CHAPTER IV
OUT OF A JOB
Three days later Johnson left us to go north with his last load ofcattle. Floyd and his wife were at the pens to say good-by, and waved athim until the caboose followed the rest of the train around a curve.Even Tommy flapped his chubby fist. And in the course of time Horne paidhim off.
That was in Kansas City. Johnson spent his earnings in something underthirty hours and made the return in a day coach, having no money for aberth. Indeed, his last meal, which he procured at a wayside lunchcounter in New Mexico, he was compelled to charge. It was made easierfor him to do this inasmuch as he had already eaten the meal. Thelandlord, after slowly thinking it over, said he would trust Lafe.
Now he was back in the cow country, hopeful that Horne might findfurther employment for him, for that was the only work in which Lafe wascontent. And he went to Badger, his credit being good there until theyshould discover he had no money. It behooved him to get a job, withwinter almost on them, yet the prospect did not distress Lafe in theleast. He loitered around the Fashion, waiting for something to turnup.
On a November morn, Buffalo Jim rode into Badger from the Lazy L,leading a pack-horse that carried all his worldly possessions on itsback. Buffalo was lifted up in heart and scornful of roundups, havingjust sold a mine. It does not concern us what sort of mine he sold,although a gentleman from Illinois grew very nasty over this pointsubsequently. Suffice that Jim had four hundred dollars.
He told Lafe that he was through with the Lazy L and sick cows, andwould devote his future to prospecting. Nobody would ever order himaround again; he wouldn't stand to be roused out of bed at four in themorning by Floyd, or any man alive. A week's work in the hills, a veinof copper--and here he was with money in his pocket, able to gleanlife's pleasures. He banged his silver down on the bar and looked allaround, like a landed proprietor. Johnson agreed that it was a temptingcareer, although a man had once hunted him for a month with a sawed-off.25-35 because of a similar transaction. Buffalo scoffed at thesuggestion of the Illinois party ever finding him, and he proceeded todo nothing. Lafe helped him.
It is to be feared that you will regard these two as a godless pair,which I deplore. Remember that customs create standards of behavior, andin Johnson's world they are suspicious of a man who permits himself noindulgences. Besides, in your circle or in mine, what earthly honor isaccorded the man so palely good that he never takes a jaunt into thepleasant by-ways?
So then, Lafe Johnson and Buffalo Jim proceeded to enjoy life in Badgerin the only way they knew. There was really no adequate physical reasonfor Shortredge's name of Buffalo Jim. If one scrutinized him closely,the difference could be discerned with comparative ease. Yet Shortredgepossessed traits that made the appellation peculiarly fitting. Whenstorms brew, a buffalo will drift into them head on, being soconstructed by the Creator. It is yet to be learned that Jim everpermitted trouble to overtake him with his back turned.
They were lying under a pool table in the Fashion one gusty Novemberdawn, lost in vague conjecture as to how they had arrived there, whenMr. Shortredge was seized of an inspiration. He told Lafe that he wouldgive a dance, and Lafe readily consenting to this expenditure of hisfriend's money, they sallied forth to acquaint the citizens of theimpending function, and to bid them come.
"I want everybody to come a-runnin'," was Jim's formal invitation. "Nostyle, mind; but it's best to be clean."
The ball was held in Haverty's empty feed barn and the guests presentedthemselves with the commendable expedition their host had urged on them.At an early hour in the festivities, three male persons from Nogalessought admittance, and Lafe Johnson, not taking kindly to their looks,a slight awkwardness resulted. This was satisfactorily adjusted betweenthe barn and the town limits, and Lafe and his companion returned totheir hospitable duties in that peace of mind obtainable from work welldone.
"What do you think of that there girl with the yallow hair?" saidJohnson, in a cautious whisper that could not be heard beyond fiftyfeet.
"I don't think much of her," Jim answered. "Too loose in the j'ints forme."
"I reckon she looks good enough to tie to," said Lafe.
In pursuance of this opinion, he began to haunt the vicinity of GraceHawes. He danced two Paul Joneses with her; followed them with atwo-step and a waltz; and by that time Miss Hawes was giggling inhalf-hysterical mirth over her partner's unusual sallies. She slappedplayfully at Lafe when he leaned close to her ear to whisper.
"Say, you've got your nerve," she said, covering her face with her handsin an ecstasy of laughter.
"No, I ain't. Honest I ain't. I'm sure shy as a teeny li'l' rabbit withother girls."
"What makes you go to say them things then?"
"You do. You make me brighten up a heap. And I'd kind of like to learnto talk easy like the other boys."
"You've got 'em backed into the cactus right now," said Grace, once moreovercome.
The two were occupying one of the wooden benches ranged against thewalls. Johnson was obliged to give her up at this point to a man fromNew Mexico. His visage was expressionless as he watched her depart andthen he crossed to the door to institute inquiries as to how thisinterloper had contrived to get in.
"Let's run him off," said Jim. "That big Hick ought to be in acotton-patch, anyhow."
"No-oo. She'd think I was jealous. And I'm not caring; not me. She canblister her feet for all of me, and he's a sure a-helping her. Watch himtromp on her toes. Say, Buf'lo, that's the third time she's danced withthat there feller."
"What're you getting all swelled up about, Lafe?" Haverty asked,overhearing. "Quit your roaring. You mad just because Steve done tookyour girl?"
"Mad, hell!" said Johnson. "Who is this here Steve, Haverty?"
"He done drifted in about a month ago. Works for the Tumbling K. You'veheard of him, Lafe? Shore you have. Goes by the name of Moffatt. He donekilled Hi Waggoner and Balaam Halsell and--"
"Now I've got you. Sure. He's the gunfighter. So that's Steve Moffatt?"
Lafe's eyes brightened and one would have thought that this discoverywas the only thing needed to complete his satisfaction. He grinnedgenially at Moffatt when they chanced to meet at Miss Hawes's side, andexchanged polite surmises on the outlook for more rain. Said Mr.Johnson, knowing well to the contrary: "Running sheep?"
"Cattle," said Moffatt shortly.
He studied Lafe with an oblique glance, not at all sure that no insultlurked in the query. Presently he whisked Miss Hawes away. The majorityof the gentlemen at the ball held their partners with both hands aroundthe shoulders, and this method afforded excellent opportunity for Graceto gaze up into Moffatt's eyes. Her own were deep blue and singularlyenticing. Steve's were brown and very, very alert and steady, and MissHawes rapidly discovered that they refused to waver and grow uncertain,as was the habit of most masculine orbs. To Johnson, this exhibitionseemed crude, even raw. He went outside where the refreshments werecached in order to find Buffalo.
"Say, Jim, I swan that don't seem the right way to dance," he said. "Itdon't look proper, hugging a girl that away."
"Huh! It don't, hey? You took to it smart enough. You weren't hollering.Why, you didn't know whether you was on the floor or on the roof, whenshe had you going. It sort of made me tired, Lafe, the way you done.Better leave her be."
An uproar broke out in the dance hall, and Johnson sped away toascertain the cause and to quell it. Quiet descended as his foot touchedthe doorstep--a swift, ominous quiet. He discovered Moffatt standing inthe corner occupied by the Mexican orchestra. One of the three playerssprawled on the floor, rubbing his head and sobbing, and in front of thegunfighter was an abashed puncher from the Tumbling K range.
"What did you hit him with that there stool for?" Moffatt asked, as Lafeapproached.
"He weren't keeping good time," said the cowboy. "I done told him sotwice."
"Go on and dance," Moffatt ordered. "Here, you. Here's your guitar. Taketo it. And when a gen'l'man asks you to slow up again,
you slow up.Savez?"
Miss Hawes took his arm, with a soft, prideful sigh, and they moved off.It was glorious to be the center of all eyes, and she was very proud ofhim just then. He dominated the assembly with such disdainful unconcern.She had seen the Tumbling K boy actually shrink. Realizing quickly theneed of smoothing out the situation, Lafe created a diversion. Advancingto the center of the floor, he shouted: "The next'll be a quadrille. Getyour partners for a quadrille. Hi, everybody! Step to it."
Thus harmlessly did the incident pass over. Lafe was famous at callingoff a dance and soon Grace found herself wavering in her allegiance. Itis true that Moffatt was extremely handsome, but Lafe had a way. Hemight be too stooped and indolent for grace of movement, but--Johnson'svoice came to her over the heads of the whirling crowd, and she forgotto reply to a question from her partner.
"First lady to the right, the right hand gent the right hand round.Partner by the left as you come round. Lady in the center, all handsround," he yelled, and there was a swirl of skirts and lifting of dustto stamping feet.
"Head lady and opposite gent forward and back," he chanted again.
Give right hand half way round; Back with left, left hand round. Promenade the corner as you come around.
When the dance ended, it was the conventional thing for a gentleman toabandon the lady where they chanced to find themselves at the moment andgo on about his business. Taking advantage of this custom, Lafedescended upon Miss Hawes and bore her off; nor did he once give her upuntil the stars paled in the sky. Then he asserted his right to take herhome.
On the way he fell silent. All his glibness of tongue deserted himabruptly, and Grace was mightily pleased over the symptom.
"What's the matter, Mr. Lafe?" she asked. "Why don't you say a word?"
"I'm studying over something," said Johnson.
After a moment he inquired, without looking at her: "You done give metwo Paul Joneses, didn't you?"
"Sure I did. Why? Weren't they enough?"
"Yes. And four waltzes and four two-steps. Ain't that the tally?"
"You've got it right. But what's the matter, Mr. Lafe?"
"And you done let me have the Home Sweet Home waltz, too?"
"Look a-here, Mr. Lafe, what're you driving at?"
Johnson pondered darkly for a full minute. "What'd you give that fellerSteve?" he said finally.
"You'd like to know, wouldn't you? Say, you've got your nerve." Shetilted her chin upwards and flashed a look at him.
"What did you let that feller have?" he said again.
"I won't tell you: so there. Not near so much as you got, Lafe Johnson.Now, are you satisfied?"
"Pretty near. Leastways, for a while."
She gave Lafe her hand at parting, and he tried to draw her to him. Itwas a half-hearted impulse, wholly lacking his customary dash. Gracehesitated, flushed warmly; then, with a tremulous laugh, pushed himback.
"You certainly don't lose no time, do you, Lafe Johnson?"
"I don't aim to." His voice was shaky.
All that passed at the ball was perceived by Buffalo, who became greatlyexercised the next day over Lafe's extraordinary behavior. Instead ofestablishing himself at pitch in the Fashion's back room, Johnson moonedabout town, or stared absently at the dust of the street whilst heleaned against a post and whittled a stick. It was not as though he hadno money, for Jim had staked him. The cowboy took counsel of friends.Buffalo Jim was disposed to hold Miss Hawes lightly.
"I ain't no prude," he explained. "You boys know that right well.You-all know me. I like a girl what's got ginger. But I don't figure onmarrying a whole can of it, nor I don't calculate to see ol' Lafe get itsmeared over him that way, neither."
"Well, what're you aiming to do?"
"Leave it to me. I'll fix it," said Jim.