“We ought to be able to clear and plow3 one field this afternoon,” said Phil, when the last dish was wiped and put away.
Readily the younger boy agreed, and hitching4 the blacks to the plow, they were soon at the clearing, which looked as though it were pockmarked, the surface was so pitted with holes where the brush had been blown out.
“We’ll save time by dragging with an iron rail, the way Mr. Jay told us, instead of trying to plow this scrub growth and grass under,” declared Ted5. Accordingly they took the whiffle-trees and some chains from the plow, returned to camp, hitched6 on to the rail the aged7 settler had loaned them, drew it to the clearing, where they quickly made a horse fast to each end.
“Ready?” called Phil.
“Ready,” answered his brother.
“Then giddap.”
As the horses started, the edge of the rail bit into the ground, tearing up everything in its course, and by night the boys had cleared a couple of acres, for the growth was not heavy.
“Which shall it be—clear some more land or plant what we have cleared?” inquired Phil, when they were ready to work, the next morning. “Or I say, better still, as there is no wind, let’s burn the brush we cleared yesterday. Those piles don’t look very well, and if Petersen—”
“Oh, bother Petersen! As Joy said, he’s afraid of us. But we won’t burn any brush till Andy or Steve is here, it’s too dangerous.”
“Guess you are right. Which is it, clear or plant?”
“Plant. If I don’t sow my ‘Durum’ wheat right off, it won’t have any chance.”
“Hoped you had forgotten Durum for a while,” laughed his brother. “But as you haven’t, I suppose you must have your way. You can sow Durum and I’ll sow alfalfa.”
Laughing and chatting happily, the young homesteaders cut two bags in halves, tied short pieces of rope to the corners of the lower portions, filled them with their respective seeds, and, slinging8 the ropes over their shoulders, set forth9 for their clearing.
Taking a handful of the seed, they scattered10 it broadcast, as they walked back and forth across the fields they had prepared.
“We must go back for more alfalfa,” called Phil, before he had covered quite half of his clearing.
“More seed?” repeated his brother, in amazement11. “Why, you had enough for that whole field. What on earth have you done with it?”
“Sowed it, of course.”
“Dumped it, you mean,” grinned Ted. “Look! I’ve got half of mine left. There won’t be room for your alfalfa to grow, it will be so thick.”
“And your Durum will be so thin you can drive a team between each stalk,” retorted Phil.
“Well, my seed will last to cover all the land I want, which is more than you can say for your alfalfa. If you keep on as you’ve started, you won’t have enough to plant one field, instead of four. And you know the storekeeper said we had a plenty for four.”
“Perhaps you can make it last longer, I can’t. I don’t believe that man in Bradley told the truth,” snapped the elder boy.
“Now don’t get peevish12. Go back to camp, get some more seed, and when you return, I’ll show you how to sow it.”
In no pleasant mood Phil started off, only to return at full speed, beckoning13 frantically14 to his brother.
Surprised at such actions, and the more that Phil uttered no word of explanation, Ted ran to meet him.
“There are two men at the hut, and they are throwing our things out,” gasped15 the elder boy, in a hoarse16 whisper, as they came within easy hailing distance.
“They didn’t see me. I didn’t give them the chance.”
“Well, we have our rakes. We ought to be able to put up some fight with them. Come on.”
But when the young homesteaders, after approaching the camp with all the stealth they knew, arrived at their hut, no sound came from within.
“Probably they have seen us,” whispered Ted, in his brother’s ear.
“Then we’ll fool them,” returned Phil. And taking off his cap, he placed it on the end of the rake, then pushed it forward until it was at the edge of the door where it would be plainly visible to any one inside.
Hearts seemingly in their mouths, the boys waited. But still there was no sign of the men Phil had seen.
At the end of several minutes Ted moved close to the hut, and carefully made an opening through which he could look.
“Not a soul in there,” he exclaimed. “You must have been dreaming, Phil.”
“Guess I know two men when I see them,” he retorted. “Let’s act as though we didn’t know they were here. We’ll talk out loud and pretend to be returning from the clearing. That ought to fetch them. Be ready, though.”
This ruse18 also failed in its purpose, and, throwing discretion19 to the winds, Ted rushed boldly round the corner, then paused abruptly20.
Hung beside the door was a sheet of paper on which was written in crude spelling:
You claim jumpers must go! Take your things and get! E 1 belongs to us. We filed on it 3 munths ago. We’ve put your things outside, as the law directs. If we find you or them here when we return, there’ll be more to it. Claim jumping ain’t healthy in these regions!
The Rightful Owners of E 1.
Too astonished to speak for the moment, the boys stared at the warning.
“That’s some trick!” Ted exclaimed at last.
“Bet it’s Petersen’s work,” added his brother. “It’s somebody’s, that’s certain,” agreed Ted. “The thing for us to do is to go to Waterville and file our claim as fast as we can.”
“Suppose these men have been there first,” suggested the elder boy.
“Andy would have told us. Come on, we haven’t any time to lose. You get the money while I saddle.”
Ere Ted had finished, however, Phil joined him, his face white.
“The money’s gone!” he shouted.
Dropping the cinch he was buckling21, his brother dashed into the hut where the displaced boughs22, the uncovered hole, and empty can proved the truth of the announcement.
“Not quite. We kept out some, you know. Twenty dollars, to be exact. That’s enough to pay the cost of filing. Let’s show these robbers we can do a thing or two. Good! They must have overlooked our pistols, though they’ve helped themselves to our rifles.”
Angered at the robbery and warning, the young homesteaders hurriedly buckled24 on their holsters, put some cartridges25 in their pockets, selected some food from the pile of their belongings26 in front of their door, and, finishing the saddling of their ponies27, galloped28 away.
Having learned from Andy that the way to Waterville was the road leading past Petersen’s section, they lost no time in going down the brook29 and were soon racing30 along the highway.
With their mounts dripping lather31, the young homesteaders finally drew rein32 in front of a building bearing a sign “Land Office.”
“We want to file on a claim,” said Phil, when they had entered.
“Nineteen dollars.”
“We have it,” announced Ted, wondering if the relief he felt as he heard the amount was evident in his voice.
“Answer these questions,” he snapped. “Names.”
“Phil and Ted Porter,” replied the elder boy.
“Where do you want to file?”
“On quarter section, E 1, Chikau township.”
Mindful of Andy’s statement that the registrar had long coveted36 the section upon which they had settled, the boys watched him closely as this answer was given. No outward sign of emotion did he evince. His head, however, was bent37 over the paper on which he was writing, and could the young homesteaders have seen the light that appeared in his eyes, they would have become even more upset than they were at the warning they had received.
“Raise your right hands and be sworn,” droned the agent, and when the oath had been administered, he continued his interrogations, having put down their general description, leaving the particulars of their parentage and family.
“You have examined the land you desire for a homestead?”
“Any coal or minerals?”
“No, sir.”
“You are not filing this entry for the purpose of selling out to any person, persons, or corporations, or with their connivance39?”
“No, sir.”
“You will live on and cultivate the land to the best of your ability?”
“Yes, sir.”
“By the way, you will enjoy the benefit of the law just signed by the President reducing the period of residence from five to three years and requiring a sojourn40 on the land of only five months in each year. You are not taking up this land as a speculation41?”
“No, sir.”
“Now just sign your names, there. Good! That completes the filing of your entry, except the payment of the fees. As you are taking up one hundred and sixty acres, you must pay the government ten dollars; if you had taken only eighty, or less, it would only have been five: I am entitled to a commission of a dollar and a half for each forty acres and a fee of a dollar and a half for administering the oath and taking your affidavit43, nineteen dollars in all.
“Ah, thank you,” as Ted handed him the money. “Now, if you wish, at the end of fourteen months, you can commute44 your entry. That is, by paying a dollar and a quarter an acre and the necessary fees for being sworn, having four witnesses testify that you have lived on and cultivated the land for fourteen consecutive45 months, and the cost of notice by publication in a newspaper of your intended commutation, you can obtain your title to the land, which is called the patent. Of course, at the end of three years, without any charge per acre but with the fees for witnesses and the rest, you can obtain your patent just the same. The rest of the details you can learn from this pamphlet.”
“Then you have accepted our entry?” asked Ted, after a silence of several seconds had brought no more questions.
“Not by any means.” And there was a sinister46 smile about the registrar’s mouth. “I have merely entered your claim.”
As they heard the words, so evidently portent47 with meaning, the boys’ hearts sank, for they had taken hope as the interrogation had proceeded so smoothly48.
“Doesn’t this constitute the filing of our entry?” hazarded Phil, timidly.
“No, I told you.”
“Why not? Has—has any one filed before us?” stammered Ted.
“What makes you ask that?”
“Why—” began the boy, when Phil broke in: “We were told this would be the regular form.”
“So it is. I wanted to get your answers under oath. The government is keen for punishing land frauds.”
“Land frauds?” exclaimed both boys together.
“Exactly. You boys are neither of you of age. You have offered no paper from your parent approving your act, you have not received a special permit from the Secretary of the Interior, you have not offered evidence of having served in the army or navy, which would allow you to become homesteaders even if not of age. It is evident, therefore, that you are making a fraudulent entry. It will be my duty to have you arrested.”
“Take back your money, Ted,” commanded his brother, boldly, though inwardly quaking at the threat of arrest.
“Don’t touch it!” snapped the registrar.
“Why not? The money is ours. You have refused our entry, so you have no right to it.”
“Isn’t my time worth anything?”
“Not out of our money. Put it in your pocket, Ted.”
“Leave it there. It is necessary as evidence of your filing.”
“Then give us a receipt,” retorted the elder boy.
Realizing that he could not bluff49 the young homesteaders, Simmons made out a receipt, whereupon Ted pushed the money toward him.
“I warn you not to leave this region until I have instructions from Washington about dealing50 with you,” admonished51 the registrar.
“You will find us on our homestead, if you want us,” returned Phil.
“If you go there, you do so at your own risk.”
“Yes.”
“Then come on, Ted. Oh, how soon may we expect to hear about it?”
“In two weeks, more or less.”
“Which will give us time to consult Mr. Hopkins,” commented the elder boy, and summoning all his dignity, he led the way from the office, his brother at his heels, while the registrar laughed unpleasantly.
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收听单词发音
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1
mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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ravenously
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| adv.大嚼地，饥饿地 | |
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plow
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| n.犁，耕地，犁过的地；v.犁，费力地前进[英]plough | |
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4
hitching
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| 搭乘； （免费）搭乘他人之车( hitch的现在分词 )； 搭便车； 攀上； 跃上 | |
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ted
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| vt.翻晒，撒，撒开 | |
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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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7
aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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slinging
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| 抛( sling的现在分词 )； 吊挂； 遣送； 押往 | |
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9
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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11
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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12
peevish
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| adj.易怒的，坏脾气的 | |
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13
beckoning
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| adj.引诱人的，令人心动的v.（用头或手的动作）示意，召唤( beckon的现在分词 ) | |
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14
frantically
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| ad.发狂地, 发疯地 | |
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15
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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16
hoarse
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| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
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17
bemoaned
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| v.为（某人或某事）抱怨( bemoan的过去式和过去分词 )；悲悼；为…恸哭；哀叹 | |
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18
ruse
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| n.诡计，计策；诡计 | |
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discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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20
abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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21
buckling
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| 扣住 | |
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boughs
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| 大树枝( bough的名词复数 ) | |
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sobbed
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| 哭泣，啜泣( sob的过去式和过去分词 )； 哭诉，呜咽地说 | |
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buckled
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| a. 有带扣的 | |
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cartridges
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| 子弹( cartridge的名词复数 )； （打印机的）墨盒； 录音带盒； （唱机的）唱头 | |
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26
belongings
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| n.私人物品，私人财物 | |
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27
ponies
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| 矮种马，小型马( pony的名词复数 )； ￡25 25 英镑 | |
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28
galloped
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| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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29
brook
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| n.小河，溪；v.忍受，容让 | |
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racing
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| n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的 | |
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31
lather
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| n.(肥皂水的)泡沫，激动 | |
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32
rein
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| n.疆绳，统治，支配；vt.以僵绳控制，统治 | |
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33
registrar
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| n.记录员，登记员；(大学的)注册主任 | |
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34
stammered
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| v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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35
grunt
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| v.嘟哝；作呼噜声；n.呼噜声，嘟哝 | |
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36
coveted
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| adj.令人垂涎的；垂涎的，梦寐以求的v.贪求，觊觎(covet的过去分词)；垂涎；贪图 | |
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37
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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38
acting
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| n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的 | |
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39
connivance
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| n.纵容；默许 | |
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40
sojourn
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| v./n.旅居，寄居；逗留 | |
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41
speculation
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| n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机 | |
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42
minor
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| adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修 | |
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43
affidavit
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| n.宣誓书 | |
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44
commute
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| vi.乘车上下班；vt.减(刑)；折合；n.上下班交通 | |
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45
consecutive
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| adj.连续的，联贯的，始终一贯的 | |
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46
sinister
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| adj.不吉利的，凶恶的，左边的 | |
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47
portent
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| n.预兆；恶兆；怪事 | |
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48
smoothly
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| adv.平滑地，顺利地，流利地，流畅地 | |
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49
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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50
dealing
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| n.经商方法，待人态度 | |
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51
admonished
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| v.劝告( admonish的过去式和过去分词 )；训诫；（温和地）责备；轻责 | |
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52
pending
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| prep.直到，等待…期间；adj.待定的；迫近的 | |
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