Chapter Seventeenth.
"Sir, you are very welcome to our house: It must appear in other ways than words, Therefore I scant this breathing courtesy." SHAKESPEARE.
It was late in the afternoon of a sultry August day that our poortravellers, footsore and weary, reached a great cattle ranch in Texas,owned and occupied by a family of the name of Baird, who had emigratedfrom Ohio years before.
Their large, comfortable house, separated from the road by a wide,grassy yard and flower-garden, was the first civilized dwelling Rupertand Juanita had seen since their capture by the Indians, and theirpulses quickened with joy at the sight.
Mrs. Baird was getting supper for her husband and sons, all of whomwere in the field with the cattle. Turning from the fire where she wasbroiling chickens, baking biscuit, and frying potatoes, she caughtsight of two forlorn figures coming up the garden path.
"Injuns!" she cried aloud, as, pale and breathless with fright, shelooked this way and that for some weapon of defence, "and me herealone!"
But a second glance reassured her. They were nearing the open door,and she could see not only that they were whites, but that there wasnothing sinister or fierce in the expression of the man's face, whilethat of the young girl, though pale and travel-stained, was winsome andeven beautiful.
She stepped forward with a cordial "How d'ye do? Walk in, and sit down,and rest, for you are dreadfully tired, I know," setting out somechairs as she spoke.
"Thank you, madam; indeed we are," Rupert replied, lifting his hat witha courtly bow.
But as they crossed the threshold Juanita staggered, and would havefallen had not he caught her in his arms.
"Oh, my darling, my darling!" he cried in tones of acute distress,"have food and rest come too late for you?"
"Food and rest?" repeated Mrs. Baird, greatly shocked, "is she starved?Here, lay her down quick on the lounge in the sitting-room, and I'llbring her a glass of milk at once; 'twont take me a minute to get it."
With a word of thanks Rupert followed the good woman's directions, andhad scarcely done so ere she was at his side with the milk.
He raised Juanita's head. Mrs. Baird held the glass to her lips, andnoted, with tears of mingled joy and compassion, the eagerness withwhich it was swallowed.
Then a sudden thought sent her flying from the room to returnimmediately with a pitcher, from which she filled the glasses again andagain, first for Juanita, then for Rupert.
"Now," she said, when her pitcher was empty, "you shall both have agood hearty supper in about ten minutes. If you'd like to wash off thedust first, you'll find soap, water, and towels handy out there on theporch. Now I must leave you, or my supper will be all spoiled."
"O Rupert, how good and kind she is!" whispered Juanita, with tears inher eyes, as their hostess left them alone together, "and she couldnever suppose from our appearance that we have anything to pay with."
"No; she must be a truly benevolent woman, and a Christian one also, Ithink; and truly we have great reason to thank our heavenly Father forbringing us to such an one in our sore need," said Rupert, adding, asJuanita made a movement as if to rise, "Lie still, love; I will bring abasin of water to you."
"Please do," she answered, lying down again; "a wash will be veryrefreshing. Ah, if one only had some clean clothes to put on!"
"That desire also shall be granted before long, my darling," Rupertanswered between a tear and a smile, glancing down rather ruefully atthe worn and soiled garments of his pretty young wife.
He had shielded her as far as possible from the hardnesses of theirterrible journey, yet he knew that her sufferings had been great--sogreat that his kind, loving heart bled at the very thought of them.
She had beautiful hair, very fine, soft, glossy and black as theraven's wing; very long and luxuriant too; when unconfined falling in agreat mass of ringlets below her waist.
Rupert was very proud of it, as well as of her regular and delicatefeatures, her starry eyes, sylphlike form, and graceful movements.
At present she wore her hair in a great coil at the back of her shapelyhead, held in place by a wooden pin that he had made for her.
"May I take this down and comb it out for you?" he asked, laying hishand caressingly upon it. "But perhaps it would tire you too much."
"Oh no, it would rather be a refreshment," she answered, smiling up athim, "and I shall be much obliged."
So he did, then brought her the water to lave her hands and face.
Meanwhile Mrs. Baird, busy with her preparations for the evening meal,was full of curiosity in regard to her unexpected guests. "Who can theybe?" she questioned with herself, "and where in the world did they comefrom? It's as plain as day that he's a gentleman and she a lady; theylook it in spite of their odd, shabby dress; and they speak good, pureEnglish in refined tones, though she has a little foreign accent. Shelooks Spanish, but he's an American; I'm sure of that. Shouldn't wonderif he's from my own State--from that section anyway, for he's neithera New Englander nor a Southerner. But their dress--why, it's nearerInjun than anything else; well, now I wonder--" and hurrying to thesitting-room door she addressed Rupert:
"If you please, sir, I'd like to ask a question. Have you been amongthe Injuns?"
"Yes," he said; "we escaped about three months ago from an Apachevillage, where we had been prisoners for three years."
"Dear me! how dreadful! And that must have been a long way off; how didyou ever get here?"
"Yes, it must be hundreds of miles, and we have walked all the way."
"Oh you poor things!" she cried, the tears coursing down her cheeks;"no wonder you're completely worn out. Your sufferings must have beendreadful."
"They have not been small," Rupert said, with emotion, his glanceresting pityingly for an instant upon Juanita's wan features; "but asour days, our strength has been, for God is faithful to His promises.And now," he added, with a brightening countenance, "the worst is allover, I trust."
"Yes, indeed; you must stay here till you're quite rested," she said,with cordial hospitality. "And as soon as there's a good chance I'dlike to hear your whole story. It can't fail to be interesting."
Turning hastily away with the last word, she seized a tin horn, andgoing to the back door blew a vigorous blast.
Her husband, three stalwart sons grown to man's estate, and a slenderlad of twelve, the youngest and therefore the family pet, came hurryingfrom the field in answer to the summons.
The wife and mother met them at the threshold, her still fresh andcomely face full of excitement. "We have guests," she said.
"Who on earth, mother?" ejaculated Joe, the eldest son, while hisfather remarked, "They're welcome, whoever they are, if they're honest,decent folks."
"That I'll engage they are!" she answered, "though their clothes areshabby enough; but they're escaped captives from the Apaches; have beentravelling through the wilderness for months on foot, and of course arein a very bad plight."
Her announcement was met by various exclamations of surprise andcommiseration, according to the characters and dispositions of thespeakers.
"Yes," she said, "and of course, father, we'll keep them here tillthey're rested, poor things, and then help them on their way to theirfriends, if they have any."
"Of course, of course, wife," answered the man of the house, cheerily."But where are they?"
"In the sitting-room. Go in and speak to them, won't you? and ask themout to supper; it's just ready."
"I'll do that!" he said, hanging up the towel he had been using.
In another minute he was shaking hands cordially with Rupert, whilecongratulating him on his escape from the Indians, and assuring himand Juanita of their welcome to the hospitalities of the ranch aslong as they might be pleased to accept them. "No obligations, youngman," he said, interrupting Rupert's expression of thanks; "you'd dothe same for me if our situations were reversed; and besides, anydecent stranger is a godsend in these lonely parts; and the cost ofenter
taining, where you have everything on your place and no market forit, is just about nothing. Come, walk out to supper," he added; "it'son the table, and best while it's hot."
He led the way, and they followed right willingly, for the smell ofthe viands was extremely appetizing, and the milk had by no meansappeased their hunger.
Mrs. Baird greeted them with a smile, pointed out their seats, and withan inclination of the head toward the younger members of the family,said, "My sons, Mr----"
"Keith," supplied Rupert, as she paused with an inquiring look at him;"Rupert Keith is my name, and this young lady," glancing at Juanita,"is--"
There was an instant's hesitation, then he added, "my wife," coloringslightly as he spoke.
He was conscious of a furtive exchange of wondering, inquiring glancesamong his entertainers, but no remark was made.
They all sat down to the table, the father asked a blessing upon thefood, and the meal began.
Presently Rupert said, with a frank look into the face of his host, "Imust ask to be permitted to explain my hesitation of a moment ago.
"Juanita and I have been fellow-captives among the Apaches. Theycarried her off in a raid into Mexico--her native land. Me theycaptured on my way from Indiana to California, and we made ouracquaintance in the Indian village.
"It was not long before we became lovers, but there was no one thereto unite us in marriage. Just previous to making our escape we marriedourselves by Friends' ceremony, as the best we could do; but having hadno witnesses, we do not feel quite satisfied that the knot has beentied as tightly as it ought to be (the reason of my hesitation to claimher as fully mine)," he put in parenthetically and with a look andsmile of ardent affection directed to his bride, "and as soon as we cancome across a minister we will get him to tighten it," he concluded,with a half-sportive look and tone. Then, more gravely, "Is there onein this neighborhood?" he inquired.
All present had listened with evident interest to his explanation;the father of the family now answered, "None very near, but there'sa Methodist minister of the name of Clark, who passes here everyother Sunday on his way to a school-house six miles beyond, where hepreaches. He generally takes his dinner here, and that will be a goodchance for you, if you can wait for it."
"'Twon't be so long, father," remarked his wife, cheerily; "this isFriday, and next Sunday is Mr. Clark's day."
"Why, to be sure, so it is!" ejaculated her spouse, turning a beamingface upon Rupert and Juanita.
"We can wait," Juanita said in her liquid tones, speaking for the firsttime since she had sat down to the table. "I am but poorly prepared sofar as regards my dress," she added, with blushing cheek and a shy,downward glance at her forlorn attire.
Rupert gave her a tenderly sympathizing look, then turning to theirhost asked, "Is there any place within reach where clothing may beprocured? I have means to pay for it, and we are both, as you see,sorely in need of it."
"The nearest place is twenty miles away, and it's none of the best,"was the discouraging reply. "However, we'll see what can be done; Joecan drive you over to-morrow, if you feel like taking the trip; but Ishould think you'd better rest a few days first."
"Yes, indeed, I should think so," chimed in Mrs. Baird; "and Joe canlend him a suit to be married in (they look to be pretty near of asize), and I'll find something for the young lady."
"Certainly, certainly!" assented Joe with ready cordiality and a kindlylook at Rupert, who was beaming with joy and gratitude.
"You are all exceedingly kind," he said with emotion.
And truly he and Juanita looked in need of such kindly offices.They were dressed almost exactly alike--in full suits of deerskin,moccasins, leggings, and a long loose shirt belted in at the waist;all much worn and soiled with months of constant wear and the dust oftravel. On their arrival each had worn a broad-brimmed hat woven byJuanita's deft fingers.
Their entertainers, though eager to hear the story of their captivityand subsequent wanderings, kindly refrained from questioning them tilltheir appetites had been fully satisfied.
At the conclusion of the meal Juanita was made to lie down again, Mrs.Baird insisting that she must be altogether too tired to sit up; Rupertwas given an arm-chair, and all the family gathered round him to listento a lengthened narrative of his experiences from the time of hiscapture to the present.
Some passages were so moving that there was not a dry eye in the room,and tender-hearted Mrs. Baird sobbed aloud.
When the story seemed to have come to an end she started up, saying,"Dear me! I've left my dishes standing all this while!" and hastilyleft the room.
Her husband and sons remained, and plied Rupert with questions.
"What have you done with your gun?" asked Ralph, the youngest. "Yousaid you had one that you stole back from that old Wildcat, but Ihaven't noticed it anywhere round."
"No," Rupert said; "when we came in sight of this house I felt safein getting rid of the burden of carrying it for a while. Our blanketstoo; we were so tired and the sun so hot, that they seemed an almostintolerable load, so I hid them in a clump of bushes a little off theroadside, where I knew I could easily find them again."
"That was wise," remarked his host; "we will go for them in themorning."
"Did that old Wildcat and the rest chase after you?" queried Ralph.
"Indeed, my little man, I do not know," replied Rupert. "If so, it waswhen it was too late for them to overtake us."
"I think you managed splendidly," remarked Tom, the second son.
"I think God helped and took care of us," Rupert said, with reverentgratitude.
"And there you are right," said his host. "'Except the Lord build thehouse, they labor in vain that build it: except the Lord keep the city,the watchman waketh but in vain.'"
"Words of inspiration," Rupert said, recognizing them with a smileof glad content. "I perceive that we are fellow-servants of the samedivine Master, and much I thank Him for bringing me to the house of oneof His followers for a short season of rest."
"And most welcome you are, sir, especially as belonging to Him,"returned Mr. Baird, heartily; "'Inasmuch as ye have done it unto oneof the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.' Thosewords of His make it a double delight to do any kindness to one of Hisdisciples."
All this time Juanita had been soundly sleeping; her head had scarcelytouched the pillow ere she was lost to all that was going on about her.
Mrs. Baird, coming in again, noticed that Rupert seemed very weary.
"You are making Mr. Keith talk too much," she said to the others. "He'sfairly tired out, and ought to be sleeping this minute. I'll make up abed directly for you, and one for her," she added, addressing Rupert,and glancing toward Juanita with the last words.
"Oh no, do not give yourself the trouble," he hastened to say; "Idoubt if either of us could sleep in a bed after being so long used tonothing softer than a bear or buffalo skin spread upon the ground."
Mrs. Baird gave him a puzzled look. "What can I do for you then?" sheasked.
"Give me an old quilt or something of the kind, if you have oneconveniently at hand, and I will lie on the floor here."
"Yes; I'll get you a quilt and a couple of buffalo robes," she said,"though I'd rather give you a good bed. I may make up one for her,mayn't I?"
Rupert smiled, and with a loving glance at Juanita said, "I reallythink she would prefer to stay where she is till to-morrow morning. Shewill probably sleep on till then without moving or so much as openingan eye, she is so very weary, poor thing!"
"And," with a little doubtful hesitation, "you wouldn't rather haveseparate rooms? I have plenty of them."
"No; she is my wife, and we have been together night and day ever sinceour escape from captivity; and she has slept close at my side or in myarms. How could I have it otherwise, with the growl of the bear, thesavage howl of the wolf, or the scream of the wildcat in our ears, tosay nothing of constant danger from roving bands of Indians?"
"Sure enough, sir; and she i
s your wife! Well, it shall be just as youwish, though it does seem like treating you both very inhospitably."
"Not at all, my dear madam. In fact, neither of us would be willingto get into one of your nice clean beds without a bath and change ofraiment, which we cannot have at present."
"Why, yes you can, of course," put in Joe; "we have a bath-room, andI'll supply you with a change of clothes, without waiting for the Rev.Mr. Clark's coming," he added, with a good-humored laugh.
"And I'll do the same by your wife to-morrow morning," said the mother,as she hurried away in search of the quilt.
She kept her word, and Juanita appeared at the breakfast-table veryagreeably metamorphosed by civilized garments, though the calico dresswas a little faded, and had to be belted in about the waist because itwas several sizes too large.
But no attire, however uncouth, could hide the gracefulness of her formand movements, or mar the beauty of her face.
"They won't come anywhere near fitting, you are so much more slenderthan I am," Mrs. Baird had remarked when offering them, "but at leastthey are sweet and clean as soap and water can make them."
"The best possible recommendation, dear lady," Juanita answered, with ajoyous smile. "Oh, you do not know how glad I shall be to be clean oncemore! You could only learn by living in a wigwam for three years andthen travelling through the woods and over the mountains and prairiesin the one suit, wearing it day and night."
"A great deal more than I should be willing to pay for the knowledge,"returned her hostess between a smile and a tear. "You poor young thing!What a fearful time you must have had!"
Rupert's appearance had undergone quite as great an improvement asJuanita's, and they exchanged many admiring glances during the meal.
Afterward, when they found themselves alone together for a moment, "Howlovely you are this morning, my darling!" exclaimed Rupert, catchingJuanita in his arms and giving her a rapturous embrace.
"You too," she said, laying one small hand on each of his broadshoulders and gazing fondly up into his face.
"It's the clothes--altogether the clothes in my case, I fear," hereturned, half laughingly; "savage attire is none too becoming to me."
"Nor to me," she responded; "it's the change of dress with me aswell as with you. But oh, my Rupert, I have always thought you thehandsomest of men, even in savage attire!"
"Little flatterer!" he said, laughing and pinching her cheek, yetevidently not ill pleased with the compliment. "That dress is extremelybecoming; really you are positively bewitching in it."
"Ah, who is the flatterer now?" she cried, clapping her hands andlaughing gleefully.
Ralph looked in at the door. "Mr. Keith, father says would you like tocome and look at some of our fine cattle, if you are not too tired?"
"Yes, indeed I should, thank you," Rupert answered, letting go ofJuanita to follow the boy, but turning back again to kiss her good-byand bid her take all the rest she could.
"Thanks, senor," she returned gayly, "but I feel quite fresh thismorning, and I must see if I cannot give a little help to our kindhostess. She seems to have no servant, and our presence here must addto her labors."
"Quite right," he said, with an approving smile, "but do not overtaxyour strength."
Mrs. Baird was not in the kitchen, where Juanita expected to find her,but hearing the light step of the latter, called to her from an innerroom.
"Come here, my dear," she said, "and tell me what you think of this."
It was a white dress of fine cambric muslin, its skirt, waist, andsleeves elaborately trimmed with tiny tucks, embroidery, and lace. Mrs.Baird held it up to view, repeating her query, "What do you think ofthis?"
"That it is very pretty," Juanita answered, examining it closely. "Whatbeautifully fine needlework."
"Yes; it's a dress I had when I was married," remarked Mrs. Baird. "Iwas a bit of a slender girl then, as you are now. I never wore it much,and after a while I grew too stout for it. I thought of it last nightwhen considering what could be found for you to wear to-morrow, so I'vejust been rummaging through these bureau drawers in search of it.
"Of course it must be very old-fashioned, and it's very yellow withlying by so long; but there won't be anybody here that knows about thefashions, or will mind that it isn't as white as it should be. So ifyou are willing to wear it just try it on to see if it comes anywherenear fitting, and if it does I'll have it in the washtub in a trice;and I really think it won't look so badly when I'm done with it."
"How very kind you are, dear lady!" exclaimed Juanita, catching Mrs.Baird's hand and kissing it, her face all aglow with delight andgratitude. "It is lovely! and I shall not care at all for the fashionor for a little yellowness, which will make the lace look all thericher."
"Then put it on, my dear," Mrs. Baird said, smilingly; "and you neednot feel over-burdened with gratitude for so small a favor."
It proved not a bad fit, and both thought would do extremely wellwithout alteration.
"Now if you only had a decent pair of shoes," remarked Mrs. Bairdreflectively; "but those I'm afraid I can't supply, for any of minewould be a mile too large for that pretty little foot of yours."
"Ah! which would you advise, dear lady, bare feet or these?" Juanitaasked, with a rueful laugh and a downward glance at her worn and soiledmoccasins.
"Moccasins!" exclaimed Mrs. Baird, struck by a sudden thought. "You'vebeen so long among the Injuns, have you learned to make them, and couldyou make yourself a pair if you had the materials?"
"Yes, indeed!" was the eager rejoinder, "for myself and Rupert too."
"Then you shall have them," said the good woman, beginning to rummageagain among her stores. "I have a nice soft doeskin that will be justthe thing. Ah, here it is!" pulling it down from a high closet shelf;"and I have some colored silks you can have for embroidering with ifyou like."
"Thank you, oh a thousand thanks!" Juanita said, "but the skin is allI want; I prefer the moccasins plain for this occasion, especially asI can make them up so much more quickly. But may I not first help youwith your work? I can wash dishes, and sweep, and dust, and make beds."
"No, no, my dear!" Mrs. Baird said, in her bright, cheery way; "youshall do nothing of the kind. It is very kind and thoughtful--youroffering to do it--but I really don't need help, and you must sit rightdown to those moccasins. If you like to sit in the kitchen while I'mbusy there, I'll be very glad of your company."
Before sunset Juanita's bridal attire was quite ready, and sheexhibited it to Rupert's admiring eyes with perhaps as much pride andsatisfaction as a city belle might have taken in her silks and satins.
"Mrs. Baird says the dress is old-fashioned and not a good color--"began Juanita.
"But what difference does that make, my sweet?" interrupted Rupert;"who of us will know the difference? And I am sure you will look verylovely, at least in the bridegroom's eyes, and in fact will be betterdressed than he," he added gayly. "I hope you won't be ashamed of him."
"Never, never! but proud, very proud!" she cried, throwing an armabout his neck and laying her head on his breast.
"Not prouder than I of my bride," he said softly, caressing hertenderly.
They were interrupted by the call to supper, and scarcely had the mealbegun when a horseman rode up to the gate, dismounted, fastened hishorse as if quite at home, then came hurrying up the path toward theopen door.
There was a simultaneous exclamation from several voices, "Why, there'sMr. Clark," and the whole family rose to greet him with a heartyhandshake and words of welcome.
Then Rupert and Juanita were introduced, another plate was added to thetable, a chair set up for the new arrival, and he warmly invited toshare their meal.
He was not slow to accept the invitation, and did ample justice to theviands, praising them without stint as he ate.
"You're the best cook in the county, by all odds, Mrs. Baird; but theOhio ladies are very apt to understand the business; I don't believethere's a State in the Union can beat Ohio at t
hat."
"I agree with you there, sir," remarked Rupert. "But I have observedthat a man is very apt to think nobody else's cooking quite equal tothat of his own mother--a fact partly to be accounted for by the other,that children's appetites are usually keen and their digestion good.There is a great deal of truth in the old saying that hunger is thebest sauce."
"Was your mother a native of Ohio, Mr. Keith?" asked Mrs. Baird, with alook of interest.
"Yes, madam, my father also; all their children were born there too, sothat we are a family of Buckeyes," he concluded, with sportive look andtone.
"I thought so!" she exclaimed emphatically; "the first hour you were inthe house I said to myself, I shouldn't wonder if he were from my ownState of Ohio."
"But I thought I heard you say you came from Indiana, Mr. Keith," spokeup Ralph.
"So I did," returned Rupert, pleasantly; "we removed to that State someyears ago."
"Fine States both," remarked Mr. Clark. "I've lived in both, and oughtto know. Now confess, Mrs. Baird, that you are wondering what broughtme here to-day."
"To be ready for preaching to-morrow, I presume," she answered dryly;"but why should I be wondering more than the rest?"
"Oh, woman's curiosity, you know, if you'll excuse the jest; for Ireally don't believe you're one bit more curious about it than anybodyelse here. Well, I had a funeral to attend this morning some six orseven miles from this, and then two or three sick folks to visit alittle nearer here, and I thought it wouldn't be worth while to go backhome before Monday. You see, I always feel sure of a welcome at Baird'sRanch."
"That's right; you need never have the least doubt of it," said hishost. "And we are particularly glad to see you this time, becausethere's a job waiting for you here."
"Indeed!" cried the minister, elevating his eyebrows in surprise; "andwhat may it be? Has one of these fine boys of yours selected a wife,and is he wanting me to tie the knot?"
"Ah, your guess is not very wide of the mark," laughed Mr. Baird,"though the wedding will not be exactly in the family."
"There, father, that will do for the present," remarked his wife,perceiving that Juanita was blushing in a slightly embarrassed way; "wehave the whole evening before us, and it won't take long to make allthe necessary arrangements."
"You have not been long in this part of the country I presume, sir?"Mr. Clark said, inquiringly, addressing Rupert.
"I arrived only yesterday, sir," was the reply.
"Direct from Indiana?"
"No, sir, direct from the Apache country, where I have been a prisonerfor three years."
"Is it possible, sir! You must have had a dreadful experience."
And then questions and answers followed in rapid succession, Mr. Clarkalmost forgetting to eat in the intense interest he felt in the storyRupert and Juanita had to tell; for learning from something said by oneof the family that she had shared Rupert's captivity, he catechised heralso quite closely.
He was captivated by her beauty and her modest, sensible replies, andbeing presently able to make a shrewd conjecture as to who were toclaim his services that evening, thought Rupert a very fortunate man.
Mildred at Home: With Something About Her Relatives and Friends. Page 17