Are you going to murder me, you condemned Dutchman? he said.
Yes, said Muller tranquilly, if you der movement make. So! It is done without der trouble when you have der bayonet exercise make.
The points gleamed as they swung forward, and the man gasped; but they stopped at the right second, and Muller, who had hove his burly form a trifle more upright, sank back again, bringing his foot down with a stamp. The little demonstration was more convincing than an hour of argument.
Well, said the man hoarsely, Im corralled. Throw that thing away, and Ill give you my pistol.
Muller laughed, and then raised his great voice in what was to the other an unknown tongue. Lotta, he said, Come quick, and bring the American rifle.
There was silence for perhaps five minutes, and the men watched each other, one white in the face and quivering a little, his adversary impassive as a statue, but quietly observant. Then there was a patter of hasty footsteps, and the fräulein stood in the lantern light with a flushed, plump face and somewhat scanty dress. She apparently recognized the man, and her colour deepened, but that was the only sign of confusion she showed; and it was evident that the discipline of the fatherland had not been neglected in Mullers household.
Lotta, he said in English, open der little slide. You feel der cartridge? Now, der butt to der shoulder, und der eye on der sight, as I have teach you. Der middle of him is der best place. I shout, und you press quite steady.
He spoke with a quiet precision that had its effect; and, whatever the girl felt, she obeyed each command in
rotation. There was, however, one danger which the stranger realized, and that was that with an involuntary contraction of the forefinger she might anticipate the last one.
Shell shoot me before she means to, he said, with a little gasp. Come and take the condemned pistol.
Der middle of him! said Muller tranquilly. No movement make, you!
Dropping the fork he moved forward, not in front of the man, but to his side, and whipped the pistol from his belt.
One turn make, he said. So! Your hand behind you. Lotta, you will now a halter get.
The girls loose bodice rose and fell as she laid down the rifle, but she was swift, and in less than another minute Muller had bound his captives hands securely behind his back and cross-lashed them from wrist to elbow. He inspected the work critically and then nodded, as if contented.
Lotta, he said, put der saddle on der broncho horse. Then in der house you der cordial find, und of it one large spoonful mit der water take. My pipe you bring me also, und then you ride for Mr. Grant.
The girl obeyed him; and when the drumming of horse-hoofs died away Muller sat down in front of his prisoner, who now lay upon a pile of prairie hay, and with his usual slow precision lighted his big meerschaum. The American watched him for a minute or two, and then grew red in the face as a fit of passion shook him.
You condemned Dutchman! he said.
Muller laughed. Der combliment, he said, is nod of much use to-night.
It was an hour later when Grant and several horsemen arrived, and he nodded as he glanced at the prisoner.
I figured it was you. Theres not another man on the prairie mean enough for this kind of work, he said, pointing to the kerosene-can. You didnt even know enough to do it decently, and youre about the only American whod have let an old man tie his hands.
The prisoner winced perceptibly. Well, he said hoarsely, glancing towards the hayfork, rifle, and pistol, which still lay at Mullers feet, if youre astonished, look at the blamed Dutchmans armoury.
Ive one thing to ask you, Grant said sternly. Its going to pay you to be quite straight with me. Who hired you?
There was defiance in the incendiarys eyes, but Grant was right in his surmise that he was resolute only because that of the two fears which oppressed him he preferred to bear the least.
You can ask till you get sick of it, but youll get nothing out of me, he said.
Take him out, said Grant. Put him on to the led horse. If youll come round to my place for breakfast, Ill be glad to see you, Muller.
I come, said Muller. Mit der franc tireur it is finish quicker, but here in der Republic we reverence have for der law.
Grant laughed a little. Well, he said drily, Im not quite sure.
He swung himself to the saddle, swept off his hat to the girl, who stood with the lantern light upon her in the doorway, smiling but flushed, and shook his bridle. Then there was a jingle that was lost in the thud of hoofs, and the men vanished into the shadowy prairie. Half an hour later the homestead was once more dark and silent; but three men sent out by Grant were riding at a reckless gallop across the great dusky levels, and breakfast was not finished when those whom they had summoned reached Fremont ranch.
They were young men for the most part, and Americans, though there were a few who had only just become so among them, and two or three whose grim faces and grey hair told of a long struggle with adversity. They were clad in blue shirts and jean, and the hard brown hands of most betokened a close acquaintance with plough stilt, axe, and bridle, though here and there one had from his appearance evidently lived delicately. All appeared quietly resolute, for they knew that the law which had given them the right to build their homes upon that prairie as yet left them to bear the risks attached to the doing of it. Hitherto, the fact that the great ranchers had made their own laws and enforced them had been ignored or tacitly accepted by the State.