The Puntacooset Colony, Chapters I-III [pp. 1-15]

6The Puntacooset Colony.
of uncondoned offences, and of not altogether
very honorably conducted quarrels; and
had, in one or two cases, the reputation of
having been already very nearly justly
hanged.
All these classes were there represented,
and helped fill out the natural complement of an organized town. So that already a few long-headed men, looking reflectively upon the rapid rising of the place,
began to wonder whether Gila Cafion might
not become a permanent center of population, even after the gold should be exhausted;
and whether, therefore, it might not pay to
'lay out a few land claims in the neighborhood. There were some, indeed, who came
very near doing so, but were restrained by
their review of other places, which at one
time had apparently been as prosperous;
leading to a suspicion that even here, if the
gold was to fail, the whole population might
some day all drift off to other quarters, and
leave the location once more to the occupancy of the hares and coyotes and occa sional straggling bands of Digger Indians.
II
At the one corner of the Gila Canton, the
level bottom pushed its way close beneath
the steep mountain cliff, forming a little
cove or estuary, snugly sheltered from the
heat of the sun, and from any unpleasing
exposure to the wind. The nearest pine
trees had been spared, as yet, whether from
accident or fancy could hardly be deter mined; and formed a kindly and attractive
oasis amid the scene of wanton destruction
which was elsewhere displayed. A branch
of the main stream ran along at the foot of
the rocks, and, as a slight exploration had
proved that its sands contained no gold, it
had been suffered to retain its channel
undisturbed, and still gurgled merrily
onward to its destination. Owing to these
united advantages of shade and water, the
ground did not present the bare and dry
aspect that elsewhere prevailed, but here
and there exhibited something that might be
called turf, and in certain choice spots was
even green. Of course, in the unusual demand for abiding places, such a choice nook
as this could hardly expect to remain unappropriated, and consequently a dozen or two
tents were scattered over it; not built in
line as on a street, but stationed wherever
the shade and grass offered the best advantages, and together, by accidental arrangement, forming a very pleasant and picturesque grouping.
In front of one of these tents, at early
dawn, Mark Redfern sat watching the preparation of his frugal breakfast. He was tall
and muscularly built-had been of too
heavy frame in past days, perhaps; but the
life of the mountains and of the open air
had brought down his weight, so that now,
to all appearance, there was not an atomn of
superfluous flesh upon him, and every nerve
and fibre was properly braced and hardened
for the work imposed upon it. He had
been round-shouldered and stooping, probably; but now the bones of arms and shoulders had regained all their native and first
intended action, moving freely and with
well-sustained power, until his chest stood
out with a rounded arch, seemingly capable
of receiving unharmed the blow of a battering ram. He had been haggard and careworn, most likely, in the old time of Eastern service; but now, though there was
still an expression of thoughtful concern
upon his face, it spoke of the free, independent action of an intelligent will, waiting to
be guided by its own volitions, and not by
the arbitrary direction of others. His forehead was high and broad, his eyes calm and
self-assured, and his mouth seemed firm and
determined-though, covered as it was by
the long, brown beard, which had not been
more than lightly trimmed for months, very
little of its real expression could be read.
He wore a small, thin cap placed sideways
upon his head, pantaloons of mixed gray,
F
6
[Jan.