Blood Sport Part 12

'I'mgladyoucouldtakemeatsuchshortnotice,withtheFourthcomingupnextweek-end.'Ishookherhand,puttingaslighttouchofGermanaccentintomyvoicebecauseitwaseasierformethanAmericanifIhadtokeepitupforanylengthoftime.Itdidn'tseemaltogetherwisetobeEnglish.

'We'reseldomfullthisearlyintheseason.'Shesmiledasfarupherfaceashercheekboneswhilehereyesskimmedmyclothes,carandluggage.Onlyahotelkeeper'scheckup:ithadn'toccurredtoherthatshe'dseenmebefore.

'I'llshowyoustraighttoyourcabin,ifyoulike?Thenyoucanfreshenupandcomealongheretotheranchhousefordinnerlateron.Therewillbeabell,toletyouknowwhen.'

Iparkedthecar,andcarryingmytwosuitcases,theoldoneandthenewonefromJackson,followedheralongagra.s.sywoodlandtracktowardsoneofseveralsmalllogcabinsscatteredamongthetrees.

Shewastallandstrong,andolderthanshehadseemedontheriver:twenty-sixortwenty-seven,Iguessed.Thefairhairnolongerhungchildishlyloose,butwas...o...b..dupintoaroundtopknot,leavingherneckcoolanduncluttered.Sheworedarkbluelevisinsteadofthewhitetrousers,b.u.t.thepinks.h.i.+rtontoplookedidentical.OneofthestorekeepersinJackson,thefifthItried,hadknownherimmediatelywhenIhadartisticallyletthephotographdropfaceupinfrontofhimasItookmoneyforalocalmapoutofmywallet.

'YolaClive,'hesaidcasually,pickingitup.'AndMatt.Friendsofyours?'

'I'dthoughtoflookingthemup,'Iagreed,sortingoutbills.'HowdoIgetthere,doyouknow?Ihaven'tbeentotheirplacebefore.'

Heobliginglygavemecleardirectionsforafifteen-miledrive,finis.h.i.+ng,'andtheHighZeeRanchistheonlyplacealongthere,soyoucan'tmissit.Butifyou'replanningonstaying,I'dgivethemacallandmakeareservation.It'samightypopularplacetheyrun.'

'Isurewill,'Isaid:andIdid.Ialsoboughtsomelevisands.h.i.+rtsandapairofridingboots,andthesuitcasetoputthemin.Incowboycountrygunspa.s.sedwithoutcomment:Iaddedaheavyblacktooledleatherbeltwithasilverbuckle,andtheclerkdidn'tshowanysurpriseatmywantingtomakesurethatthesmall-of-the-backholsterIsometimesusedwouldslotontoit.

Jacksonpreserveditsownwildwesternflavourtotheextentofasmallauthenticstagecoachwaitinginfrontofthedrugstore:b.u.t.thesleepydisillusionedhorsesbetweentheshaftslookedapoorprospectagainstgallopingredskins.Broadraisedboardwalksedgedwithhitchingrailsra.n.a.longinfrontofthestoresintheshortmainstreet,thoughthemudtheyhadbeenbuilttoavoidhadlongbeenmetalledover.Motelswithsignssaying'air-conditioningandcentralheating'werecalled'CoveredWagon'and'Rustlers'Hideout'.Jacksonwasanuneasymixtureofevolutionandmakebelieve,andclearlyasuccess.

Isatinthesunonahitchingrailmostoftheafternoon:didabitofthinking,andmadetwocallstoWaltatb.u.t.tressLife.

YolaCliveledmeroundaneatstackofsawnlogs,uptwosteps,acrossaminimalporchandthroughascreendoorandawooddoorintothecabin.

'Bathroomthroughthere,'shesaid,pointing.'Andyou'llprobablyneedtolightthestoveintheevenings.Thesnowsonlymeltedheretwoorthreeweeksago,andthenightsarecold.'Shesmiledbrieflyandindicatedasmalltubfulofacrumblymixturewhichstoodbesidethesquatblackstove.'Lightthelogswithtwoorthreehandfulsofthat.'

'Whatisit?'Iasked.

'Pep,'shesaid.'Amixtureofdieseloilandsawdust.'Hereyesglancedprofessionallyroundtheroom,checkingthateverythingwasinorder.'There'sanicemachineoutbackofthekitchen,ifyouwanttomakedrinks.Mostguestsbringtheirownliquor...Wedon'tsellitourselves.Iexpectyou'llwanttogoridingtomorrow.Weusuallyfixthatupoverdinner.'Thehalfsmilecameandwent,andYolawalkedquietlyawayalongthetrack.

Sighing,Iinvestigatedmyquarters.Therehadbeenareasonablecompromisebetweenage-oldmaterialsandmodernconstruction,resultinginast.u.r.dytwo-roomedcabinwithapitchedroofandvarnishedtreetrunkwalls.Twosinglebedsstoodonthepolishedwoodfloorinthemainroom,coveredwithpatchworkquilts.Acurtainacrossahalf-shelvedrecessactedascloset,andthetwouprightchairsandthetablewereallhomebuilt.So,too,Idiscovered,werethetowelrail,stoolandshelfinthebathroom.b.u.t.thebackwoodsstoppedshortoftheplumbing:andthelightingwasranchgeneratedelectric.

Iunpackedontoth.e.s.h.elvesandhangers,andchangedfromtownclothesintolevisandablueandwhitechecks.h.i.+rt.Thecompletevacationer,Ithoughtsourly:andbuckledthegunbeltroundmywaist.

AfterthatforanhourIsatontheporchandlookedattheview,whichwasgoodenoughforachocolatebox.TheTetonrangeoftheRockyMountainsstretchednorthandsouth,withdarkgreenpineforestswas.h.i.+ngupfromthevalleytomeetspotlesssnowcappedpeaks.Alongthebottomranasparklingthreadofblueandsilver,atributarytotheupperreachesoftheonethousandmileSnakeRiver:andbetweentheriverandthewoodsonwhoseedgemycabinstood,awidestretchofsagebrushandscrubwasdottedwithyellowweed-likeflowers.

Thewoodsaroundthecabinstoodonthelowerslopesofanotherridgeofpeakswhichrosesharpandhighbehindtheranch,shuttingitin,closeandprivate.Thestreamranrightalong,inandout,b.u.t.theonlyroadintothenarrowvalleystoppeddeadintheparkingareaoftheHighZee.

Abellclangedloudlyupattheranchhouse.IwentbackintothecabinandputonasloppyblacksweaterwhichhidtheLugerandlookedreasonableatninethousandtwohundredfeetabovesealevel,thoughthestillpersistingheatwavewasdoingagoodjobinthemountainstoo.Walkingslowlyalongthedustygra.s.strackIwonderedifMattClivewouldknowme.Icertainlyhadnoclearmemoryofhisfaceonthepunt,thoughInowknewitwellfromthephotograph.Itwasunlikely,sincehisfullattentionmusthavebeenconcentratedonDaveTeller,thathehadtakenmuchnoticeofme;buthemightpossiblyhaveasharperimpressionthanYola,asIhadbeenclosetohimwhenIwentinafterDave.

Ineedn'thavewondered.Hewasn'tthere.

Yolasatatoneendofalonggoldenwoodtableflankedbychatteringwell-dug-inranchguests.Familygroups,mostly,andthreemarriedcouples.Nosingles.e.xceptme.Abrightwell-coiffuredmotherinvitedmetositbesideher,andherheartyhusbandoppositeaskedifI'dhadalongdrive.Ontheothersideofmeasmallboytoldhisparentsloudlythathedidn'tlikestuffedpancakes,andeveryfaceroundthetablelookedsunburned,vitalandoverflowingwithholidayspirits.Ibatteneddownafierceurgetogetupandgoout,togetawayfromallthatjollity.Ididn'tseehowIwasevergoingtomaketheefforttolookasifIwereenjoyingmyself.

Bytheendofthemealitfeltasifmysmileweresetinplaster,rigidandmechanicaltotheextentthatmyfaceachedwithproducingit.b.u.t.theheartymanopposite,QuintusL.WilkersonIII,'CallmeWilkie,'seemedpleasedtohaveapracticallynon-speakingaudience,andmadethemostofit.Ienduredasplashbysplashaccountofhisday'sfis.h.i.+ng.HiswifeBetty-Annhadriddentothelakewithhim,andthengoneonintothehillsinapartycontaininghertwochildren,SamanthaandMickey.Iheardaboutthattoo,fromallthreeofthem.Theyaskedmetoridewiththeirpartythenextday,andIwrenchedmytongueintosayingI'dbegladto.

Ilastedoutthecoffee.TheWilkersonspromisedtoseemeatbreakfast,andYolaaskedifIwerecomfortableinthecabin.

'Thankyou,yes.'RemembertheGermanaccent.Smile.

'That'sfine,'shesaidbrightly,hereyesslidingpast.'Askifthere'sanythingyouneed.'

Iwalkedstifflyoutoftheranchhouseandalongthedarktracktotheemptycabin;leanedwearilyagainstoneofthepostsholdinguptheporchroofandlookedattherowofpeaksglimmeringpalelyins.h.i.+ftingmoonlight,withstreakycloudacrossthesky.Myheadachedwithafeelingofcompression,asifmybrainwantedtoexpandandfillupwithair.

HowcouldIgoonlikethis,Ithought.DinnerhadbeenaboutasmuchasIcouldmanage.Ididn'tknowwhattodoabout.i.t.Nousepraying:nofaith.IfIwenttoadoctorI'dgetabottleoftonicandahomilyaboutpullingmyselftogether.Therewasabsolutelynothingtobedonebutendureit,andgoonwiththatuntilitgotbetter.IfIcouldonlyconvincemyselfthat.i.twouldintheendgetbetter,atleastIwouldhavesomethingtoclingto.

Somewhereinthevalleyastallionshrieked.

MaybeitwasChrysalis.Ifhewasn'tactuallyontheHighZeeRanchIthoughtthechancesveryhighthathewa.s.somewherenear.MaybeKeebledidknowwhathewasdoingsendingmetofindhim,becauseitwasevidentthatIcouldstillfunctionnormallyontheworklevel:concentrationactedlikeaswitchwhichcutoutthepersonalchaos.IfIconcentratedtwenty-fourhoursaday,lifewouldbesimple.

Onetroublewiththat.Itwasimpossible.

Theranchheldupwardsofahundredandtwentyhorses.Aboutfortyofthemwerepennedinabigcorralnearthemainranch-house,saddlehorsesfortheranchgueststoride.

Breakfasthadbeenearly,b.u.t.thefittingofgueststohorsestooksometime,eventhougheveryoneexceptmehadbeentheretwoorthreedaysandknewwhichanimaltheywanted.TheheadwrangleraskedmeifIcouldride,andifso,howwell.

'Ihaven'tbeenonahorsefornineortenyears,'Isaid.

HegavemeadeadquietonewithU-shapedhocks.ThewesternsaddleseemedlikeanarmchairafterthepostagestampI'dbeenteethedon;andtherewerenonew-fangledthingslikebucklesforraisingandloweringstirrups.Theheadwranglerunlacedthethongholdingthethree-inch-wideleatherstothesaddle,slidthemdowntwoorthreeholes,andlacedthemupagain.Goodsoftleather,whichcouldgoalldayandnotrubthehorse.

Overtoonesideoftheranch-house,past.i.tsgreenwateredlawn,therewasasmallishst.u.r.dilyrailedpaddockofnotmorethananacre.I'dspentallbreakfastlookingoutofthewindowatthesevenhorsesinit.Threemares,twosmallfoals,twostallions.Boththestallionswerebays,butonehadawhiteblazeandwasnothoroughbred.

'Whatarethosehorsesoverthere?'Iaskedthewrangler,pointing.

Hepausedasecondwhileheworkedouthowtoput.i.tdelicatelytoanignorantdude,andaforeignerintothebargain,andthensaid,'Webreedmostofthehorses,onthisranch.'

'Oh,Isee,'Isaid.'Doyouhavemanystallions?'

'Threeorfour.Mostofthese,'heglancedroundthepatientlywaitingmounts,'aregeldings.'

'That'sanicelookingbay,'Icommented.

Hefollowedmyeyesovertothesmallpaddockagain.'He'snew,'hesaid.'Ahalf-bredMattboughtinLaramietwoorthreeweeksback.'Therewasdisapprovalinhistone.

'Youdon'tlikehim?'Isaid.

'Notenoughboneforthesehills,'hesaidbriefly,finis.h.i.+ngthesecondstirrup.'Now,isthatcomfortable?'

'Fine,'Isaid.'Thankyou.'

Henoddedwithcasualfriendlinessandwenttoseetosomeoneelse.Thewranglersdifferedfromthedudesonlyinthematterof.a.geanddress.Theywereallboysoryoungmenbetweeneighteenandthirty,severalofthemcollegeboysworkingtheirvacation.Thedudeswereeitherparentsorchildren;scarcelyoneinthetwenties.Noone,Betty-AnnWilkersontoldmeknowledgeably,calledcowboys...o...b..ysanywhereexceptinfilms.Cowhandwaspossible,b.u.t.therightwordwaswrangler.TherewerenocattleontheHighZee.Thewranglersherdedthehorses,andthehorseswerethereforthedudestoride.

Inthematterofclothesthewranglerswerelessflamboyant,lesswellpressed,altogetherdustier.Theyhadbeenupsincefive-thirtyandotherpeople'sholidaysweretheirhardwork.

'Theyturnthehorsesoutonthehillseverynight,'Wilkieexplained,'andgoupandherdthemdowninthemorning.'

Wesetofffromtheranchintwoparties,abouttwelveguestsandtwowranglersineach.Downoveraflatwoodenbridgeacrossthenarrowriver,andupintothemainTetonrangeopposite.WilkierodeinfrontofmeandBetty-Annbehindaswewoundupwardsthroughthewoodsinsinglefile;andneitherofthemtiredoftalking.

'Theyturnthehorsesoutonthehillsoverherebecausethereisn'tenoughpastureinthevalleytofeedthem.'WilkieturnedhalfroundinhissaddletomakesureIcouldhear.'Theygomilesaway,mostnights.Thewranglersfixabellontosomeofthem,likecowbellsinSwitzerland,sothattheycanfindtheminthemorning.Theonestheyputbellsonarethesortofnaturalleaders,thehorsesotherhorsesliketobewith.'Hesmiledheartily.'It'ssuredifficulttoseethemsometimes,withthesuns.h.i.+ningthroughthetreesandmakingshadows.'

Whathesaidwastruebecausewepa.s.sedagroupofthreeinahollowlateron,andIdidn'tseethemuntilonemovedhisheadandclinkedhisbell.

'Theyonlybringinthenumbertheyneed,'Betty-Annfilledin.'Theyjustleavetherestout,andmaybebringsomeofthemintomorrow,iftheycomeacrossthemfirst.'

'Sosometimesahorsecouldbeoutforaweekatatime?'Isuggested.

'Iguessso,'Wilkiesaidvaguely.Hedidn'treallyknow.'Ofcourse,iftheywantoneparticularhorse,thewranglerswillgorightupthemountaintofindhim,Idoknowthat.'

'Anyonewhocanridewellenoughcangoupwiththewranglersinthemorning,'Betty-Annsaid.'b.u.t.theycanterupanddownhereinsteadofwalk.'

Thepathwa.s.steepandalsorocky.

'Thesehorsesareborntoit,honey,'saidWilkiekindly.'Notliketheridingschoolhorsesbackhome.'

Ateleventhousandfeetthepathlevelledoutontoasmalltree-shadedplateauoverlookingabreathtakingpine-woodedvalleywithabigbrilliantbluelakeinitsdepths.Thecamerascameoutandclickedexcitedly.Thechatteringvoices.e.xclaimedoveranorderofbeautythatdemandedsilence.Andeventuallywerodedownagain.

YolaaskedmeatlunchifIhadenjoyedmymorning,andIsaidwithoutdifficultythatIhad.TheWilkersonchildrenwerecallingmeHansandaskedmetoswiminthestreamwiththemintheafternoon.WilkieclappedmeheartilyontheshoulderandtoldmeIwasagoodguy,andBetty-Annhadirritatinglybegunlookingatmeinawaywhichwouldchangeherhusband'smindaboutthatinstantly,ifhenoticed.

Ileftthelunchtablelastandwhiskedawayalargesliceofbreadinapapernapkin.AlonginmycabinIunpackedsomespeciallyacquiredgroceries,filledonepocketwithsugarcubes,andontothebreadscoopedoutawholetinofsardines.WiththebreadheldstillinthenapkinIwalkeddownthroughthesagebrushandalongtothemares'andfoals'paddock,reachingitonthefarsidefromtheranch-house.

ThereIofferedsugarinonehandandsardinesintheother.Themarescameandsniffed,andallchosesugar.Thefoalschosesugar.Thebaywiththewhiteblazechosesugar.Thedustyhalf-bredthatMattboughttwoorthreeweeksagoinLaramiecamelast,lesscuriousthantherest.

Hesniffedatthesardinesandraisedhisheadwithhisearsp.r.i.c.ked,staringacrossatthehighTetonsasifhearingsomefaroffsound,smellingsomedistantscent.Hisnostrilsquiveredgently.Ilookedatthesplendidlinesofboneintheskull,thegracefullyslantedeye,theperfectangleofheadonneck.Hehadthecrestofathoroughbredstallion,andthehocksofaracehorse.

Hebenthisheaddowntothesardinesandatethelot.

YolaandMattClivelivedinacabinoftheirown,separatefromthemainranch-house,whichcontainedonlythedining-room,kitchens,sittingroom,andwet-daygamesroomfortheguests.

Yolabackedanolive-drabpickupwithsmallwhiteletteringonitsdoorsoutofashadycarportbesidehercabin,anddroveawaydownthedustyroad.Istaredafterher,halfamazed,halfsmiling.Fullmarkstothehorsevandrivers,Ithought.They'dseenboththeSnailExpressvanandthepickup.Theymusthaveseenthembothseveraltimes,butevenso,they'dremembered.

Guestswereallowedtousetheonetelephone,whichwaslocatedinthedives'cabin.Istrolledoverthere,knockedonthedoor,andfoundtheplaceempty.Notlocked,thoughinthiscasetherewasakey.Therewerenolocksonanyoftheguestcabindoors:onecouldonlyboltthemontheinside,withasimplewoodenwedgeslottedintothelatch.

AquicktouroftheClives'cabinrevealedtwoseparatesinglebedrooms,living-room,kitchen,bathroomandoffice.Iplantedthreehypersensitivelisteningdevicesasinvisiblyaspossible,andunhurriedlyleft.

AfterthatIclimbedintotheChevroletanddrovemyselfbacktoJackson,wherethetelephonewasmoreprivate.Mycalltob.u.t.tressLifelastedalongtime,andWalt'scontributiontothesecondpartoftheconversationconsistedofgaspsandprotestsof'Youcan't.'

'Listen,Walt,'Isaidintheend.'We'renotpolicemen.Iimagineyourcompanywouldsettleforthepropertybackandnoquestionsasked?AndmybriefistorestoreChrysalistoDaveTeller.Justthat.Nothingmore.Ifwestartthingsthewayyouwant,we'llendupwithalotofsmartlawyersandmostprobablyadeadhorse.'

Therewasalongpause.'Allright.'Hesaidslowly.'O.K.Youwin.'

Hewrotedownalonglistofinstructions.'ThisisWednesday,'Isaid,thinkingaloud.'Sundaymorning.Thatgivesyouthreecleardays.Shouldbeenough.'

'Onlyjust.'

'Nevermind,'Isaidsoothingly.'Youcandomostofitsittingdown.'

Waltwasn'tamused.'Andyou,whatexactlyw.i.l.l.youbedoing?'heaskedsarcastically.

'Onaduderanch,'Isaidreasonably.'Onedudes.'

AtthePostOfficeImailedofftohimbyexpressdeliverysixhairsfromthemaneofthesardinehorse,andmotoredbacktothegrimbusinessofactingtheholidayI'dfearedfromthestart.

Thethreedaysseemedeternal.Ridingtookupthemorningsandmostafternoonsandthatwasthebestofit.Mealscontinuedtobeadesperatetrial.Thenightswerelong.IwishedthatLynniecouldhavecomewithme,becauseinhercompanythedepressionseemedtoretreat,butshewasEunice'scrutch,notmine.Andherfather,trustmeashemight,wouldhavefoundithardtobelieveIwouldonlyaskforherdaytimecloseness.AndmaybeIcouldn'thavedoneit.Sonoprops.Nopropsatall.

Yolarantheranchwithasortofsuper-efficiencywhichlookedeasy,jugglingstaffandguestsintoharmonywithoutasinglewrinkleofanxietyandwithoutanyshowof.a.ggression.Thefairhaircontinuedtobeworntidilyontop.Herclotheswerejeansands.h.i.+rtandsoftflatshoes.n.o.boots:nomasculinity.Sheradiatedfriendlinessandconfidence,andhersmileneveroncereachedhereyes.

Shedidn'tgoridingwithherguests,andIneversatnexttoheratmealsbecausemostofthehusbandsandmanyofthewivesconductedadignifiedscrambleforherfavours,butonThursdayevening,whenwithseveralothersIwasdrinkingafter-dinnercoffeeoutintheopenonthelongporch,shedroppedgracefullydownintotheemptychairbesideme,andaskedifIwereenjoyingmyholiday,andwasfindingmycabincomfortable.

Iansweredwithhalf-trueplat.i.tudes,towhichshehalflistened.

'Youareyoung,'Isaidnext,withgreatpoliteness,'toownsobeautifulaplace.'

Sherepliedtothissmallprobewithfrankease.'Itbelongedtomygrandfatherandthentomymother.Shediedayearortwoback.'

'Hasitalwaysbeenaduderanch?Imean,itseemsabithillyforcattle...'

'Alwaysaduderanch,'sheagreed.'Mygrandfatherbuilt.i.taboutfortyyearsago...Howdidyouhearofus?'

Iglancedatherunhurriedly,butshewasmerelycurious,notsuspicious.

'IaskedinJacksonforsomewheregoodandfairlyquiet,outinthemountains.'

'Wh.o.r.ecommendedus?'

'Justamaninthestreet.'

Shenodded,satisfied.

'Whatdoyoudointhewinter?'Iasked.

Therewasaflickerintheeyesandaquickprivatesmileonthemouth:whatevershedidinthewinterpleasedhermorethanhotelkeeping.

'Wemovedownsouth.SnowcompletelyblocksthisvalleyfromNovemberthroughMarch.Mostyearsit'sMaybeforewecomeback...WeusuallyopentheranchthesecondweekinJune,b.u.t.thecanyonsareoftenimpa.s.sablethen.'

'Whatdoyoudowiththehorses?'

'Oh,theyG.o.downtotheplain,onafriend'sranch.'

Hervoicewasa.s.strongandcapableastherestofher.Iwatchedhereyesslideroundtowardsthepaddockwiththemaresandfoals,andpausetherecalmly,andreturntome.Expressionless.

Ismiledheraforcefiveversionofanadults-onlysmile,andaskedifsheeverfounditlonely,sofaroutinthewilds.Tothismildbutunmistakablecome-ontherewasnoreactionbeyondacrispshakeofthehead.Iwastheonlymantherenotguardedbyawatchfulwife:Yolawasn'tintheleastbitinterested.

Icomplimentedherontheranchfood,andonthehelpfulnessofthewranglers.ShesaidshewasgladIwaspleased.Iyawnedandapologised,andsaiditmustbeallthefreshair...she'dhearditalldozensoftimesayear,saideverythingshe'dsaidsooftenthatshenolongerhadtothink.Nouseonthisoccasionusinganyjoltingtechniquetoforceoutanunguardedphrase:joltingherwasroughlythelastthingIwantedtodo.

AfterawhileIstooduplazilyandsaidIwouldturnin,andshegavemetheusualmeaninglesshalf-way-upsmile.Shehadn'treallyseenmeatall:wouldn'tremembermeinanothermonth.UnlessIinadvertentlygavehercause.

Thethreebugsinhercabinworkedontheaudio-switchprinciple:anynoise,andspeechespecially,whichtheypickedup,automaticallystartedtherecordingmachinewhichoccupiedthebackhalfoftheordinarylookingtransistorradiostandingbesidemybed.b.u.t.therewaslittletooverhear.Yolasleptalone,andapartfromoneeveningwhensheinvitedfouroftheguestsinforadrink,theonlyconversationsweretelephonecalls.

Inmycabineachevening,warmingbythesquatblackstove,Iplayedbacktheday's'take'.Nearlyallthecallsweretodowithbusiness:groceryorders,laundry,blacksmith'ssupplies,andfuturebookings.Butonecall,onFridayevening,wasworthallthetrouble.