The Twins of Suffering Creek

“Wal,” he went on, “I don’t guess I ken make folks talk if they don’t notion it. But I want to say right here I bought ha’f o’ Zip’s claim fer good dollars, an’ I’m goin’ to pay Sandy Joyce a tiptop wage fer workin’ my share. An’”–he paused and glanced swiftly and defiantly at the faces which were no longer smiling–“an’ I want to say I bought the richest lay-out in this bum camp. Any feller who ain’t o’ the same opinion ken git right up on to his hind legs an’ call me a ‘liar’–an’ I’m jest yearnin’ fer some feller to git around an’ call me that. Jest turn it over in your fool heads. You don’t need to hurry any. Ther’s days an’ days to come, an’ at any time I’ll be glad fer all o’ you to come along an’ tell me I’m–a liar.”

He paused, his fierce eyes gleaming. He felt good. His outburst had relieved his pent feelings. It was a safety-valve which had worked satisfactorily at the right moment. But as he received no answer to his challenge he turned to Sandy.

“Ther’ don’t seem to be nuthin’ doin’,” he said, with a grim smile. “So ef you’ll come right along we’ll fix things out in the store. Guess you ken finish your hash after.”

Sandy rose. For a moment Bill did not attempt to move. It was as though he were giving the rest of the boarders one last chance of accepting his challenge. But as no one offered any comment or made any attempt to stay him, he turned away at last with a sigh which was probably of disappointment, and led the way out into the store.

But if the men had made no comment in his presence, it was a different matter after his departure. Loud indignation broke out, and fierce, if impotent, protest passed from lip to lip. It was only for a few moments, however, and presently anger gave place to a realization of the absurdity of the whole thing.

The humor of these men was tickled. The whole thing was too ludicrous for words. To think that Wild Bill, the renowned sharp, the shrewdest, the wisest man on Suffering Creek, had fallen for such a proposition! It was certainly the funniest, the best joke that had ever come their way. How had it happened? they asked each other. Had Zip been clever enough to “salt” his claim? It was hardly likely. Only they knew he was hard up, and it was just possible, with his responsibilities weighing heavily on him, he had resorted to an illicit practice to realize on his property. They thought of and discussed every possible means they could think of by which Bill could have been lured to the hook–and caught–and landed. That was the joke. It was astounding. It was too good. To-morrow the whole camp would be ringing with laughter at the news, but–but the laughter was not likely to reach the gambler’s ears.

In the meantime it was quite a different man who was lounging over Minky’s counter talking to Sandy and the storekeeper. Bill had relieved the pressure of his mood for the moment, and now, like a momentarily exhausted volcano, he was enjoying the calm of reaction.

“I’ll need you to start work right away,” he was saying, “an’ you ken draw on me fer all the supplies you need. It’s a dandy claim,” he went on grimly, “but I don’t know fer sure what you’ll likely find on it. Maybe you’ll find suthin’–if you work long enough. Anyways, you’ll start by sinkin’ a shaft; an’ you’ll kep on sinkin’ it till–till I tell you to quit.”

“But that ain’t the regular way gold–”

“Say, whose claim is it? Am I payin’ you or not?” demanded the gambler sharply.

“Sure you are, but you said it was the richest–”

“That was back ther’ at supper,” said Bill coldly. “Guess supper’s over.”

Sandy had no quickness of understanding. He did not appreciate the fineness of the distinction. He shook his head solemnly.

“Maybe I ain’t jest bright enuff to foller–”

“You ain’t,” agreed Bill shortly.

He winked at Minky, who was listening interestedly. Then he turned abruptly and pointed at the array of patent medicines adorning one of the shelves.

“Say,” he cried, “’bout them physics.”

Minky turned and gazed affectionately at the shelf. It was the pride of his store. He always kept it well dusted and dressed. The delicate wrappings and fancy labels always had a strong fascination for him. Then there were the curative possibilities of the contents of the inviting packages as set forth by the insistent “drummer” who sold them to him.

“An elegant stock,” he murmured. “Sort of concentrated health.” Then he glanced round anxiously. “Your hosses ain’t ailin’?” he inquired. “I got most everything fer hosses. Ther’s embrocation, hoss iles, every sort of lin’ments. Hoss balls? Linseed?”

The gambler shook his head.

“You ain’t got physic fer men-folk?” he inquired.

“I sure have. But–but you ain’t sick?” Minky eyed his friend narrowly.

Bill’s mouth twisted wryly.

“I ain’t jest sick,” he replied. “But,” he added hopefully, “you can’t never be sure.”

Minky nodded.

“That’s so. I’d say you don’t look a heap sick, though.”

“You sure don’t,” agreed Sandy. “But, as you sez, you can’t never tell. Now, you buyin’ ha’f Zip’s claim makes–” His words died down to a thoughtful murmur. Bill’s look was somehow discouraging as he pointed at the medicine.

“What you got?” he demanded abruptly.

“Why, most everything,” said Minky. “Ther’, you see that longish bottle? That’s a dandy cough cure. Guess you ain’t needin’ that? No? Ah!” as Bill shook his head, “I didn’t guess you’d a cough. Corns? Now, this yer packet is an elegant fixin’ fer corns, soft an’ hard. It jest kills ’em stone dead, sure. It’s bully stuff, but ’tain’t good fer eatin’. You ain’t got corns?” he inquired, as Bill again shook his head. “Ah, seems a pity.” He turned again to the shelf, determined, if possible, to suit his customer, and lifted down a number of packets and sealed bottles. “Now, here,” he cried, holding up a dainty box tied up with a delicate-colored ribbon. For a moment his audience believed it to be candy, but he quickly undeceived them. “Now this yer is dandy truck, though I don’t guess ther’s a heap o’ use fer it on Suffering Creek. It’s fer softening alkali water. When the drummer told me that, I guessed to him ther wa’an’t a heap o’ water drunk in this camp. But he said it wa’an’t fer drinkin’ water; it was fer baths. I kind o’ told him that wouldn’t help the sale any, so he said it could be used fer washin’. Seein’ he couldn’t sell me any that way neither, he got riled an’ give me a present of it, an’ said he guessed Sufferin’ Creek did use water fer washing gold. Y’see, its price is a dollar an’ a ha’f, but, seein’ it’s kind o’ dead stock, you ken have it a present.”

Bill took it.

“It’s mine,” he said. And Sandy watched him with some concern.

“You–you ain’t takin’ a bath?” he inquired nervously.

“Don’t talk foolish,” cried Bill, and turned again to his scrutiny of the shelf. “What else you got? Any stummick physic?”

“Sure.” Minky held up a small bottle of tabloids. “Camel-hell,” he said, with the assurance of a man who knows the worth of the article he is offering for sale. “Now this yer is Camel-hell–C-a-l-o-m-e-l. And I’d sure say the name is appropriate. That doggone ‘drummer’ feller said ther’ was enough in one o’ them bottles to kep the stummicks of a whole blamed menagerie right fer six months. It’s real dandy–”

He broke off suddenly, and his look of enthusiasm was abruptly replaced by one of anxious interest that bordered closely on apprehension. His audience realized the change, and both men glanced swiftly in the direction whence the storekeeper’s gaze had become so suddenly concentrated. Instantly they became aware that two strangers had quietly entered the store, and had taken their places at one of the tables under the open window.

Bill thought he recognized one of the men, but was not sure where he had seen him. Sandy saw nothing remarkable in their presence, and at once turned back to the counter.

“More of ’em,” said Minky in a low tone, when finally Bill turned back to him.

“Yes. Many while I bin away?”

“Four or five. All–come along fer a game–it seems.” Minky’s eyes were brooding.

Suddenly a light of intelligence sprang into Bill’s thoughtful face.

“Ah, I remember one o’ them. I see him in Spawn City–in a bum gamblin’ dive.”

Sandy suddenly roused to a keen interest.

“Them strangers,” he said–“that ’minds me I was talkin’ to one last night. He was askin’ me when a stage was running from here.”

“What d’you tell him?” demanded Bill quickly, and Minky’s eyes asked the question too.

Sandy laughed conceitedly.

“I sure said ther’ wa’an’t no stages runnin’, with James’ gang around. I wa’an’t goin’ to give nuthin’ away to strangers. Y’see, if I’d pretended we was sendin’ out stages, we’d have that gang hangin’ around waitin’. ’Tain’t no use in gatherin’ wasps around a m’lasses-pot.”

“No. You didn’t tell him nuthin’ else?” Bill inquired, eyeing him shrewdly.

“I did that,” said Sandy triumphantly. “I filled him up good. I jest told him we was wise to James an’ his gang, an’ was takin’ no chances, seein’ Sufferin’ Creek was such a rich lay-out. I told him we was bankin’ up the gold right here, an’ holdin’ it till the pile was so big we could claim a Gover’ment escort that could snap their fingers at James an’ his lay-out.”

A swift exchange of glances passed between the gambler and the storekeeper. And then, in a quiet voice, Bill demanded–

“Anything else?”

“Nothing o’ consequence,” replied Sandy, feeling he had acquitted himself well. “He jest asted if Minky here banked the stuff, an’ I ’lowed he did.”

“Ah!” There was an ominous sparkle in Bill’s eyes as he breathed his ejaculation. Then, with a quiet sarcasm quite lost on the obtuse widower, “You’d make an elegant sheriff’s officer. You’d raise hell with the crooks.”

Sandy appeared pleased with what he took for praise.

“I’d show ’em some–”

But Bill had turned to the storekeeper.

“We’ve got to git doin’. I’ve heerd a heap in Spawn City. Anyway, it was bound to git around. What he’s said don’t matter a heap. What I’ve heerd tells me we’ve got to git busy quick. We’ve got to clean you out of–stuff, or ther’s goin’ to be a most outrageous unhealthy time on Sufferin’ Creek. We’ll fix things to-morrer. Bein’ Sunday,” he added grimly, “it’ll be an elegant day fer settin’ things right. Meanwhiles, I’ll ast you to fix me a parcel o’ them physics, jest some of each, an’ you ken git Sunny Oak to pass ’em right on to Zip fer his kids. Guess they’ll worry out how best to dose ’em right.”

Minky nodded, but his eyes were gloomily watching the two strangers sitting under the window. Sandy, however, suddenly brightened into a wide smile.

“Sure,” he cried delightedly, slapping his thigh in his exuberance. “That’s it. Course. It’s all writ in the reg’lations fer raisin’ them kids. Gee! you had me beat clear to death. Physic ev’ry Saturday night. Blamed if this ain’t Saturday–an’ t’-morrer’s Sunday. An’ I tho’t you was sufferin’ and needed physic. Say–”

But Bill, too, was watching the strangers with interested eyes. He was paying no sort of attention to this wonderful discovery of his bright friend.

CHAPTER XXI

SCIPIO MAKES PREPARATIONS

Scipio’s impulses were, from his own point of view, entirely practical. Whatever he did, he did with his whole heart. And if his results somehow missed coming out as he intended them, it was scarcely his fault. Rather was it the misfortune of being burdened with a superfluous energy, supported by inadequate thought.

And he felt something of this as he sat in his living-room and glanced round him at the unaccountable disorder that maintained. It was Sunday morning, and all his spare time in his home on Saturday had been spent in cleaning and scrubbing and putting straight, and yet–and yet–He passed a stubby hand across his forehead, as though to brush aside the vision of the confusion he beheld.

He knew everything was wrong, and a subconscious feeling told him that he had no power to put things right. It was curious, too. Every utensil, every stick of furniture, the floor, the stove, everything had been scrubbed and garnished at a great expense of labor. Everything had been carefully bestowed in the place which, to his mind, seemed most suited for its disposal. Yet now, as he gazed about him at the result, he knew that only a cleanly untidiness prevailed, and he felt disheartened.

Look at the children’s clean clothes, carefully folded with almost painful exactness; yet they were like a pile of rags just thrown together. And their unironed condition added to the illusion. Every cooking-pot and pan had been cleaned and polished, yet, to his eyes, the litter of them suggested one of the heaps of iron scraps out on the dumps. How was it every piece of china looked forlornly suggestive of a wanderer without a home? No, he did not know. He had done his very best, and yet everything seemed to need just that magic touch to give his home the requisite well-cared-for air.

He was disappointed, and his feelings were plainly to be perceived in the regretful glance of his pale eyes. For some moments his optimistic energy rose and prompted him to begin all over again, but he denied himself this satisfaction as he glanced through the window at the morning sun. It was too high up in the sky. There was other work yet before him, with none too much time for its performance before the midday meal.

Instead, he turned to the “regulations” which Sunny Oak had furnished him with, and, with an index finger following out the words, he read down the details of the work for Sunday–in so far as his twins were concerned.

“Ah,” he murmured, “I got the wash done yesterday. It says here Monday. That’s kind of a pity.” Then he brightened into hopefulness. “Guess I kin do those things again Monday. I sort o’ fancy they could do with another wash ’fore the kiddies wear them. I never could wash clothes right, first time. Now, Sunday.” His finger passed slowly from one detail to another. “Breakfast–yes. Bath. Ah, guess that comes next. Now, ’bout that bath.” He glanced anxiously round him. Then he turned back to the regulations. “It don’t say whether hot or cold,” he muttered disappointedly.

For a moment he stood perplexed. Then he began to reason the matter out with himself. It was summer. For grown-ups it would naturally be a cold bath, but he was not so sure about children. They were very young, and it would be so easy for them to take cold, he thought. No, it had best be hot. He would cook some water. This thought prompting him, he set the saucepan on the stove and stirred the fire.

He was turning back to his regulations, when it occurred to him that he must now find something to bathe the children in. Glancing about amongst the few pots he possessed, he realized that the largest saucepan, or “billy,” in the house would not hold more than a gallon of water. No, these were no use, for though he exercised all his ingenuity he could see no way of bathing the children in any of them. Once during his cogitations he was very nearly inspired. It flashed through his mind that he might stand each child outside of a couple of pots and wash them all over that way. But he quickly negatived the thought. That wasn’t his idea of a bath. They must sit in the water.

He was about to give the matter up in despair, when, in a moment of inspiration, he remembered the washing-tub. Of course, that was the very thing. They could both sit in that together. It was down at the river, but he could easily fetch it up.

So he turned again in relief to the regulations. What next? He found his place, and read the directions out slowly.

“‘After their bath kids needs an hour’s Bible talk.’”

He read it again. And then a third time, so as to make quite sure. Then he turned thoughtfully to the door, staring out at the bright sunlight beyond. He could hear the children’s voices as they played outside, but he was not heeding them. He was delving around in a hazy recollection of Bible subjects, which he vaguely remembered having studied when a child.

It was difficult–very difficult. But he was not beaten. There were several subjects that occurred to him in scraps. There was Noah. Then there was Moses. He recalled something of Solomon, and he knew that David slew a giant.

But none of these subjects amounted to more than a dim recollection. Of details he knew none. Worked into a thorough muddle with his worry, he was almost despairing again when suddenly he remembered that Jessie possessed a Bible. Perhaps it was still in the bedroom. He would go and see. It would surely help him. So he promptly went in search of it, and, in a few moments, was sitting down beside the table poring over it and studiously preparing himself for his forthcoming tutelary duties.

CHAPTER XXII

SUNDAY MORNING IN SUFFERING CREEK

On the veranda of the store was the usual Sunday morning gathering of the citizens of Suffering Creek, an impromptu function which occurred as regularly as the sun rose and set. Some of the men were clad in their best black broadcloth, resplendent, if shiny at the seams, and bespotted with drink and tobacco stains. But the majority had made no such effort to differentiate between the seventh day of the week and the other six. The only concession that everyone yielded, and then with bad enough grace in many instances, was to add to the boredom of their day of rest by performing a scanty ablution in the washing trough at the back of the store.

Minky was one of the few who clung to the customs of his up-bringing. He was there, ample, and gayly beaming, in “boiled” shirt, and a highly colored vest, which clashed effusively with his brilliantly variegated bow-tie, but of which he was inordinately proud.

It was the custom at these meetings to discuss any matters which affected the well-being of the community, to listen to any item of interest pointing the prosperity of the local gold industry, to thresh out complaints. In fact, it became a sort of Local Government Board, of which the storekeeper was president, and such men as Wild Bill, Sandy Joyce and one or two of the more successful miners formed the governing committee.

But it was yet comparatively early, and many sore heads were still clinging to their rough pillows. Saturday night was always a heavy occasion, and the Sunday morning sleep was a generally acknowledged necessity. However, this did not prevent discussion amongst those already assembled.

Wild Bill was not there. Sandy Joyce was still absent, although both had been long since stirring. Someone sarcastically suggested that they had gone off to inspect the gambler’s rich strike before Sandy got to work on it on the morrow. This drew a great laugh at Wild Bill’s expense. And it was only the loyal Minky’s voice that checked it.

“You’se fellers are laffin’,” he said, in good-humored reproval. “Wal, laff. I can’t say I know why Bill’s bo’t that claim, but I’ll say this: I’d a heap sooner foller his money than any other man’s. I’ve sure got a notion we best do our laffin’ right now.”

“That’s so,” agreed Joe Brand reluctantly. “Bill’s a cur’us feller. He’s so mighty cur’us I ain’t got much use for him–personal. But I’ll say right here, he’s wide enough to beat most any feller at any bluff he’s got savvee to put up. Howsum, every ‘smart’ falls fer things at times. Y’see, they get lookin’ fer rich strikes that hard, an’ are so busy keppin’ other folks out o’ them, it’s dead easy gettin’ ’em trippin’. Guess that tow-headed sucker, Zip, ’s got him trippin’ about now, sure.”

Minky shook his head. He did not believe it. If Bill had been caught napping, he must have willfully gone to sleep. He knew the man too well. However, he had no intention of arguing the matter with these people. So he turned away and stood staring out at the far distance beyond the creek.

In a few moments the whole matter was dismissed from his mind, and his thoughts filled with a something that lately had become a sort of obsession to him. It was the safety of his gold-dust that troubled, and as each day passed his apprehensions grew. He felt that trouble was threatening in the air of Suffering Creek, and the thought of how easily he might be taken at a disadvantage worried him terribly. He knew that it was imperative for him to unload his gold. But how? How could it be done in safety, in the light of past events? It was suicidal to send it off to Spawn City on a stage, with the James gang watching the district. And the Government–?

Suddenly his eyes lit excitedly. He pointed out across the creek with startling abruptness, in a direction where the land sloped gradually upwards towards the more distant foothills, in a broken carpet of pine woods. He was indicating a rift in the forest, where, for a long stretch, a wide clearing had been made by the axes of the pioneers of the camp.

“Ho, fellers!” he cried. “Get a peek yonder. Who’s that?”

In an instant every eye followed the direction of his outstretched arm. And the men stood silently watching the progress of a horseman racing headlong through the clearing and making for the creek in front of them as fast as his horse could lay legs to the ground. So silent and intent did the group on the veranda become, that faint, yet sharply distinct, even at that distance, the thrashing of the horse’s hoofs floated to their straining ears on the still morning air, and set them wondering.

On came the man at a furious pace. He was leaning far over his horse’s neck, so that the whole weight of his body was well clear of the saddle. And as he came the waiting men could plainly see the rise and fall of his arm, as he mercilessly flogged his straining beast. It was Joe Brand who first broke the silence.

“Looks like Sid Morton,” he hazarded. “I kind o’ seem to mind his sorrel with four white legs. He’s comin’ from the right direction, too. Guess his ranch is ten miles up yonder. Say, he’s makin’ a hell of a bat.”

“He sure is.” Jim Wright, the oldest miner in the camp, blinked his red-rimmed eyes as they watered with the strain of watching, “It’s trouble that’s chasin’ him,” he added, with conviction. “Trouble o’ some kind.”

“What sort o’ trouble?” Minky spoke half to himself. Just now there was only one idea of trouble in his mind.

Somebody laughed foolishly.

“There ain’t many sorts o’ trouble sets a man chasin’ like that,” said a voice in the background.

Minky glanced round.

“What are they, Van?” he inquired, and turned back again to his scrutiny of the on-coming horseman.

“Sickness, an’–guns,” replied the man addressed as Van, with another foolish laugh. “If it’s Sid he ain’t got anybody out on his ranch to be sick, ’cep’ his two ’punchers. An’ I don’t guess he’d chase for them. Must be ‘guns.’”

No one answered him. Everybody was too intent on the extraordinary phenomenon. The man was nearing the creek. In a few seconds he would be hidden from view, for the opposite bank lay far below them, cut off from sight by the height of the rising ground intervening on the hither side.

A moment later a distinct movement amongst the watchers, which had something almost of relief in it, told that this had happened. Minky turned to Jim Wright, who chanced to be nearest him.

“It’s Sid,” he declared definitely.

The old man nodded.

“An’ I guess Van’s right,” he agreed.

“He’ll be along up in a minute,” said Joe Brand.

Minky remained where he was watching the point at which he expected to see the horseman reappear. This sudden apparition had fastened itself upon his general apprehension and become part of it. What was the news the man was bringing?

Some of the men moved off the veranda to meet the horseman when he came up, but the majority remained where they were. In spite of their interest, these people were rarely carried away by their feelings in a matter of this sort. Time would tell them all they wanted to know. Perhaps a good deal more than they cared to hear. So they preferred to wait.

Their patience was quickly rewarded. In less than five minutes a bobbing head rose above the brow of the incline. Then came the man. He was still leaning forward to ease his panting horse, whose dilated nostrils and flattened ears told the onlookers of its desperate journey. The leg-weary beast floundered up the steep under quirt and spur–and, in a moment, stood tottering, gasping and steaming before the eager crowd.

Sid Morton almost fell out of the saddle. And as his feet came to the ground he reeled. But Minky caught him, and he steadied himself.