CHAPTER XXXIII. CHEYENNE.

 Paul looked about him with eager curiosity, for he had all a youth's keen zest¹ in visiting unknown places. He saw one long street, of unusual width, lined with an indiscriminate variety of buildings from one-story saloons and offices to two and three-story buildings.

The Inter-Ocean Hotel, in front of which his guide halted, was a fine brick structure of three stories, which seemed hardly at home in the loosely built town, which had sprung up as if by magic on the prairies.

"This is where I put up," said Mr. Scott.

"I'll take a room here, if they can give me one."

"I'll see that you have one. They know me—Jim Scott—and they'd make room if they hadn't one. Do you know what they used to call this settlement?"

"No."

"'Hell on Wheels' was the name they give it in early days."

"Was that to invite settlers?" asked Paul, laughing.

"I expect it was because it was about the roughest,[Pg 231] most lawless place between Omaha and Frisco. Why the principal occupation of the first settlers was gamblin', drinkin' rot-gut whisky, and shootin'. There wasn't a day passed hardly but some chap was found lyin' in the street with a hole in his head or a bullet in his heart. I tell you them was rough times."

"I hope things have changed," said Paul, by no means prepossessed in favor of Cheyenne by what he had heard. "If they haven't, I don't think I shall stay here long."

"Oh, yes, it's settled down, so that life is pretty safe. They had to raise a vigilance committee to set things straight like they did in Frisco. It's all right now."

"I am glad to hear it."

Meanwhile they had entered the hotel, and Paul succeeded in securing a room adjoining that of Mr. Scott, or Jim Scott, as he insisted on being called.

After he had washed and changed his clothing, he sat down to a substantial meal, which he enjoyed with the hearty² appetite of youth. Then Mr. Scott invited him to take a walk about the town.

"I say, youngster, have you got a father and mother?"

"My father is dead, but I have a mother and sister living."

[Pg 232]"And what did your mother say to your comin' out here?"

"She was willing, knowing that I had my own way to make."

"I haven't chick or child myself. I had a wife once, but she died twenty years ago. Now I've got money, but sometimes I feel lonely."

"It isn't too late for you to marry again, Mr. Scott."

"Mr. Scott?"

"I mean Jim."

"Maybe you're right, but there ain't many women would hitch³ on to me except for my money, and I'm better without such. I say, youngster, do you mind my keepin' company with you while you stay in these parts?"

"Certainly not, Jim. I shall feel fortunate in having one with me who knows so much more about the country than I."

"That's all right, then. When do you want to start for Custer City?"

"To-morrow, if there is a chance."

"Then I'll get ready, too."

"What is the distance?"

"Two hundred and fifty miles, and pretty long miles, some of 'em."

"Do we travel by stage?"

[Pg 233]"Yes. One has been put on lately. When I went first, I traveled by wagon⁴, and was a week on the road, maybe ten days. Now, if you travel at night, we can reach Custer City in forty-eight hours or thereabouts."

"I suppose the road is a lonely one?"

"You may say that. As far as Fort Laramie it is pretty well settled. There is a ranch⁵ about every twelve miles."

"Do you call that well settled?"

"Well," said Jim, "we call it so out here."

"I shouldn't think people would feel crowded, living at such distances."

"We like plenty of room, you see, Paul."

The next morning Paul and his new friend started for Custer City, and in due time arrived at the Black Hills metropolis⁶ without any adventures that need recording⁷.

1 zest   

n.乐趣；滋味，风味；兴趣

参考例句：

• He dived into his new job with great zest.他充满热情地投入了新的工作。
• He wrote his novel about his trip to Asia with zest.他兴趣浓厚的写了一本关于他亚洲之行的小说。

2 hearty   

adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的

参考例句：

• After work they made a hearty meal in the worker's canteen.工作完了，他们在工人食堂饱餐了一顿。
• We accorded him a hearty welcome.我们给他热忱的欢迎。

3 hitch   

v.免费搭(车旅行)；系住；急提；n.故障；急拉

参考例句：

• They had an eighty-mile journey and decided to hitch hike.他们要走80英里的路程，最后决定搭便车。
• All the candidates are able to answer the questions without any hitch.所有报考者都能对答如流。

4 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。

5 ranch   

n.大牧场，大农场

参考例句：

• He went to work on a ranch.他去一个大农场干活。
• The ranch is in the middle of a large plateau.该牧场位于一个辽阔高原的中部。

6 metropolis   

n.首府；大城市

参考例句：

• Shanghai is a metropolis in China.上海是中国的大都市。
• He was dazzled by the gaiety and splendour of the metropolis.大都市的花花世界使他感到眼花缭乱。

7 recording   

n.录音，记录

参考例句：

• How long will the recording of the song take?录下这首歌得花多少时间？
• I want to play you a recording of the rehearsal.我想给你放一下彩排的录像。