“In the yard at last, old chap,” the conductor said, as he took his lantern apart and blew out the flame, “but don’t you get up. You haven’t had enough sleep, and it is only five o’clock. You didn’t rest well in that blamed bunk23. You kept rolling and jabbering24 in your sleep. I’ve got to run up-town, but the cab will stand right here on the side-track all day, and you can leave it whenever you like. I’ll be about the general freight-office till noon, and if you want me, look me up.”
“All right. You are mighty25 good, Jack26,” the wanderer said, appalled27 and stupefied by his sudden awakening28 to the grim reality of his condition.
When the conductor had left, and unable, through sheer mental agony, to go back to sleep, Walton crawled out of the bunk and stood up. His legs, arms, and neck were stiff, and twinges of pain darted29 through his muscles as he moved. Standing in the open door, he looked out over the vast stretch of railway tracks. The gray light of dawn shrouded30 everything. Over the tops of cars, heaps of old scrap-iron, blinking vari-colored signal-lights, and bridges which spanned the tracks he saw the spectre-like outlines of the State Capitol’s drab dome31, and farther to the left the tall office-buildings in the centre of the city.
Just then a man came round the end of the car, and, with a start of surprise, recognized him. It was a railway mail-carrier who had once lived at Stafford. “Why, hello, Fred!” he cried, rubbing his eyes, for he had just risen from his bed. “What are you doing down this way at break of day?”
Walton hesitated; a tinge32 of color came into his pale face.
“Ran down for a trip with Jack Thomas,” he answered; “this is his cab.”
“Oh yes—I see. Where is Jack?”
“Had to go up-town.”
“You haven’t had your breakfast yet, I’ll bet. Come on and take a snack with me. There is a good all-night eating-house up by the Viaduct.”
“Thanks, I’ve got to hang around here for a while.”
“Well, so long!” the man said, with a backward look of perplexity, as he moved away. “I’ll see you uptown, I reckon.”
Walton stood down on the ground and looked about him; then he saw something that drove him back into the car. It was a policeman in uniform a hundred yards away. He seemed to emerge from the cattle-yard on the left, and was walking along slowly, looking under cars and trying their sliding doors. He would stoop to the cross-ties and peer carefully at the trucks, and move on again to repeat the process at each car of the long train, the engine of which was fired for leaving. Walton sank to a seat on the cot; the man was searching for him. There would be no escape. Presently a feeling of relief came to him in the reflection that his fears were ungrounded, for his father, not having read the letter he had left on his desk, could not yet know of his flight. The old man never went to the bank earlier than eight in the morning, and it could not now be later than five. Yes, the officer was looking for some one else. The fugitive33 breathed more freely for a few minutes; then another shock quickly followed the first. It was now plain—horribly plain. His father, having sent him to the bank for a statement of his account the evening before, had waited up for him, his impatience34 and suspicion growing as the hours passed. Old Simon could not have slept while a matter of that nature remained unsettled. He had waited, pacing the floor of his room, till nine; till ten; till eleven; and then, full of gravest alarm as to the safety of his funds, he had gone down to the bank to ascertain35 the cause of the delay. In his mind’s eye, Fred saw the grim old financier as he stalked muttering through the silent streets of the slumbering36 town. He saw him open the big door of the bank, and heard his disappointed growl37 as he faced the darkness. Old Simon, with fumbling38 hands, found and struck a match; then he groped his way back to his office and lighted the gas. Fred saw him as he stared round the room, and, with the gasp39 of an animal, pounced40 on the letter he had written; he saw, as if he had been on the spot, the distorted, terrified face of the bewildered old miser6. Then what had he done? He had gone quaking and whimpering to the home of the sheriff near by; he had waked the officer by pounding on the door, and ordered the immediate41 pursuit of his son as an absconding42 thief. The telegram had left Stafford before midnight; it had passed the fugitive as he slept, and the policeman now looking under the cars was only one of scores who were bent43 upon hunting him down. Yes, it was all over. There was nothing left now but to be taken back to Stafford, handcuffed as a common felon44. He crept to the car door and looked out. The policeman had paused in his search, and was coming directly across to him. A feeling of odd and almost soothing45 resignation came over the young man; at any rate, he would not hide like a coward. He was guilty, and he would take his punishment. So he sank upon the bench at the door and calmly eyed the officer as he crossed the tracks, playfully swinging the polished club which was strapped46 to his wrist.
“Good-morning!” the man said, looking up. “You are not the conductor of this train, are you?”
“No,” Fred answered, wonderingly; “he’s just gone up-town.”
The policeman swung his club. “Got a match in your pocket? I want to smoke so bad I can taste it.”
Walton fumbled47 in his pocket and produced some matches, and, still wondering, he reached over and put them into the extended hand. The man in uniform was young, clear of skin and eye, and had a good face—a face which Walton no longer dreaded48, which, indeed, he felt that he could like.
“Tough job I’m on now, you can bet your life,” the policeman said, as he struck the match on the iron ladder of the car and applied49 it to a half-smoked cigar.
“What sort of job is it?” Walton asked.
“Why, you see,” the man explained, “the railroads of the State have had no end of trouble with hoboes here lately. The dirty tramps are forever stealing rides. At this time of year they are as thick as flies on the trucks, brakes, and bumpers50. They fall off when they get to sleep, and are killed; they break in the cars, and steal the freight; and a gang of them have been known to throw rocks at the train-crew, and raise hell generally. So, as a last resort, the roads determined51 to make cases against every one that could be caught, and they are sending them up by the hundreds, and for good long terms, too. They are never able to pay the fines, you see, and they have to work it out in the coal-mines or turpentine camps. Now and then a big mistake is made, of course; for many a good man has been sent up for only trying to reach a place where he could get honest employment. But the law is no respecter of persons. Let a man without money to pay his fine be caught stealing a ride through this town, and nothing in God’s world will save him. The feathers of a jail-bird stick mighty tight, you know, and after one gets out he never makes any headway.”
“They are not well treated, either, I have heard,” Walton put in.
“You bet they are not,” the policeman said, looking across the tracks. “Gee! did you see that? I think I’ve got one now. I saw a fellow peep out right over there.”
He darted off, club in hand, and Walton saw him disappear between two cars, and heard his stern voice cry: “Come out of there, young man! Don’t make me crawl under after you! Come on, the game is up!”
Walton descended52 to the ground and crossed over to the policeman just as a young man with a grimy face and tousled hair emerged from behind the heavy wheels. He did not appear to be more than twenty years of age, and his clothing, even to his hat and necktie, indicated that he was not an ordinary tramp. He stared in a bewildered way at the blue coat, brass53 buttons, and helmet-shaped hat.
“For God’s sake, don’t send me up, policeman!” he pleaded, in a piteous tone. “I am out of money, and want to get through by way of New Orleans to Oklahoma. I am out of work and trying to reach Gate City, where I can get a job.”
“I’ve got nothing to do with that,” the policeman said, curtly54. “I’m put here to arrest you fellows—that’s my duty, and I’ve caught you in the act.”
“O God, have mercy!” Walton heard the boy muttering to himself. “I can’t stand it! I’d rather die, and be done with it!”
He looked at the officer again, and his lips seemed to be trying to frame some further appeal, but, as if realizing the utter futility55 of such a course, he simply hung his head and was silent.
Walton, who liked the boy’s looks, suddenly felt a rebellious56 impulse rise and struggle within him. It was the quality which, in spite of his faults, had endeared him to his many friends.
“Look here, old man,” he said to the policeman, “law or no law, duty or no duty, you can’t take the responsibility of this thing on your shoulders. I’m a fair judge of men, and I am sure it would be wrong to send this boy up. You know he is only doing what you or I would do if hard luck drove us to it. Say, old man, I’m dead broke myself, I haven’t a dollar in my pocket, and I am out of a job besides; but I’ve got a good solid gold watch in my pocket, and if you will let him go I’ll give it to you.”
The officer wavered; he stared, speechless, for a moment, colored high, then shrugged57 his shoulders.
“I reckon my duty does allow me to sorter discriminate,” he faltered58. “I haven’t seen the chap actually riding, either. But I won’t take any bribes—I wouldn’t take one from you, anyway. You are about as white a chap as I’ve run across in many a day, and I’m going to drop the dang thing. God knows, I don’t want your watch! But, say, don’t get me into trouble. I’ve got a family to support, and I must hold my job. Get the fellow out of the freight-yards before the town wakes up. There are cops on our force who would drag him in by the heels. Car-grease like he’s got smeared59 all over him is a dead give-away. Say, young man, take a fool’s advice: get out on the country roads. You’ll make it all right among the farms.”
“You won’t take the watch, then?” Fred held the timepiece toward him, its golden chain swinging.
“No, I don’t want it. But hurry up! Get him out of the yards!”
“Come on, and I’ll show you the way,” Walton said to the boy, when the officer had gone. And without a word, so overjoyed was he by the sudden turn in his favor, the begrimed youth dumbly followed his rescuer across the tracks to a quiet little street bordered by diminutive60 cottages.
On they trudged61 through street after street till, just as the first rays of sunlight were breaking through the clouds, they found the open country before them. For miles and miles it stretched away to blue hills in the vague, misty62 distance.
“I can make out all right now,” the boy said, with a grateful glance at his rescuer, as they paused. “I don’t want to take you farther out of your way. God knows, I’ll not forget your kindness till my dying day. You don’t know what you’ve saved me from. I’d have killed myself rather than be sent up. I’ve heard what those places are like. If you will tell me your name and where your home is, I’ll write back to you.”
Walton’s eyes met those of his companion. “Huh!” he said, gloomily, “I’m as homeless as you are, my boy. The truth is, I don’t know where to turn, myself, and really the thought of parting with you, for some reason or other, hurts me. I need a companion worse than I ever did in my life. Say, will you let me go with you?”
“Will I?” and the grimy face filled with emotion, the big brown eyes glistened63 with unshed tears. “God knows, I’d rather have you than any one else, and I certainly am lonely enough!” The blackened hand went out and clasped Walton’s, and, face to face, these new friends in adversity stood and silently vowed64 fidelity65. “What is your name?” Fred asked.
“Dick Warren,” the younger said. “I am from Kentucky—Louisville. I’ve got no close kin3, and no money. I was a telegraph operator in Memphis till a month ago, but lost my job. Long-distance telephone is killing66 my business. I heard of Gate City—they say it is booming. I want to go there.”
“I’ll join you,” Walton said. “I’ve heard of it, too. Those, new towns are all right.”
“You didn’t tell me your name,” Dick suggested.
“Oh, I forgot; why, it’s Fred—it’s Frederic Spencer.” He had given the seldom-used part of his Christian67 name, that of his maternal68 grandfather. “Some day I’ll tell you all about myself, but not now—not now. Are you hungry, Dick?”
The boy nodded slowly. It looked as if he were afraid that an admission of the whole truth might further discommode69 his new friend. “A little bit,” he said, “but I can make out for a while.”
“We’ll try a farm-house farther on,” Walton said, with an appreciative70 glance at the weary face before him. “I’ll have to have a cup of coffee or I’ll drop in my tracks.”
The sun, now above the tree-tops, was beginning to beat fiercely upon them, and threatening much in the way of heat and sultry temperature later in the day. The activity of his mind and sympathies in behalf of his companion had in a measure dulled Walton’s sense of his own condition, but as he trudged along by his companion the whole circumstance of his flight and the far-reaching consequences of his act came upon him anew. The agony within him now seemed to ooze71 from his body like a material substance, clogging72 his utterance73 and shackling74 his feet.
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1
eyelids
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| n.眼睑( eyelid的名词复数 )；眼睛也不眨一下；不露声色；面不改色 | |
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2
doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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3
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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descend
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| vt./vi.传下来，下来，下降 | |
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reptile
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| n.爬行动物；两栖动物 | |
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6
miser
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| n.守财奴，吝啬鬼 (adj.miserly) | |
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miserable
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| adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的 | |
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dozed
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| v.打盹儿，打瞌睡( doze的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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9
delectable
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| adj.使人愉快的；美味的 | |
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fragrant
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| adj.芬香的，馥郁的，愉快的 | |
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wondrous
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| adj.令人惊奇的，奇妙的；adv.惊人地；异乎寻常地；令人惊叹地 | |
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12
converse
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| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
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13
haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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15
ledger
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| n.总帐，分类帐；帐簿 | |
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16
shrieked
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| v.尖叫( shriek的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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17
deliberately
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| adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地 | |
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18
vault
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| n.拱形圆顶，地窖，地下室 | |
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19
dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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20
rumbling
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| n. 隆隆声, 辘辘声 adj. 隆隆响的 动词rumble的现在分词 | |
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21
rattle
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| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
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22
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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23
bunk
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| n.(车、船等倚壁而设的)铺位；废话 | |
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24
jabbering
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| v.急切而含混不清地说( jabber的现在分词 )；急促兴奋地说话；结结巴巴 | |
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25
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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26
jack
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| n.插座，千斤顶，男人；v.抬起，提醒，扛举；n.（Jake）杰克 | |
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27
appalled
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| v.使惊骇，使充满恐惧( appall的过去式和过去分词)adj.惊骇的；丧胆的 | |
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28
awakening
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| n.觉醒，醒悟 adj.觉醒中的；唤醒的 | |
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29
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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30
shrouded
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| v.隐瞒( shroud的过去式和过去分词 )；保密 | |
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dome
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| n.圆屋顶，拱顶 | |
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32
tinge
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| vt.(较淡)着色于，染色；使带有…气息；n.淡淡色彩，些微的气息 | |
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33
fugitive
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| adj.逃亡的，易逝的；n.逃犯，逃亡者 | |
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34
impatience
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| n.不耐烦，急躁 | |
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35
ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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36
slumbering
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| 微睡，睡眠（slumber的现在分词形式） | |
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37
growl
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| v.（狗等）嗥叫，（炮等）轰鸣；n.嗥叫，轰鸣 | |
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38
fumbling
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| n. 摸索,漏接 v. 摸索,摸弄,笨拙的处理 | |
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39
gasp
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| n.喘息，气喘；v.喘息；气吁吁他说 | |
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40
pounced
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| v.突然袭击( pounce的过去式和过去分词 )；猛扑；一眼看出；抓住机会（进行抨击） | |
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41
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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42
absconding
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| v.（尤指逃避逮捕）潜逃，逃跑( abscond的现在分词 ) | |
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43
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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44
felon
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| n.重罪犯；adj.残忍的 | |
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45
soothing
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| adj.慰藉的；使人宽心的；镇静的 | |
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46
strapped
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| adj.用皮带捆住的，用皮带装饰的；身无分文的；缺钱；手头紧v.用皮带捆扎(strap的过去式和过去分词)；用皮带抽打；包扎；给…打绷带 | |
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47
fumbled
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| （笨拙地）摸索或处理（某事物）( fumble的过去式和过去分词 )； 乱摸，笨拙地弄； 使落下 | |
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48
dreaded
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| adj.令人畏惧的；害怕的v.害怕，恐惧，担心( dread的过去式和过去分词) | |
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49
applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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50
bumpers
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| （汽车上的）保险杠，缓冲器( bumper的名词复数 ) | |
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51
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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52
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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53
brass
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| n.黄铜；黄铜器，铜管乐器 | |
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54
curtly
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| adv.简短地 | |
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55
futility
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| n.无用 | |
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56
rebellious
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| adj.造反的，反抗的，难控制的 | |
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57
shrugged
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| vt.耸肩（shrug的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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58
faltered
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| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
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59
smeared
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| 弄脏； 玷污； 涂抹； 擦上 | |
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60
diminutive
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| adj.小巧可爱的，小的 | |
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61
trudged
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| vt.& vi.跋涉，吃力地走（trudge的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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62
misty
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| adj.雾蒙蒙的，有雾的 | |
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63
glistened
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| v.湿物闪耀，闪亮( glisten的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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64
vowed
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| 起誓，发誓（vow的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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65
fidelity
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| n.忠诚，忠实；精确 | |
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66
killing
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| n.巨额利润；突然赚大钱，发大财 | |
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67
Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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68
maternal
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| adj.母亲的，母亲般的，母系的，母方的 | |
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69
discommode
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| v.使失态，使为难 | |
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70
appreciative
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| adj.有鉴赏力的，有眼力的；感激的 | |
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71
ooze
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| n.软泥，渗出物；vi.渗出，泄漏；vt.慢慢渗出，流露 | |
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72
clogging
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| 堵塞，闭合 | |
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73
utterance
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| n.用言语表达，话语，言语 | |
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74
shackling
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| 给（某人）带上手铐或脚镣( shackle的现在分词 ) | |
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