Fort Desolation | Page 8

which poor Teddy dilated most was his solitude. For some time he had been living with no other companions than an old Indian woman and her half-caste daughter, and they having left him, during the last three days he had been living entirely alone "among the ghosts," many of which he described minutely.
This intelligence was brought to an abrupt close by a row among the men in the kitchen. Rollo had been boasting of his walking powers to such an extent, that Pierre had become disgusted and spoke contemptuously of Rollo; whereupon the bully, as usual, began to storm, and his wrath culminated when Pierre asserted that, "Mr Robinson would bring him to his marrow-bones ere long."
"Jack Robinson!" exclaimed Rollo with contempt; "I'd walk him blind in two hours."
Just at that moment the door opened, and Jack stood before them.
"You are too noisy, men," said he, in a quiet voice, (Jack almost always spoke in a soft voice); "remember that this kitchen is within hearing of the hall. Rollo, go down to the beach and haul up the sloop's boat, I see the tide is making on her."
Rollo hesitated.
"You hear?" said Jack, still in a quiet tone, but with a look--not a fierce look, or a threatening look, but--a peculiar look, which instantly took effect.
One has often observed a cat when about to spring. It makes many pauses in its prowling towards its prey, and occasional motions that lead one to expect a spring. But the motion which precedes the actual spring is always emphatic. It may not be violent; it may be as slight as all the previous motions, but there is that in it which tells irresistibly, somehow, of a fixed purpose. So is it, doubtless, with tigers; so was it with Jack Robinson. His first remark to the men was a prowl; his order to Rollo was a pause, with an intention; his "you hear?" softly said, had a something in it which induced Rollo to accord instant obedience!
On returning to the hall, Jack paced up and down indignantly. "So there are two bullies in the camp," he soliloquised; "I must cure them both;--but softly, Jack. It won't do to fight if you can secure peace by other means. Let blows be the last resource. That's my motto. He'll walk me blind! Well, we shall see, to-morrow!"
CHAPTER FOUR.
TAMING A BULLY.
The morrow came, and Jack Robinson rose with the sun. Long before his men were astir he had inspected the few books and papers of the establishment, had examined the condition of the fur and goods store, and had otherwise made himself acquainted with the details of the fort; having gone over its general features with Teddy the day before.
When the "lieutenant" arose, he found indications of his new master having been everywhere before him, and noted the fact! As Teddy was by no means a man of order--although a good and trustworthy man--there was enough to be done before breakfast. Jack purposely put Rollo into the kitchen to prepare the morning meal, this being comparatively light work. He himself worked with the other men in the stores. There was necessarily a great deal of lifting and shifting and clearing, in all of which operations he took the heaviest part of the work, and did his work better and more thoroughly than any of the others. Teddy observed this also, and noted the fact!
At breakfast there was naturally a good deal of talk among the men, and special mention was of course made of the energy of their master.
Breakfast over, Jack assembled the men and apportioned to each his day's work.
"I myself," said he, "mean to walk down to the fishery to-day, and I leave O'Donel in charge; I shall be back to-morrow. Rollo, you will prepare to accompany me."
"Yes, sir," answered the man, not knowing very well how to take this. The others glanced at each other intelligently as they departed to their work.
A few minutes sufficed for preparation, and soon Jack stood with his rifle on his shoulder in front of the house. Rollo quickly made his appearance with an old trading gun.
"You can leave that, we won't require it," said Jack; "besides I want to walk fast, so it is well that you should be as light as possible."
"No fear but I'll keep up with you, sir," said the man, somewhat piqued.
"I do not doubt it," replied Jack, "but one gun is enough for us, so put yours by, and come along."
Rollo obeyed, and resolved in his heart that he would give his new master a taste of his powers.
Jack started off at a good rattling pace, somewhat over four miles an hour. For the first mile Rollo allowed him to lead, keeping about a foot behind. Then he thought to himself, "Now, my friend,