I felt the air and the light, and opened my eyes to see Herky-Jerky hauling away on the rope. When he caught sight of me he looked as if ready to dodge4 behind the bank.
“Whar's my gun?” he yelled.
I had dropped it in the spring. He let the lasso sag5, and I had to swim. Then, seeing that my hands were empty, he began to swear and to drag me round and round in the pool. When he had pulled me across he ran to the other side and jerked me back. I was drawn6 through the water with a force that I feared would tear me apart. Greaser chattered7 like a hideous8 monkey, and ran to and fro in glee. Herky-Jerky soon had me sputtering9, gasping11, choking. When he finally pulled me out of the hole I was all but drowned.
“You bow-legged beggar!” shouted Dick, “I'll fix you for that.”
“Whar's my gun?” yelled Herky, as I fell to the ground.
“I lost—it,” I panted.
He began to rave12. Then I half swooned, and when sight and hearing fully13 returned I was lying in the cave on my blankets. A great lassitude weighted me down. The terrible thrashing about in the icy water had quenched14 my spirit. For a while I was too played out to move, and lay there in my wet clothes. Finally I asked leave to take them off. Bud, who had come back in the meantime, helped me, or I should never have got out of them. Herky brought up my coat, which, fortunately, I had taken off before the ducking. I did not have the heart to speak to Dick or look at him, so I closed my eyes and fell asleep.
It was another day when I awoke. I felt all right except for a soreness under my arms and across my chest where the lasso had chafed16 and bruised17 me. Still I did not recover my good spirits. Herky-Jerky kept on grinning and cracking jokes on my failure to escape. He had appropriated my revolver for himself, and he asked me several times if I wanted to borrow it to shoot Greaser.
That day passed quietly, and so did the two that followed. The men would not let me fish nor move about. They had been expecting Stockton, and as he did not come it was decided18 to send Bud down to the mill; in fact, Bud decided the matter himself. He warned Greaser and Herky to keep close watch over Dick and me. Then he rode away. Dick and I resumed our talk about forestry19, and as we were separated by the length of the cave it was necessary to speak loud. So our captors heard every word we said.
“Ken15, what's the difference between Government forestry out here and, say, forestry practiced by a farmer back in Pennsylvania?” asked Dick.
“There's a big difference, I imagine. Forestry is established in some parts of the East; it's only an experiment out here.”
Then I went on to tell him about the method of the farmer. He usually had a small piece of forest, mostly hard wood. When the snow was on he cut firewood, fence-rails, and lumber20 for his own use in building. Some seasons lumber brought high prices; then he would select matured logs and haul them to the sawmill. But he would not cut a great deal, and he would use care in the selection. It was his aim to keep the land well covered with forest. He would sow as well as harvest.
“Now the Government policy is to preserve the National Forests for the use of the people. The soil must be kept productive. Agriculture would be impossible without water, and the forests hold water. The West wants people to come to stay. The lumberman who slashes21 off the timber may get rich himself, but he ruins the land.”
“What's that new law Congress is trying to pass?” queried22 Dick.
I was puzzled, but presently I caught his meaning. Bill and Herky-Jerky were hanging on our words with unconcealed attention. Even the Mexican was listening. Dick's cue was to scare them, or at least to have some fun at their expense.
“They've passed it,” I replied. “Fellows like Buell will go to the penitentiary23 for life. His men'll get twenty years on bread and water. No whiskey! Serves 'em right.”
“What'll the President do when he learns these men kidnapped you?”
“Do? He'll have the whole forest service out here and the National Guard. He's a friend of my father's. Why, these kidnappers24 will be hanged!”
“I wish the Guard would come quick. Too bad you couldn't have sent word! I'd enjoy seeing Greaser swing. Say, he hasn't a ghost of a chance, with the President and Jim Williams after him.”
“Dick, I want the rings in Greaser's ears.”
“What for? They're only brass25.”
“Souvenirs. Maybe I'll have watch-charms made of them. Anyway, I can show them to my friends back East.”
“It'll be great—what you'll have to tell,” went on Dick. “It'll be funny, too.”
Greaser had begun to snarl26 viciously, and Herky and Bill looked glum27 and thoughtful. The arrival of Bud interrupted the conversation and put an end to our playful mood. We heard a little of what he told his comrades, and gathered that Jim Williams had met Stockton and had asked questions hard to answer. Dick flashed me a significant look, which was as much as to say that Jim was growing suspicious. Bud had brought a store of whiskey, and his companions now kept closer company with him than ever before. But from appearances they did not get all they wanted.
“We've got to move this here camp,” said Bud.
Bud and Bill and Herky walked off down the gorge28. Perhaps they really went to find another place for the camp, for the present spot was certainly a kind of trap. But from the looks of Greaser I guessed that they were leaving him to keep guard while they went off to drink by themselves. Greaser muttered and snarled29. As the moments passed his face grew sullen30.
All at once he came toward me. He bound my hands and my feet. Dick was already securely tied, but Greaser put another lasso on him. Then he slouched down the gorge. His high-peaked Mexican sombrero bobbed above the rocks, then disappeared.
“Ken, now's the chance,” said Dick, low and quick. “If you can only work loose! There's your rifle and mine, too. We could hold this fort for a month.”
“What can I do?” I asked, straining on my ropes.
“You're not fast to the rock, as I am. Rollover here and untie31 me with your teeth.”
I raised my head to get the direction, and then, with a violent twist of my body, I started toward him; but being bound fast I could not guide myself, and I rolled off the ledge32. The bank there was pretty steep, and, unable to stop, I kept on like a barrel going down-hill. The thought of rolling into the spring filled me with horror. Suddenly I bumped hard into something that checked me. It was a log of firewood, and in one end stuck the big knife which Herky-Jerky used to cut meat.
Instantly I conceived the idea of cutting my bonds with this knife. But how was I to set about it?
“Dick, here's a knife. How'll I get to it so as to free myself?”
“Easy as pie,” replied he, eagerly. “The sharp edge points down. You hitch33 yourself this way—That's it—-good!”
What Dick called easy as pie was the hardest work I ever did. I lay flat on my back, bound hand and foot, and it was necessary to jerk my body along the log till my hands should be under the knife. I lifted my legs and edged along inch by inch.
“Fine work, Ken! Now you're right! Turn on your side! Be careful you don't loosen the knife!”
Not only were my wrists bound, but the lasso had been wrapped round my elbows, holding them close to my body. Turning on my side, I found that I could not reach the knife—not by several inches. This was a bitter disappointment. I strained and heaved. In my effort to lift my body sidewise I pressed my face into the gravel34. “Hurry, Ken, hurry!” cried Dick. “Somebody's coming!”
Thus urged, I grew desperate. In my struggle I discovered that it was possible to edge up on the log and stick there. I glued myself to that log. By dint35 of great exertion36 I brought the tight cord against the blade. It parted with a little snap, my elbows dropped free. Raising my wrists, I sawed quickly through the bonds. I cut myself, the blood flowed, but that was no matter. Jerking the knife from the log, I severed37 the ropes round my ankles and leaped up.
“Hurry, boy!” cried Dick, with a sharp note of alarm.
I ran to where he lay, and attacked the heavy halter with which he had been secured. I had cut half through the knots when a shrill38 cry arrested me. It was the Mexican's voice.
“Head him off! He's after your gun!” yelled Dick.
The sight of Greaser running toward the cave put me into a frenzy39. Dropping the knife, I darted40 to where my rifle leaned across my saddle. But I saw the Mexican would beat me to it. Checking my speed, I grabbed up a round stone and let fly. That was where my ball-playing stood me in good stead, for the stone hit Greaser on the shoulder, knocking him flat. But he got up, and lunged for the rifle just as I reached him.
I kicked the rifle out of his band, grappled with him, and down we went together. We wrestled41 and thrashed off the ledge, and when we landed in the gravel I was on top.
“Slug him, Ken!” yelled Dick, wildly. “Oh, that's fine! Give it to him! Punch him! Get his wind!”
Either it was a mortal dread42 of Greaser's knife or some kind of a new-born fury that lent me such strength. He screeched43, he snapped like a wolf, he clawed me, he struck me, but he could not shake me off. Several times he had me turning, but a hard rap on his head knocked him back again. Then I began to bang him in the ribs44.
“That's the place!” shouted Dick. “Ken, you're going to do him up! Soak him! Oh-h, but this is great!”
I kept the advantage over Greaser, but still he punished me cruelly. Suddenly he got his snaky hands on my throat and began to choke me. With all my might I swung my fist into his stomach.
His hands dropped, his mouth opened in a gasp10, his face turned green. The blow had made him horribly sick, and he sank back utterly45 helpless. I jumped up with a shout of triumph.
“Run! Run for it!” yelled Dick, in piercing tones. “They're coming! Never mind me! Run, I tell you! Not down the gorge! Climb out!”
For a moment I could not move out of my tracks. Then I saw Bill and Herky running up the gorge, and, farther down, Bud staggering and lurching.
This lent me wings. In two jumps I had grabbed my rifle; then, turning, I ran round the pool, and started up the one place in the steep wall where climbing was possible. Above the yells of the men I heard Dick's piercing cry:
“Go-go-go, Ken!”
I sent the loose rocks down in my flight. Here I leaped up; there I ran along a little ledge; in another place I climbed hand and foot. The last few yards was a gravelly incline. I seemed to slide back as much as I gained.
“Come back hyar!” bawled46 Bill.
Crack! Crack! Crack... The reports rang out in quick succession. A bullet whistled over me, another struck the gravel and sent a shower of dust into my face. I pitched my rifle up over the bank and began to dig my fingers and toes into the loose ground. As I gained the top two more bullets sang past my head so close that I knew Bill was aiming to more than scare me. I dragged myself over the edge and was safe.
The canyon47, with its dense48 thickets49 and scrubby clumps50 of trees, lay below in plain sight. Once hidden there, I would be hard to find. Picking up my rifle, I ran swiftly along the base of the slope and soon gained the cover of the woods.
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1
plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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petrify
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| vt.使发呆；使…变成化石 | |
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tightened
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| 收紧( tighten的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）变紧； （使）绷紧； 加紧 | |
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dodge
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| v.闪开，躲开，避开；n.妙计，诡计 | |
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sag
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| v.下垂，下跌，消沉；n.下垂，下跌，凹陷，[航海]随风漂流 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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7
chattered
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| （人）喋喋不休( chatter的过去式 )； 唠叨； （牙齿）打战； （机器）震颤 | |
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8
hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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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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10
gasp
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| n.喘息，气喘；v.喘息；气吁吁他说 | |
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11
gasping
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| adj. 气喘的, 痉挛的 动词gasp的现在分词 | |
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12
rave
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| vi.胡言乱语；热衷谈论；n.热情赞扬 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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14
quenched
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| 解（渴）( quench的过去式和过去分词 )； 终止（某事物）； （用水）扑灭（火焰等）； 将（热物体）放入水中急速冷却 | |
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15
ken
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| n.视野，知识领域 | |
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16
chafed
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| v.擦热（尤指皮肤）( chafe的过去式 )；擦痛；发怒；惹怒 | |
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bruised
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| [医]青肿的，瘀紫的 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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forestry
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| n.森林学；林业 | |
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lumber
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| n.木材，木料；v.以破旧东西堆满；伐木；笨重移动 | |
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21
slashes
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| n.（用刀等）砍( slash的名词复数 )；（长而窄的）伤口；斜杠；撒尿v.挥砍( slash的第三人称单数 )；鞭打；割破；削减 | |
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22
queried
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| v.质疑，对…表示疑问( query的过去式和过去分词 )；询问 | |
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23
penitentiary
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| n.感化院；监狱 | |
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24
kidnappers
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| n.拐子，绑匪( kidnapper的名词复数 ) | |
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25
brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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26
snarl
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| v.吼叫，怒骂，纠缠，混乱；n.混乱，缠结，咆哮 | |
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glum
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| adj.闷闷不乐的，阴郁的 | |
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28
gorge
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| n.咽喉，胃，暴食，山峡；v.塞饱，狼吞虎咽地吃 | |
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29
snarled
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| v.（指狗）吠，嗥叫， （人）咆哮( snarl的过去式和过去分词 )；咆哮着说，厉声地说 | |
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30
sullen
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| adj.愠怒的，闷闷不乐的，(天气等)阴沉的 | |
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31
untie
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| vt.解开，松开；解放 | |
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32
ledge
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| n.壁架，架状突出物；岩架，岩礁 | |
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33
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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34
gravel
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| n.砂跞；砂砾层；结石 | |
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35
dint
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| n.由于，靠；凹坑 | |
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exertion
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| n.尽力，努力 | |
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37
severed
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| v.切断，断绝( sever的过去式和过去分词 )；断，裂 | |
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38
shrill
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| adj.尖声的；刺耳的；v尖叫 | |
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39
frenzy
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| n.疯狂，狂热，极度的激动 | |
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40
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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41
wrestled
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| v.（与某人）搏斗( wrestle的过去式和过去分词 )；扭成一团；扭打；（与…）摔跤 | |
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42
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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43
screeched
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| v.发出尖叫声( screech的过去式和过去分词 )；发出粗而刺耳的声音；高叫 | |
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44
ribs
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| n.肋骨( rib的名词复数 )；（船或屋顶等的）肋拱；肋骨状的东西；（织物的）凸条花纹 | |
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45
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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46
bawled
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| v.大叫，大喊( bawl的过去式和过去分词 )；放声大哭；大声叫出；叫卖（货物） | |
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47
canyon
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| n.峡谷，溪谷 | |
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48
dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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49
thickets
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| n.灌木丛( thicket的名词复数 )；丛状物 | |
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50
clumps
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| n.（树、灌木、植物等的）丛、簇( clump的名词复数 )；（土、泥等）团；块；笨重的脚步声v.（树、灌木、植物等的）丛、簇( clump的第三人称单数 )；（土、泥等）团；块；笨重的脚步声 | |
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