Having made prisoner of the peon, and drawn2 out of him all he is able to tell, his captors have a difficulty in deciding what to do with him. It will hamper3 them to take him along. Still they cannot leave him behind; and the young Kentuckian is not cruel enough to kill him, though convinced of his deserving death.
If left to himself, Walt might settle the question quickly. Indignant at the Indian’s treason, he has now a new reason to dislike him—as a rival.
With the ex-Ranger4 this last weighs little. He is sure of having the affections of Conchita. He has her heart, with the promise of her hand, and in his own confiding5 simplicity6 has no fear of failure in that sense—not a pang7 of jealousy8. The idea of having for a rival the abject9 creature at his feet, whom he could crush out of existence with the heel of his horseskin boot, is too ridiculous for him to entertain. He can laugh it to scorn.
Not for that would he now put an end to the man’s life, but solely11 from a sense of outraged12 justice, with the rough-and-ready retribution to which, as a Texan Ranger, he has been accustomed.
His comrade, less prone13 to acts of high-handed punishment, restrains him; and the two stand considering what they are to do with their prisoner, now proving so inconvenient14.
While still undecided a sound reaches their ears causing them to start and turn pale. It is the trampling15 of horses; there can be no mistaking it for aught else. And many of them; not two or three, or half a dozen, but a whole troop.
Uraga and his lancers have re-entered the valley! They are riding up to the ranche! What but this can it be? No other party of horsemen could be expected in that place.
And no other thought have the two men hearing the hoof16 strokes. They are sure it is the soldiers returning.
Instinctively17 they retreat into the house, without taking their prisoner along with them. Tied, he cannot stir from the spot. If he could it would make little difference now. Their determination is to defend themselves, if need be, to the death; and the hut, with its stout18 timber walls, is the best place they can think of. It has two doors, opening front and back, both of heavy slabs19—split trunks of the palmilla. They have been constructed strongly and to shut close, for the nights are sometimes chilly20, and grizzly21 bears stray around the ranche.
Hastily shutting to the doors and barring them they take stand, each at a window, of which there are also two, both being in front. They are mere22 apertures23 in the log wall, and of limited dimensions, but on this account all the better for their purpose, being large enough to serve as loopholes through which they can deliver their fire.
The position is not unfavourable for defence. The cabin stands close to a cliff, with but passage way behind. In front the ground is open, a sort of natural lawn leading down to the lake; only here and there a tree diversifies24 its smooth surface. Across this anyone approaching must come, whether they have entered the valley from above or below. On each flank the façade of the precipice25 projects outward, so that the abutting26 points can be seen from either of the windows; and, as they are both within rifle range, an assailant attempting to turn the cabin so as to enter from the back would be exposed to the enfilading fire of those inside. For security against a surround, the spot could not have been better chosen, and with anything like a fair proportion between besiegers and besieged27 the former would fail. Under the circumstances, however, there is not likely to be this, and for the two men to attempt defending themselves would seem the certain sealing of their doom28.
What chance for them to hold the hut against a force of fifty armed men—soldiers—for if the whole of the troop is returning there is this number? It may be not all have re-entered the valley—only a party sent back to bring on the pilferer29, who has been missed upon the march. In that case there will be some chance of withstanding their attack. At all hazards it is to be withstood.
What else can the two men do? Surrender, and become the prisoner of Uraga? Never! They know the relentless30 ruffian too well, and with too good reason. After their experience of him they need expect no mercy. The man who could leave them buried alive to die a lingering death in the gloomy recesses31 of a cavern32, would be cruel enough not only to kill but torture them. They have to “go under,” anyhow, as the prairie hunter expresses it, adding, “Ef we must die let’s do so, killin’ them as kills us. I’m good for half a score o’ them leetle minikin Mexikins, an’ I reck’n you, Frank, kin10 wipe out as many. We’ll make it a bloody33 bizness for them afore the last breath leeves our bodies. Air you all churged an’ riddy?”
“I am,” is the response of the Kentuckian, in stern, solemn tones, showing that he, as the Texan, has made up his mind to “die killing34.”
Says the latter, “They’ll come out through the trees yonder, where the path runs in. Let’s take the fust as shows, an’ drop him dead. Gie me the chance, Frank. I’m dyin’ to try the doctor’s gun.”
“By all means do so.”
“You fetch the second out o’ his saddle, if a second show. That’ll gie the others a scare, an’ keep ’em back a bit, so’s we’ll hev good time to get loaded agin.”
All this—both speech and action—has not occupied over two minutes of time. The rush inside the cabin, the closing of the doors, and taking stand at the windows, have been done in that haste with which men retreat from a tiger or flee before a prairie fire.
And now, having taken all the precautions possible, the two men wait behind the walls, gun in hand, prepared for the approach of the assailants—themselves so sheltered by the obscurity inside as not to be seen from without.
As yet no enemy has made appearance. No living thing is seen outside, save the lump of copper-coloured humanity prostrate35 on the sward, beside the bag and swag he has been hindered from taking away. Still the shod hoofs36 are heard striking against stones, the click sounding clearer and nearer. They inside the jacal listen with bated breath, but hearts beating audibly. Hearts filled with anxiety. How could it be else? In another minute they may expect to engage in a life-and-death conflict—for themselves too likely a death one.
Something more than anxiety stirs within them. Something of apprehension37, perhaps actual fear. If so, not strange; fear, under the circumstances, excusable, even in the hearts of heroes. Stranger were it otherwise.
Whatever their emotions at the moment, they experience a sudden change, succeeded by a series. The first is surprise. While listening to the hoof strokes of the horses, all at once it appears to them that these are not coming down the valley, but up it from below. Is it a sonorous38 deception39, caused by the sough of the cascade40 or reverberation41 from the rocks?
More intently they bend their ears, more carefully note the quarter whence proceeds the sound. Soon to answer the above question, each to himself, in the negative. Unquestionably it comes from below.
They have recovered from this, their first surprise, before a second seizes upon them. Mingling42 with the horses’ tramp they hear voices of men. So much they might expect; but not such voices. For amidst the speeches exchanged arise roars of laughter, not such as could come from the slender gullets of puny43 Mexicans, nor men of the Spanish race. Nor does it resemble the savage44 cachinnation of the Comanche Indians. Its rough aspirate, and rude, but hearty45, tone could only proceed from Celtic or Anglo-Saxon throats.
While still wondering at the sound ringing in their ears, a sight comes before their eyes which but lessens46 their surprise by changing it into gladness. Out of the trees at the lower end of the lake a horseman is seen riding—after him a second. Both so unlike Uraga or any of his lancers, so different from what they would deem enemies, that the rifles of Hamersley and the hunter, instead of being aimed to deliver their fire, are dropped, butts47 to the ground.
Before clearing the skirt of timber, the two horsemen make halt—only for an instant, as if to reconnoitre. They appear surprised at seeing the hut, and not less at sight of a man lying along the ground in front of it. For they are near enough to perceive that he is tied hand and foot, and to note the spilled paraphernalia48 beside him.
As they are men not easily to be daunted49, the tableau50, though it somewhat mystifies, does not affright or drive them back. Instead, they advance without the slightest show of fear. And behind the two first showing themselves follow two others, and two more, till fifty have filed out of the timber, and ride across the clear ground, heading direct for the house.
Clad in rough coats of sombre hue51, jeans, blanket, and buckskin, not a few of them ragged52, with hats of all shapes and styles; carrying rifles in their hands, with revolving53 pistols and bowie-knives in their belts, there could be no mistaking them for the gaudily-bedizened troop whose horses at sunrise of that same day trampled54 over the same turf. To the spectators no two cohorts could present a coup55 d’oeil more dissimilar. Though about equal in numbers, the two bodies of men were unlike in everything else—arms, dresses, accoutrements; even their horses having but slight resemblance. The horsemen late upon the spot would seem dwarfs56 beside those now occupying it, who in comparison might be accounted giants.
Whatever the impression made upon the young prairie merchant by the sight of the newly-arrived troop, its effect upon the ex-Ranger might be compared to a shock of electricity, or the result that succeeds the inspiration of laughing-gas.
Long before the first files have reached the centre of the cleared space he has sprung to the door, pulled the bar back, slammed open the slabs, almost smashing them apart, and rushed out; when outside sending forth57 a shout that causes every rock to re-echo it to the remotest corner of the valley. It is a grand cry of gladness like a clap of thunder, with its lightning flash bursting forth from the cloud in which in has been pent up.
After it some words spoken more coherently give the key to its jubilant tone.
“Texas Rangers58! Ye’ve jest come in time. Thank the Lord!”
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1
cumbersome
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| adj.笨重的，不便携带的 | |
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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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hamper
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| vt.妨碍，束缚，限制；n.(有盖的)大篮子 | |
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ranger
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| n.国家公园管理员，护林员；骑兵巡逻队员 | |
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5
confiding
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| adj.相信人的，易于相信的v.吐露（秘密，心事等）( confide的现在分词 )；（向某人）吐露（隐私、秘密等） | |
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6
simplicity
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| n.简单，简易；朴素；直率，单纯 | |
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7
pang
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| n.剧痛，悲痛，苦闷 | |
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jealousy
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| n.妒忌，嫉妒，猜忌 | |
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abject
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| adj.极可怜的，卑屈的 | |
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10
kin
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| n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的 | |
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11
solely
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| adv.仅仅，唯一地 | |
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12
outraged
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| a.震惊的，义愤填膺的 | |
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13
prone
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| adj.(to)易于…的，很可能…的；俯卧的 | |
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14
inconvenient
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| adj.不方便的，令人感到麻烦的 | |
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15
trampling
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| 踩( trample的现在分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯 | |
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16
hoof
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| n.(马，牛等的)蹄 | |
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instinctively
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| adv.本能地 | |
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slabs
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| n.厚板，平板，厚片( slab的名词复数 )；厚胶片 | |
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20
chilly
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| adj.凉快的，寒冷的 | |
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21
grizzly
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| adj.略为灰色的，呈灰色的；n.灰色大熊 | |
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mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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apertures
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| n.孔( aperture的名词复数 )；隙缝；（照相机的）光圈；孔径 | |
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24
diversifies
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| v.使多样化，多样化( diversify的第三人称单数 )；进入新的商业领域 | |
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25
precipice
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| n.悬崖，危急的处境 | |
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26
abutting
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| adj.邻接的v.（与…）邻接( abut的现在分词 )；（与…）毗连；接触；倚靠 | |
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besieged
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| 包围，围困，围攻( besiege的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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28
doom
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| n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定 | |
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pilferer
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| n.小偷 | |
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30
relentless
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| adj.残酷的，不留情的，无怜悯心的 | |
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31
recesses
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| n.壁凹( recess的名词复数 )；（工作或业务活动的）中止或暂停期间；学校的课间休息；某物内部的凹形空间v.把某物放在墙壁的凹处( recess的第三人称单数 )；将（墙）做成凹形，在（墙）上做壁龛；休息，休会，休庭 | |
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32
cavern
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| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
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33
bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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prostrate
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| v.拜倒，平卧，衰竭；adj.拜倒的，平卧的，衰竭的 | |
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36
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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37
apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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38
sonorous
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| adj.响亮的，回响的；adv.圆润低沉地；感人地；n.感人，堂皇 | |
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39
deception
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| n.欺骗，欺诈；骗局，诡计 | |
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40
cascade
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| n.小瀑布，喷流；层叠；vi.成瀑布落下 | |
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41
reverberation
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| 反响； 回响； 反射； 反射物 | |
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42
mingling
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| adj.混合的 | |
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43
puny
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| adj.微不足道的，弱小的 | |
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44
savage
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| adj.野蛮的；凶恶的，残暴的；n.未开化的人 | |
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45
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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46
lessens
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| 变少( lessen的第三人称单数 )； 减少（某事物） | |
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47
butts
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| 笑柄( butt的名词复数 )； （武器或工具的）粗大的一端； 屁股； 烟蒂 | |
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48
paraphernalia
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| n.装备；随身用品 | |
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49
daunted
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| 使（某人）气馁，威吓( daunt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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50
tableau
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| n.画面，活人画（舞台上活人扮的静态画面） | |
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51
hue
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| n.色度；色调；样子 | |
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52
ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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53
revolving
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| adj.旋转的，轮转式的；循环的v.（使）旋转( revolve的现在分词 )；细想 | |
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54
trampled
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| 踩( trample的过去式和过去分词 )； 践踏； 无视； 侵犯 | |
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55
coup
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| n.政变；突然而成功的行动 | |
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56
dwarfs
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| n.侏儒，矮子（dwarf的复数形式）vt.（使）显得矮小（dwarf的第三人称单数形式） | |
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57
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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58
rangers
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| 护林者( ranger的名词复数 )； 突击队员 | |
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