登陆注册
19853200000057

第57章 TURNING THE TABLES(1)

"Keep away from me, you common cow-hands," said Sponsilier, as a group of us waited for him at the foot of the court-house stairs.

But Dave's gravity soon turned to a smile as he continued: "Did you fellows notice The Rebel and me sitting inside the rail among all the big augers? Paul, was it a dream, or did we sleep in a bed last night and have a sure-enough pillow under our heads? My memory is kind of hazy to-day, but I remember the drinks and the cigars all right, and saying to some one that this luck was too good to last.And here we are turned out in the cold world again, our fun all over, and now must go tack to those measly cattle.

But it's just what I expected."

The crowd dispersed quietly, though the sheriff took the precaution to accompany the plaintiffs and Tolleston back to their hotel.The absence of the two deputies whom we had met the day before was explained by the testimony of the one-armed cowman.When the two drovers came downstairs, they were talking very confidentially together, and on my employer noticing the large number of his men present, he gave orders for them to meet him at once at the White Elephant saloon.Those who had horses at hand mounted and dashed down the street, while the rest of us took it leisurely around to the appointed rendezvous, some three blocks distant.While on the way, I learned from The Rebel that the cattle on which the attachment was to be made that afternoon were then being held well up the North Fork.Sheriff Phillips joined us shortly after we entered the saloon, and informed my employer and Mr.Reed that the firm of Field, Radcliff & Co.had declared war.They had even denounced him and the sheriff's office as being in collusion against them, and had dispatched Tolleston with orders to refuse service.

"Let them get on the prod all they want to," said Don Lovell to Reed and the sheriff."I've got ninety men here, and you fellows are welcome to half of them, even if I have to go out and stand a watch on night-herd myself.Reed, we can't afford to have our busiuess ruined by such a set of sconndrels, and we might as well fight it out here and now.Look at the situation I'm in.Ahundred thousand dollars wouldn't indemnify me in having my cattle refused as late as the middle of September at Fort Buford.

And believing that I will be turned down, under my contract, so Sutton says, 1 must tender my beeves on the appointed day of delivery, which will absolve my bondsmen and me from all liability.A man can't trifle with the government--the cattle must be there.Now in my ease, Jim, what would you do?""That's a hard question, Don.You see we're strangers up in this Northwest country.Now, if it was home in Texas, there would be only one thing to do.Of course I'm no longer handy with a shotgun, but you've got two good arms.""Well, gentlemen," said the sheriff, "you must excuse me for interrupting, but if my deputies are to take possession of that herd this afternoon, I must saddle up and go to the front.If Honest John and associates try to stand up any bluffs on my office, they'll only run on the rope once.I'm much obliged to you, Mr.Lovell, for the assurance of any help I may need, for it's quite likely that I may have to call upon you.If a ring of government speculators can come out here and refuse service, or dictate to my office, then old Keith County is certainly on the verge of decadence.Now, I'll be all ready to start for the North Fork in fifteen minutes, and I'd admire to have you all go along."Lovell and Reed both expressed a willingness to accompany the sheriff.Phillips thanked them and nodded to the force behind the mahogany, who dexterously slid the glasses up and down the bar, and politely inquired of the double row confronting them as to their tastes.As this was the third round since entering the place, I was anxious to get away, and summoning Forrest, we started for our horses.We had left them at a barn on a back street, but before reaching the livery, Quince concluded that he needed a few more cartridges.I had ordered a hundred the day before for my own personal use, but they had been sent out with the supplies and were then in camp.My own belt was filled with ammunition, but on Forrest buying fifty, I took an equal number, and after starting out of the store, both turned back and doubled our purchases.On arriving at the stable, whom should I meet but the Wyoming cowman who had left us at Grinnell.Daring the few minutes in which I was compelled to listen to his troubles, he informed me that on his arrival at Ogalalla, all the surplus cow-hands had been engaged by a man named Tolleston for the Yellowstone country.He had sent to his ranch, however, for an outfit who would arrive that evening, and he expected to start his herd the next morning.But without wasting any words, Forrest and I swung into our saddles, waved a farewell to the wayfaring acquaintance, and rode around to the White Elephant.The sheriff and quite a cavalcade of our boys bad already started, and on reaching the street which terminated in the only road leading to the North Fork, we were halted by Flood to await the arrival of the others.Jim Reed and my employer were still behind, and some little time was lost before they came up, sufficient to give the sheriff a full half-mile start.But under the leadership of the two drovers, we shook out our horses, and the advance cavalcade were soon overtaken.

同类推荐
热门推荐
  • 相爱相杀

    相爱相杀

    一份合同扔在眼前,闵筱雨被迫和相爱的男友分手。而为了留住她,邵俊文将她摁倒在床上,强行占有了她。“你就这么怕我?我说过,让你跟我在一起!”“我只是想对你好。跟着我,你应有尽有,比跟着那个人好多了。”
  • 台湾语典

    台湾语典

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 人谱类记

    人谱类记

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 真情在战火中怒放

    真情在战火中怒放

    1942年,杨沁儿在反“扫荡”战斗中负重伤后,转到敌占区肖奶奶家养伤。肖奶奶是一位传奇人物,年轻时参加过义和团、反抗过八国联军的侵略,抗日战争中又积极投身到反侵略的斗争中。她武功高强、会治疗跌打损伤,收养了一个叫春芽的战争孤儿。故事就从这个特殊家庭开始。老少三人明里给穷人治疗跌打损伤,暗里做地下抗日工作。她们配合根据地和地下抗日武装,一面保护抗日英雄的遗孤,配合根据地接待转移国际友人,解救被鬼子欺凌的同胞姐妹;一面团结反战友好人士;说服教育被侵略者蒙蔽、利用的人。她们与侵略者斗智斗勇的同时,与反战的日本医生平田结下了深厚友谊,表现了中日两国人民热爱和平,珍惜传统友谊的情怀。
  • 石头记索隐

    石头记索隐

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 林黛玉笔记

    林黛玉笔记

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 修炼死亡

    修炼死亡

    张麟在爷爷家发现几卷玉简,这几卷玉简改变了他的一生……
  • 神灵浩劫

    神灵浩劫

    战争的号角不绝于耳,震撼着每个人的心。神灵已经降临,光芒正在逝去。为了活下去,寸土我将必争,众神我将挑战。独行独往,柔情铁骨,塞北狂歌。为我的未来打下一份安宁。
  • 风度翩翩

    风度翩翩

    深宅美女林翩翩是个游戏爱好者,却是个不折不扣的坑货,虽然现实中不乏大量人追求,却对异性自动开启防骚扰模式,直到遇到本服第一大神风度......而与校园男神的碰面竟然是因为吃米粉忘带钱包......
  • 时空旅行季

    时空旅行季

    原是无人触碰的尘封古书,却因为有缘之人的不经意触碰从而得到了释放。从穿越到萤火虫森林,看遍世间百态,再到泡沫兰海,看透人心丑恶,最后到血色枫林,看不懂这个夏天的颜色…在书中的点点滴滴都是那么令人不敢去面对,然而却又不得不去面对,生活又何尝不是…她,总该去面对的,不是吗?正文第一卷萤火虫森林