"Begobs, I belave he's coming!"
A further scanning of the landscape elicited1 a cry of satisfaction.
"Nick's headin' fer the howl all right," said he elatedly.
The Irishman was standing2 on the tank, his hand on the pump-handle. He had backed the grays into a pool fed by a small creek3 that here expanded into a miniature pond some dozen yards across. In Western threshing the tankman draws his water from the nearest hole or stream. For some days both Easy and Nick Ford4, the McClure tankman, had been filling their tanks at the same pool.
Nick Ford was known familiarly as Boozey Ford, a self-explanatory sobriquet5. Whiskey aside, he was one of the most reliable tankers7 along the Valley. With whiskey by his side his water-wagon8 was apt to receive a diluted9 attention.
As the days sped by the struggle between the two outfits10 became intense. The two tankmen were nearing the point of interpersonal complications in their heated conversations on the issue. Easy Murphy was feeling irrepressibly loquacious12 on this occasion, for he had not met Boozey since the affair of the R-M wrench13. However, as Nick drove up he began a foxy approach, greeting him in a friendly manner.
"Nick! How is the wur-r-rld using you?" was his opening.
"So, so!" was Nick's no less friendly response.
"Ye'll be afthurr faylin' a demi-semi-quaver in yer boots, Nick, since till-night's the night the Valley Outfit11 take the candy from the kid."
"There's sure going to be a lark14 to-night," agreed Nick. "We'll have a howling time putting the kibosh on your little, old Outfit. You mark my words, Murphy, when Jack15 Butte hands out his estimates you'll freeze stiff. I'll bet you even money we lick you by a thousand."
"Just cover that wee trifle," said Easy, revealing a ten-dollar bill.
"Sorry to rob you, Murphy," said Nick, "but it's awfully16 decent of you to accommodate me. We'll hand it to Butte just before the curtain goes up."
"'Tis a great pleasure till contribute," agreed Easy light-heartedly. Then he added slyly, "By the way, Nick, did ye miss anny tools from yer tool-chist lately?"
"Not that I know of," was the frank reply.
"Shure we found wan17 uv Rob McClure's wrenches18 in our separator yisturr-day."
Nick's interest perceptibly increased.
"'Tis not the act uv a gintleman, but a dirty trick uv Snoopy Bill Baird, and 'tis achin' I am till spile the impudint jaw19 of the Snoopy wan fer the same foul20 act."
Nick's blood began to sweep into his animated21 face. But the other continued:
"Howld yer timper, lad. I'm not afthurr blamin' you, Nick. Yer as innocent as the lambs in the spring."
His voice grew sweet as honey and he made a suspicious motion to his breast pocket.
"We'll just have a wee dthrop as gintlemen together on the head uv the divilmint, and part—frinds."
He drew an amber-coloured flask22 from his pocket.
"'Tis the rale Irish, Nick. Be afthurr washin' down a swate swallow."
He extended the bottle convivially23.
Nick took in the sight with fascinated and thirsty eyes. All hostility24 magically vanished and a supreme25 joy capered26 shamelessly into his face.
"Don't care if I do," said he, with a too casual unconcern. "Dad, that's prime stuff!" was his genuine approval as he handed back the flask.
"Shure I'm afthurr sayin' the same mesilf. Yer over modest, lad. Take a sip27 that wull tingle28 the toes uv ye."
So gracious a pressure was not to be resisted, and Nick responded with a ready acquiescence29 that left nothing to be desired. Easy emulated30 in pantomime, tipping the flask adroitly31 but permitting no drop to pass his lips. Taking another "sensation," Nick scurried32 off to his own tank and began pumping vigorously. Soon, however, he felt the desire for still another touch and was back at the flask. Easy Murphy kept the bottle supplied from some mysterious source about his person. So the best part of an hour passed and signs began to appear that Nick was rivalling the tanks in the quantity of liquid he was carrying. In the meantime Easy had leisurely33 filled his own tank. Suddenly The Mogul, McClure's giant engine, sounded the water call. Nick recognized the signal and, dropping the pump-handle, seized the lines and started off, urging his amazed horses in a line of patter that was new to them. As he drove away Easy slipped down off his own wagon and, stealing craftily34 after, tapped the bung of Nick's tank with a stone. One or two skillful knocks and the peg35 fell out, letting the water away in a heavy gush36. Throwing the bung into the grass, Easy climbed up on his tank and followed.
Ahead drove Nick, supremely37 unconscious of the fact that his tank was fast emptying. When they reached the road-allowance he became suddenly confused. His trail lay directly across the road and into a field. His horses would have taken the right way, but Nick pulled them up sharply. His eyesight was temporarily impaired38. He could see only the good road running east and west. Pulling on the left line, he turned into the east. Yet he was not sure, and drew up his horses once more. His tongue was thick as he called back:
"Hello, Eashy! (hic) Ish the trail (hic) all right?"
"Shure and indade it is that," came the wily response. "Go right ahead to yer outfit, Nick, man. It's a foine road, the smoothest in the howl counthry."
With a flourish of his whip Nick sent the unwilling39 team on down the road. Crossing the road-allowance, Easy entered the oat-field through the wire fence and made straight for his own machine. As he hit the stubble trail he heard the Mogul whistle impatiently for water. A moment later she called again. Turning around, he looked at Nick. He, too, had heard the urgent calls and was standing up driving like Jehu. The tank was now empty and the horses responded by breaking into a smart trot40. The sight was hugely entertaining to the watcher. He slapped his thigh41, shouting in unholy glee.
"Be the wake uv me grandmother!" he cried exultingly42, "it's now we get back the swate and precious minutes they filched43 by their rascalities uv yisterday."
Away in the distance Nick was driving like mad while the Mogul tattooed44 her calls for water with an angry insistence45 that drove him from her at accelerated speed. The circumstance was too much for the delighted Irishman. Laughing till the tears rolled down his cheeks he called after the disappearing Nick:
"Go it, me hearty46! Kape it up, bye, and ye'll soon reach the broad Atlantic. Begobs! Call in at Winnipeg. They're shy on water-wagons in the Gateway47 uv the Gowlden Wist."
Never a word of the matter did he give to his young boss as he emptied his tank in preparation for the next trip. His wickedly radiant face attracted Ned, however, stirring his curiosity.
"What's tickling48 you, Easy? Been filling your boiler49 at Louie's tank?"
"Niver the dthrop, Ned. Not wanct since the twilfth uv July have I shined up till the dementin' crathur. 'Tis the whistle uv the Mogul that's drivin' me tipsy. Somehow the thirsty screamin' uv it tickles50 me since uv the rediculous."
"Rob's engine is out of water. She's been callin' for over half an hour," observed Ned, looking over the stubble at the rival outfit. "Indeed, Easy, she's hung up. Their blower is stopped."
At an unusual hearty chuckle51 from the tankman, Ned eyed him sharply, a suspicion leaping into his mind.
"Shtopped's the wurrd!" exclaimed Easy in feigned52 surprise, shading his eyes the better to study the Mogul. "Rob wull be afthurr havin' a brathin' spell. May it last a wake."
Ned's eyes detected an unusual excitement on his companion's averted53 face. His suspicion took a sudden definite form.
"Easy," said he seriously, "you are mighty54 pleased about something and yet not at all surprised. Let me into the secret."
"Shure 'tis plazed I am this minute, Ned, and the most astonished critter on the Valley Gang."
"Steady, lad," cautioned Ned. "You can't fool me. You know more about the water shortage at Rob's outfit than Rob himself. What's keeping Nick?"
Easy found a matter for precipitate55 occupation in the barrel he was filling and did not reply at once. He was seized with sudden panic, for he had caught sight of Ned's face. The unsmiling eyes filled him with trepidation56. When he at length looked up Ned's clear eyes looked through him. For once the garrulous57 Irishman was speechless while a blush flamed slowly over his brown face.
"Tell me," said Ned simply.
Hitching58 his overalls59 nervously60 and somewhat forcefully, Easy let a broad, sheepish grin play on his ample face. He attempted jocularity.
"'Tis a lugoobrius confession61 ye'll be draggin' out uv me wid the third degree uv yer blazin' eye."
"Tell me," repeated Ned.
"Wull," said Easy, scratching his head with obvious regret, "since 'tis implacabul ye are, I'll make it short and swate. Nick and yer humble62 sarvint meets at the mud puddle63. We pass the complimints uv the sayson, git intill a small fracas64 uv the tongue and out uv it by the bottle. We had a wee dthrop. That is, Nick had. Thin he took another and another, et cetra and so on. Nick was oncommon thirsty. In a wurrd, I filled Nick till the neck and pulled the bung uv his tank. The one is impty and the other full. 'Tis the Mogul and mesilf knows which and,—yersilf, begobs, since ye tapped me wires. To sum up fer ye, me inquisitive65 frind, Rob's tank is impty and his tankman full, and the pair uv thim is headin' fer salt water at a spankin' trot. 'Tis comin' till the blackgards if ye ask Easy Murphy."
Easy stood before his boss with hanging head. His confession had not stimulated66 any risible67 emotions in Ned. Ned, on his part, said nothing, but stood looking for a little at the culprit, a kindly68 light mingling69 with the flash of his eyes. Then he stepped over to his engine and, seizing the whistle-cord, gave it a jerk, blowing the one sharp shriek70 that signals stop. Instantly the work ceased and the outfit slowed to rest. Amid the shouts of the men demanding the cause of the stop, Easy Murphy ran swiftly to Ned.
"Ye're not afthurr killin' the outfit," cried he, a peculiar71 pleading in his voice.
"Easy," said Ned quietly, "the Valley Outfit is running this little jig72 on the square. Not a wheel turns on this mill until McClure makes up every minute we've killed for him."
The Irishman looked into Ned's face. There had been the glimmer73 of an accusing look but it was gone. In its place was something big and honest that hushed the angry protest about to leap forth74. Their eyes held for a moment, then the tankman's fell while the flush swept his face once again.
"I'll explain to the boys," said Ned, moving away toward the separator.
"No, lad," cried Easy, impulsively75 seizing his arm. "'Tis the hot curse I was nearly givin' ye. Ye're too white, Ned, fer a divil the loikes uv wan Easy Murphy. Shure 'tis right ye are, though I'm hatin' the idea. I'll hike till the mill and make me diplomatical defince before the gang. Sind me carcas till Belfast whin the boys git through wid ut."
Making a comical grimace76, he set off to the separator to do the hardest thing he had ever attempted.
The men listened silently while Easy made his brief and self-accusative explanation. At the abrupt77 conclusion there resulted a most awkward pause. The gang were dumb at the unexpectedness of it. Each man was torn by several desires. He wanted to laugh, to howl, in fact. But something fine in him rendered him mute. There was a great admiration78 for their game boss and an even greater admiration for their game and artful culprit. The embarrassment79 had about reached the explosive point when Jean Benoit let out a scream.
"Ze res' do moche good, I tink," said he, shaking with laughter. "Wan, two, tree cheer on de boss an' dees ver bad Irish fellow."
At his words there broke out a jolly shout while the gang lay back on the straw and laughed to their heart's content.
Through the long wait there was not a murmur80.
Meanwhile in McClure's gang consternation81 reigned82. The last drop of water had been sucked up by the inspirator and the water was sinking in the glass. The men were perched on all vantage points on the lookout83 for the delinquent84. No sign of him could they discover.
"Get Smithers to haul these barrels filled at the slough," directed McClure to Snoopy Bill, pointing to the barrels about the engine. "They'll keep her going until I can find that blankety Nick."
McClure had barely set off on his quest when one of the teamsters called the attention of the gang to the sudden "hang-up" of the Valley machine. As an hour passed and there was no sign of the Valley men resuming work, Snoopy Bill and his companions grew jubilant to a degree.
Nearly two hours later McClure appeared riding the tank and towing his buggy, in which lay the inebriate85 tanker6.
A few minutes after, the Mogul was driving ahead under full pressure, joined shortly by the distant hum of the Valley Gang. Into the dark they raged, fighting ahead until eight, when the defiant86 whistles of the rival engines told that the great run was over.
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1
elicited
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| 引出，探出( elicit的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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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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3
creek
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| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
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Ford
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| n.浅滩，水浅可涉处；v.涉水，涉过 | |
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sobriquet
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| n.绰号 | |
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tanker
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| n.油轮 | |
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tankers
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| 运送大量液体或气体的轮船[卡车]( tanker的名词复数 )； 油轮； 罐车； 油槽车 | |
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8
wagon
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| n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车 | |
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9
diluted
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| 无力的，冲淡的 | |
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outfits
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| n.全套装备( outfit的名词复数 )；一套服装；集体；组织v.装备，配置设备，供给服装( outfit的第三人称单数 ) | |
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11
outfit
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| n.（为特殊用途的）全套装备，全套服装 | |
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12
loquacious
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| adj.多嘴的，饶舌的 | |
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13
wrench
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| v.猛拧；挣脱；使扭伤；n.扳手；痛苦，难受 | |
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14
lark
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| n.云雀，百灵鸟；n.嬉戏，玩笑；vi.嬉戏 | |
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15
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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16
awfully
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| adv.可怕地，非常地，极端地 | |
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17
wan
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| (wide area network)广域网 | |
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wrenches
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| n.一拧( wrench的名词复数 )；（身体关节的）扭伤；扳手；（尤指离别的）悲痛v.（猛力地）扭( wrench的第三人称单数 )；扭伤；使感到痛苦；使悲痛 | |
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19
jaw
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| n.颚，颌，说教，流言蜚语；v.喋喋不休，教训 | |
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20
foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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21
animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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22
flask
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| n.瓶，火药筒，砂箱 | |
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convivially
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| adv.欢乐地，愉悦地 | |
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24
hostility
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| n.敌对，敌意；抵制［pl.］交战，战争 | |
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25
supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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26
capered
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| v.跳跃，雀跃( caper的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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sip
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| v.小口地喝，抿，呷；n.一小口的量 | |
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28
tingle
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| vi.感到刺痛，感到激动；n.刺痛，激动 | |
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acquiescence
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| n.默许；顺从 | |
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30
emulated
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| v.与…竞争( emulate的过去式和过去分词 )；努力赶上；计算机程序等仿真；模仿 | |
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31
adroitly
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| adv.熟练地，敏捷地 | |
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32
scurried
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| v.急匆匆地走( scurry的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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33
leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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craftily
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| 狡猾地，狡诈地 | |
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35
peg
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| n.木栓，木钉；vt.用木钉钉，用短桩固定 | |
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36
gush
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| v.喷，涌；滔滔不绝(说话)；n.喷，涌流；迸发 | |
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supremely
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| adv.无上地，崇高地 | |
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38
impaired
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| adj.受损的；出毛病的；有（身体或智力）缺陷的v.损害，削弱( impair的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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39
unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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40
trot
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| n.疾走，慢跑；n.老太婆；现成译本；(复数）trots:腹泻（与the 连用）；v.小跑，快步走，赶紧 | |
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41
thigh
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| n.大腿；股骨 | |
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42
exultingly
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| 兴高采烈地，得意地 | |
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43
filched
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| v.偷（尤指小的或不贵重的物品）( filch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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44
tattooed
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| v.刺青，文身( tattoo的过去式和过去分词 )；连续有节奏地敲击；作连续有节奏的敲击 | |
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45
insistence
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| n.坚持；强调；坚决主张 | |
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46
hearty
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| adj.热情友好的；衷心的；尽情的，纵情的 | |
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47
gateway
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| n.大门口，出入口，途径，方法 | |
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48
tickling
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| 反馈，回授，自旋挠痒法 | |
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49
boiler
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| n.锅炉；煮器(壶，锅等) | |
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50
tickles
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| （使）发痒( tickle的第三人称单数 )； （使）愉快，逗乐 | |
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51
chuckle
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| vi.／n.轻声笑，咯咯笑 | |
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52
feigned
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| a.假装的，不真诚的 | |
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53
averted
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| 防止，避免( avert的过去式和过去分词 )； 转移 | |
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54
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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55
precipitate
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| adj.突如其来的；vt.使突然发生；n.沉淀物 | |
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56
trepidation
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| n.惊恐，惶恐 | |
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57
garrulous
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| adj.唠叨的，多话的 | |
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58
hitching
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| 搭乘； （免费）搭乘他人之车( hitch的现在分词 )； 搭便车； 攀上； 跃上 | |
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59
overalls
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| n.（复）工装裤；长罩衣 | |
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60
nervously
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| adv.神情激动地，不安地 | |
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61
confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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62
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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63
puddle
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| n.(雨)水坑，泥潭 | |
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64
fracas
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| n.打架；吵闹 | |
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inquisitive
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| adj.求知欲强的，好奇的，好寻根究底的 | |
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stimulated
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| a.刺激的 | |
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67
risible
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| adj.能笑的；可笑的 | |
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68
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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69
mingling
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| adj.混合的 | |
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70
shriek
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| v./n.尖叫，叫喊 | |
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71
peculiar
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| adj.古怪的，异常的；特殊的，特有的 | |
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72
jig
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| n.快步舞（曲）；v.上下晃动；用夹具辅助加工；蹦蹦跳跳 | |
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73
glimmer
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| v.发出闪烁的微光；n.微光，微弱的闪光 | |
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74
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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75
impulsively
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| adv.冲动地 | |
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76
grimace
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| v.做鬼脸，面部歪扭 | |
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77
abrupt
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| adj.突然的，意外的；唐突的，鲁莽的 | |
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78
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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79
embarrassment
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| n.尴尬；使人为难的人(事物)；障碍；窘迫 | |
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80
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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81
consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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82
reigned
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| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
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83
lookout
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| n.注意，前途，瞭望台 | |
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84
delinquent
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| adj.犯法的，有过失的；n.违法者 | |
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85
inebriate
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| v.使醉 | |
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86
defiant
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| adj.无礼的，挑战的 | |
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