CHAPTER XXIX
In the evening a stranger drove up to Chakchak. He was long and lean,and his hair was flecked with gray. His eyes were blue and clear, setrather wide apart, holding a calm, disconcerting stare. His clotheswere much worn, frayed, and dusty. His movements were quiet anddeliberate, and so was his speech.
"I am lookin'," he said, "for Mr. Dunne."
"That's my name," said Casey.
"Then I'd like a little private talk with you. My name is Dove; I'mactin' sheriff of this county while Fuller's sick." Evidently ActingSheriff Dove was a man of direct speech.
"Glad to meet you, sheriff," said Casey. "Come right into my quarters.I've guests at the house, and I'm bunking here. Have a cigar, and tellme what I can do for you."
The sheriff lit a cigar very deliberately, and carefully pinched outthe flame of the match with his fingers, surest of signs of oneaccustomed to the plains and woods. He removed the cigar, eyed it withapproval, replaced it, and turned to his host.
"That's a right good smoke. I come to see you about this killin'. Thishere McHale worked for you, I'm told."
"He's my foreman."
"Where is he now?"
"I don't know."
"He come back here after the killin', collected up his outfit, got apack horse, and made his get-away?"
"Yes."
"Told you about it, maybe?"
"Yes."
"But not where he was goin'?"
"No."
"Still, you can make a tol'able guess."
"I'm not guessing," Casey replied. "That killing was square, sheriff."
"I don't say it wasn't," Dove admitted. "I got nothing to do with that.My rule is, when there's a killin', to bring in the man who done it,and let the law 'tend to his case."
"Good rule, theoretically."
"And so," Sheriff Dove continued, with calm finality, "I'm out to bringin this here McHale."
Casey thereupon gave Tom's reasons for leaving, and expressed hisopinion that he would come in and give himself up within a short time.The sheriff listened, smoking impassively.
"I dunno but what McHale acted pretty sensible," he commented. "Heneedn't worry about my not protectin' him. I've give a prisoner a gunand let him help stand off a mob before now. Likewise, I've got lead inmy system doin' it. However, that ain't the point. I can't wait 'roundfor him to come in. I got to get him. There's been quite a bunch ofthings happenin' down in this country, far as I can hear, that ain'tnone too law-abidin'."
Casey merely smiled genially.
"Mind you, I ain't no busybody," said the sheriff. "I get troubleenough in a regular way without huntin' for it. I've been hearin'things, but there bein' no complaint I've sat tight. Up to this Crosskillin' nobody's been hurt. But that's serious and brings me in to takea hand. One of my deputies, Jack Pugh, is after a young feller namedMcCrae. There's lots of things don't speak well for respect for the lawdown here. I represent the law, and what hits it hits me."
"I understand. You've been straight with me, sheriff, and I appreciateit. I don't know exactly where McHale is, but I think if you found himand gave him a straight, decent talk he'd come in without any trouble.He doesn't want any. And I think you'll find him somewhere in thehills. That's all I can tell you now."
"Him and this young McCrae is tillikums, they tell me," the sheriffsuggested. "You think maybe they've met up?"
"They may. There's a chance of it."
The sheriff considered. "This McCrae is a leetle mite headstrong, I'mtold. Sorter apt to act rash."
"I'm afraid so."
The sheriff shook his head regretfully. "I'd ruther deal with a sure'nough bad man than with a young feller like that," he observed, "Theylack judgment, as a rule. I'm told he savvies a gun right well?"
"He's a centre shot and quick," said Casey. "And, remember this,sheriff, if you run across him: he doesn't bluff. When he goes after agun he goes after it to shoot with. I tell you this because I don'twant to see anybody hurt. There's no harm in him, handled right, buthe's a kid, and you want to make allowances."
"I'm obliged to you, and I'll do it. Jack Pugh and Glass have startedout after him already. They allow to prospect 'round in the hills tillthey find him. That's what I'll do with McHale."
Casey considered, and suddenly came to a decision.
"Anybody going with you?"
"No."
"Don't you want a deputy?"
"Any time I got to pack a deputy 'round with me to bring in one manthere'll be a job open," the sheriff returned grimly. "I don't keep nocorral full of deputies. I got Pugh and another, and they're both busy.I allow not to get lost. I've been out by myself before now."
"The reason I ask," said Casey, "is that I'd like to go with youmyself. The boys might listen to me, and not to you. Mind, I'm notoffering to guide you to them. You find your own trail. But I'll makeall the peace talk I can if you do find them. Besides, there's thisDade. If he goes after Tom, there will be trouble. It's a feud. Ideclare myself in on it."
"I hate trouble and I love peace," said the sheriff. "No feuds is goin'to flourish around where I am. But you come along. You're actin' right.I'm glad to have you. Can you start in the mornin'?"
"Make it afternoon; I've things to see to first. How are you fixed fora horse?"
"I've got my own hoss back yander in town. I hated to use him till Ihad to. That's why I hired a team."
"I have a pack horse. That's all we'll need. Bring your own outfit.I've plenty of grub here."
"That's mighty kind," said the sheriff. "The county will pay for yourhoss and the grub."
"I don't want pay. This is my shout. I'm doing it for my friends."
"Well, your friends ought to be right obliged. I'll remember it. Youwon't find me makin' things harder. And now I'll pike along back totown."
They shook hands and the sheriff climbed back into the saggingbuckboard and departed. Casey returned to his quarters and began togather an outfit by the only practical method; that is to say, bypiling everything he wanted in a heap. He was engaged in thisoccupation when Clyde knocked and entered.
"Why, Casey, whatever are you doing?"
He told her, and she approved his plan. She began to examine the heaphe had thrown together on the table--knife, cartridges, fishhooks andline, compass, matches, sweater, poncho--with a girl's interest in suchmasculine possessions. But she exclaimed at the lack of toiletarticles. Where were his razors, his hairbrushes?
"I'll get along without them."
"My goodness, boy, you'll be scrubby. Aren't you going to take evena--a toothbrush?"
"Yes, I'll do that," he laughed. "There, that's enough for to-night.Feng will put up grub in the morning. What have you done with KittyWade and her husband? Hadn't we better look them up? They may be makinglove on the sly."
"Do you need a chaperon so badly?" She slipped her arm in his. "Comeon, then. They've gone for a walk up the ditch. We'll meet them andcome back together. Only I want to impress upon you, Casey, that theymust walk ahead of us--unless it gets very dark, indeed."
"I think I get you," he laughed. "We'll arrange that detail. Kitty Wadeis a most sympathetic young matron."
They found the Wades, and their evening stroll became an inspection ofthe ranch. The effects of the rain were already visible in the colourof the grain. It was darker, more vigorous, sending forth new shoots.The grass lands, where the network of roots had retained the earliermoisture, were lush and knee deep. Soon it would be ready to cut.
The beauty of the evening held them out of doors. It was good to idlein the twilight with the scent of clover in the nostrils, to walk amongthe growing things. It was sweet to exchange confidences, to plan forthe future as man and woman have from the beginning, painting itbrightly, draping it in rose and gold, a perfect picture wherein allthe colours harmonized.
It was the time of dreams. They gazed into the future as children mightlook across an unknown sea, seeing in fancy its stately galleons, itstall treasure ships, its white-winged pleasure cr
aft, its wondrous,palm-fringed islands, where summer abode always; but they had no eyesfor leaden skies and sullen shouldering swells spouting on hiddenreefs, the great, gray bergs fog-hidden in the ship track, the driftingderelicts whose hopes were once as fair as their own. For God hasmercifully arranged that these things shall be hidden from our eyesuntil the proper time.
Even when they reached the house they were not inclined to go indoors.They sat in the darkness, in pairs, apart, conversing in low tones, andso another hour slipped away. Back of them the house was dark; not alamp was lighted. Only from Feng's kitchen a path of light streamedfrom the door. But as they were about to leave the veranda they heardthe sound of hoofs approaching.
"Who on earth is coming at this time of night?" Wade asked.
"Sit quiet and we'll see," said Casey. His hand closed on the butt of agun in his pocket, which he now carried constantly.
The hoofs slowed to a walk, and a shadowy horse and rider halted a fewyards away. In the darkness of the veranda, with the deeper backgroundof the building, they were invisible.
"Be th' mortal! but they've all gone to bed," muttered a disgustedvoice. "An' what do yez know about that? 'Airly to bed an' airly torise,' as the kids' dope books has it. Maybe ut makes a man healthy,but all the wealthy wise guys iver I knowed wint on th' well-knownprinciple that home was the last place to close up. Faix, a man'll gohome whin he's in no state f'r anny other place. Whoa! Howld still,there's a good harrse, till I see what's best to do. Don't be soonaisy. Whoa, darlin'! Bad cess to ye, ye roachbacked Prodestan' baste,kape off iv thim flower beds! Have yez no manners at all, at all? Beall th' saints in glory I'll larrup th' head off iv yez--or I w'u'd ifI wasn't afraid ye'd buck me onto the roof. Yez have me crippledintirely as ut is."
"Not a word, for your life!" Wade whispered. "That's a star monologue!"
Feng, attracted by the voice, came to the door.
"Hallo! What wanchee?" he demanded.
"The country's overrun wid them yelly divils!" Mr. Quilty muttered."What wanchee? Th' nerve iv him! Ye weathered-ivory monkey face, I'vebusiness wid yer betters!"
"You keepee hossee off flowah bed," commanded Feng. "What foh you lideehim all oveh?"
"Ask th' harrse!" Quilty retorted. "The sight iv yez onsettles him,lowgrade baste as he is. Dom a Chinaman dead or alive, annyway!"
"You no good!" retorted Feng. "Me savvy you. You Ilishman, all samemick, all same flannel mout', all same bogtlotteh! You bum lailway man!You get dlunk, fo'get switch, thlain lun off tlack; you swingeelante'n, yellee 'All aboa'd!' you say, 'Jim Kli! what keepee NumbehEight?' You sellee ticket, knockee down change. No good, lailway man!Me savvy you, all light."
"Ye cross iv a limon peel and a case iv jandhers!" cried Mr. Quilty inwrath at these aspersions on an honourable calling, "I'm a notion toget down an' slug the head off iv yez! Faix, ut's no murder to kill aChinaman, but a bright jewel in me starry crown, ye long-nailed,rat-eatin', harrse-haired, pipe-hittin' slave iv th' black pill! I'llmake yez think I'm a Hip Sing Tong or a runaway freight on th' bighill. I'll slaughter yez, mind, if I get off. Do yez know where yezwill go whin yez die at my hands?"
"Me go to heaven," said Feng, with comfortable conviction.
"Th' ---- ye say!" ejaculated Mr. Quilty, in shocked amazement. "Ithink I see ye there!"
"You no see me," said Feng. "No Ilish lailway man stop in heaven. Mecatchee heaven all light. Missionally say so."
"Is ut mish-naries they send to waste time on the loikes iv yez?"snorted Mr. Quilty. "Hivin! Fine comp'ny ye'd be f'r the holy men andblessid saints an' martyrs an' pure, snow-white angels! Why, yeidolatrous, stick-burnin', kow-towin', joss-worshippin' pagan son iv amat-sailed junk and a chopstick, they'd slam the pearly gates forninstyer face and stick their holy fingers to their blessid noses at yez.Hivin! Ye'll never smell ut, nor scuffle yer filthy shoes on th'goolden streets. Purgathry! Faix, yer ticket reads straight through,wid no stop-off priv'leges whatever. Th' cindher pit f'r yours! Be th'Rock iv Cashel, I'll l'arn yez to insult th' heav'nly throng!"
So saying, he dropped ungracefully from his horse and made a rush forFeng, who retreated, slammed the screen door, and, from inside,threatened the storming party with a formidable butcher knife.
"Whurroo!" shouted Mr. Quilty, dancing on the steps. "Come out, yeyelly plague, knife and all, an' l'ave me knock the stuffin' out ivyez! Annyways, I'll tell ye what ye are. Ye're a----"
But Casey, fearful of Mr. Quilty's descriptive powers, saw fit tointerrupt.
"Hello! What's all the row? That you, Corney?"
"Yer owner has saved yer life," Mr. Quilty informed Feng. "Sure ut'sme, Casey. I'm after l'arnin' this Oriental curse iv the wurruld how totalk to his betters." He mounted the steps, peering suspiciously at theoccupants of the veranda. "Who's these?" he demanded. "I can't see inthe dark. Miss Burnaby, is ut, an' Misther Wade an' his leddy? Ibelieve yez were here all the time!"
"We just came in from the other side," Casey lied manfully.
"Yes, ye did! I can see yez laughin', and I don't blame yez. 'Twasfunny how scared the Chink was. Well, ut does thim lower races good tobe bawled out wanst in a while by their superiors."
Casey led the way indoors, and lighted the lamps. He established Mr.Quilty in a comfortable chair, with a cigar and a cold drink.
"Th' health and inclinations iv all here," said Mr. Quilty, waving hisglass gracefully. "I'm glad to see yez all lookin' so well, morepartic'larly the leddies."
"Thank you, Mr. Quilty," said Clyde.
"It's very nice of you, Mr. Quilty," said Kitty Wade.
"It's not often I have the good forchune to be in leddies' society,"Mr. Quilty continued. "Me tongue has lost th' right twist forcompliments; but, sure, if ut hadn't ut wouldn't begin to do th' pairiv yez justice. Oh, divil th' bit iv soodher am I givin' yez. It's twopretty women yez are. Well, well, I'm an old felly who's had his day.Ye won't mind me. Annyways, wan iv yez has a man, an' th' other isspoken for, belike. Now whatever makes Casey, there, blush? I didn'tthink he knowed how. An' Miss Burnaby, too! What'll yez do whin they'srice lodged in yer clothes and yer hats, an' white ribbons on yertrunks, an' th' waiters grin whin ye go into the diner? Let me tell ye,now----"
"Please, please, Mr. Quilty!" Clyde pleaded.
"Have I rung th' bell?" he demanded.
"Bull's-eye," said Wade. "Own up to it, you two. It's obvious."
"Oh, is it?" said Clyde. "Well, if we're half as bad as you and Kittywere----"
"Don't mind him; he was in love with me once," said Kitty.
"He is yet," said Clyde.
"Faix, I don't wonder at ut," said Mr. Quilty gallantly.
"Very skilful shift of topic," said Wade. "I admit everything. I guesswe were bad enough; but you and Casey are the limit."
"But look at th' fine excuse both iv thim has," said Mr. Quilty,beaming. "Here's long life an' happiness, an' may yer only troublesbe--well, well, niver mind th' troubles. There's time enough to thinkiv them whin they come. Which puts me in mind that I do be forgettin'what _I_ come for. Ut's about Tom. D'ye know where he's at?"
"Not exactly. Why?"
"Mebbe ye heard that th' water comp'ny is payin' off its men an'shuttin' down. Well, then, there's all iv thim hard-faced _tillikums_iv Cross, deceased, paid off; an' instid iv gittin' dhrunk like dacintChristians, what do they do but outfit thimselves an' start back ferth' hills, six iv thim--an' a divil iv a harrd-bunch, savin' th'leddies' presence. Wan iv thim made a brag that they'd get Tom. So Icome out to tell yez, in case ye had word from him. An' they's officersout afther that young divil iv a brother iv Miss Sheila's. Somebodyought to tell the boys to skin their eyes, if so be they're hangin'around."