第3章
Threewild-horsehuntersmadecamponenightbesidealittlestreamintheSevierValley，fivehundredmiles，asacrowflies，fromBostil"sFord。
Thesehuntershadapooroutfit，excepting，ofcourse，theirhorses。Theywereyoungmen，rangyinbuild，leanandhardfromlifeinthesaddle，bronzedlikeIndians，still-faced，andkeen-eyed。Twoofthemappearedtobetiredout，andlaggedatthecamp-fireduties。Whenthemeagermealwaspreparedtheysat，cross-legged，beforearaggedtarpaulin，eatinganddrinkinginsilence。
Theskyinthewestwasrosy，slowlydarkening。Thevalleyfloorbillowedaway，ridgedandcut，growinggrayandpurpleanddark。Wallsofstone，pinkwiththelastraysofthesettingsun，inclosedthevalley，stretchingawaytowardalong，low，blackmountainrange。
Theplacewaswild，beautiful，open，withsomethingnamelessthatmadethedesertdifferentfromanyothercountry。Itwas，perhaps，alonelinessofvaststretchesofvalleyandstone，cleartotheeye，evenaftersunset。Thatblackmountainrange，whichlookedcloseenoughtoridetobeforedark，wasahundredmilesdistant。
Theshadesofnightfellswiftly，anditwasdarkbythetimethehuntersfinishedthemeal。Thenthecampfirehadburnedlow。Oneofthethreedraggedbranchesofdeadcedarsandreplenishedthefire。Quicklyitflaredup，withthewhiteflameandcracklecharacteristicofdrycedar。Thenightwindhadrisen，moaningthroughthegnarled，stuntedcedarsnearby，anditblewthefragrantwood-smokeintothefacesofthetwohunters，whoseemedtootiredtomove。
"Ireckonapipewouldhelpmemakeupmymind，"saidone。
"Wal，Bill，"repliedtheother，dryly，"yourmind"smadeup，elseyou"dnotsaysmoke。"
"Why？"
"Becausethereain"tthreepipefulsofthetprecioustobaccoleft。"
"Thet"soneapiece，then。Lin，comean"smokethelastpipewithus。"
Thetallestofthethree，hewhohadbroughtthefirewood，stoodinthebrightlightoftheblaze。Helookedthebornrider，light，lithe，powerful。
"Sure，I"llsmoke，"hereplied。
Then，presently，heacceptedthepipetenderedhim，and，sittingdownbesidethefire，hecomposedhimselftotheenjoymentwhichhiscompanionsevidentlyconsideredworthyofadecisiontheyhadreached。
"Sothissmokin"meansyoubothwanttoturnback？"queriedLin，hissharpgazeglancingdarklybrightintheglowofthefire。
"Yep，we"llturnback。An"，Lordy!thereliefIfeel!"repliedone。
"We"vebeenlongcomin"toit，Lin，an"thetwasforyoursake，"repliedtheother。
Linslowlypulledathispipeandblewoutthesmokeasifreluctanttopartwithit。"Let"sgoon，"hesaid，quietly。
"No。I"vehadallIwantofchasin"thetdamnwildstallion，"returnedBill，shortly。
TheotherspreadwidehishandsandbentanexpostulatinglookupontheonecalledLin。"We"retwohundredmilesout，"hesaid。"There"sonlyalittleflourleftinthebag。Nocoffee!Onlyalittlesalt!AllthehossesexceptyourbigNaggerareplayedout。We"realreadyinstrangecountry。An"youknowwhatwe"veheerdofthisan"alltothesouth。It"sallcanyons，an"
somewheresdownthereisthetawfulcanyonnoneofourpeopleeverseen。Butwe"veheerdofit。Anawfulcut-upcountry。"
Hefinishedwithaconvictionthatnoonecouldsayawordagainstthecommonsenseofhisargument。Linwassilent，asifimpressed。
Billraisedastrong，lean，brownhandinaforciblegesture。"Wecan"tketchWildfire!"
Thatseemedtohim，evidently，amoreconvincingargumentthanhiscomrade"s。
"Billissureright，ifI"mwrong，whichIain"t，"wentontheother。"Lin，we"vetrailedthetwildstallionforsixweeks。Thet"sthelongestchaseheeverhad。He"slefthisoldrange。He"scutouthisband，an"leftthem，onebyone。We"vetriedeverytrickweknowonhim。An"he"stoosmartforus。
There"sahoss!Why，Lin，we"reallbutgonetothedogschasin"Wildfire。An"
nowI"mdone，an"I"mgladofit。"
Therewasanothershortsilence，whichpresentlyBillopenedhislipstobreak。
"Lin，itmakesmesicktoquit。Iain"tdenyin"thetforalongtimeI"vehadhopesofketchin"Wildfire。He"sthegrandesthossIeverlaideyeson。I
reckonnoman，onlesshewasanArab，everseenasgoodaone。Butnow，thet"sneitherherenorthere。We"vegottohitthebacktrail。"
"Boys，IreckonI"llsticktoWildfire"stracks，"saidLin，inthesamequiettone。
Billsworeathim，andtheotherhuntergrewexcitedandconcerned。
"LinSlone，areyougoneplumbcrazyoverthetredhoss？"
"I——reckon，"repliedSlone。Theworkingofhisthroatasheswallowedcouldbeplainlyseenbyhiscompanions。
Billlookedathisallyasiftoconfirmsomesuddenunderstandingbetweenthem。TheytookSlone"sattitudegravelyandtheywaggedtheirheadsdoubtfully，astheymighthavedonehadSlonejustacquaintedthemwithahopelessanddeathlesspassionforawoman。Itwassignificantofthenatureofridersthattheyacceptedhisattitudeandhadconsiderationforhisfeelings。Forthemthesituationsubtlychanged。Forweekstheyhadbeenthreewild-horsewranglersonahardchaseafteravaluablestallion。Theyhadfailedtogetevenclosetohim。Theyhadgonetothelimitoftheirenduranceandoftheoutfit，anditwastimetoturnback。ButSlonehadconceivedthatstrangeandrarelongingforahorse——apassionunderstood，ifnotshared，byallriders。AndtheyknewthathewouldcatchWildfireordieintheattempt。
FromthatmomenttheirattitudetowardSlonechangedassubtlyashadcometheknowledgeofhisfeeling。Thegravityandgloomlefttheirfaces。ItseemedtheymighthaveregrettedwhattheyhadsaidaboutthefutilityofcatchingWildfire。TheydidnotwantSlonetoseeorfeelthehopelessnessofhistask。
"Itellyou，Lin，"saidBill，"yourhossNagger"sasgoodaswhenwestarted。"
"Aw，he"sbetter，"vouchsafedtheotherrider。"Naggerneededtolosesomeweight。Lin，haveyougotanextrasetofshoesforhim？"
"Nofullset。Onlythreeleft，"repliedLin，soberly。
"Wal，thet"senough。YoucankeepNaggershod。An"MEBBEthetredstallionwillgetsorefeetan"golame。Thenyou"dstandachance。"
"ButWildfirekeepstravelin"thevalleys——thesoftground，"saidSlone。
"Nomatter。He"sleavin"thecountry，an"he"sboundtostrikesandstonesoonerorlater。Then，bygosh!mebbehe"llwearoffthemhoofs。"
"Say，can"theringbellsoffentherocks？"exclaimedBill。"Oh，Lordy!whatahoss!"
"Boys，doyouthinkhe"sleavin"thecountry？"inquiredSlone，anxiously。
"Sureheis，"repliedBill。"Heain"tthefirststallionI"vechasedofftheSevierrange。An"Iknow。It"sastallionthetmakesfornewcountry，whenyoupushhimhard。"
"Yep，Lin，he"ssureleavin"，"addedtheothercomrade。"Why，he"straveledabee-linefordays!I"llbethe"sseenusmanyatime。Wildfire"saboutassmartasanyman。Hewasbornwild，an"hisdamwasbornwild，an"thereyouhaveit。Thewildestofallwildcreatures——awildstallion，withtheintelligenceofaman!Agrandhoss，Lin，butonethet"llbehell，ifyoueverketchhim。HehaskilledstallionsallovertheSevierrange。Awildstallionthet"sakiller!Ineverlikedhimforthet。Couldhebebroke？"
"I"llbreakhim，"saidLinSlone，grimly。"It"sgettin"himthet"sthejob。
I"vegotpatiencetobreakahoss。Butpatiencecan"tcatchastreakoflightnin"。"
"Nope；you"reright，"repliedBill。"Ifyouhavesomeluckyou"llgethim——mebbe。Ifhewearsouthisfeet，orifyoucrowdhimintoanarrowcanyon，orranhimintoabadplacewherehecan"tgetbyyou。Thetmighthappen。An"then，withNagger，youstandachance。Didyouevertirethethoss？"
"Notyet。"
"An"howfurdidyoueverrunhimwithoutabreak？Why，whenweketchedthetsorrellastyearIrodeNaggermyself——thirtymiles，mostatahardgallop。
An"heneverturnedahair!"
"I"vebeatthet，"repliedLin。"Hecouldrunhardfiftymiles——mebbemore。
Honestly，Ineverseenhimtiredyet。Ifonlyhewasfast!"
"Wal，Naggerain"tsodurnedslow，cometothinkofthet，"repliedBill，withagrunt。"He"sgoodenoughforyounottowantanotherhoss。"
"Lin，you"regoin"towearoutWildfire，an"thentraphimsomehow——isthettheplan？"askedtheothercomrade。
"Ihaven"tanyplan。I"lljusttrailhim，likeacougartrailsadeer。"
"Lin，ifWildfiregivesyouthesliphe"llhavetofly。You"vegotthebesteyesfortracksofanywranglerinUtah。"
Sloneacceptedthecomplimentwithafleeting，doubtfulsmileonhisdarkface。Hedidnotreply，andnomorewassaidbyhiscomrades。Theyrolledwithbackstothefire。Sloneputonmorewood，forthekeenwindwascoldandcutting；andthenhelaydown，hisheadinhissaddle，withagoatskinunderhimandasaddle-blanketoverhim。
Allthreeweresoonasleep。Thewindwhippedthesandandashesandsmokeoverthesleepers。Coyotesbarkedfromnearindarkness，andfromthevalleyridgecamethefaintmournofahuntingwolf。Thedesertnightgrewdarkerandcolder。
TheStewartbrotherswerewild-horsehuntersforthesakeoftradesandoccasionalsales。ButLinSlonenevertradednorsoldahorsehehadcaptured。
Theexcitementofthegame，andthelureofthedesert，andtheloveofahorsewerewhatkepthimattheprofitlesswork。Histypewasrareintheuplands。
TheseweretheearlydaysofthesettlementofUtah，andonlyafewofthehardiestandmostadventurouspioneershadpenetratedthedesertinthesouthernpartofthatvastupland。AndwiththemcamesomeofthatwildbreedofriderstowhichSloneandtheStewartsbelonged。Horseswerereallymoreimportantandnecessarythanmen；andthissingularfactgavetheselonelyridersacalling。
BeforetheSpaniardscametherewerenohorsesintheWest。Thoseexplorersleftorlosthorsesalloverthesouthwest。ManyofthemwereArabianhorsesofpurestblood。Americanexplorersandtravelers，attheoutsetofthenineteenthcentury，encounteredcountlessdrovesofwildhorsesallovertheplains。AcrosstheGrandCanyon，however，wildhorseswerecomparativelyfewinnumberintheearlydays；andthesehadprobablycomeinbywayofCalifornia。
TheStewartsandSlonehadnoestablishedmodeofcatchingwildhorses。Thegamehadnotdevelopedfastenoughforthat。Everychaseofhorseordrovewasdifferent；andonceinmanyattemptstheymetwithsuccess。
AfavoritemethodoriginatedbytheStewartswastofindawater-holefrequentedbythebandofhorsesorthestallionwanted，andtobuildroundthisholeacorralwithanopeningforthehorsestogetin。Thenthehunterswouldwatchthetrapatnight，andifthehorseswentintodrink，agatewasclosedacrosstheopening。AnothermethodoftheStewartswastotrailacovetedhorseuponamesaorhighland，placeswhichseldomhadmorethanonetrailofascentanddescent，andthereblocktheescape，andcutlinesofcedars，intowhichthequarrywasrantillcaptured。Stillanothermethod，discoveredbyaccident，wastoshootahorselightlyintheneckandstinghim。Thislast，calledcreasing，wasseldomsuccessful，andforthatmatterinanymethodtentimesasmanyhorseswerekilledascaptured。
LinSlonehelpedtheStewartsintheirownway，buthehadnoespeciallikingfortheirtricks。PerhapsafewremarkablecapturesofremarkablehorseshadspoiledSlone。Hewasalwaystryingwhatthebrothersclaimedtobeimpossible。Hewasafearlessrider，buthehadthefaultofsavinghismount，andtokillawildhorsewasatragedyforhim。Hewouldmuchratherhavehuntedalone，andhehadbeenaloneonthetrailofthestallionWildfirewhentheStewartshadjoinedhim。
LinSloneawokenextmorningandrolledoutofhisblanketathisusualearlyhour。Buthewasnotearlyenoughtosaygood-bytotheStewarts。Theyweregone。
Thefactsurprisedhimandsomehowrelievedhim。Theyhadlefthimmorethanhisshareoftheoutfit，andperhapsthatwaswhytheyhadslippedoffbeforedawn。Theyknewhimwellenoughtoknowthathewouldnothaveacceptedit。
Besides，perhapstheyfeltalittlehumiliationatabandoningachasewhichhechosetokeepup。Anyway，theyweregone，apparentlywithoutbreakfast。
Themorningwasclear，cool，withtheairdarklikethatbeforeastorm，andintheeast，overthesteelywallofstone，shonearednessgrowingbrighter。
Slonelookedawaytothewest，downthetrailtakenbyhiscomrades，buthesawnothingmovingagainstthatcedar-dottedwaste。
"Good-by，"hesaid，andhespokeasifhewassayinggood-bytomorethancomrades。
"IreckonIwon"tseeSevierVillagesoonagain——an"maybenever，"hesoliloquized。
Therewasnoonetoregrethim，unlessitwasoldMotherHall，whohadbeenkindtohimonthoserareoccasionswhenhegotoutofthewilderness。Still，itwaswithregretthathegazedawayacrosstheredvalleytothewest。Slonehadnohome。Hisfatherandmotherhadbeenlostinthemassacreofawagon-trainbyIndians，andhehadbeenoneofthefewsavedandbroughttoSaltLake。Thathadhappenedwhenhewastenyearsold。Hislifethereafterhadbeenhard，andbutforhissturdyTexastraininghemightnothavesurvived。Thelastfiveyearshehadbeenahorse-hunterinthewilduplandsofNevadaandUtah。
Sloneturnedhisattentiontothepackofsupplies。TheStewartshaddividedtheflourandtheparchedcornequally，andunlesshewasgreatlymistakentheyhadlefthimmostofthecoffeeandallofthesalt。
"NowIholdthatdecentofBillan"Abe，"saidSlone，regretfully。"ButI
couldhavegotalongwithoutitbetter"ntheycould。"
Thenheswiftlysetaboutkindlingafireandgettingameal。Inthemidstofhistaskasuddenruddybrightnessfellaroundhim。LinSlonepausedinhisworktolookup。
Thesunhadrisenovertheeasternwall。
"Ah!"hesaid，anddrewadeepbreath。
Thecold，steely，darklingsweepofdeserthadbeentransformed。Itwasnowaworldofredearthandgoldrocksandpurplesage，witheverywheretheendlessstragglinggreencedars。Abreezewhippedin，makingthefireroarsoftly。Thesunfeltwarmonhischeek。Andatthemomentheheardthewhistleofhishorse。
"GoodoldNagger!"hesaid。"Ishorewon"thavetotrackyouthismornin"。"
PresentlyhewentoffintothecedarstofindNaggerandthemustangthatheusedtocarryapack。Naggerwasgrazinginalittleopenpatchamongthetrees，butthepack-horsewasmissing。Sloneseemedtoknowinwhatdirectiontogotofindthetrail，forhecameuponitverysoon。Thepack-horseworehobbles，buthebelongedtotheclassthatcouldcoveragreatdealofgroundwhenhobbled。Slonedidnotexpectthehorsetogofar，consideringthatthegrassthereaboutswasgood。Butinawild-horsecountryitwasnotsafetogiveanyhorseachance。Thecallofhiswildbrethrenwasirresistible。
Slone，however，foundthemustangstandingquietlyinaclumpofcedars，and，removingthehobbles，hemountedandrodebacktocamp。Naggercaughtsightofhimandcameathiscall。
ThishorseNaggerappearedasuniqueinhisclassasSlonewasrareamongriders。Naggerseemedofseveralcolors，thoughblackpredominated。Hiscoatwasshaggy，almostwoolly，likethatofasheep。Hewashuge，raw-boned，knotty，longofbodyandlongofleg，withtheheadofawarcharger。Hisbuilddidnotsuggestspeed。Thereappearedtobesomethingslowandponderousabouthim，similartoanelephant，withthesamesuggestionofpowerandendurance。Slonediscardedthepack-saddleandbags。Thelatterwerealmostempty。Heropedthetarpaulinonthebackofthemustang，and，makingasmallbundleofhisfewsupplies，hetiedthattothetarpaulin。Hisblanketheusedforasaddle-blanketonNagger。OftheutensilsleftbytheStewartshechoseacoupleofsmallironpans，withlonghandles。Therestheleft。Inhissaddle-bagshehadafewextraahorseshoes，somenails，bulletsforhisrifle，andaknifewithaheavyblade。
"Notarichoutfitforafarcountry，"hemused。Slonenottalkverymuch，andwhenhedidheaddressedNaggerandhimselfsimultaneously。Evidentlyheexpectedalongchase，onefromwhichhewouldnotreturn，andlightashisoutfitwasitwouldgrowtooheavy。
Thenhemountedandrodedownthegradualslope，facingthevalleyandtheblack，bold，flatmountaintothesoutheast。SomefewhundredyardsfromcamphehaltedNaggerandbentoverinthesaddletoscrutinizetheground。
Theclean-cuttrackofahorseshowedinthebare，hardsand。Thehoof-markswerelarge，almostoval，perfectinshape，andmanifestlytheywerebeautifultoLinSlone。Hegazedatthemforalongtime，andthenhelookedacrossthedottedredvalleyupthevastridgysteps，towardtheblackplateauandbeyond。ItwasthelookthatanIndiangivestoastrangecountry。ThenSloneslippedoffthesaddleandknelttoscrutinizethehorsetracks。Alittlesandhadblownintothedepressions，andsomeofitwaswetandsomeofitwasdry。
Hetookhistimeaboutexaminingit，andheeventriedgentlyblowingothersandintothetracks，tocomparethatwithwhatwasalreadythere。FinallyhestoodupandaddressedNagger。
"Reckonwewon"thavetoarguewithAbean"Billthismornin"，"hesaid，withsatisfaction。"Wildfiremadethattrackyesterday，beforesun-up。
ThereuponSloneremountedandputNaggertoatrot。Thepack-horsefollowedwithanalacritythatshowedhehadnodesireforloneliness。
Asstraightasabee-lineWildfirehadleftatraildownintothefloorofthevalley。Hehadnotstoppedtograze，andhehadnotlookedforwater。Slonehadhopedtofindawater-holeinoneofthedeepwashesintheredearth，butiftherehadbeenanywaterthereWildfirewouldhavescentedit。HehadnothadadrinkforthreedaysthatSloneknewof。AndNaggerhadnotdrunkforfortyhours。Slonehadacanvaswater-baghangingoverthepommel，butitwasahabitofhistodenyhimself，asfaraspossible，tillhishorsecoulddrinkalso。LikeanIndian，Sloneateanddrankbutlittle。
Ittookfourhoursofsteadytrottingtoreachthemiddleandbottomofthatwide，flatvalley。Anetworkofwashescutupthewholecenterofit，andtheywereallasdryasbleachedbone。TocrosstheseSlonehadonlytokeepWildfire"strail。AnditwasproofofNagger"squalitythathedidnothavetoveerfromthestallion"scourse。
Itwashotdowninthelowland。Theheatstruckup，reflectedfromthesand。
ButitwasaMarchsun，andnomorethanpleasanttoSlone。Thewindrose，however，andblewdustandsandinthefacesofhorseandrider。Exceptlizards，Slonedidnotseeanylivingthings。
Milesoflowgreasewoodandsparseyellowsageledtothefirstalmostimperceptibleriseofthevalleyflooronthatside。ThedistantcedarsbeckonedtoSlone。Hewasnotpatient，becausehewasonthetrailofWildfire；but，nevertheless。thehoursseemedshort。
Slonehadnopasttothinkabout，andthefutureheldnothingexceptahorse，andsohisthoughtsrevolvedthepossibilitiesconnectedwiththischaseofWildfire。Thechasewashopelessinsuchcountryashewastraversing，andifWildfirechosetoroamaroundvalleyslikethisoneSlonewouldfailutterly。
Butthestallionhadlongagolefthisbandofhorses，andthen，onebyonehisfavoriteconsorts，andnowhewasalone，headedwithunerringinstinctforwild，untrammeledranges。Hehadbeenusedtothepure，coldwaterandthesucculentgrassofthecolddesertuplands。Assuredlyhewouldnottarryinsuchbarrenlandsasthese。
ForSloneanever-presentandgrowingfascinationlayinWildfire"sclear，sharplydefinedtracks。Itwasasifeveryhoof-marktoldhimsomething。Once，faruptheinterminableascent，hefoundonaridge-toptracksshowingwhereWildfirehadhaltedandturned。
"Ha，Nagger!"criedSlone，exultingly。"Lookthere!He"sbegunfacin"about。
He"swonderin"ifwe"restillafterhim。He"sworried。Butwe"llkeepoutofsight——adaybehind。"
WhenSlonereachedthecedarsthesunwaslowdowninthewest。Helookedbackacrossthefiftymilesofvalleytothecoloredcliffsandwalls。Heseemedtobeabovethemnow，andthecoolair，withtangofcedarandjuniper，strengthenedtheimpressionthathehadclimbedhigh。
Amileormoreaheadofhimroseagraycliffwithbreaksinitandalineofdarkcedarsorpinyonsonthelevelrims。Hebelievedthesebreakstobethemouthsofcanyons，andsoitturnedout。Wildfire"strailledintothemouthofanarrowcanyonwithverysteepandhighwalls。Naggersnortedhisperceptionofwater，andthemustangwhistled。Wildfire"stracksledtoapointunderthewallwhereaspringgushedforth。Thereweremountain-lionanddeertracksalso，aswellasthoseofsmallergame。
Slonemadecamphere。Themustangwastired。ButNagger，upontakingalongdrink，rolledinthegrassasifhehadjustbegunthetrip。Aftereating，Slonetookhisrifleandwentouttolookfordeer。Butthereappearedtobenoneathand。Hecameacrossmanyliontracksandsaw，withapprehension，whereonehadtakenWildfire"strail。Wildfirehadgrazedupthecanyon，keepingonandon，andhewaslikelytogomilesinanight。SlonereflectedthatassmallaswerehisownchancesofgettingWildfire，theywerestillbetterthanthoseofamountain-lion。Wildfirewasthemostcunningofallanimals——awildstallion；hisspeedandendurancewereincomparable；hisscentaskeenasthoseanimalsthatreliedwhollyuponscenttowarnthemofdanger，andasforsight，itwasSlone"sbeliefthatnohoofedcreature，exceptthemountain-sheepusedtohighaltitudes，couldseeasfarasawildhorse。
ItbotheredSlonealittlethathewasgettingintoalioncountry。Naggershowednervousness，somethingunusualforhim。Slonetiedbothhorseswithlonghaltersandstationedthemonpatchesofthickgrass。Thenheputacedarstumponthefireandwenttosleep。Uponawakeningandgoingtothespringhewassomewhatchagrinedtoseethatdeerhadcomedowntodrinkearly。
Evidentlytheywerenumerous。Alioncountrywasalwaysadeercountry，forthelionsfollowedthedeer。
Slonewaspackedandsaddledandonhiswaybeforethesunreddenedthecanyonwall。Hewalkedthehorses。FromtimetotimehesawsignsofWildfire"sconsistentprogress。Thecanyonnarrowedandthewallsgrewlowerandthegrassincreased。Therewasadecidedascentallthetime。SlonecouldfindnoevidencethatthecanyonhadeverbeentraveledbyhuntersorIndians。Thedaywaspleasantandwarmandstill。Everyonceinawhilealittlebreathofwindwouldbringafragranceofcedarandpinyon，andasweethintofpineandsage。Ateveryturnhelookedahead，expectingtoseethegreenofpineandthegrayofsage。Towardthemiddleoftheafternoon，comingtoaplacewhereWildfirehadtakentoatrot，heputNaggertothatgait，andbysundownhadworkeduptowherethecanyonwasonlyashallowravine。Andfinallyitturnedoncemore，toloseitselfinalevelwherestragglingpinesstoodhighabovethecedars，andgreat，dark-greensilversprucesstoodabovethepines。Andherewerepatchesofsage，freshandpungent，andlongreachesofbleachedgrass。Itwastheedgeofaforest。Wildfire"strailwenton。Slonecameatlengthtoagroupofpines，andherehefoundtheremainsofacamp-fire，andsomeflintarrow-heads。Indianshadbeeninthere，probablyhavingcomefromtheoppositedirectiontoSlone"s。Thisencouragedhim，forwhereIndianscouldhuntsocouldhe。Soonhewasenteringaforestwherecedarsandpinyonsandpinesbegantogrowthickly。Presentlyhecameuponafaintlydefinedtrail，justadim，darklineeventoanexperiencedeye。Butitwasatrail，andWildfirehadtakenit。
Slonehaltedforthenight。Theairwascold。Andthedampnessofitgavehimanideathereweresnow-bankssomewherenotfardistant。Thedewwasalreadyheavyonthegrass。HehobbledthehorsesandputabellonNagger。Abellmightfrightenlionsthathadneverheardone。Thenhebuiltafireandcookedhismeal。
Ithadbeenlongsincehehadcampedhighupamongthepines。Thesoughofthewindpleasedhim，likemusic。TherehadbeguntobeprospectsofpleasantexperiencealongwiththetoilofchasingWildfire。Hewasenteringnewandstrangeandbeautifulcountry。Howfarmightthechasetakehim？Hedidnotcare。Hewasnotsleepy，butevenifhehadbeenitdevelopedthathemustwaittillthecoyotesceasedtheirbarkingroundhiscamp-fire。Theycamesoclosethathesawtheirgrayshadowsinthegloom。Butpresentlytheyweariedofyelpingathimandwentaway。Afterthatthesilence，brokenonlybythewindasitroaredandlulled，seemedbeautifultoSlone。Helostcompletelythatsenseofvagueregretwhichhadremainedwithhim，andheforgottheStewarts。Andsuddenlyhefeltabsolutelyfree，alone，withnothingbehindtoremember，withwild，thrilling，namelesslifebeforehim。Justthenthelongmournofatimberwolfwailedinwiththewind。Seldomhadheheardthecryofoneofthosenightwanderers。Therewasnothinglikeit——nosoundlikeittofixinthelonecamper"sheartthegreatsolitudeandthewild。
CHAPTERV
Intheearlymorningwhenallwasgrayandthebig，darkpineswereshadowyspecters，Slonewasawakenedbythecold。Hishandsweresonumbthathehaddifficultystartingafire。Hestoodovertheblaze，warmingthem。Theairwasnipping，clearandthin，andsweetwithfrostyfragrance。
Daylightcamewhilehewasinthemidstofhismorningmeal。Awhitefrostcoveredthegroundandcrackledunderhisfeetashewentouttobringinthehorses。Hesawfreshdeertracks。Thenhewentbacktocampforhisrifle。
Keepingasharplookoutforgame，hecontinuedhissearchforthehorses。
Theforestwasopenandpark-like。Therewerenofallentreesorevidencesoffire。PresentlyhecametoawidegladeinthemidstofwhichNaggerandthepack-mustangweregrazingwithaherdofdeer。ThesizeofthelatteramazedSlone。ThedeerhehadhuntedbackontheSevierrangeweremuchsmallerthanthese。Evidentlytheseweremuledeer，closelyalliedtotheelk。Theyweresotametheystoodfacinghimcuriously，withlongearserect。Itwassheermurdertokilladeerstandingandwatchinglikethat，butSlonewasoutofmeatandhungryandfacingalong，hardtrip。Heshotabuck，whichleapedspasmodicallyaway，tryingtofollowtheherd，andfellattheedgeoftheglade。Slonecutoutahaunch，andthen，catchingthehorses，hereturnedtocamp，wherehepackedandsaddled，andatoncerodeoutonthedimtrail。
Thewildnessofthecountryhewasenteringwasevidentinthefactthatashepassedthegladewherehehadshotthedeerafewminutesbefore，therewerecoyotesquarrelingoverthecarcass。
Stonecouldseeaheadandoneachsideseveralhundredyards，andpresentlyheascertainedthattheforestfloorwasnotsolevelashehadsupposed。Hehadenteredavalleyorwastraversingawide，gentlyslopingpass。Hewentthroughthicketsofjuniper，andhadtogoaroundclumpsofquakingaspen。Thepinesgrewlargerandfartherapart。Cedarsandpinyonshadbeenleftbehind，andhehadmetwithnosilversprucesafterleavingcamp。Probablythatpointwastheheightofadivide。Therewerebanksofsnowinsomeofthehollowsonthenorthside。Evidentlythesnowhadveryrecentlymelted，anditwasevidentalsothatthedepthofsnowthroughherehadbeenfullytenfeet，judgingfromthemutilationofthejuniper-treeswherethedeer，standingonthehard，frozencrust，hadbrowseduponthebranches。
ThequietoftheforestthrilledSlone。Andtheonlymovementwastheoccasionalgrayflashofadeerorcoyoteacrossaglade。NobirdsofanyspeciescrossedStone"ssight。Hecame，presently，uponaliontrackinthetrail，madeprobablyadaybefore。Slonegrewcuriousaboutit，seeinghowitheld，ashewasholding，toWildfire"stracks。Afteramileorsohemadesurethelionhadbeentrailingthestallion，andforasecondhefeltacoldcontractionofhisheart。AlreadyhelovedWildfire，andbyvirtueofallthistoiloftravelconsideredthewildhorsehisproperty。
"NolioncouldevergetclosetoWildfire，"hesoliloquized，withashortlaugh。Ofthathewasabsolutelycertain。
Thesunrose，meltingthefrost，andabreathofwarmair，ladenwiththescentofpine，movedheavilyunderthehuge，yellowtrees。Slonepassedapointwheretheremainsofanoldcamp-fireandapileofdeerantlerswerefurtherproofthatIndiansvisitedthisplateautohunt。Fromthiscampbroader，moredeeplydefinedtrailsledawaytothesouthandeast。Slonekepttotheeasttrail，inwhichWildfire"stracksandthoseofthelionshowedclearly。Itwasaboutthemiddleoftheforenoonwhenthetracksofthestallionandlionleftthetrailtoleadupalittledrawwheregrassgrewthick。Slonefollowed，readingthesignsofWildfire"sprogress，andtheactionofhispursuer，aswellasifhehadseenthem。Herethestallionhadplowedintoasnow-bank，eatingaholetwofeetdeep；thenhehadgrazedaroundalittle；thenonandon；therehissplendidtracksweredeepinthesoftearth。Sloneknewwhattoexpectwhenthetrackofthelionveeredfromthoseofthehorse，andhefollowedtheliontracks。Thegroundwassoftfromthelatemeltingofsnow，andNaggersunkdeep。Thelionleftaplaintrack。
Herehestolesteadilyalong；thereheleftmanytracksatapointwherehemighthavehaltedtomakesureofhisscent。Hewascirclingonthetrailofthestallion，withcunningintentofambush。Theendofthisslow，carefulstalkofthelion，astoldinhistracks，cameupontheedgeofaknollwherehehadcrouchedtowatchandwait。
Fromthisperchhehadmadeamagnificentspring——Sloneestimatingittobefortyfeet-buthehadmissedthestallion。TherewereWildfire"stracksagain，slowandshort，andthendeepandsharpwhereintheimpetusoffrighthehadsprungoutofreach。Asecondleapofthelion，andthenlesseningbounds，andfinallyanabruptturnfromWildfire"strailtoldthefutilityofthatstalk。
SlonemadecertainthatWildfirewassokeenthatashegrazedalonghehadkepttoopenground。
Wildfirehadrunforamile，thensloweddowntoatrot，andhehadcircledtogetbacktothetrailhehadleft。Slonebelievedthehorsewasjustsointelligent。Atanyrate，Wildfirestruckthetrailagain，andturnedatrightanglestofollowit。
Heretheforestfloorappearedperfectlylevel。Patchesofsnowbecamefrequent，andlargerasSlonewenton。Atlengththepatchesclosedup，andsoonextendedasfarashecouldsee。Itwassoft，affordingdifficulttravel。
Slonecrossedhundredsofdeertracks，andthetrailhewasoneventuallybecameadeerrunway。
Presently，fardownoneoftheaislesbetweenthegreatpinesSlonesawwhatappearedtobeayellowcliff，faraway。Itpuzzledhim。Andashewentonhereceivedtheimpressionthattheforestdroppedoutofsightahead。Thenthetreesgrewthicker，obstructinghisview。Presentlythetrailbecamesoggyandhehadtohelphishorse。Themustangflounderedinthesoftsnowandearth。
Cedarsandpinyonsappearedagain，makingtravelstillmorelaborious。
AllatoncetherecametoSloneastrangeconsciousnessoflightandwindandspaceandvoid。Ontheinstanthishorsehaltedwithasnort。Slonequicklylookedup。Hadhecometotheendoftheworld？Anabyss，acanyon，yawnedbeneathhim，beyondallcomparisoninitsgreatness。Hiskeeneye，educatedtodesertdistanceanddimension，sweptdownandacross，takinginthetremendoustruth，beforeitstaggeredhiscomprehension。Butasecondsweepingglance，slower，becomingintoxicatedwithwhatitbeheld，sawgiganticcliff-stepsandyellowslopesdottedwithcedars，leadingdowntocleftsfilledwithpurplesmoke，andtheseledonandontoaraggedredworldofrock，bare，shining，bold，upliftedinmesa，dome，peak，andcrag，clearandstrangeinthemorninglight，stillandsleepinglikedeath。
This，then，wasthegreatcanyon，whichhadseemedlikeahunter"sfableratherthantruth。Slone"ssightdimmed，blurringthespectacle，andhefoundthathiseyeshadfilledwithtears。Hewipedthemawayandlookedagainandagain，untilhewasconfoundedbythevastnessandthegrandeurandthevaguesadnessofthescene。Nothinghehadeverlookedathadaffectedhimlikethiscanyon，althoughtheStewartshadtriedtopreparehimforit。
Itwasthehorse-hunter"spassionthatremindedhimofhispursuit。Thedeertrailleddownthroughabreakinthewall。Onlyafewrodsofitcouldbeseen。Thistrailwaspassable，eventhoughchokedwithsnow。ButthedepthbeyondthiswallseemedtofascinateSloneandholdhimback，usedashewastodeserttrails。ThenthecleanmarkofWildfire"shoofbroughtbacktheoldthrill。
"Thisplacefitsyou，Wildfire，"mutteredSlone，dismounting。
Hestarteddown，leadingNagger。Themustangfollowed。Slonekepttothewallsideofthetrail，fearingthehorsesmightslip。ThesnowheldfirmlyatfirstandSlonehadnotrouble。Thegapintherim-rockwidenedtoaslopethicklygrownoverwithcedarsandpinyonsandmanzanita。Thisgrowthmadethedescentmorelaborious，yetaffordedmeansatleastforSlonetogodownwithlessdanger。Therewasnostopping。Oncestarted，thehorseshadtokeepon。
Slonesawtheimpossibilityofeverclimbingoutwhilethatsnowwasthere。
Thetrailzigzaggeddownanddown。Verysoontheyellowwallhungtremendouslyoverhim，straightup。Thesnowbecamethinnerandsofter。Thehorsesbegantoslip。Theyslidontheirhaunches。Fortunatelytheslopegrewlesssteep，andSlonecouldseebelowwhereitreachedouttocomparativelylevelground。
Still，amishapmightyetoccur。SlonekeptasclosetoNaggeraspossible，helpinghimwheneverhecoulddoit。Themustangslipped，rolledover，andthenslippedpastSlone，wentdowntheslopetobringupinacedar。Sloneworkeddowntohimandextricatedhim。ThenthehugeNaggerbegantoslide。
Snowandlooserockslidwithhim，andsodidSlone。Thelittleavalanchestoppedofitsownaccord，andthenSlonedraggedNaggerondownanddown，presentlytocometotheendofthesteepdescent。Slonelookeduptoseethathehadmadeshortworkofathousand-footslope。Herecedarsandpinyonsgrewthicklyenoughtomakeaforest。Thesnowthinnedouttopatches，andthenfailed。Butthegoingremainedbadforawhileasthehorsessankdeepinasoftredearth。Thiseventuallygrewmoresolidandfinallydry。Sloneworkedoutofthecedarstowhatappearedagrassyplateauinclosedbythegreatgreen-and-whiteslopewithitsyellowwalloverhanging，anddistantmesasandcliffs。Herehisviewwasrestricted。Hewasdownonthefirstbenchofthegreatcanyon。Andtherewasthedeertrail，awell-wornpathkeepingtotheedgeoftheslope。Slonecametoadeepcutintheearth，andthetrailheadedit，whereitbeganatthelastdescentoftheslope。Itwasthesourceofacanyon。Hecouldlookdowntoseethebare，wornrock，andahundredyardsfromwherehestoodtheearthwaswashedfromitsrimsanditbegantoshowdepthandsomethingofthatraggedoutlinewhichtoldofviolenceofflood。
Thetrailheadedmanycanyonslikethis，allrunningdownacrossthisbench，disappearing，droppinginvisibly。Thetrailswungtotheleftunderthegreatslope，andthenpresentlyitclimbedtoahigherbench。Herewerebrushandgrassandhugepatchesofsage，sopungentthatitstungSlone"snostrils。
Thenhewentdownagain，thistimetocometoaclearbrooklinedbywillows。
HerethehorsesdranklongandSlonerefreshedhimself。Thesunhadgrownhot。
Therewasfragranceofflowershecouldnotseeandalowmurmurofawaterfallthatwaslikewiseinvisible。Formostofthetimehisviewwasshutoff，butoccasionallyhereachedapointwherethroughsomebreakhesawtowersgleamingredinthesun。Astrangeplace，aplaceofsilence，andsmokyveilsinthedistance。Timepassedswiftly。Towardthewaningoftheafternoonhebegantoclimbtowhatappearedtobeasaddleofland，connectingthecanyonwallontheleftwithagreatplateau，gold-rimmedandpine-fringed，risingmoreandmoreinhiswayasheadvanced。AtsunsetSlonewasmoreshutinthanforseveralhours。Hecouldtellthetimewassunsetbythegoldenlightonthecliffwallagainoverhanginghim。Theslopewasgradualuptothispasstothesaddle，anduponcomingtoaspring，andthefirstpine-trees，hedecidedtohaltforacamp。Themustangwasalmostexhausted。
Thereuponhehobbledthehorsesintheluxuriantgrassroundthespring，andthenunrolledhispack。Onceasduskcamestealingdown，whilehewaseatinghismeal，Naggerwhistledinfright。Slonesawagray，pantherishformglidingawayintotheshadows。Hetookaquickshotatit，butmissed。
"It"salioncountry，allright，"hesaid。Andthenhesetaboutbuildingabigfireontheothersideofthegrassyplot，sotohavethehorsesbetweenfires。Hecutallthevenisonintothinstrips，andspentanhourroastingthem。Thenhelaydowntorest，andhesaid:"WonderwhereWildfireisto-night？AmIclosertohim？Where"sheheadin"for？"
Thenightwaswarmandstill。Itwasblacknearthehugecliff，andoverheadvelvetyblue，withstarsofwhitefire。Itseemedtohimthathehadbecomemorethoughtfulandobservingoftheaspectsofhiswildenvironment，andhefeltawelcomeconsciousnessofloneliness。Thensleepcametohimandthenightseemedshort。Inthegraydawnhearoserefreshed。
Thehorseswererestive。Naggersnortedawelcome。Evidentlytheyhadpassedanuneasynight。Slonefoundliontracksatthespringandinsandyplaces。
Presentlyhewasonhiswayuptothenotchbetweenthegreatwallandtheplateau。Agrowthofthickscrub-oakmadetraveldifficult。Ithadnotappearedfaruptothatsaddle，butitwasfar。Therewerestragglingpine-treesandhugerocksthatobstructedhisgaze。Butonceuphesawthatthesaddlewasonlyanarrowridge，curvedtoslopeuponbothsides。
StraightbeforeSloneandunderhimopenedthecanyon，blazingandgloriousalongthepeaksandramparts，wheretherisingsunstruck，mistyandsmokyandshadowydowninthosemysteriousdepths。
Ittookaneffortnottokeepongazing。ButSloneturnedtothegrimbusinessofhispursuit。ThetrailhesawleadingdownhadbeenmadebyIndians。Itwasusedprobablyonceayearbythem；andalsobywildanimals，anditwasexceedinglysteepandrough。Wildfirehadpacedtoandfroalongthenarrowridgeofthatsaddle，makingmanytracks，beforehehadheadeddownagain。
Sloneimaginedthatthegreatstallionhadbeendauntedbythetremendouschasm，buthadfinallyfacedit，meaningtoputthisobstaclebetweenhimandhispursuers。ItneveroccurredtoSlonetoattributelessintelligencetoWildfirethanthat。So，dismounting，SlonetookNagger"sbridleandstarteddown。Themustangwiththepackwasreluctant。Hesnortedandwhistledandpawedtheearth。Buthewouldnotbeleftalone，sohefollowed。
Thetrailleddownundercedarsthatfringedaprecipice。Slonewasawareofthiswithoutlooking。Heattendedonlytothetrailandtohishorse。OnlyanIndiancouldhavepickedoutthatcourse，anditwascrueltoputahorsetoit。ButNaggerwaspowerful，sure-footed，andhewouldgoanywherethatSloneledhim。GraduallySloneworkeddownandawayfromthebulgingrim-wall。Itwashard，roughwork，andriskybecauseitcouldnotbeaccomplishedslowly。
Brushandrocks，looseshaleandweatheredslope，long，dustyinclinesofyellowearth，andjumblesofstone——thesemadebadgoingformilesofslow，zigzagtraildownoutofthecedars。Thenthetrailenteredwhatappearedtobearavine。
Thatravinebecameacanyon。Atitsheaditwasadrywash，fullofgravelandrocks。Itbegantocutdeepintothebowelsoftheearth。Itshutoutsightofthesurroundingwallsandpeaks。Waterappearedfromunderacliffand，augmentedbyothersprings，becameabrook。Hot，dry，andbarrenatitsbeginning，thiscleftbecamecoolandshadyandluxuriantwithgrassandflowersandambermosswithsilverblossoms。Therockshadchangedcolorfromyellowtodeepred。Fourhoursofturningandtwisting，endlesslydownanddown，overbouldersandbanksandeveryconceivableroughnessofearthandrock，finishedthepack-mustang；andSlonemercifullylefthiminalongreachofcanyonwheregrassandwaterneverfailed。InthisplaceSlonehaltedforthenoonhour，lettingNaggerhavehisfilloftherichgrazing。Nagger"sthreedaysingrassyupland，despitethecontinuoustravelbyday，hadimprovedhim。Helookedfat，andSlonehadnotyetcaughtthehorseresting。
Naggerwasirontoendure。HereSloneleftalltheoutfitexceptwhatwasonhissaddle，andthesackcontainingthefewpoundsofmeatandsupplies，andthetwoutensils。Thissackhetiedonthebackofhissaddle，andresumedhisjourney。
PresentlyhecametoaplacewhereWildfirehaddoubledonhistrailandhadturnedupasidecanyon。TheclimboutwashardonSlone，ifnotonNagger。