The Foreigner: A Tale of Saskatchewan

Chapter XVIII: For Freedom and for Love

251 T he hut of the Nihilist Portnoff stood in a thick bluff about midway between Wakota and the mine, but lying off the direct line about two miles nearer the ranch. It was a poor enough shack, made of logs plastered over with mud, roofed with poplar poles, sod, and earth. The floor was of earth, the walls were whitewashed, and with certain adornments that spoke of some degree of culture. Near one side of the shack stood the clay oven stove, which served the double purpose of heating the room and of cooking Portnoff’s food. Like many of the Galician cabins, Portnoff’s stood in the midst of a garden, in which bloomed a great variety of brilliant and old-fashioned flowers and shrubs, while upon the walls and climbing over the roof, a honeysuckle softened the uncouthness of the clay plaster. It was toward the end of the third week which followed French’s return that Portnoff and Malkarski were sitting late over their pipes and beer. The shack was illumined with half a dozen candles placed here and there on shelves attached to the walls. The two men were deep in earnest conversation. At length Portnoff rose and began to pace the little room. “Malkarski,” he cried, “you are asking too much. This delay is becoming impossible to me.” Chapter XVIII For Freedom and for Love 252 “My brother,” said Malkarski, “you have waited long. There must be no mistake in this matter. The work must be thoroughly done, so let us be patient. And meantime,” he continued with a laugh, “he is having suffering enough. The loss of this mine is like a knife thrust in his heart. It is pleasant to see him squirm like a reptile pierced by a stick. He is seeking large compensation for the work he has done,—three thousand dollars, I believe. It is worth about one.” Portnoff continued pacing up and down the room. “Curse him! Curse him! Curse him!” he cried, lifting his clenched hands above his head. “Be patient, brother.” “Patient!” cried Portnoff. “I see blood. I hear cries of women and children. I fall asleep and feel my fingers in his throat. I wake and find them empty!” “Aha! I too,” growled Malkarski. “But patience, patience, brother!” “Malkarski,” cried Portnoff, pausing in his walk, “I have suffered through this man in my country, in my people, in my family, in my heart!” “Aha!” ejaculated old Malkarski with fierce emphasis, “have you? Do you know what suffering is? But—yes, Portnoff, we must be patient yet.” As he spoke he took on a dignity of manner and assumed an attitude of authority that Portnoff was quick to recognize. “You speak truly,” replied the latter gravely. “I heard a good thing today ,” he continued with a change of tone. “It seems that Sprink—” “Sprink!” muttered Malkarski with infinite contempt, “a rat, a pig! Why speak of him?” “It is a good story,” replied Portnoff with a laugh, “but not pleasant for Sprink to tell. It appears he was negotiating with Mr. French, suggesting a partnership in the mine, but Mr. French kicked him out. It was amusing to hear Sprink tell the tale with many oaths and curses. He loves not French any more.” “Bah!” said Malkarski, “the rest of the tale I heard. He had the 253 impudence to propose—the dog!—alliance with the young lady Irma. Bah!” he spat upon the ground. “And French very properly kicked him out of his house and gave him one minute to remove himself out of gun range. There was quick running,” added old Malkarski with a grim smile. “But he is a cur. I wipe him out of my mind.” “We must keep close watch these days,” said Portnoff. “They are both like mad dogs, and they will bite.” “Ha!” cried Malkarski with sudden vehemence, “if we could strike at once, now! To-night!” His voice rose in a cry, “Ah, if it were to-night! But patience,” he muttered. “Ah, God! how long?” “Not long, my brother, surely,” said Portnoff. “No, not long,” answered Malkarski. “Let them go away from the mine, away from these people. On the railroad line many accidents occur. Let us not spoil all by undue haste.” “It is your day to watch to-morrow, Malkarski,” said Portnoff. “I shall keep watch to-morrow,” said Malkarski. “After all...