CHAPTER XV
THE DOOR CLOSES
Totally exhausted, the two men dropped their heavy burden on the earth.Mason swore as the blood began dripping again from his wound, which hadbeen torn open afresh in his efforts to bear Hampton to safety. Justbelow them a mounted trooper caught sight of them and came forward. Hefailed to recognize his officer in the begrimed person before him,until called to attention by the voice of command.
"Sims, if there is any water in your canteen hand it over. Good; here,Marshal, use this. Now, Sims, note what I say carefully, and don'twaste a minute. Tell the first sergeant to send a file of men up herewith some sort of litter, on the run. Then you ride to the Herndonhouse--the yellow house where the roads fork, you remember,--and tellMiss Naida Gillis (don't forget the name) that Mr. Hampton has beenseriously wounded, and we are taking him to the hotel. Can youremember that?"
"Yes, sir."
"Then off with you, and don't spare the horse."
He was gone instantly, and Brant began bathing the pallid, upturnedface.
"You'd better lie down, Marshal," he commanded. "You're pretty weakfrom loss of blood, and I can do all there is to be done until thosefellows get here."
In fifteen minutes they appeared, and five minutes later they weretoiling slowly down to the valley, Brant walking beside his stillunconscious rival. Squads of troopers were scattered along the base ofthe hill, and grouped in front of the hotel. Here and there down thestreet, but especially about the steps of the Occidental, were gatheredthe discomfited vigilantes, busily discussing the affair, and cursingthe watchful, silent guard. As these caught sight of the little partyapproaching, there were shouts of derision, which swelled into triumphwhen they perceived Hampton's apparently lifeless form, and Masonleaning in weakness on the arm of a trooper. The sight and soundangered Brant.
"Carry Hampton to his room and summon medical attendance at once," heordered. "I have a word to say to those fellows."
Seeing Mr. Wynkoop on the hotel porch, Brant said to him: "Miss Spencerinformed me that you saw a man leap from the back window of theOccidental. Is that true?"
The missionary nodded.
"Good; then come along with me. I intend breaking the back of thislynching business right here and now."
He strode directly across the street to the steps of the Occidental,his clothing scarcely more than smouldering rags. The crowd stared athim sullenly; then suddenly a reaction came, and the American spirit offair play, the frontier appreciation of bulldog courage, burst forthinto a confused murmur, that became half a cheer. Brant did not mincehis words.
"Now, look here, men! If you want any more trouble we 're here toaccommodate you. Fighting is our trade, and we don't mind working atit. But I wish to tell you right now, and straight off the handle,that you are simply making a parcel of fools of yourselves. Slavin hasbeen killed, and nine out of ten among you are secretly glad of it. Hewas a curse to this camp, but because some of his friends andcronies--thugs, gamblers, and dive-keepers--accuse Bob Hampton ofhaving killed him, you start in blindly to lynch Hampton, never evenwaiting to find out whether the charge is the truth or a lie. You actlike sheep, not American citizens. Now that we have pounded a littlesense into some of you, perhaps you'll listen to the facts, and if youmust hang some one put your rope on the right man. Bob Hampton did notkill Red Slavin. The fellow who did kill him climbed out of the backwindow of the Occidental here, and got away, while you were chasing thewrong man. Mr. Wynkoop saw him, and so did your schoolteacher, MissSpencer."
Then Wynkoop stepped gamely to the front. "All that is true, men. Ihave been trying ever since to tell you, but no one would listen. MissSpencer and I both saw the man jump from the window; there was blood onhis right arm and hand. He was a misshapen creature whom neither of usever saw before, and he disappeared on a run up that ravine. I have nodoubt he was Slavin's murderer."
No one spoke, the crowd apparently ashamed of their actions. But Brantdid not wait for any outward expression.
"Now, you fellows, think that over," he said. "I intend to post aguard until I find out whether you are going to prove yourselves foolsor men, but if we sail in again those of you who start the trouble canexpect to get hurt, and pay the piper. That's all."
In front of the hotel porch he met his first sergeant coming out.
"What does the doctor say about Hampton?"
"A very bad wound, sir, but not necessarily fatal; he has regainedconsciousness."
"Has Miss Gillis arrived?"
"I don't know, sir; there's a young woman cryin' in the parlor."
The lieutenant leaped up the steps and entered the house. But it wasMiss Spencer, not Naida, who sprang to her feet.
"Oh, Lieutenant Brant; can this be truly you! How perfectly awful youlook! Do you know if Mr. Hampton is really going to die? I came herejust to find out about him, and tell Naida. She is almost frantic,poor thing."
Though Brant doubted Miss Spencer's honesty of statement, his reply wasdirect and unhesitating. "I am informed that he has a good chance tolive, and I have already despatched word to Miss Gillis regarding hiscondition. I expect her at any moment."
"How very nice that was of you! Oh, I trembled so when you first wentto face those angry men! I don't see how you ever dared to do it. Idid wish that either Mr. Moffat or Mr. McNeil could have been here togo with you. Mr. Moffat especially is so daring; he is always riskinghis life for some one else--and no one seems able to tell me anythingabout either of them." The lady paused, blushing violently, as sherealized what she had been saying. "Really you must not suppose meunmaidenly, Lieutenant," she explained, her eyes shyly lifting, "butyou know those gentlemen were my very earliest acquaintances here, andthey have been so kind. I was so shocked when Naida kissed you,Lieutenant; but the poor girl was so grateful to you for going to thehelp of Bob Hampton that she completely forgot herself. It is simplywonderful how infatuated the poor child is with that man. He seemsalmost to exercise some power of magic over her, don't you think?"
"Why frankly, Miss Spencer, I scarcely feel like discussing that topicjust now. There are so many duties pressing me--" and Brant took ahasty step toward the open door, his attentive ear catching the soundof a light footstep in the hallway. He met Naida just without, paleand tearless. Both her hands were extended to him unreservedly.
"Tell me, will he live?"
"The doctor thinks yes."
"Thank God! Oh, thank God!" She pressed one hand against her heart tocontrol its throbbing. "You cannot know what this means to me." Hereyes seemed now for the first time to mark his own deplorablecondition. "And you? You have not been hurt, Lieutenant Brant?"
He smiled back into her anxious eyes. "Nothing that soap and water anda few days' retirement will not wholly remedy. My wounds are entirelyupon the surface. Shall I conduct you to him?"
She bowed, apparently forgetful that one of her hands yet remainedimprisoned in his grasp. "If I may go, yes. I told Mrs. Herndon Ishould remain here if I could be of the slightest assistance."
They passed up the staircase side by side, exchanging no furtherspeech. Once she glanced furtively at his face, but its very calmnesskept the words upon her lips unuttered. At the door they encounteredMrs. Guffy, her honest eyes red from weeping.
"This is Miss Gillis, Mrs. Guffy," explained Brant. "She wishes to seeMr. Hampton if it is possible."
"Sure an' she can thet. He's been askin' after her, an' thet prettyface would kape any man in gud spirits, I 'm thinkin'. Step roight in,miss."
She held the door ajar, but Naida paused, glancing back at hermotionless companion, a glint of unshed tears showing for the firsttime in her eyes. "Are you not coming also?"
"No, Miss Naida. It is best for me to remain without, but my heartgoes with you."
Then the door closed between them.