登陆注册
15682300000008

第8章 ORGANIZING THE FORCES(3)

With all the help he could use, Tolleston was over half an hour making his selections, and took the only blind horse in the entire herd.He was a showy animal, a dapple gray, fully fifteen hands high, bred in north Texas, and belonged to one of the whole remudas bought in Dodge.At the time of his purchase, neither Lovell nor Flood detected anything wrong, and no one could see anything in the eyeball which would indicate he was moon-eyed.

Yet any horseman need only notice him closely to be satisfied of his defect, as he was constantly shying from other horses and objects and smelled everything which came within his reach.There were probably half a dozen present who knew of his blindness, but not a word was said until all the extras were chosen and the culling out of the overplus of the various remudas began.It started in snickers, and before the cutting back was over developed into peals of laughter, as man after man learned that the dapple gray in Tolleston's remuda was blind.

Among the very last to become acquainted with the fact was the trail foreman himself.After watching the horse long enough to see his mistake, Tolleston culled the gray back and rode into the herd to claim another.But the drover promptly summoned his foreman out, and, as they met, Lovell said to his trail boss, "Arch, you're no better than anybody else.I bought that gray and paid my good money for him.No doubt but the man who sold him has laughed about it often since, and if ever we meet, I'll take my hat off and compliment him on being the only person who ever sold me a moon-eyed horse.I'm still paying my tuition, and you needn't flare up when the laugh's on you.You have a good remuda without him, and the only way you can get another horse out of that herd is with the permission of Quince Forrest and Tom Quirk." "Well, if the permission of those new foremen is all Ilack, then I'll cut all the horses I want," retorted Tolleston, and galloped back towards the herd.But Quince and I were after him like a flash, followed leisurely by Lovell.As he slacked his mount to enter the mass of animals, I passed him, jerking the bridle reins from his hand.Throwing my horse on his haunches, Iturned just as Forrest slapped Tolleston on the back, and said:

"Look-ee here, Arch; just because you're a little hot under the collar, don't do anything brash, for fear you may regret it afterward.I'm due to take a little pasear myself this summer, and I always did like to be well mounted.Now, don't get your back up or attempt to stand up any bluffs, for I can whip you in any sized circle you can name.You never saw me burn powder, did you? Well, just you keep on acting the d-- fool if you want a little smoke thrown in your face.Just fool with me and I'll fog you till you look like an angel in the clouds."But old man Don reached us, and raised his hand.I threw the reins back over the horse's head.Tolleston was white with rage, but before he could speak our employer waved us aside and said, "Tom, you and Quince clear right out of here and I'll settle this matter.Arch, there's your remuda.Take it and go about your business or say you don't want to.Now, we know each other, and I'll not mince or repeat any words with you.Go on.""Not an inch will I move until I get another horse," hissed Tolleston between gasps."If it lies between you and me, then II'll have one in place of that gray, or you'll get another foreman.Now, you have my terms and ticket.""Very well then, Archie; that changes the programme entirely,"replied Lovell, firmly."You'll find your private horse in the small pasture, and we'll excuse you for the summer.Whenever a man in my employ gets the impression that I can't get along without him, that moment he becomes useless to me.It seems that you are bloated with that idea, and a season's rest and quiet may cool you down and make a useful man of you again.Remember that you're always welcome at my ranch, and don't let this make us strangers," he called back as he turned away.

Riding over with us to where a group were sitting on their horses, our employer scanned the crowd without saying a word.

Turning halfway in his saddle, he looked over towards Flood's remuda and said: "One of you boys please ride over and tell Paul I want him." During the rather embarrassing interim, the conversation instantly changed, and we borrowed tobacco and rolled cigarettes to kill time.

同类推荐
  • 效特牲

    效特牲

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 佛说离睡经

    佛说离睡经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 守溪笔记

    守溪笔记

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 佛说檀特罗麻油述经

    佛说檀特罗麻油述经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 慎行论

    慎行论

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
热门推荐
  • 生锈的传奇

    生锈的传奇

    他们,熬过了最近一次的地球大劫,眼看着宠物恐龙们变成历史。当他们重见天日,便立时呼风唤雨,以各种方式掌控着整个世界。过去,他们或是秦皇大帝,亦或是成吉思汗,也可能是拿破仑、希特勒、爱因斯坦……现在,他们,或许就是排在福布斯前列的大亨,亦或是权力榜的政要,更甚至就是生活在我们身边的清洁工、同事、恋人……他们,无处不在,在地球有生命的悠久岁月里,不断躲避三千万年一次的颠覆巨灾,蛰伏,然后篡取!而我,仅仅是不小心推开了一扇窗罢了……
  • 殇璃珞

    殇璃珞

    一个,是让我家破人亡,沦落红尘,一生颠沛流离,可我现在却叫他夫君的人。一个,是等我多年,爱我入骨,愿意为我倾覆一生,可我只能眼睁睁看着他战死沙场,含恨离去的男人。人生,没有初见,只有遇见。若有来生,愿,重结缘……
  • 魔君强宠呆萌妃

    魔君强宠呆萌妃

    “我的衣服。。。啊,你对我做什么了,想本小姐一世英名,就这么毁在你手里,呜呜呜”某女大吼到“唉,发生都发生了,那我就对你负责吧,你就当我的暖床丫头吧。”逸心想:这丫头挺好玩的。“我堂堂相府大小姐,给你当暖床丫头?想的美你。”“可是我就只有这一张令万千淑女神魂颠倒的脸”“额,本小姐大发慈悲,你就不用对我负责了”“哦,那我先走了”“等等,我还没。。。”馨儿还没说完,逸就走了。可馨连鞋都不穿,直接下床追逸,抓住了逸辰的手,气喘吁吁的说:“不对本小姐负责可以,你把你。。。呼。。。呼“你想干嘛,不是想非礼本王吧?”前世我负了你,今生无论你走到哪,我都不会放开你了,我会给你你想要的,我会的,相信我。
  • 孤欲成魔

    孤欲成魔

    他的命运从出生那一刻就已注定他本善良,却被一步步逼入成魔的道路魔女为他而生,为了她,他成魔又如何!
  • 仙道鸿途

    仙道鸿途

    千百万年前,一纸禁仙箓降临大地,世上再无仙神。上古强者夺天地造化,凝练大道法则,妄图以人之力行仙之事,生生打碎天地成就万千始蛊之地,生灵涂炭。千百万年后,长生志于仙道,于古老的蛊地中一步一步来到禁仙箓下。
  • 灵之螺旋

    灵之螺旋

    曾经短暂交往的人,消失两年后变成了自己的学生;曾经喜欢的人,现在隔着难以逾越的鸿沟。因为同样强大的灵力,他们重新走到了一起,却是若即若离的状态。而他们身边的人,又将如何?
  • 假面骑士世界观大冒险

    假面骑士世界观大冒险

    一个少年穿越到了假面骑士的世界。为了生存,他捡起腰带,开始了一场冒险。
  • 童蒙须知韵语

    童蒙须知韵语

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • TFBOYS十年不长一起走

    TFBOYS十年不长一起走

    三个少女因为公司的问题随父母来到了重庆,阴差阳错的又碰到了三小只,天生的熟悉,让他们在一个学校,而且还是一个班,后来又慢慢的喜欢,是一见钟情还是日久生情?家长的反对,情敌千方百计的阻挠。一次误会让他们分开了,三小只在知道真相后出去找,三女会回来么?他们还会在一起么?让我们拭目以待吧!
  • 水墨时代

    水墨时代

    许歌,三十七岁,就职于二线城市某不足百人的小公司,学历中专,月薪四千,未婚配,父母双亡,无亲无故。然而,他重生了。从此鱼跃龙门,纵横商场,成为时代骄子?毕竟,小说里面都这么写的。不过,事实证明,那都是胡编乱造的。上辈子平凡,这辈子依旧平凡。最多,他幻想着,记忆里那些曾经错过的遗憾,能够稍稍弥补。谨以此文,怀念那水墨时代里的小人物,小故事。虽然平凡,却也有梦。