A thin crowd surrounded the auctioneer's table, but the men stood in loose clusters, and George, walking through them, noticed that the undesirable9 element was largely represented. There were a number of small farmers, attracted by curiosity, or perhaps a wish to buy; but these kept to themselves, and men from the settlement of no fixed10 profession who worked spasmodically at different tasks, and spent the rest of their time in the Sachem, were more plentiful11. Besides these, there were some strangers, and George thought the appearance of several was far from prepossessing.
It was a glorious day. There was vigor12 in the warm breeze that swept the grassy13 waste; the sunshine that bathed the black loam14 where the green blades were springing up seemed filled with promise; but as the sale proceeded George became sensible of a vague compunction. The sight of the new wheat troubled him—Langside had laboriously15 sown that crop, which somebody else would reap. Watching the battered16 domestic utensils17 and furniture being carried out for sale had the same disturbing effect. Poor and comfortless as the shack was, it had, until rude hands had desecrated18 it, been a home. George felt that he was consenting to the ruin of a defenseless man, assisting to drive him forth19, a wanderer and an outcast. He wondered how far the terrors of loneliness had urged Langside into his reckless courses—homesteaders scattered20 about the wide, empty spaces occasionally became insane—but with an effort he overcame the sense of pity.
Langside had slackly given way, and, choosing an evil part, had become a menace to the community; as Grant had said, he must go. This was unavoidable, and though the duty of getting rid of him was painful, it must be carried out. George was usually unsuspicious and of easy-going nature up to a certain point, but there was a vein21 of hardness in him.
Once or twice the auctioneer was interrupted by jeering23 cries, but he kept his temper and the sale went on, though George noticed that only a few strangers made any purchases. At length, when the small sundries had been cleared off, there was a curious silence as the land was put up. It was evident that the majority of those present had been warned not to bid.
The auctioneer made a little speech in praise of the property, and paused when it fell flat; then, while George wondered what understanding the creditors25 had arrived at with Grant, a brown-faced stranger strode forward.
"I've been advised to let this place alone," he said. "I suppose you have a right to sell?"
"Yes, sir," replied the auctioneer. "Come along, and look at my authority, if you want. It's mortgaged property that has been foreclosed after the creditors had waited a long while for a settlement, and I may say that the interest demanded is under the present market rate. Everything's quite regular; no injustice26 has been done. If you're a purchaser, I'll take your bid."
"Then I'll raise you a hundred dollars," said the man.
There was a growl27 of dissatisfaction, and the stranger turned to the part of the crowd from which it proceeded.
"This is an open auction, boys. I was born in the next province, and I've seen a good many farms seized in the years when we have had harvest frost, but this is the first time I ever saw anybody try to interfere28 with a legal sale. Guess you may as well quit yapping, unless you mean to bid against me."
There was derisive29 laughter, and a loafer from Sage30 Butte threw a clod. Then another growl, more angry than the first, broke out as Grant, moving forward into a prominent place, nodded to the auctioneer. His rugged32 face was impassive, and he ignored the crowd. A number of the farmers strolled toward him and stood near by with a resolute33 air which had its effect on the others, though George saw by Grant's look of surprise that he had not expected this. Another man made a bid, and the competition proceeded languidly, but except for a little mocking laughter and an occasional jeer22, nobody interfered34. In the end, the stranger bought the land; and soon afterward35 Grant walked up to George.
"I want the team, if I can get it at a reasonable figure; they're real good beasts with the imported Percheron strain strong in them," he said. "It will be a while before they're put up, and I'd be glad if you could ride round and let Flora36 know what's keeping me. I'd an idea she expected there might be some trouble to-day."
"I'll get off; but there's a mower37 yonder I would like. Will you buy it for me, if it goes at a fair price?"
"Certainly," promised Grant. "Tell Flora to give you supper; and if you ride back afterward by the trail, you'll meet me and I'll let you know about the mower."
George rode away shortly afterward, and Grant waited some time before he secured the team, after rather determined38 opposition39. Finding nobody willing to lead the horses home, he hitched40 them to the back of his light wagon4 and set off at a leisurely42 pace. When he had gone a little distance, he overtook a man plodding43 along the trail. The fellow stopped when Grant came up.
"Will you give me a lift?" he asked.
The request is seldom refused on the prairie, and Grant pulled up his team.
"Get in," he said. "Where are you going?"
"North," answered the other, as he clambered up. "Looking for a job; left the railroad yesterday and spent the night in a patch of scrub. Heard there was stock in the bluff country; that's my line."
Grant glanced at the fellow sharply as he got into the wagon and noticed nothing in his disfavor. His laconic44 account of himself was borne out by his appearance.
"It's quite a way to the first homestead, if you're making for the big bluffs," he said. "You had better come along with me and go on in the morning."
"I'll be glad," responded the other. "These nights are pretty cold, and my blanket's thin."
They drove on, and after a while the stranger glanced at the team hitched behind the vehicle.
"Pretty good beasts," he remarked. "That mare45's a daisy. Ought to be worth a pile."
"She cost it," Grant told him. "I've just bought her at a sale."
"I heard the boys talking about it when I was getting dinner at the settlement," said the stranger carelessly. "Called the fellow whose place was sold up Langside, I think. There's nothing much wrong with the team you're driving."
Grant nodded; they were valuable animals, for he was fond of good horses. He was well satisfied with his new purchases and knew that Langside had bought the mare after a profitable haulage contract during the building of a new railroad. His companion's flattering opinion made him feel rather amiable46 toward him.
It was getting near dusk when they entered a strip of broken country, where the ground was sandy and lolled in low ridges48 and steep hillocks. Here and there small pines on the higher summits stood out black against the glaring crimson49 light; birches and poplars straggled up some of the slopes; and the trail, which wound through the hollows, was loose and heavy. The moist sand clogged50 the wheels and the team plodded51 through it laboriously, until they came to a spot where the melted snow running into a depression had formed a shallow lake. This had dried up, but the soil was very soft and marshy52. Grant pulled up and glanced dubiously53 at the deep ruts cut in the road.
"There's a way round through the sand and scrub, but it's mighty54 rough and I'm not sure we could get through it in the dark," he said.
"S'pose you double-yoke and drive straight ahead," suggested the other.
"I see you have some harness in the wagon."
Grant considered. The harness, which had been thrown in with his purchase, was old and short of one or two pieces; it would take time and some contriving55 to hitch41 on the second team, and the light was failing rapidly. When he had crossed the soft place, there would still be some rough ground to traverse before he reached the smoother trail by which George would be riding.
"It might be as quick to go round," he replied.
"No, sir," said his companion, firmly. "There's a blamed steep bit up the big sandhill."
Suspicion flashed on Grant; the man had led him to believe he was a stranger to the locality, and it was significant that he should insist upon their stopping and harnessing the second team.
"That's so," he returned. "Guess you had better get down and see if it's very soft ahead."
The fellow rose with a promptness which partly disarmed57 Grant's suspicions, and put his foot on the edge of the vehicle, ready to jump down. Then he turned swiftly and flung himself upon the farmer, crushing his soft felt hat down to his chin. Grant could see nothing, and while he strove to get a grip on his antagonist58 he was thrown violently backward off the driving seat. The wagon was of the usual high pattern, and he came down on the ground with a crash that nearly knocked him unconscious. Before he got up, he was seized firmly and held with his shoulders pressed against the soil. He struggled, however, until somebody grasped his legs and his arms were drawn59 forcibly apart. It was impossible to see, because the thick hat was still over his face and somebody held it fast, but he had an idea that three or four men had fallen upon him. They had, no doubt, been hidden among the brush; the affair had been carefully arranged with his treacherous60 companion.
"Open his jacket; try the inside pocket," cried one; and he felt hands fumbling61 about him. Then there was a disappointed exclamation63. "Check-book; that's no good!"
The farmer made a last determined effort. After having long ruled his household and hired men as a benevolent64 but decidedly firm-handed autocrat65, it was singularly galling66 to be treated in this unceremonious fashion, and if he could only shake off the hat and get a glimpse of his assailants he would know them again. Moreover, he had brought a roll of bills with him, in case he should make some small purchases. He was, however, held firmly, and the hands he had felt dived into another pocket.
"Got it now!" cried a hoarse67 voice. "Here's his wallet; seems to have a good wad in it!"
Grant, though he was generally sternly collected, boiled with fury. He felt no fear, but an uncontrollable longing68 to grapple with the men who had so humiliated69 him.
"Guess, I'll fix you up!" came an angry voice when Grant managed to fling off one pair of hands.
Then he received a heavy blow on the head. Somebody had struck him with the butt31 of a whip or riding quirt. The pain was distressing70; he felt dazed and stupid, disinclined to move, but he retained consciousness. There were sounds to which he could attach a meaning: a rattle71 of harness which indicated that his driving team was being loosened, a thud of hoofs72 as the heavier Percherons were led away. In the meanwhile he could still feel a strong grasp on his shoulder, holding him down, and once or twice a man near him gave the others sharp instructions. Grant made a languid effort to fix the voice in his memory, but this was difficult because his mind worked heavily.
At length the driving team was unyoked—he could hear it being led away—but the ache in his head grew almost intolerable and his lassitude more intense. For a while he had no idea what was going on; and then a hoarse cry, which seemed one of alarm, rang out sharply. There was a patter of running feet, a thud of hoofs on the soft soil, and, breaking through these sounds, a rhythmic73 staccato drumming. Somebody was riding hard across the uneven74 ground.
Gathering75 his languid senses, Grant suddenly moved his head, flinging the hat from his face, and raised himself a little, leaning on one elbow. There was no longer anybody near him, but he could see a man riding past a shadowy clump76 of trees a little distance off, leading a second horse. Closer at hand, another man was running hard beside one of the Percherons, and while Grant watched him he made an effort to scramble77 up on the back of the unsaddled animal, but slipped off. Both these men were indistinct in the dim hollow, but on a sandy ridge47 above, which still caught the fading light, there was a sharply-outlined mounted figure sweeping78 across the broken ground at a reckless gallop79. It must be Lansing, who had come to the rescue. Grant sent up a faint, hoarse cry of exultation80. He forgot his pain and dizziness, he even forgot he had been assaulted; he was conscious only of a burning wish to see Lansing ride down the fellow who was running beside the Percheron.
There was a patch of thick scrub not far ahead which it would be difficult for the horseman on the rise to break through, and if the fugitive81 could succeed in mounting, he might escape while his pursuer rode round; but Lansing seemed to recognize this. He swept down from the ridge furiously and rode to cut off the thief. Grant saw him come up with the fellow, with his quirt swung high, but the figures of men and horses were now indistinct against the shrub82. There was a blow struck; one of the animals reared, plunged83 and fell; the other went on and vanished into the gloom of the dwarf84 trees.
Then Grant, without remembering how he got up, found himself upon his feet and lurching unsteadily toward the clump of brush. When he reached it, Lansing was standing24 beside his trembling horse, which had a long red gash85 down its shoulder. His hands were stained and a big discolored knife lay near his feet. There was nobody else about, but a beat of hoofs came back, growing fainter, out of the gathering dusk.
George looked around when the farmer joined him, and then pointed62 to the wound on the horse.
"I think it was meant for my leg," he said. "I hit the fellow once with the thick end of the quirt, but he jumped straight at me. The horse reared when he felt the knife and I came off before he fell. When I got up again, the fellow had gone."
Grant felt scarcely capable of standing. He sat down heavily and fumbled86 for his pipe, while George turned his attention to the horse again.
"Though it's only in the muscle, the cut looks deep," he said at length. "I'd better lead him back to your place; it's nearer than mine."
"I'd rather you came along; I'm a bit shaky."
"Of course," said George. "I was forgetting. Those fellows had you down. Are you hurt?"
"They knocked me out with something heavy—my whip, I guess—but I'm getting over it. Cleaned out my pockets; went off with both teams."
George nodded.
"It's pretty bad; quite impossible to get after them. They'll head for
Montana as fast as they can ride."
"Did you see any of them clearly?"
"One fellow looked like Langside, though I couldn't swear to him; but I'd know the man who knifed my horse. Remembered that would be desirable, in case he escaped me; and I got a good look at him. Now, if you feel able shall we make a start? I'm afraid the horse is too lame56 to carry you."
He picked up the knife. Grant rose, and they set off, leading the horse, which moved slowly and painfully. It had grown dark and the trail was rough, but the farmer plodded homeward, stopping a few moments now and then. The path, however, grew smoother when they had left the sandy ridges behind, and by and by the lights of the homestead commenced to twinkle on the vast shadowy plain. Soon after they reached it, George rode away, mounted on a fresh horse, in search of Constable87 Flett.
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1
auction
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| n.拍卖；拍卖会；vt.拍卖 | |
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implements
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| n.工具( implement的名词复数 )；家具；手段；[法律]履行（契约等）v.实现( implement的第三人称单数 )；执行；贯彻；使生效 | |
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wagons
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| n.四轮的运货马车( wagon的名词复数 )；铁路货车；小手推车 | |
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wagon
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| n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车 | |
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shack
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| adj.简陋的小屋，窝棚 | |
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rusty
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| adj.生锈的；锈色的；荒废了的 | |
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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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picketed
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| 用尖桩围住（picket的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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undesirable
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| adj.不受欢迎的，不良的，不合意的，讨厌的；n.不受欢迎的人，不良分子 | |
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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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plentiful
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| adj.富裕的，丰富的 | |
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vigor
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| n.活力，精力，元气 | |
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grassy
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| adj.盖满草的；长满草的 | |
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loam
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| n.沃土 | |
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laboriously
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| adv.艰苦地；费力地；辛勤地；（文体等）佶屈聱牙地 | |
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battered
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| adj.磨损的；v.连续猛击；磨损 | |
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utensils
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| 器具，用具，器皿( utensil的名词复数 )； 器物 | |
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desecrated
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| 毁坏或亵渎( desecrate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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vein
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| n.血管，静脉；叶脉，纹理；情绪；vt.使成脉络 | |
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jeer
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| vi.嘲弄，揶揄；vt.奚落；n.嘲笑，讥评 | |
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jeering
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| adj.嘲弄的，揶揄的v.嘲笑( jeer的现在分词 ) | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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creditors
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| n.债权人，债主( creditor的名词复数 ) | |
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injustice
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| n.非正义，不公正，不公平，侵犯（别人的）权利 | |
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growl
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| v.（狗等）嗥叫，（炮等）轰鸣；n.嗥叫，轰鸣 | |
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interfere
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| v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰 | |
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derisive
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| adj.嘲弄的 | |
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sage
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| n.圣人，哲人；adj.贤明的，明智的 | |
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butt
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| n.笑柄；烟蒂；枪托；臀部；v.用头撞或顶 | |
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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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resolute
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| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
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interfered
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| v.干预( interfere的过去式和过去分词 )；调停；妨碍；干涉 | |
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afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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flora
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| n.(某一地区的)植物群 | |
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mower
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| n.割草机 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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hitched
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| （免费）搭乘他人之车( hitch的过去式和过去分词 )； 搭便车； 攀上； 跃上 | |
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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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leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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plodding
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| a.proceeding in a slow or dull way | |
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laconic
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| adj.简洁的；精练的 | |
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mare
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| n.母马，母驴 | |
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amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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ridge
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| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
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ridges
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| n.脊( ridge的名词复数 )；山脊；脊状突起；大气层的)高压脊 | |
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crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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clogged
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| （使）阻碍( clog的过去式和过去分词 )； 淤滞 | |
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plodded
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| v.沉重缓慢地走（路）( plod的过去式和过去分词 )；努力从事；沉闷地苦干；缓慢进行（尤指艰难枯燥的工作） | |
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52
marshy
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| adj.沼泽的 | |
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dubiously
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| adv.可疑地，怀疑地 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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contriving
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| （不顾困难地）促成某事( contrive的现在分词 )； 巧妙地策划，精巧地制造（如机器）； 设法做到 | |
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56
lame
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| adj.跛的，(辩解、论据等)无说服力的 | |
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disarmed
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| v.裁军( disarm的过去式和过去分词 )；使息怒 | |
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antagonist
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| n.敌人，对抗者，对手 | |
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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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treacherous
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| adj.不可靠的，有暗藏的危险的；adj.背叛的，背信弃义的 | |
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fumbling
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| n. 摸索,漏接 v. 摸索,摸弄,笨拙的处理 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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64
benevolent
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| adj.仁慈的，乐善好施的 | |
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autocrat
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| n.独裁者；专横的人 | |
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galling
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| adj.难堪的,使烦恼的,使焦躁的 | |
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hoarse
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| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
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68
longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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69
humiliated
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| 感到羞愧的 | |
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distressing
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| a.使人痛苦的 | |
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rattle
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| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
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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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rhythmic
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| adj.有节奏的，有韵律的 | |
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74
uneven
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| adj.不平坦的，不规则的，不均匀的 | |
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75
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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76
clump
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| n.树丛，草丛；vi.用沉重的脚步行走 | |
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77
scramble
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| v.爬行，攀爬，杂乱蔓延，碎片，片段，废料 | |
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sweeping
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| adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的 | |
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gallop
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| v./n.(马或骑马等)飞奔；飞速发展 | |
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exultation
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| n.狂喜，得意 | |
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81
fugitive
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| adj.逃亡的，易逝的；n.逃犯，逃亡者 | |
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82
shrub
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| n.灌木，灌木丛 | |
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83
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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84
dwarf
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| n.矮子，侏儒，矮小的动植物；vt.使…矮小 | |
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85
gash
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| v.深切，划开；n.(深长的)切(伤)口；裂缝 | |
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86
fumbled
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| （笨拙地）摸索或处理（某事物）( fumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 乱摸，笨拙地弄； 使落下 | |
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87
constable
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| n.(英国)警察，警官 | |
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