Ja, he said. Mine house I build.
Well, said the man in the embroidered jacket, I fancy youre wasting time. Asked anybodys leave to cut that lumber, or put it up?
Mine friend, said Muller, smiling, when it is nod necessary I ask nodings of any man.
Then, said the horseman drily, as he turned to his companions, I fancy thats where youre wrong. Boys, well take him along in case Torrance would like to see him. I guess youll have to walk home, Jim.
A man dismounted and led forward his horse with a wrench upon the bridle that sent it plunging. Get your foot in the stirrup, Hamburg, and Ill hoist you up, he said.
Muller stood motionless, and the horseman in deerskin glancing round in his direction saw his daughter for the first time. He laughed; but there was something in his black eyes that caused the Teutons fingers to close a trifle upon the haft of the axe.
Youll have to get down, Charlie, as well as Jim, he said. Torrance has his notions, or Coyote
might have carried Miss Hamburg that far as well. Sorry to hurry you, Hamburg, but I dont like waiting.
Muller stepped back a pace, and the axe-head flashed as he moved his hand; while, dazzled by the beam it cast, the half-tamed broncho rose with hoofs in the air. Its owner smote it on the nostrils with his fist, and the pair sidled round each other the man with his arm drawn back, the beast with laid-back ears for almost a minute before they came to a standstill.
Mine friend, said Muller, other day I der pleasure have. I mine house have to build.
Get up, said the stockrider. Ever seen anybody fire off a gun?
Muller laughed softly, and glanced at the leader. Der rifle, he said drily. I was at Sedan. To-day it is not convenient that I come.
Hoist him up! said the leader, and once more, while the other man moved forward, Muller stepped back; but this time there was an answering flash in his blue eyes as the big axe-head flashed in the sun.
I guess wed better hold on, said another man. Look there, Mr. Clavering.
He pointed to the bluff, and the leaders face darkened as he gazed, for four men with axes were running down the slope, and they were lean and wiry, with very grim faces. They were also apparently small farmers or lumbermen from the bush of Michigan, and Clavering knew such men usually possessed a terrible proficiency with the keen-edged weapon, and stubbornness was native in them. Two others, one of whom he knew, came behind them. The foremost stopped, and stood silent when the man Clavering recognized signed to them, but not before each had posted himself strategically within reach of a horsemans bridle.
You might explain, Clavering, what you and your cow-boys are doing here, he said.
Clavering laughed. We are going to take your Teutonic friend up to the Range. He is cutting our fuel timber with nobodys permission.
No, said Grant drily; he has mine. The bluff is on my run.
Did you take out timber rights with your lease? asked Clavering.
No, I hadnt much use for them. None of my neighbours hold any either. But the bluff is big enough, and Ive no objection to their cutting what billets they want. Still, I cant have them driving out any other friends of mine.
Clavering smiled ironically. You have been picking up some curious acquaintances, Larry; but dont you think you had better leave this thing to Torrance? The fact is, the cattle-men are not disposed to encourage strangers building houses in their country just now.
I had a notion it belonged to this State. Its not an unusual one, said Grant.
Clavering shrugged his shoulders. Of course, it sounds better that way. Have it so. Still, it will scarcely pay you to make yourself unpopular with us, Larry.
Well, said Grant drily, it seems to me Im tolerably unpopular already. But thats not quite the point. Take your boys away.
Clavering flung his hand up in half-ironical salutation, but as he was about to wheel his horse a young Englishman whose nationality was plainly stamped upon him seized his bridle.
Not quite so fast! he said. It would be more fitting if you got down and expressed your regrets to the fräulein. You havent heard Mullers story yet, Larry.
Let go, said Clavering, raising the switch he held. Drop my bridle or take care of yourself!
Come down, said Breckenridge.
The switch went up and descended hissing upon part of an averted face; but the lad sprang as it fell, and the next moment the horse rose almost upright with two men clinging to it; one of them, whose sallow cheeks were livid now, swaying in the saddle. Then Grant grasped the bridle that fell from the riders hands, and hurled his comrade backwards, while some of the stockriders pushed their horses nearer, and the axe-men closed in about them.
Hoarse cries went up. Horses back! Pull him off! Give the Britisher a show! Leave them to it!
It was evident that a blunder would have unpleasant results, for Clavering, with switch raised, had tightened his left hand on the bridle Grant had loosed again, while a wicked smile crept into his eyes, and the lad stood tense and still, with hands clenched in front of him, and a weal on his young face. Grant, however, stepped in between them.