All the fatuousness4 that had led me astray to the lure5 of her blue eyes, upon the train and in hollow Benton, surged anew now—perhaps seasoned to present taste by my peppery defiance6 of Daniel. A man could do no less than bristle7 a little, under the circumstances; could do no less than challenge the torpedoes8, like Farragut in Mobile Bay. Whether the game was worth the candle, I was not to be bullied9 out of my privileges by a clown swash-buckler who aped the characteristics of a pouter pigeon.
Mr. Jenks was just going to bed under the wagon10. With pretext11 of warming up the coffee I kicked the fire together; while squatting12 and sipping13 I managed to unfold the note and read it by the flicker14, my back to the camp.
All that it said, was:198
If you are not disgusted with me I will walk a stretch with you on the trail, during the morning.
The engagement sent me to my blanket cogitating15. When a woman proposes, one never knows precisely16 the reason. Anyway, I was young enough so to fancy. For a long time I lay outside the wagons17, apart in the desert camp, gazing up at the twinkling stars, while the wolves whimpered around, and somewhere she slept beside the gentle Rachael, and somewhere Daniel snored, and here I conned19 her face and her words, elatedly finding them very pleasing.
Salt Lake was far, the Big Tent farther by perspective if not by miles. I recognized the legal rights of her husband, but no ruffling20 Daniel should quash the undeniable rights of Yours Truly. I indeed felt virtuous22 and passing valorous, with that commonplace note in my pocket.
We all broke camp at sunrise. She rode for a distance upon the seat of Daniel’s wagon—he lustily trudging23 alongside. Then I marked her walking, herself; she had shortened her skirt; and presently lingering by the trail she dropped behind, leaving the wagon to lumber24 on, with Daniel helplessly turning head over shoulder, bereft25.
“Bet you the lady up yonder is aimin’ to pay you a visit,” quoth friend Jenks the astute26. “And Dan’l, he don’t cotton to it. You ain’t great shakes with a gun, I reckon?”
“I’ve never had use for one,” said I. “But her whereabouts in the train is not a matter of shooting, is it?”
“A feller quick on the draw, like him, is alluz wantin’ to practice, to keep his hand in. Anyhow I’d advise you to stay clear of her, else watch him mighty27 sharp. He’s thinkin’ of takin’ a squaw.”
We rolled on, in the dust, while the animals coughed and the teamsters chewed and swore. And next, here she was, idling until our outfit28 drew abreast29.
“Mornin’,” Jenks grunted30, with a shortness that bespoke31 his disapproval32; whereupon he fell back and left us.
She smiled at me.
“Will you offer me a ride, sir?”
My response was instant: a long “Whoa-oa!” in best mule33-whacker. The eight-team hauled negligent34, their mulish senses steeped in the drudgery35 of the trail; only the wheel pair flopped36 inquiring ears. When I hailed again, Jenks came puffing37.
“What’s the matter hyar?” He ran rapid eye over wagon and animals and saw nothing amiss.
“Mrs. Montoyo wishes to ride.”
“The hell, man!” He snatched whip and launched it, up the faltering38 team. The cracker39 popped an inch above the off lead mule’s cringing40 haunch twenty feet before. “You can’t stop hyar! Can’t hold the rest of the train. Joe! Baldy! Hep 200with you!” The team straightened out; he restored me the whip. His wrath41 subsided42, for in less dudgeon he addressed her.
“Want to ride, do ye?”
“I did, sir.”
“Wall, in Gawd’s name ride, then. But we don’t stop for passengers.”
With that, in another white heat he had picked her up bodily, swung her upon the nearest mule; so that before she knew (she scarce had time to utter an astonished little ejaculation as she yielded to his arms) there she was, perched, breathless, upon the sweaty hide. I awaited results.
“What you need is an old feller, lady. These young bucks44 ain’t broke to the feed canvas. Now when you want to get off you call me. You don’t weigh more’n a peck of beans.”
With a bantering45 wink18 at me he again fell back. Once more I had been forestalled46. There should be no third time.
“He meant well. He isn’t used to women,” I apologized.
“Yes. If he had asked the mule it would have objected, whereas it’s delighted.”
“Perhaps he knows there’s not much difference between a woman and a mule, in that respect,” she proffered51. “You need not apologize for him.”
“You?” She soberly surveyed me as I ploughed through the dust, at her knees. “I think you’ll catch up. If you don’t object to my company, yourself, occasionally, maybe I can help you.”
“I certainly cannot object to your company whenever it is available, madam,” I assured.
“You do not hold your experience in Benton against me?”
“I got no more than I deserved, in the Big Tent,” said I. “I went in as a fool and I came out as a fool, but considerably53 wiser.”
“You reproached me for it,” she accused. “You hated me. Do you hate me still, I wonder? I tell you I was not to blame for the loss of your money.”
“The money has mattered little, madam,” I informed. “It was only a few dollars, and it turned me to a job more to my liking54 and good health than fiddling55 my time away, back there. I have you to thank for that.”
“No, no! You are cruel, sir. You thank me for the good and you saddle me with the bad. I accept neither. Both, as happened, were misplays. You 202should not have lost money, you should not have changed vocation56. You should have won a little money and you should have pursued health in Benton.” She sighed. “And we all would have been reasonably content. Now here you and I are—and what are we going to do about it?”
“We?” I echoed, annoyingly haphazard57. “Why so? You’re being well cared for, I take it; and I’m under engagement for Salt Lake myself.”
The answer did sound rude. I was still a cad. She eyed me, with a certain whiteness, a certain puzzled intentness, a certain fugitive58 wistfulness—a mute estimation that made me too conscious of her clear appraising59 gaze and rack my brain for some disarming60 remark.
“You’re not responsible for me, you would say?”
“I’m at your service,” I corrected. The platitude61 was the best that I could muster62 to my tongue.
“That is something,” she mused63. “Once you were not that—when I proposed a partnership64. You are afraid of me?” she asked.
“Why should I be?” I parried. But I was beginning; or continuing. I had that curious inward quiver, not unpleasant, anticipatory65 of possible events.
“You are a cautious Yankee. You answer one question with another.” She laughed lightly. “Yes, why should you be? I cannot run away with you; not when Daniel and your Mr. Jenks are watching us so closely. And you have no desire to be run away with. And Pedro must be considered. Altogether, you are well protected, even if your conscience slips. But tell me: Do you blame me for running away from Montoyo?”
“You would have helped me, at the last?”
“Even to stowing me with a bull train?”
“Oh!” She clapped her hands. “But you didn’t have to. I only embarrassed you by appearing on my own account. You have some spirit, though. You came to the Adams circle, last night. You did your duty. I expected you. But you must not do it again.”
“Why not?”
“There are objections, there.”
“From you?”
“No.”
“From Hyrum?”
“Not yet.”
“From that Daniel, then. Well, I will come to Captain Adams’ camp as often as I like, if with the Captain’s permission. And I shall come to see you, whether with his permission or not.”
“I don’t know,” she faltered69. “I—you would 204have helped me once, you say? And once you refused me. Would you help me next time?”
“As far as I could,” said I—another of those damned hedging responses that for the life of me I could not manipulate properly.
“Oh!” she cried. “Of course! The queen deceived you; now you are wise. You are afraid. But so am I. Horribly afraid. I have misplayed again.” She laughed bitterly. “I am with Daniel—it is to be Daniel and I in the Lion’s den21. You know they call Brigham Young the Lion of the Lord. I doubt if even Rachael is angel enough.” She paused. “They’re going to make nooning, aren’t they? I mustn’t stay. Good-bye.”
I sprang to lift her, but with gay shake of head she slipped off of herself and landed securely.
“I can stand alone. I have to. Men are always ready to do what I don’t ask them to do, as long as I can serve as a tool or a toy. You will be very, very careful. Good-day, sir.”
She flashed just the trace of a smile; gathering70 her skirt she ran on, undeterred by the teamsters applauding her spryness.
“Swing out!” shouted Jenks, from rear. “We’re noonin’.” The lead wagons had halted beside the trail and all the wagons following began to imitate.
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1
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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2
titillates
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| n.使觉得痒( titillate的名词复数 )；逗引；激发；使高兴v.使觉得痒( titillate的第三人称单数 )；逗引；激发；使高兴 | |
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3
offense
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| n.犯规，违法行为；冒犯，得罪 | |
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fatuousness
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| n.愚昧，昏庸，蠢 | |
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5
lure
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| n.吸引人的东西，诱惑物；vt.引诱，吸引 | |
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6
defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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7
bristle
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| v.（毛发）直立，气势汹汹，发怒；n.硬毛发 | |
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8
torpedoes
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| 鱼雷( torpedo的名词复数 )； 油井爆破筒； 刺客； 掼炮 | |
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9
bullied
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| adj.被欺负了v.恐吓，威逼( bully的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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10
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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pretext
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| n.借口，托词 | |
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12
squatting
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| v.像动物一样蹲下( squat的现在分词 )；非法擅自占用（土地或房屋）；为获得其所有权；而占用某片公共用地。 | |
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13
sipping
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| v.小口喝，呷，抿( sip的现在分词 ) | |
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14
flicker
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| vi./n.闪烁，摇曳，闪现 | |
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15
cogitating
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| v.认真思考，深思熟虑( cogitate的现在分词 ) | |
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16
precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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17
wagons
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| n.四轮的运货马车( wagon的名词复数 )；铁路货车；小手推车 | |
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18
wink
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| n.眨眼，使眼色，瞬间；v.眨眼，使眼色，闪烁 | |
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19
conned
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| adj.被骗了v.指挥操舵( conn的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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20
ruffling
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| 弄皱( ruffle的现在分词 )； 弄乱； 激怒； 扰乱 | |
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21
den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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22
virtuous
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| adj.有品德的，善良的，贞洁的，有效力的 | |
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23
trudging
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| vt.& vi.跋涉，吃力地走（trudge的现在分词形式） | |
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24
lumber
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| n.木材，木料；v.以破旧东西堆满；伐木；笨重移动 | |
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25
bereft
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| adj.被剥夺的 | |
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26
astute
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| adj.机敏的，精明的 | |
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27
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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28
outfit
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| n.（为特殊用途的）全套装备，全套服装 | |
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29
abreast
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| adv.并排地；跟上(时代)的步伐，与…并进地 | |
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30
grunted
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| （猪等）作呼噜声( grunt的过去式和过去分词 )； （指人）发出类似的哼声； 咕哝着说 | |
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31
bespoke
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| adj.（产品）订做的；专做订货的v.预定( bespeak的过去式 )；订（货）；证明；预先请求 | |
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32
disapproval
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| n.反对，不赞成 | |
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33
mule
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| n.骡子，杂种，执拗的人 | |
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34
negligent
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| adj.疏忽的；玩忽的；粗心大意的 | |
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drudgery
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| n.苦工，重活，单调乏味的工作 | |
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36
flopped
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| v.（指书、戏剧等）彻底失败( flop的过去式和过去分词 )；（因疲惫而）猛然坐下；（笨拙地、不由自主地或松弛地）移动或落下；砸锅 | |
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37
puffing
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| v.使喷出( puff的现在分词 )；喷着汽（或烟）移动；吹嘘；吹捧 | |
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38
faltering
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| 犹豫的，支吾的，蹒跚的 | |
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39
cracker
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| n.（无甜味的）薄脆饼干 | |
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40
cringing
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| adj.谄媚，奉承 | |
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41
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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42
subsided
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| v.（土地）下陷（因在地下采矿）( subside的过去式和过去分词 )；减弱；下降至较低或正常水平；一下子坐在椅子等上 | |
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43
chuckled
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| 轻声地笑( chuckle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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44
bucks
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| n.雄鹿( buck的名词复数 )；钱；（英国十九世纪初的）花花公子；（用于某些表达方式）责任v.（马等）猛然弓背跃起( buck的第三人称单数 )；抵制；猛然震荡；马等尥起后蹄跳跃 | |
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45
bantering
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| adj.嘲弄的v.开玩笑，说笑，逗乐( banter的现在分词 )；（善意地）取笑，逗弄 | |
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46
forestalled
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| v.先发制人，预先阻止( forestall的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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47
softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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48
discomfiture
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| n.崩溃；大败；挫败；困惑 | |
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49
averred
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| v.断言( aver的过去式和过去分词 )；证实；证明…属实；作为事实提出 | |
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50
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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51
proffered
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| v.提供，贡献，提出( proffer的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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52
blurted
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| v.突然说出，脱口而出( blurt的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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53
considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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54
liking
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| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
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55
fiddling
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| 微小的 | |
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56
vocation
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| n.职业，行业 | |
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57
haphazard
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| adj.无计划的，随意的，杂乱无章的 | |
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58
fugitive
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| adj.逃亡的，易逝的；n.逃犯，逃亡者 | |
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59
appraising
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| v.估价( appraise的现在分词 )；估计；估量；评价 | |
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60
disarming
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| adj.消除敌意的，使人消气的v.裁军( disarm的现在分词 )；使息怒 | |
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61
platitude
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| n.老生常谈，陈词滥调 | |
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62
muster
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| v.集合，收集，鼓起，激起；n.集合，检阅，集合人员，点名册 | |
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63
mused
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| v.沉思，冥想( muse的过去式和过去分词 )；沉思自语说（某事） | |
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64
partnership
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| n.合作关系，伙伴关系 | |
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65
anticipatory
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| adj.预想的，预期的 | |
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66
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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67
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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68
brute
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| n.野兽，兽性 | |
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69
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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70
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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