Part 17 (1/2)

Putman and Salisbury both looked back. Said the one, grimly:

”They are not coming to answer the militia call; they have rifles but neither regimentals nor packs.”

Said the other: ”I wish we were clean split at Fonda's Bush, so that an honest man might know when 'neighbor' spells 'traitor' in low Dutch.”

”Some riddles are best solved by bullets,” muttered the other. ”Who argues with wolves or plays cat's-cradle with catamounts!”

Glancing again over my shoulder, I saw that the two behind us were mending their pace and must soon come up with us. And so they did, Putman giving them a civil good-day.

”Have you any news, John Drogue?” inquired young Helmer.

I replied that I had none to share with him, meaning only that I had no news at all. But Cady took it otherwise and his flat-featured face reddened violently, as though the pox were coming out on him.

And, ”What the devil,” says he, ”does this young, forest-running c.o.c.kerel mean? And why should he not share his news with John Helmer here,--yes, or with me, too, by G.o.d, or yet with any true man in County Tryon?”

I said that I had not intended any such meaning; that he mistook me; and that I had aimed at no discourtesy to anybody.

”And safer for you, too!” retorted Cady in a loud and threatening tone.

”A boy's wisdom lies in his silence.”

”Johnny Helmer asked a question of me,” said I quietly. ”I replied as best I knew how.”

”Yes, and I'll ask a dozen questions if I like!” shouted Cady. ”Don't think to bully me or cast aspersions on my political complexion!”

”If,” said I, ”your political complexion be no clearer than your natural one, G.o.d only can tell what ferments under your skin.”

At which he seemed so taken aback that he answered nothing; but Helmer urgently demanded to know what political views I pretended to carry.

”I wear mine on my back,” said I pleasantly, glancing around at both Helmer and Cady, who bore no packs on their backs in earnest of their readiness for service.

”You are a d.a.m.ned impudent boy!” retorted Cady, ”whatever may be your politics or your complexion.”

Salisbury and Putman looked around at him in troubled silence, and he said no more for the moment. But Helmer's handsome features darkened again: and, ”I'll not be put upon,” said he, ”whatever Charlie Cady stomachs! Who is Jack Drogue to flaunt his pack and his politics under my nose!

”And,” he added, looking angrily at me, ”by every natural right a gentleman should be a King's man. So if your politics stink somewhat of Boston, you are doubly suspect as an ingrate to the one side and a favour-currying servant to the other!”

I said: ”Had Sir William lived to see this day in Tryon, I think he, also, would be wearing his regimentals as I do, and to the same purpose.”

Cady burst into a jeering laugh: ”Say as much to Sir John! Go to the Hall and say to Sir John that his father, had he lived, would this day be sending out a district militia call! Tell him that, young c.o.c.kerel, if you desire a flogging at the guard-house.”

”You know more of floggings than do I,” said I quietly. Which stopt his mouth. For, despite my scarcity of years, I had given him a sound beating the year before, being so hara.s.sed and pestered by him because I had answered the militia-call on the day that General Schuyler marched up and disarmed Sir John's Highlanders at the Hall.

Putman, beside whom I was marching, turned to me and said, loud enough for all to hear: ”You are only a lad, John Drogue, but I bear witness that you display the patience and good temper of a grown man. For if Charlie Cady, here, had picked on me as he has on you, he sure had tasted my rifle-b.u.t.t before now!”

”Neighbors must bear with one another in such times,” said I, ”and help each other stamp down the earth where the war-axe lies buried.”

And, ”d.a.m.n you!” shouts Cady at a halt, ”I shall not stir a step more to be insulted. I shall not budge one inch, bell or no bell, call or no call!----”

But Helmer dropped to the rear and got him by the elbow and pulled him forward; and I heard them whispering together behind us as we hastened on.

Herman Salisbury said: ”A pair of real tree-cats, old Tom and little Kit! I'm in half a mind to turn them back!” And he swung his brown rifle from the shoulder and let it drop to the hollow of his left arm--an insult and a menace to any man.