HALF-CONFIDENCES
IT was dark that night when Ross arrived at the Weimer shack. The
candles were lighted, and as he passed the window, he saw Leslie Jones
within, sitting on a box on the opposite side of the room. His elbows
were on the table, and he was listening to Weimer, or rather, pretending
to listen. At a glance, Ross saw that his thoughts were far afield,
his eyes being fixed on the speaker with an absent stare. He appeared
more unkempt than on the occasion of his first call, and his face was
thinner. There was also about him an air of collapse that made him a
different person from the overbearing young man who had issued lofty
orders at Sagehen Roost.
It was the second time that Ross had seen him since coming into the
valley. The week before he had gone with the McKenzies one evening to
the Jones claims, but the two boys had exchanged few remarks, both being
too tired to talk.
As Ross entered the shack a sudden thought struck him. He stopped in the
doorway and greeted Jones with, "See here! Why haven't I thought to get
your mail Sundays? You haven't been over to Camp at all, have you?"
Leslie moved uneasily. He picked up his cap and pulled at the rim.
"Aw--it's bully of you to think of my mail, but I'm not expecting--why,
yes, you might inquire," he added lamely. Then, "What's going on in
Camp? I'd like to hear something about people once more," with a wry
smile.
Ross unstrapped a pack from his back and threw the contents on the
table. Sorting out the week's papers, he tossed them across the table.
"'Omaha News.' Want to see it?"
The blood came in an unexpected rush to Leslie's face and his hand
trembled as he reached for the papers. Ross watched him as he took them
and scanned the headings, column by column. Then he glanced keenly over
the advertisements, and without reading further threw the papers aside
and rested his elbows despondently on the table.
Weimer, satisfied with the tobacco and candy that Ross had brought,
retired to his bunk, dozing and smoking by turns. Ross had seated himself
at the table opposite Leslie and reread his letters. Now, as the other
cast the papers aside, he looked up and met misery in the eyes leveled
at him from beneath his caller's lengthening hair.
"Say!" ejaculated Ross impulsively, "I bet you find it as awful up in
this country as I do!"
"Awful!" echoed Leslie. "It's----" A sudden working in his throat
stopped him. He turned his face away.
"I wouldn't stay here for all the gold in these mountains if things
weren't just as they are," Ross continued sympathetically, "and I
presume you're caught in some such way, too, or you'd get out."
Leslie hesitated, nodded and again faced Ross, "How are you caught?" he
asked eagerly.
Ross told him briefly about his father's interest in the claims and
Weimer's appeal for help that had led to his, Ross's, coming.
As he talked Leslie's eagerness evaporated. He evidently was looking
for another sort of explanation, and his response was only half-hearted:
"Then your father sent you. That's bad luck when you want to be in
school." He hesitated and added: "It's not every fellow that wants to go
to school. I hate it!"
"You do!" exclaimed Ross. "Well, I can't say I waste any love on
studying myself, that is, in most studies, but I'm after results.
I'm willing to bone down to work because of where the work will take
me. The only thing I really like to study is medicine, anatomy and
all that sort of thing, you know. But in order to get anywhere in the
profession, I have to take a lot of mathematics and language and things
that I detest."
Leslie's shoulders came up. "I won't study what I don't like," he
declared arrogantly, "and I can't be made to--guess they're finding
that out, too!" The last was under his breath.
"Well," Ross began vaguely, "if you want to be a business man it's not
necessary to go through college. Our most successful business men----"
His voice trailed into silence as he saw that the other was not listening.
There ensued a few moments of quiet. In the bunk Weimer snored gently. A
nickel clock suspended on a peg from the side logs ticked loudly. The
pine chunks in the sheet-iron stove cracked and snapped cheerfully.
Leslie stared dejectedly at the table, while Ross, his forehead knit
into a puzzled frown, stared at Leslie. What could have happened, he
asked himself, to rob the other in four weeks of his former desire to
turn prospector? Homesickness? Perhaps, but Ross decided the trouble
lay deeper. If it were mere homesickness, the boy would be haunting
Miners' Camp and the post-office or else clearing out of the mountains.
"Where's Wilson?" Ross asked finally.
Leslie aroused himself with difficulty. "He's over at the McKenzies'.
I came here."
"How's the tunnel going? Are you making headway?"
This question opened the flood-gates of Leslie's misery. "Headway?" he
burst out. "Yes, we're making headway, but toward what, I'd like to
know!"
It was an exclamation rather than a question, and the boy brought his
clenched fist down violently on the table.
"Why," stammered Ross, "toward getting the claims patented, I suppose.
What else did you expect?"
Leslie's excitement subsided. He folded his arms on the table. "I came
expecting to find gold," he confessed. "I could hardly wait to get here
and now--well, I'm here, that's all, and all my money is spent for
supplies."
"But didn't you understand," Ross began, "that the ore up here had to
be smelted in order to release the metal, and that we can never pack the
ore on horseback over these trails and----"
"No," cried Leslie fiercely, "I didn't understand. I understood that I
was coming to work claims that would surely prove a perfect Klondike in a
short time--I thought in a few weeks."
"Oh, that's Wilson," broke in Ross. "He's a perfect promoter, Steele
tells me, because he believes in things himself so intensely that he
makes you see his way in spite of yourself. Steele says he has been
quartz crazy for years. Every claim that he stakes holds his everlasting
fortune in prospect."
"I've found that out," assented Leslie bitterly, "and yet I can't
blame Wilson. I foisted myself on him at Omaha--he didn't get after
me. And he has really been square with me. He simply made me believe in
his claims as thoroughly as he does, and he believes in them yet, but I
don't. You see," Leslie explained, "he keeps expecting to run across a
pocket of free gold, and that he says he'll turn over to me so I can get
back the money I put into the supplies. I've got to get that money
back pretty soon," he added emphatically.
Ross looked at him commiseratingly. "I'm afraid you can't."
For a moment Leslie's lips worked miserably. He took no pains to conceal
his emotion from Ross. Finally he burst out, "I must, Grant. I've
simply got to have that money back." He held out his hands palms up.
They were blistered and sore. "That doesn't matter," he declared.
"I'd work 'em to the bone if the work would bring the gold. And a
month ago I'd never done an hour's work in my life. I tell you,"
in a burst of irrepressible confidence, "everything looks different to
me to-day from what it did five weeks ago. I wish--I wish I could go
back those five weeks--why, I'd almost be willing to go to school----"
Approaching sounds stopped the confidence that Ross was so anxious
to hear. The door opened unceremoniously, and the McKenzies entered,
accompanied by Wilson. The latter was talking excitedly. With a nod
at Ross he finished his speech while helping himself to a seat beside
the stove.
"I tell you there's every sign of free gold. Same kind of stun crops
out there and in the same layers and at the same angle as when I was
working up in Butte. My claims was right next door to a fellow's named
Harrison. One mornin' he bust through a wall rock slam bang right onto
two thousand dollars' worth of the prettiest yellow ye ever see. And I
tell ye I shouldn't be a mite surprised if our next blast showed us a
streak of yellow too."
Sandy laughed unconcernedly. "A streak of yeller in a chap and in a rock
mean two different things, I notice. And I've also seen more of the
yeller in fellers than in rocks," easily dropping on a box and lighting
his pipe.
Young Jones, looking at his partner, brightened visibly, despite the
knowledge he had recently acquired of Wilson's optimism. There was about
the man such a cock-sureness, such simple sincerity and abiding faith in
his own statements that Ross felt that he could not rest content the
following day without knowing the result of that next charge of dynamite.
Steele had told him about these "pockets" that occasionally are concealed
in the heart of the veins or "leads" along which mining tunnels are
driven. They are uncovered unexpectedly by a blast of dynamite. They
consist of small quantities of quartz of such richness that it pays
to transport the ore to the smelter. But every prospector dreams of
uncovering a pocket of "free gold" ore, quartz through which the gold
is scattered in visible particles or streaks and can be extracted in
its pure state with the aid of a hammer and a knife blade.
"Come down to-morrow night," Ross said in a low tone across the table,
"and report."
Leslie nodded, and Ross, going to his emergency chest, brought out a
bottle of liquid and a box of salve. "Here," he said abruptly, "better
take some care of those hands of yours if you don't want blood poisoning
to set in. Soak 'em well in hot water with a teaspoonful of this
added"--he shoved the bottle of liquid across the table--"and then rub
in this salve. And don't work in the dirt without gloves till those
sores are healed."
Humbly and gratefully Leslie took his orders from "Doc Tenderfoot," while
the men looked on with interest and many questions.
"Tell ye what," said Sandy heartily, "if I intended t' winter here I'd
feel easier about the trail bein' closed. If a stick should go off at
the wrong time and blow ye int' pieces, Doc here could put th' pieces
together and patch ye up as good as new. Doc's all right!"
"I wish," thought Ross as he saw his guests depart, "that I could say
the same about Sandy."
But while he had no faith in the friendly pretentions of Sandy, he
dreaded any mention of his leaving the mountains. To feel that he would
be left alone with Weimer for months was maddening. If only Wilson and
his partner were to remain on the Creek--but they too would go as soon
as the trail threatened to become impassable. This careless speech of
Sandy's concerning leaving the valley drove all other ideas out of
Ross's head that night and persisted in the morning. To feel that Weimer
and himself were the only human beings in Meadow Creek Valley, to know
that there was no escape until the sun thawed away the barrier in
the spring was a terrifying thought. It was present that day with Ross
like a waking nightmare. As he pushed the little car out of the tunnel
and dumped it, he looked up at the cold gray peaks with a wild desire to
level them and bring Miners' Camp--Cody--Pennsylvania--nearer. So
absorbing was this desire that he forgot the promised visit from Leslie
and was surprised to see him at the door before he had finished washing
the supper dishes.
"You wanted to hear about that promised vein," explained the newcomer,
reading Ross's surprise in his face.
"Oh--why, yes! That pocket of free gold!" exclaimed Ross hastily picking
up the thread of connection where it had been broken the previous
evening by Sandy's reference to leaving the valley. "Did you uncover it?"
"Uncover nothing!" returned Leslie. He sat on the table and swung
his feet restlessly, adding despondently, "And what's more, we
won't uncover anything in a lifetime up here, either. I've lost all
hope--except," he added with a shrug of his shoulders, "just the
minute that Wilson is talking."
"I never had any hope," said Ross slowly, "but then, I have never given
the ore more than a thought. With me it's simply to get the work done,
satisfy my father and--clear out."
"And with me," responded Leslie, "it's the money now--I've got to have
the money. Only," he added, "I'll say this--that when I left Omaha
there was more in it for me than the money. You see--I'll own up--I
was crazy to get out of school and, well--see things and do 'em! If
I'd gone to some other place, to Goldfield or even down to Miners' Camp
it would be different. But I'm here and all my money's spent."
Continually he came back to that last statement. That fact had evidently
swallowed up all the lust for adventure, for "getting out and seeing
things"--it was the only thing that young Jones could now see in the
situation. Ross wondered why but did not like to ask. Finally he said
hesitatingly, "I say, Jones, if you want to get out of here I'll--that
is--I have enough on hand to let you have your car-fare back to Omaha."
The blood rushed over Leslie's face. His head came up proudly. "See
here, Grant," he exclaimed briskly, sliding off the table and stuffing
his hands into his pockets, "it must sound as if I'm a low-down beggar,
but I never thought of such a thing as getting hold of your money!"
"And I never thought of it, either," declared Ross quickly. "I've made
you the offer on my own hook. Come off your high and mighty perch and
talk sense! Take the money and pay it back when you can. I'm a hundred
dollars to the good here."
Leslie "came off his perch" instantly and held out his hand repentantly.
"Thank you, Grant. That's awfully white of you, but that won't do.
It's not car-fare I want, and Omaha is the last place I want to
strike--or next to the last, at least--without--well, a lot more than
car-fare." After a moment he repeated, "I tell you it's white of you
to offer it, though. It makes a fellow feel as if he'd fallen among
friends."
The latter expression reminded Ross of something about which he had not
thought in three weeks, namely, the behavior of Waymart McKenzie when
he first saw Leslie. With the water still dripping from the dish-pan the
boy hung it against the logs, tossed the dish-cloth on top of the pan
and rolling down his sleeves, asked:
"Jones, do you know the McKenzies?"
Leslie shook his head. "Before coming here, do you mean?"
Ross nodded.
"No, never saw them before. Why?"
"Oh, nothing," returned Ross carelessly, "only when you came in here the
first night I thought they acted as though they'd seen you before, or
Waymart did, rather."
The effect of this simple statement was unexpected. Leslie gripped the
table excitedly. His face paled and he was obliged to clear his throat
before asking: "What made you think that? I didn't--didn't notice
anything. I never thought that they--he----"
"It was just a trifle that made me think that," Ross hastened to assure
his guest in confusion. "Just a little byplay when Waymart first saw
you. Nothing to----"
"Tell me exactly what it was," commanded Leslie, and all the boy's
imperiousness leaped to the front. "I want to know all that you saw."
Ross related the incident haltingly. "Sandy didn't act as though he had
ever seen you before. It was only Waymart," he said consolingly, but it
was plain to be seen that the other was not consoled.
"It's possible, very possible that they may have seen me--I wouldn't
have noticed them," he muttered, "if they were--that is, father hired
any number of men--they might all see me and I not notice them."
"Maybe I can find out," offered Ross promptly. "I'll ask them."
"No, no!" hastily; "don't bother with the matter."
Leslie crossed the room, threw open the door and stood staring across the
valley at the McKenzie shack. When next he spoke he did not look around:
"It will be just as well, Grant, if you don't mention me to 'em
until----" There ensued a long pause. Then, "until I talk with you again."
Just before he left he asked abruptly, "Do you bring the Omaha papers
back with you every Sunday?"
"I can," replied Ross, "if you want 'em. But, see here, Jones, why
don't you go over to Camp with me next Sunday?"
Leslie hesitated. "Guess I will. Good-night."
A few steps from the door he turned back. "See here, Grant, don't wait
for me Sunday. If I go I'll be here by eight o'clock. But if I don't
go, I should like to see the Omaha papers."
"All right, I'll fetch them," returned Ross.
Sunday morning he postponed his start for Miners' Camp until past eight
o'clock, hoping that Leslie would come, but no Leslie appeared. Sandy
did, however. He came freshly shaved and combed, with a new kerchief
knotted about his neck.
"Want some good company over t' Camp?" he inquired jocularly. "If ye do,
here it is, fer I'm goin' out."
"Going to stay long or just for the day?" asked Ross.
"Oh, I dunno how long," carelessly. "I've got t' see Cody again. Little
old town couldn't fetch it if I didn't hang around it about once in
so often."
"Is Waymart going?"
"Nope, Mart will hold the cabin and claims down here. Mart don't
like t' hit th' trail as often as I do. He's fer his pipe and a soft
bunk and a good meal. Mart 'ud be a failure as one of these here
globe-trotters. He's what ye could call domestic in his tastes. The
only thing he lacks," here Sandy chuckled at his own wit, "is a blamed
thing to be domestic about!"
As they were making their way cautiously around the shoulder of Crosby,
Sandy asked suddenly, "Why don't that young Jones go t' Camp ever on
Sunday? Guess they don't work Sundays up t' th' Wilson claims. I
should think he'd be as wild as you be t' git over this side of Crosby
where there's a post-office and newspapers and things."
"I don't know," returned Ross in a general denial of knowledge of all
Sandy had said.
"I wonder about that young feller now," pursued Sandy affably.
"So do I!" thought Ross. He said nothing.
"I wonder how he come t' drop out of nowhere with money enough t'
grub-stake the two of 'em fer six months--and then have nothin' further
t' draw on!"
Sandy, walking now shoulder to shoulder with Ross, looked at him keenly.
"Don't know anything about it," returned Ross shortly, but he could not
rid himself of the insinuation in Sandy's words.
When he returned that night to Meadow Creek, Ross was disappointed at
finding Wilson awaiting him as well as Leslie. He had hoped that Leslie
would come for the papers alone and would continue the conversation of
his previous visit.
In a loud and jovial voice Wilson informed Doc that his pard had started
out in good shape that morning to go over to Camp and had then backed out.
"Must have got clean over here," Wilson added.
Leslie gathered up the newspapers which Ross had brought and fitted them
together without meeting Ross's eyes. "I found I was too tired to go
on," was all the explanation he made. "I slept pretty much all day and
am going to turn in early to-night."
Ross nodded speechlessly, wondering how much Sandy's going had to do
with Leslie's staying. Would the latter avoid the McKenzies now that he
knew they had seemed to recognize him, and why? Before the evening was
far spent Ross began to suspect that Leslie would like to avoid him also,
if it were possible. The boy looked more despondent than ever, but he
shielded his despondency behind a proud reserve that shut Ross out, much
to the latter's disappointment.
"Perhaps," Ross told himself, "if I hadn't been such an idiot as to
offer him money, he wouldn't act so offish now. I never had any more
tact than a goat, anyhow! Wish I had minded my own business and let him
do all the talking!"
"Vas ist de matter mit dot poy?" Weimer asked as soon as the door closed
on their visitors. "He vas such a talker oder time he vas here und now
he talks nicht at all."
"Guess he's homesick."
Weimer rubbed his great hands together thoughtfully. "Und sick of de
mountains, I tink," he added shrewdly. "Ven dot poy come here he fooled
himself!"
The last of the week saw Sandy's return. He came strolling along the
trail one night just as the sunlight was fading from the tops of the
mountains. He was whistling, apparently in high spirits. Stopping at
the door of Weimer's shack he paused to call:
"Hi, in there, Grant! I saw your friend Leonard at Cody. I set you up
in fine shape t' 'im. 'No grass,' says I, 'will turn t' hay while
he's gittin' things done.'"
Ross laughed. Despite the fact that he knew Sandy's praise covered an
abyss of insincerity, it was pleasant, none the less.
After the supper dishes were washed, he decided to visit the McKenzies.
"Want to go along, Uncle Weimer?" he asked, well knowing what the reply
would be.
"Go mit dem McKenzies?" gesticulated Weimer. "Ven I do it vill pe ven my
legs von't carry me avay from dem!"
Ross laughed. "Well, Uncle Weimer, my legs seem to want to carry me where
I can get the Cody news. I want to hear about Mr. Leonard. Perhaps he has
heard from father more recently than I."
There was no moon that night, and the sky had become suddenly overcast
so that Ross faced a dense darkness pierced only by the candle-light
from the window of the McKenzie shack. He stumbled toward this, feeling
his way so slowly along the narrow trail that he unwittingly approached
the cabin silently and surprised an altercation within. Sandy's voice
was raised in vehement assertion and Waymart's lower rumble in protest.
As he was groping for the door, he heard Sandy say:
"I tell ye, Mart, wild hosses won't drag 'im up here s' long as that
young feller is in these mountings, and we may want 'im here."
Then Waymart's response, "Well, what be ye aimin' to do about it?
Don't bite off more'n ye can swaller. Ye do that too often. He'll
be out of here in a few weeks. What's eatin' ye? 'Let well enough
alone.'"
"Yes," scornfully from Sandy. "Ye maverick! They won't go till we----"
Ross, his hand on the door, had stubbed his toe against a stone.
"Sh," came Sandy's warning in lowered tones. "What's that?"
There was a step across the floor. Ross instinctively fell back into the
darkness and slipped behind a tree. The door was jerked open and Sandy's
figure appeared. An instant he looked out and then turning back, said
disgustedly, "Nobudy, but guess we don't need t' yell loud enough t'
be heard up t' Wilson's."