第47章

The conversation took a broader range; politics and philosophy entered into it; literature and poetry were discussed by Parks and Brace, Saunders still retaining the air of a dispassionate observer, ready to be convinced, but abstaining from argument--and occasionally replenishing the glasses.There was felt to be no inconsistency between their present attitude and their previous conversation; rather it proved to them that gentlemen could occasionally indulge in a social glass together without frequenting a liquor saloon.This was stated with some degree of effusion by Parks and assented to with singular enthusiasm by Brace; Saunders nodding.It was also observed with great penetration by Brace that in having really GOOD, specially selected liquor like that, the great danger of the intoshikat'n 'fx--he corrected himself with great deliberation, "the intoxicating effects"--of adulterated liquors sold in drinking saloons was obviated.Mr.Brace thought also that the vitiated quality of the close air of a crowded saloon had a great deal to do with it--the excess of carbon--hic--he begged their pardon--carbonic acid gas undoubtedly rendered people "slupid and steepy." "But here, from the open window," he walked dreamily to it and leaned out admiringly towards the dark landscape that softly slumbered without, "one could drink in only health and poetry.""Wot's that?" said Saunders, looking up.

"I said health and poetry," returned Brace with some dignity."Irepeat"--

"No.I mean wot's that noise? Listen."

They listened so breathlessly that the soft murmur of the river seemed to flow in upon them.But above it quite distinctly came the regular muffled beat of horse-hoofs in the thick dust and the occasional rattle of wheels over rocky irregularities.But still very far and faint, and fading like the noises in a dream.Brace drew a long breath; Parks smiled and softly closed his eyes.But Saunders remained listening.

"That was over OUR road, near the turnpike!" he said musingly.

"That's queer; thar ain't any of the boys away to-night, and that's a wagon.It's some one comin' here.Hark to that! There it is again."It was the same sound but more distinct and nearer, and then was lost again.

"They're dragging through the river sand that's just abreast o'

Mallory's.Stopped there, I reckon.No! pushin' on again.Hear 'em grinding along the gravel over Hamilton's trailin's? Stopped agin--that's before Somerville's shanty.What's gone o' them now?

Maybe they've lost the trail and got onto Gray's slide through the woods.It's no use lookin'; ye couldn't see anything in this nigger dark.Hol' on! If they're comin' through the woods, ye'll hear 'em again jest off here.Yes! by thunder! here they are."This time the clatter and horse-hoofs were before them, at the very door.A man's voice cried, "Whoa!" and there was a sudden bound on the veranda.The door opened; for an instant the entrance appeared to be filled with a mass of dazzling white flounces, and a figure which from waist to crown was impenetrably wrapped and swathed in black lace.Somewhere beneath its folds a soft Spanish, yet somewhat childish voice cried, "Tente.Hol' on," turned and vanished.This was succeeded by the apparition of a silent, swarthy Mexican, who dropped a small trunk at their feet and vanished also.Then the white-flounced and black-laced figure reappeared as the departing wagon rattled away, glided to the centre of the room, placed on the trunk a small foot, whose low-quartered black satin slipper seemed to be held only by the toe, threw back with both hands the black lace mantilla, which was pinned by a rose over her little right ear, and with her hands slightly extended and waving softly said, "Mira caballeros! 'Ere we are again, boys! Viva! Aow ees your mother? Aow ees that for high? Behold me! just from Pike!"Parks and Brace, who had partly risen, fell back hopelessly in their chairs again and gazed at the figure with a feeble smile of vacuous pain and politeness.At which it advanced, lowered its black eyes mischievously over the table and the men who sat there, poured out a glass of the liquor, and said: "I look towards you, boys! Don't errise.You are just a leetle weary, eh? A leetle.

Oh yes! a leetle tired of crookin' your elbow--eh? Don't care if the school keep!--eh? Don't want any pie! Want to go 'ome, eh?"But here Mr.Parks rose with slight difficulty, but unflinching dignity, and leaned impressively over the table, "May I ashk--may Ibe permitted to arsk, madam, to what we may owe the pleasure of thish--of this--visit?"Her face and attitude instantly changed.Her arms dropped and caught up the mantilla with a quick but not ungraceful sweep, and in apparently a single movement she was draped, wrapped, and muffled from waist to crown as before.With a slight inclination of her head, she said in quite another voice: "Si, senor.I have arrive here because in your whole great town of Booki there is not so much as one"--she held up a small brown finger--"as much as ONEleetle light or fire like thees; be-cause in this grand pueblo there is not one peoples who have not already sleep in his bed but thees! Bueno! I have arrive all the same like a leetle bird, like the small fly arrive to the light! not to YOU--only to THE LIGHT!

I go not to my casa for she is dark, and tonight she have nothing to make the fire or bed.I go not to the 'otel--there is not ONE"--the brown finger again uplifted--"'otel in Booki! I make the 'otel--the Fonda--in my hoose manana--to-morrow! Tonight I and Sanchicha make the bed for us 'ere.Sanchicha, she stands herself now over in the street.We have mooch sorrow we have to make the caballeros mooch tr-rouble to make disposition of his house.But what will you?"There was another awkward silence, and then Saunders, who had been examining the intruder with languid criticism, removed his pipe from his mouth and said quietly:--"That's the woman you're looking for--Jovita Mendez!"