Landy

“ They were always crossing trails. Many and many the time Landy took the trail of a fine, fat buck only to find a half-devoured carcass—and a round print in the earth. Many the time the pungent cougar-scent frightened into panic a little herd, all of which might easily have fallen to Landy’s rifle. It was a rare day now that Landy took three hides. He did well to get one on the average—and the price of one hide hardly bought food, much less strong drink. His hatred for Pounce came as near being a religion as any emotion that had ever touched Indy’s life. ”

“ Kent asked, too impatient to wait over the pause silently, as Landy looked at Martin, who in turn was beaming upon the parson.
Casting one glance toward Landy, who smiled assent, she, with a triumphant flourish, drew from the depths of her capacious skirt pocket a package that was wrapped about with a towel. Undoing this she disclosed a leather receptable about the size and shape of a banker's note wallet. ”

“ Kent laughed. "I suppose that I would be the same way myself, only—" And here he caught Landy by the shoulder, and, clasping his hand warmly, continued: "You are especially to be congratulated, Landy; for Martin is a jewel. I speak from experience. We have not known each other long, she and I, but she is the kind that a day does as well as a year in which to learn her worth, and I warn you that you will have to be a model to make yourself worthy of her." ”

“ I shall need someone, and Landy is just the one that I should like best, if you could go with him. There is all the place to care for, and it will need a man, and the housework will be more than I can do just yet. Oh, if you could come, Martin, how splendid it would be for all of us! ”

“ Heedless of sighs and half-heard groans alike, Lil Artha just sat there and took his ease, while the slave worked and worked as though he were chained to the galley's oar.
No one ever knew whether it were actually an accident or a deep-laid scheme on the part of the weary Landy to end this period of torture. There may be some things even worse than a mere ducking—at least a stout boy like Landy Smith might think so. ”

“ Landy, does your mother know you're risking your precious old neck on that beaut of a wheel?"
The fat scout did not cease his exertions until he had reached the place where his four chums sat on the fence. Then they saw that while his round face was red, and the perspiration stood out in beads on his forehead, there was a drawn, almost a scared look on his countenance.
"Hey! what ails the fellow?" burst out Lil Artha, as though discovering that Landy was trembling more with some mysterious emotion than fatigue. ”

“ Apparently, Landy took this as a great compliment, for his perspiring face was set in a grin of triumph as he thrust out his tongue at Lil Artha, as much as to say:
"See, Mister Smarty, others appreciate my good qualities if you don't. So just mind your own business, and leave me alone to attend to mine. I'll get there or burst a blood-vessel trying. ”

“ Landy had not yet arrived, but he was heroically endeavoring to join his comrades. Indeed, during a temporary lull in the conversation of the trio of men at the other end of the cabin, Elmer could hear a gasping sound from the tunnel that alarmed him not a little, lest it attract the attention of the plotters, and lead to a search calculated to upset all their well-laid plans. ”

“ Man was given in the beginning a fighter’s build—as perfect a construction for physical activity as nature ever hit upon—and it can be said for Landy that he made the most of it. He was tough as forged iron, and, besides, he managed to whip his knife from his belt as he went down. The cougar found need for all his mighty strength before this hated prey would lie still. ”

“ Kent asked.
"No-o," Landy replied sorrowfully. "Only kin make him laugh."
As the days became colder they were forced to bring Snellins up to the living floor, and in the change the little household had the greatest fear lest by chance their secret might be discovered. Every precaution was taken to prevent surprises. Landy watched and guarded with redoubled care. ”

“ Landy replied quickly, sullenly. "I'm a-lookin' fer a job!"
"Not wo'k!" the boy ejaculated in surprise, drawing a long breath that afterward came out sharply between his teeth. "Say—" he began; but Landy turned into a feed-store, ignoring the balance of his speech, and he resolutely followed.
"Are you strong?" the man asked, in reply to Landy's query.
"You don't know him er y' wouldn't ax," the boy responded quickly, while his companion stood dumbfounded.
"Well, that's pretty good," the feed man laughed. "Do team-work I suppose?"
"Yep!" replied the boy. ”

“ And so the whole troop started off, with Elmer and Landy in the lead, the latter hardly knowing whether to be tickled at the attention he was receiving, or worried because he presently began to doubt his ability to "deliver the goods."
Strange how all sections of the woods look alike to a fellow who is a novice in the art of picking his way. Landy had imagined that he was just soaking in valuable information while following the lead of Matty or Elmer. ”

“ We're all in the same boat, you understand; and we sink or swim together. Now climb up here, and I'll show you how to handle a pusher. Time you learned a few more of the tricks a true scout ought to know."
Landy, apparently, wanted to do his best. He watched how Lil Artha used the heavy pole and then started to imitate him.
"That's the way, Landy," said Mark, desirous of encouraging the stout boy in his new duties; "you can do it all right if you only keep on the watch." ”

“ The arrival of Jim in the old car and Landy's clamorous calls broke up the conference. Davy hurried out to join his [91] friend in their planned trip to the B-line ranch. He was very quiet in the hazards of Brushy Fork, but on arriving at the level stretch beyond he stopped Landy. "What am I going to name this colt, Landy? He's got to have a name, if he's to be taught to do things. Old Boss Fletcher had a name for every elephant in the herd, and they would step right out when their names were called. ”

“ Landy cast a hasty glance about him, and, seeing no look of disapproval to these words, angered almost to the verge of speechlessness.
"You're not men!" he said at last, "not a one of you, an' you're the fish-eat-fish kind. Kickin' when y' got somebody down. I'm the parson's friend, d' y' hear? Y' can't none of y' help a man when he needs help, but where I come from men are men, an' bein' as I'm here t' stay now, I'm goin' t' be his friend!" And then he rushed out, leaving the door open after him. ”

“ I feel that I should help Landy find him. Two will be better than one, and we must bring him back before anyone meets or has any trouble with him."
"My land!" she exclaimed, in unconquerable fear. She locked and bolted the door after him, and, regaining her own room, locked its door also. Placing a chair with its back to brace against the knob, Martin for the first time thought of her babies. She went to the side of their bed, and, scanning the boy's face, breathed a sigh of relief on finding him in a sound sleep. ”

“ Rising at once Virgie simulated as great an excitement as Gyp had shown, and all three went back to the edge of the berry bushes, where Landy, with cumbersome mittens and a face mask, was working earnestly.
"Where did you ever learn the bee business?" Kent asked of him in surprise.
Landy looked back over his shoulder at the group, smiled respectfully to Kent, but made no reply.
"There is the most resourceful man I ever knew," the parson observed admiringly. "He should have been made a general or placed at the head of some big business. His confidence is colossal. ”

“ Landy resumed the way to the north; Davy waited to watch the wagon and its little cloud of dust disappear over a distant swell. When he rejoined his friend he rode in front of Frosty to halt for a conference.
"You've made the right estimate, Landy, they're not bad people. As hurried as they were, they had time to go back a mile or two for the dog. People that do that sort of things are not bad. ”

“ The thing got home to the man’s superstitions. It was as if Pounce were an evil spirit sent to plague him, a were-beast seeking revenge for the wound in his head. There seemed to be no conquering him by trap or poison. Both he passed by, with diabolical cunning; though sometimes he did visit the man’s camp and steal his fresh meat. The great cat even avoided him in their winter hunting-grounds in the foothills, when the round print showed plainly in the snow. Perhaps the man could have conquered with dogs—but for very good reasons Landy did not wish to go to the settlements and seek for dogs. ”

“ Landy, after certain years of varied kinds of lawlessness, had taken to the pleasant occupation of poaching deer for their hides. He was a hide-hunter only, and his usual kill was around three deer a day.
He had heard the soft twitch and crack of a deer’s step in the brush; and it was only a matter of time until the animal would come in to the lick to be viewed along Landy’s sights. There was little to warn her of his presence. He had posted himself so that his smell was blown away. The eyes of the wild creatures cannot ordinarily interpret motionless forms ”

“ Again there was a pause, but no one seemed willing to carry further the line of talk, though the unanimity of thought was obvious, and Snellins, who sat against the counter in the iron saddle of a sulky plow which had been brought in for repairs, became embarrassed by the gravity of things, and, as much in self-consciousness as from a sense of duty, said meekly: "The parson's young, men; remember he ain't much more'n a boy."
"Young! young? you say," shouted Landy, when the seat brace slipped from under Snellins, letting him to the floor, and the group laughed uproariously at his discomfiture. ”

“ You will like Landy. He is the one that located your horse over at Lough's B-line Ranch. I had told him of your wanting a little horse, and this week, while Gillis and I were blasting out the rock and setting the pump, Landy strayed over to Lough's and located the nag. Landy says as soon as he sees you, he can tell instantly if the horse will fit."
"I've got a saddle in that keyster, and he can measure by that," said Davy, "and anyhow I don't want a little, low-headed, round-bellied hoss that can't go places. If he is a cowboy, he will know the kind." ”

“ Gillis, as she placed Davy's high chair at the table. "He was out feeding the horses long before Jim did the milking, and that's unusual. Landy likes you—likes to do the things you plan. Of course Landy has earned a rest, but there's too many that [134] rust out when they rest up. Landy is that kind. He needs to be interested in something. He's had a lot of experience in the cattle business, and with your energy and planning and his experience, you ought to make a lot of money when this depression is over." ”

“ Won't you men come to the house? Father is in Omaha on business and Mother and I are changing things around for the winter. Grandaddy picked out this busy time for one of his visits, so we are all together. Grandad will want to see you Landy, so come up to the house. I want to tell you about that colt, and tell you why it is that I am not to sell him."
There was little else for the mystified Landy and the now, heartbroken midget to do but to follow along, through the gate and along the well-kept bordered path to the immense porch. ”

“ Elmer meant it for something."
"And I can guess what it is," declared Chatz Maxfield, the Southern boy.
"Then tell the rest of us," cried several.
"Why, it's dead easy," was his reply. "Stop and think; who's always losing his hat every chance he gets?"
"Nat Scott!" quickly exclaimed Landy.
"All right. And don't we happen to know that Nat was one of those who went ahead of Elmer and Lil Artha by an hour or so," laughed Red.
"Well, I declare!" cried Landy, "and do you mean to say Elmer has guessed that, or did he see the fellows before he wrote this letter?" ”

“ Again did Red and Elmer find themselves good neighbors as they arrived at a pile of rocks, behind which they sought shelter.
"All safe?" asked the former.
"Yes, as far as I know," came the answer. "Landy fell all over himself, and started to roll downhill, but one of the other fellows pulled him up. He was limping to beat the band, but I hope it's nothing serious."
"No danger," chuckled Red. "Landy is too well padded to suffer much from a fall. Now do we just wait here till the others fetch the lady?" [140]
"That's a part of the contract," said Elmer ”

“ And he also left the knowledge that here was the beginning of a long rivalry, one that could never end as long as they hunted the same district—a bitter war between these two remorseless deer-slayers, Landy the hide-hunter, and tawny Pounce, the largest, strongest, most glorious of all the cougars that ranged the lake country.
THE wound on Pounce’s scalp had no more serious effect than to give him, at times, a racking headache, to increase his natural caution and to fill him with a deathless hatred for all mankind. He had no other real natural enemies. ”

“ Snellins grew physically perfect, becoming round-faced, vigorous and hearty through Landy's ministering. For a long period covering many weeks they had all despaired, as he grew much weaker and refrained entirely from speech because of his weakness. ”

“ Ted croaked, "you'll be that tired of seeing nothing but thwamp all around, that you'll vow never again for yourth."
"I'm going to make a proposition, Elmer," said Landy; "and I hope you'll agree. Suppose we go ashore and tackle some of those elegant blueberries ourselves? It's a shame that bears should be the only ones to enjoy such a feast. And it's tough sitting here so long!"
At that Lil Artha grunted, and looking almost savagely at the speaker nodded his head while he muttered:
"That settles it, my boy; I see your finish. ”