It was after midnight when Mr. Howitt was rudely awakened1. The bright moon shining through the windows lit up the interior of the cabin and he easily recognized Young Matt standing2 by the bed, with Pete, who was sleeping at the ranch3 that night, near by.
"Why, Matt, what is the matter?" exclaimed the shepherd, sitting up. He could not see that the big fellow's clothing was torn, that his hat was gone, and that he was dripping with perspiration4; but he could hear his labored5 breathing. Strong as he was, the young giant was nearly exhausted6 by the strain of his race over the mountains.
"Get up quick, Dad; I'll tell you while you're puttin' on your clothes," the woodsman answered; and while the shepherd dressed, he told him in a few words, finishing with, "Call Brave inside, and get your gun, with all the shells you can find. Don't show a light for a minute. They'll be here any time now, and it'll be a good bit yet before Sammy can get home." He began fastening the front door.
The peaceful minded scholar could not grasp the meaning of the message; it was to him an impossible thought; "You must be mistaken, Grant," he said. "Surely you are excited and unduly8 alarmed. Wash Gibbs has no reason to attack me."
Young Matt replied gruffly, "I ain't makin' no mistake in the woods, Dad. You ain't in the city now, and there ain't no one can hear you holler. Don't think I am scared neither, if that's what you mean. But there's ten of them in that bunch, and they're bad ones. You'd better call Brave, sir. He'll be some help when it comes to the rush."
But the other persisted, "You must be mistaken, lad. Why should any one wish to harm me? Those men are only out fox hunting, or something like that. If they should be coming here, it is all a mistake; I can easily explain."
"Explain, hell!" ejaculated the mountaineer. "I ask your pardon, Dad; but you don't know, not being raised in these woods like me. Old man Lewis hadn't done nothing neither, and he explained, too; only he never got through explainin'. They ain't got no reason. They're drunk. You've never seen Wash Gibbs drunk, and to-night he's got his whole gang with him. I don't know why he's comin' after you, but, from what you told me 'bout9 his stoppin' here that evenin', and what I've heard lately, I can guess. I know what he'll do when he gets here, if we don't stop him. It'll be all the same to you whether he's right or wrong."
Brave came trotting10 into the cabin through the rear door, and lay down in his corner by the fireplace. "That's mighty11 funny," said Young Matt. Then, as he glanced quickly around, "Where's Pete?"
The boy had slipped away while the two men were talking. Stepping outside they called several times; but, save the "Wh-w-h-o--w-h-o- o-o" of an owl12 in a big tree near the corral, there was no answer.
"The boy's alright, anyway," said the young man; "nothin' in the woods ever hurts Pete. He's safer there than he would be here, and I'm glad he's gone."
The shepherd did not reply. He seemed not to hear, but stood as though fascinated by the scene. He still could not grasp the truth of the situation, but the beauty of the hour moved him deeply. "What a marvelous, what a wonderful sight!" he said at last in a low tone. "I do not wonder the boy loves to roam the hills a night like this. Look, Grant! See how soft the moonlight falls on that patch of grass this side of the old tree yonder, and how black the shadow is under that bush, like the mouth of a cave, a witch's cave. I am sure there are ghosts and goblins in there, with fairies and gnomes13, and perhaps a dragon or two. And see, lad, how the great hills rise into the sky. How grand, how beautiful the world is! It is good to live, Matt, though life be sometimes hard, still--still it is good to live."
At the old scholar's words and manner, the mountaineer, too, forgot for a moment the thing that had brought him there, and a look of awe14 and wonder came over his rugged15 features, as the shepherd, with his face turned upward and his deep voice full of emotion, repeated, "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament16 showeth his handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge."
The owl left his place in the old tree and flew across the moonlit clearing into the deeper gloom of the woods. Inside the cabin the dog barked, and through the still night, from down the valley, where the ranch trail crosses the creek17, came the rattle18 of horses' feet on the rocky floor of the little stream, and the faint sound of voices. Young Matt started, and again the man of the wilderness19 was master of the situation. "They're comin', Dad. We ain't got no time to lose."
Re-entering the cabin, Mr. Howitt quieted the dog, while his companion fastened the rear door, and, in the silence, while they waited, a cricket under the corner of the house sang his plaintive20 song. The sound of voices grew louder as the horses drew nearer. Brave growled21 and would have barked again, but was quieted by the shepherd, who crouched22 at his side, with one hand on the dog's neck.
The older man smiled to himself. It all seemed to him so like a child's game. He had watched the mountaineer's preparation with amused interest, and had followed the young woodsman's directions, even to the loaded shotgun in his hand, as one would humor a boy in his play. The scholar's mind, trained to consider the problems of civilization, and to recognize the dangers of the city, refused to entertain seriously the thought that there, in the peaceful woods, in the dead of night, a company of ruffians was seeking to do him harm.
The voices had ceased, and the listeners heard only the sound of the horses' feet, as the party passed the ruined cabin under the bluff23. A moment or two later the riders stopped in front of the ranch house. Brave growled again, but was silenced by the hand on his neck.
Young Matt was at the window. "I see them," he whispered. "They're gettin' off their horses, and tyin' them to the corral fence." The smile on the shepherd's face vanished, and he experienced a queer sensation; it was as though something gripped his heart.
The other continued his whispered report; "They're bunchin' up now under the old tree, talkin' things over. Don't know what to make of the dog not bein' around, I reckon. Now they're takin' a drink. It takes a lot of whiskey to help ten men jump onto one old man, and him a stranger in the Woods. Now Wash is sendin' two of them around to the back, so you can't slip out into the brush. Sh--h-- h, here comes a couple more to try the front door." He slipped quietly across the room to the shepherd's side. The visitors came softly up to the front door, and tried it gently. A moment later the rear door was tried in the same way.
"Let Brave speak to them," whispered Young Matt; and the dog, feeling the restraining hand removed, barked fiercely.
Mr. Howitt, following his companion's whispered instructions, spoke24 aloud, "What's the matter, Brave?"
A bold knock at the front door caused the dog to redouble his efforts, until his master commanded him to be still. "Who is there?" called the shepherd.
"Young Matt's took powerful bad," answered a voice; "an' they want you t' come up t' th' house, an' doctor him." A drunken laugh came from the old tree, followed by a smothered25 oath.
The giant at Mr. Howitt's side growled under his breath, "Oh, I'm sick, am I? There's them that'll be a heap sicker before mornin'. Keep on a talkin', Dad. We've got to make all the time we can, so's Jim can get here."
The shepherd called again, "I do not recognize your voice. You must tell me who you are."
Outside there was a short consultation26, followed by a still louder knock; "Open up. Why don't you open up an' see who we are?" while from under the tree came a call, "Quit your foolin' an' bring him out o' there, you fellers." This command was followed by a still more vigorous hammering at the door, and the threats, "Open up ol' man. Open up, or we'll sure bust27 her in."
Mr. Howitt whispered to his companion, "Let me open the door and talk to them, Grant. Surely they will listen to reason."
But the woodsman returned, "Talk to a nest of rattlers! Jim Lane's the only man that can talk to them now. We've got to stand them off as long as we can." As he spoke he raised his revolver, and was about to fire a shot through the door, when a slight noise at one side of the room attracted his attention. He turned just in time to catch a glimpse of a face as it was withdrawn28 from one of the little windows. The noise at the door ceased suddenly, and they heard the two men running to join the group under the tree.
"They've found you ain't alone," whispered the big fellow, springing to the window again. And, as a wild drunken yell came from the visitors, he added, "Seems like they're some excited about it, too. They're holdin' a regular pow-wow. What do you reckon they're thinkin'? Hope they'll keep it up 'till Jim--Sh--h--h Here comes another. It's that ornery Jim Bowles from the mouth of Indian Creek."
The man approached the cabin, but stopped some distance away and called, "Hello, ol' man!"
"Well, what do you want?" answered Mr. Howitt.
"Who's that there feller you got with you?"
"A friend."
"Yes! We all 'lowed hit war a friend, an' we all want t' see him powerful bad. Can't he come out an' play with us, Mister?" Another laugh came from the group under the tree.
Young Matt whispered, "Keep him a talkin', Dad;" and Mr. Howitt called, "He doesn't feel like playing to-night. Come back to- morrow."
At this the spokesman dropped his bantering29 tone, "Look a here, ol' man. We'uns ain't got no time t' be a foolin' here. We know who that feller is, an' we're a goin' t' have him. He's been a sneakin' 'round this here neighborhood long enough. As fer you, Mister, we 'low your health'll be some better back where you come from; an' we aim t' hep you leave this neck o' th' woods right sudden. Open up, now, an' turn that there feller over t' us; an' we'll let you off easy like. If you don't, we'll bust in th' door, an' make you both dance t' th' same tune30. There won't be ary thing under you t' dance on, nuther."
The old shepherd was replying kindly31, when his speech was interrupted by a pistol shot, and a command from the leader, at which the entire gang charged toward the cabin, firing as they came, and making the little valley hideous32 with their drunken oaths and yells.
From his window, Young Matt coolly emptied his revolver, but even as the crowd faltered33, there came from their leader another volley of oaths. "Go on, go on," yelled Wash. "Their guns are empty, now. Fetch 'em out 'fore7 they can load again." With an answering yell, the others responded. Carrying a small log they made for the cabin at full speed. One crashing blow--the door flew from its hinges, and the opening was filled with the drunken, sweating, swearing crew. The same instant, Young Matt dropped his useless revolver, and, springing forward, met them on the threshold. The old shepherd--who had not fired a shot--could scarcely believe his eyes, as he saw the giant catch the nearest man by the shoulder and waist, and, lifting him high above his head, fling him with terrific force full into the faces of his bewildered companions.
Those who were not knocked down by the strange weapon scattered34 in every direction, crouching35 low. For a moment the big fellow was master of the situation, and, standing alone in the doorway36, in the full light of the moon, was easily recognized.
"Hell, boys! Hit's Young Matt hisself!" yelled the one who had raised a laugh, by saying that Young Matt was sick and the shepherd was wanted to doctor.
"Yes! It's me, Bill Simpson. I'm sure ailin' to-night. I need somebody to go for a doctor powerful bad," returned the young giant.
"We never knowed it war you," whined37 the other carefully lengthening38 the distance between the big man on the doorstep and himself.
"No, I reckon not. You all played to find an old man alone, and do for him like you've done for others. A fine lot you are, ten to one, and him not knowin' the woods."
While he was speaking, the men slowly retreated, to gather about their big leader under the tree, two of them being assisted by their companions, and one other limping painfully. Young Matt raised his voice, "I know you, Wash Gibbs, and I know this here is your dirty work. You've been a braggin' what you'd do when you met up with me. I'm here now. Why don't you come up like a man? Come out here into the light and let's you and me settle this thing right now. You all--" CRACK! A jet of flame leaped out of the shadow, and the speaker dropped like a log.
With a cry the shepherd ran to the side of his friend; but in a moment the crowd had again reached the cabin, and the old man was dragged from his fallen companion. With all his strength, Mr. Howitt struggled with his captors, begging them to let him go to the boy. But his hands were bound tightly behind his back, and when he still plead with those who held him, Wash Gibbs struck him full in the mouth, a blow that brought the blood.
They were leading the stunned39 and helpless old man away, when someone, who was bending over Young Matt, exclaimed, "You missed him, Wash! Jest raked him. He'll be up in a minute. An' hell 'll be to pay in th' wilderness if he ain't tied. Better fix him quick."
The big fellow already showed signs of returning consciousness, and, by the time they had tied his arms, he was able to struggle to his feet. For a moment he looked dizzily around, his eyes turning from one evil, triumphant40 face to another, until they rested upon the bleeding countenance41 of his old friend. The shepherd's eyes smiled back a message of cheer, and the kind old man tried to speak, when Wash Gibbs made another threatening motion, with his clenched42 fist.
At this, a cry like the roar of a mad bull came from the young giant. In his rage, he seemed suddenly endowed with almost superhuman strength. Before a man of the startled company could do more than gasp43 with astonishment44, he had shaken himself free from those who held him, and, breaking the rope with which he was bound, as though it were twine45, had leaped to the shepherd's side.
But it was useless. For a moment, no one moved. Then a crashing blow, from the butt46 of a rifle in the hands of a man in the rear of the two prisoners, sent Young Matt once more to the ground. When he again regained47 consciousness, he was so securely bound, that, even with his great strength, he was helpless.
Leading their captives to the old tree, the men withdrew for a short consultation, and to refresh themselves with another drink. When they had finished, Gibbs addressed the two friends; "We'uns didn't aim to hurt you, Young Matt, but seein' how you're so thick with this here feller, an' 'pear to know so much 'bout him, I reckon we can't hep ourselves nohow." He turned to the shepherd; "There's been too dad burned much funny work, at this ranch, since you come, Mister, an' we'uns 'low we'll just give warnin' that we don't want no more strangers snoopin' 'round this neighborhood, an' we don't aim t' have 'em neither. We'uns 'low we can take care o' ourselves, without ary hep from th' dad burned government."
The shepherd tried to speak, but Gibbs, with an oath, roared, "Shut up, I tell you. Shut up. I've been a watchin', an' I know what I know. Fix that there rope, boys, an we'll get through, an' mosey 'long out o' here. Ain't no use to palaver48, nohow."
A rope was thrown over a limb above their heads, and a man approached the shepherd with the noose49. Young Matt struggled desperately50. With an evil grin, Gibbs said, "Don't you worry, sonny; you're a goin', too." And at his signal another rope was fixed51, and the noose placed over the young man's head. The men took their places, awaiting the word from their leader.
The shepherd spoke softly to his companion, "Thank you, my boy." The giant began another desperate struggle.
Wash Gibbs, raising his hand, opened his lips to give the signal. But no word came. The brutal52 jaw53 dropped. The ruffian's eyes fairly started from his head, while the men who held the ropes, stood as if turned to stone, as a long wailing54 cry came from the dark shadows under the bluff. There was a moment of death-like silence. Then another awful, sobbing56 groan57, rising into a blood curdling58 scream, came from down the road, and, from the direction of the ruined cabin, advanced a ghostly figure. Through the deep shadows and the misty59 light, it seemed to float toward them, moaning and sobbing as it came.
A shuddering60 gasp of horror burst from the frightened crew under the tree. Then, at a louder wail55 from the approaching apparition61, they broke and ran. Like wild men they leaped for their horses, and, flinging themselves into their saddles, fled in every direction.
Young Matt and the shepherd sank upon the ground in helpless amazement62.
As the outlaws63 fled, the spectre paused. Then it started onward64 toward the two men. Again it hesitated. For a moment it remained motionless, then turned and vanished, just as Jim Lane came flying out of the timber, into the bright light of the little clearing.
收听单词发音 |
1
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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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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ranch
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| n.大牧场，大农场 | |
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perspiration
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| n.汗水；出汗 | |
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labored
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| adj.吃力的，谨慎的v.努力争取(for)( labor的过去式和过去分词 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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fore
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| adv.在前面；adj.先前的；在前部的；n.前部 | |
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unduly
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| adv.过度地，不适当地 | |
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bout
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| n.侵袭，发作；一次(阵，回)；拳击等比赛 | |
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trotting
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| 小跑，急走( trot的现在分词 )； 匆匆忙忙地走 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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owl
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| n.猫头鹰，枭 | |
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gnomes
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| n.矮子( gnome的名词复数 )；侏儒；（尤指金融市场上搞投机的）银行家；守护神 | |
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awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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firmament
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| n.苍穹；最高层 | |
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creek
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| n.小溪，小河，小湾 | |
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rattle
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| v.飞奔，碰响；激怒；n.碰撞声；拨浪鼓 | |
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wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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plaintive
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| adj.可怜的，伤心的 | |
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growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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crouched
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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bluff
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| v.虚张声势，用假象骗人；n.虚张声势，欺骗 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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smothered
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| （使）窒息， （使）透不过气( smother的过去式和过去分词 )； 覆盖； 忍住； 抑制 | |
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consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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bust
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| vt.打破；vi.爆裂；n.半身像；胸部 | |
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withdrawn
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| vt.收回；使退出；vi.撤退，退出 | |
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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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tune
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| n.调子；和谐，协调；v.调音，调节，调整 | |
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31
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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hideous
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| adj.丑陋的，可憎的，可怕的，恐怖的 | |
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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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scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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crouching
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的现在分词 ) | |
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doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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37
whined
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| v.哀号( whine的过去式和过去分词 )；哀诉，诉怨 | |
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lengthening
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| （时间或空间）延长，伸长( lengthen的现在分词 )； 加长 | |
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stunned
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| adj. 震惊的，惊讶的 动词stun的过去式和过去分词 | |
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triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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42
clenched
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| v.紧握，抓紧，咬紧( clench的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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43
gasp
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| n.喘息，气喘；v.喘息；气吁吁他说 | |
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astonishment
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| n.惊奇，惊异 | |
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twine
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| v.搓，织，编饰；（使）缠绕 | |
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butt
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| n.笑柄；烟蒂；枪托；臀部；v.用头撞或顶 | |
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47
regained
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| 复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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48
palaver
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| adj.壮丽堂皇的；n.废话，空话 | |
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49
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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50
desperately
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| adv.极度渴望地，绝望地，孤注一掷地 | |
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51
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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52
brutal
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| adj.残忍的，野蛮的，不讲理的 | |
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53
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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54
wailing
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| v.哭叫，哀号( wail的现在分词 )；沱 | |
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wail
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| vt./vi.大声哀号，恸哭；呼啸，尖啸 | |
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sobbing
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| <主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的 | |
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57
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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58
curdling
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| n.凝化v.（使）凝结( curdle的现在分词 ) | |
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59
misty
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| adj.雾蒙蒙的，有雾的 | |
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60
shuddering
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| v.战栗( shudder的现在分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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61
apparition
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| n.幽灵，神奇的现象 | |
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62
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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63
outlaws
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| 歹徒，亡命之徒( outlaw的名词复数 )； 逃犯 | |
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onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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