Yet now he seemed to ignore the men behind him. Any friend of Snell's among the vicious element might have pulled a gun. I wondered if Steele knew how I watched those men at his back—how fatal it would have been for any of them to make a significant move.
No—I decided1 that Steele trusted to the effect his boldness had created. It was this power to cow ordinary men that explained so many of his feats2; just the same it was his keenness to read desperate men, his nerve to confront them, that made him great.
The crowd followed Steele and his captive down the middle of the main street and watched him secure a team and buckboard and drive off on the road to Sanderson.
Only then did that crowd appear to realize what had happened. Then my long-looked-for opportunity arrived. In the expression of silent men I found something which I had sought; from the hurried departure of others homeward I gathered import; on the husky, whispering lips of yet others I read words I needed to hear.
The other part of that crowd—to my surprise, the smaller part—was the roaring, threatening, complaining one.
Thus I segregated3 Linrock that was lawless from Linrock that wanted law, but for some reason not yet clear the latter did not dare to voice their choice.
How could Steele and I win them openly to our cause? If that could be done long before the year was up Linrock would be free of violence and Captain Neal's Ranger4 Service saved to the State.
I went from place to place, corner to corner, bar to bar, watching, listening, recording5; and not until long after sunset did I go out to the ranch6.
The excitement had preceded me and speculation7 was rife8. Hurrying through my supper, to get away from questions and to go on with my spying, I went out to the front of the house.
The evening was warm; the doors were open; and in the twilight9 the only lamps that had been lit were in Sampson's big sitting room at the far end of the house. Neither Sampson nor Wright had come home to supper.
I would have given much to hear their talk right then, and certainly intended to try to hear it when they did come home.
When the buckboard drove up and they alighted I was well hidden in the bushes, so well screened that I could get but a fleeting10 glimpse of Sampson as he went in.
For all I could see, he appeared to be a calm and quiet man, intense beneath the surface, with an air of dignity under insult. My chance to observe Wright was lost.
They went into the house without speaking, and closed the door.
At the other end of the porch, close under a window, was an offset11 between step and wall, and there in the shadow I hid. If Sampson or Wright visited the girls that evening I wanted to hear what was said about Steele.
It seemed to me that it might be a good clue for me—the circumstance whether or not Diane Sampson was told the truth. So I waited there in the darkness with patience born of many hours of like duty.
Presently the small lamp was lit—I could tell the difference in light when the big one was burning—and I heard the swish of skirts.
"Something's happened, surely, Sally," I heard Miss Sampson say anxiously. "Papa just met me in the hall and didn't speak. He seemed pale, worried."
"Cousin George looked like a thundercloud," said Sally. "For once, he didn't try to kiss me. Something's happened. Well, Diane, this has been a bad day for me, too."
Plainly I heard Sally's sigh, and the little pathetic sound brought me vividly12 out of my sordid13 business of suspicion and speculation. So she was sorry.
"Bad for you, too?" replied Diane in amused surprise. "Oh, I see—I forgot. You and Russ had it out."
"Out? We fought like the very old deuce. I'll never speak to him again."
"So your little—affair with Russ is all over?"
"Yes." Here she sighed again.
"Well, Sally, it began swiftly and it's just as well short," said Diane earnestly. "We know nothing at all of Russ."
"Diane, after to-day I respect him in—in spite of things—even though he seems no good. I—I cared a lot, too."
"My dear, your loves are like the summer flowers. I thought maybe your flirting15 with Russ might amount to something. Yet he seems so different now from what he was at first. It's only occasionally I get the impression I had of him after that night he saved me from violence. He's strange. Perhaps it all comes of his infatuation for you. He is in love with you. I'm afraid of what may come of it."
"Diane, he'll do something dreadful to George, mark my words," whispered Sally. "He swore he would if George fooled around me any more."
"Oh, dear. Sally, what can we do? These are wild men. George makes life miserable16 for me. And he teases you unmer..."
"I don't call it teasing. George wants to spoon," declared Sally emphatically. "He'd run after any woman."
"A fine compliment to me, Cousin Sally," laughed Diane.
"I don't agree," replied Sally stubbornly. "It's so. He's spoony. And when he's been drinking and tries to kiss me, I hate him."
"Sally, you look as if you'd rather like Russ to do something dreadful to George," said Diane with a laugh that this time was only half mirth.
"Half of me would and half of me would not," returned Sally. "But all of me would if I weren't afraid of Russ. I've got a feeling—I don't know what—something will happen between George and Russ some day."
There were quick steps on the hall floor, steps I thought I recognized.
"Hello, girls!" sounded out Wright's voice, minus its usual gaiety. Then ensued a pause that made me bring to mind a picture of Wright's glum17 face.
"George, what's the matter?" asked Diane presently. "I never saw papa as he is to-night, nor you so—so worried. Tell me, what has happened?"
"Well, Diane, we had a jar to-day," replied Wright, with a blunt, expressive18 laugh.
"Jar?" echoed both the girls curiously19.
"Jar? We had to submit to a damnable outrage20," added Wright passionately21, as if the sound of his voice augmented22 his feeling. "Listen, girls. I'll tell you all about it."
He coughed, clearing his throat in a way that betrayed he had been drinking.
I sunk deeper in the shadow of my covert23, and stiffening24 my muscles for a protracted25 spell of rigidity26, prepared to listen with all acuteness and intensity27.
Just one word from this Wright, inadvertently uttered in a moment of passion, might be the word Steele needed for his clue.
"It happened at the town hall," began Wright rapidly. "Your father and Judge Owens and I were there in consultation28 with three ranchers from out of town. First we were disturbed by gunshots from somewhere, but not close at hand. Then we heard the loud voices outside.
"A crowd was coming down street. It stopped before the hall. Men came running in, yelling. We thought there was a fire. Then that Ranger, Steele, stalked in, dragging a fellow by the name of Snell. We couldn't tell what was wanted because of the uproar29. Finally your father restored order.
"Steele had arrested Snell for alleged30 assault on a restaurant keeper named Hoden. It developed that Hoden didn't accuse anybody, didn't know who attacked him. Snell, being obviously innocent, was discharged. Then this—this gun fighting Ranger pulled his guns on the court and halted the proceedings32."
When Wright paused I plainly heard his intake33 of breath. Far indeed was he from calm.
"Steele held everybody in that hall in fear of death, and he began shouting his insults. Law was a farce34 in Linrock. The court was a farce. There was no law. Your father's office as mayor should be impeached35. He made arrests only for petty offenses36. He was afraid of the rustlers, highwaymen, murderers. He was afraid or—he just let them alone. He used his office to cheat ranchers and cattlemen in law-suits.
"All of this Steele yelled for everyone to hear. A damnable outrage! Your father, Diane, insulted in his own court by a rowdy Ranger! Not only insulted, but threatened with death—two big guns thrust almost in his face!"
"Oh! How horrible!" cried Diane, in mingled39 distress40 and anger.
"Steele's a Ranger. The Ranger Service wants to rule western Texas," went on Wright. "These Rangers41 are all a low set, many of them worse than the outlaws42 they hunt. Some of them were outlaws and gun fighters before they became Rangers.
"This Steele is one of the worst of the lot. He's keen, intelligent, smooth, and that makes him more to be feared. For he is to be feared. He wanted to kill. He meant to kill. If your father had made the least move Steele would have shot him. He's a cold-nerved devil—the born gunman. My God, any instant I expected to see your father fall dead at my feet!"
"Oh, George! The—the unspeakable ruffian!" cried Diane, passionately.
"You see, Diane, this fellow Steele has failed here in Linrock. He's been here weeks and done nothing. He must have got desperate. He's infamous43 and he loves his name. He seeks notoriety. He made that play with Snell just for a chance to rant31 against your father. He tried to inflame44 all Linrock against him. That about law-suits was the worst! Damn him! He'll make us enemies."
"What do you care for the insinuations of such a man?" said Diane Sampson, her voice now deep and rich with feeling. "After a moment's thought no one will be influenced by them. Do not worry, George, tell papa not to worry. Surely after all these years he can't be injured in reputation by—by an adventurer."
"Yes, he can be injured," replied George quickly. "The frontier is a queer place. There are many bitter men here, men who have failed at ranching45. And your father has been wonderfully successful. Steele has dropped some poison, and it'll spread."
Then followed a silence, during which, evidently, the worried Wright bestrode the floor.
"Cousin George, what became of Steele and his prisoner?" suddenly asked Sally.
How like her it was, with her inquisitive46 bent47 of mind and shifting points of view, to ask a question the answering of which would be gall48 and wormwood to Wright!
It amused while it thrilled me. Sally might be a flirt14, but she was no fool.
"What became of them? Ha! Steele bluffed49 the whole town—at least all of it who had heard the mayor's order to discharge Snell," growled51 Wright. "He took Snell—rode off for Del Rio to jail him."
"George!" exclaimed Diane. "Then, after all, this Ranger was able to arrest Snell, the innocent man father discharged, and take him to jail?"
"Exactly. That's the toughest part...." Wright ended abruptly52, and then broke out fiercely: "But, by God, he'll never come back!"
Wright's slow pacing quickened and he strode from the parlor53, leaving behind him a silence eloquent54 of the effect of his sinister55 prediction.
"Sally, what did he mean?" asked Diane in a low voice.
"Steele will be killed," replied Sally, just as low-voiced.
"Killed! That magnificent fellow! Ah, I forgot. Sally, my wits are sadly mixed. I ought to be glad if somebody kills my father's defamer. But, oh, I can't be!
"This bloody56 frontier makes me sick. Papa doesn't want me to stay for good. And no wonder. Shall I go back? I hate to show a white feather.
"Do you know, Sally, I was—a little taken with this Texas Ranger. Miserably57, I confess. He seemed so like in spirit to the grand stature58 of him. How can so splendid a man be so bloody, base at heart? It's hideous59. How little we know of men! I had my dream about Vaughn Steele. I confess because it shames me—because I hate myself!"
Next morning I awakened60 with a feeling that I was more like my old self. In the experience of activity of body and mind, with a prospect61 that this was merely the forerunner62 of great events, I came round to my own again.
Sally was not forgotten; she had just become a sorrow. So perhaps my downfall as a lover was a precursor63 of better results as an officer.
I held in abeyance64 my last conclusion regarding Sampson and Wright, and only awaited Steele's return to have fixed65 in mind what these men were.
Wright's remark about Steele not returning did not worry me. I had heard many such dark sayings in reference to Rangers.
Rangers had a trick of coming back. I did not see any man or men on the present horizon of Linrock equal to the killing66 of Steele.
As Miss Sampson and Sally had no inclination67 to ride, I had even more freedom. I went down to the town and burst, cheerily whistling, into Jim Hoden's place.
Jim always made me welcome there, as much for my society as for the money I spent, and I never neglected being free with both. I bought a handful of cigars and shoved some of them in his pocket.
"How's tricks, Jim?" I asked cheerily.
"Reckon I'm feelin' as well as could be expected," replied Jim. His head was circled by a bandage that did not conceal68 the lump where he had been struck. Jim looked a little pale, but he was bright enough.
"That was a hell of a biff Snell gave you, the skunk," I remarked with the same cheery assurance.
"Russ, I ain't accusin' Snell," remonstrated69 Jim with eyes that made me thoughtful.
"Sure, I know you're too good a sport to send a fellow up. But Snell deserved what he got. I saw his face when he made his talk to Sampson's court. Snell lied. And I'll tell you what, Jim, if it'd been me instead of that Ranger, Bud Snell would have got settled."
Jim appeared to be agitated70 by my forcible intimation of friendship.
"Jim, that's between ourselves," I went on. "I'm no fool. And much as I blab when I'm hunky, it's all air. Maybe you've noticed that about me. In some parts of Texas it's policy to be close-mouthed. Policy and healthy. Between ourselves, as friends, I want you to know I lean some on Steele's side of the fence."
As I lighted a cigar I saw, out of the corner of my eye, how Hoden gave a quick start. I expected some kind of a startling idea to flash into his mind.
Presently I turned and frankly71 met his gaze. I had startled him out of his habitual72 set taciturnity, but even as I looked the light that might have been amaze and joy faded out of his face, leaving it the same old mask.
Still I had seen enough. Like a bloodhound, I had a scent73. "Thet's funny, Russ, seein' as you drift with the gang Steele's bound to fight," remarked Hoden.
"Sure. I'm a sport. If I can't gamble with gentlemen I'll gamble with rustlers."
Again he gave a slight start, and this time he hid his eyes.
"Wal, Russ, I've heard you was slick," he said.
"You tumble, Jim. I'm a little better on the draw."
"On the draw? With cards, an' gun, too, eh?"
"Now, Jim, that last follows natural. I haven't had much chance to show how good I am on the draw with a gun. But that'll come soon."
"Reckon thet talk's a little air," said Hoden with his dry laugh. "Same as you leanin' a little on the Ranger's side of the fence."
"But, Jim, wasn't he game? What'd you think of that stand? Bluffed the whole gang! The way he called Sampson—why, it was great! The justice of that call doesn't bother me. It was Steele's nerve that got me. That'd warm any man's blood."
There was a little red in Hoden's pale cheeks and I saw him swallow hard. I had struck deep again.
"Say, don't you work for Sampson?" he queried74.
"Me? I guess not. I'm Miss Sampson's man. He and Wright have tried to fire me many a time."
"Thet so?" he said curiously. "What for?"
"Too many silver trimmings on me, Jim. And I pack my gun low down."
"Wal, them two don't go much together out here," replied Hoden. "But I ain't seen thet anyone has shot off the trimmin's."
"Maybe it'll commence, Jim, as soon as I stop buying drinks. Talking about work—who'd you say Snell worked for?"
"I didn't say."
"Well, say so now, can't you? Jim, you're powerful peevish75 to-day. It's the bump on your head. Who does Snell work for?"
"When he works at all, which sure ain't often, he rides for Sampson."
"Humph! Seems to me, Jim, that Sampson's the whole circus round Linrock. I was some sore the other day to find I was losing good money at Sampson's faro game. Sure if I'd won I wouldn't have been sorry, eh? But I was surprised to hear some scully say Sampson owned the Hope So dive."
"I've heard he owned considerable property hereabouts," replied Jim constrainedly76.
"Humph again! Why, Jim, you know it, only like every other scully you meet in this town, you're afraid to open your mug about Sampson. Get me straight, Jim Hoden. I don't care a damn for Colonel Mayor Sampson. And for cause I'd throw a gun on him just as quick as on any rustler38 in Pecos."
"Talk's cheap, my boy," replied Hoden, making light of my bluster77, but the red was deep in his face.
"Sure, I know that," I said, calming down. "My temper gets up, Jim. Then it's not well known that Sampson owns the Hope So?"
"Reckon it's known in Pecos, all right. But Sampson's name isn't connected with the Hope So. Blandy runs the place."
"That Blandy—I've got no use for him. His faro game's crooked78, or I'm locoed bronc. Not that we don't have lots of crooked faro dealers79. A fellow can stand for them. But Blandy's mean, back handed, never looks you in the eyes. That Hope So place ought to be run by a good fellow like you, Hoden."
"Thanks, Russ," replied he, and I imagined his voice a little husky. "Didn't you ever hear I used to run it?"
"No. Did you?" I said quickly.
"I reckon. I built the place, made additions twice, owned it for eleven years."
"Well, I'll be doggoned!"
It was indeed my turn to be surprised, and with the surprise came glimmering80.
"I'm sorry you're not there now, Jim. Did you sell out?"
"No. Just lost the place."
Hoden was bursting for relief now—to talk—to tell. Sympathy had made him soft. I did not need to ask another question.
"It was two years ago—two years last March," he went on. "I was in a big cattle deal with Sampson. We got the stock, an' my share, eighteen hundred head, was rustled81 off. I owed Sampson. He pressed me. It come to a lawsuit82, an' I—was ruined."
It hurt me to look at Hoden. He was white, and tears rolled down his cheeks.
I saw the bitterness, the defeat, the agony of the man. He had failed to meet his obligation; nevertheless he had been swindled.
All that he suppressed, all that would have been passion had the man's spirit not been broken, lay bare for me to see. I had now the secret of his bitterness.
But the reason he did not openly accuse Sampson, the secret of his reticence83 and fear—these I thought best to try to learn at some later time, after I had consulted with Steele.
"Hard luck! Jim, it certainly was tough," I said. "But you're a good loser. And the wheel turns!
"Now, Jim, here's what I come particular to see you for. I need your advice. I've got a little money. Between you and me, as friends, I've been adding some to that roll all the time. But before I lose it I want to invest some. Buy some stock or buy an interest in some rancher's herd84.
"What I want you to steer85 me on is a good, square rancher. Or maybe a couple of ranchers if there happen to be two honest ones in Pecos. Eh? No deals with ranchers who ride in the dark with rustlers! I've a hunch86 Linrock's full of them.
"Now, Jim, you've been here for years. So you must know a couple of men above suspicion."
"Thank God I do, Russ," he replied feelingly. "Frank Morton an' Si Zimmer, my friends an' neighbors all my prosperous days. An' friends still. You can gamble on Frank and Si. But Russ, if you want advice from me, don't invest money in stock now."
"Why?"
"Because any new feller buyin' stock in Pecos these days will be rustled quicker'n he can say Jack87 Robinson. The pioneers, the new cattlemen—these are easy pickin'. But the new fellers have to learn the ropes. They don't know anythin' or anybody. An' the old ranchers are wise an' sore. They'd fight if they...."
"What?" I put in as he paused. "If they knew who was rustling88 the stock?"
"Nope."
"If they had the nerve?"
"Not thet so much."
"What then? What'd make them fight?"
"A leader!"
I went out of Hoden's with that word ringing in my ears. A leader! In my mind's eye I saw a horde89 of dark faced, dusty-booted cattlemen riding grim and armed behind Vaughn Steele.
More thoughtful than usual, I walked on, passing some of my old haunts, and was about to turn in front of a feed and grain store when a hearty90 slap on my back disturbed my reflection.
"Howdy thar, cowboy," boomed a big voice.
It was Morton, the rancher whom Jim had mentioned, and whose acquaintance I had made. He was a man of great bulk, with a ruddy, merry face.
"Hello, Morton. Let's have a drink," I replied.
"Gotta rustle37 home," he said. "Young feller, I've a ranch to work."
"Sell it to me, Morton."
He laughed and said he wished he could. His buckboard stood at the rail, the horses stamping impatiently.
"Cards must be runnin' lucky," he went on, with another hearty laugh.
"Can't kick on the luck. But I'm afraid it will change. Morton, my friend Hoden gave me a hunch you'd be a good man to tie to. Now, I've a little money, and before I lose it I'd like to invest it in stock."
He smiled broadly, but for all his doubt of me he took definite interest.
"I'm not drunk, and I'm on the square," I said bluntly. "You've taken me for a no-good cow puncher without any brains. Wake up, Morton. If you never size up your neighbors any better than you have me—well, you won't get any richer."
It was sheer enjoyment91 for me to make my remarks to these men, pregnant with meaning. Morton showed his pleasure, his interest, but his faith held aloof92.
"I've got some money. I had some. Then the cards have run lucky. Will you let me in on some kind of deal? Will you start me up as a stockman, with a little herd all my own?"
"Russ, this's durn strange, comin' from Sampson's cowboy," he said.
"I'm not in his outfit93. My job's with Miss Sampson. She's fine, but the old man? Nit! He's been after me for weeks. I won't last long. That's one reason why I want to start up for myself."
"Hoden sent you to me, did he? Poor ol' Jim. Wal, Russ, to come out flat-footed, you'd be foolish to buy cattle now. I don't want to take your money an' see you lose out. Better go back across the Pecos where the rustlers ain't so strong. I haven't had more'n twenty-five-hundred head of stock for ten years. The rustlers let me hang on to a breedin' herd. Kind of them, ain't it?"
"Sort of kind. All I hear is rustlers." I replied with impatience94. "You see, I haven't ever lived long in a rustler-run county. Who heads the gang anyway?"
Frank Morton looked at me with a curiously-amused smile.
"I hear lots about Jack Blome and Snecker. Everybody calls them out and out bad. Do they head this mysterious gang?"
"Russ, I opine Blome an' Snecker parade themselves off boss rustlers same as gun throwers. But thet's the love such men have for bein' thought hell. That's brains headin' the rustler gang hereabouts."
"Maybe Blome and Snecker are blinds. Savvy95 what I mean, Morton? Maybe there's more in the parade than just the fame of it."
Morton snapped his big jaw96 as if to shut in impulsive97 words.
"Look here, Morton. I'm not so young in years even if I am young west of the Pecos. I can figure ahead. It stands to reason, no matter how damn strong these rustlers are, how hidden their work, however involved with supposedly honest men—they can't last."
"They come with the pioneers an' they'll last as long as thar's a single steer left," he declared.
"Well, if you take that view of circumstances I just figure you as one of the rustlers!"
Morton looked as if he were about to brain me with the butt98 of his whip. His anger flashed by then as unworthy of him, and, something striking him as funny, he boomed out a laugh.
"It's not so funny," I went on. "If you're going to pretend a yellow streak99, what else will I think?"
"Pretend?" he repeated.
"Sure. You can't fool me, Morton. I know men of nerve. And here in Pecos they're not any different from those in other places. I say if you show anything like a lack of sand it's all bluff50.
"By nature you've got nerve. There are a lot of men round Linrock who're afraid of their shadows, afraid to be out after dark, afraid to open their mouths. But you're not one.
"So, I say, if you claim these rustlers will last, you're pretending lack of nerve just to help the popular idea along. For they can't last.
"Morton, I don't want to be a hard-riding cowboy all my days. Do you think I'd let fear of a gang of rustlers stop me from going in business with a rancher? Nit! What you need out here in Pecos is some new blood—a few youngsters like me to get you old guys started. Savvy what I mean?"
"Wal, I reckon I do," he replied, looking as if a storm had blown over him.
I gauged100 the hold the rustler gang had on Linrock by the difficult job it was to stir this really courageous101 old cattleman. He had grown up with the evil. To him it must have been a necessary one, the same as dry seasons and cyclones102.
"Russ, I'll look you up the next time I come to town," he said soberly.
We parted, and I, more than content with the meeting, retraced103 my steps down street to the Hope So saloon.
Here I entered, bent on tasks as sincere as the ones just finished, but displeasing104, because I had to mix with a low, profane105 set, to cultivate them, to drink occasionally despite my deftness106 at emptying glasses on the floor, to gamble with them and strangers, always playing the part of a flush and flashy cowboy, half drunk, ready to laugh or fight.
On the night of the fifth day after Steele's departure, I went, as was my habit, to the rendezvous107 we maintained at the pile of rocks out in the open.
The night was clear, bright starlight, without any moon, and for this latter fact safer to be abroad. Often from my covert I had seen dark figures skulking108 in and out of Linrock.
It would have been interesting to hold up these mysterious travelers; so far, however, this had not been our game. I had enough to keep my own tracks hidden, and my own comings and goings.
I liked to be out in the night, with the darkness close down to the earth, and the feeling of a limitless open all around. Not only did I listen for Steele's soft step, but for any sound—the yelp109 of coyote or mourn of wolf, the creak of wind in the dead brush, the distant clatter110 of hoofs111, a woman's singing voice faint from the town.
This time, just when I was about to give up for that evening, Steele came looming113 like a black giant long before I heard his soft step. It was good to feel his grip, even if it hurt, because after five days I had begun to worry.
"Well, old boy, how's tricks?" he asked easily.
"Well, old man, did you land that son of a gun in jail?"
"You bet I did. And he'll stay there for a while. Del Rio rather liked the idea, Russ. All right there. I side-stepped Sanderson on the way back. But over here at the little village—Sampson they call it—I was held up. Couldn't help it, because there wasn't any road around."
"Held up?" I queried.
"That's it, the buckboard was held up. I got into the brush in time to save my bacon. They began to shoot too soon."
"Did you get any of them?"
"Didn't stay to see," he chuckled114. "Had to hoof112 it to Linrock, and it's a good long walk."
"Been to your 'dobe yet to-night?"
"I slipped in at the back. Russ, it bothered me some to make sure no one was laying for me in the dark."
"You'll have to get a safer place. Why not take to the open every night?"
"Russ, that's well enough on a trail. But I need grub, and I've got to have a few comforts. I'll risk the 'dobe yet a little."
Then I narrated115 all that I had seen and done and heard during his absence, holding back one thing. What I did tell him sobered him at once, brought the quiet, somber116 mood, the thoughtful air.
"So that's all. Well, it's enough."
"All pertaining117 to our job, Vaughn," I replied. "The rest is sentiment, perhaps. I had a pretty bad case of moons over the little Langdon girl. But we quarreled. And it's ended now. Just as well, too, because if she'd...."
"Russ, did you honestly care for her? The real thing, I mean?"
"I—I'm afraid so. I'm sort of hurt inside. But, hell! There's one thing sure, a love affair might have hindered me, made me soft. I'm glad it's over."
He said no more, but his big hand pressing on my knee told me of his sympathy, another indication that there was nothing wanting in this Ranger.
"The other thing concerns you," I went on, somehow reluctant now to tell this. "You remember how I heard Wright making you out vile118 to Miss Sampson? Swore you'd never come back? Well, after he had gone, when Sally said he'd meant you'd be killed, Miss Sampson felt bad about it. She said she ought to be glad if someone killed you, but she couldn't be. She called you a bloody ruffian, yet she didn't want you shot.
"She said some things about the difference between your hideous character and your splendid stature. Called you a magnificent fellow—that was it. Well, then she choked up and confessed something to Sally in shame and disgrace."
"Shame—disgrace?" echoed Steele, greatly interested. "What?"
"She confessed she had been taken with you—had her little dream about you. And she hated herself for it."
Never, I thought, would I forget Vaughn Steele's eyes. It did not matter that it was dark; I saw the fixed gleam, then the leaping, shadowy light.
"Did she say that?" His voice was not quite steady. "Wonderful! Even if it only lasted a minute! She might—we might—If it wasn't for this hellish job! Russ, has it dawned on you yet, what I've got to do to Diane Sampson?"
"Yes," I replied. "Vaughn, you haven't gone sweet on her?"
What else could I make of that terrible thing in his eyes? He did not reply to that at all. I thought my arm would break in his clutch.
"You said you knew what I've got to do to Diane Sampson," he repeated hoarsely119.
"Yes, you've got to ruin her happiness, if not her life."
"Why? Speak out, Russ. All this comes like a blow. There for a little I hoped you had worked out things differently from me. No hope. Ruin her life! Why?"
I could explain this strange agitation120 in Steele in no other way except that realization121 had brought keen suffering as incomprehensible as it was painful. I could not tell if it came from suddenly divined love for Diane Sampson equally with a poignant122 conviction that his fate was to wreck123 her. But I did see that he needed to speak out the brutal124 truth.
"Steele, old man, you'll ruin Diane Sampson, because, as arrest looks improbable to me, you'll have to kill her father."
"My God! Why, why? Say it!"
"Because Sampson is the leader of the Linrock gang of rustlers."
That night before we parted we had gone rather deeply into the plan of action for the immediate125 future.
First I gave Steele my earnest counsel and then as stiff an argument as I knew how to put up, all anent the absolute necessity of his eternal vigilance. If he got shot in a fair encounter with his enemies—well, that was a Ranger's risk and no disgrace. But to be massacred in bed, knifed, in the dark, shot in the back, ambushed126 in any manner—not one of these miserable ends must be the last record of Vaughn Steele.
He promised me in a way that made me wonder if he would ever sleep again or turn his back on anyone—made me wonder too, at the menace in his voice. Steele seemed likely to be torn two ways, and already there was a hint of future desperation.
It was agreed that I make cautious advances to Hoden and Morton, and when I could satisfy myself of their trustworthiness reveal my identity to them. Through this I was to cultivate Zimmer, and then other ranchers whom we should decide could be let into the secret.
It was not only imperative127 that we learn through them clues by which we might eventually fix guilt128 on the rustler gang, but also just as imperative that we develop a band of deputies to help us when the fight began.
Steele, now that he was back in Linrock, would have the center of the stage, with all eyes upon him. We agreed, moreover, that the bolder the front now the better the chance of ultimate success. The more nerve he showed the less danger of being ambushed, the less peril129 in facing vicious men.
But we needed a jail. Prisoners had to be corraled after arrest, or the work would be useless, almost a farce, and there was no possibility of repeating trips to Del Rio.
We could not use an adobe130 house for a jail, because that could be easily cut out of or torn down.
Finally I remembered an old stone house near the end of the main street; it had one window and one door, and had been long in disuse. Steele would rent it, hire men to guard and feed his prisoners; and if these prisoners bribed131 or fought their way to freedom, that would not injure the great principle for which he stood.
Both Steele and I simultaneously132, from different angles of reasoning, had arrived at a conviction of Sampson's guilt. It was not so strong as realization; rather a divination133.
Long experience in detecting, in feeling the hidden guilt of men, had sharpened our senses for that particular thing. Steele acknowledged a few mistakes in his day; but I, allowing for the same strength of conviction, had never made a single mistake.
But conviction was one thing and proof vastly another. Furthermore, when proof was secured, then came the crowning task—that of taking desperate men in a wild country they dominated.
Verily, Steele and I had our work cut out for us. However, we were prepared to go at it with infinite patience and implacable resolve. Steele and I differed only in the driving incentive134; of course, outside of that one binding135 vow136 to save the Ranger Service.
He had a strange passion, almost an obsession137, to represent the law of Texas, and by so doing render something of safety and happiness to the honest pioneers.
Beside Steele I knew I shrunk to a shadow. I was not exactly a heathen, and certainly I wanted to help harassed138 people, especially women and children; but mainly with me it was the zest139, the thrill, the hazard, the matching of wits—in a word, the adventure of the game.
Next morning I rode with the young ladies. In the light of Sally's persistently140 flagrant advances, to which I was apparently141 blind, I saw that my hard-won victory over self was likely to be short-lived.
That possibility made me outwardly like ice. I was an attentive142, careful, reliable, and respectful attendant, seeing to the safety of my charges; but the one-time gay and debonair143 cowboy was a thing of the past.
Sally, womanlike, had been a little—a very little—repentant; she had showed it, my indifference144 had piqued145 her; she had made advances and then my coldness had roused her spirit. She was the kind of girl to value most what she had lost, and to throw consequences to the winds in winning it back.
When I divined this I saw my revenge. To be sure, when I thought of it I had no reason to want revenge. She had been most gracious to me.
But there was the catty thing she had said about being kissed again by her admirers. Then, in all seriousness, sentiment aside, I dared not make up with her.
So the cold and indifferent part I played was imperative.
We halted out on the ridge146 and dismounted for the usual little rest. Mine I took in the shade of a scrubby mesquite. The girls strolled away out of sight. It was a drowsy147 day, and I nearly fell asleep.
Something aroused me—a patter of footsteps or a rustle of skirts. Then a soft thud behind me gave me at once a start and a thrill. First I saw Sally's little brown hands on my shoulders. Then her head, with hair all shiny and flying and fragrant148, came round over my shoulder, softly smoothing my cheek, until her sweet, saucy149, heated face was right under my eyes.
"Russ, don't you love me any more?" she whispered.
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收听单词发音
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1
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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feats
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| 功绩，伟业，技艺( feat的名词复数 ) | |
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segregated
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| 分开的； 被隔离的 | |
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ranger
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| n.国家公园管理员，护林员；骑兵巡逻队员 | |
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recording
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| n.录音，记录 | |
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ranch
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| n.大牧场，大农场 | |
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speculation
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| n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机 | |
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rife
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| adj.(指坏事情)充斥的，流行的，普遍的 | |
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twilight
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| n.暮光，黄昏；暮年，晚期，衰落时期 | |
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fleeting
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| adj.短暂的，飞逝的 | |
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offset
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| n.分支，补偿；v.抵消，补偿 | |
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12
vividly
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| adv.清楚地，鲜明地，生动地 | |
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13
sordid
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| adj.肮脏的，不干净的，卑鄙的，暗淡的 | |
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14
flirt
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| v.调情，挑逗，调戏；n.调情者，卖俏者 | |
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15
flirting
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| v.调情，打情骂俏( flirt的现在分词 ) | |
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miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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17
glum
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| adj.闷闷不乐的，阴郁的 | |
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18
expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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19
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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20
outrage
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| n.暴行，侮辱，愤怒；vt.凌辱，激怒 | |
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21
passionately
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| ad.热烈地，激烈地 | |
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22
Augmented
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| adj.增音的 动词augment的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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23
covert
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| adj.隐藏的；暗地里的 | |
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24
stiffening
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| n. (使衣服等)变硬的材料, 硬化 动词stiffen的现在分词形式 | |
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25
protracted
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| adj.拖延的；延长的v.拖延“protract”的过去式和过去分词 | |
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26
rigidity
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| adj.钢性，坚硬 | |
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27
intensity
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| n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度 | |
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28
consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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29
uproar
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| n.骚动，喧嚣，鼎沸 | |
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30
alleged
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| a.被指控的，嫌疑的 | |
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31
rant
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| v.咆哮；怒吼；n.大话；粗野的话 | |
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32
proceedings
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| n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报 | |
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33
intake
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| n.吸入，纳入；进气口，入口 | |
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34
farce
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| n.闹剧，笑剧，滑稽戏；胡闹 | |
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35
impeached
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| v.控告（某人）犯罪( impeach的过去式和过去分词 )；弹劾；对（某事物）怀疑；提出异议 | |
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36
offenses
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| n.进攻( offense的名词复数 )；（球队的）前锋；进攻方法；攻势 | |
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37
rustle
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| v.沙沙作响；偷盗(牛、马等)；n.沙沙声声 | |
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38
rustler
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| n.[美口]偷牛贼 | |
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39
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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40
distress
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| n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛 | |
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41
rangers
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| 护林者( ranger的名词复数 )； 突击队员 | |
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42
outlaws
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| 歹徒，亡命之徒( outlaw的名词复数 )； 逃犯 | |
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43
infamous
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| adj.声名狼藉的，臭名昭著的，邪恶的 | |
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44
inflame
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| v.使燃烧；使极度激动；使发炎 | |
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45
ranching
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| adj.放牧的 | |
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46
inquisitive
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| adj.求知欲强的，好奇的，好寻根究底的 | |
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47
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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48
gall
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| v.使烦恼，使焦躁，难堪；n.磨难 | |
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49
bluffed
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| 以假象欺骗，吹牛( bluff的过去式和过去分词 )； 以虚张声势找出或达成 | |
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50
bluff
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| v.虚张声势，用假象骗人；n.虚张声势，欺骗 | |
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51
growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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52
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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53
parlor
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| n.店铺，营业室；会客室，客厅 | |
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54
eloquent
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| adj.雄辩的，口才流利的；明白显示出的 | |
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55
sinister
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| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
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56
bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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57
miserably
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| adv.痛苦地；悲惨地；糟糕地；极度地 | |
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58
stature
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| n.（高度）水平，（高度）境界，身高，身材 | |
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59
hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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60
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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61
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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62
forerunner
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| n.前身，先驱（者），预兆，祖先 | |
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precursor
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| n.先驱者；前辈；前任；预兆；先兆 | |
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64
abeyance
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| n.搁置，缓办，中止，产权未定 | |
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65
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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66
killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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67
inclination
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| n.倾斜；点头；弯腰；斜坡；倾度；倾向；爱好 | |
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68
conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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69
remonstrated
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| v.抗议( remonstrate的过去式和过去分词 )；告诫 | |
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70
agitated
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| adj.被鼓动的，不安的 | |
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71
frankly
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| adv.坦白地，直率地；坦率地说 | |
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72
habitual
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| adj.习惯性的；通常的，惯常的 | |
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73
scent
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| n.气味，香味，香水，线索，嗅觉；v.嗅，发觉 | |
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74
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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75
peevish
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| adj.易怒的，坏脾气的 | |
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76
constrainedly
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| 不自然地，勉强地，强制地 | |
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77
bluster
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| v.猛刮；怒冲冲的说；n.吓唬，怒号；狂风声 | |
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78
crooked
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| adj.弯曲的；不诚实的，狡猾的，不正当的 | |
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79
dealers
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| n.商人( dealer的名词复数 )；贩毒者；毒品贩子；发牌者 | |
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80
glimmering
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| n.微光，隐约的一瞥adj.薄弱地发光的v.发闪光，发微光( glimmer的现在分词 ) | |
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81
rustled
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| v.发出沙沙的声音( rustle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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82
lawsuit
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| n.诉讼，控诉 | |
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83
reticence
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| n.沉默，含蓄 | |
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84
herd
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| n.兽群，牧群；vt.使集中，把…赶在一起 | |
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85
steer
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| vt.驾驶，为…操舵；引导；vi.驾驶 | |
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86
hunch
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| n.预感，直觉 | |
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87
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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88
rustling
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| n. 瑟瑟声，沙沙声 adj. 发沙沙声的 | |
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89
horde
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| n.群众，一大群 | |
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90
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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91
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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92
aloof
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| adj.远离的；冷淡的，漠不关心的 | |
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93
outfit
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| n.（为特殊用途的）全套装备，全套服装 | |
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94
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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95
savvy
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| v.知道，了解；n.理解能力，机智，悟性；adj.有见识的，懂实际知识的，通情达理的 | |
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96
jaw
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| n.颚，颌，说教，流言蜚语；v.喋喋不休，教训 | |
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97
impulsive
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| adj.冲动的，刺激的；有推动力的 | |
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98
butt
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| n.笑柄；烟蒂；枪托；臀部；v.用头撞或顶 | |
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99
streak
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| n.条理，斑纹，倾向，少许，痕迹；v.加条纹，变成条纹，奔驰，快速移动 | |
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100
gauged
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| adj.校准的；标准的；量规的；量计的v.（用仪器）测量( gauge的过去式和过去分词 )；估计；计量；划分 | |
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101
courageous
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| adj.勇敢的，有胆量的 | |
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102
cyclones
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| n.气旋( cyclone的名词复数 )；旋风；飓风；暴风 | |
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103
retraced
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| v.折回( retrace的过去式和过去分词 )；回忆；回顾；追溯 | |
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104
displeasing
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| 不愉快的，令人发火的 | |
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105
profane
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| adj.亵神的，亵渎的；vt.亵渎，玷污 | |
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106
deftness
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107
rendezvous
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| n.约会，约会地点，汇合点；vi.汇合，集合；vt.使汇合，使在汇合地点相遇 | |
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108
skulking
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| v.潜伏，偷偷摸摸地走动，鬼鬼祟祟地活动( skulk的现在分词 ) | |
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109
yelp
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| vi.狗吠 | |
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110
clatter
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| v./n.(使)发出连续而清脆的撞击声 | |
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111
hoofs
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| n.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的名词复数 )v.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的第三人称单数 ) | |
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112
hoof
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| n.(马，牛等的)蹄 | |
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113
looming
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| n.上现蜃景（光通过低层大气发生异常折射形成的一种海市蜃楼）v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的现在分词 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近 | |
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114
chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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115
narrated
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| v.故事( narrate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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116
somber
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| adj.昏暗的，阴天的，阴森的，忧郁的 | |
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117
pertaining
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| 与…有关系的，附属…的，为…固有的(to) | |
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118
vile
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| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
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119
hoarsely
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| adv.嘶哑地 | |
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120
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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121
realization
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| n.实现；认识到，深刻了解 | |
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122
poignant
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| adj.令人痛苦的，辛酸的，惨痛的 | |
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123
wreck
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| n.失事，遇难；沉船；vt.(船等)失事，遇难 | |
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124
brutal
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| adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的 | |
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125
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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126
ambushed
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| v.埋伏( ambush的过去式和过去分词 )；埋伏着 | |
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127
imperative
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| n.命令，需要；规则；祈使语气；adj.强制的；紧急的 | |
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128
guilt
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| n.犯罪；内疚；过失，罪责 | |
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129
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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130
adobe
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| n.泥砖，土坯，美国Adobe公司 | |
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131
bribed
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| v.贿赂( bribe的过去式和过去分词 )；向（某人）行贿，贿赂 | |
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132
simultaneously
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| adv.同时发生地，同时进行地 | |
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133
divination
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| n.占卜，预测 | |
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134
incentive
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| n.刺激；动力；鼓励；诱因；动机 | |
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135
binding
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| 有约束力的，有效的，应遵守的 | |
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136
vow
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| n.誓(言)，誓约；v.起誓，立誓 | |
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137
obsession
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| n.困扰，无法摆脱的思想(或情感) | |
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138
harassed
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| adj. 疲倦的，厌烦的 动词harass的过去式和过去分词 | |
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139
zest
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| n.乐趣；滋味，风味；兴趣 | |
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140
persistently
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| ad.坚持地；固执地 | |
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141
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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142
attentive
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| adj.注意的，专心的；关心(别人)的，殷勤的 | |
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143
debonair
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| adj.殷勤的，快乐的 | |
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144
indifference
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| n.不感兴趣，不关心，冷淡，不在乎 | |
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145
piqued
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| v.伤害…的自尊心( pique的过去式和过去分词 )；激起（好奇心） | |
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146
ridge
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| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
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147
drowsy
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| adj.昏昏欲睡的，令人发困的 | |
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148
fragrant
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| adj.芬香的，馥郁的，愉快的 | |
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149
saucy
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| adj.无礼的；俊俏的；活泼的 | |
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