第34章 EN PASSANT(2)

I knew the town well, this being my third trip over the trail, and mingled with the gathering throng.Near midnight, and when in the Lady Gay dance-hall, I was accosted by Dorg Seay and the detective.They had just left Dutch Jake's, and reported all quiet on the Potomac.Seay had not only proved himself artful, but a good fellow, and had unearthed the fact that Tolleston had been in the employ of Field and Radcliff for the past three months."You see," said Dorg, "Archie never knew me except the few days that I was about headquarters in Medina before we started.He fully believes that I've been discharged--and with three months' pay in my hip-pocket.The play now is that he's to first help me spend my wages, and then I'm to have a job under him with beeves which he expects to drive to the Yellowstone.He has intimated that he might be able to give me a herd.So, Tom, if I come out there and take possession of your cattle, don't be surprised.There's only one thing to beat our game--I can't get him so full but what he's over-anxious to see his employers.But if you fellows furnish the money, I'll try and pickle him until he forgets them."The next morning Siringo and the buyers started south on the trail, and I rode for my camp on the Saw Log.Before riding many miles I sighted my outfit coming in a long lope for town.They reported everything serene at camp, and as many of the boys were moneyless, I turned back with them.An enjoyable day was before us; some drank to their hearts' content, while all gambled with more or less success.I was anxious that the outfit should have a good carouse, and showed the lights and shadows of the town with a pride worthy of one of its founders.Acting the host, I paid for our dinners; and as we sauntered into the street, puffing vile cigars, we nearly ran amuck of Dorg Seay and Archie Tolleston, trundling a child's wagon between them up the street.

We watched them, keeping a judicious distance, as they visited saloon after saloon, the toy wagon always in possession of one or the other.

While we were amusing ourselves at the antics of these two, my attention was attracted by a four-mule wagon pulling across the bridge from the south.On reaching the railroad tracks, Irecognized the team, and also the driver, as Quince Forrest's.

Here was news, and accordingly I accosted him.Fortunately he was looking for me or my brother, as his foreman could not come in with the wagon, and some one was wanted to vouch for him in getting the needed supplies.They had reached the Mulberry the evening before, but several herds had mixed in a run during the night, though their cattle had escaped.Forrest was determined not to risk a second night on that stream, and had started his herd with the dawn, expecting to camp with his cattle that night west on Duck Creek.The herd was then somewhere between the latter and the main Arkansaw, and the cook was anxious to secure the supplies and reach the outfit before darkness overtook him.

Sponsilier was reported as two days behind Forrest when the latter crossed the Cimarron, since when there had been no word from his cattle.They had met the buyers near the middle of the forenoon, and when Forrest admitted having the widow Timberlake's beef herd, they turned back and were spending the day with the cattle.

The situation demanded instant action.Taking Forrest's cook around to our outfitting store, I introduced and vouched for him.

Hurrying back, I sent Wayne Outeault, as he was a stranger to Tolleston, to mix with the two rascals and send Seay to me at once.Some little time was consumed in engaging Archie in a game of pool, but when Dorg presented himself I lost no time in explaining the situation.He declared that it was no longer possible to interest Tolleston at Dutch Jake's crib during the day, and that other means of amusement must be resorted to, as Archie was getting clamorous to find his employers.To my suggestion to get a livery rig and take him for a ride, Dorg agreed."Take him down the river to Spearville," I urged, "and try and break into the calaboose if you can.Paint the town red while you're about it, and if you both land in the lock-up, all the better.If the rascal insists on coming back to Dodge, start after night, get lost, and land somewhere farther down the river.

Keep him away from this town for a week, and I'll gamble that you boss a herd for old man Don next year."The afternoon was waning.The buyers might return at any moment, as Forrest's herd had no doubt crossed the river but a few miles above town.

I was impatiently watching the boys, as Dorg and Wayne cautiously herded Tolleston around to a livery stable, when my brother Bob rode up.He informed me that he had moved his camp that day across to the Saw Log; that he had done so to accommodate Jim Flood and The Rebel with a camp; their herds were due on the Mulberry that evening.The former had stayed all night at Bob's wagon, and reported his cattle, considering the dry season, in good condition.As my brother expected to remain in town overnight, I proposed starting for my camp as soon as Seay and his ward drove out of sight.They parleyed enough before going to unnerve a saint, but finally, with the little toy wagon on Tolleston's knee and the other driving, they started.Hurrahing my lads to saddle up, we rode past the stable where Seay had secured the conveyance; and while I was posting the stable-keeper not to be uneasy if the rig was gone a week, Siringo and the buyers drove past the barn with a flourish.Taking a back street, we avoided meeting them, and just as darkness was falling, rode into our camp some twelve miles distant.