CHAPTER XXIV
THE REBELLION OF COCK MURRAY
The buckboard, wheeling off the trail, was lost to view almost as soonas Murray saw it. Rose and Margaret he had recognized at a glance butwhose figure had been the second in the wagon? Suddenly misgivingassailed him. Forgetting Hopalong and his orders, he turned andfollowed them. Every step of his horse increased his anxiety and urgedhim forward; and twin-born with it smouldered a growing anger that heldhim back: he hesitated to have his fears confirmed in the presence oftwo women, one of whom--well, that was done with but it had left a scarthat was beginning to throb again with the old pain. He rode slowly butgaining steadily on the trio ahead. When they reached the cabin, Rosecalled; receiving no answer she was about to go for help when she sawMurray and pointed to him. Margaret motioned and he hurried to obey thesummons.
He recognized Buck while still some distance away and the smoulder burstinto a blaze. This was the game then? Schatz had emphatically statedit was to be one of freeze-out; when they found it would n't work thenthe good old way was good enough. The jauntiness of carriage which hadearned him his nickname (he was responsible for the surname only) wasgone when he joined the others; the gay insolence of his speech was gonealso, and some of his good looks. The successful concealment of hisfeelings had lost him much but it had gained him more: Margaret thrilledto a sense of power she had not expected in him. Rose's gesture offinger to lips was superfluous: Murray never felt less like talking.
"How'd you get here, Cock?" asked Buck, dully. The strain of the drivewas telling even upon his iron frame.
"Orders," answered Cock, briefly; and Buck was not sufficientlyinterested to inquire further.
The team was effectually secured and they got Buck from the wagon andinto the cabin with but little difficulty; Murray, though he did notlook it, was a far stronger man than Whitby; and Buck was laid gently inthe bunk, his head brushing the spot where Pickles had muffled hisbreathing a few hours before.
The removal of the bandage brought a gasp to the lips of Margaret, whopressed her hand to her heart and stared with horrified eyes. Shetouched Rose on the shoulder: "Can you--can you dress the wound withoutme?" she asked, breathlessly.
"But certainly," answered Rose, mildly surprised.
"Then I will go--back--and send on the medicine chest. I am sure youwill need it."
"That is good," commended Rose, looking curiously after Margaret, whoswayed as she went out of the room.
Murray hurried after her. "It is nothing, Miss McAllister, except forthe pain and possible fever. Buck will tell you so himself. Drinkthis."
The cold water made her feel better. "I never realized before--whatfighting means," she murmured. "It may be nothing but itlooks--terrible."
"Nothing dangerous, I assure you, and perfect health will bring himthrough. Shall you go on out to the ranch?"
"Why, I must send the medicines."
"Then wait for me to join you at Twin River. I shall not be long."
He controlled the restive team until she was ready and watched herstart. When he returned to Rose she had bared and was bathing the woundfrom which but little blood came, now. When a fresh bandage had beenput in place she turned to him with expressive gesture: "Remove all,"she commanded, indicating Buck's clothing. She left the room and Murrayheard her moving about in the attic while he busied himself in obedienceto her orders.
"Who was it, Buck?" he asked, sombrely.
"Did n't see him. Dave, I reckon."
"Was it Dave you was after?"
"That's him. Did n't you know?"
"No." Murray slit viciously through the waist band of the trousers andraised Buck with one powerful arm while he eased away the severed cloth.He said nothing more until Rose came with a garment such as Buck had notworn for more years than he liked to remember. When it was donned andBuck made comfortable, Murray spoke with decision. In his earnestnesshe unconsciously reverted from the slip-shod manner of speech to whichhe had habituated himself.
"I have a confession to make," he began; "and I want to make it now. Idon't think it will harm you to hear it."
"Let 'er go," said Buck, with awakened interest.
"I am a hypocrite. I am indirectly responsible for the loss of yourcattle. I have been taking your money and working for another man. Iam not at all proud of it. In fact, as things have turned out, I 'md--d sick of it. All that I can say for myself is that I honestlythought the other man was in the right; now I know better. If it willbe any satisfaction to you I would give my life this minute rather thanhave it known by--by certain people who are bound to know of it if youtalk. So it has not been easy to tell you. I have only one thing moreto add: I can't be treacherous to the other man although he has beentreacherous to me; but if you are not afraid to trust me, I guarantee tomake the Double Y sound on the inside, at least--that is, if they don'tkill me."
"By th' Lord!" breathed Buck. "I 'm right glad I got that pill. Trustyou? You bet!" He reached out his hand to Murray and the grip he feltconfirmed his belief that the canker was surely healed on the Double Y.
Softly as Buck spoke, the sound of his voice brought Rose to the door.She looked sternly at Murray: "You must go," she declared; "So much talkbring fever."
"All right, ma'am," assented Murray, carefully keeping from her histell-tale face, "sure you won't need help?"
"No, my father come soon." She advanced to the bunk and improvedcomfort and appearance with a few deft touches.
"Good-day, then, ma'am. So long, Buck. I 'm ridin' to th' ranch withMiss McAllister."
"So long, Cock. Get at it, son. Th' Double Y needs you, you bet," andthe smile on the stern face was so winning that Murray left hastily,with long strides.
Buck Peters, Ranchman Page 24