第1章
ForsomereasonthedesertscenebeforeLucyBostilawokevaryingemotions——asweetgratitudeforthefullnessofherlifethereattheFord，yetahauntingremorsethatshecouldnotbewhollycontent——avaguelonelinessofsoul——athrillandafearforthestrangelycallingfuture，glorious，unknown。
Shelongedforsomethingtohappen。Itmightbeterrible，solongasitwaswonderful。Thisday，whenLucyhadstolenawayonaforbiddenhorse，shewaseighteenyearsold。Thethoughtofhermother，whohaddiedlongagoontheirwayintothiswilderness，wastheonedropofsadnessinherjoy。LucylovedeverybodyatBostil"sFordandeverybodylovedher。Shelovedallthehorsesexceptherfather"sfavoriteracer，thatperversedevilofahorse，thegreatSageKing。
Lucywasglowingandraptwithloveforallshebeheldfromherloftyperch:
thegreen-and-pinkblossominghamletbeneathher，setbetweenthebeautyofthegraysageexpanseandtheghastlinessofthebarrenheights；theswiftColoradosullenlythunderingbelowintheabyss；theIndiansintheirbrightcolors，ridinguptherivertrail；theeaglepoisedlikeafeatherontheair，andabeneathhimthegrazingcattlemakingblackdotsonthesage；thedeepvelvetazureofthesky；thegoldenlightsonthebarepeaksandthelilacveilsinthefarravines；thesilkyrustleofacanyonswallowasheshotdownwardinthesweepofthewind；thefragranceofcedar，theflowersofthespear-pointedmescal；thebroodingsilence，thebeckoningrange，thepurpledistance。
WhateveritwasLucylongedfor，whateverwaswhisperedbythewindandwritteninthemysteryofthewasteofsageandstone，shewantedittohappenthereatBostil"sFord。Shehadnodesireforcivilization，shefloutedtheideaofmarryingtherichrancherofDurango。Bostil"ssister，thatsternbutlovablewomanwhohadbroughtherupandtaughther，wouldneverpersuadehertomarryagainstherwill。Lucyimaginedherselflikeawildhorse——free，proud，untamed，meantforthedesert；andhereshewouldliveherlife。Thedesertandherlifeseemedasone，yetinwhatdidtheyresembleeachother——inwhatofthisscenecouldshereadthenatureofherfuture？
Shudderinglysherejectedthered，sullen，thunderingriver，withitsswift，changeful，endless，contendingstrife——forthatwastragic。Andsherejectedthefrowningmassofredrock，upreared，rivenandsplitandcanyoned，sogrimandaloof——forthatwasbarren。Butsheacceptedthevastslopingvalleyofsage，rollinggrayandsoftandbeautiful，downtothedimmountainsandpurplerampartsofthehorizon。Lucydidnotknowwhatsheyearnedfor，shedidnotknowwhythedesertcalledtoher，shedidnotknowinwhatitresembledherspirit，butshedidknowthatthesethreefeelingswereasone，deepinherheart。Fortenyears，everydayofherlife，shehadwatchedthisdesertscene，andneverhadtherebeenanhourthatitwasnotdifferent，yetthesame。Tenyears——andshegrewupwatching，feeling——tillfromthedesert"sthousandmoodssheassimilateditsnature，lovedherbonds，andcouldneverhavebeenhappyawayfromtheopen，thecolor，thefreedom，thewildness。Onthisbirthday，whenthosewholovedhersaidshehadbecomeherownmistress，sheacknowledgedtheclaimofthedesertforever。Andsheexperiencedadeep，rich，strangehappiness。
Hersalwaysthenthemutableandimmutabledesert，theleaguesandleaguesofslopeandsageandrollingridge，thegreatcanyonsandthegiantcliffs，thedarkriverwithitsmysticthunderofwaters，thepine-fringedplateaus，theendlessstretchofhorizon，withitslofty，isolated，noblemonuments，andtheboldrampartswiththeirbeckoningbeyond!Hersalwaysthedesertseasons:theshrill，icyblast，theintensecold，thesteelyskies，thefadingsnows；thegrayoldsageandthebleachedgrassunderthepallofthespringsand-storms；
thehotfurnacebreathofsummer，withitsmagnificentcloudpageantsinthesky，withtheblacktempestshanginghereandthereoverthepeaks，darkveilsfloatingdownandrainbowseverywhere，andthelacywaterfallsupontheglisteningcliffsandthethunderoftheredfloods；andthegloriousgoldenautumnwhenitwasalwaysafternoonandtimestoodstill!Hersalwaystheridesintheopen，withthesunatherbackandthewindinherface!Andherssurely，soonerorlater，thenamelessadventurewhichhaditsinceptioninthestrangeyearningofherheartandpresageditsfulfilmentsomewheredownthattraillesssage-slopeshelovedsowell!
Bostil"shousewasacrudebutpicturesquestructureofredstoneandwhiteclayandbleachedcottonwoods，anditstoodattheoutskirtsoftheclusterofgreen-inclosedcabinswhichcomposedthehamlet。Bostilwaswonttosaythatinalltheworldtherecouldhardlybeagranderviewthantheoutlookdownthatgrayseaofrollingsage，downtotheblack-fringedplateausandthewild，blue-rimmedandgold-spiredhorizon。
Onemorninginearlyspring，aswasBostil"scustom，heorderedtheracerstobebroughtfromthecorralsandturnedlooseontheslope。Helovedtositthereandwatchhishorsesgraze，buteverhesawthattheriderswerecloseathand，andthatthehorsesdidnotgetoutontheslopeofsage。Hesatbackandgloriedinthesight。Heownedbandsofmustangs；nearbywasafieldofthem，fineandmettlesomeandracy；yetBostilhadeyesonlyforthebloodedfavorites。Strangeitwasthatnotoneofthesewasamustangorabrokenwildhorse，formanyoftheriders"bestmountshadbeencapturedbythemortheIndians。AnditwasBostil"ssupremeambitiontoownagreatwildstallion。
TherewasPlume，asuperbmarethatgothernamefromthewayhermanesweptinthewindwhenshewasontheran；andtherewasTwoFace，likeacoquette，sleekandglossyandrunningandthehuge，rangybay，DustyBen；andtheblackstallionSarchedon；andlastlySageKing，thecoloroftheuplandsage，aracerinbuild，ahorsesplendidandproudandbeautiful。
"Where"sLucy？"presentlyaskedBostil。
Ashedividedhislove，sohedividedhisanxiety。
SomeriderhadseenLucyridingoff，withhergoldenhairflyinginthewind。
Thiswasanoldstory。
"She"suponBuckles？"Bostilqueried，turningsharplythespeaker。
"Reckonso，"wasthecalmreply。
Bostilswore。Hedidnothaveariderwhocouldequalhiminprofanity。
"Farlane，you"dorders。Lucy"snottoridethemhosses，leastofallBuckles。
Heain"tsafeevenforaman。"
"Wal，he"ssafeferLucy。"
"Butdidn"tIsayno？"
"Boss，it"slikelyyoudid，feryoutalkalot，"repliedFarlane。"Lucypulledmyhatdownovermyeyes——toldmetogotothunder——an"then，zip!shean"
Bucklesweredustin"itferthesage。"
"She"sgottokeepoutofthesage，"growledBostil。"Itain"tsafeforheroutthere。Where"smyglass？Iwanttotakealookattheslope。Where"smyglass？"
Theglasscouldnotbefound。
"What"smakin"themdust-cloudsonthesage？Antelope？Holley，youusedtohaveeyesbetter"nme。Usethem，willyou？"
Agray-haired，hawk-eyedrider，leanandworn，approachedwithclinkingspurs。
"Downinthere，"saidBostil，pointing。
"Thet"sabunchofhosses，"repliedHolley。
"Wildhosses？"
"Itake"emso，seein"howtheythrowthetdust。"
"Huh!Idon"tlikeit。Lucyoughtn"tberidin"roundalone。"
"Wal，boss，whocouldcatchheruponBuckles？Lucycanride。An"there"stheKingan"Sarchrightunderyournose——theonlyhossesonthesagethetcouldoutrunBuckles。"
Farlaneknewhowtomollifyhismasterandlonghabithadmadehimproficient。
Bostil"seyesflashed。HewasproudofLucy"spoweroverahorse。ThestoryBostilfirsttoldtoanystrangerhappeningbytheFordwashowLucyhadbeenbornduringawildride——almost，asitwere，onthebackofahorse。That，atleast，washerfame，andtheriderssworeshewasaworthydaughterofsuchamother。Then，asFarlanewellknew，aquickroadtoBostil"sgoodwillwastopraiseoneofhisfavorites。
"Reckonyouspokesenseforonce，Farlane，"repliedBostil，withrelief。"I
wasn"tthinkin"somuchofdangerforLucy。Butsheletsthethalf-wittedCreechgowithher。"
"No，boss，you"rewrong，"putinHolley，earnestly。"Iknowthegirl。ShehasnouseferJoel。Buthejestrunsafterher。"
"An"he"sharmless，"addedFarlane。
"Weain"tagreed，"rejoinedBostil，quickly。"Whatdoyousay，Holley？"
Theoldriderlookedthoughtfulanddidnotspeakforlong。
"Wal，Yesan"no，"heanswered，finally。"IreckonLucycouldmakeamanoutofJoel。Butshedoesn"tcareferhim，an"thetsettlesthet。An"maybeJoel"sleanin"towardthebad。"
"IfshemeetshimagainI"llropeherinthehouse，"declaredBostil。
Anotherclear-eyedriderdrewBostil"sattentionfromthegraywasteofrollingsage。
"Bostil，look!LookattheKing!He"swatchin"fersomethin"。An"so"sSarch。"
Thetwohorsesnamedwerefacingaridgesomefewhundredyardsdistant，andtheirheadswerealoftandearsstraightforward。SageKingwhistledshrillyandSarchedonbegantoprance。
"Boys，you"dbetterdrivethemin，"saidBostil。"They"dlikenothin"sowellasgettin"outonthesage。Hullo!what"sthetshootin"upbehindtheridge？"
Nomore"nBuckleswithLucymakin"himrunsome，"repliedHolley，withadrylaugh。
"Ifitain"t!Lord!lookathimcome!"
Bostil"sangerandanxietymightneverhavebeen。Thelightoftheuplandrider"sjoyshoneinhiskeengaze。Theslopebeforehimwasopen，andalmostlevel，downtotheridgethathadhiddenthemissinggirlandhorse。Buckleswasrunningfortheloveofrunning，asthegirllowdownoverhisneckwasridingfortheloveofriding。TheSageKingwhistledagain，andshotoffwithgracefulsweeptomeetthem；Sarchedonplungedafterhim；TwoFaceandPlumejealouslytroopeddown，too，butDustyBen，afteratossofhishead，wentongrazing。ThegrayandtheblackmetBucklesandcouldnotturnintimetostaywithhim。Agirl"sgayscreampealeduptheslope，andBuckleswentlowerandfaster。Sarchedonwasleftbehind。ThenthegrayKingbegantorunasifbeforehehadbeenloping。Hewasbeautifulinaction。Thiswasplay——agame——arace——plainlydominatedbythespiritofthegirl。Lucy"shairwasabrightstreamofgoldinthewind。Sherodebareback。ItseemedthatshewashunchedlowoverBuckleswithherkneeshighonhisback——scarcelyastridehimatall。Yethermotionwasonewiththehorse。Againthatwild，gayscreampealedout——callorlaughorchallenge。SageKing，withafleetnessthatmadetheeyesofBostilandhisridersglisten，tookthelead，andthensheeredofftoslowdown，whileBucklesthunderedpast。Lucywaspullinghimhard，andhadhimplungingtoahalt，whentheriderHolleyranouttograsphisbridle。
Buckleswassnortingandhisearswerelaidback。Hepoundedthegroundandscatteredthepebbles。
"Nouse，Lucy，"saidBostil。"Youcan"tbeattheKingatyourowngame，evenwitharunnin"start。"
LucyBostil"seyeswereblue，askeenasherfather"s，andnowtheyflashedlikehis。Shehadahandtwistedinthehorse"slongmane，andas，litheandsupple，sheslippedakneeacrosshisbroadbacksheshookalittlegantletedfistatBostil"sgrayracer。
"SageKing，Ihateyou!"shecalled，asifthehorsewerehuman。"AndI"llbeatyousomeday!"
BostilsworebythegodshisSageKingwastheswiftesthorseinallthatwilduplandcountryofwonderfulhorses。Hesworethegreatgraycouldlookbackoverhisshoulderandrunawayfromanybrokenhorseknowntotheriders。
Bostilhimselfwashalfhorse，andthehalfofhimthatwashumanhedividedbetweenloveofhisfleetracersandhisdaughterLucy。HehadseenyearsofhardridingonthatwildUtahborderwhere，inthosedays，ahorsemeantalltheworldtoaman。AluckystrikeofgrassyuplandandgoodwatersouthoftheRioColoradomadehimrichinallthathecaredtoown。TheIndians，yetunspoiledbywhitemen，werefriendly。BostilbuiltaboatattheIndiancrossingoftheColoradoandtheplacebecameknownasBostil"sFord。Fromtimetotimehispersonalityandhisreputationandhisneedbroughthorse-hunters，riders，sheep-herders，andmenofpioneerspirit，aswellaswanderingdeserttravelers，totheFord，andthelonely，isolatedhamletslowlygrew。Northoftheriveritwasmorethantwohundredmilestothenearestlittlesettlement，withonlyafewlonelyranchesontheroad；tothewestwereseveralvillages，equallydistant，butcutofffortwomonthsatatimebytheragingColorado，floodedbymeltingsnowupinthemountains。
EastwardfromtheFordstretchedaghastly，broken，unknowndesertofcanyons。
Southwardrolledthebeautifuluplands，withvalleysofsageandgrass，andplateausofpineandcedar，untilthisrichrollinggrayandgreenrangebrokesharplyonapurplehorizonlineofupflungrockyrampartsandwallsandmonuments，wild，dim，andmysterious。
Bostil"scattleandhorseswerenumberless，andmanyaswerehisriders，healwayscouldusemore。ButmostridersdidnotabidelongwithBostil，firstbecausesomeofthemwereofawanderingbreed，wild-horsehuntersthemselves；
andsecondly，Bostilhadtwogreatfaults:heseldompaidariderinmoney，andheneverpermittedonetoownafleethorse。Hewantedtoownallthefasthorseshimself。Andinthosedayseveryrider，especiallyawild-horsehunter，lovedhissteedaspartofhimself。IftherewasadifferencebetweenBostilandanyriderofthesage，itwasthat，ashehadmorehorses，sohehadmorelove。
WheneverBostilcouldnotgetpossessionofahorsehecoveted，eitherbypurchaseortrade，heinvariablyacquiredagrievancetowardtheowner。Thishappenedoften，forriderswereloathtopartwiththeirfavorites。Andhehadmademorethanoneenemybyhispersistentnagging。Itcouldnotbesaid，however，thathesoughttodrivehardbargains。Bostilwouldpayanypriceaskedforahorse。
AcrosstheColorado，inahigh，red-walledcanyonopeningupontheriver，livedapoorsheep-herderandhorse-tradernamedCreech。Thismanownedanumberofthoroughbreds，twoofwhichhewouldnotpartwithforallthegoldintheuplands。Theseracers，BlueRoanandPeg，hadbeencapturedwildontherangesbyUteIndiansandbrokentoracing。Theywerestillyoungandgettingfastereveryyear。Bostilwantedthembecausehecovetedthemandbecausehefearedthem。Itwouldhavebeenaterribleblowtohimifanyhorseeverbeatthegray。ButCreechlaughedatalloffersandtauntedBostilwithaboastthatinanothersummerhewouldseeahorseoutinfrontoftheKing。
TocomplicatemattersandleadrivalryintohatredyoungJoelCreech，agreathorseman，butworthlessintheeyesofallsavehisfather，hadbeenheardtosaythatsomedayhewouldforcearacebetweentheKingandBlueRoan。Andthatthreathadbeentakeninvariousways。ItalienatedBostilbeyondallhopeofreconciliation。ItmadeLucyBostillaughandlooksweetlymysterious。
Shehadnoenemiesandshelikedeverybody。ItwasevengossipedbythewomenofBostil"sFordthatshehadmorethanlikingfortheidleJoel。ButthehusbandsofthesegossipssaidLucywasonlytender-hearted。Amongtheriders，whentheysataroundtheirlonelycamp-fires，orloungedatthecorralsoftheFord，therewasspeculationinregardtothisracehintedbyJoelCreech。
ThereneverhadbeenaracebetweentheKingandBlueRoan，andthereneverwouldbe，unlessJoelweretorideoffwithLucy。Inthatcasetherewouldbethegrandestraceeverrunontheuplands，withtheoddsagainstBlueRoanonlyifhecarrieddouble。IfJoelputLucyupontheRoanandherodePegtherewouldbeanotherstory。LucyBostilwasaslipofagirl，bornonahorse，asstrongandsuppleasanIndian，andshecouldridelikeaburrstickinginahorse"smane。WithBlueRoancarryingherlightweightshemightrunawayfromanyoneupontheKing——whichforBostilwouldbeadoubletragedy，equallyinthelossofhisdaughterandthebeatingofhisbest-belovedracer。ButwithJoelonPeg，sucharacewouldendinheartbreakforallconcerned，fortheKingwouldoutrunPeg，andthatwouldbringriderswithingunshot。
Ithadalwaysbeenafascinatingsubject，thislong-looked-forrace。ItgrewmoresowhenJoel"sinfatuationforLucybecameknown。TherewerefewerriderswhobelievedLucymightelopewithJoelthantherewerewhobelievedJoelmightstealhisfather"shorses。Butalltheriderswholovedhorsesandallthewomenwholovedgossipwereunitedinatleastonething，andthatwasthatsomethinglikearaceoraromancewouldsoondisruptthepeaceful，sleepytenorofBostil"sFord。
InadditiontoBostil"sgrowinghatredfortheCreeches，hehadagreatfearofCordts，thehorse-thief。Afeareverrestless，everwatchful。Cordtshidbackintheuntroddenways。Hehadsecretfriendsamongtheridersoftheranges，faithfulfollowersbackinthecanyoncamps，goldforthedigging，cattlebythethousand，andfasthorses。Hehadalwaysgottenwhathewanted——exceptonething。Thatwasacertainhorse。AndthehorsewasSageKing。
Cordtswasabadman，aproductoftheearlygold-fieldsofCaliforniaandIdaho，anoutcastfromthatevilwaveofwanderersretreatingbackoverthetrailssomadlytraveledwestward。Hebecamealordoverthefreeranges。Butmorethanallelsehewasarider。Heknewahorse。HewasasmuchhorseasBostil。Cordtsrodeintothiswildfree-rangecountry，wherehehadbeen，heardtosaythatahorse-thiefwasmeanerthanapoisonedcoyote。
Nevertheless，hebecameahorse-thief。ThepassionhehadconceivedfortheSageKingwasthepassionofamanforanunattainablewoman。Cordtssworethathewouldneverrest，thathewouldnotdie，tillheownedtheKing。SotherewasreasonforBostil"sgreatfear。
CHAPTERII
Bostilwenttowardthehousewithhisdaughter，turningatthedoortocallalastwordtohisridersaboutthecareofhishorses。
Thehousewasalow，flat，widestructure，withacorridorrunningthroughthemiddle，fromwhichdoorsledintotheadobe-walledrooms。Thewindowsweresmallopeningshighup，evidentlyintendedfordefenseaswellaslight，andtheyhadrudewoodenshutters。Thefloorwasclay，coveredeverywherebyIndianblankets。Apioneer"shomeitwas，simpleandcrude，yetcomfortable，andhavingtherarequalitypeculiartodeserthomesitwascoolinsummerandwarminwinter。
AsBostilenteredwithhisarmroundLucyabighoundrosefromthehearth。
Thisroomwasimmense，runningthelengthofthehouse，anditcontainedahugestonefireplace，whereakettlesmokedfragrantly，andrudehome-madechairswithblanketcoverings，andtablestomatch，andwallscoveredwithbridles，guns，pistols，Indianweaponsandornaments，andtrophiesofthechase。Inafarcornerstoodawork-bench，withtoolsuponitandhorsetrappingsunderit。Intheoppositecomeradoorledintothekitchen。ThisroomwasBostil"sfamousliving-room，inwhichmanythingshadhappened，someofwhichhadhelpedmakedeserthistoryandwerenevermentionedbyBostil。
Bostil"ssistercameinfromthekitchen。Shewasahugepersonwithasevereyetmotherlyface。Shehadherhandsonherhips，andshecastaratherdisapprovingglanceatfatheranddaughter。
"Soyou"rebackagain？"shequeried，severely。
"Sure，Auntie，"repliedthegirl，complacently。
"YouranofftogetoutofseeingWetherby，didn"tyou？"
Lucystaredsweetlyatheraunt。
"Hewaswaitingforhours，"wentontheworthywoman。"Ineversawamaninsuchastew。Nowonder，playingfastandloosewithhimthewayyoudo。"
"ItoldhimNo!"flashedLucy。
"ButWetherby"snotthekindtotakeno。AndI"mnotsatisfiedtoletyoumeanit。LucyBostil，youdon"tknowyourmindanhourstraightrunning。You"vefooledenoughwiththeseridersofyourDad"s。Ifyou"renotcarefulyou"llmarryoneofthem。Oneofthesewildriders!AsbadasaUteIndian!。Wetherbyisyoungandheidolizesyou。Inallcommonsensewhydon"tyoutakehim？"
"Idon"tcareforhim，"repliedLucy。
"Youlikehimaswellasanybody。JohnBostil，whatdoyousay？YouapprovedofWetherby。IheardyoutellhimLucywaslikeanunbrokencoltandthatyou"d——"
"Sure，IlikeJim，"interruptedBostil；andheavoidedLucy"sswiftlook。
"Well？"demandedhissister。
EvidentlyBostilfoundhimselfinacornerbetweentwofires。Helookedsheepish，thendisgusted。
"Dad!"exclaimedLucy，reproachfully。
"Seehere，Jane，"saidBostil，withanairoffinality，"thegirlisofageto-day——an"shecandowhatshedamnpleases!"
"That"safinethingforyoutosay，"retortedAuntJane。"Likeasnotshe"llbefetchingthathang-dogJoelCreechuphereforyoutosupport。"
"Auntie!"criedLucy，hereyesblazing。
"Oh，child，youtormentme——worrymeso，"saidthedisappointedwoman。"It"sallforyoursake。Lookatyou，LucyBostil!Agirlofeighteenwhocomesofafamily!Andyouridingaroundandgoingaroundasyouarenow——inaman"sclothes!"
"But，youdearoldgoose，Ican"trideinawoman"sskirt，"expostulatedLucy。
"Mindyou，Auntie，IcanRIDE!"
"Lucy，ifIlivehereforeverI"dnevergetreconciledtoaBostilwomaninleatherpants。WeBostilsweresomebodyonce，backinMissouri。"
Bostillaughed。"Yes，an"ifIhadn"thitthetrailwestwe"dbestarvin"yet。
Jane，you"reasentimentaloldfool。Letthegirlalonean"reconcileyourselftothiswilderness。"
AuntJane"seyeswerewetwithtears。Lucy，seeingthem，rantoherandhuggedandkissedher。
"Auntie，Iwillpromise——fromto-day——tohavesomedignity。I"vebeenfreeasaboyintheseriderclothes。AsIamnowthemenneverseemtoregardmeasagirl。Somehowthat"sbetter。Ican"texplain，butIlikeit。Mydressesarewhathavecausedallthetrouble。Iknowthat。ButifI"mgrownup——ifit"ssotremendous——thenI"llwearadressallthetime，exceptjustWHENIride。
Willthatdo，Auntie？"
"Maybeyouwillgrowup，afterall，"repliedAuntJane，evidentlysurprisedandpleased。
ThenLucywithclinkingspursranawaytoherroom。
"Jane，what"sthisnonsenseaboutyoungJoelCreech？"askedBostil，gruffly。
"Idon"tknowanymorethanisgossiped。ThatItoldyou。HaveyoueveraskedLucyabouthim？"
"Isurehaven"t，"saidBostil，bluntly。
"Well，askher。Ifshetellsyouatallshe"lltellthetruth。Lucy"dneversleepatnightifshelied。"
AuntJanereturnedtoherhousewifelytasks，leavingBostilthoughtfullystrokingthehoundandwatchingthefire。PresentlyLucyreturned——adifferentLucy——onethatdidnotrousehisrider"spride，butthrilledhisfather"sheart。Shehadbeenaslim，lithe，supple，disheveledboy，breathingthewildspiritoftheopenandthehorsesherode。Shewasnowagirlinthegracefulroundnessofherslenderform，withhairthegoldofthesageatsunset，andeyestheblueofthedeephazeofdistance，andlipsthesweetredoftheuplandrose。Andallaboutherseemeddifferent。
"Lucy——youlook——like——likesheusedtobe，"saidBostil，unsteadily。
"Mymother!"murmuredLucy。
Butthesetwo，sokeen，sostrong，soalive，didnotabidelongwithsadmemories。
"Lucy，Iwanttoaskyousomethin"，"saidBostil，presently。"WhataboutthisyoungJoelCreech？"
Lucystartedasifsuddenlyrecalled，thenshelaughedmerrily。"Dad，youoldfox，didyouseehimrideoutafterme？"
"No。Iwasjustaskin"on——ongeneralprinciples。"
"Whatdoyoumean？"
"Lucy，isthereanythin"betweenyouan"Joel？"heasked，gravely。
"No，"shereplied，withhercleareyesuptohis。
Bostilthoughtofabluebell。"I"mbeggin"yourpardon，"hesaid，hastily。
"Dad，youknowhowJoelrunsafterme。I"vetoldyou。Ilethimtilllately。I
likedhim。Butthatwasn"twhy。Ifeltsorryforhim——pitiedhim。"
"Youdid？Seemsanawfulwaste，"repliedBostil。
"Dad，Idon"tbelieveJoelis——perfectlyrightinhismind，"Lucysaid，solemnly。
"Haw!haw!Finecomplimentsyou"repayin"yourself。"
"Listen。I"mserious。ImeanI"vegrowntosee——lookingback——thataslow，gradualchangehascomeoverJoelsincehewaskickedintheheadbyamustang。I"msurenooneelsehasnoticedit。"
"Goin"battyoveryou。That"snounusualsignroundthisherecamp。Lookat——"
"We"retalkingaboutJoelCreech。Latelyhehasdonesomequeerthings。
To-day，forinstance。IthoughtIgavehimtheslip。Buthemusthavebeenwatching。Anyway，tomysurpriseheshoweduponPeg。Hedoesn"toftengetPegacrosstheriver。Hesaidthefeedwasgettingscarceoverthere。IwasdyingtoraceBucklesagainstPeg，butIrememberedyouwouldn"tlikethat。"
"Ishouldsaynot，"saidBostil，darkly。
"Well，Joelcaughtuptome——andhewasn"tniceatall。Hewasworseto-day。
Wequarreled。IsaidI"dbethe"dneverfollowmeagainandhesaidhe"dbethewould。Thenhegotsulkyandhungback。Irodeaway，gladtoberidofhim，andIclimbedtoafavoriteplaceofmine。OnmywayhomeIsawPeggrazingontherimofthecreek，nearthatbigspring-holewherethewater"ssodeepandclear。Andwhatdoyouthink？TherewasJoel"sheadabovethewater。I
rememberedinourquarrelIhadtoldhimtogowashhisdirtyface。Hewasdoingit。Ihadtolaugh。Whenhesawme——he——then——thenhe——"Lucyfaltered，blushingwithangerandshame。
"Well，whatthen？"demandedBostil，quietly。
"Hecalled，"Hey，Luce——takeoffyourclothesandcomeinforaswim!""
Bostilswore。
"ItellyouIwasmad，"continuedLucy，"andjustassurprised。Thatwasoneofthequeerthings。Butneverbeforehadhedaredto——to-"
"Insultyou。Thenwhat"dyoudo？"interruptedBostil，curiously。
"Iyelled，"I"llfixyou，JoelCreech!"。Hisclotheswereinapileonthebank。AtfirstIthoughtI"dthrowtheminthewater，butwhenIgottothemI
thoughtofsomethingbetter。Itookupallbuthisshoes，forIrememberedthetenmilesofrockandcactusbetweenhimandhome，andIclimbeduponBuckles。Joelscreamedandsworesomethingfearful。ButIdidn"tlookback。
AndPeg，youknow——maybeyoudon"tknow——butPegisfondofme，andhefollowedme，straddlinghisbridleallthewayin。IdroppedJoel"sclothesdowntheridgeaways，rightinthetrail，sohecan"tmissthem。Andthat"sall。Dad，wasit——wasitverybad？"
"Bad!Why，yououghttohavethrownyourgunonhim。Atleastbouncedarockoffhishead!Butsay，Lucy，afterall，maybeyou"vedoneenough。Iguessyouneverthoughtofit。"
"What？"
"Thesunishotto-day。Hot!An"ifJoel"sascrazyan"madasyousayhe"llnothavesenseenoughtostayinthewaterorshadetillthesun"sgonedown。
An"ifhetacklesthattenmilesbeforehe"llsunburnhimselfwithinaninchofhislife。"
"Sunburn？Oh，Dad!I"msorry，"burstoutLucy，contritely。"Ineverthoughtofthat。I"llridebackwithhisclothes。"
"Youwillnot，"saidBostil。
"Letmesendsomeone，then，"sheentreated。
"Girl，haven"tyouthenervetoplayyourowngame？LetCreechgethislesson。
Hedeservesit。An"now，Lucy，I"vetwomorequestionstoask。"
"Onlytwo？"shequeried，archly。"Dad，don"tscoldmewithquestions。"
"WhatshallIsaytoWetherbyforgoodan"all？"
Lucy"seyesshadeddreamily，andsheseemedtolookbeyondtheroom，outovertheranges。
"TellhimtogobacktoDurangoandforgetthefoolishgirlwhocancareonlyforthedesertandahorse。"
"Allright。Thatisstraighttalk，likeanIndian"s。An"nowthelastquestion——whatdoyouwantforabirthdaypresent？"
"Oh，ofcourse，"shecried，gleefullyclappingherhands。I"dforgottenthat。
I"meighteen!"
"Yougetthatoldchestofyourmother"s。Butwhatfromme？"
"Dad，willyougivemeanythingIaskfor？"
"Yes，mygirl。"
"Anything——anyHORSE？"
Lucyknewhisweakness，forshehadinheritedit。
"Sure；anyhorsebuttheKing。"
"HowaboutSarchedon？"
"Why，Lucy，what"dyoudowiththatbigblackdevil？He"stoohigh。Seventeenhandshigh!Youcouldn"tmounthim。"
"Pooh!SarchKNEELSforme。"
"Child，listentoreason。Sarchwouldpullyourarmsoutoftheirsockets。"
"Hehasgotanironjaw，"agreedLucy。"Well，then——howaboutDustyBen？"Shewastormentingherfatherandshediditwithglee。
"No——notBen。He"sthefaithfulesthossIeverowned。Itwouldn"tbefairtopartwithhim，eventoyou。Oldassociationsarider"sloyalty
now，Lucy，youknow——"
"Dad，you"reafraidI"dtrainandloveBenintobeatingtheKing。SomedayI"llridesomehorseoutinfrontofthegray。Remember，Dad!ThengivemeTwoFace。"
"Surenother，Lucy。Thetmarecan"tbetrusted。LookwhywenamedherTwoFace。"
"Buckles，then，deargenerousDaddywholongstogivehisgrown-upgirlANYTHING!"
"Lucy，can"tyoubesatisfiedan"happywithyourmustangs？You"vegotadozen。Youcanhaveanyothersontherange。Bucklesain"tsafeforyoutoride。"
Bostilwasnotablythemostgenerousofmen，thekindestoffathers。Itwasanindicationofhisstrangeobsession，inregardtohorses，thatheneverwouldseethatLucywasteasinghim。Asfarashorseswereconcernedhelackedasenseofhumor。Anythingconnectedwithhishorseswasofintenseinterest。
"I"ddearlylovetoownPlume，"saidLucy，demurely。
Bostilhadgrownredinthefaceandnowhewasontherack。Themonstrousselfishnessofariderwhohadbeensupremeinhisdaycouldnotbechanged。
"Girl，I——Ithoughtyouhadn"tnouseforPlume，"hestammered。
"Ihaven"t——thejade!Shethrewmeonce。I"veneverforgivenherDad，I"monlyteasingyou。Don"tIknowyoucouldn"tgiveoneofthoseracersaway？
Youcouldn"t!"
"Lucy，Ireckonyou"reright，"Bostilburstoutinimmenserelief。
"Dad，I"llbetifCordtsgetsmeandholdsmeasransomfortheKing——ashe"sthreatened——you"lllethimhaveme!"
"Lucy，nowthetain"tfunny!"complainedthefather。
"DearDad，keepyouroldracers!But，remember，I"mmyfather"sdaughter。I
canloveahorse，too。Oh，ifIevergettheoneIwanttolove!Awildhorse——adesertstallion——pureArabian——brokenrightbyanIndian!IfIevergethim，Dad，youlookout!ForI"llrunawayfromSarchandBen——andI"llbeattheKing!"
ThehamletofBostil"sFordhadasingularsituation，though，consideringthewonderfulnatureofthatdesertcountry，itwasnotexceptional。ItlayundertheprotectingredbluffthatonlyLucyBostilcaredtoclimb。Ahard-troddenroadwounddownthroughroughbreaksinthecanyonwalltotheriver。Bostil"shouse，attheheadofthevillage，lookedintheoppositedirection，downthesageslopethatwidenedlikeacolossalfan。Therewasonewidestreetborderedbycottonwoodsandcabins，andanumberofgardensandorchards，beginningtoburstintogreenandpinkandwhite。Abrookranoutofaravineinthehugebluff，andfromthisledirrigationditches。Theredearthseemedtoblossomatthetouchofwater。
TheplaceresembledanIndianencampment——quiet，sleepy，colorful，withthetiny-streamsofwaterrunningeverywhere，andlazycolumnsofbluewood-smokerising。Bostil"sFordwastheoppositeofabusyvillage，yetitsfewinhabitants，asawhole，wereprosperous。Thewantsofpioneerswerefew。
Perhapsonceamonththebig，clumsyflatboatwasrowedacrosstheriverwithhorsesorcattleorsheep。Andtheseasonwasnowcloseathandwhenforweeks，sometimesmonths，theriverwasunfordable。Therewereascoreofpermanentfamilies，ahostofmerry，sturdychildren，anumberofidleyoungmen，andonlyonegirl——LucyBostil。Butthevillagealwayshadtransientinhabitants——friendlyUtesandNavajosintotrade，andsheep-herderswithascraggy，woollyflock，andtravelersofthestrangereligioussectidentifiedwithUtahgoingonintothewilderness。Thentherewerealwaysriderspassingtoandfro，andsometimesunknownonesregardedwithcaution。Horse-thievessometimesboldlyrodein，andsometimeswereabletosellortrade。Inthematterofhorse-dealingBostil"sFordwasasboldasthethieves。
OldBrackton，amanofvariedWesternexperience，kepttheonestore，whichwastavern，trading-post，freighter"sheadquarters，blacksmith"sshop，andanythingelseneedful。Bracktonemployedriders，teamsters，sometimesIndians，tofreightsuppliesinonceamonthfromDurango。Andthatwasovertwohundredmilesaway。Sometimesthesuppliesdidnotarriveontime——occasionallynotatall。Newsfromtheoutsideworld，exceptthatelicitedfromthetaciturntravelersmarchingintoUtah，driftedinatintervals。Butitwasnotmissed。
Thesewildernessspiritsweretheforerunnersofagreat，movement，andassuchwerebig，strong，stern，sufficientuntothemselves。Lifetherewasmadepossiblebyhorses。Thedistantfuture，thatlookedbrighttofar-seeingmen，mustbeandcouldonlybefulfilledthroughtheenduranceandfaithfulnessofhorses。Andthen，fromthesemen，horsesreceivedthemeedduethem，andthelovetheyweretrulyworth。TheNavajowasanomadhorseman，anArabofthePaintedDesert，andtheUteIndianwasclosetohim。Itwastheywhodevelopedthewhiteridersoftheuplandsaswellasthewild-horsewranglerorhunter。
Brackton"sramshackleestablishmentstooddownattheendofthevillagestreet。Therewasnotasawedboardinallthatstructure，andsomeofthepinelogsshowedhowtheyhadbeendroppedfromthebluff。Brackton，alittleoldgrayman，withscantbeard，andeyeslikethoseofabird，camebrisklyouttomeetanincomingfreighter。Thewagonwasminusahindwheel，buttheteamsterhadcomeinonthreewheelsandapole。Thesweaty，dust-caked，weary，thin-ribbedmustangs，andthegray-and-red-stainedwagon，andthehugejumbleofdustypacks，showedsomethingofwhatthejourneyhadbeen。
"Hithar，RedWilson，youairsomelategettin"in，"greetedoldBrackton。
RedWilsonhadredeyesfromfightingtheflyingsand，andreddustpastedinhisscraggybeard，andashegavehisbeltanupwardhitchlittleredcloudsflewfromhisgun-sheath。
"Yep。An"Ileftawheelan"partoftheloadonthetrail，"hesaid。
WithhimwereIndianswhobegantounhitchtheteams。RidersloungingintheshadegreetedWilsonandinquiredfornews。Theteamsterrepliedthattravelwasdry，thewater-holesweredry，andhewasdry。Andhisreplygavebothconcernandamusement。
"Onemoretripoutan"back——thet"sall，tillitrains，"concludedWilson。
Bracktonledhiminside，evidentlytoalleviatepartofthatdryness。
Waterandgrass，nexttohorses，werethestocksubjectofallriders。
"It"sgotoncommonhotearly，"saidone。
"Yes，an"themnortheastwinds——hardthisspring，"saidanother。
"Nosnowontheuplands。"
"Holleyseenadryspellcomin"。Wal，wecandriftalongwithoutfreighters。
There"sgrassan"waterenoughhere，evenifitdoesn"train。"
"Sure，butthereain"tnoneacrosstheriver。"
"Neverwas，inearlyseason。An"iftherewasit"dbesheepedoff。"
"Creech"llbefetchin"hishossesacrosssoon，Ireckon。"
"Youbethewill。He"strainin"fortheracesnextmonth。"
"An"whenairtheycomin"off？"
"Yougotme。MebbeVanknows。"
Someoneproddedasleepyriderwholayallhissplendidlithelength，hatoverhiseyes。Thenhesatupandblinked，alean-faced，gray-eyedfellow，halfgood-naturedandhalfresentful。
"Didsomebodypunchme？"
"Naw，yougotnightmare!Say，Van，whenwilltheracescomeoff？"
"Huh!An，youwokemeforthet？Bostilsaysinafewweeks，soonashehearsfromtheIndians。PlanstohaveeighthundredIndianshere，an"thebiggestpursesan"bestraceseverhadattheFord。"
"You"llridetheKingagain？"
"Reckonso。ButBostiliskickin"becauseI"mheavierthanIwas，"repliedtherider。
"You"reskinan"bonesatthet。"
"Mebbeyou"llneedtoworkalittleoff，Van。SomeonesaidCreech"sBlueRoanwascomin"fastthisyear。"
"Bill，yourmindain"toperatin"，"repliedVan，scornfully。"Didn"tIbeatCreech"shosseslastyearwithouttheKingturnin"ahair？"
"NotifIrecollect，youdidn"t。TheBlueRoanwasn"trunnin"。"
Thentheyargued，afterthemanneroffriendlyriders，butallearnest，aneloquentintheirconvictions。TheprevailingopinionwasthatCreech"shorsehadachance，dependinguponconditionandluck。
Theargumentshifteduponthearrivaloftwonew-comers，leadingmustangsandapparentlytalkingtrade。Itwasmanifestthatthesearrivalswerenotloathtogettheopinionsofothers。
"Van，there"sahoss!"exclaimedone。
"No，heain"t，"repliedVan。
Andthatdiversejudgmentappearedtobecharacteristicthroughout。ThestrangethingwasthatMacomber，therancher，hadalreadytradedhismustangandmoneytobootforthesorrel。Thedeal，whetherwiseornot，hadbeenconsummated。BracktoncameoutwithRedWilson，andtheyhadtohavetheirsay。
"Wal，durnedifsomeofyoufellersain"tkindan"complimentary，"remarkedMacomber，scratchinghishead。"Buttheneveryfellercan"thavehosssense。"