesita'sbanners.Byrnehadbuttoaskafavortohaveitgranted,andnow,whenhecalleduponPesitatofurnishhimwithasuitableforcefortherescueofBridgethebrigandenthusiasticallyaccededtohisdemands."Iwillcome,"heexclaimed,"andallmymenshallridewithme.WewilltakeCuivacabystorm.WemayevencaptureVillahimself.""Waitaminute,bo,"interruptedBillyByrne."Don'tgetexcited.I'mlookin'togetmypalouten'Cuivaca. CHAPTERXII185AfterthatIdon'tcarewhoyoucapture;butI'mgoin'togetBridgieoutfirst.Ikendoitwithtwenty-fivemen--ifitain'ttoolate.Then,ifyouwantto,youcanshootupthetown.Lemmehavethetwenty-five,an'youhangaroundtheedgeswiththerestof'em'tilI'mdone.Whaddayasay?"Pesitawaswillingtoagreetoanything,andsoitcamethathalfanhourlaterBillyByrnewasleadingachoiceselectionofsometwodozencutthroatsdownthroughthehillstowardCuivaca.WhileacoupleofmilesintherearfollowedPesitawiththebalanceofhisband.BillyrodeuntilthefewremaininglightsofCuivacashonebutashortdistanceaheadandtheycouldhearplainlythestrainsofagratinggraphophonefrombeyondtheopenwindowsofadancehall,andthevoicesofthesentriesastheycalledthehour."Stayhere,"saidBillytoasergeantathisside,"untilyouhearahootowlcrythreetimesfromthedirectionofthebarracksandguardhouse,thenchargetheoppositeendofthetown,firingoffyourcarbineslikehellan'yellin'yerheadsoff.Makealltheracketyoucan,an'keepitup'tilyouget'emcomin'inyourdirection,see?Thenturnan'dropbackslowly,eggin''emon,butholdin''emtoitaslongasyoucan.Doyougetme,bo?"FromthemixtureofSpanishandEnglishandGranavenooishthesergeantgleanedenoughoftheintentofhiscommandertopermithimtosaluteandadmitthatheunderstoodwhatwasrequiredofhim.HavinggivenhisinstructionsBillyByrnerodeofftothewest,circledCuivacaandcamecloseupuponthesouthernedgeofthelittlevillage.Herehedismountedandlefthishorsehiddenbehindanoutbuilding,whilehecreptcautiouslyforwardtoreconnoiter.Heknewthattheforcewithinthevillagehadnoreasontofearattack.Villaknewwherethemainbodiesofhisenemieslay,andthatnoforcecouldapproachCuivacawithoutwordofitscomingreachingthegarrisonmanyhoursinadvanceofthefoe.ThatPesita,oranotheroftheseveralbanditchiefsintheneighborhoodwoulddaredescenduponagarrisonedtownneverforamomententeredthecalculationsoftherebelleader.ForthesereasonsBillyarguedthatCuivacawouldbepoorlyguarded.Onthenighthehadspenttherehehadseensentriesbeforethebank,theguardhouse,andthebarracksinadditiontoonewhopacedtoandfroinfrontofthehouseinwhichthecommanderofthegarrisonmaintainedhisheadquarters.Asidefromthesethetownwasunguarded.Norwereconditionsdifferenttonight.Billycamewithinahundredyardsoftheguardhousebeforehediscoveredasentinel.Thefellowlolleduponhisguninfrontofthebuilding--anadobestructureintherearofthebarracks.Theotherthreesidesoftheguardhouseappearedtobeunwatched.Billythrewhimselfuponhisstomachandcrawledslowlyforwardstoppingoften.Thesentryseemedasleep.Hedidnotmove.Billyreachedtheshadowatthesideofthestructureandsomefiftyfeetfromthesoldierwithoutdetection.Thenherosetohisfeetdirectlybeneathabarredwindow.WithinBridgepacedbackandforththelengthofthelittlebuilding.Hecouldnotsleep.Tomorrowhewastobeshot!Bridgedidnotwishtodie.ThatverymorningGeneralVillainpersonhadexaminedhim.Thegeneralhadbeenexceedinglywroth--thestingofthetheftofhisfundsstillirritatedhim;buthehadgivenBridgenoinklingastohisfate.Ithadremainedforafellow-prisonertodothat.Thisman,adeserter,wastobeshot,sohesaid,withBridge,afactwhichgavehimanadditionaltwenty-fourhoursoflife,since,heasserted,GeneralVillawishedtobeelsewherethaninCuivacawhenanAmericanwasexecuted.Thushecoulddisclaimresponsibilityfortheact.Thegeneralwastodepartinthemorning.Shortlyafter,Bridgeandthedeserterwouldbeledoutandblindfoldedbeforeastonewall--iftherewassuchathing,orabrickwall,oranadobewall.Itmadelittle CHAPTERXII186differencetothedeserter,ortoBridgeeither.Thewallwasbutatrivialfactor.Itmightgofartoaddromancetowhomevershouldreadoftheaffairlater;butinsofarasBridgeandthedeserterwereconcerneditmeantnothing.Abillboard,thoughtBridge,bearingtheslogan:"Eventually!Whynotnow?"wouldhavebeenequallyasefficaciousandfarmoreappropriate.Theroominwhichhewasconfinedwasstuffywiththeodorofaccumulatedfilth.Twosmallbarredwindowsalonegavemeansofventilation.Heandthedeserterweretheonlyprisoners.Thelattersleptassoundlyasthoughthemorrowheldnothingmoremomentousinhisdestinythananyofthedaysthathadprecededit.Bridgewasmovedtokickthefellowintoconsciousnessofhisimpendingfate.Insteadhewalkedtothesouthwindowtofillhislungswiththefreeairbeyondhisprisonpen,andgazesorrowfullyatthestar-litskywhichheshouldneveragainbehold.InalowtoneBridgecroonedasnatchofthepoemthatheandBillylikedbest:Andyou,mysweetPenelope,outtheresomewhereyouwaitforme,Withbudsofrosesinyourhairandkissesonyourmouth.Bridge'smentalvisionwasconcentratedupontheverandaofawhite-walledranchhousetotheeast.Heshookhisheadangrily."It'sjustaswell,"hethought."She'snotforme."Somethingmoveduponthegroundbeyondthewindow.Bridgebecamesuddenlyintentuponthething.Hesawitriseandresolveitselfintothefigureofaman,andthen,inalowwhisper,cameafamiliarvoice:"Thereain'tnorosesinmyhair,butthere'sabarkerinmyshirt,an'anotheratmeside.Here'soneof'em.Theygotkissesbeatacityblock.How'sthedooro'thisthingfastened?"Thespeakerwasquiteclosetothewindownow,hisfacebutafewinchesfromBridge's."Billy!"ejaculatedthecondemnedman."Surestthingyouknow;butaboutthedoor?""Justaheavybarontheoutside,"repliedBridge."Easy,"commentedBilly,relieved."GetreadytobeatitwhenIopenthedoor.Igotaponysoutho'townthat'llhavetocarrydoubleforalittlewaytonight.""Godblessyou,Billy!"whisperedBridge,fervently."Laylowafewminutes,"saidBilly,andmovedawaytowardtherearoftheguardhouse.Afewminuteslatertherebrokeuponthenightairthedismalhootofanowl.Atintervalsofafewsecondsitwasrepeatedtwice.Thesentrybeforetheguardhouseshiftedhispositionandlookedabout,thenhesettledback,transferringhisweighttotheotherfoot,andresumedhisbovinemeditations.Themanattherearoftheguardhousemovedsilentlyalongthesideofthestructureuntilhestoodwithinafewfeetoftheunsuspectingsentinel,hiddenfromhimbythecornerofthebuilding.Aheavyrevolverdangledfromhisrighthand.Hehelditlooselybythebarrel,andwaited.Forfiveminutesthesilenceofthenightwasunbroken,thenfromtheeastcameasingleshot,followedimmediatelybyascatteringfusilladeandachorusofhoarsecries. CHAPTERXII187BillyByrnesmiled.Thesentryresumedindicationsofquickness.Fromthebarracksbeyondtheguardhousecamesharpcommandsandthesoundsofmenrunning.Fromtheoppositeendofthetownthenoiseofbattlewelleduptoominousproportions.Billyheardthesoldiersstreamfromtheirquartersandamomentlatersawthemtrotupthestreetatthedouble.Everyonewasmovingtowardtheoppositeendofthetownexceptthelonesentinelbeforetheguardhouse.Themomentseemedpropitiousforhisattempt.Billypeeredaroundthecorneroftheguardhouse.Conditionswerejustashehadpicturedtheywouldbe.Thesentrystoodgazinginthedirectionofthefiring,hisbacktowardtheguardhousedoorandBilly.WithaboundtheAmericanclearedthespacebetweenhimselfandtheunsuspectingandunfortunatesoldier.Thebuttoftheheavyrevolverfell,almostnoiselessly,uponthebackofthesentry'shead,andthemansanktothegroundwithoutevenamoan.TurningtothedoorBillyknockedthebarfromitsplace,thedoorswunginandBridgeslippedthroughtoliberty."Quick!"saidBilly."Followme,"andturnedatarapidruntowardthesouthedgeofthetown.Hemadenoeffortnowtoconcealhismovements.Speedwastheonlyessential,andthetwocoveredthegroundswiftlyandopenlywithoutanyattempttotakeadvantageofcover.TheyreachedBilly'shorseunnoticed,andamomentlaterweretrottingtowardthewesttocirclethetownandregainthetrailtothenorthandsafety.TotheeasttheyheardthediminishingriflefireofthecombatantsasPesita'smenfellsteadilybackbeforethedefenders,anddrewthemawayfromCuivacainaccordancewithBilly'splan."Liketakin'candyfromababy,"saidBilly,whentheflickeringlightsofCuivacashonetothesouthofthem,andtheroadaheadlaycleartotherendezvousofthebrigands."Yes,"agreedBridge;"butwhatI'dliketoknow,Billy,ishowyoufoundoutIwasthere.""Penelope,"saidByrne,laughing."Penelope!"queriedBridge."I'mnotatallsurethatIfollowyou,Billy.""Well,seein'asyou'resittin'onbehindyoucan'tbeleadin'me,"returnedBilly;"butcuttin'thekiditwasaskirttippeditofftomewhereyouwas--thebeautifulsenoritaofElOroboRancho,IthinkJosecalledher.Nowareyouhep?"Bridgegaveanexclamationofastonishment."Godblessher!"hesaid."Shedidthatforme?""Shesuredid,"Billyassuredhim,"an'I'llbetanironcaseshe'sa-waitin'foryoutherewithbudso'rosesinherhairan'kissesonhermouth,youoldson-of-a-gun,you."Billylaughedhappily.HewashappyanywayathavingrescuedBridge,andtheknowledgethathisfriendwasinloveandthatthegirlreciprocatedhisaffection--allofwhichBillyassumedastheonlyexplanationofherinterestinBridge--onlyaddedtohisjoy."Sheain'tagreaserisshe?"heaskedpresently."Ishouldsaynot,"repliedBridge."She'saperfectqueenfromNewYorkCity;but,Billy,she'snotforme.Whatshedidwaspromptedbyagenerousheart.Shecouldn'tcareforme,Billy.Herfatherisawealthyman--hecouldhavethepickoftheland--ofmanylands--ifshecaredtomarry.Youdon'tthinkforaminute CHAPTERXII188she'dwantahobo,doyou?""Youcan'tmostalwaystell,"repliedBilly,atriflesadly."Iknewsuchaqueenoncewhowouldhavechosenamucker,ifhe'da-lether.You'restuckonher,ol'man?""I'mafraidIam,Billy,"Bridgeadmitted;"butwhat'stheuse?Let'sforgetit.Oh,say,isthisthehorseIletyoutakethenightyourobbedthebank?""Yes,"saidBilly;"samelittlepony,an'amightywell-behavedone,too.Why?""It'shers,"saidBridge."An'shewantsitback?""Shedidn'tsayso;butI'dliketogetittohersomeway,"saidBridge."Yourideitbackwhenyougo,"suggestedBilly."ButIcan'tgoback,"saidBridge;"itwasGrayson,theforeman,whomadeitsohotformeIhadtoleave.HetriedtoarrestmeandsendmetoVilla.""Whatfor?"askedBilly."Hedidn'tlikeme,andwantedtogetridofme."Bridgewouldn'tsaythathisrelationswithBillyhadbroughthimintotrouble."Oh,well,I'lltakeitbackmyselfthen,andatthesametimeI'lltellPenelopewhataregularfellowyouare,andpunchintheforeman'sfaceforgoodluck.""No,youmustn'tgothere.Theyknowyounow.ItwassomeofElOrobo'smenyoushotupdaybeforeyesterdaywhenyoutooktheirsteersfromthem.Theyrecognizedthepony,andoneofthemhadseenyouinCuivacathenightoftherobbery.Theywouldbesuretogetyou,Billy."ShortlythetwocameintouchwiththeretreatingPesitistaswhowereridingslowlytowardtheirmountaincamp.Theirpursuershadlongsincegivenupthechase,fearingthattheymightbebeingluredintothemidstofagreatlysuperiorforce,andhadreturnedtoCuivaca.ItwasnearlymorningwhenBridgeandBillythrewthemselvesdownuponthelatter'sblankets,fagged."Well,well,"murmuredBillyByrne;"li'lol'Bridgie'sfoundhisPenelope,"andfellasleep. CHAPTERXIII189CHAPTERXIIIBARBARAAGAINCAPTAINBILLYBYRNErodeoutofthehillsthefollowingafternoonuponapintoponythatshowedthewhitesofitseyesinawickedrimabouttheirisandkeptitsearsperpetuallyflattenedbackward.AttheendofalariattrailedtheBrazospony,forBilly,laughingasideBridge'spleas,wasonhiswaytoElOroboRanchotoreturnthestolenhorsetoitsfairowner.AtthemomentofdeparturePesitahadaskedBillytoridebywayofJose'stoinstructtheoldIndianthatheshouldbearwordtooneEstebanthatPesitarequiredhispresence.ItisalongridefromtheretreatofthePesitistastoJose'ssqualidhut,especiallyifonebeleadinganextrahorse,andsoitwasthatdarknesshadfallenlongbeforeBillyarrivedinsightofJose's.Dismountingsomedistancefromthehut,Billyapproachedcautiously,sincetheworldisfilledwithdangersforthosewhoarebeyondthelaw,andonemaynotbetoocareful.Billycouldseealightshowingthroughasmallwindow,andtowardthishemadehisway.AshortdistancefromJose'sisanother,largerstructurefromwhichtheformerinhabitantshadfledthewrathofPesita.Itwasdarkandapparentlytenantless;butasamatteroffactapairofeyeschancedattheverymomentofBilly'scomingtobelookingoutthroughtheopendoorway.Theownerturnedandspoketosomeonebehindhim."Josehasanothervisitor,"hesaid."Possiblythisoneislessharmlessthantheother.Hecomeswithgreatcaution.Letusinvestigate."Threeothermenrosefromtheirblanketsuponthefloorandjoinedthespeaker.Theywereallarmed,andclothedinthenondescriptuniformsofVillistas.Billy'sbackwastowardthemastheysneakedfromthehutinwhichtheywereintendingtospendthenightandcreptquietlytowardhim.BillywasbusilyengagedinpeeringthroughthelittlewindowintotheinterioroftheoldIndian'shovel.HesawanAmericaninearnestconversationwithJose.Whocouldthemanbe?Billydidnotrecognizehim;butpresentlyJoseansweredthequestion."Itshallbedoneasyouwish,SenorGrayson,"hesaid."Ah!"thoughtBilly;"theforemanofElOrobo.Iwonderwhatbusinesshehaswiththisoldscoundrel--andatnight."WhatotherthoughtsBillymighthavehaduponthesubjectwererudelyinterruptedbyfourenergeticgentlemeninhisrear,wholeapeduponhimsimultaneouslyanddraggedhimtotheground.Billymadenooutcry;buthefoughtnonethelessstrenuouslyforhisfreedom,andhefoughtafterthemannerofGrandAvenue,whichisnotapretty,howevereffective,wayitmaybe.Butfouragainstonewhenalltheadvantagesliewiththefourareheavyodds,andwhenGraysonandJoseranouttoinvestigate,andtheranchforemanaddedhisweighttothatoftheothersBillywasfinallysubdued.Thateachofhisantagonistswouldcarrymementosofthebattleformanydayswasslightcompensationforthelossofliberty.However,itwassome.Afterdisarmingtheircaptiveandtyinghishandsathisbacktheyjerkedhimtohisfeetandexaminedhim. CHAPTERXIII190"Whoareyou?"askedGrayson."Whatyoudoin'sneakin''roundspyin'onme,eh?""IfyouwannaknowwhoIam,bo,"repliedBilly,"goaskdeHarlemHurricane,an'asferspyin'onyouse,Iwasn't;butfromdelooksIguessyouseneedspyin,yuhtinhorn."Aponywhinniedashortdistancefromthehut."Thatmustbehishorse,"saidoneoftheVillistas,andwalkedawaytoinvestigate,returningshortlyafterwiththepintoponyandBrazos.ThemomentGraysonsawthelatterhegaveanexclamationofunderstanding."Iknowhimnow,"hesaid."You'vemadeagoodcatch,Sergeant.ThisisthefellowwhorobbedthebankatCuivaca.IrecognizehimfromthedescriptionsI'vehadofhim,andthefactthathe'sgottheBrazosponymakesitacinch.Villaoughterpromoteyouforthis.""Yep,"interjectedBilly,"heortermakeyouseanadmiralatleast;butyouseain'tgotmehomeyet,an'it'lltakemore'nfourDagosan'atin-horntodoit.""They'llgetyouthereallright,myfriend,"Graysonassuredhim."Nowcomealong."TheybundledBillyintohisownsaddle,andshortlyafterthelittlepartywaswindingsouthwardalongtheriverinthedirectionofElOroboRancho,withtheintentionofputtingupthereforthebalanceofthenightwheretheirprisonercouldbeproperlysecuredandguarded.AstheyrodeawayfromthedilapidatedhutoftheIndiantheoldmanstoodsilhouettedagainsttherectangleofdimlightwhichmarkedtheopendoorway,andshookhisfistatthebackofthedepartingranchforeman."Elcochino!"hecackled,andturnedbackintohishut.AtElOroboRanchoBarbarawalkedtoandfrooutsidetheranchhouse.Withinherfathersatreadingbeneaththeraysofanoillamp.Fromthequartersofthemencamethestrainsofguitarmusic,andanoccasionalloudlaughindicatedtheclimaxofsomeofEddieShorter'sfamousKansasfarmerstories.Barbarawasuponthepointofreturningindoorswhenherattentionwasattractedbytheapproachofahalf-dozenhorsemen.Theyreinedintotheranchyardanddismountedbeforetheofficebuilding.Wonderingalittlewhocamesolate,Barbaraenteredthehouse,mentioningcasuallytoherfatherthatwhichshehadjustseen.Theranchowner,nowalwaysfearfulofattack,wasuponthepointofinvestigatingwhenGraysonrodeuptotheverandaanddismounted.Barbaraandherfatherwereatthedoorasheascendedthesteps."Goodnews!"exclaimedtheforeman."I'vegotthebankrobber,andBrazos,too.Caughtthesneakin'coyoteupto--uptheriverabit."Hehadalmostsaid"Jose's;"butcaughthimselfintime."Someone'sbeencuttin'thewireatthenorthsideofthenorthpasture,an'Iwasridin'uptoseeefIcouldcatch'ematit,"heexplained."HeisanAmerican?"askedtheboss."Lookslikeit;buthe'sgottheheartofagreaser,"repliedGrayson."SomeofVilla'smenarewithme,andthey'rea-goin'totakehimtoCuivacatomorrow."NeitherBarbaranorherfatherseemedtoenthusemuch.TothemanAmericanwasanAmericanhereinMexico,whereeveryhandwasagainsttheirrace.Thatathometheymighthavelookedwithdisgustuponthis CHAPTERXIII191samemandidnotaltertheirattitudehere,thatnoAmericanshouldtakesidesagainsthisownpeople.BarbarasaidasmuchtoGrayson."Whythisfellow'soneofPesita'sofficers,"exclaimedGrayson."Hedon'tdeservenosympathyfromusnorfromnootherAmericans.PesitahassworntokilleveryAmericanthatfallsintohishands,andthisfellow'swithhimtohelphimdoit.He'sabadun.""Ican'thelpwhathemaydo,"insistedBarbara."He'sanAmerican,andIforonewouldneverbeapartytohisdeathatthehandsofaMexican,anditwillmeandeathtohimtobetakentoCuivaca.""Well,miss,"saidGrayson,"youwon'thevtoberesponsible--I'lltakealltheresponsibilitythereisandwelcome.Ijustthoughtyou'dliketoknowwehadhim."Hewasaddressinghisemployer.Thelatternodded,andGraysonturnedandlefttheroom.Outsidehecastasneeringlaughbackoverhisshoulderandswungintohissaddle.Infrontofthemen'squartershedrewreinagainandshoutedEddie'sname.Shortercametothedoor."Getyoursix-shooteran'arifle,an'comeonovertotheoffice.Iwanttoseeyouaminute."Eddiedidashewasbid,andwhenheenteredthelittleroomhesawfourMexicanslollingaboutsmokingcigaretteswhileGraysonstoodbeforeachairinwhichsatamanwithhisarmstiedbehindhisback.GraysonturnedtoEddie."Thispartyhereistheslickunthatrobbedthebank,andgotawayonthetthereBrazosponythetmiserablebookkeepin'dudegivhim.Thesergeantherean'hismenarea-goin'totakehimtoCuivacainthemornin'.Youstandguardoverhim'tilmidnight,thenthey'llrelieveyou.Theygottagetalittlesleepfirst,though,an'Igottagetsomesupper.Don'tstandfernofunnybusinessnow,Eddie,"Graysonadmonishedhim,andwasonthepointofleavingtheofficewhenathoughtoccurredtohim."Say,Shorter,"hesaid,"theyain'tnowayofgettin'outofthelittlebedroominbackthereexceptthroughthisroom.Thewindowsaretoosmallferabigmantogetthrough.I'lltellyouwhat,we'lllockhimupintherean'thenyouwon'thevtoworrynonean'neitherwillwe.YoucanjestspreadoutthemNavajosthereandgotosleeprightplumpag'inthedoor,an'therewon'tnobodyhevtorelieveyouallnight.""Sure,"saidEddie,"leaveittome--I'llwatchtheslicker."SatisfiedthattheirprisonerwassafeforthenighttheVillistasandGraysondeparted,afterseeinghimsafelylockedinthebackroom.Atthementionbytheforemanofhisguard'snames--EddieandShorter--BillyhadstudiedthefaceoftheyoungAmericancowpuncher,forthetwonameshadarousedwithinhismemoryatantalizingsuggestionthattheyshouldbeveryfamiliar.Yethecouldconnecttheminnowaywithanyonehehadknowninthepastandhewasquitesurethatheneverbeforehadseteyesuponthisman.SittinginthedarkwithnothingtooccupyhimBillylethisminddwellupontheidentityofhisjailer,until,asmayhavehappenedtoyou,nothinginthewholeworldseemedequallyasimportantasthesolutionofthemystery.EvenhisimpendingfatefadedintonothingnessbycomparisonwiththemomentousquestionastowherehehadheardthenameEddieShorterbefore.Ashesatpuzzlinghisbrainovertheinconsequentialmattersomethingstirreduponthefloorclosetohisfeet,andpresentlyhejerkedbackabootedfootthatarathadcommencedtognawupon."Helluvaplacetostickaguy,"musedBilly,"inwitabuncho'man-eatin'rats.Hey!"andheturnedhisface CHAPTERXIII192towardthedoor."You,Eddie!Comehere!"Eddieapproachedthedoorandlistened."Wotdoyouwant?"heasked."Noneo'yourfunnybusiness,youknow.I'mfromShawnee,Kansas,Iam,an'theydon'tcomenoslickerfromnowhereonearth.Youcan'tfoolme."Shawnee,Kansas!EddieShorter!ThewholepuzzlewasclearedinBilly'smindinaninstant."Soyou'reEddieShorterofShawnee,Kansas,areyou?"calledBilly."WellIknowyourmaw,Eddie,an'efIhadsuchamawasyougotIwouldn'tbedownherewastin'mytimeworkin'alongsidealotofDagos;butthatain'twhatIstartedouttosay,whichwasthatIwantalightinhere.Thedamnedratsaretryin'tochawoffmekicksan'whenthey'redonewitthemthey'llclimbupaftermean'oldmanVilla'llbesoreasapup.""Youknowmymaw?"askedEddie,andtherewasawistfulnoteinhisvoice."Awshucks!youdon'tknowher--that'sjestsomeo'yourfunny,slickerbusiness.Youwannagitmeintherean'thenyou'lltryan'gitaroun'mesomesorto'waytoletyouescape;butI'mtooslickforthat.""OnthelevelEddie,Iknowyourmaw,"persistedBilly."Ibeninyourmaw'shousejestafewweeksago.'Memberthehorsehairsofabetweenthewindows?'MembertheBibleonthelittlemarble-toppedtable?Eh?An'Tige?Well,Tige'scroaked;butyourmawan'yourpawain'tan'theywantyouback,Eddie.Idon'tcareefyoubelieveme,son,ornot;butyourmawwasmightygoodtome,an'youpromisemeyou'llwriteheran'thengobackhomeasfastasyoucan.Itain'teverybody'sgotaswellmawlikethat,an'themashasoughttobegoodto'em."BeyondthecloseddoorEddie'sjawwascommencingtotremble.Memorywasfloodinghisheartandhiseyeswithsweetrecollectionsofanamplebreastwhereheusedtopillowhishead,ofabigcapablehandthatwaswonttosmoothhisbrowandstrokebackhisredhair.Eddiegulped."Youain'tjoshin'me?"heasked.BillyByrnecaughtthetremorinthevoice."Iain'tkiddin'youson,"hesaid."Wotinelldoyoutakemefer--oneo'thesegreasyDagos?Youan'I'reAmericans--Iwouldn'tstringahomeguydownhereinthishereGodforsakennecko'thewoods."Billyheardthelockturn,andamomentlaterthedoorwascautiouslyopenedrevealingEddiesafelyensconcedbehindtwosix-shooters."That'sright,Eddie,"saidBilly,withalaugh."Don'tyoutakenochances,nomatterhowmuchsobstuffIhandyou,fer,I'llgiveittoyoustraight,efIgetthechanctI'llmakemyget-away;butIcan'tdoitwitmyflipperstrussed,an'youwitabraceofgatssittin'onme.Let'shavealight,Eddie.Thatwon'tdonobodyanyharm,an'itmaydiscouragetherats."Eddiebackedacrosstheofficetoatablewherestoodasmalllamp.Keepinganeyethroughthedooronhisprisonerhelightedthelampandcarrieditintothebackroom,settingituponacommodewhichstoodinonecorner."Youreallyseenmaw?"heasked."Isshewell?""LookedwellwhenIseenher,"saidBilly;"butshewantsherboybackawholelot.Iguessshe'dlookbetterstillefhewalkedinonhersomeday.""I'lldoit,"criedEddie."TheminutetheygetmoneyforthepayI'llhike.Tellmeyourname.I'llaskherefshe CHAPTERXIII193remembersyouwhenIgethome.Gee!butIwishIwaswalkin'inthefrontdoornow.""Sheneverknewmyname,"saidBilly;"butyoutellheryouseenthebothatmussedupthetwoyeggmenwhorolledheran'weretryin'tocroakherwitabutcherknife.Iguesssheain'tfergot.Mean'mypalwerebeatin'it--hewasonthesquarebutthedickswasaftermean'sheletushavemoneytomakeourget-away.She'sallright,kid."Therecameaknockattheouterofficedoor.Eddiesprangbackintothefrontroom,closingandlockingthedoorafterhim,justasBarbaraentered."Eddie,"sheasked,"mayIseetheprisoner?Iwanttotalktohim.""Youwanttotalkwithabankrobber?"exclaimedEddie."Whyyouain'tcrazyareyou,MissBarbara?""No,I'mnotcrazy;butIwanttospeakwithhimaloneforjustamoment,Eddie--please."Eddiehesitated.HeknewthatGraysonwouldbeangryifhelettheboss'sdaughterintothatbackroomalonewithanoutlawandarobber,andthebosshimselfwouldprobablybeinclinedtohaveEddiedrawnandquartered;butitwashardtorefuseMissBarbaraanything."Whereishe?"sheasked.Eddiejerkedathumbinthedirectionofthedoor.Thekeystillwasinthelock."Gotothewindowandlookatthemoon,Eddie,"suggestedthegirl."It'sperfectlygorgeoustonight.Please,Eddie,"ashestillhesitated.Eddieshookhisheadandmovedslowlytowardthewindow."Therecan'tnobodyrefuseyounothin',miss,"hesaid;"'speciallywhenyougotyourheartsetonit.""That'sadear,Eddie,"purredthegirl,andmovedswiftlyacrosstheroomtothelockeddoor.Assheturnedthekeyinthelockshefeltalittleshiverofnervousexcitementrunthroughher."Whatsortofmanwouldhebe--thishardenedoutlawandrobber--thisrenegadeAmericanwhohadcasthislotwiththeavowedenemiesofhisownpeople?"shewondered.OnlyherdesiretolearnofBridge'sfateurgedhertoattemptsodistastefulaninterview;butshedarednotaskanothertoputthequestionforher,sinceshouldhercomplicityinBridge'sescape--providedofcoursethathehadescaped--becomeknowntoVillathefateoftheAmericansatElOrobowouldbedefinitelysealed.Sheturnedtheknobandpushedthedooropen,slowly.Amanwassittinginachairinthecenteroftheroom.Hisbackwastowardher.Hewasabigman.Hisbroadshouldersloomedimmenseabovethebackoftherudechair.Ashockofblackhair,rumpledandtousled,coveredawell-shapedhead.Atthesoundofthedoorcreakinguponitshingesheturnedhisfaceinherdirection,andashiseyesmethersallfourwentwideinsurpriseandincredulity."Billy!"shecried."Barbara!--you?"andBillyrosetohisfeet,hisboundhandsstrugglingtobefree. CHAPTERXIII194Thegirlclosedthedoorbehindherandcrossedtohim."Yourobbedthebank,Billy?"sheasked."Itwasyou,afterthepromisesyoumademetolivestraightalways--formysake?"Hervoicetrembledwithemotion.Themancouldseethatshesuffered,andyethefelthisownanguish,too."Butyouaremarried,"hesaid."Isawitinthepapers.Whatdoyoucare,now,Barbara?I'mnothingtoyou.""I'mnotmarried,Billy,"shecried."Icouldn'tmarryMr.Mallory.ItriedtomakemyselfbelievethatIcould;butatlastIknewthatIdidnotlovehimandnevercould,andIwouldn'tmarryamanIdidn'tlove."Ineverdreamedthatitwasyouhere,Billy,"shewenton."IcametoaskyouaboutMr.Bridge.Iwantedtoknowifheescaped,orif--if--oh,thisawfulcountry!Theythinknomoreofhumanlifeherethanabutcherthinksofthelifeoftheanimalhedresses."AsuddenlightilluminedBilly'smind.Whyhaditnotoccurredtohimbefore?ThiswasBridge'sPenelope!Thewomanhelovedwaslovedbyhisbestfriend.Andshehadsentamessengertohim,toBilly,tosaveherlover.Shehadcomeheretotheofficetonighttoquestionastranger--amanshethoughtanoutlawandarobber--becauseshecouldnotrestwithoutwordfromthemansheloved.Billystiffened.Hewashurttothebottomofhisheart;buthedidnotblameBridge--itwasfate.NordidheblameBarbarabecauseshelovedBridge.Bridgewasmoreherkindanyway.Hewasacollegeguy.Billywasonlyamucker."Bridgegotawayallright,"hesaid."Andsay,hedidn'thavenothin'todowithpullin'offthatsafecrackin'.Idoneitmyself.Hedidn'tknowIwasintownan'Ididn'tknowhewasthere.He'sthesquarestguyintheworld,Bridgeis.Hefolleredmethatnightan'tookashotatme,thinkin'Iwastherobberallrightbutnotknowin'Iwasme.Hegotmyhorse,an'whenhefounditwasme,hemademetakeyourponyan'makemyget-away,ferheknewVilla'smenwouldcroakmesureiftheycaughtme.Youcan'tblamehimferthat,canyou?Himan'Iweregoodpals--hecouldn'tdonothin'else.Itwashimthatmademebringyourponybacktoyou.It'sinthecorralnow,Ireckon.Iwasa-bringin'itbackwhentheygotme.Nowyoubettergo.Thisain'tnoplaceferyou,an'Iain'thadnosleepfersolongI'mmostdead."Histoneswerecool.Heappearedboredbyhercompany;thoughasamatteroffacthisheartwasbreakingwithloveforher--lovethathebelievedunrequited--andheyearnedtotearloosehisbondsandcrushherinhisarms.ItwasBarbara'sturnnowtobehurt.Shedrewherselfup."IamsorrythatIhavedisturbedyourrest,"shesaid,andwalkedaway,herheadintheair;butallthewaybacktotheranchhouseshekeptrepeatingoverandovertoherself:"Tomorrowtheywillshoothim!Tomorrowtheywillshoothim!Tomorrowtheywillshoothim!" CHAPTERXIV195CHAPTERXIV'TWIXTLOVEANDDUTYFORanhourBarbaraHardingpacedtheverandaoftheranchhouse,prideandlovebattlingfortheascendencywithinherbreast.Shecouldnotlethimdie,thatsheknew;buthowmightshesavehim?Thestrainsofmusicandthelaughterfromthebunkhousehadceased.Theranchslept.Overthebrowofthelowbluffupontheoppositesideoftheriveralittlepartyofsilenthorsemenfileddownwardtotheford.Atthebluff'sfootabarbed-wirefencemarkedtheeasternboundaryoftheranch'senclosedfields.Theforemosthorsemandismountedandcutthestrandsofwire,carryingthemtoonesidefromthepathofthefeetofthehorseswhichnowpassedthroughtheopeninghehadmade.Downintotherivertheyrodefollowingthefordeveninthedarknesswithanassurancewhichindicatedlongfamiliarity.Thenthroughafringeofwillowsoutacrossameadowtowardtheranchbuildingstheridersmadetheirway.Themanneroftheirapproach,theiruttersilence,thehour,allcontributedtowardthesinister.UpontheverandaoftheranchhouseBarbaraHardingcametoasuddenhalt.Herentiremannerindicatedfinaldecision,anddetermination.Amomentshestoodinthoughtandthenranquicklydownthestepsandinthedirectionoftheoffice.HereshefoundEddiedozingathispost.Shedidnotdisturbhim.Aglancethroughthewindowsatisfiedherthathewasalonewiththeprisoner.FromtheofficebuildingBarbarapassedontothecorral.Afewhorsesstoodwithintheenclosure,theirheadsdroopingdejectedly.Assheenteredtheyraisedtheirmuzzlesandsniffedsuspiciously,earsa-cock,andasthegirlapproachedclosertothemtheymovedwarilyaway,snorting,andpassedaroundhertotheoppositesideofthecorral.Astheymovedbyhershescrutinizedthemandherheartdropped,forBrazoswasnotamongthem.Hemusthavebeenturnedoutintothepasture.Shepassedovertothebarsthatclosedtheopeningfromthecorralintothepastureandwormedherwaybetweentwoofthem.Ahackamorewithapieceofhalterropeattachedtoithungacrosstheupperbar.Takingitdownshemovedoffacrossthepastureinthedirectionthesaddlehorsesmostoftentookwhenliberatedfromthecorral.IftheyhadnotcrossedtherivershefeltthatshemightfindandcatchBrazos,forlumpsofsugarandbitsofbreadhadinspiredinhisequinesoulawondrousattachmentforhistemporarymistress.Downthebeatentrailtheanimalshadmadetotheriverthegirlhurried,hereyespenetratingthedarknessaheadandtoeitherhandfortheloomingbulksthatwouldbethehorsesshesought,andamongwhichshemighthopetodiscoverthegentlelittleBrazos.Thenearershecametotheriverthelowerdroppedherspirits,forasyetnosignoftheanimalswastobeseen.Tohaveattemptedtoplaceahackamoreuponanyofthewildcreaturesinthecorralwouldhavebeentheheightoffoolishness--onlyawell-spedriatainthehandsofastrongmancouldhavecapturedoneofthese.Closerandclosertothefringeofwillowsalongtherivershecame,until,attheirveryedge,therebrokeuponheralreadytautnervesthehideousanduncannyscreamofawildcat.Thegirlstoppedshortinhertracks.Shefeltthechilloffearcreepthroughherskin,andatwitchingattherootsofherhairevidencedtohertheextremityofherterror.Shouldsheturnback?Thehorsesmightbebetweenherandtheriver,butjudgmenttoldherthattheyhadcrossed.Shouldshebravethenervousfrightofapassagethroughthatdark,forbiddinglabyrinthofgloomwhensheknewthatsheshouldnotfindthehorseswithinreachbeyond?Sheturnedtoretracehersteps.Shemustfindanotherway! CHAPTERXIV196Butwasthereanotherway?And"Tomorrowtheywillshoothim!"Sheshuddered,bitherlowerlipinanefforttocommandhercourage,andthen,wheeling,plungedintothethicket.Againthecatscreamed--closeby--butthegirlneverhesitatedinheradvance,andafewmomentslatershebrokethroughthewillowsadozenpacesfromtheriverbank.Hereyesstrainedthroughthenight;butnohorsesweretobeseen.Thetrail,cutbythehoofsofmanyanimals,randeepandstraightdownintotheswirlingwater.UpontheoppositesideBrazosmustbefeedingorresting,justbeyondreach.Barbaradughernailsintoherpalmsinthebitternessofherdisappointment.Shefolloweddowntotheveryedgeofthewater.Itwasblackandforbidding.Eveninthedaytimeshewouldnothavebeenconfidentoffollowingtheford--bynightitwouldbemadnesstoattemptit.Shechokeddownasob.Hershouldersdrooped.Herheadbentforward.Shewasthepictureofdisappointmentanddespair."WhatcanIdo?"shemoaned."Tomorrowtheywillshoothim!"Thethoughtseemedtoelectrifyher."Theyshallnotshoothim!"shecriedaloud."TheyshallnotshoothimwhileIlivetopreventit!"Againherheadwasupandhershoulderssquared.Tyingthehackamoreaboutherwaist,shetookasingledeepbreathofreassuranceandsteppedoutintotheriver.Foradozenpacesshefoundnodifficultyinfollowingtheford.Itwasbroadandstraight;buttowardthecenteroftheriver,asshefeltherwayalongastepatatime,shecametoaplacewheredirectlybeforehertheledgeuponwhichshecrossedshelvedoffintodeepwater.Sheturnedupward,tryingtolocatethedirectionofthenewturn;butheretootherewasnofooting.Downrivershefeltsolidrockbeneathherfeet.Ah!thiswastheway,andboldlyshesteppedout,thewateralreadyaboveherknees.Two,threestepsshetook,andwitheachoneherconfidenceandhopearose,andthenthefourthstep--andtherewasnofooting.Shefeltherselflungingintothestream,andtriedtodrawbackandregaintheledge;buttheforceofthecurrentwastoomuchforher,and,sosuddenlyitseemedthatshehadthrownherselfin,shewasinthechannelswimmingforherlife.Thetrendofthecurrenttherewasbackinthedirectionofthebankshehadbutjustquitted,yetsostrongwasherdeterminationtosucceedforBillyByrne'ssakethatsheturnedherfacetowardtheoppositeshoreandfoughttoreachtheseeminglyimpossiblegoalwhichlovehadsetforher.Againandagainshewassweptunderbytheforceofthecurrent.Againandagainsheroseandbattled,notforherownlife;butforthelifeofthemansheoncehadloathedandwhomshelaterhadcometolove.Inchbyinchshewontowardtheshoreofherdesire,andinchbyinchofherprogressshefeltherstrengthfailing.Couldshewin?Ah!ifshewerebutaman,andwiththethoughtcameanother:ThankGodthatIamawomanwithawoman'slovewhichgivesstrengthtodrivemeintotheclutchesofdeathforhissake!Herheartthunderedintumultuousprotestagainstthestrainofherpantinglungs.Herlimbsfeltcoldandnumb;butshecouldnotgiveupeventhoughshewasnowconvincedthatshehadthrownherlifeawayuselessly.Theywouldfindherbody;butnoonewouldeverguesswhathaddrivenhertoherdeath.Notevenhewouldknowthatitwasforhissake.Andthenshefeltthetuggingofthechannelcurrentsuddenlylessen,aneddycarriedhergentlyinshore,herfeettouchedthesandandgravelofthebottom.Gaspingforbreath,staggering,stumbling,shereeledonafewpacesandthenslippeddownclutchingattheriver'sbank.Herethewaterwasshallow,andhereshelayuntilherstrengthreturned.Thensheurgedherselfupandonward,climbedtothetopofthebankwithsuccessatlastwithinreach. CHAPTERXIV197Tofindthehorsesnowrequiredbutafewminutes'search.Theystoodhuddledinablackmassclosetothebarbed-wirefenceattheextremityofthepasture.Assheapproachedthemtheycommencedtoseparateslowly,edgingawaywhiletheyfacedherincuriosity.Softlyshecalled:"Brazos!Come,Brazos!"untilaunitofthemovingmassdetacheditselfandcametowardher,nickering."GoodBrazos!"shecooed."That'sagoodpony,"andwalkedforwardtomeethim.Theanimalletherreachupandstrokehisforehead,whilehemuzzledaboutherfortheexpectedtidbit.Gentlysheworkedthehackamoreoverhisnoseandabovehisears,andwhenitwassafelyinplaceshebreathedadeepsighofreliefandthrowingherarmsabouthisneckpressedhercheektohis."YoudearoldBrazos,"shewhispered.Thehorsestoodquietlywhilethegirlwriggledherselftohisback,andthenatawordandatouchfromherheelsmovedoffatawalkinthedirectionoftheford.Thecrossingthistimewasoneofinfiniteease,forBarbaralettheropelielooseandBrazostakehisownway.Throughthewillowsupontheoppositebankheshoulderedhispath,acrossthemeadowstillatawalk,lesttheyarouseattention,andthroughagatewhichleddirectlyfromthemeadowintotheranchyard.Hereshetiedhimtotheoutsideofthecorral,whileshewentinsearchofsaddleandbridle.Whoseshetookshedidnotknow,norcare,butthatthesaddlewasenormouslyheavyshewasperfectlyawarelongbeforeshehaddraggedithalfwaytowhereBrazosstood.ThreetimessheessayedtoliftittohisbackbeforeshesucceededinaccomplishingtheHerculeantask,andhaditbeenanyotherhorseupontheranchthanBrazosthethingcouldneverhavebeendone;butthekindlylittleponystoodinstatuesqueresignationwhiletheheavyMexicantreewasbangedandthumpedagainsthislegsandribs,untilaluckyswingcarriedittohiswethers.SaddledandbridledBarbaraledhimtotherearofthebuildingandthus,byaroundaboutway,tothebackoftheofficebuilding.HereshecouldseealightintheroominwhichBillywasconfined,andafterdroppingthebridlereinstothegroundshemadeherwaytothefrontofthestructure.Creepingstealthilytotheporchshepeeredinatthewindow.Eddiewasstretchedoutincrampedthoughseemingluxuryinanofficechair.Hisfeetwerecockeduponthedeskbeforehim.Inhislaplayhissix-shooterreadyforanyemergency.Anotherreposedinitsholsterathisbelt.Barbaratiptoedtothedoor.Holdingherbreathsheturnedtheknobgently.Thedoorswungopenwithoutasound,andaninstantlatershestoodwithintheroom.AgainhereyeswerefixeduponEddieShorter.Shesawhisnervelessfingersrelaxtheirholduponthegripofhisrevolver.Shesawtheweaponslipfartherdownintohislap.Hedidnotmove,otherthantothedeepandregularbreathingofprofoundslumber.Barbaracrossedtheroomtohisside.Behindtheranchhousethreefigurescreptforwardintheshadows.Behindthemamatterofahundredyardsstoodalittleclumpofhorsesandwiththemwerethefiguresofmoremen.Thesewaitedinsilence.Theotherthreecrepttowardthehouse.ItwassucharanchhouseasyoumightfindbythescoresorhundredsthroughoutTexas.Grayson,evidently,orsomeotherTexan,haddesignedit.TherewasnothingMexicanaboutit,noranythingbeautiful.Itstoodtwostoried,verandaedandhideous,ablotuponthesoilofpicturesqueMexico.Totheroofoftheverandaclamberedthethreeprowlers,andacrossittoanopenwindow.ThewindowbelongedtothebedroomofMissBarbaraHarding.Heretheypausedandlistened,thentwoofthementeredtheroom.Theyweregoneforbutafewminutes.Whentheyemergedtheyshowedevidences,bytheir CHAPTERXIV198gesturestothethirdmanwhohadawaitedoutside,ofdisgustanddisappointment.Cautiouslytheydescendedastheyhadcomeandmadetheirwaybacktothoseothermenwhohadremainedwiththehorses.Herethereensuedalow-tonedconference,andwhileitprogressedBarbaraHardingreachedforthasteadyhandwhichbeliedtheterrorinhersoulandpluckedtherevolverfromEddieShorter'slap.Eddieslepton.Againontiptoethegirlrecrossedtheofficetothelockeddoorleadingintothebackroom.Thekeywasinthelock.Gingerlysheturnedit,keepingafurtiveeyeuponthesleepingguard,andthemuzzleofhisownrevolverleveledmenacinglyuponhim.EddieShorterstirredinhissleepandraisedahandtohisface.TheheartofBarbaraHardingceasedtobeatwhileshestoodwaitingforthemantoopenhiseyesanddiscoverher;buthedidnothingofthekind.Insteadhishanddroppedlimplyathissideandheresumedhisregularbreathing.Thekeyturnedinthelockbeneaththegentlepressureofherfingers,theboltslippedquietlybackandshepushedthedoorajar.Within,BillyByrneturnedinquiringeyesinthedirectionoftheopeningdoor,andashesawwhoitwaswhoenteredsurpriseshoweduponhisface;buthespokenowordforthegirlheldasilencingfingertoherlips.Quicklyshecametohissideandmotionedhimtorisewhileshetuggedattheknotswhichheldthebondsinplaceabouthisarms.Onceshestoppedlongenoughtorecrosstheroomandclosethedoorwhichshehadleftopenwhensheentered.Itrequiredfullyfiveminutes--thelongestfiveminutesofBarbaraHarding'slife,shethought--beforetheknotsgavetoherefforts;butatlasttheropefelltothefloorandBillyByrnewasfree.Hestartedtospeak,tothankher,and,perhaps,toscoldherfortherashthingshehadundertakenforhim;butshesilencedhimagain,andwithawhispered,"Come!"turnedtowardthedoor.Assheopeneditacracktoreconnoitershekepttherevolverpointedstraightaheadofherintotheadjoiningroom.Eddie,however,stillsleptoninpeacefulignoranceofthetrickwhichwasbeingplayeduponhim.Nowthetwostartedforwardforthedoorwhichopenedfromtheofficeupontheporch,andastheydidsoBarbaraturnedagaintowardBillytocautionhimtosilenceforhisspurshadtinkledashemoved.ForamomenttheireyeswerenotuponEddieShorterandFatehaditthatatthatverymomentEddieawokeandopenedhisowneyes.ThesightthatmetthemwassoastonishingthatforasecondtheKansancouldnotmove.HesawBarbaraHarding,arevolverinherhand,aidingtheoutlawtoescape,andintheinstantthatsurprisekepthimmotionlessEddiesaw,too,anotherpicture--thepictureofamotherlywomaninalittlefarmhousebackinKansas,andEddierealizedthatthisman,thisoutlaw,hadbeenthemeansofarousingwithinhimadesireandadeterminationtoreturnagaintothoselovingarms.Too,themanhadsavedhismotherfrominjury,andpossibledeath.Eddieshuthiseyesquicklyandthoughthardandfast.MissBarbarahadalwaysbeenkindtohim.Inhisboyishhearthehadlovedher,hopelesslyofcourse,inaboyishway.Shewantedtheoutlawtoescape.EddierealizedthathewoulddoanythingthatMissBarbarawanted,evenifhehadtoriskhislifeatit.Thegirlandthemanwereatthedoor.ShepushedhimthroughaheadofherwhileshekepttherevolverleveleduponEddie,thenshepassedoutafterhimandclosedthedoor,whileEddieShorterkepthiseyestightlyclosedandprayedtohisGodthatBillyByrnemightgetsafelyaway. CHAPTERXIV199OutsideandintherearoftheofficebuildingBarbarapressedtherevolveruponBilly."Youwillneedit,"shesaid."ThereisBrazos--takehim.Godblessandguardyou,Billy!"andshewasgone.Billyswallowedbard.Hewantedtorunafterherandtakeherinhisarms;butherecalledBridge,andwithasighturnedtowardthepatientBrazos.Languidlyhegatheredupthereinsandmounted,andthenunconcernedlyasthoughhewereanhonoredguestdepartingbydaylightherodeoutoftheranchyardandturnedBrazos'headnorthuptheriverroad.AndasBillydisappearedinthedarknesstowardthenorthBarbaraHardingwalkedslowlytowardtheranchhouse,whilefromalittlegroupofmenandhorsesahundredyardsawaythreemendetachedthemselvesandcrepttowardher,fortheyhadseenherinthemoonlightassheleftBillyoutsidetheofficeandstrolledslowlyinthedirectionofthehouse.Theyhidintheshadowatthesideofthehouseuntilthegirlhadturnedthecornerandwasapproachingtheveranda,thentheyranquicklyforwardandasshemountedthestepsshewasseizedfrombehindanddraggedbackward.Ahandwasclappedoverhermouthandawhisperedthreatwarnedhertosilence.Halfdraggingandhalfcarryingherthethreemenboreherbacktowheretheirconfederatesawaitedthem.AhugefellowmountedhisponyandBarbarawasliftedtothehornofthesaddlebeforehim.Thentheothersmountedandassilentlyastheyhadcometheyrodeaway,followingthesamepath.BarbaraHardinghadnotcriedoutnorattemptedto,forshehadseenveryshortlyafterhercapturethatshewasinthehandsofIndiansandshejudgedfromwhatshehadheardofthelittlebandofPimanswhoheldforthinthemountainstotheeastthattheywouldasgladlyknifeherasnot.JosewasaPiman,andsheimmediatelyconnectedJosewiththeperpetration,oratleasttheplanningofherabduction.Thusshefeltassuredthatnoharmwouldcometoher,sinceJosehadbeenfamousinhistimeforthenumberandsizeoftheransomshehadcollected.Herfatherwouldpaywhatwasdemanded,shewouldbereturnedand,asidefromafewdaysofdiscomfortandhardship,shewouldbenonetheworseoffforherexperience.Reasoningthusitwasnotdifficulttomaintainhercomposureandpresenceofmind.AsBarbarawasbornetowardtheeast,BillyByrnerodesteadilynorthward.ItwashisintentiontostopatJose'shutanddeliverthemessagewhichPesitahadgivenhimfortheoldIndian.Thenhewoulddisappearintothemountainstothewest,joinPesitaandurgeanewraiduponsomefavoredfriendofGeneralFranciscoVilla,forBillyhadnoloveforVilla.HeshouldhavebeengladtopayhisrespectstoElOroboRanchoanditsforeman;butthefactthatAnthonyHardingowneditandthatheandBarbaraweretherewassufficienteffectuallytobanishallthoughtsofrevengealongthatline."MaybeIcangethisgoatlater,"hethought,"whenhe'sawayfromtheranch.Idon'tlikethatstiff,anyhow.Heorterbeenaharnessbull."Itwasfouro'clockinthemorningwhenBillydismountedinfrontofJose'shut.Hepoundedonthedooruntilthemancameandopenedit."Eh!"exclaimedJoseashesawwhohisearlymorningvisitorwas,"yougotawayfromthem.Fine!"andtheoldmanchuckled."IsendwordtoPesitatwo,fourhoursagothatVillistascaptureCapitanByrneandtakehimtoCuivaca." CHAPTERXIV200"Thanks,"saidBilly."PesitawantsyoutosendEstebantohim.Ididn'thavenochancetotellyoulastnightwhilethempikerswasstickin'aroun',soIstopsnowonmywaybacktothehills.""IwillsendEstebantonightifIcangethim;butIdonotknow.Estebanisworkingforthepig,Grayson.""Wot'shedoin'ferGrayson?"askedBilly."AndwhatwastheGraysonguydoin'upherewithyou,Jose?Ain'tyougettin'prettythickwithPesita'senemies?""Josegoodfriendseverybody,"andtheoldmangrinned."Graysonhaveajobhewantgoodmenfor.Josefurnishmen.Graysonpaywell.Jobgotnothin'doPesita,Villa,Carranza,revolution--justprivatejob.Graysonwantsenorita.Hepaytogether.Thatall.""Oh,"saidBilly,andyawned.HewasnotinterestedinMr.Grayson'samours."Whydidn'tthepoorboobgogetherhimself?"heinquireddisinterestedly."Hemustbeayaptohireabuncho'guystogocopoffasiwashgirlferhim.""Itisnotasiwashgirl,SenorCapitan,"saidJose."Itisonebeautifulsenorita--thedaughteroftheownerofElOroboRancho.""What?"criedBillyByrne."What'sthatyousay?""Yes,SenorCapitan,whatofit?"inquiredJose."Graysonhepaymefurnishthemen.Estebanhegowithhiswarriors.IgetEsteban.Theygotonighttakeawaythesenorita;butnotforGrayson,"andtheoldfellowlaughed."IcannohelpcanI?Graysonpaymemoneygetmen.Igetthem.Inohelpiftheykeepgirl,"andheshrugged."They'recomin'forhertonight?"criedBilly."Si,senor,"repliedJose."Doubtlesstheyalreadytakeher.""Hell!"mutteredBillyByrne,asheswungBrazosaboutsoquicklythatthelittleponypivoteduponhishindlegsanddashedawaytowardthesouthoverthesametrailhehadjusttraversed. CHAPTERXV201CHAPTERXVANINDIAN'STREACHERYTHEBrazosponyhadtraveledfarthatdaybutforonlyatrifleovertenmileshadhecarriedarideruponhisback.Hewas,consequently,farfromfaggedasheleapedforwardtotheliftedreinsandtorealongthedustyrivertrailbackinthedirectionofOrobo.NeverbeforehadBrazoscoveredtenmilesinsoshortatime,foritwasnotyetfiveo'clockwhen,reelingwithfatigue,hestopped,staggeredandfellinfrontoftheofficebuildingatElOrobo.EddieShorterhadsatinthechairasBarbaraandBillyhadlastseenhimwaitinguntilByrneshouldhaveanamplestartbeforearousingGraysonandreportingtheprisoner'sescape.EddiehaddeterminedthathewouldgiveBillyanhour.HegrinnedasheanticipatedtherageofGraysonandtheVillistaswhentheylearnedthattheirbirdhadflown,andashemusedandwaitedhefellasleep.ItwasbroaddaylightwhenEddieawoke,andashelookedupatthelittleclocktickingagainstthewall,andsawthetimehegaveanexclamationofsurpriseandleapedtohisfeet.Justasheopenedtheouterdooroftheofficehesawahorsemanleapfromawindedponyinfrontofthebuilding.Hesawtheanimalcollapseandsinktotheground,andthenherecognizedtheponyasBrazos,andanotherglanceatthemanbroughtrecognitionofhim,too."You?"criedEddie."Whatareyoudoin'backhere?Igottatakeyounow,"andhestartedtodrawhisrevolver;butBillyByrnehadhimcoveredbeforeeverhishandreachedthegripofhisgun."Put'emup!"admonishedBilly,"andlistentome.Thisain'tnotimefergunplayornosuchfoolishness.Iain'tbackheretobetook--getthatouto'yournut.I'mtippedoffthatabuncho'siwasheswasdownherelastnighttoswipeMissHarding.Come!Wegottagoseeifshe'shereornot,an'don'ttryanyfunnybusinessonme,Eddie.Iain'ta-goin'tobetakenagain,an'whoevertriesitgetshis,see?"Eddiewasdownofftheporchinaninstant,andmakingfortheranchhouse."I'mwithyou,"hesaid."Whotoldyou?Andwhodoneit?""Nevermindwhotoldme;butasiwashnamedEstebanwastopullthethingoffforGrayson.GraysonwantedMissHardingan'hewasgoin'tohaveherstolenforhim.""Thehound!"mutteredEddie.ThetwomendashedupontotheverandaoftheranchhouseandpoundedatthedooruntilaChinamanopeneditandstuckouthishead,inquiringly."IsMissHardinghere?"demandedBilly."MlissyHardieKleep,"snappedtheservant."Wallywaneeherefloblekfas?",andwouldhaveshutthedoorintheirfaceshadnotBillyintrudedaheavyboot.Thenextinstantheplacedalargepalmoverthecelestial'sfaceandpushedthemanbackintothehouse.OnceinsidehecalledMr.Harding'snamealoud."Whatisit?"askedthegentlemanamomentlaterasheappearedinabedroomdoorwayofftheliving-roomcladinhispajamas."What'sthematter?Why,gadman,isthatyou?IsthisreallyBillyByrne?" CHAPTERXV202"Sure,"repliedByrneshortly;"butwecan'twasteanytimechinnin'.IheardthatMissBarbarawasgoin'tobeswipedlastnight--Iheardthatshehadbeen.Nowhurryandseeifsheishere."AnthonyHardingturnedandleapedupthenarrowstairwaytothesecondfloorfourstepsatatime.Hehadn'tgoneupstairsinthatfashioninfortyyears.Withoutevenpausingtorapheburstintohisdaughter'sbedroom.Itwasempty.Thebedwasunruffled.Ithadnotbeensleptin.Withamoanthemanturnedbackandranhastilytotheotherroomsuponthesecondfloor--Barbarawasnowheretobefound.Thenhehasteneddownstairstothetwomenawaitinghim.AsheenteredtheroomfromoneendGraysonentereditfromtheotherthroughthedoorwayleadingoutupontheveranda.BillyByrnehadheardfootstepsupontheboardswithoutandhewasready,sothatasGraysonenteredhefoundhimselflookingstraightatthebusinessendofasixshooter.Theforemanhalted,andstoodlookinginsurprisefirstatBillyByrne,andthenatEddieShorterandMr.Harding."Whatdoesthismean?"hedemanded,addressingEddie."Whatyoudoin'herewithyourprisoner?Whotoldyoutolethimout,eh?""Canthechatter,"growledBillyByrne."Shorterdidn'tletmeout.Iescapedhoursago,andI'vejustcomebackfromJose'stoaskyouwhereMissHardingis,youlow-livedcur,you.Whereisshe?""WhathasMr.Graysontodowithit?"askedMr.Harding."Howshouldheknowanythingaboutit?It'sallamysterytome--youhere,ofallmenintheworld,andGraysontalkingaboutyouastheprisoner.Ican'tmakeitout.Quick,though,Byrne,tellmeallyouknowaboutBarbara."BillykeptGraysoncoveredasherepliedtotherequestofHarding."ThisguyhiresabunchofPimanstostealMissBarbara,"hesaid."Igotitstraightfromthefellowhepaidthemoneytoforgettin'himtherightmentopulloffthejob.Hewantsheritseems,"andBillyshotalookattheranchforemanthatwouldhavekillediflookscould."Shecan'thavebeengonelong.Iseenheraftermidnight,justbeforeImademygetaway,sotheycan'thavetakenherveryfar.Thisthingherecan'thelpusnoneneither,forhedon'tknowwheresheisanymore'nwedo.Hethinkshedoes;buthedon't.Thesiwashesframeditonhim,an'they'vedoubled-crossedhim.Igotthatstraighttoo;but,Gawd!Idon'tknowwherethey'vetakenherorwhatthey'regoin'todowithher."AshespokeheturnedhiseyesforthefirsttimeawayfromGraysonandlookedfullinAnthonyHarding'sface.Thelattersawbeneaththestrongcharacterlinesoftheother'scountenancetheagonyoffearanddoubtthatlayheavyuponhisheart.InthebriefinstantthatBilly'swatchfulgazeleftthefigureoftheranchforemanthelattersawtheopportunityhecraved.Hewasstandingdirectlyinthedoorway--asinglestepwouldcarryhimoutofrangeofByrne'sgun,placingawallbetweenitandhim,andGraysonwasnotslowintakingthatstep.WhenBillyturnedhiseyesbacktheTexanhaddisappeared,andbythetimetheformerreachedthedoorwayGraysonwashalfwaytotheofficebuildingontheverandaofwhichstoodthefoursoldiersofVillagrumblingandmutteringovertheabsenceoftheirprisonerofthepreviousevening.BillyByrnesteppedoutintotheopen.TheranchforemancalledaloudtothefourMexicansthattheirprisonerwasattheranchhouseandastheylookedinthatdirectiontheysawhim,revolverinhand,comingslowlytowardthem.Therewasasmileuponhislipswhichtheycouldnotseebecauseofthedistance,andwhich,notknowingBillyByrne,theywouldnothaveinterpretedcorrectly;buttherevolvertheydidunderstand,andatsightofitoneofthemthrewhiscarbinetohisshoulder.Hisfinger,however,nevercloseduponthetrigger,fortherecamethesoundofashotfrombeyondBillyByrneandtheMexicanstaggeredforward,pitchingover CHAPTERXV203theedgeoftheporchtotheground.BillyturnedhisheadinthedirectionfromwhichtheshothadcomeandsawEddieShorterrunningtowardhim,asmokingsix-shooterinhisrighthand."Goback,"commandedByrne;"thisismyfuneral.""Notonyourlife,"repliedEddieShorter."Thosegreasersdon'ttakenowhitemanoff'nElOrobo,whileI'mhere.Getbusy!They'recomin'."Andsureenoughtheywerecoming,andastheycametheircarbinespoppedandthebulletswhizzedabouttheheadsofthetwoAmericans.Grayson,too,hadtakenahanduponthesideoftheVillistas.Fromthebunkhouseothermenwererunningrapidlyinthedirectionofthefight,attractedbythefirstshots.BillyandEddiestoodtheirground,afewpacesapart.TwomoreofVilla'smenwentdown.Graysonranforcover.ThenBillyByrnedroppedthelastoftheMexicansjustasthemenfromthebunkhousecamepantinguponthescene.TherewerebothAmericansandMexicansamongthem.Allwerearmedandweaponswerereadyintheirhands.Theypausedashortdistancefromthetwomen.Eddie'spresenceuponthesideofthestrangersavedBillyfrominstantdeath,forEddiewaswelllikedbybothhisMexicanandAmericanfellow-workers."What'sthefuss?"askedanAmerican.Eddietoldthem,andwhentheylearnedthattheboss'sdaughterhadbeenspiritedawayandthattheranchforemanwasatthebottomofittheangeroftheAmericansrosetoadangerouspitch."Whereishe?"someoneasked.TheyweregatheredinalittleclusternowaboutBillyByrneandShorter."Isawhimduckbehindtheofficebuilding,"saidEddie."Comeon,"saidanother."We'llgethim.""Someonegetarope."Themenspokeinlow,ordinarytones--theyappearedunexcited.Determinationwasthemostapparentcharacteristicofthegroup.Oneofthemranbacktowardthebunkhouseforhisrope.Theotherswalkedslowlyinthedirectionoftherearoftheofficebuilding.Graysonwasnotthere.Thesearchproceeded.TheAmericanswereinadvance.TheMexicanskeptinagroupbythemselvesalittleinrearoftheothers--itwasnottheirtrouble.Ifthegringoswantedtolynchanothergringo,wellandgood--thatwasthegringos'business.Theywouldkeepoutofit,andtheydid.Downpastthebunkhouseandthecookhousetothestablesthesearchersmadetheirway.Graysoncouldnotbefound.Inthestablesoneofthemenmadeadiscovery--theforeman'ssaddlehadvanished.Outinthecorralstheywent.Oneofthemenlaughed--thebarsweredownandthesaddlehorsesgone.EddieShorterpresentlypointedoutacrossthepastureandtherivertotheskylineofthelowbluffsbeyond.Theotherslooked.Ahorsemanwasjustvisibleurginghismountupwardtothecrest,thetwostoodinsilhouetteagainstthemorningskypinkwiththenewsun."That'shim,"saidEddie."Lethimgo,"saidBillyByrne."Hewon'tnevercomebackandheain'tworthchasin'.NotwhilewegotMissBarbaratolookafter.Myhorseisdowntherewithyours.I'mgoin'downtogethim.Willyoucome,Shorter?Imayneedhelp--Iain'tmuchwitharopeyet." CHAPTERXV204Hestartedoffwithoutwaitingforareply,andalltheAmericansfollowed.Togethertheycircledthehorsesanddrovethembacktothecorral.WhenBillyhadsaddledandmountedhesawthattheothershaddonelikewise."We'regoin'withyou,"saidoneofthemen."MissBarbarab'longstous."Billynoddedandmovedoffinthedirectionoftheranchhouse.HerehedismountedandwithEddieShorterandMr.Hardingcommencedcirclingthehouseinsearchofsomemannerofcluetothedirectiontakenbytheabductors.ItwasnotlongbeforetheycameuponthespotwheretheIndians'horseshadstoodthenightbefore.Fromtherethetrailledplainlydowntowardtheriver.InamomenttenAmericanswerefollowingit,afterMr.HardinghadsuppliedBillyByrnewithacarbine,anothersix-shooter,andammunition.Throughtheriverandthecutinthebarbed-wirefence,thenupthefaceofthebluffandoutacrossthelowmesabeyondthetrailled.Foramileitwasdistinct,andthendisappearedasthoughtheridershadseparated."Well,"saidBilly,astheothersdrewaroundhimforconsultation,"they'dbegoin'tothehillsthere.TheywasPimans--Esteban'stribe.Theygotherupthereinthehillssomewheres.Let'ssplitupan'searchthehillsforher.Whoevercomeson'emfirst'llhavetodosomeshootin'andtherestofuscancloseinan'help.Wecangoinpairs--thenifone'skilledtheothercanrideoutan'leadthewaybacktowhereithappened."Themenseemedsatisfiedwiththeplanandbrokeupintopartiesoftwo.EddieShorterpairedoffwithBillyByrne."Spreadout,"saidthelattertohiscompanions."Eddiean'I'llridestraightahead--therestofyoucanfanoutafewmilesoneithersideofus.S'longan'goodluck,"andhestartedofftowardthehills,EddieShorterathisside.BackattheranchtheMexicanvaquerosloungedabout,grumbling.Withnoforemantherewasnothingtodoexcepttalkabouttheirtroubles.TheyhadnotbeenpaidsincethelootingofthebankatCuivaca,forMr.Hardinghadbeenunabletogetanysilverfromelsewhereuntilafewdayssince.Henowhadassurancesthatitwasonthewaytohim;butwhetherornotitwouldreachElOrobowasaquestion."Whyshouldwestayherewhenwearenotpaid?"askedoneofthem."Yes,why?"chorusedseveralothers."Thereisnothingtodohere,"saidanother."WewillgotoCuivaca.I,forone,amtiredofworkingforthegringos."Thismetwiththeunqualifiedapprovalofall,andafewmomentslaterthemenhadsaddledtheirponiesandweregallopingawayinthedirectionofsun-bakedCuivaca.Theysangnow,andwerehappy,fortheywereaslittleboysplayinghookyfromschool--notbadmen;butratherirresponsiblechildren.OnceinCuivacatheyswoopeddownuponthedrinking-place,where,withwhatlittlemoneyafewofthemhadlefttheyproceededtogetdrunk.Laterinthedayanold,dried-upIndianentered.Hewashotanddustyfromalongride."Hey,Jose!"criedoneofthevaquerosfromElOroboRancho;"youoldrascal,whatareyoudoinghere?"Joselookedarounduponthem.Heknewthemall--theyrepresentedtheMexicancontingentoftheridersofElOrobo.JosewonderedwhattheywerealldoinghereinCuivacaatonetime.Evenuponapaydayitneverhad CHAPTERXV205beentheruleofElOrobotoallowmorethanfourmenatatimetocometotown."Oh,Josecometobuycoffeeandtobacco,"hereplied.Helookedaboutsearchingly."Wherearetheothers?"heasked,"--thegringos?""TheyhaveriddenafterEsteban,"explainedoneofthevaqueros."HehasrunoffwithSenoritaHarding."Joseraisedhiseyebrowsasthoughthiswasallnews."AndSenorGraysonhasgonewiththem?"heasked."Hewasveryfondofthesenorita.""SenorGraysonhasrunaway,"wentontheotherspeaker."Theothergringoswishedtohanghim,foritissaidhehasbribedEstebantodothisthing."AgainJoseraisedhiseyebrows."Impossible!"heejaculated."Andwhothenguardstheranch?"heaskedpresently."SenorHarding,twoMexicanhouseservants,andaChinaman,"andthevaquerolaughed."Imustbegoing,"Joseannouncedafteramoment."ItisalongrideforanoldmanfrommypoorhometoCuivaca,andbackagain."Thevaqueroswerepayingnofurtherattentiontohim,andtheIndianpassedoutandsoughthispony;butwhenhehadmountedandriddenfromtownhetookastrangedirectionforonewhosepathliestotheeast,sinceheturnedhispony'sheadtowardthenorthwest.Josehadriddenfarthatday,sinceBillyhadlefthishumblehut.HehadgonetothewesttothelittleranchoofoneofPesita'sadherentswhohaddispatchedaboytocarrywordtothebanditthathisCaptainByrnehadescapedtheVillistas,andthenJosehadriddenintoCuivacabyacircuitousroutewhichbroughthimupfromtheeastsideofthetown.NowhewasridingonceagainforPesita;butthistimehewouldbeartheinformationhimself.HefoundthechiefincampandafterbeggingtobaccoandacigarettepapertheIndianfinallyreachedthepurposeofhisvisit."JosehasjustcomefromCuivaca,"hesaid,"andtherehedrankwithalltheMexicanvaquerosofElOroboRancho--ALL,mygeneral,youunderstand.ItseemsthatEstebanhascarriedoffthebeautifulsenoritaofElOroboRancho,andthevaquerostellJosethatALLtheAmericanvaqueroshaveriddeninsearchofher--ALL,mygeneral,youunderstand.InsuchtimesofdangeritisoddthatthegringosshouldleaveElOrobothusunguarded.OnlytherichSenorHarding,twohouseservants,andaChinamanremain."AmanlaystretcheduponhisblanketsinatentnexttothatoccupiedbyPesita.Atthesoundofthespeaker'svoice,lowthoughitwas,heraisedhisheadandlistened.Heheardeveryword,andascowlsettleduponhisbrow.Barbarastolen!MrHardingpracticallyaloneupontheranch!AndPesitainpossessionofthisinformation!Bridgerosetohisfeet.Hebuckledhiscartridgebeltabouthiswaistandpickeduphiscarbine,thenhecrawledundertherearwallofhistentandwalkedslowlyoffinthedirectionofthepicketlinewherethehorsesweretethered."Ah,SenorBridge,"saidapleasantvoiceinhisear;"whereto?" CHAPTERXV206Bridgeturnedquicklytolookintothesmiling,evilfaceofRozales."Oh,"hereplied,"I'mgoingouttoseeifIcan'tfindsomeshooting.It'sawfullydullsittingaroundheredoingnothing.""Si,senor,"agreedRozales;"I,too,finditso.Letusgotogether--Iknowwheretheshootingisbest.""Idon'tdoubtit,"thoughtBridge;"probablyintheback;"butaloudhesaid:"Certainly,thatwillbefine,"forheguessedthatRozaleshadbeensettowatchhismovementsandpreventhisescape,and,perchance,tobethesolewitnessofsomeunhappyeventwhichshouldcarrySenorBridgetothearmsofhisfathers.Rozalescalledasoldiertosaddleandbridletheirhorsesandshortlyafterthetwowereridingabreastdownthetrailoutofthehills.WhereitwasnecessarythattheyrideinsinglefileBridgewascarefultoseethatRozalesrodeahead,andtheMexicangraciouslypermittedtheAmericantofallbehind.Ifhewasinspiredbyanyothermotivethansimpleespionagehewasevidentlycontenttobidehistimeuntilchancegavehimtheopeninghedesired,anditwasequallyevidentthathefeltassafeinfrontoftheAmericanasbehindhim.AtapointwherearavinedownwhichtheyhadriddendebaucheduponamesaRozalessuggestedthattheyridetothenorth,whichwasnotatallthedirectioninwhichBridgeintendedgoing.TheAmericandemurred."Butthereisnoshootingdowninthevalley,"urgedRozales."Ithinktherewillbe,"wasBridge'senigmaticalreply,andthen,withasuddenexclamationofsurprisehepointedoverRozales'shoulder."What'sthat?"hecriedinavoicetensewithexcitement.TheMexicanturnedhisheadquicklyinthedirectionBridge'sindexfingerindicated."Iseenothing,"saidRozales,afteramoment."Youdonow,though,"repliedBridge,andastheMexican'seyesreturnedinthedirectionofhiscompanionhewasforcedtoadmitthathedidseesomething--thedismal,holloweyeofasix-shooterlookinghimstraightintheface."SenorBridge!"exclaimedRozales."Whatareyoudoing?Whatdoyoumean?""Imean,"saidBridge,"thatifyouareatallsolicitousofyourhealthyou'llclimbdownoffthatpony,notforgettingtokeepyourhandsaboveyourheadwhenyoureachtheground.Nowclimb!"Rozalesdismounted."Turnyourbacktowardme,"commandedtheAmerican,andwhentheotherhadobeyedhim,Bridgedismountedandremovedtheman'sweaponsfromhisbelt."Nowyoumaygo,Rozales,"hesaid,"andshouldyoueverhaveanAmericaninyourpoweragainrememberthatIsparedyourlifewhenImighteasilyhavetakenit--whenitwouldhavebeeninfinitelysaferformetohavedoneit."TheMexicanmadenoreply,buttheblackscowlthatcloudedhisfacebodedillforthenextgringowhoshouldbesounfortunateastofallintohishands.SlowlyhewheeledaboutandstartedbackupthetrailinthedirectionofthePesitacamp."I'llbehalfwaytoElOrobo,"thoughtBridge,"beforehegetsachancetotellPesitawhathappenedtohim," CHAPTERXV207andthenberemountedandrodeondownintothevalley,leadingRozales'horsebehindhim.Itwouldneverdo,heknew,toturntheanimalloosetoosoon,sincehewoulddoubtlessmakehiswaybacktocamp,andindoingsowouldhavetopassRozaleswhowouldcatchhim.TimewaswhatBridgewanted--tobewellonhiswaytoOrobobeforePesitashouldlearnofhisescape.BridgeknewnothingofwhathadhappenedtoBilly,forPesitahadseentoitthattheinformationwaskeptfromtheAmerican.Thelatterhad,nevertheless,beenworryingnotalittleattheabsenceofhisfriendforheknewthathehadtakenhislibertyandhislifeinhishandsinridingdowntoElOroboamongavowedenemies.FartohisrearRozalesploddedsullenlyupthesteeptrailthroughthemountains,revolvinginhismindvariousexquisitetorturesheshouldbedelightedtoinflictuponthenextgringowhocameintohispower. CHAPTERXVI208CHAPTERXVIEDDIEMAKESGOODBILLYBYRNEandEddieShorterrodesteadilyinthedirectionofthehills.Uponeithersideandatintervalsofamileormorestretchedtheothersoftheirparty,occasionallyvisible;butforthemostpartnot.Onceinthehillsthetwocouldnolongerseetheirfriendsorbeseenbythem.BothByrneandEddiefeltthatchancehadplacedthemupontherighttrailforawell-markedandlong-usedpathwoundupwardthroughacanyonalongwhichtheyrode.Itwasanexcellentlocationforanambush,andbothmenbreathedmorefreelywhentheyhadpassedoutofitintomoreopencountryuponanarrowtablelandbetweenthefirstfoothillsandthemainrangeofmountains.Hereagainwasthetrailwellmarked,andwhenEddie,lookingahead,sawthatitappearedtoleadinthedirectionofavividgreenspotclosetothebaseofthegraybrownhillshegaveanexclamationofassurance."We'reontherighttrailallright,oldman,"hesaid."They'swaterthere,"andhepointedaheadatthegreensplotchuponthegray."That'swherethey'dbehavin'theirvillage.Iain'tneverbeenupheresoIain'tfamiliarwiththecountry.Youseewedon'trunnocattlethissidetheriver--thePimanswon'tletus.Theydon'tcaretohavenowhitemenpokin'roundintheircountry;butI'llbetahatwefindacampthere."Onwardtheyrodetowardthelittlespotofgreen.Sometimesitwasinsightandagainastheyapproachedhigherground,orwoundthroughgulliesandravinesitwaslosttotheirsight;butalwaystheykeptitastheirgoal.Thetrailtheywereuponledtoit--ofthattherecouldbenolongertheslightestdoubt.Andastheyrodewiththeirdestinationinviewblack,beadyeyeslookeddownuponthemfromtheverygreenoasistowardwhichtheyurgedtheirponies--tiringnowfromtheclimb.Alithe,brownbodylaystretchedcomfortablyuponabedofgrassesattheedgeofalittleriseofgroundbeneathwhichtheridersmustpassbeforetheycametotheclusterofhutswhichsquattedinatinynaturalparkatthefootofthemainpeak.Farabovethewatcheraspringofclear,purewaterbubbledoutofthemountain-side,andrunningdownwardformedlittlepoolsamongtherockswhichheldit.AndwiththiswaterthePimansirrigatedtheirsmallfieldsbeforeitsankfromsightagainintotheearthjustbelowtheirvillage.Besidethebrownbodylayalongrifle.Theman'seyeswatched,unblinking,thetwospecksfarbelowhimwhomheknewandhadknownforanhourweregringos.Anotherbrownbodywormeditselfforwardtohissideandpeeredovertheedgeofthedeclivitydownuponthewhitemen.Hespokeafewwordsinawhispertohimwhowatchedwiththerifle,andthencrawledbackagainanddisappeared.Andallthewhile,onwardandupwardcameBillyByrneandEddieShorter,eachknowinginhisheartthatifnotalready,thenatanymomentawatcherwoulddiscoverthemandalittlelaterabulletwouldflythatwouldfindoneofthem,andtheytookthechanceforthesakeoftheAmericangirlwholayhiddensomewhereinthesehills,forinnootherwaycouldtheylocateherhidingplacemorequickly.AnyoneoftheothereightAmericanswhorodeinpairsintothehillsatotherpointstotheleftandrightofBillyByrneandhiscompanionwouldhaveandwaseventhencheerfullytakingthesamechancesthatEddieandBillytook,onlythelatterwerenowassuredthattooneofthemwouldfallthesacrifice,forastheyhadcomecloserEddiehadseenathinwreathofsmokerisingfromamongthetreesoftheoasis.Now,indeed,weretheysurethattheyhadchanceduponthetrailtothePimanvillage."Wegottakeepoureyespeeled,"saidEddie,astheywoundintoaravinewhichfromitslocationevidentlyleddirectlyuptothevillage."Weain'tfarfrom'emnow,an'iftheygetusthey'llgetusabouthere."Asthoughtopunctuatehisspeechwiththefinalperiodariflecrackedabovethem.Eddiejumpedspasmodicallyandclutchedhisbreast. CHAPTERXVI209"I'mhit,"hesaid,quiteunemotionally.BillyByrne'srevolverhadansweredtheshotfromabovethem,thebulletstrikingwhereBillyhadseenapuffofsmokefollowingtherifleshot.ThenBillyturnedtowardEddie."Hitbad?"heasked."Yep,Iguessso,"saidEddie."What'llwedo?Hideuphere,orridebackaftertheothers?"Anothershotrangoutabovethem,althoughBillyhadbeenwatchingforatargetatwhichtoshootagain--atargetwhichhehadbeenpositivehewouldgetwhenthemanrosetofireagain.AndBillydidseethefellowatlast--afewpacesfromwherehehadfirstfired;butnotuntiltheotherhaddroppedEddie'shorsebeneathhim.Byrnefiredagain,andthistimehehadthesatisfactionofseeingabrownbodyrise,struggleamoment,andthenrolloveronceuponthegrassbeforeitcametorest."Ireckonwe'llstayhere,"saidBilly,lookingruefullyatEddie'shorse.Eddieroseandashedidsohestaggeredandgrewverywhite.Billydismountedandranforward,puttinganarmabouthim.AnothershotcamefromaboveandBillyByrne'sponygruntedandcollapsed."Hell!"exclaimedByrne."Wegottagetoutofthis,"andliftinghiswoundedcomradeinhisarmsheranfortheshelteroftheblufffromthesummitofwhichthesnipershadfireduponthem.Closein,huggingthefaceoftheperpendicularwalloftumbledrockandearth,theywereoutofrangeoftheIndians;butBillydidnotstopwhenhehadreachedtemporarysafety.Fartheruptowardthedirectioninwhichlaythevillage,andhalfwayupthesideofthebluffBillysawwhathetooktobeexcellentshelter.Herethefaceofthebluffwaslesssteepanduponitlayanumberoflargebowlders,whileothersprotrudedfromthegroundaboutthem.TowardtheseBillymadehisway.Thewoundedmanacrosshisshoulderwassufferingindescribableagonies;buthebithislipandstifledthecriesthateachstephiscomradetookseemedtowrenchfromhim,lestheattracttheenemytotheirposition.Abovethemallwassilence,yetBillyknewthatalert,redfoemenwerecreepingtotheedgeofthebluffinsearchoftheirprey.IfhecouldbutreachtheshelterofthebowldersbeforethePimansdiscoveredthem!TheminutesthatwereconsumedincoveringthehundredyardsseemedasmanyhourstoBillyByrne;butatlasthedraggedthefaintingcowboybetweentwolargebowlderscloseundertheedgeofthebluffandfoundhimselfinalittle,naturalfortress,welladaptedtodefense.FromabovetheywereprotectedfromthefireoftheIndiansuponthebluffbytheheightofthebowlderatthefootofwhichtheylay,whileanotherjustinfronthidthemfrompossiblemarksmenacrossthecanyon.Smallerrocksscatteredaboutgavepromiseofshelterfromflankfire,andassoonashehaddepositedEddieinthecomparativesafetyoftheirretreatByrnecommencedformingalowbreastworkuponthesidefacingthevillage--thedirectionfromwhichtheymightnaturallyexpectattack.Thisdoneheturnedhisattentiontotheopeningupontheoppositesideandsoonhadasimilardefenseconstructedthere,thenheturnedhisattentiontoEddie,thoughkeepingawatchfuleyeuponbothapproachestotheirstronghold.TheKansanlayuponhisside,moaning.Bloodstainedhislipsandnostrils,andwhenBillyByrneopenedhisshirtandfoundagapingwoundinhisrightbreastheknewhowseriouswashiscompanion'sinjury.AshefeltBillyworkingoverhimtheboyopenedhiseyes."DoyouthinkI'mdonefor?"heaskedinatorturedwhisper. CHAPTERXVI210"Nothin'doin',"liedBillycheerfully."Justascratch.You'llbeallrightinadayortwo."Eddieshookhisheadwearily."IwishIcouldbelieveyou,"hesaid."Ibenfiggerin'ongoin'backtoseemaw.Iain'tthoughto'nothin'elsesinceyoutoldme'bouthowshemissedme.IkenseeherrightnowjustlikeIwasthere.I'llbetshe'sscrubbin'thekitchenfloor.Mawwasalwaysa-scrubbin'somethin'.Gee!butit'stoughtocashinlikethisjustwhenIwasfiggerin'ongoin'home."Billycouldn'tthinkofanythingtosay.Heturnedtolookupanddownthecanyoninsearchoftheenemy."Home!"whisperedEddie."Home!""Aw,shucks!"saidBillykindly."You'llgethomeallright,kid.Theboysmusta-heardtheshootin'an'they'llbealonginnotimenow.Thenwe'llcleanupthisbuncho'coonsan'haveyoubacktoElOroboan'nursedintoshapeinnotime."Eddietriedtosmileashelookedupintotheother'sface.HereachedahandoutandlaiditonBilly'sarm."You'reallright,oldman,"hewhispered."Iknowyou'relyin'an'sodoyou;butitmakesmefeelbetteranywaytohaveyousaythemthings."Billyfeltasonewhohasbeencaughtstealingfromablindman.Theonlyadequatereplyofwhichhecouldthinkwas,"Aw,shucks!""Say,"saidEddieafteramoment'ssilence,"ifyougetouto'herean'evergobacktotheStatespromisemeyou'lllookupmawandpawan'tell'emIwascomin'home--tostay.Tell'emIdieddecent,too,willyou--diedlikepawwasalwaysa-tellin'memygranddaddied,fightin'Injuns'roundFortDodgesomewheres.""Sure,"saidBilly;"I'lltell'em.Gee!Lookwho'scomin'here,"andashespokeheflattenedhimselftothegroundjustasabulletpingedagainsttherockabovehisheadandthereportofariflesoundedfromupthecanyon."Thatguymostgotme.I'llhavetobe'tendin'tobusinessbetter'nthis."Hedrewhimselfslowlyupuponhiselbows,hiscarbinereadyinhishand,andpeeredthroughasmallaperturebetweentwooftherockswhichcomposedhisbreastwork.Thenhestuckthemuzzleoftheweaponthrough,tookaimandpulledthetrigger."Didjegethim?"askedEddie."Yep,"saidBilly,andfiredagain."Gotthatonetoo.Say,they'retough-lookin'guys;butIguesstheywon'tcomesofastnexttime.Thosetwowererightintheopen,workin'uptousontheirbellies.Theymusta-thoughtwewassleepin'."ForanhourBillyneithersawnorheardanysignoftheenemy,thoughseveraltimesberaisedhishatabovethebreastworkuponthemuzzleofhiscarbinetodrawtheirfire.Itwasmidafternoonwhenthesoundofdistantriflefirecamefaintlytotheearsofthetwomenfromsomewherefarbelowthem."Theboysmustbecomin',"whisperedEddieShorterhopefully.Forhalfanhourthefiringcontinuedandthensilenceagainfelluponthemountains.Eddiebegantowandermentally.HetalkedmuchofKansasandhisoldhome,andmanytimeshebeggedforwater. CHAPTERXVI211"Buckup,kid,"saidBilly;"theboys'llbealonginaminutenowan'thenwe'llgetyouallthewateryouwant."Buttheboysdidnotcome.Billywasstandingupnow,stretchinghislegs,andsearchingupanddownthecanyonforIndians.Hewaswonderingifhecouldchancemakingabreakforthevalleywheretheystoodsomeslightchanceofmeetingwiththeircompanions,andevenasheconsideredthematterseriouslytherecameastaccatoreportandBillyByrnefellforwardinaheap."God!"criedEddie."Theygothimnow,theygothim."Byrnestirredandstruggledtorise."Like'lltheygotme,"hesaid,andstaggeredtohisknees.Overthebreastworkhesawahalf-dozenIndiansrunningrapidlytowardtheshelter--hesawtheminahazeofredthatwascausednotbybloodbutbyanger.WithanoathBillyByrneleapedtohisfeet.Fromhiskneesuphiswholebodywasexposedtotheenemy;butBillycarednot.Hewasinaberserkerrage.WhippinghiscarbinetohisshoulderheletdriveattheadvancingIndianswhowerenowbeyondhopeofcover.Theymustcomeonorbeshotdownwheretheywere,sotheycameon,yellinglikedevilsandstoppingmomentarilytofireupontherashwhitemanwhostoodsoperfectatargetbeforethem.Buttheirhastespoiledtheirmarksmanship.Thebulletszingedandzippedagainsttherockylittlefortress,theynickedBilly'sshirtandtrousersandhat,andallthewhilehestoodtherepumpingleadintohisassailants--nothysterically;butwiththecooldeliberationofabutcherslaughteringbeeves.OnebyonethePimansdroppeduntilbutasingleIndianrushedfranticallyuponthewhiteman,andthenthelastoftheassailantslungedforwardacrossthebreastworkwithabulletfromBilly'scarbinethroughhisforehead.EddieShorterhadraisedhimselfpainfullyuponanelbowthathemightwitnessthebattle,andwhenitwasoverhesankback,thebloodwellingfrombetweenhissetteeth.BillyturnedtolookathimwhenthelastofthePimanswasdisposedof,andseeinghisconditionkneeledbesidehimandtookhisheadinthehollowofanarm."Youorterliestill,"hecautionedtheKansan."Tain'tgoodforyoutomovearoundmuch.""Itwasworthit,"whisperedEddie."Say,butthatwassomescrap.Yougotyournervestandin'upthereagainstthebunchof'em;butifyouhadn'tthey'dhaverushedusandsomeof'emwoulda-gotin.""Funnytheboysdon'tcome,"saidBilly."Yes,"repliedEddie,withasigh;"it'smilkin'timenow,an'Ifiggeredongoin'toShawneethisevenin'.Them'snicecookies,maw.I--"BillyByrnewasbendinglowtocatchhisfeeblewords,andwhenthevoicetrailedoutintonothingnessheloweredthetousledredheadtothehardearthandturnedaway.CoulditbethatthethingwhichglistenedontheeyelidofthetoughestguyontheWestSidewasatear?Theafternoonwanedandnightcame,butitbroughttoBillyByrneneitherrenewedattacknorsuccor.Thebulletwhichhaddroppedhimmomentarilyhadbutcreasedhisforehead.Asidefromthefactthathewasbloodcoveredfromthewoundithadinconveniencedhiminnoway,andnowthatdarknesshadfallenhe CHAPTERXVI212commencedtoplanuponleavingtheshelter.FirsthetransferredEddie'sammunitiontohisownperson,andsuchvaluablesandtrinketsashethought"maw"mightbegladtohave,thenheremovedthebreechblockfromEddie'scarbineandstuckitinhispocketthattheweaponmightbevaluelesstotheIndianswhentheyfoundit."SorryIcan'tburyyouoldman,"wasBilly'spartingcomment,asheclimbedoverthebreastworkandmeltedintothenight.BillyByrnemovedcautiouslythroughthedarkness,andhemovednotinthedirectionofescapeandsafetybutdirectlyupthecanyoninthewaythatthevillageofthePimanslay.Soonheheardthesoundofvoicesandshortlyaftersawthelightofcookfiresplayinguponbronzedfacesanduponthefrontsoflowhuts.Somewomenweremoaningandwailing.Billyguessedthattheymournedforthosewhomhisbulletshadfoundearlierintheday.Inthedarknessofthenight,farupamongtherough,forbiddingmountainsitwasallveryweirdanduncanny.Billycreptclosertothevillage.Shelterwasabundant.Hesawnosignofsentryandwonderedwhytheyshouldbesolaxinthefaceofalmostcertainattack.ThenitoccurredtohimthatpossiblythefiringheandEddiehadheardearlierinthedayfardownamongthefoothillsmighthavemeanttheexterminationoftheAmericansfromElOrobo."Well,I'llbenextthen,"musedBilly,andwormedclosertothehuts.Hiseyeswereonthealerteveryinstant,aswerehisears;butnosignofthatwhichhesoughtrewardedhiskeenestobservation.Untilmidnighthelayinconcealmentandallthattimethemournerscontinuedtheirdismalwailing.Then,onebyone,theyenteredtheirhuts,andsilencereignedwithinthevillage.Billycreptcloser.Heeyedeachhutwithlonging,wonderinggaze.Whichcoulditbe?Howcouldhedetermine?Oneseemedlittlemorepromisingthantheothers.HehadnotedthosetowhichIndianshadretired.Therewerethreeintowhichhehadseennonego.These,then,shouldbethefirsttoundergohisscrutiny.Thenightwasdark.Themoonhadnotyetrisen.Onlyafewdyingfirescastawaveringanduncertainlightuponthescene.ThroughtheshadowsBillyByrnecreptcloserandcloser.Atlasthelayclosebesideoneofthehutswhichwastobethefirsttoclaimhisattention.Forseveralmomentshelaylisteningintentlyforanysoundwhichmightcomefromwithin;buttherewasnone.Hecrawledtothedoorwayandpeeredwithin.Utterdarknessshroudedandhidtheinterior.Billyroseandwalkedboldlyinside.Ifhecouldseenoonewithin,thennoonecouldseehimoncehewasinsidethedoor.Therefore,soreasonedBillyByrne,hewouldhaveasgoodachanceastheoccupantsofthehut,shouldtheyprovetobeenemies.Hecrossedthefloorcarefully,stoppingoftentolisten.Atlastheheardarustlingsoundjustaheadofhim.Hisfingerstightenedupontherevolverhecarriedinhisrighthand,bythebarrel,clublike.Billyhadnointentionofmakinganymorenoisethannecessary.Againheheardasoundfromthesamedirection.Itwasnotatallunlikethefrightenedgaspofawoman.Billyemittedalowgrowl,infairimitationofaprowlingdogthathasbeendisturbed.Againthegasp,andalow:"Goaway!"inliquidfemininetones--andinEnglish! CHAPTERXVI213Billyutteredalow:"S-s-sh!"andtiptoedcloser.Extendinghishandstheypresentlycameincontactwithahumanbodywhichshrankfromhimwithanothersmotheredcry."Barbara!"whisperedBilly,bendingcloser.Ahandreachedoutthroughthedarkness,foundhim,andcloseduponhissleeve."Whoareyou?"askedalowvoice."Billy,"hereplied."Areyoualoneinhere?""No,anoldwomanguardsme,"repliedthegirl,andatthesametimetheybothheardamovementcloseathand,andsomethingscurriedpastthemtobesilhouettedforaninstantagainstthepathoflesserdarknesswhichmarkedthelocationofthedoorway."Thereshegoes!"criedBarbara."Sheheardyouandshehasgoneforhelp.""Thencome!"saidBilly,seizingthegirl'sarmanddragginghertoherfeet;buttheyhadscarcecrossedhalfthedistancetothedoorwaywhenthecriesoftheoldwomanwithoutwarnedthemthatthecampwasbeingaroused.BillythrustarevolverintoBarbara'shand."Wegottamakeafightofit,littlegirl,"hesaid."Butyou'dbetterdiethanbeherealone."Astheyemergedfromthehuttheysawwarriorsrunningfromeverydoorway.TheoldwomanstoodscreaminginPimanatthetopofherlungs.Billy,keepingBarbarainfrontofhimthathemightshieldherbodywithhisown,turneddirectlyoutofthevillage.HedidnotfireatfirsthopingthattheymighteludedetectionandthusnotdrawthefireoftheIndiansuponthem;buthewasdoomedtodisappointment,andtheyhadtakenscarcelyadozenstepswhenariflespokeabovethenoiseofhumanvoicesandabulletwhizzedpastthem.ThenBillyreplied,andBarbara,too,fromjustbehindhisshoulder.Togethertheybackedawaytowardtheshadowofthetreesbeyondthevillageandastheywenttheypouredshotaftershotintothevillage.TheIndians,butjustawakenedandstillhalfstupidfromsleep,didnotknowbutthattheywereattackedbyavastlysuperiorforce,andthisfearheldthemincheckforseveralminutes--longenoughforBillyandBarbaratoreachthesummitoftheblufffromwhichBillyandEddiehadfirstbeenfiredupon.HeretheywerehiddenfromtheviewoftheIndians,andBillybrokeatonceintoarun,halfcarryingthegirlwithastrongarmaboutherwaist."Ifwecanreachthefoothills,"hesaid,"Ithinkwecandodge'em,an'bygoin'allnightwemayreachtheriverandElOrobobymorning.It'salonghike,Barbara,butwegottamakeit--wegotta,forifdaylightfindsusinthePimancountrywewon'tnevermakeit.Anyway,"heconcludedoptimistically,"it'salldownhill.""We'llmakeit,Billy,"shereplied,"ifwecangetpastthesentry.""Whatsentry?"askedBilly."Ididn'tseenosentrywhenIcomein.""Theykeepasentrywaydownthetrailallnight,"repliedthegirl."Inthedaytimeheisnearerthevillage--onthetopofthisbluff,forfromherehecanseethewholevalley;butatnighttheystationhimfartherawayinanarrowpartofthetrail." CHAPTERXVI214"It'samightygoodthingyoutippedmeoff,"saidBilly;"forI'da-runrightintohim.Ithoughttheywasallbehindusnow."Afterthattheywentmorecautiously,andwhentheyreachedthepartofthetrailwherethesentrymightbeexpectedtobefound,BarbarawarnedBillyofthefact.Liketwothievestheycreptalongintheshadowofthecanyonwall.InwardlyBillycursedthedarknessofthenightwhichhidfromvieweverythingmorethanafewpacesfromthem;yetitmayhavebeenthisverydarknesswhichsavedthem,sinceithidthemaseffectuallyfromanenemyasithidtheenemyfromthem.TheyhadreachedthepointwhereBarbarawaspositivethesentryshouldbe.ThegirlwasclingingtightlytoBilly'sleftarm.Hecouldfeelthepressureofherfingersastheysunkintohismuscles,sendinglittletremorsandthrillsthroughhisgiantframe.EveninthefaceofdeathBillyByrnecouldsensetheecstasiesofpersonalcontactwiththisgirl--theonlywomanheeverhadlovedoreverwould.Andthenablackshadowloomedbeforethem,andarifleflashedintheirfaceswithoutawordorasignofwarning. CHAPTERXVII215CHAPTERXVII"YOUAREMYGIRL!"MR.ANTHONYHARDINGwaspacingbackandforththelengthoftheverandaoftheranchhouseatElOrobowaitingforsomewordofhopefromthosewhohadriddenoutinsearchofhisdaughter,Barbara.Eachswirlingdustdevilthateddiedacrossthedryflatoneithersideoftheriverrousedhopeswithinhisbreastthatitmighthavebeenspurredintoactivitybythehoofsofaponybearingamessengerofgoodtidings;butalwayshishopesweredashed,fornohorsemanemergedfromtheheathazeofthedistancewherethelittledustdevilsracedplayfullyamongthecactiandthegreasewood.Butatlast,inthenorthwest,ahorseman,unheraldedbygyratingdustcolumn,cameintosight.Mr.Hardingshookhisheadsorrowfully.IthadnotbeenfromthisdirectionthathehadexpectedwordofBarbara,yethekepthiseyesfastenedupontherideruntilthelatterreinedinattheranchyardandlopedatiredandsweatingponytothefootoftheverandasteps.ThenMr.Hardingsawwhothenewcomerwas."Bridge!"heexclaimed."Whatbringsyoubackhere?Don'tyouknowthatyouendangerusaswellasyourselfbybeingseenhere?GeneralVillawillthinkthatwehavebeenharboringyou."Bridgeswungfromthesaddleandranupontotheveranda.HepaidnottheslightestattentiontoAnthonyHarding'sprotest."Howmanymenyougotherethatyoucandependon?"heasked."None,"repliedtheEasterner."Whatdoyoumean?""None!"criedBridge,incredulityandhopelessnessshowinguponhiscountenance."Isn'tthereaChinamanandacoupleoffaithfulMexicans?""Oh,yes,ofcourse,"assentedMr.Harding;"butwhatareyoudrivingat?""PesitaisonhiswayheretocleanupElOrobo.Hecan'tbeveryfarbehindme.Callthemenyougot,andwe'llgettogetherallthegunsandammunitionontheranch,andbarricadetheranchhouse.Wemaybeabletostand'emoff.HaveyouheardanythingofMissBarbara?"AnthonyHardingshookhisheadsadly."Thenwe'llhavetostayrighthereanddothebestwecan,"saidBridge."IwasthinkingwemightmakearunforitifMissBarbarawashere;butasshe'snotwemustwaitforthosewhowentoutafterher."Mr.HardingsummonedthetwoMexicanswhileBridgerantothecookhouseandorderedtheChinamantotheranchhouse.Thentheerstwhilebookkeeperransackedthebunkhouseforarmsandammunition.Whatlittlehefoundhecarriedtotheranchhouse,andwiththehelpoftheothersbarricadedthedoorsandwindowsofthefirstfloor."We'llhavetomakeourfightfromtheupperwindows,"heexplainedtotheranchowner."IfPesitadoesn'tbringtoolargeaforcewemaybeabletostandthemoffuntilyoucangethelpfromCuivaca.CalluptherenowandseeifyoucangetVillatosendhelp--heoughttoprotectyoufromPesita.Iunderstandthatthereisnolovelostbetweenthetwo."AnthonyHardingwentatoncetothetelephoneandrangforthecentralatCuivaca. CHAPTERXVII216"Tellittotheoperator,"shoutedBridgewhostoodpeeringthroughanopeninginthebarricadebeforeafrontwindow;"theyarecomingnow,andthechancesarethatthefirstthingthey'lldoiscutthetelephonewires."TheEasternerpouredhisstoryandappealforhelpintotheearsofthegirlattheotherendoftheline,andthenforafewmomentstherewassilenceintheroomashelistenedtoherreply."Impossible!"and"MyGod!itcan'tbetrue,"Bridgeheardtheoldermanejaculate,andthenhesawhimhangupthereceiverandturnfromtheinstrument,hisfacedrawnandpinchedwithanexpressionofutterhopelessness."What'swrong?"askedBridge."VillahasturnedagainsttheAmericans,"repliedHarding,dully.Theoperatorevidentlyfeelsfriendlytowardus,forshewarnedmenottoappealtoVillaandtoldmewhy.Evennow,thisminute,themanhasaforceoftwenty-fivehundredreadytomarchonColumbus,NewMexico.ThreeAmericanswerehangedinCuivacathisafternoon.It'shorrible,sir!It'shorrible!Weareasgoodasdeadthisveryminute.EvenifwestandoffPesitawecanneverescapetotheborderthroughVilla'sforces.""Itlooksbad,"admittedBridge."Infactitcouldn'tlookmuchworse;buthereweare,andwhileourammunitionholdsoutaboutallwecandoisstayhereanduseit.Willyoumenstandbyus?"headdressedtheChinamanandthetwoMexicans,whoassuredhimthattheyhadnoloveforPesitaandwouldfightforAnthonyHardinginpreferencetogoingovertotheenemy."Good!"exclaimedBridge,"andnowforupstairs."They'llbehowlingaroundhereinaboutfiveminutes,andwewanttogivethemareceptiontheywon'tforget."Heledthewaytothesecondfloor,wherethefivetookuppositionsnearthefrontwindows.Ashortdistancefromtheranchhousetheycouldseetheenemy,consistingofadetachmentofsometwentyofPesita'stroopersridingatabrisktrotintheirdirection."Pesita'swiththem,"announcedBridge,presently."He'sthelittlefellowonthesorrel.Waituntiltheyarecloseup,thengivethemafewrounds;butgoeasyontheammunition--wehaven'tanytoomuch."Pesita,expectingnoresistance,rodeboldlyintotheranchyard.Atthebunkhouseandtheofficehislittleforcehaltedwhilethreeorfourtroopersdismountedandenteredthebuildingsinsearchofvictims.Disappointedtheretheymovedtowardtheranchhouse."Lielow!"Bridgecautionedhiscompanions."Don'tletthemseeyou,andwaittillIgivethewordbeforeyoufire."Oncamethehorsemenataslowwalk.Bridgewaiteduntiltheywerewithinafewyardsofthehouse,thenhecried:"Now!Let'emhaveit!"ArattleofriflefirebrokefromtheupperwindowsintotheranksofthePesitistas.Threetroopersreeledandslippedfromtheirsaddles.Twohorsesdroppedintheirtracks.Cursingandyelling,thebalanceofthehorsemenwheeledandgallopedawayinthedirectionoftheofficebuilding,followedbythefireofthedefenders."Thatwasn'tsobad,"criedBridge."I'llventureaguessthatMr.Pesitaissomesurprised--andsore.Theretheygobehindtheoffice.They'llstaythereafewminutestalkingitoverandgettinguptheircouragetotryitagain.Nexttimethey'llcomefromanotherdirection.Youtwo,"hecontinued,turningtotheMexicans,"takepositionsontheeastandsouthsidesofthehouse.SingcanremainherewithMr.Harding.I'lltakethenorthsidefacingtheoffice.Shootatthefirstmanwhoshowshishead.Ifwecanholdthemoffuntildarkwemaybeabletogetaway.Whateverhappensdon'tletoneofthemgetcloseenoughtofirethehouse.That'swhat CHAPTERXVII217they'lltryfor."Itwasfifteenminutesbeforethesecondattackcame.Fivedismountedtroopersmadeadashforthenorthsideofthehouse;butwhenBridgedroppedthefirstofthembeforehehadtakentenstepsfromtheofficebuildingandwoundedasecondtheothersretreatedforshelter.TimeandagainastheafternoonworeawayPesitamadeattemptstogetmencloseuptothehouse;butineachinstancetheyweredrivenback,untilatlasttheydesistedfromtheireffortstofirethehouseorrushit,andcontentedthemselveswithfiringanoccasionalshotthroughthewindowsoppositethem."They'rewaitingfordark,"saidBridgetoMr.Hardingduringatemporarylullinthehostilities,"andthenwe'regoners,unlesstheboyscomebackfromacrosstheriverintime.""Couldn'twegetawayafterdark?"askedtheEasterner."It'souronlyhopeifhelpdon'treachus,"repliedBridge.Butwhennightfinallyfellandthefivemenmadeanattempttoleavethehouseuponthesideawayfromtheofficebuildingtheyweremetwiththeflashofcarbinesandthepingofbullets.OneoftheMexicandefendersfell,mortallywounded,andtheotherswerebarelyabletodraghimwithinandreplacethebarricadebeforethedoorwhenfiveofPesita'smenchargedcloseuptotheirdefenses.Thesewerefinallydrivenoffandagaintherecamealull;butallhopeofescapewasgone,andBridgerepostedthedefendersattheupperwindowswheretheymightwatcheveryapproachtothehouse.Asthehoursdraggedonthehopelessnessoftheirpositiongrewuponthemindsofall.Theirammunitionwasalmostgone--eachmanhadbutafewroundsremaining--anditwasevidentthatPesita,throughaninordinatedesireforrevenge,wouldpersistuntilhehadreducedtheirfortressandclaimedthelastofthemashisvictim.Itwaswithsuchcheerfulexpectationsthattheyawaitedthefinalassaultwhichwouldseethemwithoutammunitionanddefenselessinthefaceofacruelandimplacablefoe.Itwasjustbeforedaylightthattheanticipatedrushoccurred.Fromeverysiderangthereportsofcarbinesandtheyellsofthebandits.Therewerescarcelymorethanadozenoftheoriginaltwentyleft;buttheymadeupfortheirdepletednumbersbytherapiditywithwhichtheyworkedtheirfirearmsandtheloudnessandferocityoftheirsavagecries.Andthistimetheyreachedtheshelteroftheverandaandcommencedbatteringatthedoor.AtthereportoftheriflesoclosetothemBillyByrneshovedBarbaraquicklytoonesideandleapedforwardtoclosewiththemanwhobarredtheirwaytoliberty.Thattheyhadsurprisedhimevenmorethanhehadthemwasevidencedbythewildnessofhisshotwhichpassedharmlesslyabovetheirheadsaswellasbythefactthathehadpermittedthemtocomesoclosebeforeengagingthem.Tothelattereventwasattributablehisundoing,foritpermittedBillyByrnetoclosewithhimbeforetheIndiancouldreloadhisantiquatedweapon.Downthetwomenwent,theAmericanontop,eachstrivingforadeathhold;butinweightandstrengthandskillthePimanwasfaroutclassedbythetrainedfighter,apartofwhosedailyworkoutshadconsistedinwrestlingwithproficientartistsofthemat.BarbaraHardingranforwardtoassistherchampionbutasthemenrolledandtumbledoverthegroundshecouldfindnoopeningforablowthatmightnotendangerBillyByrnequiteasmuchasitendangeredhis CHAPTERXVII218antagonist;butpresentlyshediscoveredthattheAmericanrequirednoassistance.ShesawtheIndian'sheadbendingslowlyforwardbeneaththeresistlessforceoftheother'shugemuscles,sheheardthecrackthatannouncedthepartingofthevertebraeandsawthelimpthingwhichhadbutamomentbeforebeenaman,pulsingwithlifeandvigor,rollhelplesslyaside--aharmlessandinanimatelumpofclay.BillyByrneleapedtohisfeet,shakinghimselfasagreatmastiffmightwhosecoathadbeenruffledinafight."Come!"hewhispered."Wegottabeatitnowforsure.Thatguy'sshot'lllead'emrightdowntous,"andoncemoretheytookuptheirflightdowntowardthevalley,alonganunknowntrailthroughthedarknessofthenight.Forthemostparttheymovedinsilence,Billyholdingthegirl'sarmorhandtosteadyherovertheroughanddangerousportionsofthepath.AndastheywenttheregrewinBilly'sbreastalovesodeepandsoresistlessthathefoundhimselfwonderingthathehadeverimaginedthathisformerpassionforthisgirlwaslove.Thisnewthingsurgedthroughhimandoverhimwithalltheblind,brutal,compellingforceofamightytidalwave.Itbattereddownandsweptawaythefrailbarriersofhisnew-foundgentleness.AgainhewastheMucker--hatingtheartificialwallofsocialcastewhichseparatedhimfromthisgirl;butnowhewasreadytoclimbthewall,or,betterstill,tobatteritdownwithhishugefists.Butthetimewasnotyet--firsthemustgetBarbaratoaplaceofsafety.Onandontheywent.Thenightgrewcold.Faraheadtheresoundedtheoccasionalpopofarifle.Billywonderedwhatitcouldmeanandastheyapproachedtheranchandhediscoveredthatitcamefromthatdirectionhehastenedtheirstepstoevengreaterspeedthanbefore."Somebody'sshootin'uptheranch,"hevolunteered."Wonderwhoitcouldbe.""Supposeitisyourfriendandgeneral?"askedthegirl.Billymadenoreply.TheyreachedtheriverandasBillyknewnotwherethefordslayheplungedinatthepointatwhichthewaterfirstbarredtheirprogressanddraggingthegirlafterhim,plowedbull-likefortheoppositeshore.WherethewaterwasabovehisdepthheswamwhileBarbaraclungtohisshoulders.Thustheymadethepassagequicklyandsafely.Billystoppedlongenoughtoshakethewateroutofhiscarbine,whichthegirlhadcarriedacross,andthenforgedaheadtowardtheranchhousefromwhichthesoundsofbattlecamenowinincreasedvolume.Andattheranchhouse"hellwaspopping."ThemomentBridgerealizedthatsomeoftheattackershadreachedtheverandahecalledthesurvivingMexicanandtheChinamantofollowhimtothelowerfloorwheretheymightstandabetterchancetorepelthisnewattack.Mr.Hardinghepersuadedtoremainupstairs.Outsideadozenmenwerebatteringtoforceanentrance.Alreadyonepanelhadsplintered,andasBridgeenteredtheroomhecouldseethefiguresofthebanditsthroughtheholetheyhadmade.Raisinghisriflehefiredthroughtheaperture.Therewasascreamasoneoftheattackersdropped;buttheothersonlyincreasedtheirefforts,theiroaths,andtheirthreatsofvengeance.Thethreedefenderspouredafewroundsthroughthesaggingdoor,thenBridgenotedthattheChinamanceasedfiring."What'sthematter?"heasked."Alleegonee,"repliedSing,pointingtohisammunitionbelt. CHAPTERXVII219AtthesameinstanttheMexicanthrewdownhiscarbineandrushedforawindowontheoppositesideoftheroom.Hisammunitionwasexhaustedandwithithaddepartedhiscourage.Flightseemedtheonlycourseremaining.Bridgemadenoefforttostophim.Hewouldhavebeengladtofly,too;buthecouldnotleaveAnthonyHarding,andhewassurethattheoldermanwouldproveunequaltoanysustainedflightonfoot."Youbettergo,too,Sing,"hesaidtotheChinaman,placinganotherbulletthroughthedoor;"there'snothingmorethatyoucando,anditmaybethattheyareallonthissidenow--Ithinktheyare.Youfellowshavefoughtsplendidly.WishIcouldgiveyousomethingmoresubstantialthanthanks;butthat'sallIhavenowandshortlyPesitawon'tevenleavemethatmuch.""Alleelight,"repliedSingcheerfully,andasecondlaterhewasclamberingthroughthewindowinthewakeoftheloyalMexican.AndthenthedoorcrashedinandhalfadozentroopersfollowedbyPesitahimselfburstintotheroom.Bridgewasstandingatthefootofthestairs,hiscarbineclubbed,forhehadjustspenthislastbullet.Heknewthathemustdie;buthewasdeterminedtomakethempurchasehislifeasdearlyashecould,andtodieindefenseofAnthonyHarding,thefatherofthegirlheloved,eventhoughhopelessly.PesitasawfromtheAmerican'sattitudethathehadnomoreammunition.HestruckupthecarbineofatrooperwhowasabouttoshootBridgedown."Wait!"commandedthebandit."Ceasefiring!Hisammunitionisgone.Willyousurrender?"heaskedofBridge."NotuntilIhavebeatenfromtheheadsofoneortwoofyourfriends,"hereplied,"thatwhichtheiregotismleadsthemtoimaginearebrains.No,ifyoutakemealive,Pesita,youwillhavetokillmetodoit."Pesitashrugged."Verywell,"hesaid,indifferently,"itmakeslittledifferencetome--thatstairwayisasgoodasawall.Thesebravedefendersofthelibertyofpoor,bleedingMexicowillmakeanexcellentfiringsquad.Attention,mychildren!Ready!Aim!"ElevencarbineswereleveledatBridge.IntheghastlylightofearlydawnthesallowcomplexionsoftheMexicanstookonaweirdhue.TheAmericanmadeawryface,aslightshuddershookhisslenderframe,andthenhesquaredhisshouldersandlookedPesitasmilinglyintheface,ThefigureofamanappearedatthewindowthroughwhichtheChinamanandtheloyalMexicanhadescaped.Quickeyestookinthescenewithintheroom."Hey!"heyelled."Cuttheroughstuff!"andleapedintotheroom.Pesita,surprisedbytheinterruption,turnedtowardtheintruderbeforehehadgiventhecommandtofire.Asmilelithisfeatureswhenhesawwhoitwas."Ah!"heexclaimed,"mydearCaptainByrne.Justintimetoseeatraitorandaspypaythepenaltyforhiscrimes.""Nothin'doin',"growledBillyByrne,andthenhethrewhiscarbinetohisshoulderandtookcarefulaimatPesita'sface.Howeasyitwouldhavebeentohavehesitatedamomentinthewindowbeforehemadehispresenceknown--justlongenoughforPesitatospeakthesinglewordthatwouldhavesentelevenbulletsspeedinginto CHAPTERXVII220thebodyofthemanwholovedBarbaraandwhomBillybelievedthegirlloved.ButdidsuchathoughtoccurtoBillyByrneofGrandAvenue?Itdidnot.Heforgoteveryotherconsiderationbeyondhisloyaltytoafriend.BridgeandPesitawerelookingathiminwide-eyedastonishment."Laydownyourcarbines!"Billyshothiscommandatthefiringsquad."Lay'emdownorI'llborePesita.Tell'emtolay'emdown,Pesita.Igottabeadonyourbeezer."Pesitadidashewasbid,hisyellowfacepastywithrage."Nowtheircartridgebelts!"snappedBilly,andwhenthesehadbeendepositeduponthefloorhetoldBridgetodisarmthebanditchief."IsMr.Hardingsafe?"heaskedofBridge,andreceivinganaffirmativehecalledupstairsfortheoldermantodescend.AsMr.HardingreachedthefootofthestairsBarbaraenteredtheroombythewindowthroughwhichBillyhadcome--awindowwhichopeneduponthesideveranda."Nowwegottahike,"announcedBilly."Itwon'tneverbesafefornoneofyouhereafterthis,notevenifyoudothinkVilla'syourfriend--whichheain'tthefriendofnoAmerican.""Weknowthatnow,"saidMr.Harding,andrepeatedtoBillythatwhichthetelephoneoperatorhadtoldhimearlierintheday.MarchingPesitaandhismenaheadofthemBillyandtheothersmadetheirwaytotherearoftheofficebuildingwherethehorsesofthebanditsweretethered.Theywereeacharmednowfromthediscardedweaponsoftheraiders,andwellsuppliedwithammunition.TheChinamanandtheloyalMexicanalsodiscoveredthemselveswhentheylearnedthatthetableshadbeenturneduponPesita.They,too,werearmedandallweremounted,andwhenBillyhadloadedtheremainingweaponsuponthebalanceofthehorsesthepartyrodeaway,drivingPesita'slivestockandarmsaheadofthem."Iimagine,"remarkedBridge,"thatyou'veratherdiscouragedpursuitforawhileatleast,"butpursuitcamesoonerthantheyhadanticipated.TheyhadreachedapointontherivernotfarfromJose'swhenabandofhorsemenappearedapproachingfromthewest.Billyurgedhispartytogreaterspeedthattheymightavoidameetingifpossible;butitsoonbecameevidentthatthestrangershadnointentionofpermittingthemtogounchallenged,fortheyalteredtheircourseandincreasedtheirspeedsothattheyweresoonbearingdownuponthefugitivesatarapidgallop."Iguess,"saidBilly,"thatwe'dbetteropenupon'em.It'sacinchtheyain'tnofriendsofoursanywhereintheseparts.""Hadn'twebetterwaitamoment,"saidMr.Harding;"wedonotwanttochancemakinganymistake.""Itain'tneveramistaketoshootaDago,"repliedBilly.Hiseyeswerefastenedupontheapproachinghorsemen,andhepresentlygaveanexclamationofrecognition."There'sRozales,"hesaid."Icouldn'tmistakethatbeanpolenowheres.We'resafeenoughintakin'ashotat'emifRosie'swith'em.He'sPesita'sheadguy,"andhedrewhisrevolverandtookasingleshotinthedirectionofhisformercomrades.Bridgefollowedhisexample.TheoncomingPesitistasreinedin.Billyreturnedhisrevolvertoitsholsteranddrewhiscarbine."Yourideonahead,"hesaidtoMr.HardingandBarbara."BridgeandI'llbringuptherear." CHAPTERXVII221Thenhestoppedhisponyandturningtookdeliberateaimattheknotofhorsementotheirleft.Abandittumbledfromhissaddleandthefightwason.FortunatelyfortheAmericansRozaleshadbutahandfulofmenwithhimandRozaleshimselfwasneverkeenforafightintheopen.AllmorninghehoveredaroundtherearoftheescapingAmericans;butneithersidedidmuchdamagetotheother,andduringtheafternoonBillynoticedthatRozalesmerelyfollowedwithinsightofthem,afterhavingdispatchedoneofhismenbackinthedirectionfromwhichtheyhadcome."Afterreinforcements,"commentedByrne.Alldaytheyrodewithoutmeetingwithanyrovingbandsofsoldiersorbandits,andtheexplanationwasalltoosinistertotheAmericanswhencoupledwiththeknowledgethatVillawastoattackanAmericantownthatnight."Iwishwecouldreachtheborderintimetowarn'em,"saidBilly;"buttheyain'tnochance.Ifwecrossbeforesunuptomorrowmorningwe'llbedoin'well."HehadscarcelyspokentoBarbaraHardingallday,forhisdutiesasrearguardhadkepthimbusy;norhadheconversedmuchwithBridge,thoughhehadofteneyedthelatterwhosegazewanderedmanytimestotheslender,gracefulfigureofthegirlaheadofthem.Billywasthinkingasheneverhadthoughtbefore.ItseemedtohimacruelfatethathadsoshapedtheirdestiniesthathisbestfriendlovedthegirlBillyloved.ThatBridgewasignorantofBilly'sinfatuationforherthelatterwellknew.HecouldnotblameBridge,norcouldhe,upontheotherhand,quitereconcilehimselftothemorethanapparentadorationwhichmarkedhisfriend'sattitudetowardBarbara.Asdaylightwanedthefugitivesrealizedfromtheshufflinggaitoftheirmounts,fromdroopingheadsanddulleyesthatrestwasimperative.Theythemselveswerefagged,too,andwhenaranchhouseloomedinfrontofthemtheydecidedtohaltformuch-neededrecuperation.HeretheyfoundthreeAmericanswhoweretotallyunawareofVilla'scontemplatedraidacrosstheborder,andwhowhentheywereinformedofitweredoublygladtowelcomesixextracarbines,forBarbaranotonlywasarmedbutwaseminentlyqualifiedtoexpendammunitionwithoutwastingit.Rozalesandhissmallbandhaltedoutofrangeoftheranch;buttheywenthungrywhiletheirquarryfedthemselvesandtheirtiredmounts.TheClarkbrothersandtheircousin,amanbythenameofMason,whowerethesoleinhabitantsoftheranchcounseledalongrest--twohoursatleast,fortheborderwasstilltenmilesawayandspeedatthelastmomentmightbetheirsolemeansofsalvation.Billywasformovingonatoncebeforethereinforcements,forwhichhewassureRozaleshaddispatchedhismessenger,couldovertakethem.Buttheothersweretiredandargued,too,thatuponjadedponiestheycouldnothopetoescapeandsotheywaited,until,justastheywerereadytocontinuetheirflight,flightbecameimpossible.Darknesshadfallenwhenthelittlepartycommencedtoresaddletheirponiesandinthemidstoftheirlaborstherecamearudeanddishearteninginterruption.BillyhadkepteithertheChinamanorBridgeconstantlyuponwatchtowardthedirectioninwhichRozales'menlolledsmokinginthedark,anditwasthecrackofBridge'scarbinewhichawoketheAmericanstothefactthatthoughtheborderlaybutafewmilesawaythey CHAPTERXVII222werestillfarfromsafety.AshefiredBridgeturnedinhissaddleandshoutedtotheotherstomakefortheshelteroftheranchhouse."Therearetwohundredofthem,"hecried."Runforcover!"BillyandtheClarkbrothersleapedtotheirsaddlesandspurredtowardthepointwhereBridgesatpumpingleadintotheadvancingenemy.MasonandMr.HardinghurriedBarbaratothequestionablesafetyoftheranchhouse.TheMexicanfollowedthem,andBridgeorderedSingbacktoassistinbarricadingthedoorsandwindows,whileheandBillyandtheClarkboysheldthebanditsinmomentarycheck.FallingbackslowlyandfiringconstantlyastheycamethefourapproachedthehousewhilePesitaandhisfullbandadvancedcautiouslyafterthem.TheyhadalmostreachedthehousewhenBridgelungedforwardfromhissaddle.TheClarkboyshaddismountedandwereleadingtheirponiesinsidethehouse.Billyalonenotedthewoundingofhisfriend.Withoutaninstant'shesitationheslippedfromhissaddle,ranbacktowhereBridgelayandliftedhiminhisarms.Bulletswerepatteringthickaboutthem.Ahorsemanfarinadvanceofhisfellowsgallopedforwardwithdrawnsabertocutdownthegringos.Billy,castinganoccasionalglancebehind,sawthedangerintimetomeetit--just,infact,astheweaponwascuttingthroughtheairtowardhishead.DroppingBridgeanddodgingtoonesidehemanagedtoescapethecut,andbeforetheswordsmancouldrecoverBillyhadleapedtohispony'ssideandseizingtherideraboutthewaistdraggedhimtotheground."Rozales!"heexclaimed,andstruckthemanashehadneverstruckanotherinallhislife,withthefullforceofhismightymusclesbackedbyhisgreatweight,withclenchedfistfullintheface.Therewasaspurtingofbloodandasplinteringofbone,andCaptainGuillermoRozalessanksenselesstotheground,hiscareerofcrimeandrapineendedforever.AgainBillyliftedBridgeinhisarmsandthistimehesucceededinreachingtheranchhousewithoutoppositionthoughalittlecrimsonstreamtrickleddownhisleftarmtodropuponthefaceofhisfriendashedepositedBridgeuponthefloorofthehouse.AllnightthePesitistascircledtheloneranchhouse.Allnighttheypouredtheirvolleysintotheadobewallsandthroughthebarricadedwindows.Allnightthelittlebandofdefendersfoughtgallantlyfortheirlives;butasdayapproachedthefutilityoftheirendeavorswasborneinuponthem,forofthenineonewasdeadandthreewounded,andthenumbersoftheirassailantsseemedundiminished.BillyByrnehadbeenlyingallnightuponhisstomachbeforeawindowfiringoutintothedarknessatthedimformswhichoccasionallyshowedagainstthedull,deadbackgroundofthemoonlessdesert.Presentlyheleapedtohisfeetandcrossedthefloortotheroominwhichthehorseshadbeenplaced."Everybodyfiretowardtherearofthehouseasfastastheycan,"saidBilly."Iwantaclearspaceformygetaway.""Whereyougoin?"askedoneoftheClarkbrothers."North,"repliedBilly,"aftersomeofFunston'smenontheborder.""Buttheywon'tcross,"saidMr.Harding."Washingtonwon'tletthem." CHAPTERXVII223"Theygotta,"snappedBillyByrne,"an'theywillwhentheyknowthere'sanAmericangirlherewithabunchofDagosyappin'around.""You'llbekilled,"saidPriceClark."Youcan'tnevergetthrough.""Leaveittome,"repliedBilly."Justgetreadyan'openthatbackdoorwhenIgivetheword,an'thenshutitagaininahurrywhenI'vegonethrough."Heledahorsefromthesideroom,andmountedit."Openherup,boes!"heshouted,and"S'longeverybody!"PriceClarkswungthedooropen.Billyputspurstohismountandthrewhimselfforwardflatagainsttheanimal'sneck.Anothermomenthewasthroughandarattlingfusilladeofshotsproclaimedthefactthathisboldfeathadnotgoneunnotedbythefoe.ThelittleMexicanponyshotlikeaboltfromacrossbowoutacrosstheleveldesert.Therattlingofcarbinesonlyservedtoaddspeedtoitsfrightenedfeet.Billysaterectinthesaddle,guidingthehorsewithhislefthandandworkinghisrevolvermethodicallywithhisright.AtawindowbehindhimBarbaraHardingstoodbreathlessandspellbounduntilhehaddisappearedintothegloomoftheearlymorningdarknesstothenorth,thensheturnedwithawearysighandresumedherplacebesidethewoundedBridgewhoseheadshebathedwithcoolwater,whilehetossedinthedeliriumoffever.Thefirststreaksofdaylightwerepiercingtheheavens,thePesitistaswererallyingforadecisivecharge,thehopesofthelittlebandofbesiegedwereatlowebbwhenfromthewesttheresoundedthepoundingofmanyhoofs."Villa,"moanedWestcottClark,hopelessly."We'redonefornow,sureenough.Hemustbecomin'backfromhisraidontheborder."Inthefaintlightofdawntheysawacolumnofhorsemendeploysuddenlyintoalong,thinlinewhichgallopedforwardovertheflatearth,comingtowardthemlikeahuge,relentlessengineofdestruction.ThePesitistaswerewatchingtoo.Theyhadceasedfiringandsatintheirsaddlesforgetfuloftheircontemplatedcharge.Theoccupantsoftheranchhouseweregatheredatthesmallwindows."What'sthem?"criedMason--"themthingsfloatingover'em.""They'reguidons!"exclaimedPriceClark"--theguidonsoftheUnitedStatescavalryregiment.See'em!See'em?God!butdon'ttheylookgood?"Therewasawildwhoopfromthelungsoftheadvancingcavalrymen.Pesita'stroopsanswereditwithascatteringvolley,andamomentlatertheAmericanswereamongtheminthatfamousrevolverchargewhichisnowhistory.Daylighthadcomerevealingtothewatchersintheranchhousethefiguresofthecombatants.InthethickofthefightloomedthegiantfigureofamaninnondescriptgarbwhichmorecloselyresembledtheapparelofthePesitistasthanitdidtheuniformsoftheAmericansoldiery,yetitwaswiththemhefought.Barbara'seyeswerethefirsttodetecthim. CHAPTERXVII224"There'sMr.Byrne,"shecried."Itmusthavebeenhewhobroughtthetroops.""Why,hehasn'thadtimetoreachtheborderyet,"remonstratedoneoftheClarkboys,"muchlessgetbackherewithhelp.""Thereheisthough,"saidMr.Harding."It'scertainlystrange.Ican'tunderstandwhatAmericantroopsaredoingacrosstheborder--especiallyunderthepresentadministration."ThePesitistasheldtheirgroundforbutamomentthentheywheeledandfled;butnotbeforePesitahimselfhadforcedhisponyclosetothatofBillyByrne."Traitor!"screamedthebandit."Youshalldieforthis,"andfiredpoint-blankattheAmerican.Billyfeltaburningsensationinhisalreadywoundedleftarm;buthisrightwasstillgood."Forpoor,bleedingMexico!"hecried,andputabulletthroughPesita'sforehead.UnderescortofthemenoftheThirteenthCavalrywhohadpursuedVilla'sraidersintoMexicoanduponwhomBillyByrnehadstumbledbychance,thelittlepartyoffugitivescamesafelytoUnitedStatessoil,whereallbutonebreathedsighsofheartfeltrelief.Bridgewasgivenfirstaidbymembersofthehospitalcorps,whoassuredBillythathisfriendwouldnotdie.Mr.HardingandBarbaraweretakeninbythewifeofanofficer,anditwasatthequartersofthelatterthatBillyByrnefoundheraloneinthesitting-room.Thegirllookedupasheentered,asadsmileuponherface.Shewasabouttoaskhimofhiswound;buthegavehernoopportunity."I'vecomeforyou,"hesaid."IgaveyouuponcewhenIthoughtitwasbetterforyoutomarryamaninyourownclass.Iwon'tgiveyouupagain.You'remine--you'remygirl,andI'mgoin'totakeyouwithme.Weregoin'toGalvestonasfastaswecan,andfromtherewe'regoin'toRio.YoubelongedtomelongbeforeBridgesawyou.Hecan'thaveyou.Nobodycanhaveyoubutme,andifanyonetriestokeepmefromtakingyouthey'llgetkilled."Hetookastepnearerthatbroughthimclosetoher.Shedidnotshrink--onlylookedupintohisfacewithwideeyesfilledwithwonder.Heseizedherroughlyinhisarms."Youaremygirl!"hecriedhoarsely."Kissme!""Wait!"shesaid."FirsttellmewhatyoumeantbysayingthatBridgecouldn'thaveme.IneverknewthatBridgewantedme,andIcertainlyhaveneverwantedBridge.OBilly!Whydidn'tyoudothislongago?MonthsagoinNewYorkIwantedyoutotakeme;butyouleftmetoanothermanwhomIdidn'tlove.Ithoughtyouhadceasedtocare,Billy,andsincewehavebeentogetherhere--sincethatnightintheroombackoftheoffice--youhavemademefeelthatIwasnothingtoyou.Takeme,Billy!Takemeanywhereintheworldthatyougo.IloveyouandI'llslaveforyou--anythingjusttobewithyou.""Barbara!"criedBillyByrne,andthenhisvoicewassmotheredbythepressureofwarm,redlipsagainsthisown.AhalfhourlaterBillysteppedoutintothestreettomakehiswaytotherailroadstationthathemightprocuretransportationforthreetoGalveston.AnthonyHardingwasgoingwiththem.HehadlistenedtoBarbara'spleas,andhadfinallyvolunteeredtobackBillyByrne'sflightfromthejurisdictionofthelaw,oratleasttoa CHAPTERXVII225placewhere,underanewname,hecouldstartlifeoveragainandliveitastheson-in-lawofoldAnthonyHardingshouldlive.Amongthecrowdviewingthehavocwroughtbytheraidersthepreviousnightwasalargemanwitharedface.IthappenedthatheturnedsuddenlyaboutasBillyByrnewasonthepointofpassingbehindhim.Bothmenstartedasrecognitionlightedtheirfacesandheoftheredfacefoundhimselflookingdownthebarrelofasix-shooter."Putitup,Byrne,"headmonishedtheothercoolly."Ididn'tknowyouweresogoodonthedraw.""I'mgoodonthedrawallright,Flannagan,"saidBilly,"andIain'tdrawin'foramusementneither.Igottachancetogetawayandlivestraight,andhavealittlehappinessinlife,and,Flannagan,themanwhotriestocrabmygameisgoin'togethimselfcroaked.I'llnevergobacktostiralive.See?""Yep,"saidFlannagan,"Isee;butIain'ttryin'tocrabyourgame.Iain'tdownhereafteryouthistrip.Whereyoubeen,anyway,thatyoudon'tknowthewar'sover?WhyCokeSheehanconfessedamonthagothatitwashimthatcroakedSchneider,andthegovernorpardonedyouabouttendaysago.""Youstringin'me?"askedBilly,aviciousglintinhiseyes."Onthelevel,"Flannaganassuredhim."Wait,Igottaclippin'fromtheTribinmyclothessomewheresthatgivesallthedope."HedrewsomepapersfromhiscoatpocketandhandedonetoBilly."TurnyourbackandholdupyourhandswhileIread,"saidByrne,andasFlannagandidashewasbidBillyunfoldedthesoiledbitofnewspaperandreadthatwhichsethima-tremblingwithnervousexcitement.AmomentlaterDetectiveSergeantFlannaganventuredarearwardglancetonotehowByrnewasreceivingthejoyfultidingswhichthenewspaperarticlecontained."Well,I'llbe!"ejaculatedthesleuth,forBillyByrnewasalreadyahundredyardsawayandbreakingallrecordsinhisdashforthesitting-roomhehadquittedbutafewminutesbefore.ItwasahappyandcontentedtriowhotookthetrainthefollowingdayontheirwaybacktoNewYorkCityafterbiddingBridgegood-byeintheimprovisedhospitalandexactinghispromisethathewouldvisittheminNewYorkinthenearfuture.Itwasamonthlater;springwasfillingthesouthlandwithnew,sweetlife.Thejoyoflivingwasreflectedinthesongofbirdsandtheopeningofbuds.Besideaslow-movingstreamamansquattedbeforeatinyfire.Abatteredtincan,halffilledwithwaterstoodclosetotheburningembers.Uponasharpenedstickthemanroastedabitofmeat,andashewatcheditcurlingattheedgesastheflamelickedithespokealoudthoughtherewasnonetohear:JustforaconI'dliketoknow(yes,hecrossedoverlongago;Andhewasright,believeme,bo!)ifsomewhereintheSouth,Downwherethecloudslieonthesea,hefoundhissweetPenelopeWithbudsofrosesinherhairandkissesonhermouth."Whichiswhattheywillbesingingaboutmeoneofthesedays,"hecommented.EndofProjectGutenberg'sEtextofTheMuckerbyEdgarRiceBurroughs CHAPTERXVII226TheMuckerbyEdgarRiceBurroughsAfreeebookfromhttp://manybooks.net/
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