The Captain of the Gray-Horse Troop Page 2

  II

  THE STREETER GUN-RACK

  There is a good wagon-road leading to old Fort Smith from Pinon City,but it runs for the most part through an uninteresting country, and doesnot touch the reservation till within a few miles of the agencybuildings. From the other side, however, a rough trail crosses a lowdivide, and for more than sixty miles lies within the Tetong boundaries,a rolling, cattle country rising to grassy hills on the west.

  For these reasons Curtis determined to go in on horseback and incivilian's dress, leaving his sister to follow by rail and buckboard;but here again Jennie promptly made protest.

  "I'll not go that way, George. I am going to keep with you, and youneedn't plan for anything else--so there!"

  "It's a hard ride, sis--sixty miles and more. You'll be tired out."

  "What of that? I'll have plenty of time to rest afterwards."

  "Very well. It is always a pleasure to have you with me, you stubbornthing," he replied, affectionately.

  It had been hard to leave everything at the Fort, hard to look back fromthe threshold upon well-ordered books and furniture, and harder stillto know that rude and careless hands would jostle them into heaps on themorrow, but Jennie was accustomed to all the hardships involved in beingsister to a soldier, and, after she had turned the key in the lock, sether face to the south cheerfully. There was something of the missionaryin her, and she had long burned with a desire to help the red people.

  They got off at a squalid little cow-town called "Riddell" about noon ofthe second day, and Curtis, after a swift glance around him, said: "Sis,our chances for dinner are poor."

  The hotel, a squat, battlemented wooden building, was trimmed withloafing cowboys on the outside and speckled with flies on the inside,but the landlord was unexpectedly attractive, a smiling, courteous host,to whom flies and cowboys were matters of course. It was plain he hadslipped down to his present low level by insensible declinations.

  "The food is not so bad if it were only served decently," said Jennie,as they sat at the table eying the heavy china chipped and maimed in thesavage process of washing.

  "I hope you won't be sorry we've left the army, sis."

  "I would, if we had to live with these people," she replied, decisively,looking about the room, which was filled with uncouth types of men,keen-eyed, slouchy, and loud-voiced. The presence of a pretty woman hadsubdued most of them into something like decorum, but they were notpleasant to look at. They were the unattached males of the town, a mobof barkeepers, hostlers, clerks, and railway hands, intermixed with ahalf-dozen cowboys who had ridden in to "loaf away a day or two intown."

  "The ragged edge of the cloth of gold," said Curtis, as he glanced roundat them. "Civilization has its seamy side."

  "This makes the dear old Fort seem beautiful, doesn't it?" the girlsighed. "We'll see no more green grass and well-groomed men."

  An hour later, with a half-breed Indian boy for a guide, they rode awayover the hills towards the east, glad to shake the dust of Riddell offtheir feet.

  The day was one of flooding sunlight, warm and golden. Winter seemed faraway, and only the dry grass made it possible to say, "This is autumn."The air was without dust or moisture--crystalline, crisp, anddeliciously invigorating.

  The girl turned to her brother with radiant face. "This is living! Isn'tit good to escape that horrid little town?"

  "You'd suppose in an air like this all life would be clean and sweet,"he replied. "But it isn't. The trouble is, these people have no innerresource. They lop down when their accustomed props are removed. Theycome from defective stock."

  The half-breed guide had the quality of his Indian mother--he knew whento keep silence and when to speak. He led the way steadily, gallopingalong on his little gray pony, with elbows flapping like a rooster aboutto take flight.

  There was a wonderful charm in this treeless land, it was so lonely andso sinister. It appealed with great power to Curtis, while it appalledhis sister. The solitary buttes, smooth of slope and grotesque of line;the splendid, grassy hollows, where the cattle fed; the burned-up mesas,where nothing lived but the horned toad; the alkaline flats, leprous andashen; the occasional green line of cottonwood-trees, deep sunk in a drywater-course--all these were typical of the whole vast easternwater-shed of the continental divide, and familiar to the young officer,for in such a land he had entered upon active service.

  It was beautiful, but it was an ill place for a woman, as Jennie soondiscovered. The air, so dry, so fierce, parched her skin and pinched herred lips. The alkali settled in a gray dust upon her pretty hair andentered her throat, increasing her thirst to a keen pain.

  "Oh, George! here is a little stream," she cried out.

  "Courage, sis. We will soon get above the alkali. That water is rankpoison."

  "It looks good," she replied, wistfully.

  "We'll find some glorious water up there in that clump of willows," anda few minutes' hard riding brought them to a gurgling little brook ofclear, cold water, and the girl not merely drank--she laved away alltraces of the bitter soil of the lower levels.

  At about four o'clock the guide struck into a transverse valley, andfollowed a small stream to its source in a range of pine-clad hillswhich separate the white man's country from the Tetong reservation. Asthey topped this divide, riding directly over a smooth swell, Curtisdrew rein, crying out, "Wait a moment, Louie."

  They stood on the edge of a vast dip in the plain, a bowl of amethystand turquoise. Under the vivid October sun the tawny grass seemed to betransmuted into something that shimmered, was translucent, and yet wasfirm, while the opposite wall, already faintly in shadow, rose by twodegrees to snow-flecked mountains, faintly showing in the west andnorth. On the floor of this resplendent amphitheatre a flock of cattlefed irregularly, luminous as red and white and deep-purple beads. Thelandscape was silent--as silent as the cloudless sky above. No bird orbeast, save the cattle, and the horses the three travellers rode, wasabroad in this dream-world.

  "Oh, isn't it beautiful!" exclaimed Jennie.

  Curtis sat in silence till the guide said: "We must hurry. Long ways toStreeter."

  Then he drew a sigh. "That scene is typical of the old time. Nothingcould be more moving to me. I saw the buffaloes feed like that once.Whose are the cattle?" he asked of the boy.

  "Thompson's, I think."

  "But what are they doing here--that's Tetong land, isn't it?"

  The guide grinned. "That don't make no difference to Thompson. All sameto him whose grass he eats."

  "Well, lead on," said Curtis, and the boy galloped away swiftly down thetrail. As they descended to the east the sun seemed to slide down thesky and the chill dusk rose to meet them from the valley of the Elk,like an exhalation from some region of icy waters. Night was near, butStreeter's was in sight, a big log-house, surrounded by sheds andcorrals of various sorts and sizes.

  "How does Mr. Streeter happen to be so snugly settled on Indian land?"asked Jennie.

  "He made his location before the reservation was set aside. I believethere are about twenty ranches of the same sort within the lines,"replied Curtis, "and I think we'll find in these settlers the chiefcause of friction. The cattle business is not one that leads toscrupulous regard for the rights of others."

  As they clattered up to the door of the ranch-house a tall young fellowin cowboy dress came out to meet them. He was plainly amazed to find apretty girl at his door, and for a moment fairly gaped with lax jaws.

  "Good-evening," said Curtis. "Are you the boss here?"

  He recovered himself quickly. "Howdy--howdy! Yes, I'm Cal Streeter.Won't you 'light off?"

  "Thank you. We'd like to take shelter for the night if you can spare usroom."

  "Why, cert. Mother and the old man are away just now, but there's plentyto eat." He took a swift stride towards Jennie. "Let me help you down,miss."

  "Thank you, I'm already down," said Jennie, anticipating his service.

  The young man called shrilly, and a Mexican appeared at
the door of thestable. "Hosy, come and take these horses." Turning to Jennie with agrin, he said: "I can't answer for the quality of the grub, fer Hosy iscooking just now. Mother's been gone a week, and the bread is wiped out.If you don't mind slapjacks I'll see what we can do for you."

  Jennie didn't know whether she liked this young fellow or not. After hisfirst stare of astonishment he was by no means lacking in assurance.However, she was plains-woman enough to feel the necessity of making thebest of any hospitality when night was falling, and quickly replied:"Don't take any trouble for us. If you'll show me your kitchen andpantry I'll be glad to do the cooking."

  "Will you? Well, now, that's a sure-enough trade," and he led the wayinto the house, which was a two-story building, with one-story wings oneither side. The room into which they entered was large and bare as aguard-room. The floor was uneven, the log walls merely whitewashed, andthe beams overhead were rough pine boles. Some plain wooden chairs, atable painted a pale blue, and covered with dusty newspapers, comprisedthe visible furniture, unless a gun-rack which filled one entire wallcould be listed among the furnishings. Curtis brought a keen gaze tobear on this arsenal, and estimated that it contained nearly a score ofrifles--a sinister array.

  Young Streeter opened a side door. "This is where you are to sleep. Justmake yourself to home, and I'll rub two sticks together and start afire."

  After Jennie left the room, the young fellow turned abruptly. "Stranger,what might I call you?"

  "My name is Curtis. I'm going over to visit the agency."

  "She your wife?" He pointed his thumb in Jennie's direction.

  "No, my sister."

  "Oh! Well, then, you can bunk with me in this room." He indicated a dooron the opposite side of the hall. "When she gets ready, bring her out tothe kitchen. It's hard lines to make her cook her own grub, but I tellyou right now I think she'd better."

  As Jennie met her brother a few moments later, she exclaimed, "Isn't hehandsome?"

  "M--yes. He's good-looking enough, but he's just a littleself-important, it seems to me."

  "Are you going to let him know who you are?"

  "Certainly not. I want to draw him out. I begin to suspect that thishouse is a rendezvous for all the interests we have to fight. These gunsare all loaded and in prime order."

  "What a big house you have here," said Jennie, ingratiatingly, as sheentered the kitchen. "And what a nice kitchen."

  "Oh, purty fair," replied the youth, busy at the stove. "Our ranch ain'twhat we'd make it if these Injuns were out o' the way. Now, here's thegrub--if you can dig up anything you're welcome."

  He showed her the pantry, where she found plenty of bacon and flour, andsome eggs and milk.

  "I thought cattlemen never had milk?"

  "Well, they don't generally, but mother makes us milk a cow. Now, I'lldo this cooking if you want me to, but I reckon you won't enjoy seein'me do it. I can't make biscuits, and we're all out o' bread, as I say,and Hosy's sinkers would choke a dog."

  "Oh, I'll cook if you'll get some water and keep a good fire going."

  "Sure thing," he said, heartily, taking up the water-pail to go to thespring. When he came back Jennie was dabbling the milk and flour. Hestood watching her in silence for some minutes as she worked, and thesullen lines on his face softened and his lips grew boyish.

  "You sure know your business," he said, in a tone of conviction. "When Itry to mix dough I get all strung up with it."

  She replied with a smile. "Is the oven hot? These biscuit must come outjust right."

  He stirred up the fire. "A man ain't fitten to cook; he's too blame longin the elbows. We have an old squaw when mother is home, but she don'tlike me, and so she takes a vacation whenever the old lady does. Thatthrows us down on Hosy, and he just about poisons us. A Mexican can'tcook no more'n an Injun. We get spring-poor by the time the old ladycomes back." Jennie was rolling at the dough and did not reply to him.He held the door open for her when she was ready to put the biscuit inthe oven, and lit another bracket-lamp in order to see her better.

  "Do you know, you're the first girl I ever saw in this kitchen."

  "Am I?"

  "That's right." After a pause he added: "I'm mighty glad I didn't gethome to eat Hosy's supper. I want a chance at some of them biscuit."

  "Slice this bacon, please--not too thick," she added, briskly.

  He took the knife. "Where do you hail from, anyway?" he asked,irrelevantly.

  "From the coast," she replied.

  "That so? Born there?"

  "Oh no. I was born in Maryland, near Washington."

  "There's a place I'd like to live if I had money enough. A feller canhave a continuous picnic in Washington if he's got the dust to spare, soI hear."

  "Now you set the table while I make the omelette."

  "The how-many?"

  "The omelette, which must go directly to the table after it is made."

  He began to pile dishes on the table, which ran across one end of theroom, but found time to watch her as she broke the eggs.

  "If a feller lives long enough and keeps his mouth shut and his eyesopen he'll learn a powerful heap, won't he? I've seen that word in thenewspaper a whole lot, but I'll be shot if I ever knew that it was jestaigs."

  Jennie was amused, but too hungry to spend much time listening. "You maycall them in," she said, after a glance at the biscuit.

  The young man opened the door and said, lazily, "Cap, come to grub."

  Curtis was again examining the guns in the rack, "You're well heeled."

  "Haff to be, in this country," said the young fellow, carelessly. "Setdown anywhere--that is, I mean anywhere the cook says."

  Jennie didn't like his growing familiarity, but she dissembled. "Sithere, George," she said, indicating a chair at the end. "I will sitwhere I can reach the coffee."

  "Let me do that," said Calvin. "Louie, I guess you're not in this game,"he said to the boy looking wistfully in at the door.

  "Oh, let him come--he's as hungry as we are. Let him sit down,"protested Jennie.

  Young Streeter acquiesced. "It's all the same to me, if _you_ don'tobject to a 'breed," he said, brutally. Louie took his seat in silence,but it was plain he did not enjoy the insolence of the cowboy.

  Curtis was after information. "You speak of needing guns--there isn'tany danger, I hope?"

  "Well, not right now, but we expect to get Congress to pass a billremoving these brutes, and then there may be trouble. Even now we findit safer to go armed. Every little while some Injun kills a beef for us,and we want to be prepared to skin 'em if we jump 'em up in time. Iwouldn't trust one of 'em as far as you could throw a yearling bull bythe tail."

  "Are they as bad as that?" asked Jennie, with widely open eyes.

  "They're treacherous hounds. Old Elk goes around smiling, but he'd let aknife into me too quick if he saw his chance. Hark!" he called, withlifted hand.

  They all listened. The swift drumming of hoofs could be heard, mingledwith the chuckle of a carriage. Calvin rose. "That's the old man, Ireckon," and going to the door he raised a peculiar whoop. A voicereplied faintly, and soon the buggy rolled up to the door and thenew-comer entered the front room. A quick, sharp voice cried out:

  "Whose hat is that? Who's here?"

  "A feller on his way to visit the agent. He's in there eatin' supper."

  A rapid, resolute step approached the door, and Curtis looked up to meetthe keen eyes of a big, ruddy-faced man of fifty, with hair and beardas white as wool. His eyes were steel-blue and penetrating as fire.

  "Good-evening, sir. Good-evening, madam. Don't rise. Keep your seats.I'll just drop my coat and sit down with you."

  He was so distinctly a man of remarkable quality that Curtis stared athim in deep surprise. He had expected to see a loose-jointed, slouchyman of middle-age, but Joseph Streeter was plainly a man of decision andpower. His white hair did not betoken weakness or age, for he moved likeone in the full vigor of his late manhood. To his visitors he appearedto be a suspi
cious, irascible, and generous man.

  "Hello!" he called, jovially, "biscuit! Cal, you didn't do these, norHosy, neither."

  Cal grinned. "Well, not by a whole row o' dogs. This--lady did 'em."

  Streeter turned his vivid blue eyes on Jennie. "I want to know! Well,I'm much obliged. When did you come?" he asked of Curtis.

  "About an hour ago."

  "Goin' far?"

  "Over to the agency."

  "Friend of the agent?"

  "No, but I have a letter of introduction to him."

  Streeter seemed to be satisfied. "You'll find him a very accommodatinggentleman."

  "So I hear," said Curtis, and some subtle inflection in his tone causedStreeter to turn towards him again.

  "What did I understand your name was?"

  "Curtis."

  "Where from?"

  "San Francisco."

  "Oh yes. I think I heard Sennett speak of you. Those biscuit are mightygood. I'll take another. Couldn't persuade you to stay here, could I?"He turned to Jennie.

  Jennie laughed. "I'm afraid not--it's too lonesome."

  Cal seized the chance to say: "It ain't so lonesome as it looks now.We're a lively lot here sometimes."

  Streeter gave him a glance which stopped him. "Cal, you take Hosy and goover to the camp and tell the boys to hustle in two hundred steers. Iwant to get 'em passed on to-morrow afternoon, or next day sure."

  Calvin's face fell. "I don't think I need to go. Hosy can carry theorders just as well as me," he said, boyishly sullen.

  "I want _you_ to go!" was the stern answer, and it was plain thatStreeter was commander even of his reckless son.

  As he rose from the table, Calvin said, in a low voice, to Jennie, "I'llbe here to breakfast all right, and I'll see that you get over to theagency."

  Streeter the elder upon reflection considered that his guests had notsufficiently accounted for themselves, and, after Calvin left, againturned a penetrating glance on Curtis, saying, in a peculiar way, "Wheredid you say you were from?"

  "San Francisco," replied Curtis, promptly, and cut in ahead with aquestion of his own. "You seem to be well supplied with munitions ofwar. Do you need all those guns now?"

  "Need every shell. We're going to oust these devils pretty soon, andthey know it, and they're ugly."

  "What do you mean by ousting 'em?"

  "We're pushing a bill to have 'em removed."

  "Where to?"

  "Oh, to the Red River reservation, or the Powder Valley; we're notparticular, so that we get rid of 'em."

  Jennie tingled with indignation as Streeter outlined the plans of thesettlers and told of his friction with the redmen, but Curtis remainedcalm and smiling.

  "You'll miss their market for your beef, won't you?"

  "Oh, that's a small item in comparison with the extra range we'll get,"and thereupon he entered upon a long statement of what the governmentought to do.

  Jennie rose wearily, and the old man was all attention.

  "I suppose you are tired and would like to go to bed?"

  "We are rather limp," confessed Curtis, glad to escape the searchingcross-examination which he knew would follow Jennie's retirement.

  When they were alone the two young people looked at each other insilence, Jennie with big, horrified eyes, Curtis with an amusedcomprehension of his sister's feeling. "Isn't he a pirate? He doesn'tknow it, but his state of mind makes him indictable for murder on thehigh seas."

  "George, I don't like this. We are going to have trouble if this old manand his like are not put off this reservation."

  "Well, now, we won't put him off to-night, especially as he is a gallanthost. But this visit here has put me in touch with the cattlemen. I feelthat I know their plans and their temper very clearly."

  "George, I will not sleep here in this room alone. You must make up acot-bed or something. These people make me nervous, with their guns andMexican servants."

  "Don't you worry, sis. I'll roll up in a blanket and sleep across yourdoor-sill," and this he did, acknowledging the reasonableness of herfears.