American literature -- Humor; American wit and humor
"I'm James Grady," said that gentleman. "This," he said, pointing to the
Indian nearest, "is Chief Hole-in-the-Ground of the Olgallala Sioux. Him
in the middle is Mr. Jim Snake, and the one beyond is Chief Skytail,
being a Pawnee."
"Thank you, that is very interesting," said Lord Ploversdale, with
polite irony. "Now will you kindly take them home?"
"See here," said Grady, strapping the camera to his saddle, "I was
invited to this round-up regular, and if you hand me out any more
hostile talk--" He paused.
"Who invited you?" inquired Lord Ploversdale.
"One of your own bunch," said Grady, "Lord Frederic Westcote. I'm no
butter-in."
"Your language is unintelligible," said Lord Ploversdale. "Where is Lord
Westcote?"
Mr. Carteret had watched the field approaching as fast as whip and spur
could drive them, and in the first flight he noticed Lord Frederic and
the Major. For this reason he still hesitated about thrusting himself
into the discussion. It seemed that the interference of a third party
could only complicate matters, inasmuch as Lord Frederic would so soon
be upon the spot.
Lord Ploversdale looked across the field impatiently. "I've no doubt, my
good fellow, that Lord Westcote brought you here, and I'll see him about
it, but kindly take these fellows home. They'll kill all my hounds."
"Now you're beginning to talk reasonable," said Grady. "I'll discuss
with you."
The words were hardly out of his mouth before the hounds gave tongue
riotously and went off. The fox had slipped out of the other end of the
drain and old Archer had found the line.
As if shot out of a gun the three Indians dashed at the stake and bound
fence on the farther side of the road, joyously using their heavy quirts
on the Major's thoroughbreds. Skytail's horse being hurried top much,
blundered his take-off, hit above the knees and rolled over on the
Chief, who was sitting tight. There was a stifled grunt and then the
Pawnee word "Go-dam!"
Hole-in-the-Ground looked back and laughed one of the few laughs of his
life. It was a joke which he could understand. Then he used the quirt
again to make the most of his advantage.
"That one is finished," said Lord Ploversdale gratefully. But as the
words were in his mouth, Skytail rose with his horse, vaulted up and was
away.
The M. F. H. followed over the hedge shouting at Smith to whip off the
hounds. But the hounds were going too fast. They had got a view of the
fox and three whooping horsemen were behind them driving them on.
The first flight of the field followed the M. F. H. out of the road, and
so did Mr. Carteret, and presently he found himself riding between Lord
Frederic and the Major. They were both a bit winded and had evidently
come fast.
"I say," exclaimed Lord Frederic, "where did you come from?"
"I was cured by the Broncholine," said Mr. Carteret.
"Is your horse fresh?" asked Lord Frederic.
"Yes," replied Mr. Carteret, "I happened upon them at the road."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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