Weve had sufficient fooling, Breckenridge, he said. Clavering, Ill give you a minute to get your men away, and if you cant do it in that time youll take the consequences.
Clavering wheeled his horse. The odds are with you, Larry, he said. You have made a big blunder, but I guess you know your own business best.
He nodded, including the fräulein, with an easy insolence that yet became him, touched the horse
with his heel, and in another moment he and his cow-boys were swinging at a gallop across the prairie. Then, as they dipped behind a rise, those who were left glanced at one another. Breckenridge was very pale, and one of his hands was bleeding where Claverings spur had torn it.
It seems that we have made a beginning, he said hoarsely. Its first blood to them, but this will take a lot of forgetting, and the rest may be different.
Grant made no answer, but turned and looked at Muller, who stood very straight and square, with a curious brightness in his eyes.
Are you going on with the contract? There is the girl to consider, said Grant.
Ja, said the Teuton. I was in der Vosges, and der girl is also Fräulein Muller.
Boys, said Grant to the men from Michigan, you have seen whats in front of you, and youll probably have to use more than axes before youre through. Still, you have the chance of clearing out right now. I only want willing men behind me.
One of the big axe-men laughed scornfully, and there was a little sardonic grin in the faces of the rest.
Theres more room for us here than there was in Michigan, and now weve got our foot down here were not going back again, he said. Thats about all there is to it. But when our time comes, the other men arent going to find us slacker than the Dutchman.
Grant nodded gravely. Well, he said very simply, I guess the Lord who made this country will know whos in the right and help them. Theyll need it. Theres a big fight coming.
Then they went back to their hewing in the bluff, and the Fräulein Muller went on with her knitting.
V HETTY COMES HOME
You have been worrying about something the last few weeks, she said.
Is that quite unusual? asked Hetty. Havent a good many folks to worry all the time?
Flora Schuyler smiled. Just finding it out, Hetty? Well, I have noticed a change, and it began the day you waited for us at the depot. And it wasnt because of Jake Cheyne.
No, said Hetty reflectively. I suppose it should have been. Have you heard from him since he went away?
Lily Cheyne had a letter with some photographs, and she showed it to me. Its a desolate place in the sage bush hes living in, and theres not a white man, except the boys he cant talk to, within miles of him, while from the picture I saw of his adobe room I scarcely think folks would have it down here to keep hogs in. Jake Cheyne was fastidious, too, and there was a forced cheerfulness about his letter which had its meaning, though, of course, he never mentioned you.
Hetty flushed a trifle. Flo, Im sorry. Still, you cant blame me.
No, said Miss Schuyler, though there was a time when I wished I could. You cant help being pretty, but it ought to make you careful when you see another of them going that way again.
Hetty made a little impatient gesture. If there ever is another, hell be pulled up quite sharp. You dont think their foolishness, which spoils everything, is any pleasure to me. Its too humiliating. Cant one be friends with a nice man without falling in love with him?
Well, said Miss Schuyler drily, it depends a good deal on how youre made; but its generally risky for one or the other. Still, perhaps you might, for I have a fancy theres something short in you. Now, Im going to ask you a question. Is it thinking of the other man that has made you restless? I mean the one we saw at the depot?
Hetty laughed outright. Larry? Why, as I tried to tell you, he has always been just like a cousin or a brother to me, and doesnt want anything but his horses and cattle and his books on political economy. Larrys quite happy with his ranching, and his dreams of the new America. Of course, theyll never come to anything; but when you can start him talking theyre quite nice to listen to.
Flora Schuyler shook her head. I wouldnt be too sure. That man is in earnest, and the dreams of an earnest American have a way of coming true. You have known him a long while, and Ive only seen him once, but that man will do more than talk if he ever has the opportunity. He has the quiet grit one finds in the best of us not the kind that make the speeches and some Englishmen, in him. You can see it in his eyes.
Then, said Hetty, with a little laugh, come back with me to Cedar, and if youre good you shall have him. It isnt everybody Id give Larry to.
There was a trace
of indignation in Flora Schuylers face. I fancy he would not appreciate your generosity, and theres a good deal you have got to find out, Hetty, she said drily. It may hurt you when you do. But you havent told me yet what has been worrying you.
No, said Hetty, with a little wistful smile. Well, Im going to. Its hard to own to, but Im a failure. I fancied I could make everybody listen to my singing, and I would come here. Well, I came, and found out that my voice would never bring me fame, and for a time it hurt me horribly. Still, I couldnt go back just then, and when you and your mother pressed me I stayed. I knew what you expected, and I disappointed you. Perhaps I was too fastidious, but there were none of them that really pleased me. Then I began to see that I was only spoiling nicer girls chances and trying the patience of everybody.