第24章
"A very good place to go back to,--through Thompson's Pass.But you haven't answered our proposal.""I reckon I don't intend to sell this house,or leave it,"said Collinson simply.
"I trust you will not make us regret the fortunate termination of your little accident,Mr.Collinson,"said the orator with a singular smile."May I ask why you object to selling out?Is it the figure?""The house isn't mine,"said Collinson deliberately."I built this yer house for my wife wot I left in Mizzouri.It's hers.Ikalkilate to keep it,and live in it ontil she comes fur it!And when I tell ye that she is dead,ye kin reckon just what chance ye have of ever gettin'it."There was an unmistakable start of sensation in the room,followed by a silence so profound that the moaning of the wind on the mountain-side was distinctly heard.A well-built man,with a mask that scarcely concealed his heavy mustachios,who had been standing with his back to the orator in half contemptuous patience,faced around suddenly and made a step forward as if to come between the questioner and questioned.A voice from the corner ejaculated,"By G--d!""Silence,"said the orator sharply.Then still more harshly he turned to the others "Pick him up,and stand him outside with a guard;and then clear out,all of you!"The prisoner was lifted up and carried out;the room was instantly cleared;only the orator and the man who had stepped forward remained.Simultaneously they drew the masks from their faces,and stood looking at each other.The orator's face was smooth and corrupt;the full,sensual lips wrinkled at the corners with a sardonic humor;the man who confronted him appeared to be physically and even morally his superior,albeit gloomy and discontented in expression.He cast a rapid glance around the room,to assure himself that they were alone;and then,straightening his eyebrows as he backed against the chimney,said:--"D--d if I like this,Chivers!It's your affair;but it's mighty low-down work for a man!""You might have made it easier if you hadn't knocked up Bryce's gun.That would have settled it,though no one guessed that the cur was her husband,"said Chivers hotly.
"If you want it settled THAT WAY,there's still time,"returned the other with a slight sneer."You've only to tell him that you're the man that ran away with his wife,and you'll have it out together,right on the ledge at twelve paces.The boys will see you through.In fact,"he added,his sneer deepening,"I rather think it's what they're expecting.""Thank you,Mr.Jack Riggs,"said Chivers sardonically."I dare say it would be more convenient to some people,just before our booty is divided,if I were drilled through by a blundering shot from that hayseed;or it would seem right to your high-toned chivalry if a dead-shot as I am knocked over a man who may have never fired a revolver before;but I don't exactly see it in that light,either as a man or as your equal partner.I don't think you quite understand me,my dear Jack.If you don't value the only man who is identified in all California as the leader of this gang (the man whose style and address has made it popular--yes,POPULAR,by G--d!--to every man,woman,and child who has heard of him;whose sayings and doings are quoted by the newspapers;whom people run risks to see;who has got the sympathy of the crowd,so that judges hesitate to issue warrants and constables to serve them),--if YOUdon't see the use of such a man,I do.Why,there's a column and a half in the 'Sacramento Union'about our last job,calling me the 'Claude Duval'of the Sierras,and speaking of my courtesy to a lady!A LADY!--HIS wife,by G--d!our confederate!My dear Jack,you not only don't know business values,but,'pon my soul,you don't seem to understand humor!Ha,ha!"For all his cynical levity,for all his affected exaggeration,there was the ring of an unmistakable and even pitiable vanity in his voice,and a self-consciousness that suffused his broad cheeks and writhed his full mouth,but seemed to deepen the frown on Riggs's face.
"You know the woman hates it,and would bolt if she could,--even from you,"said Riggs gloomily."Think what she might do if she knew her husband were here.I tell you she holds our lives in the hollow of her hand.""That's your fault,Mr.Jack Riggs;you would bring your sister with her infernal convent innocence and simplicity into our hut in the hollow.She was meek enough before that.But this is sheer nonsense.I have no fear of her.The woman don't live who would go back on Godfrey Chivers--for a husband!Besides,she went off to see your sister at the convent at Santa Clara as soon as she passed those bonds off on Charley to get rid of!Think of her traveling with that d--d fool lawyer all the way to Stockton,and his bonds (which we had put back in her bag)alongside of them all the time,and he telling her he was going to stop their payment,and giving her the letter to mail for him!--eh?Well,we'll have time to get rid of her husband before she gets back.If he don't go easy--well"--"None of that,Chivers,you understand,once for all!"interrupted Riggs peremptorily."If you cannot see that your making away with that woman's husband would damn that boasted reputation you make so much of and set every man's hand against us,I do,and I won't permit it.It's a rotten business enough,--our coming on him as we have;and if this wasn't the only God-forsaken place where we could divide our stuff without danger and get it away off the highroads,I'd pull up stakes at once.""Let her stay at the convent,then,and be d--d to her,"said Chivers roughly."She'll be glad enough to be with your sister again;and there's no fear of her being touched there.""But I want to put an end to that,too,"returned Riggs sharply.