wildfire-第39部分

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lips　before　it　was　half　uttered。　Brackton's　former　friendliness　was　not　in
evidence　indeed；　he　looked　at　Slone　with　curiosity　and　disfavor

〃Howdy；　Slone！　I　jest　wanted　to　see　what　you　was　doin'　up　hyar；〃　he　said。

Slone　spread　his　hands　and　explained　in　few　words。

〃So　you　took　over　the　place；　hey？　We　all　figgered　thet。　But　Vorhees　was　mum。
Fact　is；　he　was　sure　mysterious。〃　Brackton　sat　down　and　eyed　Slone　with
interest。　〃Folks　are　talkin'　a　lot　about　you；〃　he　said；　bluntly。

〃Is　that　so？〃

〃You　'pear　to　be　a　pretty　mysterious　kind　of　a　feller；　Slone。　I　kind　of　took　a
shine　to　you　at　first；　an'　thet's　why　I　come　up　hyar　to　tell　you　it'd　be　wise
fer　you　to　vamoose。〃

〃What！〃　exclaimed　Slone。

Brackton　repeated　substantially　what　he　had　said；　then；　pausing　an　instant；
continued：　〃I've　no　call　to　give　you　a　hunch；　but　I'll　do　it　jest　because　I
did　like　you　fust　off。〃

The　old　man　seemed　fussy　and　nervous　and　patronizing　and　disparaging　all　at
once。

〃What'd　you　beat　up　thet　poor　Joel　Creech　fer？〃　demanded　Brackton。

〃He　got　what　he　deserved；〃　replied　Slone；　and　the　memory；　coming　on　the　head
of　this　strange　attitude　of　Brackton's；　roused　Slone's　temper。

〃Wal；　Joel　tells　some　queer　things　about　youfer　instance；　how　you　took
advantage　of　little　Lucy　Bostil；　grabbin'　her　an'　maulin'　her　the　way　Joel
seen　you。〃

〃Dn　the　loon！〃　muttered　Slone；　rising　to　pace　the　path。

〃Wal；　Joel's　a　bit　off；　but　he's　not　loony　all　the　time。　He's　seen　you　an'
he's　tellin'　it。　When　Bostil　hears　it　you'd　better　be　acrost　the　canyon！〃

Slone　felt　the　hot；　sick　rush　of　blood　to　his　face；　and　humiliation　and　rage
overtook　him。

〃Joel's　down　at　my　house。　He　had　fits　after　you　beat　him；　an'　he　'ain't　got
over　them　yet。　But　he　could　blab　to　the　riders。　Van　Sickle's　lookin'　fer　you。
An'　to…day　when　I　was　alone　with　Joel　he　told　me　some　more　queer　things　about
you。　I　shut　him　up　quick。　But　I　ain't　guaranteein'　I　can　keep　him　shut　up。〃

〃I'll　bet　you　I　shut　him　up；〃　declared　Slone。　〃What　more　did　the　fool　say？〃

〃Slone；　hev　you　been　round　these　hyar　parts…down　among　the　monuments　fer
any　considerable　time？〃　queried　Brackton。

〃Yes；　I　haveseveral　weeks　out　there；　an'　about　ten　days　or　so　around　the
Ford。〃

〃Where　was　you　the　night　of　the　flood？〃

The　shrewd　scrutiny　of　the　old　man；　the　suspicion；　angered　Slone。

〃If　it's　any　of　your　mix；　I　was　out　on　the　slope　among　the　rocks。　I　heard　that
flood　comin'　down　long　before　it　got　here；〃　replied　Slone；　deliberately。

Brackton　averted　his　gaze；　and　abruptly　rose　as　if　the　occasion　was　ended。
〃Wal；　take　my　hunch　an'　leave！〃　he　said；　turning　away。

〃Brackton；　if　you　mean　well；　I'm　much　obliged；〃　returned　Slone；　slowly；
ponderingly。　〃But　I'll　not　take　the　hunch。〃

〃Suit　yourself；〃　added　Brackton；　coldly；　and　he　went　away。

Slone　watched　him　go　down　the　path　and　disappear　in　the　lane　of　cottonwoods。

〃I'll　be　darned！〃　muttered　Slone。　〃Funny　old　man。　Maybe　Creech's　not　the　only
loony　one　hereabouts。〃

Slone　tried　to　laugh　off　the　effect　of　the　interview；　but　it　persisted　and
worried　him　all　day。　After　supper　he　decided　to　walk　down　into　the　village；
and　would　have　done　so　but　for　the　fact　that　he　saw　a　man　climbing　his　path。
When　he　recognized　the　rider　Holley　he　sensed　trouble；　and　straightway　he
became　gloomy。　Bostil's　right…hand　man　could　not　call　on　him　for　any　friendly
reason。　Holley　came　up　slowly；　awkwardly；　after　the　manner　of　a　rider　unused
to　walking。　Slone　had　built　a　little　porch　on　the　front　of　his　cabin　and　a
bench；　which　he　had　covered　with　goatskins。　It　struck　him　a　little　strangely
that　he　should　bend　over　to　rearrange　these　skins　just　as　Holley　approached
the　porch。

〃Howdy；　son！〃　was　the　rider's　drawled　remark。　〃Sure　makesmepuff　to
climbup　this　mountain。〃

Slone　turned　instantly；　surprised　at　the　friendly　tone；　doubting　his　own　ears；
and　wanting　to　verify　them。　He　was　the　more　surprised　to　see　Holley
unmistakably　amiable。

〃Hello；　Holley！　How　are　you？〃　he　replied。　〃Have　a　seat。〃

〃Wal；　I'm　right　spry　fer　an　old　bird。　But　I　can't　climb　wuth　a　dn　。　。　。　。
Say；　this　here　beats　Bostil's　view。〃

〃Yes；　it's　fine；〃　replied　Slone；　rather　awkwardly；　as　he　sat　down　on　the　porch
step。　What　could　Holley　want　with　him？　This　old　rider　was　above　curiosity　or
gossip。

〃Slone；　you　ain't　holdin'　it　ag'in　methet　I　tried　to　shut　you　up　the　other
day？〃　he　drawled；　with　dry　frankness

〃Why；　no；　Holley；　I'm　not。　I　saw　your　point。　You　were　right。　But　Bostil　made
me　mad。〃

〃Sure！　He'd　make　anybody　mad。　I've　seen　riders　bite　themselves；　they　was　so
mad　at　Bostil。　You　called　him；　an'　you　sure　tickled　all　the　boys。　But　you　hurt
yourself；　fer　Bostil　owns　an'　runs　this　here　Ford。〃

〃So　I've　discovered；〃　replied　Slone。

〃You　got　yourself　in　bad　right　off；　fer　Bostil　has　turned　the　riders　ag'in
you；　an'　this　here　punchin'　of　Creech　has　turned　the　village　folks　ag'in　you。
What'd　pitch　into　him　fer？〃

Slone　caught　the　kindly　interest　and　intent　of　the　rider；　and　it　warmed　him　as
Brackton's　disapproval　had　alienated　him。

〃Wal；　I　reckon　I'd　better　tell　you；〃　drawled　Holley；　as　Slone　hesitated；　〃thet
Lucy　wants　to　know　IF　you　beat　up　Joel　an'　WHY　you　did。〃

〃Holley！　Did　she　ask　you　to　find　out？〃

〃She　sure　did。　The　girl's　worried　these　days；　Slone。　。　。　。　You　see；　you
haven't　been　around；　an'　you　don't　know　what's　comin'　off。〃

〃Brackton　was　here　to…day　an'　he　told　me　a　good　deal。　I'm　worried；　too；〃　said
Slone；　dejectedly。

〃Thet　hoss　of　yours；　Wildfire；　he's　enough　to　make　you　hated　in　Bostil's　camp；
even　if　you　hadn't　made　a　fool　of　yourself；　which　you　sure　have。〃

Slone　dropped　his　head　as　admission。

〃What　Creech　swears　he　seen　you　do　to　Miss　Lucy；　out　there　among　the　rocks；
where　you　was　hid　with　Wildfireis　there　any　truth　in　thet？〃　asked　Holley；
earnestly。　〃Tell　me；　Slone。　Folks　believe　it。　An'　it's　hurt　you　at　the　Ford。
Bostil　hasn't　heard　it　yet；　an'　Lucy　she　doesn't　know。　But　I'm　figgerin'　thet
you　punched　Joel　because　he　throwed　it　in　your　face。〃

〃He　did；　an'　I　lambasted　him；〃　replied　Slone；　with　force。

〃You　did　right。　But　what　I　want　to　know；　is　it　true　what　Joel　seen？〃

〃It's　true；　Holley。　But　what　I　did　isn't　so　badso　bad　as　he'd　make　it　look。〃

〃Wal；　I　knowed　thet。　I　knowed　fer　a　long　time　how　Lucy　cares　fer　you；〃
returned　the　old　rider；　kindly。

Slone　raised　his　head　swiftly；　incredulously。　〃Holley！　You　can't　be　serious。〃

〃Wal；　I　am。　I've　been　sort　of　a　big　brother　to　Lucy　Bostil　for　eighteen　years。
I　carried　her　in　these　here　hands　when　she　weighed　no　more　'n　my　spurs。　I
taught　her　how　to　ridewhat　she　knows　about　hosses。　An'　she　knows　more　'n　her
dad。　I　taught　her　to　shoot。　I　know　her　better　'n　anybody。　An'　lately　she's
been　different；　She's　worried　an'　unhappy。〃

〃But　Holley；　all　thatit　doesn't　seem〃

〃I　reckon　not；〃　went　on　Holley；　as　Slone　halted。　〃I　think　she　cares　fer　you。
An'　I'm　your　friend；　Slone。　You're　goin'　to　buck　up　ag'in　some　hell　round　here
sooner　or　later。　An'　you'll　need　a　friend。〃

〃ThanksHolley；〃　replied　Slone；　unsteadily。　He　thrilled　under　the　iron　grasp
of　the　rider's　hard　hand。

〃You've　got　another　friend　you　can　gamble　on；〃　said　Holley；　significantly。

〃Another！　Who？〃

〃Lucy　Bostil。　An'　don't　you　fergit　thet。　I'll　bet　she'll　raise　more　trouble
than　Bostil　when　she　hears　what　Joel　Creech　is　tellin'。　Fer　she's　bound　to
hear　it。　Van　Sickle　swears　he's　a…goin'　to　tell　her　an'　then　beat　you　up　with
a　quirt。〃

〃He　is；　is　he？〃　snapped　Slone；　darkly。

〃I've　a　hunch　Lucy's　guessed　why　you　punched　Joel。　But　she　wants　to　know　fer
sure。　Now；　Slone；　I'll　tell　her　why。〃

〃Oh；　don't！〃　said　Slone；　involuntarily。

〃Wal；　it'll　be　better　comin'　from　you　an'　me。　Take　my　word　fer　thet。　I'll
prepare　Lucy。　An'　she's　as　good　a　scrapper　as　Bostil；　any　day。〃

〃It　all　scares　me；〃　replied　Slone。　He　did　feel　panicky；　and　that　was　from
thoughts　of　what　shame　might　befall　Lucy。　The　cold　sweat　oozed　out　of　every
pore。　What　might　not　Bostil　do？　〃Holley；　I　love　the　girl。　So　II　didn't
insult　her。　Bostil　will　never　understand。　An'　what's　he　goin'　to　do　when　he
finds　out？〃

〃Wal；　let's　hope　you　won't　git　any　wuss'n　you　give　Joel。〃

〃Let　Bostil　beat　me！〃　ejaculated　Slone。　〃I　think　I'm　willinnowthe　way　I
feel。　But　I've　a　temper；　and　Bostil　rubs　me　the　wrong　way。〃

〃Wall　leave　your　gun　home；　an'　fight　Bostil。　You're　pretty　husky。　Sure　he'll
lick　you；　but　mebbe　you　could　give　the　old　cuss　a　black　eye。〃　Holley　laughed
as　if　the　idea　gave　him　infinite　pleasure。

〃Fight　Bostil？　。　。　。　Lucy　would　hate　me！〃　cried　Slone。

〃Nix！　You　don't　know　thet　kid。　If　the　old　man　goes　after　you　Lucy'll　care　more
fer　you。　She's　jest　like　him　in　some　ways。〃　Holley　pulled　out　a　stubby　black
pipe　and；　filling　and　lighting　it；　he　appeared　to　grow　more　thoughtful。　〃It
wasn't　only　Lucy　thet　sent　me　up　here　to　see　you。　Bostil　had　been　pesterin'　me
fer　days。　But　I　kept　fightin'　shy　of　it　till　Lucy　got　hold　of　me。〃

〃Bostil　sent　you？　Why？〃

〃Reckon　you　can　guess。　He　can't　sleep；　thinkin'　about　your　red　hoss。　None　of
us　ever　seen　Bostil　have　sich　a　bad　case。　He　raised　Sage　King。　But　he's　always
been　crazy　fer　a　great　wild　stallion。　An'　here　you　come　alongan'　your　hoss
jumps　the　Kingan'　there's　trouble　generally。〃

〃Holley；　do　you　think　Wildfire　can　beat　Sage　King？〃　asked　Slone；　eagerly。

〃Reckon　I　do。　Lucy　says　so；　an'　I'll　back　her　any　day。　But；　son；　I　ain't
paradin'　what　I　think。　I'd　git　in　bad　myself。　Farlane　an'　the　other　boys；
they're　with　Bostil。　Van　he's　to　blame　fer　thet。　He's　takin'　a　dislike　to　you；
right　off。　An'　what　he　tells　Bostil　an'　the　boys　about　thet　race　don't　agree
with　what　Lucy　tells　me。　Lucy　says　Wildfire　ran　fiery　an'　cranky　at　the　start。
He　wanted　to　run　round　an'　kill　the　King　instead　of　racin'。　So　he　was　three
lengths　behind　when　Macomber　dropped　the　flag。　Lucy　says　the　King　got　into　his
stride。　She　knows。　An'　there　Wildfire　comes　from　behind　an'　climbs　all　over
the　King！　。　。　。　Van　tells　a　different　story。〃

〃It　came　off　just　as　Lucy　told　you；〃　declared　Slone。　〃I　saw　every　move。〃

〃Wal；　thet's　neither　here　nor　there。　What　you're　up　ag'in　is　this。　Bostil　is
sore　since　you　called　him。　But　he　holds　himself　in　because　he　hasn't　given