the outlet-第55节
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
representatives。
The special commissioner assumed an air of affected dignity and announced that a conclusion had been arrived at。 Turning to old man Don； he expressed the deepest regret that a civilian was beyond his power to punish； otherwise he would have cause to remember the affront offered himself； not that he personally cared； but the department of government which he had the honor to serve was jealous of its good name。 Under the circumstances he could only warn him to be more guarded hereafter in choosing his language； and assured Lovdll that it was in his power to escort any offender off that military reservation。 Pausing a moment； he resumed a judicial air； and summed up the situation：
〃There was no occasion；〃 said he； in an amiable mood； 〃to refer this incident to the War Department if the authorities here had gone about their work properly。 Fortunately I was in Minneapolis adjusting some flour accounts； when I was ordered here by the quartermaster…general。 Instead of attempting to decide who had the best tender of cattle； the one with the legal right alone should have been considered。 Our department is perfectly familiar with these petty jealousies； which usually accompany awards of this class； and generally emanate from disappointed and disgruntled competitors。 The point is well taken by counsel that the government does not anticipate the unforeseen； and it matters not what the loss may be from the rigors of winter； the contractor is exempt after the day of delivery。 If the cattle were delayed en route； as has been asserted； and it was necessary to make forced drives in order to reach here within the specified time； all this should be taken into consideration in arriving at a final conclusion。 On his reinstatement； I shall give the quartermaster of this post instructions； in receiving these cattle； to be governed； not so much by their present condition as by what they would have been had there been no interference。 Now in behalf of the War Department； I declare the award to The Western Supply Company； and assigned to Field； Radcliff； and associates； to have been fulfilled to the satisfaction of all parties concerned。 This closes the incident； and if there is nothing further； the inquiry will stand adjourned without date。〃
〃One moment； if you please；〃 said Don Lovell； addressing the commissioner and contractors； 〃there is a private matter existing between Field； Radcliff & Co。 and myself which demands an understanding between us。 I hold a sum of money； belonging to them； as indemnity against loss in driving ten thousand cattle from Southern Texas to this post。 That I will sustain a heavy loss； under your decision； is beyond question。 I am indemnified to the amount of about six dollars and a half a head； and since the government is exempt from garnishment and the contractors are wholly irresponsible； I must content myself with the money in hand。 To recover this amount； held as indemnity； suit has been threatened against me。 Of course I can't force their hands； but I sincerely hope they will feel exultant enough over your kangaroo decision to file their action before taking their usual outing in Europe。 They will have no trouble in securing my legal address； my rating can be obtained from any commercial agency； and no doubt their attorneys are aware of the statute of limitation in my state。 I believe that's all； except to extend my thanks to every one abdut Fort Buford for the many kind attentions shown my counsel； my boys； and myself。 To my enemies； I can only say that I hope to meet them on Texas soil； and will promise them a fairer hearing than was accorded me here to…day。 Mr。 Commissioner； I have always prided myself on being a good citizen； have borne arms in defense of my country； and in taking exception to your decision I brand you as the most despicable member of The Western Supply Company。 Any man who will prostitute a trust for a money consideration 〃
〃That's enough！〃 shouted the special commissioner； rising。 〃Orderly； call the officer of the day； and tell him I want two companies of cavalry to furnish an escort for this man and his herds beyond the boundaries of this military reservation。〃 Looking Lovell in the face； he said： 〃You have justly merited a severe punishment； and I shall report your reflections to the War and Indian departments； and you may find it more difficult to secure contracts in the future。 One of you officers detail men and take charge of this man until the escort is ready。 The inquiry is adjourned。〃
CHAPTER XXIV。 THE WINTER OF OUR DISCONTENT
The inquiry was over before noon。 A lieutenant detailed a few men and made a pretense of taking possession of Lovell。 But once the special commissioner was out of sight； the farce was turned into an ovation； and nearly every officer in the post came forward and extended his sympathy。 Old man Don was visibly affected by the generous manifestations of the military men in general； and after thanking each one personally； urged that no unnecessary demonstration should be made； begging that the order of escort beyond the boundary of the reservation be countermanded。 No one present cared to suggest it； but gave assurance that it would be so modified as not in any way to interfere with the natural movement of the herds。 Some little time would be required to outfit the forage…wagons to accommodate the cavalry companies； during which my brother rode up； leading Lovell's horse； permission was given to leave in advance of the escort； and we all mounted and quietly rode away。
The sudden turn of affairs had； disconcerted every man in the three outfits。 Just what the next move would be was conjecture with most of us； though every lad present was anxious to know。 But when we were beyond the immediate grounds； Lovell turned in his saddle and asked which one of us foremen wanted to winter in the North。 No one volunteered； and old man Don continued： 〃Anticipating the worst； I had a long talk this morning with Sanders； and he assured me that our cattle would go through any winter without serious loss。 He suggested the Little Missouri as a good range； and told me of a hay ranch below the mouth of the Beaver。 If it can be bought reasonably； we would have forage for our horses； and the railroad is said to be not over forty miles to the south。 If the government can afford to take the risk of wintering cattle in this climate； since there is no other choice； I reckon I'll have to follow suit。 Bob and I will take fresh horses and ride through to the Beaver this afternoon； and you fellows follow up leisurely with the cattle。 Sanders says the winters are dry and cold； with very little if any snowfall。 Well； we're simply up against it； there's no hope of selling this late in the season； and nothing is left ns but to face the music of a Northern winter。〃
As we turned in to ford the Missouri； some one called attention to a cavalry company riding out from their quarters at the post。 We halted a moment； and as the first one entered the road； the second one swung into view； followed by foragewagons。 From maps in our possession we knew the southern boundary of the Fort Buford military reservation must be under twenty miles to the south； and if necessary； we could put it behind us that afternoon。 But after crossing the river； and when the two troops again came in view； they had dropped into a walk； passing entirely out of sight long before we reached Forrest's camp。 Orders were left with the latter to take the lead and make a short drive that evening； at least far enough to convince observers that we were moving。 The different outfits dropped out as their wagons were reached； and when my remuda was sighted； old man Don ordered it brought in for a change of horses。 One of the dayherders was at camp getting dinner； and inviting themselves to join him； my employer and my brother helped themselves while their saddles were shifted to two of my well…rested mounts。 Inquiry had been made of all three of the outfits if any ranch had been sighted on the Beaver while crossing that creek； but the only recollection among the forty…odd men was that of Burl Van Vedder； who contended that a dim trail； over which horses had passed that summer； ran down on the south side of the stream。
With this meagre information Lovell and my brother started。 A late dinner over and the herders relieved； we all rode for the nearest eminence which would afford us a view。 The cavalry were just going into camp below O'Brien's ranch； their foragetrain in sight； while Forrest's cattle were well bunched and heading south。 Sponsilier was evidently going to start； as his team was tied up and the saddle stock in hand； while the herd was crossing over to the eastern side of the Yellowstone。 We dismounted and lay around for an hour or so； when the greater portion of the boys left to help in the watering of our herd； the remainder of us doing outpost duty。 Forrest had passed out of sight； Sponsilier's wagon and remuda crossed opposite us； going up the valley； followed by his cattle in loose grazing order； and still we loitered on the hill。 But towards evening I rode down to where the cavalry was encamped； and before I had conversed very long with the officers； it was clear to me that the shorter our moves the l
