A group of about twenty men greeted our appearance with a wild cowboy yell. Some of the men of our outfit1 were there, but not all; and I recognized others from as far south as the Chiracahuas. Windy Bill was there with Jed Parker; but Senor Johnson's bulky figure was nowhere to be seen. The other men were all riders--nobody of any particular standing2 or authority. The sun made it about three o'clock of the afternoon. Our adventures had certainly brought us a good sleep!
After we had satisfied our thirst from a canteen we began to ask and answer questions. Artie Brower had made the ranch3 without mishap4, had told his story, and had promptly5 fallen asleep. Buck6 Johnson, in his usual deliberate manner, read all the papers through twice; pondered for some time while the more excited Jed and Windy fidgeted impatiently; and then, his mind made up, acted with his customary decision. Three men he sent to reconnoitre in the direction of the Bat-eye Tunnel with instructions to keep out of trouble and to report promptly. His other riders he dispatched with an insistent7 summons to all the leading cattlemen as far south as the Chiracahua Range, as far east as Grant's Pass, as far west as Madrona. Such was Buck Johnson's reputation for level-headedness that without hesitation8 these men saddled and rode at their best speed. By noon the weightiest of the Soda9 Spring Valley had gathered in conclave10.
"That's where we faded out," said Jed Parker. "They sent us up to see about you-all. The scouts11 from up here come back with their little Wild West story about knocking down this yere mountain on top of you. We had to believe them because they brought back a little proof with them. Mex guns and spurs and such plunder12 looted off'n the deceased on the field of battle. Bill here can tell you."
"They was only two of them," said Windy Bill, diffident for the first time in his life, "and we managed to catch one of 'em foul13. We been digging here for too long. We ain't no prairie dogs to go delving14 into the bosom15 of the earth. We thought you must be plumb16 deceased anyhow: we couldn't get a peep out of you. I was in favour of leavin' you lay myself. This yere butte seemed like a first-rate imposing17 tomb; and I was willing myself to carve a few choice sentiments on some selected rock. Sure I can carve! But Jed here allowed that you owed him ten dollars and maybe had some money in your pocket----"
"Shut up, Windy," I broke in. "Can't you see the young lady----"
Windy whirled all contrition18 and apologies.
"Don't you mind me, ma'am," he begged. "They call me Windy Bill, and I reckon that's about right. I don't mean nothing. And we'd have dug all through this butte before----"
"I know that. It isn't your talk," interrupted Miss Emory, "but the sun is hot--and--haven't you anything at all to eat?"
"Suffering giraffes!" cried Windy above the chorus of dismay. "Lunkheads! chumps! Of all the idiot plays ever made in this territory!" He turned to the dismayed group. "Ain't any one of you boys had sense enough to bring any grub?"
But nobody had. The old-fashioned Arizona cowboy ate only twice a day. It would never occur to him to carry a lunch for noon. Still, they might have considered a rescue party's probable needs.
We mounted and started for the Box Springs ranch. They had at least known enough to bring extra horses.
"Old Hooper knows the cat is out of the bag now," I suggested as we rode along.
"He sure does."
"Do you think he'll stick: or will he get out?"
"He'll stick."
"I don't know----" I argued, doubtfully.
"I do," with great positiveness.
"Why are you so sure?"
"There are men in the brush all around his ranch to see that he does."
"For heaven's sake how many have you got together?" I cried, astonished.
"About three hundred," said Jed.
"What's the plan?"
"I don't know. They were chewing over it when I left. But I'll bet something's going to pop. There's a bunch of 'em on that sweet little list you-all dug up."
We rode slowly. It was near five o'clock when we pulled down the lane toward the big corrals. The latter were full of riding horses, and the fences were topped with neatly19 arranged saddles. Men were everywhere, seated in rows on top rails, gathered in groups, leaning idly against the ranch buildings. There was a feeling of waiting.
We were discovered and acclaimed20 with a wild yell that brought everybody running. Immediately we were surrounded. Escorted by a clamouring multitude we moved slowly down the lane and into the enclosure.
There awaited us a dozen men headed by Buck Johnson. They emerged from the office as we drew up. At sight of them the cowboys stopped, and we moved forward alone. For here were the substantial men of this part of the territory, the old timers, who had come in the early days and who had persisted through the Indian wars, the border forays, the cattle rustlings, through drought and enmity and bad years. A grim, elderly, four-square, unsmiling little band of granite-faced pioneers, their very appearance carried a conviction of direct and, if necessary, ruthless action. At sight of them my heart leaped. Twenty-four hours previous my case had seemed none too joyful21. Now, mainly by my own efforts, after all, I was no longer alone.
They did not waste time in vain congratulations or query22. The occasion was too grave for such side issues. Buck Johnson said something very brief to the effect that he was glad to see us safe.
"If this young lady will come in first," he suggested.
But I was emboldened23 to speak up.
"This young lady has not had a bite to eat since last night," I interposed.
The senor bent24 on me his grave look.
"Thank you," said he. "Sing!" he roared, and then to the Chinaman who showed up in a nervous hover25: "Give this lady grub, savvy26? If you'll go with him, ma'am, he'll get you up something. Then we'd like to see you."
"I can perfectly27 well wait----" she began.
"I'd rather not, ma'am," said Buck with such grave finality that she merely bowed and followed the cook.
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outfit
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| n.（为特殊用途的）全套装备，全套服装 | |
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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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ranch
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| n.大牧场，大农场 | |
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mishap
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| n.不幸的事，不幸；灾祸 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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buck
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| n.雄鹿，雄兔；v.马离地跳跃 | |
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insistent
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| adj.迫切的，坚持的 | |
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hesitation
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| n.犹豫，踌躇 | |
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soda
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| n.苏打水；汽水 | |
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conclave
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| n.秘密会议，红衣主教团 | |
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scouts
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| 侦察员[机，舰]( scout的名词复数 )； 童子军； 搜索； 童子军成员 | |
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plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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delving
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| v.深入探究，钻研( delve的现在分词 ) | |
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bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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plumb
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| adv.精确地，完全地；v.了解意义，测水深 | |
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imposing
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| adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的 | |
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contrition
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| n.悔罪，痛悔 | |
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neatly
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| adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地 | |
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acclaimed
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| adj.受人欢迎的 | |
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joyful
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| adj.欢乐的，令人欢欣的 | |
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query
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| n.疑问，问号，质问；vt.询问，表示怀疑 | |
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emboldened
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| v.鼓励，使有胆量( embolden的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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hover
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| vi.翱翔，盘旋；徘徊；彷徨，犹豫 | |
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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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perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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