Part 17 (1/2)
”Very well; that settles it, then. You keep your promise, and all will go well.”
The two shook hands: then Redburn turned and strode back to dismiss his forces, while d.i.c.k and his men took up their position at the place where the fissure opened into the gulch. Here they made preparations to camp. Redburn, while returning to his men, heard a shout of joy, and looking up, saw, to his surprise, that the old ”General” and Alice Terry were locked in each other's arms, in a loving embrace.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote D: This crusher is said to have been the first introduced into the Black Hills]
CHAPTER XIII.
AT THE CABIN.
What did it mean?
Had the old hump-backed, bow-legged mine-locater gone crazy, or was he purposely insulting the beautiful maiden? Fearless Frank stood aside, apparently offering no objections to the hugging, and the Indians did likewise.
At least Miss Terry made no serious attempts to free herself from the ”General's” bear-like embrace.
A few bounds brought Redburn to the spot, panting, breathless, perspiring. ”What is the meaning of this disgraceful scene?” he demanded, angrily.
”Disgraceful!” The old ”General” set Miss Terry down on her feet, after giving her a resounding smack, and turned to stare at the young miner, in astonishment. ”Disgraceful! Waal, young man, ter tell the solid Old Testament truth, more or less--consider'bly less o' more 'n more o' less--I admire yer cheek, hard an' unblus.h.i.+n' as et ar'. Ye call my givin' this pretty piece o' feminine gander a squar', fatherly sort o' a hug, _disgraceful_, do ye? Think et's all out o' ther bounds o' propriety, do ye?”
”I look at it in that light, yes,” Redburn replied.
”Haw! haw! haw!” and the General shook his fat sides with immoderate laughter. ”Why, pilgrim-tender-fut, this 'ere hundred an' twenty-six pounds o' feminine gender b'longs to me--ter yours, truly, Walsingham Nix--an' I have a parfec' indervidual right ter hug an' kiss her as much as I please, wi'out brookin' enny interference frum you. Alice, dear, this ar' Harry Redburn, ginerall sup'intendent o' ther Flower Pocket gold-mines, an' 'bout as fair specimen as they make, nowadays.
Mr. Redburn, I'll formally present you to Miss Alice Terry, _my darter!_”
Redburn colored, and was not a little disconcerted on account of his blunder; but he rallied in a moment, and acknowledged the introduction with becoming grace and dignity.
”You must excuse my interference,” he said, earnestly. ”I saw the old 'General' here taking liberties that no stranger should take, and knowing nothing of the relations.h.i.+p existing between you, I was naturally inclined to think that he was either drunk or crazy; therefore I deemed it necessary to investigate. No offense, I hope.”
”Of course not.” and Alice smiled one of her sweetest smiles. ”You did perfectly right and are deserving of no censure, whatever.”
After a few moments of desultory conversation, Redburn took the ”General” to one side, and spoke on the subject of Fearless Frank and Anita Harris--of his action in the matter, and so forth. Nix--or Terry, as the latter was evidently his real name--heartily coincided with his views, and both agreed that it was best not to let the Scarlet Boy come within range of Anita, or, at least, not till Ned Harris should return, when he could do as he chose.
Accordingly it was decided that Fearless Frank should be set to work in the quartz mine, that being the furthest from the cabin, and he could eat and sleep either in the mine or in the crusher building, whichever he liked best.
After settling this point the two men rejoined the others, and Frank was apprised of their decision. He made no remarks upon it, but it was plain to see that he was anything but satisfied. His wild spirit yearned for constant freedom.
The Utes were dismissed and sent back to their work; the ”General”
strolled off with McKenzie toward the quartz mine; it devolved upon Redburn to escort Alice to the cabin, which he did with pleasure, and gave her an introduction to sweet, sad-faced Anita, who awaited their coming in the open doorway.
The two girls greeted each other with warmth; it was apparent that they would become fast friends when they learned more of each other.
As for Redburn, he was secretly enamored with the ”General's” pretty daughter; she was beautiful, and evidently accomplished, and her progenitor was financially well-to-do. What then was lacking to make her a fitting mate for any man? Redburn pondered deeply on this subject, as he left the girls together, and went out to see to his duties in the mines.
He found Terry and Fearless Frank in the quartz mine, looking at the swarthy-skinned miners; examining new projected slopes; suggesting easier methods for working out different lumps of gold-bearing rock.
While the former's knowledge of practical mining was extended, the latter's was limited.
”I think thet thar ar' bigger prospects yet, in further,” the old locater was saying. ”I ain't much va.r.s.ed on jeeological an'