To The West Part 63

Then turning to us sharply he looked from one to the other, his clear eyes seeming to search us in a way that was far from encouraging.

"Now, young fellows," he said, "I need not ask your names: Mayne Gordon and Esau Dean. I have been expecting you."

"Expecting us, sir?" I said.

"Of course. Because you have been six months coming; a letter would not be all this while. I have known of your proposed visit for some time, though I tell you frankly that when I read my thoughtless, inconsistent brother-in-law's letter, I never expected to see you here. You have been very lucky, that's all."

"If you mean Mr John Dempster is thoughtless and inconsistent, sir," I said warmly, "I must speak. He is all that is kind, thoughtful, and gentlemanly, and he is the best--almost the only--friend I have in the world."

"What, sir? Isn't it thoughtless and inconsistent of a man to send two raw boys nearly all round the world on such a mad journey as this? A thoughtful man would say the person who planned it was a fool."

"No thoughtful man who knew Mr John Dempster would speak of him like that, sir," I said, angrily.

"Why you might just as well say so of some one who set him and poor Mrs John to travel thousands of miles the other way here," cried Esau, coming to my help.

"Means that I am a fool!" said our host, sharply, as he turned on Esau.

"Here, you hold your tongue, sir, till your turn comes."

I saw Esau shrink, and Mr Raydon went on--

"I sent for my sister to come, because I believed the journey would be her salvation, as to her health, and because I wanted to end her sad life of penury. Your best friend, Mr Gordon, has not behaved well to her."

"Why they are as happy and affectionate as can be," I said. "You don't know."

"I knew that for twenty years he has been a dreamer, growing poorer, and wearing out her life with anxiety, my lad, and I wanted to get them here, where I can start them in a new life. He is a good fellow in his way, but weak and helpless as to getting on in the world. If I lead him, I believe it will be different. But enough of that. Here is my complaint. As soon as, after long and careful thought, I decided to bring them here, and send them the funds for the purpose, my thoughtful brother-in-law writes me word that they are coming, and that he has sent me two lads, friends of his, to take under my charge, and do the best I can for them. Why, sir, it came upon me like a thunderclap."

All the high spirits and hopefulness at our journey being successfully ended, oozed away, and a despairing sensation came over me that was horrible. Then my pride came to my help, and I spoke out.

"I am very sorry, sir," I cried, "and I will not impose on your kindness. To-morrow morning Esau Dean and I will make a fresh start."

"What start?" he said, harshly.

"Perhaps go with Mr Gunson, prospecting."

"Out of the question, sir. More madness."

"Then we'll go to work."

"What at?"

"For some settler. We are both young, and willing."

"I should just think we are," cried Esau, sharply.

"Silence! Hold your tongue, please."

Esau subsided.

"Where are you going to find your settler? Those here have only enough work for themselves."

"But other people have got on."

"Where you two could not, sir. You two boys think it all easy enough, but you are not beasts of the field, to be able to pick up a living in this wild solitary land. Do you think you can join some tribe, and become young Indian chiefs? Rubbish. Find gold? What's the use of it hundreds of miles away from places where it can be sold. Play Robinson Crusoe in the woods? Bah! Where is your ship to go to for stores?

Why, you pair of silly ignorant young donkeys, do you know what your projects would end in?"

"Success, sir; fighting our own way in life," I cried, proudly.

"For the carrion birds," he said, grimly; "good meals for them, and later on some hunter finding a couple of whitened skeletons, lying beneath a great sheltering pine."

"Oh, I say!" cried Esau; "don't, don't talk like that."

"I am compelled to, my lads, so as to get some common manly sense in your heads."

"Here, I say, Mayne Gordon," cried Esau, rising; "let's go back at once."

I rose too, slowly and thoughtfully, waiting to speak, but unable to find suitable words. I was cruelly hurt and surprised at the rough reception I had met with, for I had at least expected to be made welcome for Mrs John's sake. At the same time though, much as it pained me to hear Mr John spoken of so harshly, I began to see dimly that what Mr Raydon said was right, and that it had been a wild idea for us two lads to make such a journey in so speculative a manner. But before I had made up my mind what to say, and while I was standing there hesitating, Mr Raydon began again, in a sharp authoritative tone.

"What have you lads been?" he said.

"Writers--clerks in an office," said Esau, glumly.

"Hah! yes: about the most unsuitable avocation for any one coming out here. You did not expect to find a post at a desk, I suppose?"

"No," said Esau, gloomily, "I meant to build myself a house, and start a farm."

"How?" said Mr Raydon, with a contemptuous laugh.

"Dunno," said Esau.

"Do you understand farming?"

"No, sir, but I'm going to learn."

"Where? at what farm? What do you know about crops? Why, I don't suppose you could grow a potato. Did you ever do any gardening?"

"Only grown mustard and cress, sir, in a box."

Mr Raydon laughed aloud.

"And you, Mayne Gordon," he said; "do you understand stock-raising and sheep?"

I shook my head sally.

"Can you ride?"

"Oh yes," I cried, as I recalled the days when I had about as wild a little Welsh pony as ever boy sat.

"Come, that's something; but you can't ride without a horse."