Part 9 (1/2)
He crossed the river to announce his official instructions, and was met by a squad of daring, resolute fellows, armed and ready for a fight.
Their leader, a tall, red-headed, serious-looking man, opened the conference with scant ceremony. Looking the youthful officer squarely in the eye, he slowly drawled:
”Young man, we have defied the gov'ment once befo' when they sent their boys up here to steal our mines. Now, ef yer know when yer well off, you'll let honest white men alone and quit sidin' with Injuns--”
There was no mistaking his accent. He meant war.
The Lieutenant's answer came in quick, even, tones:
”The United States Government has ordered your removal, gentlemen. My business as a soldier is to obey. I shall be sorry to use force. But I'll do it, if it's necessary. I suggest a private interview with your leader--” he nodded to the red-headed man.
”Sure!”
”Talk it over!”
”All right.”
The men from all sides gave their approval. The leader hesitated a moment, and measured the tall, straight young officer. He didn't like this wrestle at close quarters with those penetrating eyes and the trained mind behind them. But with a toss of his red locks he muttered:
”All right, fire away--you can talk your head off, for all the good it'll do ye.”
They walked off together a few yards and sat down.
With the friendliest smile the Lieutenant extended his hand:
”Before we begin our chat, let's shake hands?”
”Certain--sh.o.r.e--”
The brawny hand clasped his.
”I want you to know,” the young officer continued earnestly, ”my real feelings toward you and your men. I've been out here four years with you fellows, pus.h.i.+ng the flag into the wilderness, and the more I see of you the better I like you. I know real men when I see them. You're strong, generous, brave, and you do things. You're building a great republic on this frontier of the world. I've known your hospitality. You've had little education in the schools, but you're trained for this big work in the only school that counts out here--the School of Danger and Struggle and Experience--”
The brawny hand was lifted in a helpless sort of protest:
”Look a here, Boy, you're goin' ter bamboozle me, I kin jist feel it in my bones--”
”On the other hand,” the Lieutenant continued eagerly, ”I a.s.sure you I am going to treat you and your friends with the profoundest respect.
It's due you. Let's reason this thing out. You've taken up these mines under the old right of first discovery--”
”Yes, and they're ours, too,”--the lean jaws came together with a snap.
”So I say. But it will take a little time and a little patience to establish your claims. The Indian, you know, holds the first rights to this land--”
”T'ell with Injuns!”
”Even so, isn't it better to first settle their claims and avoid war?”
”Mebbe so.”