Part 28 (1/2)

Indeed, it is owing to the cheap accommodation thus afforded--often of the most convenient kind--that the latter can scarce be said to exist.

Even in the larger cities of the Atlantic states the ”club” is by no means a necessity. The moderate charges of the hotels, along with their excellent _cuisine_ and elegant accommodations, circ.u.mscribe the prosperity of this inst.i.tution; which in America is, and ever must be, an unhealthy exotic.

The remark is still more true of the Southern and South-western cities; where the ”saloon” and ”bar-room” are the chief places of resort and rendezvous.

The company, too, is there of a more miscellaneous character. The proud planter does not disdain--for he does not dare--to drink in the same room with the ”poor white trash;” often as proud as himself.

There is no _peasant_ in that part of the world--least of all in the state called Texas; and in the saloon of ”Rough and Ready” might often be seen a.s.sembled representatives of every cla.s.s and calling to be met with among the settlements.

Perhaps not upon any occasion since ”Old Duffer” had hung out the sign of his tavern, was he favoured with a larger company, or served more customers across his counter, than upon that night, after the return of the horse-hunting party to Fort Inge.

With the exception of the ladies, almost every one who had taken part in the expedition seemed to think that a half-hour spent at the ”Rough and Ready” was necessary as a ”nightcap” before retiring to rest; and as the Dutch clock, quaintly ticking among the coloured decanters, indicated the hour of eleven, one after another--officers of the Fort--planters living near along the river--Sutlers--commissariat contractors--”sportsmen”--and others who might be called nondescripts-- came dropping in; each as he entered marching straight up to the counter, calling for his favourite drink, and then falling back to converse with some group already occupying the floor.

One of these groups was conspicuous. It consisted of some eight or ten individuals, half of them in uniform. Among the latter were the three officers already introduced; the captain of infantry, and the two lieutenants--Hanc.o.c.k of the dragoons, and Crossman of the mounted rifles.

Along with these was an officer older than any of them, also higher in authority, as could be told by the embroidery on his shoulder-strap, that proclaimed him of the rank of major. As he was the only ”field officer” at Fort Inge, it is unnecessary to say he was the commandant of the cantonment.

These gentlemen were conversing as freely as if all were subalterns of equal rank--the subject of the discourse being the incidents of the day.

”Now tell us, major!” said Hanc.o.c.k: ”you must know. Where did the girl gallop to?”

”How should I know?” answered the officer appealed to. ”Ask her cousin, Mr Ca.s.sius Calhoun.”

”We have asked him, but without getting any satisfaction. It's clear he knows no more than we. He only met them on the return--and not very far from the place where we had our bivouac. They were gone a precious long time; and judging by the sweat of their horses they must have had a hard ride of it. They might have been to the Rio Grande, for that matter, and beyond it.”

”Did you notice Calhoun as he came back?” inquired the captain of infantry. ”There was a scowl upon his face that betokened some very unpleasant emotion within his mind, I should say.”

”He did look rather unhappy,” replied the major; ”but surely, Captain Sloman, you don't attribute it to--?”

”Jealousy. I do, and nothing else.”

”What! of Maurice the mustanger? Poh--poh! impossible--at least, very improbable.”

”And why, major?”

”My dear Sloman, Louise Poindexter is a lady, and Maurice Gerald--”

”May be a gentleman for aught that is known to the contrary.”

”Pshaw!” scornfully exclaimed Crossman; ”a trader in horses! The major is right--the thing's improbable--impossible.”

”Ah, gentlemen!” pursued the officer of infantry, with a significant shake of the head. ”You don't know Miss Poindexter, so well as I. An eccentric young lady--to say the least of her. You may have already observed that for yourselves.”

”Come, come, Sloman!” said the major, in a bantering way; ”you are inclined to be talking scandal, I fear. That would be a scandal.

Perhaps you are yourself interested in Miss Poindexter, notwithstanding your pretensions to be considered a Joseph? Now, I could understand your being jealous if it were handsome Hanc.o.c.k here, or Crossman-- supposing him to be disengaged. But as for a common mustanger--poh-- poh!”

”He's an Irishman, major, this mustanger; and if he be what I have some reason to suspect--”

”Whatever he be,” interrupted the major, casting a side glance towards the door, ”he's there to answer for himself; and as he's a sufficiently plain-spoken fellow, you may learn from him all about the matter that seems to be of so much interest to you.”