PART III
CHAPTER XV
THE EAGLE COMPLETES HIS CIRCLE
All days were Sunday in the great mining camp of Wagon Wheel, so far aslegal enactment ran, but on Saturday night, in following ancient habit,the men came out of their prospect holes on the high, grassy hills, orthrew down the pick in their "overland tunnels," or deep shafts andrabbitlike burrows, and came to camp to buy provisions, to get theirmail, and to look upon, if not to share, the vice and tumult of thetown.
The streets were filled from curb to curb with thousands of men inmud-stained coats and stout-laced boots. They stood in the gutters andin the middle of the street to talk (in subdued voices) of their claims.There was little noise. The slowly-moving streams of shoppers oramusement seekers gave out no sudden shouting. A deep murmur filled theair, but no angry curse was heard, no whooping. In a land where therevolver is readier than the fist men are wary of quarrel, careful ofabuse, and studiously regardful of others.
There were those who sought vice, and it was easily found. The saloonswere packed with thirsty souls, and from every third door issued theclick of dice and whiz of whirling balls in games of chance.
Every hotel barroom swarmed with persuasive salesmen bearing lumps ofore with which to entice unwary capital. All the talk was of"pay-streaks," "leads," "float," "whins," and "up-raises," while in themidst of it, battling to save souls, the zealous Salvation Army bandparaded to and fro with frenzied beating of drums. Around and throughall this, listening with confused ears, gazing with wide, solemn eyes,were hundreds of young men from the middle East, farmers' sons, cowboys,mountaineers, and miners. To them it was an awesome city, this luridcamp, a wonder and an allurement to dissipation.
To Mose, fresh from the long trail, it was irritating and wearying. Hestood at the door of a saloon, superbly unconscious of his physicalbeauty, a somber dream in his eyes, a statuesque quality in his pose. Hewore the wide hat of the West, but his neat, dark coat, though badlywrinkled, was well cut, and his crimson tie and dark blue shirt werehandsomely decorative. His face was older, sterner, and sadder thanwhen he faced Mary three years before. No trace of boyhood was in hismanner. Seven years of life on the long trail and among the mountainpeaks had taught him silence, self-restraint, and had also deepened hisnative melancholy. He had ridden into Wagon Wheel from the West, eagerto see the great mining camp whose fame had filled the world.
As he stood so, with the light of the setting sun in his face, themelancholy of a tiger in his eyes, a woman in an open barouche rode by.Her roving glance lighted upon his figure and rested there. "Wait!" shecalled to her driver, and from the shadow of her silken parasol shestudied the young man's absorbed and motionless figure. He on his partperceived only a handsomely dressed woman looking out over the crowd.The carriage interested him more than the woman. It was a magnificentvehicle, the finest he had ever seen, and he wondered how it happened tobe there on the mountain top.
A small man with a large head stepped from the crowd and greeted thewoman with a military salute. In answer to a question, the small manturned and glanced toward Mose. The woman bowed and drove on, and Mosewalked slowly up the street, lonely and irresolute. At the door of agambling house he halted and looked in. A young lad and an old man wereseated together at a roulette table, and around them a ring of excitedand amused spectators stood. Mose entered and took a place in thecircle. The boy wore a look of excitement quite painful to see, and heplaced his red and white chips with nervous, blundering, and ineffectualgestures, whereas the older man smiled benignly over his glasses andplaced his single dollar chip each time with humorous decision. Eachtime he won. "This is for a new hat," he said, and the next time, "Thisis for a box at the theater." The boy, with his gains in the circle ofhis left arm, was desperately absorbed. No smile, no jest was possibleto him.
Mose felt a hand on his shoulder, and turning, found himself face toface with the small man who had touched his hat to the woman in thecarriage. The stranger's countenance was stern in its outlines, and hismilitary cut of beard added to his grimness, but his eyes weresurrounded by fine lines of good humour.
"Stranger, I'd like a word with you."
Mose followed him to a corner, supposing him to be a man with mines tosell, or possibly a confidence man.
"Stranger, where you from?"
"From the Snake country," replied Mose.
"What's your little game here?"
Mose was angered at his tone. "None of your business."
The older man flushed, and the laugh went out of his eyes. "I'll make itmy business," he said grimly. "I've seen you somewhere before, but Ican't place you. You want to get out o' town to-night; you're here forno man's good--you've got a 'graft.'"
Mose struck him with the flat of his left hand, and, swift as arattlesnake's stroke, covered him with his revolver. "Wait right whereyou are," he said, and the man became rigid. "I came here as peaceableas any man," Mose went on, "but I don't intend to be ridden out of townby a jackass like you."
The other man remained calm. "If you'll kindly let me unbutton my coat,I'll show you my star; I'm the city marshal."
"Be quiet," commanded Mose; "put up your hands!"
Mose was aware of an outcry, then a silence, then a rush.
From beneath his coat, quick as a flash of light from a mirror, he drewa second revolver. His eyes flashed around the room. For a moment allwas silent, then a voice called, "What's all this, Haney?"
"Keep them quiet," said Mose, still menacing the officer.
"Boys, keep back," pleaded the marshal.
"The man that starts this ball rolling will be sorry," said Mose,searching the crowd with sinister eyes. "If you're the marshal, orderthese men back to the other end of the room."
"Boys, get back," commanded the marshal. With shuffling feet the crowdretreated. "Shut the door, somebody, and keep the crowd out."
The doors were shut, and the room became as silent as a tomb.
"Now," said Mose, "is it war or peace?"
"Peace," said the marshal.
"All right." Mose dropped the point of his revolver.
The marshal breathed easier. "Stranger, you're a little the swiftest manI've met since harvest; would you mind telling me your name?"
"Not a bit. My friends call me Mose Harding."
"'Black Mose'!" exclaimed the marshal, and a mutter of low words and alaugh broke from the listening crowd. Haney reached out his hand. "Ihope you won't lay it up against me." Mose shook his hand and themarshal went on: "To tell the honest truth, I thought you were one ofLightfoot's gang. I couldn't place you. Of course I see now--I have yourpicture at the office--the drinks are on me." He turned with a smile tothe crowd: "Come, boys--irrigate and get done with it. It's a horse onme, sure."
Taking the mildest liquor at the bar, Mose drank to further friendlyrelations, while the marshal continued to apologize. "You see, we'vebeen overrun with 'rollers' and 'skin-game' men, and lately threeexpresses have been held up by Lightfoot's gang, and so I've been facingup every suspicious immigrant. I've had to do it--in your case I was toobrash--I'll admit that--but come, let's get away from the mob. Come overto my office, I want to talk with you."
Mose was glad to escape the curious eyes of the throng. While his lifewas in the balance, he saw and heard everything hostile, nothingmore--now, he perceived the crowd to be disgustingly inquisitive. Theirwinks, and grins, and muttered words annoyed him.
"Open the door--much obliged, Kelly," said the marshal to the man whokept the door. Kelly was a powerfully built man, dressed like a miner,in broad hat, loose gray shirt, and laced boots, and Mose admiringlystudied him.
"This is not 'Rocky Mountain Kelly'?" he asked.
Kelly smiled. "The same; 'Old Man Kelly' they call me now."
Mose put out his hand. "I'm glad to know ye. I've heard Tom Gavin speakof you."
Kelly shook heartily. "Oh! do ye know Tom? He's a rare lump of a b'y, isTom. We've seen great times together on the plains and on the hills.It's all gone
now. It's tame as a garden since the buffalo went; they'vemade it another world, b'y."
"Come along, Kelly, and we'll have it out at my office."
As the three went out into the street they confronted a close-packedthrong. The word had passed along that the marshal was being "done," andnow, singularly silent, the miners waited the opening of the door.
The marshal called from the doorstep: "It's all right. Don't block thestreet. Break away, boys, break away." The crowd opened to let thempass, fixing curious eyes upon Mose.
As the three men crossed the street the woman in the carriage camedriving slowly along. Kelly and the marshal saluted gallantly, but Mosedid not even bow.
She leaned from her carriage and called:
"What's that I hear, marshal, about your getting shot?"
"All a mistake, Madam. I thought I recognized this young man and waspolitely ordering him out of town when he pulled his gun and nailed meto the cross."
The woman turned a smiling face toward Mose. "He must be a wonder.Introduce me, please."
"Certain sure! This is Mrs. Raimon, Mose; 'Princess Raimon,' this is myfriend, Mose Harding, otherwise known as 'Black Mose.'"
"Black Mose!" she cried; "are _you_ that terrible man?"
She reached out her little gloved hand, and as Mose took it her eyessearched his face. "I think we are going to be friends." Her voice wasaffectedly musical as she added: "Come and see me, won't you?"
She did not wait for his reply, but drove on with a sudden assumption ofreserve which became her very well.
The three men walked on in silence. At last, with a curious look atKelly, the marshal said, "Young man, you're in luck. Anything you wantin town is yours now. How about it, Kelly?"
"That's the thrue word of it."
"What do you mean?" asked Mose.
"Just this--what the princess asks for she generally gets. She's taken afancy to you, and if you're keen as I think you are, you'll call on herwithout much delay."
"Who is she? How does she happen to be here?"
"She came out here with her husband--and stays for love of men andmines, I reckon. Anyhow, she always has a man hangin' on, and hasmanaged to secure some of the best mines in the camp. She works 'em,too. She's a pretty high roller, as they call 'em back in the States,but she helps the poor, and pays her debts like a man, and it's no callo' mine to pass judgment on her."
The marshal's office was an old log shanty, one of the first to be builton the trail, and passing through the big front room in which two orthree men were lounging, the marshal led his guests to his inner officeand sleeping room. A fire was blazing in a big stone fireplace. Skinsand dingy blankets were scattered about, and on the mantle stood abottle and some dirty glasses.
"Sit down, gentlemen," said the marshal, "and have some liquor."
After they were served and cigars lighted, the marshal began:
"Mose, I want you to serve as my deputy."
Mose was taken by surprise and did not speak for a few moments. Themarshal went on:
"I don't know that you're after a job, but I'm sure I need you. There'sno use hemming and hawing--I've made a cussed fool of myself thisevenin', and the boys are just about going to drink up my salary for methis coming week. I can't afford _not_ to have you my deputy because youunlimbered your gun a grain of a second before me--beat me at my owntrick. I need you--now what do you say?"
Mose took time to reply. "I sure need a job for the winter," headmitted, "but I don't believe I want to do this."
The marshal urged him to accept. "I'll call in the newspaper men and letthem tell the whole story of your life, and of our little jamboreeto-day--they'll fix up a yarn that'll paralyze the hold-up gang.Together we'll swoop down on the town. I've been planning a clean-outfor some weeks, and I need you to help me turn 'em loose."
Mose arose. "I guess not; I'm trying to keep clear of gun-play thesedays. I've never hunted that kind of thing, and I won't start in on agame that's sure to give me trouble."
The marshal argued. "Set down; listen; that's the point exactly. Theminute the boys know who you are we won't _need_ to shoot. That's thereason I want you--the reporters will prepare the way. Wherever we gothe 'bad men' will scatter."
But Mose was inexorable. "No, I can't do it. I took just such a jobonce--I don't want another."
Haney was deeply disappointed, but shook hands pleasantly. "Well,good-night; drop in any time."
Mose went out into the street once more. He was hungry, and so turned inat the principal hotel in the city for a "good square meal." An Italianplaying the violin and his boy accompanying him on the harp, made up alittle orchestra. Some palms in pots, six mirrors set between thewindows, together with tall, very new, oak chairs gave the dining room amagnificence which abashed the bold heart of the trailer for a moment.
However, his was not a nature to show timidity, and taking a seat hecalmly spread his damp napkin on his knee and gave his order to thecolored waiter (the Palace Hotel had the only two colored waiters inWagon Wheel) with such grace as he could command after long years uponthe trail.
As he lifted his eyes he became aware of "the princess" seated atanother table and facing him. She seemed older than when he saw her inthe carriage. Her face was high-colored, and her hair a red-brown. Hereyes were half closed, and her mouth drooped at the corners. Her chin,supported on her left hand, glittering with jewels, was pushed forwardaggressively, and she listened with indifference to the talk of hercompanion, a dark, smooth-featured man, with a bitter and menacingsmile.
Mose was oppressed by her glance. She seemed to be looking at him fromthe shadow as a tigress might glare from her den, and he ate awkwardly,and his food tasted dry and bitter. Ultimately he became angry. Whyshould this woman, or any woman, stare at him like that? He would haveunderstood her better had she smiled at him--he was not withoutexperience of that sort, but this unwavering glance puzzled and annoyedhim.
Putting her companion aside with a single gesture, the princess aroseand came over to Mose's table and reached her hand to him. She smiledradiantly of a sudden, and said, "How do you do, Mr. Harding; I didn'trecognize you at first."
Mose took her hand but did not invite her to join him. However, sheneeded no invitation, and taking a seat opposite, leaned her elbows onthe table and looked at him with eyes more inscrutable thanever--despite their nearness. They were a mottled yellow and brown, henoticed, unusual and interesting eyes, but by contrast with the cleardeeps of Mary's eyes they seemed like those of some beautiful wildbeast. He could not penetrate a thousandth part of a hair line beyondthe exterior shine of her glance. The woman's soul was in theunfathomable shadow beneath.
"I know all about you," she said. "I read a long article about you inthe papers some months ago. You stood off a lot of bogus game wardenswho were going to butcher some Shoshonees. I liked that. The articlesaid you killed a couple of them. I hope you did."
Mose was very short. "I don't think any of them died at my hands, butthey deserved it, sure enough."
She smiled again. "After seeing you on the street, I went home andlooked up that slip--I saved it, you see. I've wanted to see you for along time. You've had a wonderful life for one so young. This articleraked up a whole lot of stuff about you--said you were the son of apreacher--is that so?"
"Yes, that part of it was true."
"Same old story, isn't it? I'm the daughter of a collegeprofessor--sectarian college at that." She smiled a moment, then becameas suddenly grave. "I like men. I like men who face danger and thinknothing of it. The article said you came West when a mere boy and gotmixed up in some funny business on the plains and had to take a sneak tothe mountains. What have you been doing since? I wish you'd tell me thewhole story. Come to my house; it's just around the corner."
As she talked, her voice became more subtly pleasing, and the lines ofher mouth took on a touch of girlish grace.
"I haven't time to do that," Mose said, "and besides, my story don'tamount to much. You don't want to believe al
l they say of me. I've justknocked around a little like a thousand other fellows, that's all. Ipull out to-night. I'm looking up an old friend down here on a ranch."
She saw her mistake. "All right," she said, and smiled radiantly. "Butcome some other time, won't you?" She was so winning, so frank andkindly that Mose experienced a sudden revulsion of feeling. A powerfulcharm came from her superb physique, her radiant color, and from herbeautiful, flexile lips and sound white teeth. He hesitated, and shepressed her advantage.
"You needn't be afraid of me. The boys often drop in to see me of anevening. If I can be of any use to you, let me know. I'll tell you whatyou do. You take supper with me here to-morrow night. What say?"
Mose looked across at the scowling face of the woman's companion andsaid hesitatingly:
"Well, I'll see. If I have time--maybe I will."
She smiled again and impulsively reached her hand to him, and as he tookit he was nearly won by her friendliness. This she did not know, and hewas able to go out into the street alone. He could not but observe thatthe attendants treated him with added respect by reason of hisacquaintance with the wealthiest and most powerful woman in the camp.She had made his loneliness very keen and hard to bear.
As he walked down the street he thought of Mary--she seemed to be asister to the distant, calm and glorious moon just launching into thesky above the serrate wall of snowy peaks to the East. There was apowerful appeal in the vivid and changeful woman he had just met, forher like had never touched his life before.
As he climbed back up the hill toward the corral where he had left hishorse, he was filled with a wordless disgust of the town and its people.The night was still and cool, almost frosty. The air so clear and sorare filled his lungs with wholesomely sweet and reanimating breath. Hishead cleared, and his heart grew regular in its beating. The moon wassailing in mid-ocean, between the Great Divide and the Christo Range,cold and sharp of outline as a boat of silver. Lizard Head to the southloomed up ethereal as a cloud, so high it seemed to crash among thestars. The youth drew a deep breath and said: "To hell with the town."
Kintuck whinnied caressingly as he heard his master's voice. Afterputting some grain before the horse, Mose rolled himself in his blanketand went to sleep with only a passing thought of the princess, herluxurious home, and her radiant and inscrutable personality.
The Eagle's Heart Page 15