Told in the Hills: A Novel Page 11

  CHAPTER II.

  A RECRUIT FROM THE WORLD.

  "Oh, cam' ye here the fight to shun, Or herd the sheep wi' me, man?"

  Spring, with its showers and promises, drifted into the dim perspective,as summer, with flaunting assumption, took possession of the foreground.All through the changing weeks rumors came from the south and east,telling of disaffection among the hereditary lords of the soil, andpetty troubles in different localities, that, like low mutterings offar-off thunder, promised storms that might be remembered.

  Some rust on the wheels of the slow-moving machinery of government hadcaused a delay in the dealings with the people on the reservations.Treaties ignored through generations, in both letter and spirit, are notcalculated to beget faith in the hearts of the red nations, or teachthem belief in the straightness of our tongues. Was it the fault of theDepartment of the Interior at Washington, or the dishonesty of theirlocal agents?--the chicanery of the party in office or the scheme ofsome political ring that wanted to get in by bringing forward a causefor condemnation of the existing regime? Whatever one of themultitudinous excuses was finally given for neglect of duty--treaties,promises of government--Mr. Lo had now--as he has ever had--to bear thesuffering in question, whether just or unjust.

  Small wonder if, now and then, a spark of that old fire in the bloodignites, and even the most tamed spirits rise up ready to write pages ofhistory in blood. The only wonder is that they ever pass by the house orthe offspring of the white race without that call of the red heart forvengeance being too strong for the hand to resist.

  Through the late winter, whether through storms or floods or the schemesof men, on one of the reservations to the south the rations had not beenforthcoming; and from week to week excuses were given that were nolonger listened to with credence by the Indians. In vain were visitsmade, first to the agency, next to the nearest fort, supplicating fortheir rights. One delegation after another turned back from those visitsunsatisfied, told by the first that the rations would be distributedwhen they arrived, not before; told by the second that the WarDepartment was not in any way responsible for deficiencies of theDepartment of the Interior, and could not interfere--at the same timeadvising them to be patient, as eventually their wants would besatisfied. Eventually! and in the meantime they could go back to theirtribes and eat their horses, their dogs, and see their people grow weakas the children for the want of food.

  Small wonder if one group after another of the younger braves, and eventhe older warriors, broke loose from the promise of peace and joined thehostile bands that thieved along the border, sweeping the outlyingranches of horses and cattle, and beating a retreat back into the hillswith their booty.

  Of course, the rations arrived eventually, and were distributed by thosefair-minded personages whose honest dealing with the red man isproverbial along the border; but the provisions came too late to stemthe tide of secession that had set in, and the War Department had foundthat, after all, it would be influenced by the actions of the Departmentof the Interior, and that its interference was demanded for theprotection of the homes on the frontier. As the homes were the homes ofwhite citizens, its action was, of course, one of promptness. Whitemen's votes decide who shall continue to sit in the high places of theland, or who shall step down and out to make way for the new man of newpromises.

  But they found ordinary methods of war were of little avail against thescattered bands, who, like bees in the summer-time, divided theirswarms, and honey-combed the hills, knowing every retreat, and posted asto every movement by Indian runners and kindred left behind.

  It was simply a war of skirmishing, and one not likely soon to cease.Reinforcements came to the hostile tribes from all the worthless outlawsof the border--some of white, others of mixed blood; and from thosemongrels resulted the more atrocious features of the outbreak. Theyfought and schemed with the Indian because they wanted his protection,and any proposed treaty for peace was argued against by them mostvehemently. And while an Indian makes a good thief, a half-breed makes abetter; but the white man, if his taste runs in that direction, is anartist, and to him his red brother is indebted for much teaching in thesubtle art through many generations.

  That, and like accomplishments, made them comrades to be desired by thetribes who depended for their subsistence on the country guarded bytroops; and scientific methods of thievery were resorted to, methodsthat required the superior brain and the white face of the Caucasian.

  Thus was the trouble fostered, and the contagion spread, until far-offtribes, hearing of it, missed now one, now another, of their morerestless spirits; and the white authorities found it would not do totrust to the peace of any of the nations--the only surety was to guardit. This they tried to do, locating posts and stationing troops neareven the most peaceable tribes--their presence suggesting theadvisability of remaining so.

  And, now through one, now another, and generally by MacDougall, thepeople at the ranch heard at times of the Arrow and of Genesee. Theywere with the troops, and were together; and the latter's knowledge ofIndian tactics was counting much in his favor evidently, as his opinionswere cited in the reports and prophecies of results, and his influencehad decided more than one movement of the campaign that had won him thecommendation of his superior officers--circumstances that were, ofcourse, discussed pro and con by the people of the Kootenai. There waslittle of local news in so isolated a place, and Rachel declared theywere all developing into gossips because of the avidity with which theslightest of events in their own region was talked over; and of coursethe Indian question was an all-absorbing topic, and to Aunty Luce wasattended by a sort of paralysis of terror. In vain to point out thefriendly listlessness of the Kootenais, their nearest neighbors of thered race, for the Kootenais were simple hunters or fishers, making waron none, unless now and then a detachment of thieving Blackfeet fromeast of the mountains would file through the old Flathead Pass and runoff portions of their stock; in the time of the fishing, the greaterpart of the village would move for the season away from theirpasture-lands, in search of the fish that they smoke, dry, and pack inosier baskets for the winter. It was generally during that temporaryflitting that a visit from those neighboring tribes would be made, andan assessment levied, to the extent of all loose cattle in reach, and anoccasional squaw now and then. And so, though the Kootenais were on themost friendly terms with the few whites about them, their relations withtheir red brethren on the east, and across the line in the NorthwestTerritories were decidedly strained.

  But it was useless to talk "good Indian" to Aunty who was afraid to stayin the house or out of it; afraid to start back to Kentucky, yet surethat delay meant death. And all through the summer, let the rest havefaith if they chose, yet the baby's wardrobe and her own were alwayspacked ready for flight at the first sign of danger.

  With this one exception, the Indian question troubled the people at theranch but little. They found too many duties in the new country to takeup their time and attention. The sheep-raising experiment showed signsof such thorough success that it would require more than the skirmishingof the races a couple of hundred miles away to disenchant Hardy with thecountry; and where he was content, Tillie was, of course; andRachel--well, Rachel was deemed a sort of vagabond in regard to asettlement anywhere. She was satisfied with any place where the fenceswere not too high, or the limits of her range too narrow.

  She often wondered that the world in general knew so little of thatbeautiful corner of the earth. She knew that people flocked to "resorts"that possessed not at all the wealth of beauties that whimsical naturehad scattered on those Indian hills.

  In the fall, about a year after the cultus corrie, she began to thinkthat, after all, they might meet with deserved appreciation some day,for one man rode up to them, not for stock, or to locate land, or forany of the few reasons that brought people to the Kootenai country, butsimply and only for pleasure and rest--so he said.

  It was in late September, and as he rode leisurely through the duskyshadows o
f the pines, and along the passionate, restless path of somemountain stream, his expressive face showed a more than casual interestin the prodigality of delightful vistas and the impressive grandeur ofthe mountains, as they loomed about him or slowly drifted beneath him.

  All the beauty of autumn was around him, yet he himself looked like oneof the people who belong only to summer, judging from his eager eyes andthe boyish laugh that broke on the still air as he watched the pranks ofsome squirrels making holiday in their own domain.

  Not that the stranger was so young. He was not a boy in years; but thespirit of youth, that remains so long with some natures, shone in hisglance, and loitered about the sensitive mouth. In seeing him smile, onewould forget the thread of premature silver that shone through thebronze of his hair. He was almost beautiful in face; yet his stature,which was much above the average, and his exceptionally completeproportions, saved him from the beauty that is effeminate; but whateverbeauty he possessed, however, was in every way refined.

  It was noon when stragglers of sheep met his gaze, dotting with whitethe green and amber grasses of the great park, and showing, as he fordedMissoula Creek, a picture before him, framed in the high wall of thehills, and restful with pastoral peace that was a striking contrast tothe untamable wilds through which he had passed.

  "Almost there," he whispered eagerly, as he rode along the corrals andwas greeted by a tumbling lot of sheep-dogs. "Will it be of use?"

  Before he reached the gate he was met by Hardy, who, bare-headed, hadleft the dinner-table to welcome a visitor whom, from the porch, all haddecided was a stranger.

  The host scattered the dogs. There were a few words, a shake of hands,and they could hear Hardy's hearty invitation to dismount.

  Meanwhile, Aunty Luce was bustling about as fast as her stout, shortform would allow her, arranging a place at the table for the late guest,and thanking her stars that a real gentleman was to be company for themonce more--her opinion that he was a gentleman having foundation in thefact that he wore "store-clothes" instead of the trappings of buckskinaffected by the natives of the Kootenai.

  They found he was possessed of more decided points due the idea of agentleman, both in breeding and education, and before many remarks wereexchanged, the rest of the family, as well as Aunty, were congratulatingthemselves on this acquisition from the world.

  "Yes, I am altogether a stranger up here," he said pleasantly, in answerto a query; "and at Holland's they told me there was one of my Statesmenup in this park; so I asked the way and started west, instead of north,as I had thought of doing."

  "Doing a bit o' prospectin', then?" was MacDougall's query.

  It was a visiting-day of his, and he had been watching the new-comer'sface with scrutinizing eyes ever since the first words ofself-introduction, in which the visitor's name had been overlooked.

  "Well--yes," answered the other slowly, as if he was not decided, or hadnot anticipated the question.

  "I thought as much, since ye carry no hunting gear," remarked thetrapper; "and in this country a man is likely to be the one thing or theother."

  "And in this case it is the other," smiled the stranger, "as I have notas yet found any vocation; I have come out here to forget I ever hadone--prospecting for a rest."

  "Well, there is plenty of room here to rest in," said Hardy hospitably.

  "Yes, or work in," added Rachel; "and a new country needs the workers."

  Tillie threw an admonishing glance as payment for the uncivil speech,and the stranger turned his attention to the speaker. The contour of herface must have been pleasing, since he looked at it interestedly, as ifforgetting in its contemplation the words uttered; and then--

  "Indeed?" he said at last. "Well, who knows but that I may develop intoa worker; is industry contagious here?"

  And Rachel, whose tone had been more uncivil than her intention, feltherself put at a disadvantage by the suavity that was not a feature ofKootenai character.

  "Indeed, then," said MacDougall, "it's gettin' to be a brisk, busycountry these late days, an' ye canna go a matter o' twenty mile withouttrippin' up on a settlement. An' ye come from Holland's without a guide?That's pretty good for a stranger in the parts, as I doubt na ye be,Mr.--" And he stopped suggestively.

  The stranger laughed, and drew a card from his pocket.

  "I told Mr. Hardy my name at the gate," he observed, "but evidently itescaped his memory; he introduced me only as a stranger."

  "It does not matter, however, what a man is called out here," returnedHardy. "It is the man that is valued in the West--not the name givenhim; now, back home they weighed about equal."

  "And in my country," said MacDougall, looking up from the card, "here'sa name that would carry ye many a mile, an' bespeak ye good-will frommany an old heart--Charles Stuart. It's a name to take unco' good careof, my man."

  "I try to take good care of the owner of it, at all events," answeredthe stranger; "but it is not an uncommon name in America; there are fewparts of the country in which I am not able to find a namesake."

  "Indeed, then, an' I have run across none o' the name these seven oddyear," said MacDougall; "an' then it was a man in the Bitter RootMountains, who spelt it with the 'e-w' instead of the 'u,' an' had nevere'en heard tell o' Prince Charlie."

  "And you have known no one in this country by the name of Stuart?" askedthe stranger, his eyes seeming to watch at the same time both Hardy andthe old man. Ivans and Jim had left the table and lounged out to thestables to smoke.

  "No," answered Hardy; "we are comparatively new-comers here, but all thesettlers within a radius of fifty miles are already known to us byname--it is not so difficult where white men are so scarce; and I havenever heard of any Stuarts among them."

  "Then I have dropped literally into a strange country," said Stuart,rising and walking to the end of the porch; "and from what I have seenof it, a decidedly interesting one. Hunting good?"

  "Excellent," returned Hardy. "We've been too busy to get to the hills sofar this year, but now we have a little breathing-spell, and if youwould care to try your luck with game, I should take pleasure in showingyou our hunting grounds."

  "That is certainly kind of you," said Mr. Stuart heartily, "and I willaccept the offer most gratefully. The fact is, I've been rather used upwith a professional life, and was in hopes a trip up through thiscountry would set me on my feet again. Over there at Holland's they toldme about you and your family, and--"

  "Yes," completed Hardy, "a man with his family and household goods up inthese hills is a marked individual; but my wife and cousin do not rebelat the exile; they are both philosophers, in their way."

  "Yes?" and Stuart's agreement had the intonation of a man who hears, butceases to grasp the sense of words. Some closer thought seemed presentwith him. He glanced at Hardy, a swift, quickly withdrawn scrutiny, andthen said: "Do you know, Mr. Hardy, I should like to propose myself formembership in your household for a few weeks; would it be deemed animpertinence? I can't stay at Holland Centre with any comfort, and thisplace of yours seems to be a haven of rest. Could you give me space tolive in for a while, without my being a nuisance to the establishment?"

  "Yes, and welcome," answered Hardy. "You don't seem to appreciate what atreat it is to have a visitor from civilization ride our way; and onefrom our old State is especially in demand. I was going to propose thatyou move your outfit up here and make the ranch your headquarters whilein the country. A nuisance! No, sir."

  And thus was the simple ceremony concluded that introduced this strangerto the Hardys, to the general satisfaction of all concerned. Rachel wasthe only member who did not seem especially delighted.

  "Oh, yes, he is clever and entertaining," she agreed to Tillie, "and hismanner is so charmingly insinuating that I may end by falling in lovewith him; but I am beginning with an unreasonable desire to say snappythings to him."

  "I should say it was unreasonable--a thorough gentleman, of fine familyconnections. He mentioned several Kentucky families that Hen
might knowwhat his standing was back home, and his profession is that ofmedicine--I noticed the M. D. on his card; and altogether I can not seewhat ground you have for objecting."

  "I am not objecting--bless the man! no," returned Rachel; "only, becausea man has acquired a charming manner and possesses a handsome face is noreason for me devoting myself to admiration of him, like Aunty Luce. Sheis jubilant over having so fine a gentleman to wait on. You arediscreetly elated over having so charming a person to entertain; evenMiss Margaret (Miss Margaret was the baby)--everything feminine aboutthe place has succumbed. And I suppose my reason for keeping on my ownside of the fence is that I'm jealous. I am no longer first in theaffections of anyone about the place. MacDougall is likely to swearallegiance at any time because his name is Stuart--and, above all,Charlie Stuart; even Jim is wavering in the balance, and shows awonderful alacrity in anticipating the wishes of this tenderfoot. Is itany wonder I rebel?"

  "Well, for the comfort of the rest of us, do not begin a civil war,"admonished Tillie, and was only reassured by a promise that there shouldbe no active hostilities. "If you are more comfortable in war than inpeace, go south and fight with the skirmishing Indians," suggested thelittle woman.

  "I will," said Rachel. "If you get any more civilized recruits up hereto make the place tame and commonplace, I will seek service under thestandard of the Arrow, or Genesee." And at the mention of the last nameTillie discreetly subsided.

  The girl found the raw recruit rapidly making himself a power in thesocial world of the ranch. There was something of charming grace in theman's personality; and that rare gift of a sympathetic nature that hadalso the faculty of expression, at once accorded him the trust of womenand children.

  It may be that a degree of physical beauty influenced them also, for hisfine, well-shaped head was very good to look at; the poise of the erect,tall figure bespoke serene self-confidence; the curves of his lips,slightly hidden by a mustache, gave a sweetness of expression to thelower part of his face; while the wide brows and fine eyes gave anintellectual cast to a personality that did not lack attractive points.

  "The lad has the old grace o' the Stuarts," MacDougall affirmed,sticking to his fancy of connecting the old blood-royal with the slip ofthe name grown on alien ground. "And it is much the same free-handedmanner o' the old stock--free o' their smiles, an' winning o' hearts bythe clasp o' the hand; but there's a bit about this one that is a rarepuzzle to me. I think like enough it's the eyes, they're main handsomeones; but I'm always a-rackin' o' my brains to tell where I've seen thembefore."

  Rachel, to whom this speech was made, only laughed.

  "He has never been West until now, so you can not have seen them," sheargued; but her tone made the old man regard her with attention.

  "What do ye mean by that, lass?"

  "Oh, nothing, only he says so;" and then she went into the house,leaving her guest sitting on the bench of the porch.

  "The Stuart," as the others had already dropped into calling him, afterMacDougall, had been at the ranch about a week. The proposed hunt wasyet to be; and in the meantime he rode through the parks, and saw allthat was near-about the ranch. He talked stock raising with Hardy,medicinal herbs with Aunty Luce, babies with Tillie, and with Rachelnumerous worldly topics of interest, that, however, never seemed tochange the nature of their acquaintance; which remained much as it wasthe first day--on her side, arms burnished and ready for action; on his,the serene gentleness of manner, almost a caress, a changelessgood-humor that spoke volumes for his disposition, and at times forcedeven her into a sort of admiration of him.

  The health-recruiting trip he had come on, he was evidently takingadvantage of, for he almost lived out-of-doors, and looked wonderfullyhealthy and athletic for an invalid. In the house, he wrote a greatdeal. But the morning Rachel left MacDougall on the porch, the Stuartcame sauntering up the path, the picture of careless content withhimself and the world. "Where has Mr. Hardy gone?" he inquired, seatinghimself on the porch. "I've been looking for him out at the pens but themen have all disappeared."

  "Gone up the range for the yearlin's that strayed off the last week; butthey'll no go far."

  "I wanted to ask Mr. Hardy about mail out here. How often is it broughtto the ranch?"

  "Well," said the old man, between the puffs of his pipe, "that depends abit on how often it is sent for; just whene'er they're a bit slack o'work, or if anybody o' them wants the trip made special; but Hardy willbe sendin' Jimmy across for it, if it's any favor to you--be sure o'that."

  "Oh, for that matter--I seem to be the most useless commodity about theranch--I could make the trip myself. Is Jim the usual mail-carrier?"

  "Well, I canna say; Andrews, a new man here, goes sometimes, but it's norare thing for him to come home carrying more weight in whisky than inthe letters, an' Hardy got a bit tired o' that."

  "But haven't you a regular mail-carrier for this part of the country?"persisted Stuart.

  MacDougall laughed shortly at the idea. "Who'd be paying the post?" heasked, "with but the Hardys an' myself, ye might say, barring theKootenais; an' I have na heard that they know the use of a postagestamp."

  "But someone of their tribe does come to the Centre for mail," continuedStuart in half argument--"an Indian youth; have you never seen him?"

  "From the Kootenais? Well, I have not, then. It may be, of late, thereare white men among them, but canna say; I see little o' any o' themthis long time."

  "And know no other white people in this region?"

  "No, lad, not for a long time," said the old man, with a half sigh.

  The listener rose to his feet. "I think," he said, as if a prospect ofnew interest had suddenly been awakened in his mind--"I think I shouldlike to make a trip up into the country of the Kootenais. It is not veryfar, I believe, and would be a new experience. Yes, if I could get aguide, I would go."

  "Well," said MacDougall drily, "seeing I've lived next door to theKootenais for some time, I might be able to take ye a trip that waymyself."

  Rachel, writing inside the window, heard the conversation, and smiled toherself.

  "Strange that Kalitan should have slipped MacDougall's memory," shethought; "but then he may have been thinking only of the present, andthe Stuart, of months back. So he does know some things of people in theKootenai, for all his blind ignorance. And he would have learned more,if he had not been so clever and waited until the rest were gone, toquestion. I wonder what he is hunting for in this country; I don'tbelieve it is four-footed game."