CHAPTER VII
A RIFLE PRACTICE
"Mother, what do you mean? Don't turn so white and do speak! What'tragedy' could have happened up here in this lovely place?" demandedLeslie, putting his arm around the lady's shoulders and wondering if shehad suddenly become ill. She was slender but had never complained of anyweakness, nor shown the least fatigue during her long care of him at SanDiego. Since then, she had been like a happy girl with him and hisfather but something was amiss with her now.
In a moment she had calmed herself and was already blaming herself forher disobedience to her husband's request for silence. However, thislast matter was a small one; for, if the missing lad was not soon found,all would have to know it. Indeed, it might be better that they did sonow. They knew him better than his hosts did and possibly might give aclue to his whereabouts. So she told them all she knew, and the surmisethat he had wandered away in a fit of delirium. The very tellingrestored her own courage, and, as yet, there was little fear showingupon the faces of her young guests.
Except on Dorothy's. Her brown eyes were staring wide and all the prettycolor of her cheeks had faded. As if she saw a vision the others couldnot she stood clasping and unclasping her hands, and utterly sick atheart for the loss of her early friend. Longer than she had known any ofthese here about her she had known poor Jim. He had saved her life, orshe believed so, in her childhood that now seemed far away. But for Jim,the poorhouse boy, she had never escaped from Mrs. Stott's truck-farmwhen she had been kidnapped and hidden there. He had stood by her in allher little troubles, had praised and scolded her, and known her throughand through. It was her talk about him which had made Mr. Ford invitehim to San Leon--to his death, maybe.
That thought was too much. Clinching her small hands and stamping herlittle foot she defied even death to hurt poor Jim, good Jim, brainyJim, who was to astonish the world some day by his wisdom!
"Oh! If you'd only have told me before! I would have had him found long,long ago! To think of that poor fellow wandering around alone, sick,crazy, suffering--not knowing where he was or what he was doing! And westrolling around, looking at old 'Barracks' and things, and tellingsilly stories of silly picnics! It was cruel, cruel! Come, Alfy. Youlike him, too. You don't look down on my poor boy--you come and help mefind him!"
She seized her old friend's hand and ran toward the house, which nowlooked anything save beautiful in her sight; and, turning, she saw thelake, gleaming in the noonday sun as it gleamed in the red rays ofsunset with Jim there to admire it.
"The lake! He's drowned! That's where he is, our Jim! In the bottom ofthat horrible lake!"
Catching Alfaretta's hand more firmly she drew that frightened girlalong with her to the edge of the pond and to a little boat that wasmoored there. Both lake and boat were merely toylike in proportion andthe bottom of the pond was pebble-strewn and plainly visible through theclear, shallow water.
"He ain't--he--ain't--he can't--you could see--him--He isn't--Oh! Dolly,Dolly Doodles! I'm sick! It makes me feel terrible queer!" wailedAlfaretta. "But Jim can't--Jim can't be drowned! _He can't!_"
"Yes he can, too. Shut up. Help me untie that rope. Get in. Take an oar.Row--row, I tell you," snapped Dorothy, distraught.
"I can't. I dassent! I never touched to row an oar in my life. Not in mywhole life long, and--I--I shan't do it now!" retorted the mountaineerwith equal crispness.
But she had no need to try. The whole party had followed Dorothy to thewater's edge and had divined her intent. Not one believed that Jim wasdrowned, though they could have given no good reason for this disbelief.Only that was too horrible. Such a thing would not have been permitted!Yet Herbert, as the best oarsman there and also as the loyal friend ofthe missing lad, assumed the place Alfy would not take. Without a wordhe did what Dorothy desired. He slipped the painter from its post,helped the girl to take her seat in the little "Dorothy," even smilingas he observed that it had been named for her, and quietly pushed outfrom shore.
It was just as Alfy had said: the bottom of the lake was clearly visibleeverywhere, and no frightful object marred its beauty. Dorothy wasutterly quiet now but her searching gaze never lifted from the water, asHerbert patiently rowed around and around. The group on the bank waitedalso in silence, though certain after that first circuit of the pondthat Jim was not there.
When they had gone around several times, and had crossed andcriss-crossed in obedience to Dorothy's nod, Herbert brought the boatback to the little landing and helped Dorothy out.
"He isn't there, Gray Lady. May I go to the doctor?"
"Surely. I'll go with you. And don't look so tragic, darling. The boywill certainly be found. There will nothing else be done at San Leonuntil he is. Both my husband and myself agree on that point--that JimBarlow's safety is our first consideration. He will probably be foundnear at hand, although--"
"Hasn't he been looked for 'near at hand,' then, dear Gray Lady?"
"Certainly. At the beginning. We didn't think he could have wanderedfar, yet when they failed to find him on the home-grounds, the searchersspread out in all directions. Here is the doctor coming now, if you wishto speak with him."
"Thank you, I do."
The gentleman came toward them and Dorothy ran to meet him.
"Oh! sir, have you found him?"
A negative shake of the head answered her. Then she plied him with allsorts of questions: how long could a sick boy live exposed to the nightair, as Jim had been; without food or medicine; and couldn't he think ofsome place that nobody else had searched, so she might go and try it?
He laid his hand upon her head and gently asked:
"Was he your brother, little girl?"
"No. I haven't any brother. I haven't anybody but Jim, that has known mealways, seems if, and--and dear Doctor, won't you please, please findhim?"
Clasping her hands about his arm she looked up piteously into his face,and his own grew pitiful as he answered:
"I will do my utmost. What I hope is that he will wander back, of hisown will, just as he wandered away. Be sure I shall keep a sharplookout, but it is Mr. Ford's wish that I do not leave the home-placetill--at present. If he is found, I mean _when_ he is found, he willneed my care and it wouldn't do for me to be away then. Else I shouldhave gone out with one of the searching parties."
That "when he is found" was reassuring. Evidently, the doctor expectedthe speedy return of the lad and all were relieved, even Dorothy.Alfaretta expressed her own feeling by saying:
"Out here in this Colorado, seems if there wasn't anything but folksgettin' lost and other folks searching for 'em. I never heard anythinglike it," she finished with a sigh.
The sigh was echoed by all the rest; then Mrs. Ford suggested:
"Let us have luncheon now, then call on Lemuel to give us our firstlesson in rifle-firing." She assumed a cheerfulness she did not reallyfeel, but felt that the happiness of so many should not be spoiled bythe absence of one.
"Oh! Lady Gray, will you practice with us?" asked Leslie, eagerly.
"To be sure. I'm going to 'play pretend,' as children say, that I'mjust as young as any of you. In my busy life I've not had much time for'playing' but I mean to make up for lost time. Come, I'm sure that WunSing has made something nice for us. He--"
"Wun Sing! _Wun Sing?_ Why that was the name of Aunt Betty's cook at _ElParaiso_! How odd that yours should have the same name!" exclaimedDorothy, forgetting her troubles for the moment.
"Not so odd, dearie, because it is the same man. He came to Mr. Ford oneday while we were still in San Diego and confessed his regret for hisbehavior at Mrs. Calvert's home. And my good Daniel can never turn hisback upon any penitent; so the result is the Chinaman reigns in ourkitchen here. Doubtless he'll be pleased to see Alfaretta who taught himso many fine dishes."
"Oh! good! May we go see him, Mrs. Ford?" demanded that young person,eager not only to see Wun Sing because he was one more familiaracquaintance but because she wished to settle a few old scores. "I'm soglad! I'll make h
im toe the mark here, see if I don't. Come on, DollyDoodles, he's an old friend of yours, too."
Alfy's eagerness infected even anxious Dorothy and gave an agreeableturn to the thoughts of all. So, at a nod of consent, the girls spedalong the cloister, seeking the great kitchen and the salaaminggrinning Chinaman within it.
"Oh! how good you look, Wunny! Same old purple sack! same old shoes;same old twisted cue around your same old shiny black head! Same oldnasty messes cooking! and same old Alfaretta to get after you with asharp stick!" cried Leslie bursting in with all the others.
Even Dorothy was laughing now, Jim quite forgot, while the cook heldsuch a reception as had never been his before. Leslie went through someformal introductions, beginning with the lady of the mansion and endingwith Miss Milliken, who had followed unseen till now.
Wun Sing's back must have ached, so often and so low he bowed, while histongue mumbled compliments to the most gracious and honorable visitors;but a look of real delight was on his swarthy face and one of greataffection for smiling Alfaretta.
"My heart! Ain't it just grand to find an old friend up here on themountains! I declare, it does beat the Dutch!" and to this, herexpression of greatest wonderment, Leslie added his own:
"Just downright rippin'! He's worth all he costs just to make our Dollyforget that horrid Jim Barlow. I can't forgive him for running away andstirring up all this mess, sending Dad off on a tiresome ride andspoiling sport this way. He was good enough, I'd have treated himdecent, all right, but I wish now he'd never been heard of."
But the most of this was whispered in his mother's ear, as he stoodbeside her, his hand upon her shoulder, in that familiar, lovingattitude which always made her so happy.
Then she demanded of the proud _chef_ how soon he could have lunchready, and he replied with another gesture of profound respect:
"Light away, this instlant! By my honorable forefathers it is fittee forthe most bleautiful!"
Then he bowed them out of the place and they wandered to the pretty roomwhere the meal would be served, and which because of its simple,cloister-like effect, Helena at once named "The Refectory."
It had been a trifling incident, but it had had a happy effect. Alltongues were talking now, planning, anticipating, wondering over thethings they meant to do and to learn; while a man was sent across to the"Barracks" to tell Lemuel that they would like to begin their riflelessons that afternoon.
Mrs. Ford suggested naps for everybody, on account of their previouslong journeys but none wished to sleep just then.
"How can anybody be tired in this glorious air?" asked Helena, buryingher nose in a beautiful bunch of wild flowers somebody had placed besideher plate.
Even Miss Milliken was wide awake now and as happy as she ever could beanywhere. Her one complaint was that it was "so far from civilization."
"But you knew that, Milly, before you came. Mamma stated everything toyou as plainly as could be. You knew you were going to an isolated ranchon a mountain, so how could you expect daily papers, visitors, and suchthings? You've always said you loved quiet and, now you've got it, do besatisfied," begged Helena. She was really fond of the nervous littlegoverness but sometimes lost patience with her.
"Yes, dear, but suppose--suppose something happened? Illness at home, orsomething serious."
Lady Gray gently interposed, and made, also, her little speech. It washer first and last advice, or request, to her guests and most of themwere impressed by it.
"Dear Miss Milliken, don't be troubled by 'being so far fromcivilization.' You aren't that, at all. My husband has broughtcivilization with him. I am amazed at all he has accomplished. We have atelegraph line--that he found necessary for his business, but that canbe used by any of us. Bad news travels fast. Be sure if 'anythinghappens' we shall hear of it all too soon. And now I have but onesuggestion to make for our life together, and I mean to apply it tomyself first of all. It is: Let us put everything unpleasant under ourfeet, as far as possible, and each do his and her share to make this awholly joyous summer. I'm inclined to 'worry' and it's a mostunfortunate inclination. This is the first time I have had a chance tomake a 'home' for Daniel and Leslie and I want it to be perfect. Willyou all help me? Will you all take my dear husband's words for a summertext and make life at this dear San Leon a synonym of 'Peace and GoodWill'?"
Lady Gray's beautiful face was very earnest, there was even a suspicionof tears in her long-lashed eyes, but they did not fall, and, after amoment's silence, Leslie sprang to his feet with a:
"Hip, hip, hurra, for the Gray Lady and her maiden speech! All in favorof following her lead, say 'Aye'!"
All the company rose and the deafening "Ayes" which those young throatsemitted were as flattering as confusing to the "speech" maker. Then shewaved them back to their chairs and Wun Sing's perfection lunch wasserved.
Of course they all missed their jolly host, and their hearts were stilltroubled because of the missing Jim; but each strove with the other tokeep these feelings out of sight. This was hardest for Dorothy, whoguessed that the lady's suggestion was meant for her most of all; yetshe bravely tried to smile at every witticism made by her mates and torespond in sort as far as she could. They had been a little company ofeight and because one was away should the seven be made to suffer? Shewould try not, and contented herself with one final question, as thehostess rose from the table and, the others hurrying "Barracks"-ward,she could whisper:
"Even if they don't find my poor boy right away, you won't let them giveup looking, will you, dearest Gray Lady?"
Mrs. Ford drew the child close into her arms and kissed her tenderly:
"Don't fear that, for a moment, darling. As if James Barlow were our ownLeslie, the search for him would never be given up till he were found.Scouts will be looking for him everywhere; though, of course he's sureto be found near home and soon. Now, my dear little girl, shorten upthat long face and trust to older heads to do the right thing. Yourbusiness now, as it has always seemed to be, is to make your playmateshappy. Jim shall be found; and soon--I do believe. You've heard the mensay that whatever 'Dan Ford, Railroad Boss' undertook he accomplished.Now let's put that matter aside and learn how to handle a rifle."
"Captain Lem" had made great preparations for his "shooting school." Hehad called upon his own company, as far as he could find it, to helphim. Most of the "boys" had gone searching, but the few who were leftsoon had a row of benches set out, a target placed, and the finest gunsavailable stacked in readiness. It was really a very business likearrangement and the would-be students soon found Lemuel's rule wasbusiness only. For the boys he had placed arm-rests and they were tofire from the ground, aided by these slight supports.
"The females can stand and shoot, on account o' their petticoatsworryin' 'em, lyin'. An' as I can't do nothin' unless it's by rule an'rod, I lay it this way: Mrs. Ford, bein' she's the eldest--though shedon't look it, Ma'am!--she'll begin. Nobody can have more 'n two triesto a round. Then Number Two takes it. The schoolma'am next, an' mebbe Imistook in that matter of age. But that's not here nor there. Mrs. Ford,Number One; the schoolma'am, Two; the rest the females follerin' inorder. Then the boys. One, two, three--attention! Step right here, lady,and I'll show you the first position--how to hold your rifle."
Captain Lem had put on a rusty uniform, a relic of former grandeur "backhome," and carried his bent shoulders with a military precision thatquite transformed him. He gave Gray Lady a salute, moved forward andplaced her "in position" and handed her the rifle.
"Hold it just this way, scholar, and sight your bull's-eye. Keep youreye on that, allowin' for a little play in the carryin', and now--pullyour trigger--let her go!"
Mrs. Ford obeyed, or thought she did. The result was that the gunkicked, she screamed, and threw it as far from her as she could. Whatbecame of the bullet she never knew, but she firmly declined any furtherlessons in the fine art of sharpshooting.
"Look at Lem's face!" whispered Herbert to Molly who giggled andreturned:
"Wait
till it comes my turn, I'll show him something!"
The Captain, as they henceforth called him tried to hide his look ofdisgust by turning his back upon the group, and asking in a sarcastictone:
"Any more females want to take a try? The schoolma'am lady, forinstance?"
She ignored his question and sat down by her hostess to soothe that nowabashed person for her failure. Captain Lem had withered even the ladyof the ranch by his contempt.
"Helena next!" cried Molly, fairly dancing about in her impatience.
So Helena tried and made out fairly well. That is she succeeded inkeeping the rifle in hand, she did not scream at the discharge, and shecame within a hundred feet of the target. The lads applauded, noisily,and she mocked back at their pretended admiration, though she made oneeffort only and subsided on the bench beside the ladies.
"All the same it's wonderfully exciting! And I mean to try again,to-morrow, if they'll let me," she remarked.
"Let some of the boys try before we do, so we can see how it's done. Oryou, Captain Hunt, you show us!" begged Molly.
This was what he had waited for. With a strut he marched across thespace between them and the target and carried that much further back. Helonged for a target bearing an arrangement of letters that he could hitand cause to disappear, as at his boasted Seagirt, instead of a plainaffair such as this he had to use.
Strutting back to them he lay down, wriggled himself into position,muttered something about the sun in his eyes, hemmed and hawed, tookfinal aim and--let her go!
But she didn't go--not in the least. All unconsciously, he had taken anunloaded piece!
There was no strut left in him as he rose to his feet, rather slowly,and faced his laughing audience; but he rallied after a moment andgood-naturedly joined in the laugh against himself.
However, discipline was over for that lesson. Without regard to anyrules the youngsters rushed to the stack and took whatever gun wasfancied. Then began an indiscriminate firing till Mrs. Ford grewfrightened and implored them to stop. They did so, all but Alfaretta andMolly, who had both been fascinated by the sport and felt sure thatthey could hit the bull's-eye--which nobody else had done.
"Come on, Alfy! Let's get down on our tummy, same's all marksmen do,let's!"
Down they flung themselves and now, as eager for their success as theywere, old Lem handed each a fresh rifle and sang out:
"Let her go! A silver dollar to the gal that wins!"
They fired--and the unexpected happened. Alfaretta's untaught handssucceeded where greater skill had failed. Her bullet went straight intothe bull's-eye, into its very centre.
"By the Great Horned Spoon! What an eye you've got, child of mortality!Why I couldn't ha' done better myself! Glory be!" shouted the excitedranchman, fairly dancing in his pride and glee. Then he helped Alfy upfrom the ground, where she still lay, wondering at the excitement abouther, and peered critically into her blue orbs.
"However could you see it? That fur away?"
"Why--why, I didn't see it at all. I got scared and shut my eyes when Ipulled that thing on it!"
Captain Lem staggered as if he had been hit instead of the target andsoftly marvelled:
"Such--dum--luck! She done it--with her eyes--shut!She--done--it--with--her--eyes--shut! Somebody take me out and lay medown. I'm beat."
His ludicrous manner amused the others but frightened the too successfulAlfaretta. Also, her attention was claimed by Molly's expression. Thatambitious young person was looking very white about the lips, and wasclasping and unclasping her hands in evident distress.
"Molly, what's the matter?" cried Alfy, shaking her partner in theaffair.
Molly lifted one shaking finger and pointed into the distance:
"I--I hit something, too!"
Other eyes than Alfy's followed the pointing finger and a groan ofhorror burst from more than one throat.
Indeed, and all too surely, Molly had "hit something, too!"