Part 63 (2/2)
Fledra had wedged herself more tightly into the corner, hugging the snarling s.n.a.t.c.het closer. As she backed, the scowman came nearer, his hot breath flooding her face.
”Put down that there dorg!” he hissed. s.n.a.t.c.het did not cease growling, and the baring of his teeth sent Lem back a step or two. ”If he bites me, Flea, I'll knock his brains clean plumb out of him!”
With this threat, the scowman came to her again, stretching out his left hand to touch her. s.n.a.t.c.het sent out a bark that was half-yelp and half-growl, and before the man could withdraw his fingers the dog had buried his teeth deep in them. With a wrathful cry, the scowman jumped back, then lunged forward, wrenched the dog from Fledra's arms, and pitched him over the edge of the barge into the lake. The girl heard the dog give a frightened howl, and saw the splash of water in the moonlight as he fell.
He was all she had--a yellow bit she had taken with her from the promised land, a morsel of the life that both she and Floyd loved. With a shove that sent Lem backward, she freed herself and peered over the side. s.n.a.t.c.het had come to the surface, and in his vain effort to reach the scow his small paws were making large watery rings, which contorted the reflection of the moon strangely. He seemed so little, so powerless in the vast expanse, that Fledra, forgetful of her skirts and the handicap they would put upon her, leaped from the scow. Lem saw the water close over her head, and for many seconds only little bubbles and ripples disturbed that part of the lake where her body had sunk. An instant he stood hesitant, then he rushed to the bow.
”Lon, Lon!” he roared. ”Flea's jumped overboard!”
The churning of the tug suddenly stopped, and the ca.n.a.lman saw Lon's big body pa.s.s through the moonlight into the water.
The scow was soon close to the tug, and together Lem and Middy Burnes examined the lake's surface for a sight of the man and the girl. Many minutes pa.s.sed. Then a shout from the rear sent Lem running to the stern of the scow which was now at a standstill. He looked down, and on Lon's arm he saw Fledra, pressing s.n.a.t.c.het against her breast. With his other hand the squatter was clinging to the rudder.
”Here she is!” Cronk called. ”Grab her up, Lem!”
The scowman relieved Lon of his burden and carried the half-drowned girl below, whither the squatter, dripping with water, quickly followed.
s.n.a.t.c.het was directly in his path, and he kicked the dog under the table. At the yelp, Fledra lifted her head, and Lon bent over her.
”What'd ye jump in the lake for, Flea?” he asked.
Still somewhat dazed, Fledra failed to answer.
”Were ye meanin' to drown yer self?”
The girl shook her head, and glanced fearfully at Lem. ”Were ye a worryin' her, Lem Crabbe?” demanded the squatter hoa.r.s.ely.
”I were a tryin' to kiss her,” growled Lem. ”A man can kiss his own woman, can't he? And that dog bit me. Look at them fingers!” Through the dim candlelight Lem's sullenness answered the dark look that Lon threw on him.
”I don't give a d.a.m.n for yer fingers,” Lon snarled, ”and she ain't yer woman yet, and she wouldn't be nuther, if ye weren't the cussedest man livin'. Now listen while I tell ye this: If ye don't let that gal be, ye'll never get her, and I'll smack yer head off ye, if I has to say that again! Do ye want me to say that ye can't never have her?”
”Nope,” cowered Lem.
”Then mind yer own business and get out of this here cabin! I'll see to Flea.”
Fledra had faith that Lon Cronk would do as he promised. How often had there come to her mind the times when she was but a little girl the squatter had said when he would whip her, and she had waited in s.h.i.+vering terror through the long day until the big thief returned home--he never forgot his anger of the morning. Fledra winced as her imagination brought back the deliberate blows that had fallen upon her bare skin, and tears rushed to her lids at the memory of Floyd's cries, when he, too, had suffered under the strength of the powerful squatter.
She was glad she could now at least rest free from Lem until the hut was reached, and then, if only something should happen to soften Cronk's heart, how hard she would work for him!
The next morning the barge approached the squatter settlement, and Fledra was once more on deck. She wondered what Floyd had said when he received her letter, and if he believed that she had gone of her own free will. What had Ann said--and Horace? The thought of her lover caused bitter tears to rain between her fingers. But she stifled her sobs, and a tiny, happy flutter brightened her heart when she thought of how she had saved them all. Below she heard a conversation between Lem and Lon, and listened.
She first heard the voice of the squatter: ”It's almost over, Lem, and then we'll go back to stealin' when ye get Flea. She can be a lot of use to us.”
”But what ye goin' to say to that feller if he comes up tomorry?”
”He can go to h.e.l.l!” growled Cronk.
<script>