Part 37 (1/2)

Lablache heard the old man's remark as the latter pa.s.sed out, and a bitter feeling of resentment rose within him. He felt that everything was against him. His evil nature, however, would not let him remain long desponding. He ground his teeth and cursed bitterly. It had only wanted a fillip such as this to rouse him from the curious lethargic hopelessness into which the terrible night's doings had cast him.

The moment the three men got away from the store, Doctor Abbot drew attention to the money-lender's words.

”Going to cross the keg, eh? Well, if he's really discovered the path it's certainly the best thing to do. He's a sharp man is Horrocks.”

”He's a fool!”

Bill's words were so emphatic that both men stared at him. If they were startled at his words, they were still more startled at the set expression of his face. Doctor Abbot thought he had never seen the _insouciant_ Bill so roused out of himself.

”Why--how?”

”How? I tell you, man, that no one knows that path except--except--Retief, and, supposing Horrocks has discovered it, if he attempts to cross, there can only be one result to his mad folly. I tell you what it is, the man should be stopped. It's absolute suicide--nothing more nor less.”

Something in the emphasis of ”Lord” Bill's words kept the others silent until the doctor left them at his home. Then as the two men hurried out across the prairie towards the ranch, the conversation turned back to the events of the previous evening.

At the ranch they found Jacky awaiting the old man's return, on the veranda. She was surprised when she saw who was with him. Her surprise was a pleasant one, however, and she extended her hand in cordial welcome.

”Come right in, Bill. Gee, but you look fit--and slick.”

The two young people smiled into each other's faces, and no onlooker, not even the observant Aunt Margaret, could have detected the understanding which pa.s.sed in that look. Jacky was radiant. Her sweet, dark face was slightly flushed. There were no tell-tale rings about her dark eyes. For all sign she gave to the contrary she might have enjoyed the full measure of a night's rest. Her visit to the Breed camp, or, for that matter, any other adventures which had befallen her during the night, had left no trace on her beautiful face.

”I've brought the boy up to feed,” said old John. ”I guess we'll get right to it. I've got a 'twist' on me that'll take considerable to satisfy.”

The meal pa.s.sed pleasantly enough. The conversation naturally was chiefly confined to the events of the night. But somehow the others did not respond very eagerly to the old rancher's evident interest and concern. Most of the talking--most of the theorizing--most of the suggestions for the stamping out of the scourge, Retief, came from him, the others merely contenting themselves with agreeing to his suggestions with a lack of interest which, had the old man been perfectly sober, he could not have failed to observe. However, he was especially obtuse this morning, and was too absorbed in his own impracticable theories and suggestions to notice the others' lack of interest.

At the conclusion of the meal the rancher took himself off down to the settlement again. He must endeavor to draw Lablache, he said. He would not wait for him to come to the ranch.

Jacky and Bill went out on to the veranda, and watched the old man as he set out with unsteady gait for the settlement.

”Bill,” said the girl, as soon as her uncle was out of earshot, ”what news?”

”Two items of interest One, the very best, and the other--the very worst.”

”Which means?”

”No one has the least suspicion of us; and Horrocks, the madman, intends to attempt the pa.s.sage of the keg.”

”Lord” Bill jaws shut with a snap as he ceased speaking. The look which accompanied his last announcement was one of utter dejection. Jacky did not reply for an instant, her great eyes had taken on a look of deep anxiety as she gazed towards the muskeg.

”Bill, can nothing be done to stop him?” She gazed appealingly up into the face of the tall figure beside her. ”He is a brave man, if foolish.”

”That's just it, dear. He's headstrong and means to see this thing through. Had I thought that he would ever dream of contemplating such a suicidal feat as attempting that path, I'd never have let him see the cattle cross last night. My G.o.d! it turns me sick to think of it.”

”Hush, Bill, don't talk so loud. Do you think any one could dissuade him? Lablache, or--or uncle, for instance.”

Bunning-Ford shook his head. His look was troubled.

”Horrocks is not the man to be turned from his purpose,” he replied.

”And besides, Lablache would not attempt such a thing. He is too keen to capture--Relief,” with a bitter laugh. ”A life more or less would not upset that scoundrel's resolve. As for your uncle,” with a shrug, ”I don't think he's the man for the task. No, Jacky,” he went on, with a sigh, ”we must let things take their course now. We have embarked on this business. We mustn't weaken. His blood be upon his own head.”