CHAPTER XXVII SAUL GRIDLEY'S UNPLEASANT SURPRISE

 All at once, five minutes after Bean had left the wagon¹, the tall form of Saul Gridley appeared in the center of the road. He smiled grimly.

 

"So you have come back?" he said, as Gerald pulled up.

 

"Yes," answered Gerald, calmly, though his heart beat rapidly with excitement.

 

"That was a mean trick you played on me!"

 

"What do you mean?"

 

"You know well enough. You thought yourself very smart, when you rode off with the gold and left me a box of gravel² stones!"

 

"I didn't care to give you the gold. You asked me to give you the tin box, and I did so!"

 

"Yes; but you knew what I wanted. Didn't it occur to you that I would stop you on your return from the bank?"

 

"Well, you have done so! What do you propose to do?"

 

"To flog you within an inch of your life!" said the tramp savagely³. "Just get out of the wagon, and we will proceed to business!"

 

As he spoke⁴ he seized the bridle⁵, and Gerald felt that the crisis had come. He drew the whistle from his pocket, and blew a loud blast upon it.

 

Saul Gridley was startled by the whistle. What did it mean? He decided⁶ that it was only a ruse⁷, intended to frighten him.

 

"None of your fooling!" he exclaimed, angrily. "It won't do any good. Get down from the wagon immediately!"

 

"Thank you. I would rather not," said Gerald, composedly.

 

"Then, my boy, I will pull you down!"

 

He started to carry out his threat, when something happened that really startled him. A bullet whizzed by his ear.

 

"What!" he began, in a startled tone, but the sentence was not finished, for, darting⁸ from a covert⁹ where he had been concealed¹⁰, Louis Bean made his appearance on the scene. Saul Gridley stared at him with dazed countenance¹¹.

 

"What are you about there, you rascal¹²?" demanded Bean, sternly.

 

Saul Gridley was a man who could act the bully¹³ with one inferior to himself in strength, but he was a coward in the presence of his physical superior.

 

"Why did you fire at me?" he asked, nervously¹⁴. "You might have killed me!"

 

"I don't think any one would have missed you. But you have not answered my question. What were you doing?"

 

"I—I was just having a little talk with the boy," he answered, stammering¹⁵.

 

"Oh, that is all, is it?"

 

"Yes."

 

"What did he say to you, Gerald?"

 

"He ordered me to get out of the wagon, and threatened to flog me within an inch of my life."

 

"That is what you call having a little talk," said Bean. "What have you to say to this?"

 

"The boy must have misunderstood me," stammered¹⁶ Gridley.

 

"I don't mean that you shall misunderstand me! You attempted to rob this boy a few hours ago."

 

"I did not rob him. Ask him if I did."

 

"No; because he was too sharp for you. What is your name?"

 

"Saul Gridley," answered the tramp, reluctantly.

 

"How long have you been in this neighborhood?"

 

"Two days."

 

"It is not a healthy neighborhood for a man in your line of business. If your attempt at robbery should become known in Campville, you would probably be strung up without delay. However, don't let me interfere¹⁷ with your plans. You want to flog the boy. Well, proceed with your flogging!"

 

"That was only a joke," said Saul Gridley, beginning to look nervous and apprehensive¹⁸.

 

"Then suppose you try to flog me. I offer myself in the place of the boy."

 

"I don't care to undertake it."

 

"That is where you are wise. You would find it the biggest contract you ever undertook. Gerald, what——"

 

"Let me go!" said Saul, nervously.

 

"I think I had better take you to Campville in the wagon."

 

"No, no—they would kill me!" ejaculated Saul, livid with fear.

 

"I will leave it to the boy. What shall I do with this man?"

 

"Let him go, if he will promise to leave the neighborhood at once."

 

"You hear? Will you agree to that?"

 

"Yes," was the eager answer.

 

"And will you promise never to come back?"

 

"Yes; I promise solemnly!"

 

"You had better keep your promise. When Gerald tells of your attempt to rob him, some of his friends may start out to hunt you down."

 

"Don't tell till to-morrow," entreated¹⁹ Saul.

 

"No, I won't. I'll give you time to get away," said Gerald.

 

"You'd better start at once," added Bean.

 

Saul Gridley lost no time in following this advice. When he was a hundred yards away, Louis Bean fired at him, taking care not to hit him. It is needless to say that the fugitive²⁰ increased his speed and soon was out of sight.

 

"He is badly scared," said Bean, laughing. "I don't think we shall have any more trouble with him."

 

Arrived at Campville, Bean got out at the grocery store, where Gerald left the wagon. He went back at once to the Nixon house.

 

The old man's eye brightened when Gerald entered.

 

"I am glad you have come back," he said. "I felt lonely while you were away."

 

"I am glad you missed me," said Gerald, gently. "I deposited the money in the bank, and here is the bank-book."

 

"Very well. You may put it in my desk."

 

"Is there anything I can do for you, Mr. Nixon? Was your dinner brought over from the boarding-house?"

 

"Yes; but I did not have as much appetite when eating alone."

 

"Yet you lived alone for years?"

 

"It was not living—it was only existing. Now I feel much better since Mr. Nugent has forgiven me and allowed me to make atonement. Have you written to him since you came here?"

 

"No. I should like to do so. Have you paper and ink?"

 

"You will find writing materials in the desk."

 

"If I can do nothing for you, I will write at once."

 

"Do so."

 

Gerald wrote briefly²¹, giving an account of his arrival in Campville, and the condition in which he found the man to whom he was sent.

 

When he had finished, he asked: "Won't you add a few lines, Mr. Nixon?"

 

"I don't feel equal to writing, but I will dictate²² if you will write for me."

 

"I will do so with pleasure."

 

Gerald paused with his pen in readiness. After a short time Thomas Nixon began to dictate:

 

"Mr. Nugent—Dear Sir: I cannot thank you sufficiently²³ for your kindness in overlooking my serious offense²⁴, and for sending me Gerald Lane. I was surprised at first that you chose so young a messenger, but already I have seen enough to justify²⁵ your choice. He has made a new man of me, and provided me with a more comfortable home. I very much needed some one to help me in my business, for I am too old and feeble to attend to it myself.

 

"One thing I wish to say, that I do not wish you to be at any expense on my account. I will see that Gerald's expenses are paid, and that he has a satisfactory salary. I suppose I am accounted a miser²⁶ by people in the village, but it is true that I do not care much for money, though I think it a duty to take care of what I have, and with it make what amends²⁷ I can for my past transgressions²⁸. I will see that all the expenses which you have already incurred²⁹ are paid. A new life is opening before me, thanks to your kind arrangements, and I hope that the close of my life may be more creditable than the years that are passed.

 

"Respectfully and gratefully,

 

"Thomas Nixon."

 

Gerald put the two letters in an envelope, and carried them to the post-office. This was in one corner of the grocery store, and Joe Loche, who seemed to be the busiest and most important man in Campville, was the postmaster.

 

Looking ahead a few days, we will follow the letter to Portville.

 

It gave great satisfaction to Mr. Nugent, as it confirmed his judgment³⁰ in selecting so young a messenger. At times it had occurred to him that he was perhaps unwise in throwing so much responsibility on a boy of sixteen, yet it had not seriously weakened his faith in Gerald.

 

The letter removed all doubts.

 

Two hours after the letter was received he was told that a lady wished to see him.

 

"Who is it?" he asked; but the servant was a new one, and could not answer.

 

"Show her up!" he said, briefly.

 

Directly Mrs. Lane entered his presence.

 

"Take a seat, Mrs. Lane," said Mr. Nugent, courteously³¹. "Is there anything I can do for you?"

 

"I wish to know if you have heard from Gerald?" said Mrs. Lane, abruptly³².

 

"I have just received a letter from him."

 

"May I see it?"

 

"I must decline your request, since the letter is to a certain extent confidential³³."

 

"You will, at any rate, tell me where the boy wrote from?"

 

John Nugent hesitated.

 

"As he is my stepson, I have a right to know."

 

"I am glad that you show an interest in your stepson. He writes me from Montana."

 

"Montana!" ejaculated Mrs. Lane. "Is not that a long distance away?"

 

"Two thousand miles or more."

 

"And he is only a boy!"

 

"True, but he has the sense and discretion³⁴ of a young man."

 

"I am aware that you have an exalted³⁵ opinion of Gerald," said Mrs. Lane, looking annoyed. "I consider my Abel quite his equal in the qualities you name."

 

"I am not well acquainted with Abel," said Mr. Nugent, courteously. "If you are correct, I think you are to be congratulated."

 

"How long will Gerald be away?"

 

"I cannot tell at present. The gentleman to whom I sent him is much pleased with him, and will give him a good salary."

 

"Will you give me his address?"

 

"I do not feel at liberty to do so; but if you will leave any letter with me, I will forward it."

 

"You seem to forget that I am his stepmother."

 

"No, I do not. If I hear anything connected with him which warrants it, I will notify you."

 

"I wish Abel had his chance," thought Mrs. Lane, as she rose to go. "Mr. Nugent is infatuated with that boy."

1 wagon   

n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车

参考例句：

• We have to fork the hay into the wagon.我们得把干草用叉子挑进马车里去。
• The muddy road bemired the wagon.马车陷入了泥泞的道路。

2 gravel   

n.砂跞；砂砾层；结石

参考例句：

• We bought six bags of gravel for the garden path.我们购买了六袋碎石用来铺花园的小路。
• More gravel is needed to fill the hollow in the drive.需要更多的砾石来填平车道上的坑洼。

3 savagely   

adv. 野蛮地，残酷地

参考例句：

• The roses had been pruned back savagely. 玫瑰被狠狠地修剪了一番。
• He snarled savagely at her. 他向她狂吼起来。

4 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

5 bridle   

n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒

参考例句：

• He learned to bridle his temper.他学会了控制脾气。
• I told my wife to put a bridle on her tongue.我告诉妻子说话要谨慎。

6 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

7 ruse   

n.诡计，计策；诡计

参考例句：

• The children thought of a clever ruse to get their mother to leave the house so they could get ready for her surprise.孩子们想出一个聪明的办法使妈妈离家，以便他们能准备给她一个惊喜。It is now clear that this was a ruse to divide them.现在已清楚这是一个离间他们的诡计。

8 darting   

v.投掷，投射( dart的现在分词 )；向前冲，飞奔

参考例句：

• Swallows were darting through the clouds. 燕子穿云急飞。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• Swallows were darting through the air. 燕子在空中掠过。 来自辞典例句

9 covert   

adj.隐藏的；暗地里的

参考例句：

• We should learn to fight with enemy in an overt and covert way.我们应学会同敌人做公开和隐蔽的斗争。
• The army carried out covert surveillance of the building for several months.军队对这座建筑物进行了数月的秘密监视。

10 concealed   

a.隐藏的，隐蔽的

参考例句：

• The paintings were concealed beneath a thick layer of plaster. 那些画被隐藏在厚厚的灰泥层下面。
• I think he had a gun concealed about his person. 我认为他当时身上藏有一支枪。

11 countenance   

n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同

参考例句：

• At the sight of this photograph he changed his countenance.他一看见这张照片脸色就变了。
• I made a fierce countenance as if I would eat him alive.我脸色恶狠狠地，仿佛要把他活生生地吞下去。

12 rascal   

n.流氓；不诚实的人

参考例句：

• If he had done otherwise,I should have thought him a rascal.如果他不这样做，我就认为他是个恶棍。
• The rascal was frightened into holding his tongue.这坏蛋吓得不敢往下说了。

13 bully   

n.恃强欺弱者，小流氓；vt.威胁，欺侮

参考例句：

• A bully is always a coward.暴汉常是懦夫。
• The boy gave the bully a pelt on the back with a pebble.那男孩用石子掷击小流氓的背脊。

14 nervously   

adv.神情激动地，不安地

参考例句：

• He bit his lip nervously,trying not to cry.他紧张地咬着唇，努力忍着不哭出来。
• He paced nervously up and down on the platform.他在站台上情绪不安地走来走去。

15 stammering   

v.结巴地说出( stammer的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• He betrayed nervousness by stammering. 他说话结结巴巴说明他胆子小。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• \"Why,\" he said, actually stammering, \"how do you do?\" “哎呀，\"他说，真的有些结结巴巴，\"你好啊？” 来自英汉文学 - 嘉莉妹妹

16 stammered   

v.结巴地说出( stammer的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• He stammered most when he was nervous. 他一紧张往往口吃。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
• Barsad leaned back in his chair, and stammered, \"What do you mean?\" 巴萨往椅背上一靠，结结巴巴地说，“你是什么意思？” 来自英汉文学 - 双城记

17 interfere   

v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰

参考例句：

• If we interfere, it may do more harm than good.如果我们干预的话，可能弊多利少。
• When others interfere in the affair,it always makes troubles. 别人一卷入这一事件，棘手的事情就来了。

18 apprehensive   

adj.担心的，恐惧的，善于领会的

参考例句：

• She was deeply apprehensive about her future.她对未来感到非常担心。
• He was rather apprehensive of failure.他相当害怕失败。

19 entreated   

恳求，乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• They entreated and threatened, but all this seemed of no avail. 他们时而恳求，时而威胁，但这一切看来都没有用。
• 'One word,' the Doctor entreated. 'Will you tell me who denounced him?' “还有一个问题，”医生请求道，“你可否告诉我是谁告发他的？” 来自英汉文学 - 双城记

20 fugitive   

adj.逃亡的，易逝的；n.逃犯，逃亡者

参考例句：

• The police were able to deduce where the fugitive was hiding.警方成功地推断出那逃亡者躲藏的地方。
• The fugitive is believed to be headed for the border.逃犯被认为在向国境线逃窜。

21 briefly   

adv.简单地，简短地

参考例句：

• I want to touch briefly on another aspect of the problem.我想简单地谈一下这个问题的另一方面。
• He was kidnapped and briefly detained by a terrorist group.他被一个恐怖组织绑架并短暂拘禁。

22 dictate   

v.口授；(使)听写；指令，指示，命令

参考例句：

• It took him a long time to dictate this letter.口述这封信花了他很长时间。
• What right have you to dictate to others?你有什么资格向别人发号施令？

23 sufficiently   

adv.足够地，充分地

参考例句：

• It turned out he had not insured the house sufficiently.原来他没有给房屋投足保险。
• The new policy was sufficiently elastic to accommodate both views.新政策充分灵活地适用两种观点。

24 offense   

n.犯规，违法行为；冒犯，得罪

参考例句：

• I hope you will not take any offense at my words. 对我讲的话请别见怪。
• His words gave great offense to everybody present.他的发言冲犯了在场的所有人。

25 justify   

vt.证明…正当(或有理)，为…辩护

参考例句：

• He tried to justify his absence with lame excuses.他想用站不住脚的借口为自己的缺席辩解。
• Can you justify your rude behavior to me?你能向我证明你的粗野行为是有道理的吗？

26 miser   

n.守财奴，吝啬鬼 (adj.miserly)

参考例句：

• The miser doesn't like to part with his money.守财奴舍不得花他的钱。
• The demon of greed ruined the miser's happiness.贪得无厌的恶习毁掉了那个守财奴的幸福。

27 amends   

n. 赔偿

参考例句：

• He made amends for his rudeness by giving her some flowers. 他送给她一些花，为他自己的鲁莽赔罪。
• This country refuses stubbornly to make amends for its past war crimes. 该国顽固地拒绝为其过去的战争罪行赔罪。

28 transgressions   

n.违反，违法，罪过( transgression的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Many marine transgressions occur across coastal plains. 许多海运是横越滨海平原。 来自辞典例句
• For I know my transgressions, and my sin always before me. 因为我知道我的过犯，我的罪常在我面前。 来自互联网

29 incurred   

[医]招致的，遭受的； incur的过去式

参考例句：

• She had incurred the wrath of her father by marrying without his consent 她未经父亲同意就结婚，使父亲震怒。
• We will reimburse any expenses incurred. 我们将付还所有相关费用。

30 judgment   

n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见

参考例句：

• The chairman flatters himself on his judgment of people.主席自认为他审视人比别人高明。
• He's a man of excellent judgment.他眼力过人。

31 courteously   

adv.有礼貌地，亲切地

参考例句：

• He courteously opened the door for me.他谦恭有礼地为我开门。
• Presently he rose courteously and released her.过了一会，他就很客气地站起来，让她走开。

32 abruptly   

adv.突然地，出其不意地

参考例句：

• He gestured abruptly for Virginia to get in the car.他粗鲁地示意弗吉尼亚上车。
• I was abruptly notified that a half-hour speech was expected of me.我突然被通知要讲半个小时的话。

33 confidential   

adj.秘（机）密的，表示信任的，担任机密工作的

参考例句：

• He refused to allow his secretary to handle confidential letters.他不让秘书处理机密文件。
• We have a confidential exchange of views.我们推心置腹地交换意见。

34 discretion   

n.谨慎；随意处理

参考例句：

• You must show discretion in choosing your friend.你择友时必须慎重。
• Please use your best discretion to handle the matter.请慎重处理此事。

35 exalted   

adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的

参考例句：

• Their loveliness and holiness in accordance with their exalted station.他们的美丽和圣洁也与他们的崇高地位相称。
• He received respect because he was a person of exalted rank.他因为是个地位崇高的人而受到尊敬。