The Quest of the Four: A Story of the Comanches and Buena Vista

The boy and the man ate breakfast together in thedining-room, a breakfast of oranges-Phil had never seenan orange until he came to New Orleans-cakes andbutter and coffee. Only a few of the diners of the eveningbefore were present when they went into the room, butamong them was the young man with the shaven face andthe firm chin. Phil liked him even better in the morninglight. His seemed the kindly face of a man with a strongand decided character. Their eyes met, and the strangersmiled and nodded. Phil smiled and nodded back.After breakfast Phil and Arenberg went out upon theveranda. The man was already there, smoking a cigarette.

"Fine morning," he observed easily. "One could notask anything better than these early spring days in NewOrleans. In the North we are still in the grasp of snowand ice."

Phil and Arenberg also sat down, as the way was nowopened for conversation.

"Then you are from the North, I suppose," said Phil.

"Yes," replied the stranger, "from the State of NewYork, but I am traveling now, as you see. My name isMiddleton, George Middleton."

He paused, meditatively blew a whiff of smoke fromthe little Spanish cigarrito, and added:

"I'm not for long in New Orleans. I'm thinking ofa journey in the West."

"Nobody goes there unless he has a very good reasonfor going. Iss it not so? No harm iss done where noneiss meant," said Arenberg, in a tone half of apology andhalf of inquiry.

Middleton laughed and took another puff at his cigarrito.

"Certainly no harm has been done," he replied."You are right, also, in saying that no one goes into theWest unless he has an excellent reason. I have such areason. I want to look for something there."

Phil and the German exchanged glances. They, too, wished to look for something there. So! Here was athird man seeking to embark upon the great journey.But it was no business of theirs what he sought, howevercurious they might feel about it. Phil took another lookat Middleton. Surely his was a good face, a face toinspire trust and courage.

"We wish to go across Texas and New Mexico, also,"he said, "but we've been delaying until we could form aparty."

"You've two at least," said Middleton, "and younow have the chance to make it three. Why not do so?"

"We will," said Arenberg. "It iss a case wherethree are company, and two are not so much. Our firmis now Middleton, Bedford, Arenberg & Co."

"Do not put me first," said Middleton. "We mustall be on exactly the same plane. But I hope, friends, that you trust me as much as I trust you. I think Iknow truth and honesty when I see them."

"We do!" said Phil and Arenberg together and emphatically.

The three shook hands, and that single act boundthem into a solemn compact to stand by one anotherthrough all things. They did not waste words. Thenthe three went into the town, walking about among theinns and on the levee to hear the gossip of New Orleans, and to learn what chance there was of a large party goinginto the West. On the way Middleton told them of somethings that he had learned. He was not sure, but a largewagon train might start soon for Santa Fé, in the farMexican land of New Mexico. It was to be a tradingexpedition, carrying much cloth, metal goods, and otherarticles of value to this, the greatest of Mexico's outlyingposts.

"It will be a numerous train," said Middleton,"perhaps too numerous, as it may arouse the suspicion ofthe Mexicans. The relations of the States and Mexicoare none too good. There is trouble over Texas, and whocan tell what will happen a thousand miles in the depthsof the wilderness?"

"Nobody," said Arenberg. "Who should know better than I?"

He spoke with such sudden emphasis that Middletonopened his mouth as if he would ask a question, butchanged his mind and was silent.

"Then it is your opinion, Mr. Middleton," said Phil,"that we should join this train?"

"If nothing better offers. All such expeditions areloosely organized. If we should wish to leave it we cando so."

"It iss well to keep it in mind," said Arenberg."No harm can be done where none iss meant."

They entered a large inn kept by a Frenchman. Manymen were sitting about drinking or smoking. Middletonordered lemonade for the three, and they sat at a smalltable in the corner, observing the life of the place. Phil'sattention was presently attracted to another small tablenear them, at which a single man sat. His gaze wouldnot have lingered there, had it not been for this man'speculiar appearance. His age might have been thirty-five, more or less, and his figure was powerful. Hisface was burned almost black by a sun that could nothave been anything but ardent, but his features and hisblue eyes showed him to be American of a fair race. Hisclothes were poor, and he looked depressed. Yet thestranger was not without a certain distinction, an air asof one who did not belong there in an inn. Somethingin the blue eyes told of wild freedom and great spaces.He interested Phil more than anybody else in the room.He felt that here was another man whom he could like.

The talk about them drifted quite naturally upon thesubject of the West, what Texas was going to do, whatMexico was going to do, the great trail toward the Pacific, and the prospect of trouble between the United States andMexico. The shabby man raised his head and showedinterest. His eyes began to glow. He was not morethan three feet away, and Phil, prompted by a sort ofinstinct, spoke to him.

"It seems that all eyes turn toward the West now,"he said.

"Yes," replied the stranger, "and they're right. It'sout there that the great things lie."

He moved his hand with a slight but significantgesture toward the setting sun.

"I've been there once," he said, "and I want to go back."

"A man takes his life in his hands when he travelsthat way," said Phil.

"I know," replied the stranger, "but I'm willing torisk it. I must go back there. I want to look forsomething, something very particular."

Phil started. Here was a fourth who sought somedarling wish of his heart in that far mysterious West.He felt a strange influence. It seemed to him a sign, orrather a command that must be obeyed. He glanced atMiddleton and Arenberg, who had been listening, and, understanding him perfectly, they nodded.

"We three are going into the West, also, on errandsof our own," said Phil. "Why not join us? Three aregood, but four are better."

"It iss a fair proposition," added Arenberg. "Noharm iss done where none iss meant."

"We make the offer," said Middleton, "because onsuch a journey one needs friends. If you do not thinkyou can trust us, as our acquaintance is so short, say so."

The man examined them keenly, one by one. Phil, looking with equal keenness at him, saw that, despiteshabbiness of dress and despondency of manner, he wasnot a common man. In truth, as he looked, thedepression seemed to be passing away. The stranger raisedhis head, threw back his shoulders, and the blue eyesbegan to glow.

"You look all right to me," he said. "A man hasgot to make friends, and if you trust me I don't see whyI can't trust you. Besides, I'm terribly anxious to goback out there, and my reason is mighty good."

"Then shall we consider it a bargain?" said Middleton.

"You may count me one of the band as long as youwill have me," said the stranger with hearty emphasis,"and I suppose I oughtn't to come in as an unknown.My name is Breakstone, William Breakstone, though Iam always called Bill Breakstone by those who know me.Bill Breakstone seems to run off smoother."

He smiled in the most ingratiating manner. Thesudden acquisition of friends seemed to have clothed himabout with sunlight. All the others felt that they hadmade no mistake.

"I'm a rover," said Bill Breakstone in round, cheerfultones. "I've been roaming all my life, though I'mbound to say it hasn't been to much purpose. As yousee me now, I haven't got nearly enough to buy either arifle or a horse for this big trip on which you're askingme to go, and on which I'm wanting to go terrible bad."

"Never mind, Mr. Breakstone-" began Middleton, but he was interrupted.

"I'm Breakstone or Bill to those that feed with me,"said the new man, "and I'm Mr. Breakstone to thosethat don't like me or suspect me."

"All right," said Middleton with a laugh, "it'sBreakstone for the present. By and by we may call youBill. I was going to tell you, Breakstone, that we fourgo in together. We furnish you what you need, andlater on you pay us back if you can. It's the usual thingin the West."

"You're right, my lord," said Bill Breakstone, "andI accept. It gives me pleasure to be enrolled in yourmost gallant company, and, by my troth, I will serve youright well."

Middleton looked at him in amazement, and BillBreakstone broke into a mellow, infectious laugh.

"I don't talk that way all the time," he said. "Itmerely bursts out in spots. You may not believe it, when you look at me, but I studied for the stage once, and I've been an actor. Now and then the old scrapscome to the end of my tongue. All's well that end'swell, and may that be the fate of our expedition."

"Come," said Middleton, after telling his own nameand that of his friends to Breakstone, "we'll go to ourquarters and make a place for you. Phil and Arenbergare in a room together, and you shall share mine."

"Lead on!" said Bill Breakstone.

The four left the inn. Bill Breakstone was as poor ashe described himself to be. He owned only the worn suitof clothes in which he stood, a pistol, and a pair ofsaddle bags, seeming to contain some linen, of which hetook good care.