Part 18 (1/2)
It was the accepted fashi+on of challenge known anywhere along two thousand miles of ay at that tiht were the sole tests of distinction Woe to the man who evaded such an issue, once it was offered to him!
The speaker had stepped close to Lewis--so close that the latter did not need to advance a foot Instead, he held his ground, and the challenger, accepting this as a sign of willingness for battle, rushed at hirapple after the fashi+on of his kind To his surprise, he was held off by the leveled forearainst his throat
At this rebuff he roared like a bull, and breaking back rushed in onceback half a step, and then, so quickly that none saw the blow, but only its result was visible, he shi+fted on his feet, leaned into his thrust, and ser so fell a stroke in the throat as laid hiht was ended all too soon to suit the wishes of the spectators, used to asp, a half roar of surprise and anger, caround Soly Theyof whose well-oiled rifle-locks offered the s
The sudden appearance of these visitors, so silent and so prompt--the swift act of their leader, without threat, without warning--the instant readiness of the others to back their leader's initiative--caught every one of these rude fighting rip of surprise They hesitated
”I a to them; ”yet neither may I be insulted by any lout who chooses to call me ashore to thrash him Do you think that an officer of the army has no better business than that? Who are you that would stop us?”
The group fell back ht have occurred in case they had reached their arms was prevented by the action of the party of the first part in this _rencontre_--of the second part, perhaps, he ht better have been called The fallen warrior sat up, rubbing his throat; he struggled to his knees, and at length stood There was so of rude river chivalry about him, after all
”An officer, did ye say?” said he ”Oh, wirra! What have I done now, and ed orrah, I felt both me eyes to see if they was in! Ye done it fair, and ye're an officer and a gintleman, whoever ye be I'd like to shake hands with ye!”
”I a hands with ruffians who insult travelers,” Captain Lewis sternly rejoined; but he saw the crestfallen look which swept over the strong face of the other ”There, man,” said he, ”since you seem toby the rebuke, now began to sniffle
”Sor,” said he, ”I am no ruffian I am a soldier meself, and on me way to join me company at Kaskasky, down below Me time was out awhile back, and I ca before I enlisted again Nohat ive tofor awhile, and I'ood wan, though I do say it Me record is clean I aoons, the sah ye are not in uniforh ye are an officer Sor, I ask yer pardon--'twas only the whisky made me feel sportin' like at the time, do ye mind?”
”Gass, Patrick Gass, you said?”
”Yis, sor, of the Tinth Barrin' ood soldier There are stripes on in' in the barracks down below”
Lewis stood looking curiously at the rip he had felt in his own He cast an eye over his erect figure, his easy and natural dropping into the position of a soldier
”You say the Tenth?” said he briefly ”You have been with the colors?
Look here, ht back to Kaskasky for it, sor”
”Why not enlist with us? I needtrip, like enough You seem a well-built man, and you have seen service I know ood teo?”
”I could not say, sor I would have to ask leave at Kaskasky I gavehere in the East, ye see”
”I'll take care of that I have full authority to recruit a enlisted oin' up the Missouri? Then I know yez--yez are the Captain Lewis that has been buildin' the big boat the last two ton”
”Yes, and from the Ohio country before then--and Kentucky, too I am to join Captain Clark at the Point of Rocks on the Ohio I need another oar Coh for you to decide”
”I'll need not the half of two!” rejoined Patrick Gass promptly ”Give me leave of my captain, and I am with yez! There is nothin' in the world I'd liever see than the great plains and the buffalo 'Tis fond of travel I am, and I'd like to see the ind of the world before I die”
”You will co the end of it with us as anywhere else I know,” rejoined Lewis quietly ”Get your war-bag and come aboard”