Part 108 (2/2)
There was nothing remarkable in the behaviour of the horse; he was simply following the lead of his dismounted rider.
But the man--what was he doing? In his movements there was something peculiar--something that would have puzzled an uninitiated spectator.
It did not puzzle Zeb Stump; or but for a second of time.
Almost the instant his eye fell upon it, he read the meaning of the manoeuvre, and mutteringly p.r.o.nounced it to himself.
”Oblitturatin' the print o' the broken shoe, or tryin' to do thet same!
'Taint no use, Mister Cash Calhoun--no manner o' use. Ye've made yur fut marks too deep to deceive _me_; an by the Eturnal I'll foller them, though they shed conduck me into the fires o' h.e.l.l?”
As the backwoodsman terminated his blasphemous apostrophe, the man to whom it pointed, having finished his task of obscuration, once more leaped into his saddle, and hurried on.
On foot the tracker followed; though without showing any anxiety about keeping him in sight.
There was no need for that. The sleuth hound on a fresh slot could not be more sure of again viewing his victim, than was Zeb Stump of coming up with his. No chicanery of the chapparal--no twistings or doublings-- could save Calhoun now.
The tracker advanced freely; not expecting to make halt again, till he should come within sight of Casa del Corvo.
Little blame to him that his reckoning proved wrong. Who could have foretold such an interruption as that occasioned by the encounter between Ca.s.sius Calhoun and Isidora Covarubio de los Llanos?
Though at sight of it, taken by surprise--perhaps something more--Zeb did not allow his feelings to betray his presence near the spot.
On the contrary, it seemed to stimulate him to increased caution.
Turning noiselessly round, he whispered some cabalistic words into the care of his ”critter;” and then stole silently forward under cover of the acacias.
Without remonstrance, or remark, the mare followed. He soon came to a fall stop--his animal doing the same, in imitation so exact as to appear its counterpart.
A thick growth of mezquite trees separated him from the two individuals, by this time engaged in a lively interchange of speech.
He could not see them, without exposing himself to the danger of being detected in his eaves-dropping; but he heard what they said all the same.
He kept his place--listening till the _horse trade_ was concluded, and for some time after.
Only when they had separated, and both taken departure did he venture to come forth from his cover.
Standing upon the spot lately occupied by the ”swoppers,” and looking ”both ways at once,” he exclaimed--
”Geehosophat! thur's a compack atween a _he_ an' _she_-devil; an' durn'd ef I kin tell, which hez got the bessest o' the bargin!”
CHAPTER EIGHTY.
A DOORWAY WELL WATCHED.
It was some time before Zeb Stump sallied forth from the covert where he had been witness to the ”horse swop.” Not till both the bargainers had ridden entirely out of sight. Then he went not after either; but stayed upon the spot, as if undecided which he should follow.
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