登陆注册
26112900000080

第80章

"Lucy, I'm a wild-horse hunter," he went on, thoughtfully, as if speaking to himself."I never failed on a trail.I could track you over bare rock.""Lin, I'll leave a trail, so never fear," she replied."But don't borrow trouble.You're always afraid for me.Look at the bright side.Dad seems to have forgotten you.Maybe it all isn't so bad as we thought.Oh, I hope so!.

..How is my horse, Wildfire? I want to ride him again.I can hardly keep from going after him."And so they whispered while the moments swiftly passed.

It was early during the afternoon of the next day that Slone, hearing the clip-clop of unshod ponies, went outside to look.One part of the lane he could see plainly, and into it stalked Joel Creech, leading the leanest and gauntest ponies Slone had ever seen.A man as lean and gaunt as the ponies stalked behind.

The sight shocked Slone.Joel Creech and his father! Slone had no proof, because he had never seen the elder Creech, yet strangely he felt convinced of it.And grim ideas began to flash into his mind.Creech would hear who was accused of cutting the boat adrift.What would he say? If he believed, as all the villagers believed, then Bostil's Ford would become an unhealthy place for Lin Slone.Where were the great race-horses--Blue Roan and Peg--and the other thoroughbreds? A pang shot through Slone.

"Oh, not lost--not starved?" he muttered."That would be hell!"Yet he believed just this had happened.How strange he had never considered such an event as the return of Creech.

"I'd better look him up before he looks me," said Slone.

It took but an instant to strap on his belt and gun.Then Slone strode down his path, out into the lane toward Brackton's.Whatever before boded ill to Slone had been nothing to what menaced him now.He would have a man to face--a man whom repute called just, but stern.

Before Slone reached the vicinity of the store he saw riders come out to meet the Creech party.It so happened there were more riders than usually frequented Brackton's at that hour.The old storekeeper came stumbling out and raised his hands.The riders could be heard, loud-voiced and excited.Slone drew nearer, and the nearer he got the swifter he strode.Instinct told him that he was ****** the right move.He would face this man whom he was accused of ruining.The poor mustangs hung their heads dejectedly.

"Bags of bones," some rider loudly said.

And then Slone drew dose to the excited group.Brackton held the center; he was gesticulating; his thin voice rose piercingly.

"Creech! Whar's Peg an' the Roan? Gawd Almighty, man! You ain't meanin' them cayuses thar are all you've got left of thet grand bunch of hosses?"There was scarcely a sound.All the riders were still.Slone fastened his eyes on Creech.He saw a gaunt, haggard face almost black with dust --worn and sad--with big eyes of terrible gloom.He saw an unkempt, ragged form that had been wet and muddy, and was now dust-caked.

Creech stood silent in a dignity of despair that wrung Slone's heart.His silence was an answer.It was Joel Creech who broke the suspense.

"Didn't I tell you-all what'd happen?" he shrilled."PARCHED AN' STARVED!""Aw no!" chorused the riders.

Brackton shook all over.Tears dimmed his eyes--tears that he had no shame for."So help me Gawd--I'm sorry!" was his broken exclamation.

Slone had forgotten himself and possible revelation concerning him.But when Holley appeared close to him with a significant warning look, Slone grew keen once more on his own account.He felt a hot flame inside him--a deep and burning anger at the man who might have saved Creech's horses.And he, like Brackton, felt sorrow for Creech, and a rider's sense of loss, of pain.These horses--these dumb brutes-- faithful and sometimes devoted, had to suffer an agonizing death because of the selfishness of men.

"I reckon we'd all like to hear what come off, Creech, if you don't feel too bad to tell us," said Brackton.

"Gimme a drink," replied Creech.

"Wal, d--n my old head!" exclaimed Brackton."I'm gittin' old.Come on in.All of you! We're glad to see Creech home."The riders filed in after Brackton and the Creeches.Holley stayed close beside Slone, both of them in the background.

同类推荐
  • 佛说诸德福田经

    佛说诸德福田经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 吴普本草

    吴普本草

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 本草蒙筌

    本草蒙筌

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 怀麓堂诗话

    怀麓堂诗话

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 佛说如幻三昧经

    佛说如幻三昧经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
热门推荐
  • 娇妃难宠

    娇妃难宠

    “朕,即使是娶了你,也不代表你便可以得到朕的宠爱,即日起,你便只是一个失宠的妃子。”他决绝的说。她定定的看着他,只是淡淡的笑着说:“那便给我自由。”
  • 军事,国家的骨骼

    军事,国家的骨骼

    在地球上,战争比和平更早出现。从人类开始出现,为争夺食物、栖息地,而发展出战争。战争从未曾长久停歇过,它几乎在每一个国家都存在过。中国各个朝代的灭亡与崛起,军事战争起到了决定性的作用。该书通过描述古代的战争史,展现这种文化的独特性,让人了解战争的偶然性和必然性,从而更好地指引自己的价值观,人生观。
  • tfboys:有你在,真好

    tfboys:有你在,真好

    王俊凯,王源,易烊千玺,三个拥有帅气的外貌,优秀的品质的男孩,苏向晚的芳心终会落在谁身上?(不要上升到真人)(我是学生党,更文会慢,求体谅)我是双子布丁星,是个新手。欢迎加入双子布丁星,群号码:562059989卖萌打滚么么哒(*^3^)宝宝我很好勾搭的,快来勾搭我!*^o^*
  • 奇风之子

    奇风之子

    故事起源于一个很古老的大陆,主角诞生于一个边陲小镇,面对兽人入侵,父亲早早离开自己。灾难有天降临这个边陲小村,村子毁于一旦,背负着全村人的仇恨,背负着众人的不解,主角踏上自己的征程,周游列国,遇侏儒,助矮人,守精灵,战巨人,闯龙谷,爱恨情仇纠缠一身,风天心能否从这跌拓起伏的命运中摆脱出来?群院大赛,能否夺魁;战士工会大赛,魔法工会大赛,是否技压群雄;佣兵王之争,究竟花落谁家;战诸国群雄,能否找出幕后真凶;与黑暗势力的较量,究竟孰强孰弱;最后凶手面貌揭露,自己究竟能否下手呢?
  • 语文新课标课外必读第五辑——爱的教育

    语文新课标课外必读第五辑——爱的教育

    国家教育部颁布了最新《语文课程标准》,统称新课标,对中、小学语文教学指定了阅读书目,对阅读的数量、内容、质量以及速度都提出了明确的要求,这对于提高学生的阅读能力,培养语文素养,陶冶情操,促进学生终身学习和终身可持续发展,对于提高广大人民的文学素养具有极大的意义。
  • 只想遇见你

    只想遇见你

    一个人徘徊在陌生的街道,只是灯光下那孤独的背影。有时候只想吹着海风,看着海景,眺望着太阳的余晖。再一次的回首,再一次的步履蹒跚,不只是一个人走。她只是一个平平凡凡的女孩,比别努力,比别人幸苦,到头来还不只是一场浮云。就要放弃吗?不,那不是她想要的。再一次华丽的转身她遇见了他,该怎么办,一次次的邂逅。是该转身离去,还是该义无反顾的留下来。她的命运该有怎样的抉择呢·········
  • 细雨霏霏

    细雨霏霏

    她送一只猫回家,结果不小新惹来一个男人,还差点要了他的命。当她以为这件事已经过去的时候,这个男人找上门来了。强大的帝国总裁,岂容一个小小的女人欺负了?所以,他用尽手段,折磨她玩弄她,将她逼到绝路。可是,当她从他眼前消失的时候,他才发现,自己也丢了心。
  • 主神兑换系统

    主神兑换系统

    平凡的高中生意外的得到了兑换系统,而灵点则是与之兑换所需的货币。本该如同常人一样生活的他却在系统的改变下慢慢的变强,并且更加的深入了社会。以往永远不可能与他有任何交集的人和事都纷至沓来,直到......
  • 南北风味小炒

    南北风味小炒

    《南北风味小炒》教您制作天南海北各色家常菜、养生菜,最常吃、最经典的家常美食,最全面、最深入的菜品解析,营养知识,烹饪技法,厨事窍门,集权威专家与身边百姓共同的智慧,倾力打造出让您一学就会的家常菜谱!营养健康,菜点交融,家常易铸,南北皆宜。让您的家人吃到美味,永保健康。
  • 冰封的心还在那儿

    冰封的心还在那儿

    很多的时候在我们身边都会发生很多的情感问题。然而我们处于这样的一个事情中很难做出正确的选择,在自己激动,冲动的时候做出的事情都是不经过大脑的,我以前是,现在也是。我不知道还有多少人是像我一样的执着,我只是我,我的作品我懂,那么你们呢?