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第26节

the outlet-第26节

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I had never before witnessed; though the rainfall; after the first dash; was light in quantity。 Several times the rain ceased entirely; when the phosphorus; like a prairie fire; appeared on every hand。 Great sheets of it flickered about; the cattle and saddle stock were soon covered; while every bit of metal on our accoutrements was coated and twinkling with phosphorescent light。 My gauntlets were covered; and wherever I touched myself; it seemed to smear and spread and refuse to wipe out。 Several times we were able to hold up and quiet the cattle; but along their backs flickered the ghostly light; while across the herd; which occupied acres; it reminded one of the burning lake in the regions infernal。 As the night wore on; several showers fell; accompanied by almost incessant bolts of lightning; but the rainfall only added moisture to the ground and this acted like fuel in reviving the phosphor。 Several hours before dawn ; great sheets of the fiery elements chased each other across the northern sky; lighting up our surroundings until one could have read ordinary print。 The cattle stood humped or took an occasional step forward; the men sat their horses; sullen and morose; forming new resolutions for the future; in which trail work was not included。 But morning came at last; cool and cloudy; a slight recompense for the heat which we had endured since leaving Dodge。

With the breaking of day; the herd was turned back on its course。 For an hour or more the cattle grazed freely; and as the sun broke through the clouds; they dropped down like tired infantry on a march; and we allowed them an hour's rest。 We were still some three or four miles eastward of the trail; and after breakfasting and changing mounts we roused the cattle and started on an angle for the trail; expecting to intercept it before noon。 There was some settlement in the Smoky River Valley which must be avoided; as in years past serious enmity had been engendered between settlers and drovers in consequence of the ravages of Texas fever among native cattle。 I was riding on the left point; and when within a short distance of the trail; one of the boys called my attention to a loose herd of cattle; drifting south and fully two miles to the west of us。 It was certainly something unusual; and as every man of us scanned them; a lone horseman was seen to ride across their front; and; turning them; continue on for our herd。 The situation was bewildering; as the natural course of every herd was northward; but here was one apparently abandoned like a water…logged ship at sea。

The messenger was a picture of despair。 He proved to be the owner of the abandoned cattle; and had come to us with an appeal for help。 According to his story; he was a Northern cowman and had purchased the cattle a few days before in Dodge。 He had bought the outfit complete; with the understanding that the through help would continue in his service until his range in Wyoming was reached。 But it was a Mexican outfit; foreman and all; and during the storm of the night before; one of the men had been killed by lightning。 The accident must have occurred near dawn; as the man was not missed until daybreak; and like ours; his cattle had drifted with the storm。 Some time was lost in finding the body; and to add to the panic that had already stricken the outfit; the shirt of the unfortunate vaquero was burnt from the corpse。 The horse had escaped scathless; though his rider met death; while the housings were stripped from the saddle so that it fell from the animal。 The Mexican foreman and vaqueros had thrown their hands in the air; steeped in superstition; they considered the loss of their comrade a had omen; and refused to go farther。 The herd was as good as abandoned unless we could lend a hand。

The appeal was not in vain。 Detailing four of my men; and leaving Jack Splann as segundo in charge of our cattle; I galloped away with the stranger。 As we rode the short distance between the two herds and I mentally reviewed the situation; I could not help but think it was fortunate for the alien outfit that their employer was a Northern cowman instead of a Texan。 Had the present owner been of the latter school; there would have been more than one dead Mexican before a valuable herd would have been abandoned over an unavoidable accident。 I kept my thoughts to myself; however; for the man had troubles enough; and on reaching his drifting herd; we turned them back on their course。 It was high noon when we reached his wagon and found the Mexican outfit still keening over their dead comrade。 We pushed the cattle; a mixed herd of about twenty…five hundred; well past the camp; and riding back; dismounted among the howling vaqueros。 There was not the semblance of sanity among them。 The foreman; who could speak some little English; at least his employer declared he could; was carrying on like a madman; while a majority of the vaqueros were playing a close second。 The dead man had been carried in and was lying under a tarpaulin in the shade of the wagon。 Feeling that my boys would stand behind me; and never offering to look at the corpse; I inquired in Spanish of the vaqueros which one of the men was their corporal。 A heavy…set; bearded man was pointed out; and walking up to him; with one hand I slapped him in the face and with the other relieved him of a six…shooter。 He staggered back; turned ashen pale; and before he could recover from the surprise; in his own tongue I berated him as a worthless cur for deserting his employer over an accident。 Following up the temporary advantage; I inquired for the cook and horse…wrangler; and intimated clearly that there would be other dead Mexicans if the men were not fed and the herd and saddle stock looked after; that they were not worthy of the name of vaqueros if they were lax in a duty with which they had been intrusted。

〃But Pablo is dead;〃 piped one of the vaqueros in defense。

〃Yes; he is;〃 said GG Cederdall in Spanish; bristling up to the vaquero who had volunteered the reply; 〃and we'll bury him and a half…dozen more of you if necessary; but the cattle will not be abandonednot for a single hour。 Pablo is dead; but he was no better than a hundred other men who have lost their lives on this trail。 If you are a lot of locoed sheep…herders instead of vaqueros; why didn't you stay at home with the children instead of starting out to do a man's work。 Desert your employer; will you? Not in a country where there is no chance to pick up other men。 Yes; Pablo is dead; and we'll bury him。〃

The aliens were disconcerted; and wilted。 The owner picked up courage and ordered the cook to prepare dinner。 We loaned our horses to the wrangler and another man; the remuda was brought in; and before we sat down to the midday meal; every vaquero had a horse under saddle; while two of them had ridden away to look after the grazing cattle。 With order restored; we set about systematically to lay away the unfortunate man。 A detail of vaqueros under Cederdall prepared a grave on the nearest knoll; and wrapping the corpse in a tarpaulin; we buried him like a sailor at sea。 Several vaqueros were visibly affected at the graveside; and in order to pacify them; I suggested that we unload the wagon of supplies and haul up a load of rock from a near…by outcropping ledge。 Pablo had fallen like a good soldier at his post; I urged; and it was befitting that his comrades should mark his last resting…place。 To our agreeable surprise the corporal hurrahed his men and the wagon was unloaded in a jiffy and dispatched after a load of rock。 On its return; we spent an hour in decorating the mound; during which time lament was expressed for the future of Pablo's soul。 Knowing the almost universal faith of this alien race; as we stood around the finished mound; Cederdall; who was Catholic born; called for contributions to procure the absolution of the Church。 The owner of the cattle was the first to respond; and with the aid of my boys and myself; augmented later by the vaqueros; a purse of over fifty dollars was raised and placed in charge of the corporal; to be expended in a private mass on their return to San Antonio。 Meanwhile the herd and saddle stock had started; and reloading the wagon; we cast a last glance at the little mound which made a new landmark on the old trail。

The owner of the cattle was elated over the restoration of order。 My contempt for him; however; had not decreased; the old maxim of fools rushing in where angels feared to tread had only been again exemplified。 The inferior races may lack in courage and leadership; hut never in cunning and craftiness。 This alien outfit had detected some weakness in the armor of their new employer; and when the emergency arose; were ready to take advantage of the situation。 Yet under an old patron; these same men would never dare to mutiny or assert themselves。 That there were possible breakers ahead for this cowman there was no doubt; for every day that those Mexicans traveled into a strange country; their Aztec blood would yearn for their Southern home。 And since the unforeseen could not be guarded against; at the first opportunity I warned the stranger that it was altogether too soon to shout。 To his anxious inquiries I replied that his very presence with the h

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