Another sun rises over the Llano Estacado, his beams gilding1 with ruddy glow the brown basaltic cliffs that enclose the valley of the Arroyo2 de Alamo.
On projecting points of these, above the spot chosen by Uraga for his camp, the black vultures are still perched. Though ’tis not their usual roosting-place, they have remained there all night, now and then giving utterance3 to their hoarse4, guttural croaks5, when some howling, predatory quadruped—coyote or puma—approaching too near, has startled them from their dozing6 slumbers7. As the first rays of the sun rouse them to activity, their movements tell why they have stayed. No longer at rest, or only at intervals8, they flit from rock to rock, and across the valley from cliff to cliff, at times swooping9 so low that their wings almost touch the topmost twigs10 of the trees growing upon the banks of the stream. All the while with necks astretch, and eyes glaring in hungry concupiscence. For below they perceive the materials of a repast—a grand, gluttonous11 feast—no longer in doubtful expectation, but now surely provided for them.
Ten men lie prostrate12 upon the sward; not asleep, as the vultures well know—nor yet reclining to rest themselves. Their attitudes are evidence against this. They lie with bodies bent13 and limbs stiff, some of them contorted to unnatural14 postures15. Besides, on the grass-blades around are drops and gouts of blood, grown black during the night, looking as if it had rained ink; while little pools of the same are here and there seen, dull crimson17 and coagulated.
From these sanguinary symbols the vultures are well aware that the recumbent forms are neither asleep nor reposing18. Every bird knows that every man of them is dead; and, though still clad in the uniform of soldiers, with all the gay insignia of lancers, they are but clay-cold corpses19.
It is the firing party, still lying as it fell; not a figure disturbed, not a coat stripped off nor pocket rifled; no strap20, plume21, or pennon displaced since the moment when all dropped dead almost simultaneously22 at the detonation23 of the Rangers25’ rifles.
Except the tents, which are still set as before, this cluster of corpses is the only thing seeming unchanged since yesterday’s sun went down. For it was after sunset when the pursuers returned, bringing their prisoners along with them. As on yesterday, two captives are seen under the same tree, where late lay Don Valerian and the doctor. But different men, with quite another style of sentry26 standing27 over them. The latter, a rough-garbed, big-bearded Texan, full six feet in height, shouldering a gun whose butt28, when rested on the ground, places the muzzle29 within an inch of his chin. No need to say who are the two he is guarding. At his feet Uraga lies, crestfallen30, with a craven look upon his face, like a fox in the trap; his splendid habiliments torn, mud-bedaubed, bedraggled. Besides him his adjutant, Roblez—his confederate in many a crime—also showing signs of having received rough treatment, but not without resenting it. His aspect is that of a tiger encaged, chafing31 at the torture, regardless of what may be the end. On the camp ground are seen some sixty horses with half-a-dozen mules32. About fifty of the former are under saddle and bridle33, as if soon to be mounted. The others have lariats around their necks, intended to be led.
A few men—those of inferior standing—look after the animals; while the larger number is gathered into a group near the centre of the camp ground. Their air, attitudes, earnest speech, and excited gesticulations tell they are taking counsel on some matter of serious import.
Walt Wilder is among them, Hamersley being absent. The latter is inside the square tent, in pleasanter companionship.
He is seated upon a catré, Adela by his side, her hand clasping his. This without any bashfulness or reserve at her brother being present. Which he is, along with the dear old doctor, both now released from their bonds. It is a tableau34 of true love, wreathed with fraternal affection.
With devotion also, of an humbler kind, Conchita is passing out and in, rejoicing in a general way. She pays no attention to a peon who lies tied behind the tent—José; and gives only scorn to another seen fast bound beside him—Manuel.
Notwithstanding her knowledge that this man is madly in love with her—for she now also knows how much he has been a traitor—her thoughts, as her eyes, are upon one more true—on her grand, gallant35 Tejano! She is proud to observe the distinguished36 part he plays among his compaisanos. For, in truth, Walt is doing this. Standing a half head taller than any of the Rangers around him, he is alike leader in their deliberations, those the most serious in which men can be engaged.
No question of life and death. It has been, but is no longer. The latter has been unanimously decreed, the verdict declared, the sentence pronounced. Their talk now only relates to the manner of execution.
The Ranger24 Captain, who presides, puts the interrogatory thus:
“Well, boys, what are we to do with them? Shoot or hang?”
“Hang!” is the response from more than a majority of voices.
“Shootin’ is too clean a death for scoundrels sech as them,” is the commentary of a voice recognisable as that of Nat Cully.
“They ought to be scalped, skinned, an’ quartered,” adds a man disposed to severer punishment.
“Yes!” affirms another of the like inclining. “A bit of torture wouldn’t be more than the rascals37 deserve.”
“Come, comrades!” cries the Ranger Captain. “Remember, we are Texans, and not savages38 like those we’re about to punish. Sufficient to send them out of the world without acting39 inhumanly40. You all declare for hanging?”
“All!”
“Enough! Where shall we string them up?”
“Yonner’s a pick spot,” responds Wilder, pointing out the two trees to which Don Valerian and the doctor had been lately lashed41. “They kin16 each hev a branch separate, so’s not to crowd one the t’other in makin’ tracks to etarnity.”
“Jest the place!” endorses42 Cully. “Kedn’t be a better gallis if the sheriff o’ Pike County, Massoury, had rigged it up hisself. We’ll gie ’em a tree apiece, as they war about to do wi’ thar innocent prisoners. Takin’ their places’ll be turn an’ turn about. That’s fair, I reckin.”
“Boys!” cries Walt, “look out a cupple o’ layvettes, an’ fetch ’em this way.”
Several start towards the horse-drove, and soon return with the trail-ropes. Then all proceed towards the two trees. Each chances to have a large limb extending horizontally outward from the trunk. Over each a tazo is flung, one end left loose, the other remaining in the hand of him who pitched it. Before flinging them the rope has been passed through the iron ring with which all lariats are provided, thus furnishing a ready-made running noose43.
“Who’s to haul up?” asks the Ranger Captain; adding, “Boys! ’Taint a nice business, I know; but I suppose there’s some of you willing to undertake it.”
Some of them!
Forty voices, nearly all present, are heard crying out with one accord—
“I’m willing!”
In fact, every man upon the ground seems eager to take part in a duty which, under other circumstances, would be not only disagreeable, but disgusting to them. Rough, rude men as most of the Rangers are, little prone44 to delicate sentimentalism, they are, nevertheless, true to the ordinary instincts of humanity. Accustomed to seeing blood spilled, and not squeamish about spilling it if it be that of a red-skinned foe45, it is different when the complexion46 is white.
In the present case they have no scruples47 on the score of colour. What has been told them about their two prisoners—the atrocities48 these have committed—puts all this aside. The tale has made a profound impression upon their minds; and, beyond any motive49 of mere50 revenge, they are stirred by a sense of just retribution. Every man of them feels as if it were his sacred duty to deal out justice, and administer the punishment of death to criminals so surely deserving it.
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1
gilding
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| n.贴金箔，镀金 | |
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2
arroyo
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| n.干涸的河床，小河 | |
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utterance
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| n.用言语表达，话语，言语 | |
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hoarse
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| adj.嘶哑的，沙哑的 | |
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5
croaks
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| v.呱呱地叫( croak的第三人称单数 )；用粗的声音说 | |
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dozing
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| v.打瞌睡,假寐 n.瞌睡 | |
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slumbers
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| 睡眠，安眠( slumber的名词复数 ) | |
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8
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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swooping
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| 俯冲，猛冲( swoop的现在分词 ) | |
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10
twigs
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| 细枝，嫩枝( twig的名词复数 ) | |
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gluttonous
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| adj.贪吃的，贪婪的 | |
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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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13
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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unnatural
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| adj.不自然的；反常的 | |
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postures
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| 姿势( posture的名词复数 )； 看法； 态度； 立场 | |
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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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17
crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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reposing
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| v.将（手臂等）靠在某人（某物）上( repose的现在分词 ) | |
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corpses
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| n.死尸，尸体( corpse的名词复数 ) | |
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strap
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| n.皮带，带子；v.用带扣住，束牢；用绷带包扎 | |
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plume
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| n.羽毛；v.整理羽毛，骚首弄姿，用羽毛装饰 | |
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simultaneously
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| adv.同时发生地，同时进行地 | |
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detonation
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| n.爆炸；巨响 | |
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24
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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rangers
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| 护林者( ranger的名词复数 )； 突击队员 | |
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sentry
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| n.哨兵，警卫 | |
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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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28
butt
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| n.笑柄；烟蒂；枪托；臀部；v.用头撞或顶 | |
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29
muzzle
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| n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默 | |
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30
crestfallen
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| adj. 挫败的，失望的，沮丧的 | |
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31
chafing
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| n.皮肤发炎v.擦热（尤指皮肤）( chafe的现在分词 )；擦痛；发怒；惹怒 | |
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32
mules
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| 骡( mule的名词复数 )； 拖鞋； 顽固的人； 越境运毒者 | |
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bridle
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| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
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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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gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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rascals
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| 流氓( rascal的名词复数 )； 无赖； （开玩笑说法）淘气的人（尤指小孩）； 恶作剧的人 | |
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38
savages
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| 未开化的人，野蛮人( savage的名词复数 ) | |
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39
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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40
inhumanly
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| adv.无人情味地，残忍地 | |
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41
lashed
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| adj.具睫毛的v.鞭打( lash的过去式和过去分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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42
endorses
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| v.赞同( endorse的第三人称单数 )；在（尤指支票的）背面签字；在（文件的）背面写评论；在广告上说本人使用并赞同某产品 | |
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43
noose
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| n.绳套，绞索（刑）；v.用套索捉；使落入圈套；处以绞刑 | |
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44
prone
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| adj.(to)易于…的，很可能…的；俯卧的 | |
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45
foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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46
complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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47
scruples
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| n.良心上的不安( scruple的名词复数 )；顾虑，顾忌v.感到于心不安，有顾忌( scruple的第三人称单数 ) | |
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48
atrocities
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| n.邪恶，暴行( atrocity的名词复数 )；滔天大罪 | |
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49
motive
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| n.动机，目的；adv.发动的，运动的 | |
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50
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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