第4章

Onceup，Slonefoundhimselfuponawide，barrenplateauofglaringredrockandclumpsofgreasewoodandcactus。Theplateauwasmileswide，shutinbygreatwallsandmesasofcoloredrock。Theafternoonsunbeatdownfiercely。A

blastofwind，asiffromafurnace，sweptacrosstheplateau，anditwasladenwithreddust。Slonewalkedhere，wherehecouldhaveridden。Andhemadeseveralmilesofup-and-downprogressoverthisroughplateau。Thegreatwallsoftheoppositesideofthecanyonloomedappreciablycloser。What，Slonewondered，wasatthebottomofthisrentintheearth？Thegreatdesertriverwasdownthere，ofcourse，butheknewnothingofit。WouldthatturnbackWildfire？SlonethoughtgrimlyhowhehadalwaysclaimedNaggertobepartfishandpartbird。Wildfirewasnotgoingtoescape。

Byandbyonlyisolatedmescalplantswithlong，yellow-plumedspearsbrokethebaremonotonyoftheplateau。AndSlonepassedfromredsandandgraveltoared，softshale，andfromthattohard，redrock。HereWildfire"strackswerelost，thefirsttimeinsevenweeks。ButSlonehadhisdirectiondownthatplateauwiththecleavagelinesofcanyonstorightandleft。AttimesSlonefoundavestigeoftheoldIndiantrail，andthismadehimdoublysureofbeingright。HedidnotneedtohaveWildfire"stracks。HeletNaggerpicktheway，andthehorsemadenomistakeinfindingthelineofleastresistance。Butthatgrewharderandharder。Thisbarerock，likeafile，wouldsoonwearWildfire"shoofsthin。AndSlonerejoiced。PerhapssomewheredowninthisawfulchasmheandNaggerwouldhaveitoutwiththestallion。

Slonebegantolookfarahead，beginningtobelievethathemightseeWildfire。TwicehehadseenWildfire，butonlyatadistance。Thenhehadresembledarunningstreakoffire，whencehisname，whichSlonehadgivenhim。

Thisbareregionofrockbegantobecutupintogullies。Itwasnecessarytoheadthemortoclimbinandout。Milesoftravelreallymeantlittleprogressstraightahead。ButSlonekepton。HewashotandNaggerwashot，andthatmadehardworkeasier。Sometimesonthewindcamealowthunder。Wasitastormoranavalancheslippingorfallingwater？Hecouldnottell。Thesoundwassignificantandhaunting。

Ofonethinghewassure——thathecouldnothavefoundhisback-trail。Buthedivinedhewasnevertoretracehisstepsonthisjourney。Thestretchofbrokenplateaubeforehimgrewwilderandbolderofoutline，darkerincolor，weirderinaspect，andprogressacrossitgrewslower，moredangerous。ThereweremanyplacesNaggershouldnothavebeenputto——whereaslipmeantabrokenleg。ButSlonecouldnotturnback。Andsomethingbesidesanindomitablespiritkepthimgoing。Againthesoundresemblingthunderassailedhisears，louderthistime。Theplateauappearedtobeendinginaseriesofgreatcapesorpromontories。Slonefearedhewouldsooncomeoutuponapromontoryfromwhichhemightseetheimpossibilityoffurthertravel。Hefeltrelieveddowninthegullies，wherehecouldnotseefar。Heclimbedoutofone，presently，fromwhichthereextendedanarrowledgewithaslanttooperilousforanyhorse。HesteppedoutuponthatwithfarlessconfidencethanNagger。Totherightwasabulgeoflowwall，andafewfeettotheleftadarkprecipice。Thetrailherewasfaintlyoutlined，anditwassixincheswideandslantingaswell。ItseemedendlesstoSlone，thatledge。HelookedonlydownathisfeetandlistenedtoNagger"ssteps。Thebighorsetrodcarefully，butnaturally，andhedidnotslip。Thatledgeextendedinalongcurve，turningslowlyawayfromtheprecipice，andascendingalittleatthefurtherend。Slone，drewadeepbreathofreliefwhenheledNaggeruponlevelrock。

SuddenlyastrangeyetfamiliarsoundhaltedSlone，asifhehadbeenstruck。

Thewild，shrill，high-pitched，piercingwhistleofastallion!Naggerneighedablastinreplyandpoundedtherockwithhisiron-shodhoofs。WithathrillSlonelookedahead。

There，somefewhundredyardsdistant，onapromontory，stoodaredhorse。

"MyLord!It"sWildfire!"breathedSlone，tensely。

Hecouldnotbelievehissight。Heimaginedhewasdreaming。ButasNaggerstampedandsnorteddefianceSlonelookedwithfixedandkeengaze，andknewthatbeautifulpicturewasnolie。

Wildfirewasasredasfire。Hislongmane，wildinthewind，waslikeawhipping，black-streakedflame。Silhouettedthereagainstthatcanyonbackgroundheseemedgigantic，ademonhorse，readytoplungeintofierydepths。Hewaslookingbackoverhisshoulder，hisheadveryhigh，andeverylineofhimwasinstinctwithwildness。Againhesentoutthatshrill，air-splittingwhistle。SloneunderstoodittobeaclarioncalltoNagger。IfNaggerhadbeenaloneWildfirewouldhavekilledhim。Theredstallionwasakillerofhorses。AllovertheUtahrangeshehadleftthetrailofamurderer。Naggerunderstoodthis，too，forhewhistledbackinrageandterror。Ittookanironarmtoholdhim。ThenWildfireplunged，apparentlydown，andvanishedfromSlone"ssight。

Slonehurriedonward，tobeblockedbyahugecrackintherockyplateau。Thishehadtohead。Andthenanotherandlikeobstaclecheckedhishastetoreachthatpromontory。Hewasforcedtogomoreslowly。Wildfirehadbeencloseonlyastosight。Andthiswasthegreatcanyonthatdwarfeddistanceandmagnifiedproximity。Climbingdownandup，toilingon，heatlastlearnedpatience。HehadseenWildfireatcloserange。Thatwasenough。Soheploddedon，oncemorereturningtocarefulregardofNagger。IttookanhourofworktoreachthepointwhereWildfirehaddisappeared。

Apromontoryindeeditwas，overhangingavalleyathousandfeetbelow。A

whitetorrentofastreamwoundthroughit。Therewerelinesofgreencottonwoodsfollowingthewindingcourse。ThenSlonesawWildfireslowlycrossingtheflattowardthestream。Hehadgonedownthatcliff，whichtoSlonelookedperpendicular。

Wildfireappearedtobewalkinglame。Slone，makingsureofthis，sufferedapang。Then，whenthesignificanceofsuchlamenessdawneduponhimhewhoopedhiswildjoyandwavedhishat。Theredstallionmusthaveheard，forhelookedup。Thenhewentonagainandwadedintothestream，wherehedranklong。Whenhestartedtocross，theswiftcurrentdrovehimbackinseveralplaces。Thewaterwreathedwhitearoundhim。Butevidentlyitwasnotdeep，andfinallyhecrossed。FromtheothersidehelookedupagainatNaggerandSlone，and，goingon，hesoonwasoutofsightinthecottonwoods。

"Howtogetdown!"mutteredSlone。

Therewasabreakinthecliffwall，abarestoneslantwherehorseshadgonedownandcomeup。ThatwasenoughforSlonetoknow。HewouldhaveattemptedthedescentifheweresurenootherhorsebutWildfirehadevergonedownthere。ButSlone"shairbegantorisestiffonhishead。AhorselikeWildfire，andmountainsheepandIndianponies，wereallverydifferentfromNagger。ThechanceswereagainstNagger。

"Comeon，oldboy。IfIcandoit，youcan，"hesaid。

Slonehadneverseenatrailasperilousasthis。Hewasafraidforhishorse。

Asliptheremeantdeath。ThewayNaggertrembledineverymuscleshowedhisfeelings。Butheneverflinched。HewouldfollowSloneanywhere，providingSlonerodehimorledhim。Andhere，asridingwasimpossible，Slonewentbefore。Ifthehorseslippedtherewouldbeadoubletragedy，forNaggerwouldknockhismasteroffthecliff。Slonesethisteethandsteppeddown。HedidnotletNaggerseehisfear。Hewastakingthegreatestriskhehadeverrun。

Thebreakinthewallledtoaledge，andtheledgedroppedfromsteptostep，andthesehadbare，slipperyslantsbetween。Naggerwassplendidonabadtrail。Hehadmethodspeculiartohishugebuildandgreatweight。Hecrasheddownoverthestonesteps，bothfronthoofsatonce。Theslantshesliddownonhishauncheswithhisforelegsstiffandtheironshoesscraping。Hesnortedandheavedandgrewwetwithsweat。Hetossedhisheadatsomeoftheplaces。Butheneverhesitatedanditwasimpossibleforhimtogoslowly。

WheneverSlonecametocorrugatedstretchesinthetrailhefeltgrateful。Butthesewerefew。Therockwaslikesmoothrediron。Slonehadneverseensuchhardrock。Ittookhimlongtorealizethatitwasmarble。Hisheartseemedatense，painfulknotinhisbreast，asifitcouldnotbeat，holdingbackinthestrainedsuspense。ButNaggerneverjerkedonthebridle。Heneverfaltered。Manytimesheslipped，oftenwithbothfrontfeet，butneverwithallfourfeet。Sohedidnotfall。AndtheredwallbegantoloomaboveSlone。

Thensuddenlyheseemedbroughttoapointwhereitwasimpossibletodescend。

Itwasaroundbulge，slantingfearfully，withonlyafewlittleroughsurfacestoholdafoot。Wildfirehadleftabroad，clear-sweptmarkatthatplace，andredhairsonsomeofthesharppoints。Hehadsliddown。Belowwasanoffsetthatfortunatelypreventedfurthersliding，Slonestartedtowalkdownthisplace，butwhenNaggerbegantoslideSlonehadtoletgothebridleandjump。Bothheandthehorselandedsafely。Luckwaswiththem。Andtheywenton，downanddown，toreachthebaseofthegreatwall，scrapedandexhausted，wetwithsweat，butunhurt。AsSlonegazedupwardhefelttheimpossibilityofbelievingwhatheknewtobetrue。Hehuggedandpettedthehorse。Thenheledontotheroaringstream。

Itwasgreenwaterwhitewithfoam。Slonewadedinandfoundthewatercoolandshallowandveryswift。HehadtoholdtoNaggertokeepfrombeingsweptdownstream。Theycrossedinsafety。ThereinthesandshowedWildfire"stracks。AndhereweresignsofanotherIndiancamp，halfayearold。

Theshadeofthecottonwoodswaspleasant。Slonefoundthisvalleyoppressivelyhot。Therewasnowindandthesandblisteredhisfeetthroughhisboots。WildfireheldtotheIndiantrailthathadguidedhimdownintothiswildernessofwornrock。Andthattrailcrossedthestreamateveryturnofthetwisting，narrowvalley。Sloneenjoyedgettingintothewater。Hehunghisgunoverthepommelandletthewaterrollhim。AdozentimesheandNaggerfordedtherushingtorrent。Thentheycametoabox-likeclosingofthevalleytocanyonwalls，andherethetrailevidentlyfollowedthestreambed。

Therewasnootherway。Slonewadedin，andstumbled，rolled，andfloatedaheadofthesturdyhorse。Naggerwaswettohisbreast，buthedidnotfall。

Thisgulchseemedfullofahollowrushingroar。Itopenedoutintoawidevalley。AndWildfire"strackstooktotheleftsideandbegantoclimbtheslope。

Herethetravelingwasgood，consideringwhathadbeenpassed。OnceupoutofthevalleyfloorSlonesawWildfirefarahead，highontheslope。Hedidnotappeartobelimping，buthewasnotgoingfast。Slonewatchedasheclimbed。

Whatandwherewouldbetheendofthischase？

SometimesWildfirewasplaininhissightforamoment，butusuallyhewashiddenbyrocks。Theslopewasonegreattalus，ajumbleofweatheredrock，fallenfromwhatappearedamountainofredandyellowwall。Heretheheatofthesunfelluponhimlikefire。TherocksweresohotSlonecouldnottouchthemwithbarehand。Thecloseoftheafternoonwasapproaching，andthisslopewasinterminablylong。Still，itwasnotsteep，andthetrailwasgood。

AtlastfromtheheightofslopeWildfireappeared，lookingbackanddown。

Thenhewasgone。Sloneploddedupward。Longbeforehereachedthatsummitbeheardthedullrumbleoftheriver。Itgrewtobearoar，yetitseemeddistant。WouldthegreatdesertriverstopWildfireinhisflight？Slonedoubtedit。Hesurmountedtheridge，tofindthecanyonopeninginatremendousgap，andtoseedown，fardown，aglittering，sun-blastedslopemergingintoadeep，blackgulchwherearedriversweptandchafedandroared。

Somehowtheriverwaswhathehadexpectedtosee。Aforcethathadcutandgroundthiscanyoncouldhavebeennothingbutariverlikethat。Thetrailleddown，andSlonehadnodoubtthatitcrossedtheriverandledupoutofthecanyon。Hewantedtostaythereandgazeendlesslyandlisten。Atlengthhebeganthedescent。Asheproceededitseemedthattheroaroftheriverlessened。Hecouldnotunderstandwhythiswasso。Ittookhalfanhourtoreachthelastlevel，aghastly，black，andiron-ribbedcanyonbed，withtheriversplittingit。HehadnothadaglimpseofWildfireonthissideofthedivide，buthefoundhistracks，andtheyleddownoffthelastlevel，throughanotchintheblackbankofmarbletoasand-barandtheriver。

Wildfirehadwalkedstraightoffthesandintothewater。Slonestudiedtheriverandshore。Thewaterranslow，heavily，insluggisheddies。Fromfarupthecanyoncametheroarofarapid，andfrombelowtheroarofanother，heavierandcloser。Theriverappearedtremendous，inwaysSlonefeltratherthanrealized，yetitwasnotswift。Studyingtheblack，roughwallofrockabovehim，hesawmarkswheretheriverhadbeensixtyfeethigherthanwherehestoodonthesand。Itwaslow，then。Howluckyforhimthathehadgottentherebeforefloodseason!HebelievedWildfirehadcrossedeasily，andheknewNaggercouldmakeit。Thenhepiledandtiedhissuppliesandweaponshighonthesaddle，tokeepthemdry，andlookedforaplacetotaketothewater。

Wildfirehadsunkdeepbeforereachingtheedge。Manifestlyhehadlungedthelastfewfeet。Slonefoundabetterplace，andwadedin，urgingNagger。Thebighorseplunged，almostgoingunder，andbegantoswim。Slonekeptup-streambesidehim。Hefound，presently，thatthewaterwasthickandmadehimtired，soitwasnecessarytograspastirrupandbetowed。Theriverappearedonlyafewhundredfeetwide，butprobablyitwaswiderthanitlooked。Naggerlaboredheavilyneartheoppositeshore；still，helandedsafelyuponarockybank。TherewerepatchesofsandinwhichWildfire"stracksshowedsofreshthatthewaterhadnotyetdriedoutofthem。

Slonerestedhishorsebeforeattemptingtoclimboutofthatsplitintherock。However，Wildfirehadfoundaneasyascent。Onthissideofthecanyonthebarerockdidnotpredominate。Acleartrailledupadusty，gravellyslope，uponwhichscantgreasewoodandcactusappeared。Halfanhour"sclimbingbroughtSlonetowherehecouldseethathewasenteringavastvalley，slopingupandnarrowingtoanotchinthedarkcliffs，abovewhichtoweredthegreatredwallandaboutthattheslopesofcedarandtheyellowrim-rock。

Andscarcelyamiledistant，brightinthewesteringsunlight，shonetheredstallion，movingslowly。

Slonepressedonsteadily。Justbeforedarkhecametoanidealspottocamp。

Thevalleyhadclosedup，sothattheloftywallscastshadowsthatmet。A

clumpofcottonwoodssurroundingaspring，abundanceofrichgrass，willowsandflowersliningthebanks，formedanoasisinthebarevalley。Slonewastiredoutfromthedayofceaselesstoildownandup，andhecouldscarcelykeephiseyesopen。Buthetriedtostayawake。Thedeadsilenceofthevalley，thedryfragrance，thedreamingwalls，theadventofnightlowdown，whenupontherampartsthelastredraysofthesunlingered，thestrangeloneliness——theseweresweetandcomfortingtohim。

Andthatnight"ssleepwasasamoment。Heopenedhiseyestoseethecragsandtowersandpeaksanddomes，andtheloftywallsofthatvast，brokenchaosofcanyonsacrosstheriver。Theywerenowemergingfromthemistygrayofdawn，growingpinkandlilacandpurpleundertherisingsun。

Hearoseandsetabouthisfewtasks，which，beingsoonfinished，allowedhimanearlystart。

Wildfirehadgrazedalongnomorethanamileinthelead。Slonelookedeagerlyupthenarrowingcanyon，buthewasnotrewardedbyasightofthestallion。Asheprogressedupagraduallyascendingtrailhebecameawareofthefactthatthenotchhehadlonglookeduptowaswherethegreatredwallsclosedinandalmostmet。Andthetrailzigzaggedupthisnarrowvent，sosteepthatonlyafewstepscouldbetakenwithoutrest。Slonetoiledupforanhour——anage——tillhewaswet，burning，choked，withagreatweightonhischest。Yetstillhewasonlyhalf-wayupthatawfulbreakbetweenthewalls。

Sometimeshecouldhavetossedastonedownuponapartofthetrail，onlyafewrodsbelow，yetmany，manywearystepsofactualtoil。Ashegotfartherupthenotchwidened。Whathadbeenscarcelyvisiblefromthevalleybelowwasnowcolossalinactualdimensions。Thetrailwaslikeatwistedmileofthreadbetweentwobulgingmountainwallsleaningtheirledgesandfrontsoverthistiltedpass。

Slonerestedoften。Naggerappreciatedthisandheavedgratefullyateveryhalt。InthismonotonoustoilSloneforgotthezestofhispursuit。AndwhenNaggersuddenlysnortedinfrightSlonewasnotpreparedforwhathesaw。

Abovehimranalow，redwall，aroundwhichevidentlythetrailled。Atthecurve，whichwasapromontory，scarcelyahundredfeetinanairlineabovehim，hesawsomethingredmoving，bobbing，comingoutintoview。Itwasahorse。

Wildfire——nofartherawaythanthelengthofthreelassoes!

Therehestoodlookingdown。HefulfilledallofSlone"sdreams。Onlyhewasbigger。Buthewassomagnificentlyproportionedthathedidnotseemheavy。

Hiscoatwasshaggyandred。Itwasnotglossy。Thecolorwaswhatmadehimshine。Hismanewaslikeacrest，mounting，thenfailinglow。Slonehadneverseensomuchmuscleonahorse。Yethisoutlinewasgraceful，beautiful。Theheadwasindeedthatofthewildestofallwildcreatures——astallionbornwild——anditwasbeautiful，savage，splendid，everythingbutnoble。WhateverWildfirewas，hewasadevil，amurderer——hehadnonobleattributes。Slonethoughtthatifahorsecouldexpresshate，surelyWildfiredidthen。Itwascertainthathedidexpresscuriosityandfury。

Sloneshookagantletedfistatthestallion，asifthehorsewerehuman。Thatwasanaturalactionforariderofhiskind。Wildfireturnedaway，showedbrightagainstthedarkbackground，andthendisappeared。

CHAPTERVI

ThatwasthelastSlonesawofWildfireforthreedays。

Ittookallofthisdaytoclimboutofthecanyon。Thesecondwasaslowmarchofthirtymilesintoascrubcedarandpinyonforest，throughwhichthegreatredandyellowwallsofthecanyoncouldbeseen。ThatnightSlonefoundawater-holeinarockypocketandalittlegrassforNagger。Thethirdday"stravelconsistedoffortymilesormorethroughlevelpineforest，dryandodorous，butlackingthefreshnessandbeautyoftheforestonthenorthsideofthecanyon。Onthissouthsideastrangefeaturewasthatallthewater，whentherewasany，ranawayfromtherim。Slonecampedthisnightatamuddypondinthewoods，whereWildfire"stracksshowedplainly。

OnthefollowingdaySlonerodeoutoftheforestintoacountryofscantycedars，bleachedandstunted，andoutofthistotheedgeofaplateau，fromwhichtheshimmeringdesertflungitsvastanddesolatedistances，forbiddingandmenacing。ThiswasnotthedesertuplandcountryofUtah，butanakedandbonyworldofcoloredrockandsand——apainteddesertofheatandwindandflyingsandandwaterlesswastesandbarrenranges。ButitdidnotdauntSlone。Forfardownonthebare，billowingridgesmovedaredspeck，atasnail"space，aslowlymovingdotofcolorwhichwasWildfire。

Onopengroundlikethis，Nagger，carryingtwohundredandfiftypounds，showedhiswonderfulquality。Hedidnotmindtheheatnorthesandnortheglarenorthedistancenorhisburden。Hedidnottire。Hewasanengineoftremendouspower。

SlonegaineduponWildfire，andtowardeveningofthatdayhereachedtowithinhalfamileofthestallion。Andhechosetokeepthatfarbehind。Thatnighthecampedwheretherewasdrygrass，butnowater。

NextdayhefollowedWildfiredownanddown，overtheendlessswellofrollingredridges，bareofallbutbleachedwhitegrassandmeagergreasewood，alwaysdescendinginthefaceofthatpainteddesertofboldandraggedsteps。Slonemadefiftymilesthatday，andgainedthevalleybed，whereaslenderstreamranthinandspreadoverawidesandybottom。Itwassaltywater，butitwaswelcometobothmanandbeast。

Thefollowingdayhecrossed，andthetracksofWildfirewerestillwetonthesand-bars。Thestallionwasslowingdown。Slonesawhim，limpingalong，notfarinadvance。Therewasaten-milestretchoflevelground，blownhardasrock，fromwhichthesustenancehadbeenbleached，fornotaspearofgrassgrewthere。Andfollowingthatwasatortuouspassagethroughaweirdregionofclaydunes，blueandvioletandheliotropeandlavender，allwornsmoothbyrainandwind。Wildfirefavoredthesoftgroundnow。Hehaddeviatedfromhisstraightcourse。Andhewaspartialtowashesanddipsintheearthwherewatermighthavelodged。Andhewasnotnowscornfulofagreen-scummedwater-holewithitswhitemarginofalkali。ThatnightSlonemadecampwithWildfireinplainsight。Thestallionstoppedwhenhispursuersstopped。AndhebegantograzeonthesamestretchwithNagger。HowstrangethisseemedtoSlone!

HereatthiscampwasevidenceofIndians。Wildfirehadswungroundtothenorthinhiscourse。Likeanypursuedwildanimal，hehadbegantocircle。AndhehadpointedhisnosetowardtheUtahhehadleft。

NextmorningWildfirewasnotinsight，buthehadlefthistracksinthesand。SlonetrailedhimwithNaggeratatrot。TowardtheheadofthissandyflatSlonecameuponoldcorn-fields，andabrokendamwherethewaterhadbeenstored，andwell-definedtrailsleadingawaytotheright。SomewhereoverthereinthedesertlivedIndians。AtthispointWildfireabandonedthetrailhehadfollowedformanydaysandcutoutmoretothenorth。Ittookallthemorninghourstoclimbthreegreatstepsandbenchesthatleduptothesummitofamesa，vastinextent。Itturnedouttobeasandywaste。Thewindroseandeverywhereweremovingsheetsofsand，andinthedistancecircularyellowdust-devils，risinghighlikewaterspouts，andbackdowninthesun-scorchedvalleyasandstormmovedalongmajestically，buryingthedesertinitsyellowpall。

Thentwomoredaysofsandandanotherdayofaslowlyrisinggroundgrowingfrombaretograyandgraytogreen，andthentothepurpleofsageandcedar——thesethreegrindingdaysweretoiledoutwithonlyonewater-hole。

AndWildfirewaslameandindistressandNaggerwasgrowinggauntandshowingstrain；andSlone，haggardandblackandworn，ploddedmilesandmilesonfoottosavehishorse。

Slonefeltthatitwouldbefutiletoputthechasetoatestofspeed。Naggercouldneverheadthatstallion。Slonemeanttogoonandon，alwayspushingWildfire，keepinghimtired，wearied，andworryinghim，tillasectionofthecountrywasreachedwherehecoulddriveWildfireintosomekindofanaturaltrap。Thepursuitseemedendless。Wildfirekepttoopencountrywherehecouldnotbesurprised。

TherecameamorningwhenSloneclimbedtoacedaredplateauthatroseforawholeday"stravel，andthensplitintoalabyrinthinemazeofcanyons。Thereweretrees，grass，water。Itwasahighcountry，coolandwild，liketheuplandshehadleft。FordayshecampedonWildfire"strail，alwaysrelentlesslydrivinghim，alwayswatchingforthetraphehopedtofind。Andtheredstallionspentmuchofthistimeofflightinlookingbackward。

WheneverSlonecameinsightofhimhehadhisheadoverhisshoulder，watching。Andonthesoftgroundofthesecanyonshehadbeguntorecoverfromhislameness。ButthisdidnotworrySlone。SoonerorlaterWildfirewouldgodownintoahigh-walledwash，fromwhichtherewouldbenooutlet；orhewouldwanderintoabox-canyon；orhewouldclimboutonamesawithnoplacetodescend，unlesshepassedSlone；orhewouldgetcorneredonasoft，steepslopewherehishoofswouldsinkdeepandmakehimslow。Thenatureofthedeserthadchanged。Slonehadenteredawonderfulregion，thelikeofwhichhehadnotseen——ahighplateaucrisscrossedineverydirectionbynarrowcanyonswithredwallsathousandfeethigh。

Andoneofthestrangeturningcanyonsopenedintoavastvalleyofmonuments。

Theplateauhadweatheredandwashedaway，leavinghugesectionsofstonewalls，allstandingisolated，differentinsizeandshape，butallclean-cut，bold，withstraightlines。Theystoodupeverywhere，monumental，towering，many-colored，lendingasingularandbeautifulaspecttothegreatgreen-and-grayvalley，billowingawaytothenorth，wheredim，brokenbattlementsmountedtotheclouds。

TheonlylivingthinginSlone"ssightwasWildfire。Heshonereddownonthegreenslope。

Slone"sheartswelled。Thiswasthesettingforthatgrandhorse——aperfectwildrange。Butalsoitseemedthelastplacewheretheremightbeanychancetotrapthestallion。StillthatdidnotalterSlone"spurpose，thoughitlosttohimthejoyofformerhopes。Herodedowntheslope，outuponthebillowingfloorofthevalley。Wildfirelookedbacktoseehispursuers，andthenthesolemnstillnessbroketoawild，piercingwhistle。

Dayafterday，campingwherenightfoundhim，Slonefollowedthestallion，neverlosingsightofhimtilldarknesshadfallen。Thevalleywasimmenseandthemonumentsmilesapart。Buttheyalwaysseemedclosetogetherandnearhim。

Theairmagnifiedeverything。Slonelosttrackoftime。Thestrange，solemn，lonelydaysandthesilent，lonelynights，andtheendlesspursuit，andthewild，weirdvalley——thesecompletedtheworkofyearsonSloneandhebecamesatisfied，unthinking，almostsavage。

Thetoilandprivationhadwornhimdownandhewaslikeiron。Hisgarmentshungintatters；hisbootswererippedandsoleless。Longsincehisflourhadbeenusedup，andallhissuppliesexceptthesalt。Helivedonthemeatofrabbits，buttheywerescarce，andthetimecamewhentherewerenone。Somedayshedidnoteat。Hungerdidnotmakehimsuffer。Hekilledadesertbirdnowandthen，andonceawildcatcrossingthevalley。Eventuallyhefelthisstrengthdiminishing，andthenhetooktodiggingoutthepack-ratsandcookingthem。Butthese，too，werescarce。AtlengthstarvationfacedSlone。

Butheknewhewouldnotstarve。Manytimeshehadbeenwithinrifle-shotofWildfire。Andthegrim，forbiddingthoughtgrewuponhimthathemustkillthestallion。Thethoughtseemedinvoluntary，buthismindrejectedit。

Nevertheless，heknewthatifhecouldnotcatchthestallionhewouldkillhim。Thathadbeentheendofmanyadesperaterider"spursuitofacovetedhorse。

WhileSlonekeptonhismercilesspursuit，neverlettingWildfirerestbyday，timewentonjustasrelentlessly。Springgavewaytoearlysummer。Thehotsunbleachedthegrass；water-holesfailedoutinthevalley，andwatercouldbefoundonlyinthecanyons；andthedrywindsbegantoblowthesand。Itwasasandyvalley，greenandgrayonlyatadistance，andouttowardthenorththerewerenomonuments，andtheslowheaveofsandliftedtowardthedimwalls。

Wildfireworkedawayfromthisopenvalley，backtothesouthend，wherethegreatmonumentsloomed，andstillfartherback，wheretheygrewcloser，tillatlengthsomeofthemwerejoinedbyweatheredridgestothewallsofthesurroundingplateau。ForallthatSlonecouldsee，Wildfirewasinperfectcondition。ButNaggerwasnotthehorsehehadbeen。Slonerealizedthatinonewayoranotherthepursuitwasnarrowingdowntotheend。

Hefoundawater-holeattheheadofawashinasplitinthewalls，andhereheletNaggerrestandgrazeonewholeday——thefirstdayforalongtimethathehadnotkepttheredstallioninsight。Thatdaywasmarkedbythegoodfortuneofkillingarabbit，andwhileeatingithisgloomy，fixedmindadmittedthathewasstarving。Hedreadedthenextsunrise。Buthecouldnotholditback。There，behindthedarkmonuments，standingsentinel-like，theskylightenedandreddenedandburstintogoldandpink，tilloutofthegoldenglarethesunroseglorious。AndSlone，facingtheleague-longshadowsofthemonuments，rodeoutagainintothesilent，solemnday，onhishopelessquest。

ForachangeWildfirehadclimbedhighupaslopeoftalus，throughanarrowpass，roundedoverwithdriftingsand。AndSlonegazeddownintoahugeamphitheaterfullofmonuments，likeallthatstrangecountry。Abasinthreemilesacrosslaybeneathhim。Wallsandweatheredslantsofrockandsteepslopesofreddish-yellowsandinclosedthisovaldepression。Thefloorwaswhite，anditseemedtomovegentlyorradiatewithheat-waves。Studyingit，Slonemadeoutthatthemotionwascausedbywindinlongbleachedgrass。Hehadcrossedsmallareasofthisgrassindifferentpartsoftheregion。

Wildfire"stracksleddownintothisbasin，andpresentlySlone，bystraininghiseyes，madeouttheredspotthatwasthestallion。

"He"slookin"toquitthecountry，"soliloquizedSlone，ashesurveyedthescene。

Withkeen，slowgazeSlonestudiedthelayofwallandslope，andwhenhehadcircledthehugedepressionhemadesurethatWildfirecouldnotgetoutexceptbythenarrowpassthroughwhichhehadgonein。SlonesatastrideNaggerinthemouthofthispass——awashafewyardswide，walledbybroken，roughrockononesideandaninsurmountableslopeontheother。

"Ifthisholewasonlylittle，now，"sighedSlone，ashegazedatthesweeping，shimmeringovalfloor，"Imighthaveachance。Butdownthere——wecouldn"tgetnearhim。"

Therewasnowaterinthatdrybowl。SlonereflectedontheuselessnessofkeepingWildfiredownthere，becauseNaggercouldnotgowithoutwateraslongasWildfire。ForthefirsttimeSlonehesitated。ItseemedmercilesstoNaggertodrivehimdownintothishot，windyhole。Thewindblewfromthewest，anditswoopeduptheslope，hot，withtheodorofdry，deadgrass。

ButthathotwindstirredSlonewithanidea，andsuddenlyhewastense，excited，glowing，yetgrimandhard。

"Wildfire，I"llmakeyourunwithyournamesakeinthathighgrass，"calledSlone。Thespeechwasfullofbitterfailure，ofregret，ofthehardnessofariderwhocouldnotgiveupthehorsetofreedom。

Slonemeanttoridedownthereandfirethelonggrass。Inthatwindtherewouldindeedbewildfiretoracewiththeredstallion。Itwouldperhapsmeanhisdeath；atleastitwouldchasehimoutofthathole，wheretofollowhimwouldbeuseless。

"I"dmakeyouhumpnowtogetawayifIcouldgetbehindyou，"mutteredSlone。

HesawthatifhecouldfirethegrassontheothersidethewindofflamewoulddriveWildfirestraighttowardhim。Theslopesandwallsnarroweduptothepass，buthighgrassgrewtowithinafewrodsofwhereSlonestood。ButitseemedimpossibletogetbehindWildfire。

"Atnight——then——Icouldgetroundhim，"saidSlone，thinkinghardandnarrowinghisgazetoscanthecircleofwallandslope。"Whynot？Nowindatnight。Thatgrasswouldburnslowtillmornin"——tillthewindcameup——an"it"sbeenwestfordays。"

SuddenlySlonebegantopoundthepatientNaggerandtocryouttohiminwildexultance。

"Oldhorse，we"vegothim!We"vegothim!We"llputaropeonhimbeforethistimeto-morrow!"

Sloneyieldedtohisstrange，wildjoy，butitdidnotlastlong，soonsucceedingtosober，keenthought。Herodedownintothebowlamile，makingabsolutelycertainthatWildfirecouldnotclimboutonthatside。Thefarend，beyondthemonuments，wasasheerwallofrock。Thenhecrossedtotheleftside。Herethesandyslopewasalmosttoosteepforevenhimtogoup。

Andtherewasgrassthatwouldburn。HereturnedtothepassassuredthatWildfirehadatlastfallenintoatrapthelikeSlonehadneverdreamedofThegreathorsewasdoomedtorunintolivingflameorthewhirlingnooseofalasso。

ThenSlonereflected。Naggerhadthatverymorninghadhisfillofgoodwater——thefirstreallysatisfyingdrinkfordays。Ifhewasrestedthatday，onthemorrowhewouldbefitforthegruelingworkpossiblyinstoreforhim。

Sloneunsaddledthehorseandturnedhimloose，andwithasnorthemadedownthegentleslopeforthegrass。ThenSlonecarriedhissaddletoashadyspotaffordedbyaslabofrockandadwarfcedar，andherehecomposedhimselftorestandwatchandthinkandwait。

Wildfirewasplainlyinsightnomorethantwomilesaway。Graduallyhewasgrazingalongtowardthemonumentsandthefarendofthegreatbasin。Slonebelieved，becausetheplacewassolarge，thatWildfirethoughttherewasawayoutontheothersideorovertheslopesorthroughthewalls。Neverbeforehadthefar-sightedstallionmadeamistake。Slonesuddenlyfeltthekeen，stabbingfearofanoutletsomewhere。Butitlefthimquickly。Hehadstudiedthoseslopesandwalls。Wildfirecouldnotgetout，exceptbythepasshehadentered，unlesshecouldfly。

Slonelayintheshade，hisheadproppedonhissaddle，andwhilegazingdownintotheshimmeringhollowhebegantoplan。Hecalculatedthathemustbeabletocarryfireswiftlyacrossthefarendofthebasin，sothathewouldnotbeabsentlongfromthemouthofthepass。Firewasalwaysadifficultmatter，sincehemustdependonlyonflintandsteel。Hedecidedtowaittilldark，buildafirewithdeadcedarsticks，andcarryabundleofthemwithburningends。Hefeltassuredthatthewindcausedbyridingwouldkeepthemburning。Afterhehadlightedthegrassallhehadtodowastohurrybacktohisstationandthereawaitdevelopments。

Thedaypassedslowly，anditwashot。Theheat-wavesroseindark，waveringlinesandveilsfromthevalley。Thewindblewalmostagale。Thin，curlingsheetsofsandblewupoverthecrestsoftheslopes，andthesounditmadewasasoft，silkenrustling，verylow。Theskywasasteelyblueaboveandcoppercloseoverthedistantwalls。

Thatafternoon，towardtheclose，Sloneatethelastofthemeat。Atsunsetthewinddiedawayandtheaircooled。Therewasastripofredalongthewallofrockandonthetipsofthemonuments，anditlingeredthereforlong，astrange，brightcrown。Naggerwasnotfaraway，butWildfirehaddisappeared，probablybehindoneofthemonuments。

WhentwilightfellSlonewentdownafterNaggerand，returningwithhim，putonbridleandsaddle。Thenhebegantosearchforsuitablesticksofwood。

Fartherbackinthepasshefoundstunteddeadcedars，andfromthesesecuredenoughforhispurpose。Hekindledafireandburnttheendsofthesticksintoredembers。Makingabundleofthese，heputthemunderhisarm，thedull，glowingendsbackward，andthenmountedhishorse。

Itwasjustaboutdarkwhenhefaceddownintothevalley。WhenhereachedlevelgroundhekepttotheedgeoftheleftslopeandputNaggertoagoodtrot。Thegrassandbrushwerescanthere，andthecolorofthesandwaslight，sohehadnodifficultyintraveling。

Fromtimetotimehishorsewentthroughgrass，anditsdry，cracklingrustle，showinghowitwouldburn，wasmusictoSlone。Graduallythemonumentsbegantoloomup，boldandblackagainstthebluesky，withstarsseeminglyhangingcloseoverthem。Slonehadcalculatedthatthebasinwassmallerthanitreallywas，inbothlengthandbreadth。Thisworriedhim。Wildfiremightseeorhearorscenthim，andmakeabreakbacktothepassandthusescape。Slonewasgladwhenthehuge，darkmonumentswereindistinguishablefromtheblack，frowningwall。Hehadtogoslowerhere，becauseofthedarkness。Butatlasthereachedtheslowriseofjumbledrockthatevidentlymarkedtheextentofweatheringonthatside。Hereheturnedtotherightandrodeoutintothevalley。Thefloorwaslevelandthicklyovergrownwithlong，deadgrassanddeadgreasewood，asdryastinder。Itwaseasytoaccountforthedryness；

neithersnownorrainhadvisitedthatvalleyformanymonths。Slonewhippedoneofthesticksinthewindandsoonhadthesmolderingendredandshoweringsparks。Thenhedroppedthestickinthegrass，withcuriousintentandastrangefeelingofregret。

Instantlythegrassblazedwithalittlesputteringroar。Naggersnorted。

"Wildfire!"exclaimedSlone。Thatwordwasafavoriteonewithriders，andnowSloneuseditbothtocallouthismenacetothestallionandtoexpresshisfeelingforthatblaze，alreadyrunningwild。

WithoutlookingbackSlonerodeacrossthevalley，droppingaglowingstickeveryquarterofamile。Whenhereachedtheothersidetherewereadozenfiresbehindhim，burningslowly，withwhitesmokerisinglazily。ThenhelopedNaggeralongthesidebacktothesandyascent，andonuptothemouthofthepass。Therehesearchedfortracks。Wildfirehadnotgoneout，andSloneexperiencedreliefandexultation。Hetookupapositioninthemiddleofthenarrowestpartofthepass，andthere，withNaggerreadyforanything，heoncemorecomposedhimselftowatchandwait。

Faracrossthedarknessofthevalley，lowdown，twelvelinesoffire，widelyseparated，crepttowardoneanother。Theyappearedthinandslow，withonlyanoccasionalleapingflame。Andsomeoftheblackspacesmusthavebeenmonuments，blottingoutthecreepingsnail-linesofred。Slonewatched，strangelyfascinated。

"Whatdoyouthinkofthat？"hesaid，aloud，andhemeanthisqueryforWildfire。

Ashewatchedthelinesperceptiblylengthenedandbrightenedandpaleshadowsofsmokebegantoappear。Overattheleftofthevalleythetwobrightestfires，thefirsthehadstarted，creptcloserandclosertogether。Theyseemedlongincoveringdistance。Butnotabreathofwindstirred，andbesidestheyreallymightmoveswiftly，withoutlookingsotoSlone。Whenthetwolinesmetasuddenandlargerblazerose。

"Ah!"saidtherider，andthenhewatchedtheotherlinescreepingtogether。

Howslowlyfiremoved，hethought。Theredstallionwouldhaveeverychancetorunbetweenthoselines，ifhedared。Butawildhorsefearednothinglikefire。Thisonewouldnotrunthegantletofflames。Nevertheless，Slonefeltmoreandmorerelievedasthelinesclosed。Thehoursofthenightdraggedpastuntilatlengthonelong，continuouslineoffirespreadlevelacrossthevalley，itsbright，redlinebrokenonlywherethemonumentsofstoneweresilhouettedagainstit。

Thedarknessofthevalleychanged。Thelightofthemoonchanged。Theradianceofthestarschanged。Eitherthelineoffirewasfindingdenserfueltoconsumeoritwasgrowingappreciablycloser，fortheflamesbegantogrow，toleap，andtoflare。

Slonestrainedhisearsforthethudofhoofsonsand。

Thetimeseemedendlessinitsfutilityofresults，butfleetingafterithadpassed；andhecouldtellhowthehoursfledbytheever-recurringneedtoreplenishthelittlefirehekeptburninginthepass。

Abroadbeltofvalleygrewbrightinthelight，andbehinditloomedthemonuments，weirdanddark，withcolumnsofyellowandwhitesmokewreathingthem。

SuddenlySlone"ssensitiveearvibratedtoathrillingsound。Heleaneddowntoplacehiseartothesand。Rapid，rhythmicbeatofhoofsmadehimleaptohisfeet，reachingforhislassowithrighthandandagunwithhisleft。

Naggerliftedhishead，sniffedtheair，andsnorted。Slonepeeredintotheblackbeltofgloomthatlaybelowhim。Itwouldbehardtoseeahorsethere，unlesshegothighenoughtobesilhouettedagainstthatlineoffirenowflaringtothesky。Butheheardthebeatofhoofs，swift，sharp，louder——louder。Thenightshadowsweredeceptive。Thatwonderfullightconfusedhim，madetheplaceunreal。Washedreaming？Orhadthelongchaseandhisprivationsunhingedhismind？HereachedforNagger。No!Thebigblackwasreal，alive，quivering，poundingthesand。Hescentedanenemy。

OncemoreSlonepeereddownintothevoidorwhatseemedavoid。Butit，too，hadchanged，lightened。Thewholevalleywasbrightening。Greatpallsofcurlingsmokerosewhiteandyellow，toturnbackasthemonumentsmettheircrests，andthentorollupward，blottingoutthestars。Itwassuchalightashehadneverseen，exceptindreams。Palemoonlightanddimmedstarlightandwandawnallvagueandstrangeandshadowyunderthewildandvividlightofburninggrass。

InthepalepathbeforeSlone，thatfanlikeslopeofsandwhichopeneddownintothevalley，appearedaswiftlymovingblackobject，likeafleetingphantom。Itwasaphantomhorse。Slonefeltthathiseyes，deceivedbyhismind，sawracingimages。Manyawildchasehehadlivedindreamsonsomefardesert。Butwhatwasthatbeatinginhisears——sharp，swift，even，rhythmic？

Neverhadhisearsplayedhimfalse。Neverhadheheardthingsinhisdreams。

Thatrunningobjectwasahorseandhewascominglikethewind。Slonefeltsomethinggriphisheart。Allthetimeandenduranceandpainandthirstandsuspenseandlongingandhopelessness——theagonyofthewholeendlesschase——

closedtightonhisheartinthatinstant。

Therunninghorsehaltedjustinthebeltoflightcastbytheburninggrass。

Therehestoodsharplydefined，clearasacameo，notahundredpacesfromSlone。ItwasWildfire。

Sloneutteredaninvoluntarycry。Thrillonthrillshotthroughhim。Delightandhopeandfearanddespairclaimedhiminswift，successiveflashes。Andthenagaintherulingpassionofariderheldhim——thesheergloryofagrandandunattainablehorse。ForSlonegaveupWildfireinthatsplendidmoment。

Howhadheeverdaredtobelievehecouldcapturethatwildstallion？Slonelookedandlooked，fillinghismind，regrettingnothing，surethatthemomentwasrewardforallhehadendured。

TheweirdlightsmagnifiedWildfireandshowedhimclearly。Heseemedgigantic。Heshoneblackagainstthefire。Hisheadwashigh，hismaneflying。

Behindhimthefireflaredandthevalley-widecolumnofsmokerolledmajesticallyupward，andthegreatmonumentsseemedtoretreatdarklyandmysteriouslyastheflamesadvancedbeyondthem。Itwasabeautiful，unearthlyspectacle，withitssilencethestrangestfeature。

ButsuddenlyWildfirebrokethatsilencewithawhistlewhichtoSlone"soverstrainedfacultiesseemedablastaspiercingasthesplittingsoundoflightning。AndwiththewhistleWildfireplungeduptowardthepass。Sloneyelledatthetopofhislungsandfiredhisgunbeforehecouldterrorizethestallionanddrivehimbackdowntheslope。SoonWildfirebecameagainarunningblackobject，andthenhedisappeared。

Thegreatlineoffirehadgottenbeyondthemonumentsandnowstretchedunbrokenacrossthevalleyfromwalltoslope。Wildfirecouldneverpiercethatlineofflames。AndnowSlonesaw，inthepalingskytotheeast，thatdawnwasathand。

CHAPTERVII

Slonelookedgrimlygladwhensimultaneouslywiththefirstredflashofsunriseabreezefannedhischeek。Allthatwasneedednowwasawestwind。

Andherecametheassuranceofit。

Thevalleyappearedhazyandsmoky，withslow，rollingcloudslowdownwherethelineoffiremoved。Thecomingofdaylightpaledtheblazeofthegrass，thoughhereandthereSlonecaughtflickeringglimpsesofdullredflame。Thewildstallionkepttothecenterofthevalley，restlesslyfacingthiswayandthat，butnevertowardthesmoke。SlonemadesurethatWildfiregraduallygavegroundasthelineofsmokeslowlyworkedtowardhim。

Everymomentthebreezefreshened，grewsteadierandstronger，untilSlonesawthatitbegantoclearthevalleyofthelow-hangingsmoke。Therecameatimewhenoncemoretheblazinglineextendedacrossfromslopetoslope。

Wildfirewascornered，trapped。ManytimesSlonenervouslyuncoiledandrecoiledhislasso。Presentlythegreatchanceofhislifewouldcome——thehardestandmostimportantthrowhewouldeverhavewitharope。Hedidnotmissoften，butthenhemissedsometimes，andherehemustbeswiftandsure。

Itannoyedhimthathishandsperspiredandtrembledandthatsomethingweightyseemedtoobstructhisbreathing。Hemutteredthathewasprettymuchwornout，notinthebestofconditionforahardfightwithawildhorse。

StillhewouldcaptureWildfire；hismindwasunalterablysetthere。Heanticipatedthatthestallionwouldmakeafinalanddesperaterushpasthim；

andhehadhisplanofactionalloutlined。WhatworriedhimwasthepossibilityofWildfiredoingsomeunforeseenfeatattheverylast。Slonewaspreparedforhoursofstrainedwatching，andthenadesperateeffort，andthenashockthatmightkillWildfireandcrippleNagger，oralongraceandfight。

Buthesoondiscoveredthathewaswrongaboutthelongwatchandwait。Thewindhadgrownstrongandwasdrivingthefireswiftly。Theflames，fannedbythebreeze，leapedtoaformidablebarrier。Inlessthananhour，thoughthetimeseemedonlyafewmomentstotheexcitedSlone，Wildfirehadbeendrivendowntowardthenarrowingneckofthevalley，andhehadbeguntorun，toandfro，backandforth。Anymoment，then，Sloneexpectedhimtogrowterrorizedandtocometearinguptowardthepass。

Wildfireshowedevidenceofterror，buthedidnotattempttomakethepass。

Insteadhewentattheright-handslopeofthevalleyandbegantoclimb。Theslopewassteepandsoft，yetthestallionclimbedupandup。Thedustflewinclouds；thegravelrolleddown，andthesandfollowedinlongstreams。

Wildfireshowedhiskeennessbyzigzagginguptheslope。

"Goahead，youreddevil!"yelledSlone。Hewasmuchelated。InthatsoftbankWildfirewouldtireoutwhilenothurtinghimself。

Slonewatchedthestallioninadmirationandpityandexultation。Wildfiredidnotmakemuchheadway，forheslippedbackalmostasmuchashegained。Heattemptedoneplaceafteranotherwherehefailed。Therewasabankofclay，somefewfeethigh，andhecouldnotrounditateitherendorsurmountitinthemiddle。Finallyheliterallypawedandcutapath，muchasifheweredigginginthesandforwater。Whenhegotoverthathewasnotmuchbetteroff。Theslopeabovewasendlessandgrewsteeper，moredifficulttowardthetop。Sloneknewabsolutelythatnohorsecouldclimboverit。Hegrewapprehensive，however，forWildfiremightstickupthereontheslopeuntilthelineoffirepassed。Thehorseapparentlyshunnedanynearproximitytothefire，andperformedprodigiouseffortstoescape。

"He"llberidin"anavalancheprettysoon，"mutteredSlone。

Longsheetsofsandandgravelsliddowntospillthinlyoverthelowbank。

Wildfire，nowsinkingtohisknees，workedsteadilyupwardtillhehadreachedapointhalfwayuptheslope，attheheadofalong，yellowbankoftreacherous-lookingsand。Herehewashaltedbyalowbulge，whichhemighthavesurmountedhadhisfeetbeenfree。Buthestooddeepinthesand。Forthefirsttimehelookeddownatthesweepingfire，andthenatSlone。

Suddenlythebankofsandbegantoslidewithhim。Hesnortedinfright。Theavalanchestartedslowlyandwasevidentlynomeresurfaceslide。Itwasdeep。

Itstopped——thenstartedagain——andagainstopped。Wildfireappearedtobesinkingdeeperanddeeper。Hisstrugglesonlyembeddedhimmorefirmly。Thenthebankofsand，withanominous，lowroar，begantomoveoncemore。Thistimeitslippedswiftly。Thedustroseinacloud，almostobscuringthehorse。

Longstreamsofgravelrattleddown，andwaterfallsofsandwavedoverthestepsoftheslope。

Justassuddenlytheavalanchestoppedagain。Slonesaw，fromthegreatovalholeithadleftabove，thatitwasindeeddeep。Thatwasthereasonitdidnotslidereadily。WhenthedustclearedawaySlonesawthestallion，sunktohisflanksinthesand，utterlyhelpless。

WithawildwhoopSloneleapedoffNagger，and，alassoineachhand，herandownthelongbank。Thefirewasperhapsaquarterofamiledistant，and，sincethegrasswasthinningout，itwasnotcomingsofastasit。hadbeen。

Thepositionofthestallionwashalf-waybetweenthefireandSlone，andahundredyardsuptheslope。

LikeamadmanSloneclimbedupthroughthedragging，loosesand。Hewasbesidehimselfwithafuryofexcitement。Hefanciedhiseyeswerefailinghim，thatitwasnotpossiblethegreathorsereallywasupthere，helplessinthesand。

YeteveryhugestrideSlonetookbroughthimclosertoafacthecouldnotdeny。Inhiseagernessheslipped，andfell，andcrawled，andleaped，untilhereachedtheslidewhichheldWildfireprisoner。

Thestallionmighthavebeenfastinquicksand，uptohisbody，forallthemovementhecouldmake。Hecouldmoveonlyhishead。Heheldthatup，hiseyeswild，showingthewhites，hisfoamingmouthwideopen，histeethgleaming。A

soundlikeascreamrenttheair。Terriblefearandhatewereexpressedinthatpiercingneigh。Andshaggy，wet，dustyred，withallofbrutesavagenessinthelookandactionofhishead，heappearedhideous。

AsSloneleapedwithinropingdistancetheavalancheslippedafootortwo，halted，slippedoncemore，andslowlystartedagainwiththatlowroar。Hedidnotcarewhetheritslippedorstopped。Likeawolfheleapedcloser，whirlinghisrope。Theloophissedroundhisheadandwhistledasheflungit。Andwhenfiercelyhejerkedbackontherope，thenooseclosedtightroundWildfire"sneck。