The Captain of the Gray-Horse Troop Page 3

  III

  CURTIS ASSUMES CHARGE OF THE AGENT

  During the night Curtis was quite sure he heard a party of men ride upto the door, but in the morning there remained no signs of them.

  They were early on their feet, and Calvin, true to his promise, waspresent to help get breakfast. He had shaved some time during the night,and wore a new shirt with a purple silk handkerchief looped about hisneck, and Jennie found it hard to be as cold and severe with him as shehad resolved upon. He was only a big, handsome boy, after all.

  "I'm going to send that half-breed back and take you over to the fortmyself," he said to Curtis.

  "No, I can't have that," Curtis sharply replied. "If you care to ridewith us over to the fort I've no objection, but Louie will carry out hiscontract with us." The truth was, he did not care to be under anyfurther obligation to the Streeters.

  Breakfast was a hurried and rather silent meal. As they rose, Jenniesaid, apologetically: "I fear I can't stop to do up the dishes. It is along, hard ride to the fort."

  "That's right," replied Calvin, "it's close on thirty-five miles. Neveryou mind about the dishes. Hosy will swab 'em out."

  As they were mounting, the elder Streeter said, hospitably: "If youreturn this way, Mr. Curtis, make my ranch your half-way house." Hebowed to Jennie. "My wife will be here then, miss, and you will not beobliged to cook your own meals."

  "Oh, I didn't mind; I rather enjoyed it," responded Jennie.

  Calvin was delayed at the start, and came thundering after with ashrill, cowboy yell, his horse running close to the ground with earsviciously laid back. The boy made a fine figure as he swept past themwith the speed of an eagle. His was the perfection of rangehorsemanship. He talked, gesticulated, rolled cigarettes, put his coaton or off as he rode, without apparent thought of his horse or of theground he crossed.

  He knew nothing but the life of a cattleman, and spoke quite frankly ofhis ignorance.

  "The old man tried to send me to school once. Packed me off to St. Joe.I stayed a week. 'See here, old man, don't do that again,' I says. 'Iwon't stand for it.' Hell! You might as well tie up a coyote as shut mein a school-room."

  He made a most picturesque guide as he rode ahead of them, always inview, completing a thousand typical combinations of man and horse andlandscape--now suppling in his saddle to look down and a little backwardat some "sign," now trotting straight towards a dark opening among thepines, now wheeling swiftly to mount a sudden ascent on the trail.Everything he did was as graceful and as self-unconscious as themovements of a panther. He was a living illustration of all the cowboystories the girl had read. His horse, his saddle, his peculiar,slouching seat, the roll of clothing behind his saddle, his spurs, hislong-heeled boots--every detail was as it should be, and Jennie was gladof him, and of Louis, too.

  "Yes, it's all here, Jennie," replied Curtis--"the wild country, theIndian, the gallant scout, and the tender maiden."

  "I'm having a beautiful ride. Since we left the wagon-road it reallyseems like the primitive wilderness."

  "It is. This little wedge of land is all these brave people have savedfrom the flood. They made their last stand here. The reflux from thecoast caught them here, and here they are, waiting extinction."

  The girl's eyes widened. "It's tragic, isn't it?"

  "Yes, but so is all life, except to Calvin Streeter, and even he wantswhat he can't get. He told me this morning he wanted to go to Chicagoand take a fall out of a judge who fined him for carrying a gun. So evenhe has his unsatisfied ambition. As he told me about it he snarled likea young tiger."

  At about one o'clock, Calvin, who was riding ahead, halted on the crestof a timbered ridge and raised a shout.

  "He's topped the divide!" called Curtis to Jennie, who was ridingbehind. "We'll soon be in."

  "I'm glad of it. I'm tired."

  When they reached the spot where Calvin waited they could look down intothe main valley of the Elk, and the agency, a singular village ofancient barracks, sheds, corrals, and red-roofed storehouses was almostbeneath them. All about on the low hills the criss-crossing trails gaveevidence that the Tetongs were still a nation of horsemen. Theirs was abarren land, a land of pine-clad, precipitous hills and deep valleys,which opened to the east--a region of scant rains and thin, discouragedstreams.

  The sight of the officers' whitewashed quarters and the parade-groundbrought a certain sadness to Curtis.

  "The old garrison don't look as it did when I was here in 188-," hesaid, musingly. "Army days in the West are almost gone. The Indian waris over. What a waste of human life it was on both sides! Yes, Louie, goahead."

  As they alternately slid and trotted down the trail, native horsemencould be seen coming and going, their gay blankets sparkling in theclear air. Others on foot were clustered about the central building,where the flag hung droopingly on a tall staff. As they passed thecorral, groups of young Tetongs smiled and nudged each other, butoffered no greeting. Neither did the older men, though their keen eyesabsorbed every detail of the stranger's dress and bearing. It was plainthat they held every white man in suspicion, especially if he cameattended by a cowboy.

  Calvin was elaborately free and easy with them all, eager to show hiswide acquaintanceship. "Hello, Two Horns; hello, Hawk," he called to acouple of fine-looking men of middle age. They did not reply. "Hello,Gray Wolf, you old sardine; want to try another horse-race?"

  Gray Wolf, evidently something of a wag, smilingly replied: "You bet.Got new pony--heap fast."

  Calvin wheeled and spurred into the bunch of young fellows, whoscattered with shouts of laughter, while the Captain and Jennie followedLouie, their guide, to the agency gate.

  They were met at the fence before the office by two men, one amiddle-aged man, with a dirty-gray beard and fat, bloated cheeks, whosaid, blandly: "Good-morning, sir. Good-morning, miss; nice day."

  Curtis dismounted. "Are you Mr. Sennett?"

  "I am--what can I do for you?" He turned to his companion, a tall youngman, with innocent gray eyes and a loose, weak mouth: "This is my sonClarence. Clarence, take the lady's horse."

  "Thank you," said the Captain, as he stepped inside the gate. "I amCaptain Curtis, of the cavalry, detailed to take charge of this agency.You have just left the office--have you the keys in your pocket? If so,please surrender them to me. It is an unpleasant duty, but I am orderedto assume absolute control at once."

  The man's red skin faded to a yellow-gray--the color of his beard. For amoment he seemed about to fall, then the blood came surging back; hischeeks grew purple with its weight.

  "I'll be damned if I submit. It is an outrage!"

  "You can't afford to make any trouble. I am sorry to do this, but I amunder orders of the department to take you unawares, and on no accountto let you return to your office."

  Sennett began to bluster. "Show me your authority."

  "My authority is in this paper." He drew the order from his pocket. "Ifyou think a moment you will see that instant acquiescence is best."

  While Sennett stormed, the two chiefs, Elk and Two Horns, drew near, andlifting his hand, Curtis, using the sign language swiftly, said to them:

  "I am your new agent. The Great Father has heard that the old agent isbad. I am here to straighten matters out. I am Swift Eagle--don't youremember? I came with Bear Robe. I was only second lieutenant then."

  The faces of the old chiefs lit up with pleasure. "Ay, we remember! Weshake your hands. We are glad you have come."

  Curtis then asked: "Who is your interpreter--one you can trust, one whocan read this paper."

  The two men looked at each other for a moment. Elk said, "Joe?"

  Two Horns shook his head; then, catching sight of a man who wasregarding the scene from a door-way not very distant, he said, inEnglish: "Him--Nawson. Hay, my friend," he called, "come here!"

  This observer at once responded to Two Horns' sign. As he came up thechief said: "My friend, here is a paper from Washington; read it forus."

  Curtis said
: "I am Captain Curtis, of the cavalry, detailed to act asagent here. This is my commission."

  The stranger extended his hand. "I'm glad to meet you, Captain Curtis,very glad, indeed." As they shook hands he added: "I've read yourarticles on the sign language, et cetera, with great pleasure. My nameis Lawson."

  Curtis smiled. "Are you Osborne Lawson? I'm mighty glad to meet you.This is my sister, Mr. Lawson."

  Mr. Lawson greeted Jennie with grace, and she liked him at once. Hismanner was direct and his voice pleasing. He was tall, lean, and alittle stooping, but strong and brown. "Now, Captain, what can I do foryou?" he asked, turning briskly.

  "I want you to read this paper to the chiefs here, and then I intend toput a guard on the door. Mr. Sennett is not to be permitted to re-enterhis office. These are harsh measures, but I am not responsible forthem."

  Lawson looked thoughtful. "I see." After reading the paper he said tothe chiefs: "It is as this man has said. The Great Father has sent himhere to take charge of the office. The old agent is cut off--he is notallowed to go back to his office for fear he may hide something. HaveCrow put a guard on the door. The new agent will try to find out why youhave not received your rations. This is the secret of this paper, andhere is the signature of the Secretary. This is a true thing, and youmust now obey Captain Curtis. I know him," he said, looking round him."He is my friend; you can trust him. That is all."

  "Good! Good!" said the chiefs. "We understand."

  A short, dark Tetong in a frayed captain's uniform came up. "I am chiefof the police," he signed. "What shall I do?"

  "Guard the door of the office and of the issue house. Let no one butthose I bring enter. Will you do as I say?" he asked.

  "Ay!" replied the officer, whose name was Crow.

  "Then all is said; go guard the door."

  Sennett and his son had withdrawn a little from the scene and weretalking in low voices. They had placed themselves in the worst possiblelight, and they felt it. As Curtis reached this point in his orders,Sennett started to cross the road.

  "Wait a moment, gentlemen," called Curtis. "My orders are very strict. Imust precede you. There is a certain desk in your library, Mr. Sennett,which I must search."

  Sennett flamed out into wild oaths. "You shall not search my privatepapers."

  "Silence!" called Curtis. "Another oath and I'll put you in theguard-house."

  "Do you suppose I'm going to submit to this without protest? You treatme like a criminal."

  "So far as my orders go, that's what you are," said Curtis. "I give youthe benefit of the doubt so long as you act the gentleman, but you mustrespect the presence of my sister, or I'll gag you." After a pause headded, in a gentler tone: "I don't pretend to judge your case. I ammerely obeying the orders of the department."

  "I have powerful friends in Washington. You will regret this," snarledSennett. But his son was like one smitten dumb; his breathing wastroubled, and his big, gray eyes were childish in their wide appeal.

  Lawson then spoke. "Can I do anything further, Captain? Command mefreely."

  "No, I think not, except to see that my horses are taken care of and myguide fed. I suppose there is a mess or boarding-house where my sistercan get something to eat."

  "Won't you come to dinner with me?" asked Lawson. "Mrs. Wilcox, someartist friends, and I are messing over in one of the old quarters, andour mid-day dinner is waiting."

  Curtis smiled grimly. "Thank you, I am on duty. I must dine with Mr.Sennett. Jennie will accept your invitation thankfully."

  As Curtis walked over to the agency house with Sennett and his son,Jennie looked anxious. "They may do something to him."

  Lawson smiled. "Oh no, they won't. They are quite cowed, but I'llsuggest a guard." He turned to Two Horns and said, in Dakota: "Father,the old agent is angry. The new agent is a brave man, but he is only oneagainst two."

  "I understand," said the old man, with a smile, and a few minutes latera couple of policemen were sitting on the door-step of the agent'shouse. It was a sunny place to sit, and they enjoyed being there verymuch. One of them understood English, and the other was well able totell an angry word when he heard it spoken.

  The drowsy hush of mid-day again settled down upon the little cluster ofbuildings--news, even when it passes swiftly among red people, makes nonoise. It walks with velvet foot, it speaks in a murmur; it hastens, butconceals its haste.