CHAPTER XVI
Duane followed the stage through the town, out into the open, on to awide, hard-packed road showing years of travel. It headed northwest. Tothe left rose a range of low, bleak mountains he had noted yesterday,and to the right sloped the mesquite-patched sweep of ridge and flat.The driver pushed his team to a fast trot, which gait surely coveredground rapidly.
The stage made three stops in the forenoon, one at a place where thehorses could be watered, the second at a chuck-wagon belonging tocowboys who were riding after stock, and the third at a small clusterof adobe and stone houses constituting a hamlet the driver calledLongstreth, named after the Colonel. From that point on to Fairdalethere were only a few ranches, each one controlling great acreage.
Early in the afternoon from a ridge-top Duane sighted Fairdale, a greenpatch in the mass of gray. For the barrens of Texas it was indeed a fairsight. But he was more concerned with its remoteness from civilizationthan its beauty. At that time, in the early seventies, when the vastwestern third of Texas was a wilderness, the pioneer had done wonders tosettle there and establish places like Fairdale.
It needed only a glance for Duane to pick out Colonel Longstreth'sranch. The house was situated on the only elevation around Fairdale, andit was not high, nor more than a few minutes' walk from the edge of thetown. It was a low, flat-roofed structure made of red adobe bricks, andcovered what appeared to be fully an acre of ground. All was green aboutit, except where the fenced corrals and numerous barns or sheds showedgray and red.
Duane soon reached the shady outskirts of Fairdale, and entered thetown with mingled feelings of curiosity, eagerness, and expectation. Thestreet he rode down was a main one, and on both sides of the street wasa solid row of saloons, resorts, hotels. Saddled horses stood hitchedall along the sidewalk in two long lines, with a buckboard and team hereand there breaking the continuity. This block was busy and noisy.
From all outside appearances Fairdale was no different from otherfrontier towns, and Duane's expectations were scarcely realized. As theafternoon was waning he halted at a little inn. A boy took charge of hishorse. Duane questioned the lad about Fairdale and gradually drew to thesubject most in mind.
"Colonel Longstreth has a big outfit, eh?"
"Reckon he has," replied the lad. "Doan know how many cowboys. They'realways comin' and goin'. I ain't acquainted with half of them."
"Much movement of stock these days?"
"Stock's always movin'," he replied, with a queer look.
"Rustlers?"
But he did not follow up that look with the affirmative Duane expected.
"Lively place, I hear--Fairdale is?"
"Ain't so lively as Sanderson, but it's bigger."
"Yes, I heard it was. Fellow down there was talking about two cowboyswho were arrested."
"Sure. I heered all about that. Joe Bean an' Brick Higgins--they belongheah, but they ain't heah much. Longstreth's boys."
Duane did not want to appear over-inquisitive, so he turned the talkinto other channels.
After getting supper Duane strolled up and down the main street. Whendarkness set in he went into a hotel, bought cigars, sat around, andwatched. Then he passed out and went into the next place. This was ofrough crude exterior, but the inside was comparatively pretentious andablaze with lights. It was full of men coming and going--a dusty-bootedcrowd that smelled of horses and smoke. Duane sat down for a while, withwide eyes and open ears. Then he hunted up the bar, where most of theguests had been or were going. He found a great square room lighted bysix huge lamps, a bar at one side, and all the floor-space taken upby tables and chairs. This was the only gambling place of any size insouthern Texas in which he had noted the absence of Mexicans. There wassome card-playing going on at this moment. Duane stayed in there fora while, and knew that strangers were too common in Fairdale to beconspicuous. Then he returned to the inn where he had engaged a room.
Duane sat down on the steps of the dingy little restaurant. Two men wereconversing inside, and they had not noticed Duane.
"Laramie, what's the stranger's name?" asked one.
"He didn't say," replied the other.
"Sure was a strappin' big man. Struck me a little odd, he did. Nocattleman, him. How'd you size him?"
"Well, like one of them cool, easy, quiet Texans who's been lookin' fora man for years--to kill him when he found him."
"Right you are, Laramie; and, between you an' me, I hope he's lookin'for Long--"
"'S--sh!" interrupted Laramie. "You must be half drunk, to go talkie'that way."
Thereafter they conversed in too low a tone for Duane to hear, andpresently Laramie's visitor left. Duane went inside, and, making himselfagreeable, began to ask casual questions about Fairdale. Laramie was notcommunicative.
Duane went to his room in a thoughtful frame of mind. Had Laramie'svisitor meant he hoped some one had come to kill Longstreth? Duaneinferred just that from the interrupted remark. There was somethingwrong about the Mayor of Fairdale. Duane felt it. And he felt also, ifthere was a crooked and dangerous man, it was this Floyd Lawson. Theinnkeeper Laramie would be worth cultivating. And last in Duane'sthoughts that night was Miss Longstreth. He could not help thinking ofher--how strangely the meeting with her had affected him. It made himremember that long-past time when girls had been a part of his life.What a sad and dark and endless void lay between that past and thepresent! He had no right even to dream of a beautiful woman like RayLongstreth. That conviction, however, did not dispel her; indeed,it seemed perversely to make her grow more fascinating. Duane grewconscious of a strange, unaccountable hunger, a something that was likea pang in his breast.
Next day he lounged about the inn. He did not make any overtures tothe taciturn proprietor. Duane had no need of hurry now. He contentedhimself with watching and listening. And at the close of that day hedecided Fairdale was what MacNelly had claimed it to be, and that he wason the track of an unusual adventure. The following day he spent in muchthe same way, though on one occasion he told Laramie he was looking fora man. The innkeeper grew a little less furtive and reticent after that.He would answer casual queries, and it did not take Duane long to learnthat Laramie had seen better days--that he was now broken, bitter, andhard. Some one had wronged him.
Several days passed. Duane did not succeed in getting any closer toLaramie, but he found the idlers on the corners and in front of thestores unsuspicious and willing to talk. It did not take him long tofind out that Fairdale stood parallel with Huntsville for gambling,drinking, and fighting. The street was always lined with dusty, saddledhorses, the town full of strangers. Money appeared more abundant than inany place Duane had ever visited; and it was spent with the abandonthat spoke forcibly of easy and crooked acquirement. Duane decidedthat Sanderson, Bradford, and Ord were but notorious outposts to thisFairdale, which was a secret center of rustlers and outlaws. And whatstruck Duane strangest of all was the fact that Longstreth was mayorhere and held court daily. Duane knew intuitively, before a chanceremark gave him proof, that this court was a sham, a farce. And hewondered if it were not a blind. This wonder of his was equivalent tosuspicion of Colonel Longstreth, and Duane reproached himself. Thenhe realized that the reproach was because of the daughter. Inquiry hadbrought him the fact that Ray Longstreth had just come to live with herfather. Longstreth had originally been a planter in Louisiana, where hisfamily had remained after his advent in the West. He was a rich rancher;he owned half of Fairdale; he was a cattle-buyer on a large scale. FloydLawson was his lieutenant and associate in deals.
On the afternoon of the fifth day of Duane's stay in Fairdale hereturned to the inn from his usual stroll, and upon entering was amazedto have a rough-looking young fellow rush by him out of the door. InsideLaramie was lying on the floor, with a bloody bruise on his face. He didnot appear to be dangerously hurt.
"Bo Snecker! He hit me and went after the cash-drawer," said Laramie,laboring to his feet.
"Are you hurt much?" queried Duane.
&n
bsp; "I guess not. But Bo needn't to have soaked me. I've been robbed beforewithout that."
"Well, I'll take a look after Bo," replied Duane.
He went out and glanced down the street toward the center of the town.He did not see any one he could take for the innkeeper's assailant. Thenhe looked up the street, and he saw the young fellow about a block away,hurrying along and gazing back.
Duane yelled for him to stop and started to go after him. Snecker brokeinto a run. Then Duane set out to overhaul him. There were two motivesin Duane's action--one of anger, and the other a desire to make a friendof this man Laramie, whom Duane believed could tell him much.
Duane was light on his feet, and he had a giant stride. He gainedrapidly upon Snecker, who, turning this way and that, could not getout of sight. Then he took to the open country and ran straight forthe green hill where Longstreth's house stood. Duane had almost caughtSnecker when he reached the shrubbery and trees and there eluded him.But Duane kept him in sight, in the shade, on the paths, and up theroad into the courtyard, and he saw Snecker go straight for Longstreth'shouse.
Duane was not to be turned back by that, singular as it was. He did notstop to consider. It seemed enough to know that fate had directed him tothe path of this rancher Longstreth. Duane entered the first open dooron that side of the court. It opened into a corridor which led into aplaza. It had wide, smooth stone porches, and flowers and shrubbery inthe center. Duane hurried through to burst into the presence of MissLongstreth and a number of young people. Evidently she was giving alittle party.
Lawson stood leaning against one of the pillars that supported theporch roof; at sight of Duane his face changed remarkably, expressingamazement, consternation, then fear.
In the quick ensuing silence Miss Longstreth rose white as her dress.The young women present stared in astonishment, if they were not equallyperturbed. There were cowboys present who suddenly grew intent andstill. By these things Duane gathered that his appearance mustbe disconcerting. He was panting. He wore no hat or coat. His biggun-sheath showed plainly at his hip.
Sight of Miss Longstreth had an unaccountable effect upon Duane. He wasplunged into confusion. For the moment he saw no one but her.
"Miss Longstreth--I came--to search--your house," panted Duane.
He hardly knew what he was saying, yet the instant he spoke he realizedthat that should have been the last thing for him to say. He hadblundered. But he was not used to women, and this dark-eyed girl madehim thrill and his heart beat thickly and his wits go scattering.
"Search my house!" exclaimed Miss Longstreth; and red succeeded thewhite in her cheeks. She appeared astonished and angry. "What for? Why,how dare you! This is unwarrantable!"
"A man--Bo Snecker--assaulted and robbed Jim Laramie," replied Duane,hurriedly. "I chased Snecker here--saw him run into the house."
"Here? Oh, sir, you must be mistaken. We have seen no one. In theabsence of my father I'm mistress here. I'll not permit you to search."
Lawson appeared to come out of his astonishment. He stepped forward.
"Ray, don't be bothered now," he said, to his cousin. "This fellow'smaking a bluff. I'll settle him. See here, Mister, you clear out!"
"I want Snecker. He's here, and I'm going to get him," replied Duane,quietly.
"Bah! That's all a bluff," sneered Lawson. "I'm on to your game. Youjust wanted an excuse to break in here--to see my cousin again. When yousaw the company you invented that excuse. Now, be off, or it'll be theworse for you."
Duane felt his face burn with a tide of hot blood. Almost he felt thathe was guilty of such motive. Had he not been unable to put this RayLongstreth out of his mind? There seemed to be scorn in her eyes now.And somehow that checked his embarrassment.
"Miss Longstreth, will you let me search the house?" he asked.
"No."
"Then--I regret to say--I'll do so without your permission."
"You'll not dare!" she flashed. She stood erect, her bosom swelling.
"Pardon me, yes, I will."
"Who are you?" she demanded, suddenly.
"I'm a Texas Ranger," replied Duane.
"A TEXAS RANGER!" she echoed.
Floyd Lawson's dark face turned pale.
"Miss Longstreth, I don't need warrants to search houses," said Duane."I'm sorry to annoy you. I'd prefer to have your permission. A ruffianhas taken refuge here--in your father's house. He's hidden somewhere.May I look for him?"
"If you are indeed a ranger."
Duane produced his papers. Miss Longstreth haughtily refused to look atthem.
"Miss Longstreth, I've come to make Fairdale a safer, cleaner, betterplace for women and children. I don't wonder at your resentment. But todoubt me--insult me. Some day you may be sorry."
Floyd Lawson made a violent motion with his hands.
"All stuff! Cousin, go on with your party. I'll take a couple of cowboysand go with this--this Texas Ranger."
"Thanks," said Duane, coolly, as he eyed Lawson. "Perhaps you'll be ableto find Snecker quicker than I could."
"What do you mean?" demanded Lawson, and now he grew livid. Evidently hewas a man of fierce quick passions.
"Don't quarrel," said Miss Longstreth. "Floyd, you go with him. Pleasehurry. I'll be nervous till--the man's found or you're sure there's notone."
They started with several cowboys to search the house. They went throughthe rooms searching, calling out, peering into dark places. It struckDuane more than forcibly that Lawson did all the calling. He washurried, too, tried to keep in the lead. Duane wondered if he knew hisvoice would be recognized by the hiding man. Be that as it might, it wasDuane who peered into a dark corner and then, with a gun leveled, said"Come out!"
He came forth into the flare--a tall, slim, dark-faced youth, wearingsombrero, blouse and trousers. Duane collared him before any of theothers could move and held the gun close enough to make him shrink. Buthe did not impress Duane as being frightened just then; nevertheless, hehad a clammy face, the pallid look of a man who had just gotten over ashock. He peered into Duane's face, then into that of the cowboy next tohim, then into Lawson's, and if ever in Duane's life he beheld reliefit was then. That was all Duane needed to know, but he meant to find outmore if he could.
"Who're you?" asked Duane, quietly.
"Bo Snecker," he said.
"What'd you hide here for?"
He appeared to grow sullen.
"Reckoned I'd be as safe in Longstreth's as anywheres."
"Ranger, what'll you do with him?" Lawson queried, as if uncertain, nowthe capture was made.
"I'll see to that," replied Duane, and he pushed Snecker in front of himout into the court.
Duane had suddenly conceived the idea of taking Snecker before MayorLongstreth in the court.
When Duane arrived at the hall where court was held there were other menthere, a dozen or more, and all seemed excited; evidently, news of Duanehad preceded him. Longstreth sat at a table up on a platform. Nearhim sat a thick-set grizzled man, with deep eyes, and this was HanfordOwens, county judge. To the right stood a tall, angular, yellow-facedfellow with a drooping sandy mustache. Conspicuous on his vest was ahuge silver shield. This was Gorsech, one of Longstreth's sheriffs.There were four other men whom Duane knew by sight, several whose faceswere familiar, and half a dozen strangers, all dusty horsemen.
Longstreth pounded hard on the table to be heard. Mayor or not, he wasunable at once to quell the excitement. Gradually, however, it subsided,and from the last few utterances before quiet was restored Duanegathered that he had intruded upon some kind of a meeting in the hall.
"What'd you break in here for," demanded Longstreth.
"Isn't this the court? Aren't you the Mayor of Fairdale?" interrogatedDuane. His voice was clear and loud, almost piercing.
"Yes," replied Longstreth. Like flint he seemed, yet Duane felt hisintense interest.
"I've arrested a criminal," said Duane.
"Arrested a criminal!" ejaculated Longstreth. "You? W
ho're you?"
"I'm a ranger," replied Duane.
A significant silence ensued.
"I charge Snecker with assault on Laramie and attempted robbery--if notmurder. He's had a shady past here, as this court will know if it keepsa record."
"What's this I hear about you, Bo? Get up and speak for yourself," saidLongstreth, gruffly.
Snecker got up, not without a furtive glance at Duane, and he hadshuffled forward a few steps toward the Mayor. He had an evil front, butnot the boldness even of a rustler.
"It ain't so, Longstreth," he began, loudly. "I went in Laramie's placefer grub. Some feller I never seen before come in from the hall an' hitLaramie an' wrestled him on the floor. I went out. Then this big rangerchased me an' fetched me here. I didn't do nothin'. This ranger'shankerin' to arrest somebody. Thet's my hunch, Longstreth."
Longstreth said something in an undertone to Judge Owens, and thatworthy nodded his great bushy head.
"Bo, you're discharged," said Longstreth, bluntly. "Now the rest of youclear out of here."
He absolutely ignored the ranger. That was his rebuff to Duane--his slapin the face to an interfering ranger service. If Longstreth was crookedhe certainly had magnificent nerve. Duane almost decided he was abovesuspicion. But his nonchalance, his air of finality, his authoritativeassurance--these to Duane's keen and practiced eyes were in significantcontrast to a certain tenseness of line about his mouth and a slowpaling of his olive skin. In that momentary lull Duane's scrutiny ofLongstreth gathered an impression of the man's intense curiosity.
Then the prisoner, Snecker, with a cough that broke the spell ofsilence, shuffled a couple of steps toward the door.
"Hold on!" called Duane. The call halted Snecker, as if it had been abullet.
"Longstreth, I saw Snecker attack Laramie," said Duane, his voice stillringing. "What has the court to say to that?"
"The court has this to say. West of the Pecos we'll not aid any rangerservice. We don't want you out here. Fairdale doesn't need you."
"That's a lie, Longstreth," retorted Duane. "I've letters from Fairdalecitizens all begging for ranger service."
Longstreth turned white. The veins corded at his temples. He appearedabout to burst into rage. He was at a loss for quick reply.
Floyd Lawson rushed in and up to the table. The blood showed black andthick in his face; his utterance was incoherent, his uncontrollableoutbreak of temper seemed out of all proportion to any cause he shouldreasonably have had for anger. Longstreth shoved him back with a curseand a warning glare.
"Where's your warrant to arrest Snecker?" shouted Longstreth.
"I don't need warrants to make arrests. Longstreth, you're ignorant ofthe power of Texas Rangers."
"You'll come none of your damned ranger stunts out here. I'll blockyou."
That passionate reply of Longstreth's was the signal Duane hadbeen waiting for. He had helped on the crisis. He wanted to forceLongstreth's hand and show the town his stand.
Duane backed clear of everybody.
"Men! I call on you all!" cried Duane, piercingly. "I call on you towitness the arrest of a criminal prevented by Longstreth, Mayor ofFairdale. It will be recorded in the report to the Adjutant-General atAustin. Longstreth, you'll never prevent another arrest."
Longstreth sat white with working jaw.
"Longstreth, you've shown your hand," said Duane, in a voice thatcarried far and held those who heard. "Any honest citizen of Fairdalecan now see what's plain--yours is a damn poor hand! You're going tohear me call a spade a spade. In the two years you've been Mayoryou've never arrested one rustler. Strange, when Fairdale's a nest forrustlers! You've never sent a prisoner to Del Rio, let alone toAustin. You have no jail. There have been nine murders during youroffice--innumerable street-fights and holdups. Not one arrest! But youhave ordered arrests for trivial offenses, and have punished these outof all proportion. There have been lawsuits in your court-suits overwater-rights, cattle deals, property lines. Strange how in theselawsuits you or Lawson or other men close to you were always involved!Strange how it seems the law was stretched to favor your interest!"
Duane paused in his cold, ringing speech. In the silence, both outsideand inside the hall, could be heard the deep breathing of agitated men.Longstreth was indeed a study. Yet did he betray anything but rage atthis interloper?
"Longstreth, here's plain talk for you and Fairdale," went on Duane. "Idon't accuse you and your court of dishonesty. I say STRANGE! Law herehas been a farce. The motive behind all this laxity isn't plain tome--yet. But I call your hand!"