BOUT1 noon that day, as Pole Baker2 sat on a fallen tree near the road-side in the loneliest spot of that rugged3 country, his horse grazing behind him, he saw Craig coming up the gradual incline from the creek4. Pole stood up and caught the bridle-rein5 of his horse and muttered:
"Now, Pole Baker, durn yore hide, you've got brains—at least, some folks say you have—an' so has he. Ef you don't git the best of that scalawag yo' re done fer. You've put purty big things through; now put this un through or shet up."
"Well, heer you are," merrily cried out the ex-banker, as he came up. He was smiling expectantly. "Your secret's safe with me. I hain't met a soul that I know sence I left town."
"I'm glad you didn't, Mr. Craig," Pole said. "I don't want anybody a-meddlin' with my business." He pointed6 up the rather steep and rocky road that led gradually up the mountain. "We've got two or three mile furder to go. Have you had any dinner?"
"I put a cold biscuit and a slice of ham in my pocket," said Craig. "It 'll do me till supper."
Pole mounted and led the way up the unfrequented road.
"I may as well tell you, Mr. Craig, that I used to be a moonshiner in these mountains, an'—"
"Lord, I knew that, Baker. Who doesn't, I'd like to know?"
Pole's big-booted legs swung back and forth7 like pendulums8 from the flanks of his horse.
"I was a-goin' to tell you that I had a hide-out, whar I kept stuff stored, that wasn't knowed by one livin' man."
"Well, you must have had a slick place from all I've heerd," said Craig, still in his vast good-humor with himself and everybody else.
"The best natur' ever built," said Pole; "an' what's more, it was in thar that I found the gold. I reckon it ud 'a' been diskivered long ago, ef it had 'a' been above ground."
"Then it's in—a sort of cave?" ventured Craig.
"That's jest it; but I've got the mouth of it closed up so it ud fool even a bloodhound."
Half an hour later Pole drew rein in a most isolated10 spot, near a great yawning canon from which came a roaring sound of rushing water and clashing winds. The sky overhead was blue and cloudless; the air at that altitude was crisp and rarefied, and held the odor of spruce pine. With a laugh Pole dismounted. "What ef I was to tell you, Mr. Craig, that you was in ten yards o' my old den11 right now."
Craig looked about in surprise. "I'd think you was makin' fun o' me—tenderfootin', as we used to say out West."
"I'm givin' it to you straight," said Pole, pointing with his riding-switch. "Do you see that pile o' rocks?"
Craig nodded.
"Right under them two flat ones is the mouth o' my den," said Pole. "Now let's hitch13 to that hemlock14, an' I 'll show you the whole thing."
When they had fastened their horses to swinging limbs in a dense15 thicket16 of laurel and rhododendron bushes, they went to the pile of rocks.
"I toted mighty17 nigh all of 'em from higher up," Pole explained. "Some o' the biggest I rolled down from that cliff above."
"I don't see how you are going to get into your hole in the ground," said Craig, with a laugh of pleasant anticipation18.
Pole picked up a big, smooth stick of hickory, shaped like a crowbar, and thrust the end of it under the largest rock. "Huh! I 'll show you in a jiffy."
It was an enormous stone weighing over three hundred pounds; but with his strong lever and knotted muscles the ex-moonshiner managed to slide it slowly to the right, disclosing a black hole about two feet square in the ragged19 stone. From this protruded20 into the light the ends of a crude ladder leading down about twenty-five feet to the bottom of the cave.
"Ugh!" Craig shuddered21, as he peered into the dank blackness. "You don't mean that we are to go down there?"
It was a crisis. Craig seemed to be swayed between two impulses—a desire to penetrate22 farther and an almost controlling premonition of coming danger. Pole met the situation with his usual originality23 and continued subtlety24 of procedure. With his big feet dangling25 in the hole he threw himself back and gave vent9 to a hearty26, prolonged laugh that went ringing and echoing about among the cliffs and chasms27.
"I 'lowed this ud make yore flesh crawl," he said. "Looks like the openin' to the bad place, don't it?"
"It certainly does," said Craig, somewhat reassured28 by Pole's levity29.
"Why, it ain' t more 'n forty feet square," said Pole. "Wait till I run down an' make a light. I've got some fat pine torches down at the foot o' the ladder."
"Well, I believe I will let you go first," said Craig, with an uneasy little laugh.
Pole went down the ladder, recklessly thumping30 his heels on the rungs. He was lost to sight from above, but in a moment Craig heard him strike a match, and saw the red, growing flame of a sputtering31 torch from which twisted a rope of smoke. When it was well ablaze32, Pole called up the ladder: "Come on, now, an' watch whar you put yore feet. This end o' the ladder is solid as the rock o' Gibralty."
The square of daylight above was cut off, and in a moment the ex-banker stood beside his guide.
"Now come down this way," said Pole, and with the torch held high he led the way into a part of the chamber33 where the rock overhead sloped, down lower. Here lay some old whiskey-barrels, two or three lager-beer kegs, and the iron hoops34 of several barrels that had been burned. There were several one-gallon jugs35 with corn-cob stoppers. Pole swept his hand over them with a laugh. "If you was a drinkin' man, I could treat you to a thimbleful or two left in them jugs," he said, almost apologetically.
"But I don't drink, Baker," Craig said. His premonition of danger seemed to have returned to him, and to be driven in by the dank coolness of the cavern36, the evidence of past outlawry37 around him.
Pole heaped his pieces of pine against a rock, and added to them the chunks38 of some barrel-staves, which set up a lively popping sound like a tiny fusillade of artillery39.
"You see that rock behind you, Mr. Craig?" asked Pole. "Well, set down on it. Before we go any furder, me'n you've got to have a understanding."
The old man stared hesitatingly for an instant, and then, after carefully feeling of the stone, he complied.
"I thought we already—but, of course," he said, haltingly, "I'm ready to agree to anything that 'll make you feel safe."
"I kinder 'lowed you would,'' and to Craig's overwhelming astonishment40 Pole drew a revolver from his hip-pocket and looked at it, twirling the cylinder41 with a deft42 thumb.
"You mean, Baker—'' But Craig's words remained unborn in his bewildered brain. The rigor43 of death itself seemed to have beset44 his tongue. A cold sweat broke out on him.
"I mean that I've tuck the trouble to fetch you heer fer a purpose, Mr. Craig, an' thar ain't any use in beatin' about the bush to git at it."
Craig made another effort at utterance45, but failed. Pole could hear his rapid breathing and see the terrified gleaming of his wide-open eyes.
"You've had a lots o' dealin' s, Mr. Craig," said Pole. "You've made yore mistakes an' had yore good luck, but you never did a bigger fool thing 'an you did when you listened to my tale about that lump o' gold."
"You've trapped me!" burst from Craig's quivering lips.
"That's about the size of it."
"But—why?" The words formed the beginning and the end of a gasp46.
Pole towered over him, the revolver in his tense hand.
"Mr. Craig, thar is one man in this world that I'd die fer twenty times over. I love 'im more than a brother. That man you've robbed of every dollar an' hope on earth. I've fetched you heer to die a lingerin' death, ef—ef, I say, ef—you don't refund47 his money. That man is Alan Bishop48, an' the amount is twenty-five thousand dollars to a cent."
"But I haven't any money," moaned the crouching49 figure; "not a dollar that I kin12 lay my hands on."
"Then you are in a damn bad fix," said Pole. "Unless I git that amount o' money from you you 'll never smell a breath o' fresh air or see natural daylight."
"You mean to kill a helpless man?" The words were like a prayer.
"I'd bottle you up heer to die," said Pole Baker, firmly. "You've met me in this lonely spot, an' no man could lay yore end to me. In fact, all that know you would swear you'd run off from the folks you've defrauded50. You see nothin' but that money o' Alan Bishop's kin possibly save you. You know that well enough, an' thar ain't a bit o' use palaverin' about it. I've fetched a pen an' ink an' paper, an' you've got to write me an order fer the money. If I have to go as fur off as Atlanta, I 'll take the fust train an' go after it. If I git the money, you git out, ef I don't you won't see me agin, nur nobody else till you face yore Maker51."
Craig bent52 over his knees and groaned53.
"You think I have money," he said, straightening up. "Oh, my God!"
"I know it," said Pole. "I don't think anything about it—I know it."
He took out the pen and ink from his pants pocket and unfolded a sheet of paper. "Git to work," he said. "You needn't try to turn me, you damned old hog54!"
Craig raised a pair of wide-open, helpless eyes to the rigid55 face above him.
"Oh, my God!" he said, again.
"You let God alone an' git down to business," said Pole, taking a fresh hold on the handle of his weapon. "I'm not goin' to waste time with you. Either you git me Alan Bishop's money or you 'll die. Hurry up!"
"Will you keep faith with me—if—if—"
"Yes, durn you, why wouldn't I?" A gleam of triumph flashed in the outlaw's eyes. Up to this moment he had been groping in experimental darkness. He now saw his way clearly and his voice rang with dawning triumph.
The ex-banker had taken the pen and Pole spread out the sheet of paper on his knee.
"What assurance have I?" stammered56 Craig, his face like a death-mask against the rock behind him. "You see, after you got the money, you might think it safer to leave me here, thinking that I would prosecute57 you. I wouldn't, as God is my judge, but you might be afraid—"
"I'm not afraid o' nothin'," said Pole. "Old man, you couldn't handle me without puttin' yorese'f in jail fer the rest o' yore life. That order's a-goin' to be proof that you have money when you've swore publicly that you didn't. No; when I'm paid back Alan Bishop's money I 'll let you go. I don't want to kill a man fer jest tryin' to steal an' not makin' the riffle."
The logic58 struck home. The warmth of hope diffused59 itself over the gaunt form. "Then I 'll write a note to my wife," he said.
Pole reached for one of the torches and held it near the paper.
"Well, I'm glad I won't have to go furder'n Darley," he said. "It 'll be better fer both of us. By ridin' peert I can let you out before sundown. You may git a late supper at Darley, but it's a sight better'n gittin' none heer an' no bed to speak of."
"I'm putting my life in your hands, Baker," said Craig, and with an unsteady hand he began to write.
"Hold on thar," said Pole. "You 'll know the best way to write to her, but when the money's mentioned I want you to say the twenty-five thousand dollars deposited in the bank by the Bishops60. You see I'm not goin' to tote no order fer money I hain't no right to. An' I 'll tell you another thing, old man, you needn't throw out no hint to her to have me arrested. As God is my final judge, ef I'm tuck up fer this, they 'll never make me tell whar you are. I'd wait until you'd pegged61 out, anyway."
"I'm not setting any trap for you, Baker," whined62 Craig. "You've got the longest head of any man I ever knew. You've got me in your power, and all I can ask of you is my life. I've got Bishop's money hidden in my house. I am willing to restore it, if you will release me. I can write my wife a note that will cause her to give it to you. Isn't that fair?"
"That's all I want," said Pole; "an' I 'll say this to you, I 'll agree to use my influence with Alan Bishop not to handle you by law; but the best thing fer you an' yore family to do is to shake the dirt of Darley off'n yore feet an' seek fresh pastures. These 'round heer ain't as green, in one way, as some I've seed."
Craig wrote the note and handed it up to Baker. Pole read it slowly, and then said: "You mought 'a' axed 'er to excuse bad writin' an' spellin', an' hopin' these few lines will find you enjoyin' the same blessin' s; but ef it gits the boodle that's all I want. Now you keep yore shirt on, an' don't git skeerd o' the darkness. It will be as black as pitch, an' you kin heer yore eyelids63 creak after I shet the front door, but I 'll be back—ef I find yore old lady hain't run off with a handsomer man an' tuck the swag with 'er. I'm glad you cautioned 'er agin axin' me questions."
Pole backed to the foot of the ladder, followed by Craig.
"Don't leave me here, Baker," he said, imploringly64. "Don't, for God's sake! I swear I 'll go with you and get you the money."
"I can't do that, Mr. Craig; but I 'll be back as shore as fate, ef I get that cash," promised Pole. "It all depends on that. I 'll keep my word, if you do yore'n."
"I am going to trust you," said the old man, with the pleading intonation65 of a cowed and frightened child.
After he had gotten out, Pole thrust his head into the opening again. "It 'll be like you to come up heer an' try to move this rock," he called out, "but you mought as well not try it, fer I'm goin' to add about a dump-cart load o' rocks to it to keep the wolves from diggin' you out."
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1
bout
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| n.侵袭，发作；一次(阵，回)；拳击等比赛 | |
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baker
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| n.面包师 | |
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rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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creek
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| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
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rein
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| n.疆绳，统治，支配；vt.以僵绳控制，统治 | |
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6
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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7
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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8
pendulums
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| n.摆，钟摆( pendulum的名词复数 )；摇摆不定的事态（或局面） | |
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9
vent
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| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
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10
isolated
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| adj.与世隔绝的 | |
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den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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12
kin
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| n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的 | |
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13
hitch
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| v.免费搭(车旅行)；系住；急提；n.故障；急拉 | |
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14
hemlock
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| n.毒胡萝卜，铁杉 | |
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15
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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16
thicket
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| n.灌木丛，树林 | |
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17
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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18
anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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19
ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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protruded
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| v.（使某物）伸出，（使某物）突出( protrude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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21
shuddered
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| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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22
penetrate
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| v.透(渗)入；刺入，刺穿；洞察，了解 | |
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23
originality
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| n.创造力，独创性；新颖 | |
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24
subtlety
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| n.微妙，敏锐，精巧；微妙之处，细微的区别 | |
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25
dangling
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| 悬吊着( dangle的现在分词 )； 摆动不定； 用某事物诱惑…； 吊胃口 | |
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26
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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27
chasms
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| 裂缝( chasm的名词复数 )； 裂口； 分歧； 差别 | |
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28
reassured
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| adj.使消除疑虑的；使放心的v.再保证，恢复信心( reassure的过去式和过去分词) | |
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29
levity
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| n.轻率，轻浮，不稳定，多变 | |
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30
thumping
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| adj.重大的，巨大的；重击的；尺码大的；极好的adv.极端地；非常地v.重击(thump的现在分词)；狠打；怦怦地跳；全力支持 | |
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31
sputtering
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| n.反应溅射法；飞溅；阴极真空喷镀；喷射v.唾沫飞溅( sputter的现在分词 )；发劈啪声；喷出；飞溅出 | |
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32
ablaze
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| adj.着火的，燃烧的；闪耀的，灯火辉煌的 | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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34
hoops
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| n.箍( hoop的名词复数 )；（篮球）篮圈；（旧时儿童玩的）大环子；（两端埋在地里的）小铁弓 | |
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35
jugs
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| （有柄及小口的）水壶( jug的名词复数 ) | |
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cavern
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| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
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outlawry
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| 宣布非法，非法化，放逐 | |
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chunks
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| 厚厚的一块( chunk的名词复数 )； （某物）相当大的数量或部分 | |
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39
artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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40
astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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41
cylinder
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| n.圆筒，柱(面)，汽缸 | |
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42
deft
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| adj.灵巧的，熟练的（a deft hand 能手） | |
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43
rigor
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| n.严酷，严格，严厉 | |
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44
beset
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| v.镶嵌；困扰，包围 | |
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45
utterance
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| n.用言语表达，话语，言语 | |
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46
gasp
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| n.喘息，气喘；v.喘息；气吁吁他说 | |
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47
refund
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| v.退还，偿还；n.归还，偿还额，退款 | |
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48
bishop
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| n.主教，（国际象棋）象 | |
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49
crouching
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的现在分词 ) | |
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50
defrauded
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| v.诈取，骗取( defraud的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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51
maker
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| n.制造者，制造商 | |
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52
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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53
groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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54
hog
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| n.猪；馋嘴贪吃的人；vt.把…占为己有，独占 | |
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55
rigid
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| adj.严格的，死板的；刚硬的，僵硬的 | |
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56
stammered
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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57
prosecute
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| vt.告发；进行；vi.告发，起诉，作检察官 | |
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58
logic
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| n.逻辑(学)；逻辑性 | |
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59
diffused
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| 散布的，普及的，扩散的 | |
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60
bishops
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| （基督教某些教派管辖大教区的）主教( bishop的名词复数 )； （国际象棋的）象 | |
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61
pegged
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| v.用夹子或钉子固定( peg的过去式和过去分词 )；使固定在某水平 | |
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62
whined
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| v.哀号( whine的过去式和过去分词 )；哀诉，诉怨 | |
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63
eyelids
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| n.眼睑( eyelid的名词复数 )；眼睛也不眨一下；不露声色；面不改色 | |
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64
imploringly
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| adv. 恳求地, 哀求地 | |
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65
intonation
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| n.语调，声调；发声 | |
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