CHAPTER XIX
THE WORK OF AN ENEMY
Whatever action the police took concerning Lane's descent upon CraneValley was not apparent, and Thorn may have been justified in decidingthat they took none at all. However that may have been, Lane left us inpeace for a while, and it was not by his own hands that the next boltwas launched against me. He preferred, as a rule, to strike throughanother person's agency, and usually contrived it so that when troubleresulted the agent bore the brunt of it.
I was tramping behind the seeder one fine morning, alternately watchingthe somewhat unruly team and the trickle of golden grain into the goodblack loam, when two horsemen appeared on the prairie. They headed forthe homestead, and living in a state of expectancy, as we then did, Ishared the misgivings of Thorn. "They're coming our way in a hurry,sure; and the sight of anyone whose business I don't know worries mejust now," he said.
"If it's bad news we'll learn it soon enough," I said. "Go on to the endof the harrowing. That we'll have a frost-nipped harvest if we're notthrough with the sowing shortly is the one thing certain."
The two horsemen drew nearer, and it appeared that both wore uniform,while I caught the glint of carbines. This in itself was significant,and I wondered whether Mackay had discovered the identity of Boone.Shortly I recognized the sergeant and Cotton, who a little later drewbridle beside the seeder. Mackay's face was expressionless, but Cottonlooked distinctly unhappy, and once more I felt sorry for Boone.
"I have a word for ye. Will ye walk to the house with me?" said theformer. I glanced at Cotton, who, stooping, pretended to examine hiscarbine. Thorn appeared suspicious, for he dropped the lines he held,and his eyes grew keen.
"I'm sorry that is the one thing I can't do just now, when every momentof this weather is precious," I said. "If you can't wait until we stopat noon, there's no apparent reason why you shouldn't state yourbusiness here."
"Ye had better come," said Mackay, looking very wooden. "Forby, I'mthinking ye will sow no more to-day."
"I'm not in the humor for joking, and intend to continue sowing until itis too dark to see," I answered shortly. "Have you any authority toprevent me?"
"I have," said the sergeant. "Well, if ye will have it--authority toarrest ye on a charge of unlawfully burning the homestead of Gaspard'sTrail."
Astonishment, dismay, and anger held me dumb between them for a fewmoments. Then, as the power of speech returned, I said: "Confound you,Mackay! You don't think I could possibly have had any hand in that?"
"It's no' my business to think," was the dry answer; "I'm here to carryout orders. What was it ye were observing, Foreman Thorn?"
"Only that Niven or Lane was a mighty long time finding this thing out;and that, while nobody expects too much from the police, we neverfigured they were clean, stark, raging lunatics," said Thorn.
"I'm no' expecting compliments," said Mackay. "Ye will do your duty,Corporal Cotton."
"You can put that thing back. I'm not a wild beast, and have senseenough to see that I must wait for satisfaction until some of yourchiefs at headquarters hear of your smartness," I said. Then Cottonpositively hung his head as he let the carbine slip back into itsholster, while Mackay stared after the departing Thorn, who made for thehomestead as fast as he could run.
"What is his business?" he said.
"His own!" I answered shortly. "Unless you have also a warrant for hisarrest, it would be injudicious of you to stop him. Thorn has an uglytemper, and would be justified in resenting the interference. What isyour program?"
"To ride in to the railroad whenever ye are ready, and deliver ye safelyin Empress City."
"I suppose one can only make the best of it; but considering that youwere probably consulted before a warrant was issued, I can't helpfeeling astonished," I said. "However, there is no use in wasting words,and an hour will suffice me to get ready in."
I left the team standing before the seeder, careless as to what becameof them, for, even if acquitted, I felt that my career was closed atlast. No forced labor could make up for time lost now, and, becausejustice in the West is slow, it was perfectly clear why the charge hadbeen made. There was a scene with Sally when we reached the homestead,and Cotton fled before her biting comments on police sagacity. EvenMackay winced under certain allusions, and when I asked him: "Am Ipermitted to talk to my housekeeper alone?" assented readily.
"Ye may," he said, "and welcome; I do not envy ye."
If Sally's tongue could be venomous, her brain was keen, and, as Steelwas absent, it was with confidence I left instructions with her. Thornhad vanished completely, and the girl only looked mysterious whenquestioned concerning him. At length all was ready, and turning in thesaddle as we rode away, I waved my hat to Sally, who stood in thedoorway of the homestead with eyes suspiciously dim. I wondered, with astrange lack of interest, whether I should ever see either it or heragain. Cotton also saluted her, and the girl suddenly moved forward apace, holding up her hand.
"Make sure of your prisoner, Sergeant," she said. "What's the use oftalking justice to the poor man when he's ground down by the thief withcapital? We're getting tired--we have waited for that justice solong--and I give you and the fools or rogues behind you warning that ifyou jail Ormesby, the boys will come for him with rifles a hundredstrong."
Mackay touched his beast with the spurs, and as we passed out ofearshot, said to me: "If the boys have her spirit I'm thinking it's notimpossible. Your friends are not judicious, Henry Ormesby."
"They are stanch, at least, and above being bought," I said; and Mackaystiffened.
"What were ye meaning?"
"I think my meaning was plain enough," I answered him.
Many leagues divided us from the railroad, and the way seemed very long.The dejection that settled upon me brought a physical lassitude with it,and I rode wearily, jolting in the saddle before the journey was halfdone. Since the memorable night at Bonaventure, when I first met Boone,trouble after trouble had crowded on me, and, supported by mereobstinacy when hope had gone, I still held on. Now it seemed the end hadcome, and, at the best, I must retire beaten to earn a daily wage by thelabor of my hands if I escaped conviction as a felon. Lane would absorbCrane Valley, as he had done Gaspard's Trail. As if in mockery theprairie had donned its gayest robe of green, and lay flooded withcloudless sunshine.
Mackay made no further advances since my last repulse, but rode silentlyon my right hand, Cotton on my left, holding back a little so that Icould not see him, and so birch bluff, willows, and emerald levelsrolled up before us and slid back to the prairie's rim until, towardsdusk on the second day, cubes of wooden houses and a line of gaunttelegraph poles loomed up ahead.
"I'm glad," said Corporal Cotton, breaking into speech at last. "I don'tknow if you'll believe it, Ormesby, but this has been a sickening day tome. I'm tired of the confounded service--I'm tired of everything."
"Ye're young and tender on the bit, and without the sense to go cannywhen it galls ye. What ails ye at the service anyway?" interposed thesergeant.
"I'll say nothing about some of the duties. They're a part of thecontract," answered Cotton. "Still, I never bargained to arrest my bestfriends when I became a policeman."
"Friends!" said Mackay. "Who were ye meaning?" and Cotton turned in mydirection with the face of one who had narrowly escaped a blunder.
"Aren't you asking useless questions? I mean Rancher Ormesby."
"I observed ye used the plural," said Mackay.
Cotton answered shortly: "When one is going through a disgusting duty tothe best of his ability, he may be forgiven a trifling lapse ingrammar."
The light was failing as we rode up to the station some time before thetrain was due, and looking back, I saw several diminutive objects on theedge of the prairie. They were, I surmised, mounted settlers coming infor letters or news, but except that the blaze of crimson behind themforced them up, it would have been hard to recognize the shapes of menand beasts. Round the other half of the circle the waste was fading in
tothe dimness that crept up from the east, and feeling that I had probablydone with the prairie, and closed another chapter of my life, I turnedmy eyes towards the string of giant poles and the little railroadstation ahead.
There were fewer loungers than usual about it, but when we dismounted,Cotton started as two feminine figures strolled side by side down theplatform, and said something softly under his breath.
"What has surprised you?" I asked, and he pointed towards the pair.
"Those are Haldane's daughters, by all that is unfortunate!"
There was no avoiding the meeting. Darkness had not settled yet, andMackay, who failed to recognize the ladies, was regarding usimpatiently. "I'll do my best, and they may not notice anythingsuspicious," the corporal said.
We moved forward, Mackay towards the office, Cotton hanging behind me,but, as ill-luck would have it, both ladies saw us when we reached thetrack, and before I could recover from my dismay, I stood face to facewith Beatrice Haldane. She was, it seemed to me, more beautiful thanever, but I longed that the earth might open beneath me.
"It is some time since I have seen you, and you do not look well," shesaid. "You once described the Western winters as invigorating; but onecould almost fancy the last had been too much for you."
"I cannot say the same thing, and if we had nothing more than theweather to contend with, we might preserve our health," I said. "I didnot know you were at Bonaventure, or I should have ridden over to pay myrespects to you."
Beatrice Haldane did not say whether this would have given her pleasureor otherwise. Indeed, her manner, if slightly cordial, was nothing more,and I found it desirable to study a rail fastening when I saw her sisterwatching me.
"I arrived from the East only a few days ago, and we are now awaiting myfather, who had some business down the line. Are you going out with thetrain?"
"I am going to Empress," I said; and Lucille Haldane interposed: "Thatis a long way; and the last time he met you, you told father you weretoo busy to visit Bonaventure. Who will see to your sowing--and will youstay there long?"
I heard Corporal Cotton grind his heel viciously into the plank beneathhim; and I answered, in desperation:
"I do not know. I am afraid so."
Perhaps the girl noticed by my voice that all was not well. Indeed,Beatrice also commenced to regard the corporal and myself curiously.
"What has happened, Mr. Ormesby? You look positively haggard?" theyounger sister said. "Why are you keeping in the background, CorporalCotton? Have you done anything to be ashamed of?" Then she ceased with agasp of pained surprise, and I read consternation in her eyes.
"You have guessed aright. I am not making this journey of my own will,"I said.
Beatrice Haldane turned with a swift movement, which brought us oncemore fully face to face, and, unlike her sister, she was strangely coldand grave.
"Is it permissible to ask any questions?" she said, and her even tonestung me to the quick. One whisper against the speaker would have rousedme to fury.
"Everybody will know to-morrow or the next day, and I may as well tellyou now," I said, in a voice which sounded, even in my own ears, hoarsewith bitterness. "I am to be tried for burning down the homestead ofGaspard's Trail."
Beatrice Haldane certainly showed surprise, but she seemed morethoughtful than indignant, and still fixed me with her eyes. They wereclear and very beautiful, but I had begun to wonder if a spark of humanpassion would ever burn within them.
"It is absurd--preposterous. Come here at once, Sergeant!" a clear youngvoice with a thrill of unmistakable anger in it said; but Mackay seemeddesirous of backing into the station agent's office instead.
"I want you," added Lucille Haldane. "Come at once, and tell me why youhave done this."
The sergeant's courage was evidently unequal to the task, for with abrief, "I will try to satisfy ye when I have transacted my business," hedisappeared into the office, and I turned again to Beatrice Haldane.
"You see it is unfortunately true; but you do not appear astonished," Isaid.
Beatrice Haldane looked at me sharply, but without indignation, for shewas always mistress of herself, and before she could speak her sisterbroke in: "Do you wish to make us angry, when we are only sorry for you,Mr. Ormesby? Everybody knows that neither you nor any rancher in thisdistrict could be guilty. Corporal Cotton, will you inquire if yoursuperior has finished his business, and tell him that I am waiting?"
"The old heathen deserves it!" said Cotton aside to me, as, withunfeigned relief, he hurried away, and it was only by an effort Irefrained from following him. The interview was growing painful in theextreme. Still, I was respited, for Beatrice Haldane turned from ussuddenly.
"What can this mean? There is a troop of horsemen riding as for theirlives towards the station," she said.
It was growing dark, but not too dark to see a band of mounted menconverge at a gallop upon the station, and for the first time I noticedhow the loungers stared at them, and heard the jingle of harness andthud of drumming hoofs. None of them shouted or spoke. They came on inominous silence, the spume flakes flying from the lathered beasts, theclods whirling up, until a voice cried:
"Two of you stand by to hold up the train! The rest will come along withme!"
Amid a musical jingling, the horses were pulled up close beside thetrack, and men in embroidered deerskin with broad white hats and men inold blue-jean leaped hurriedly down. Several carried rifles, while,guessing their purpose, I pointed towards the frame houses across theunfenced track. "You must go at once, Miss Haldane. There may be atumult," I said.
Lucille seemed reluctant, Beatrice by no means hurried, and I do notremember whether I bade either of them farewell, for as the newcomerscame swiftly into the station a gaunt commanding figure holding acarbine barred their way, and Corporal Cotton leaped out from theoffice. The station agent, holding a revolver, also placed himselfbetween them and me.
"What are ye wanting, boys?" a steady voice asked; and the men haltedwithin a few paces of the carbine's muzzle. I could just see that theywere my friends and neighbors, and I noticed that one who rode up anddown the track seemed inclined to civilly prevent the ladies fromretiring to the wooden settlement. Perhaps he feared they intended toraise its inhabitants.
"We want Harry Ormesby," answered a voice I recognized as belonging toSteel. "Stand out of the daylight, Sergeant. We have no call to hurtyou."
"I'm thinking that's true," said Mackay; and I admired his coolness ashe stood alone, save for the young corporal, grimly eying the crowd. "Itwill, however, be my distressful duty to damage the first of ye whomoves a foot nearer my prisoner. Noo will ye hear reason, boys, or willI wire for a squadron to convince ye? Ormesby ye cannot have, and willye shame your own credit and me?"
There was a murmur of consultation, but no disorderly clamor. The menwhom Thorn had raised to rescue me were neither habitual brawlers nordesperadoes, but sturdy stock-riders and tillers of the soil, smartingunder a sense of oppression. They were all fearless, and would, I knew,have faced a cavalry brigade to uphold what appeared their rights, butthey were equally averse to any bloodshed or violence that was notnecessary.
"There's no use talking, Sergeant," somebody said. "We don't go backwithout our man, and it will be better for all of us if you release him.You know as well as we do there's nothing against him."
Meanwhile, I could not well interfere without precipitating a crisis.The station agent, who stated that Mackay had deputed him authority,stood beside me with the pistol in his hand. Neither was I certain whatmy part would be, for, stung to white heat by Beatrice Haldane'scoldness, which suggested suspicion, and came as a climax to a series ofinjuries, I wondered whether it might not be better to make a dash forliberty and leave the old hard life behind me. There might be betterfortune beyond the Rockies, and I felt that Lane would not haveinstigated the charge of arson unless he saw his way to substantiate it.
Nevertheless, I could watch the others with a strange and almostimpersonal curiosit
y--the group of men standing with hard hands on therifle barrels ready for a rush; the grim figure of the sergeant, and theyoung corporal poised with head held high, left foot flung forward, andcarbine at hip, in front of them.
"We'll give you two minutes in which to make up your mind. Then, if youcan't climb down, and anything unpleasant happens, it will be on yourhead. Can't you see you haven't the ghost of a show?" said one.
Turning my eyes a moment, I noticed a fan-shaped flicker swinging like acomet across the dusky waste far down the straight-ruled track, and whena man I knew held up his watch beneath a lamp, I had almost come to adecision. If the sergeant had shown any sign of weakness it is perhapspossible that decision might have been reversed; but Mackay stood asthough cast in iron, and equally unyielding. I would at least have noblood shed on my account, and would not leave my friends to bear theconsequences of their unthinking generosity. Meanwhile, stock-rider andteamster were waiting in strained attention, and there was still almosta minute left to pass when a light hand touched my shoulder, and LucilleHaldane, appearing from behind me, said: "You must do something. Goforward and speak to them immediately." She was trembling witheagerness, but the station agent stood on my other side, and he waswoodenly stolid.
"Put down that weapon. I will speak to them," I said.
"You're healthier here," was the suspicious answer; and chieflyconscious of the appeal and anxiety in Lucille Haldane's eyes, I turnedupon him.
"Stand out of my way--confound you!" I shouted.
The man fingered the pistol uncertainly, and I could have laughed at hissurmise that the sight of it would have held me then. Before, even if hewished it, his finger could close on the trigger, I had him by thewrist, and the weapon fell with a clash. Then I lifted him bodily andflung him upon the track, while, as amid a shouting, Cotton sprangforward, Mackay roared: "Bide ye, let him go!"
The shouting ceased suddenly when I stood between my friends and thesergeant with hands held up. "I'll never forget what you have done,boys; but it is no use," I said; and paused to gather breath, amidmurmurs of surprise and consternation. "In the first place, I can't dragyou into this trouble."
"We'll take the chances willing," a voice said, and there was a grimchorus of approval. "We've borne enough, and it's time we didsomething."
"Can't you see that if I bolted now it would suit nobody better thanLane? Boys, you know I'm innocent----"
Again a clamor broke out, and somebody cried: "It was Lane's own man whodid it, if anybody fired Gaspard's Trail!"
"He may not be able to convict me, and if instead of rushing thesergeant you will go home and help Thorn with the sowing, we may beathim yet," I continued. "Even if I am convicted, I'll come back again,and stay right here until Lane is broken, or one of us is dead."
The hoot of a whistle cut me short, the brightening blaze of a greatheadlamp beat into our faces, and further speech was out of thequestion, as with brakes groaning the lighted cars clanged in.
"Be quick, Sergeant, before they change their minds!" I shouted, andMackay and Cotton scrambled after me on to a car platform. No train thatever entered that station had, I think, so prompt dispatch, for Cottonhad hardly opened the door of the vestibule than the bell clanged andthe huge locomotive snorted as the cars rolled out. I had a momentaryvision of the agent, who seemed partly dazed, scowling in my direction,a group of dark figures swinging broad-brimmed hats, and Lucille Haldanestanding on the edge of the platform waving her hand to me. Then thelights faded behind us, and we swept out, faster and faster, across theprairie.