第5章
"ByG——d——I——got——arope-onhim!"criedSlone，inhoarsepants。
Hestared，unbelieving。Itwasunreal，thatsight——unrealliketheslow，grindingmovementoftheavalancheunderhim。Wildfire"sheadseemedademonheadofhate。Itreachedout，mouthagape，tobite，torend。Thathorriblescreamcouldnotbethescreamofahorse。
Slonewasawild-horsehunter，arider，andwhenthatsecondofincredulityflashedby，thencamethemomentoftriumph。Nomomentcouldeverequalthatone，whenherealizedhestoodtherewitharopearoundthatgrandstallion"sneck。Allthedaysandthemilesandthetoilandtheenduranceandthehopelessnessandthehungerwerepaidforinthatmoment。Hisheartseemedtoolargeforhisbreast。
"Itracked——you!"hecried，savagely。"Istayed——withyou!An"Igotarope——onyou!An"——I"llrideyou——youreddevil!"
Thepassionofthemanwasintense。Thatendless，rackingpursuithadbroughtoutallthehardnessthedeserthadengenderedinhim。Almosthate，insteadoflove，spokeinSlone"swords。Hehauledonthelasso，pullingthestallion"sheaddownanddown。Theactionwasthelustofcaptureaswellastherider"sinstinctivemotivetomakethehorsefearhim。Lifewasunquenchablywildandstronginthatstallion；itshowedintheterrorwhichmadehimhideous。Andmanandbeastsomehowresembledeachotherinthatmomentwhichwasinimicaltonoblelife。
Theavalancheslippedwithlittlejerks，asiftreacherouslyloosingitsholdforalongplunge。Thelineoffirebelowateatthebleachedgrassandthelongcolumnofsmokecurledawayonthewind。
Sloneheldthetautlassowithhislefthand，andwiththerightheswungtheotherrope，catchingthenooseroundWildfire"snose。Thenlettinggoofthefirstropehehauledontheother，pullingtheheadofthestallionfardown。
HandoverhandSloneclosedinonthehorse。HeleapedonWildfire"shead，presseditdown，and，holdingitdownonthesandwithhisknees，withswiftfingershetiedthenooseinahackamore——animprovisedhalter。Then，justasswiftly，heboundhisscarftightroundWildfire"shead，blindfoldinghim。
"Allsoeasy!"exclaimedSlone，underhisbreath。"Lord!whowouldbelieveit!。Isitadream？"
Heroseandletthestallionhaveafreehead。
"Wildfire，Igotaropeonyou——an"ahackamore——an"ablinder，"saidSlone。
"An"ifIhadabridleI"dputthatonyou。Who"deverbelieveyou"dcatchyourself，draggin"inthesand？"
Slone，findinghimselffailingonthesand，grewalivetotheaugmentedmovementoftheavalanche。Ithadbeguntoslide，toheaveandbulgeandcrack。Dustroseincloudsfromallaround。Thesandappearedtoopenandlethimsinktohisknees。Therattleofgravelwasdrownedinasoftroar。Thenheshotdownswiftly，holdingthelassoes，keepinghimselferect，andridingasifinaboat。Hefeltthesuccessivestepsoftheslope，andthenthelonginclinebelow，andthenthecheckingandrisingandspreadingoftheavalancheasitsloweddownonthelevel。Allmovementthenwascheckedviolently。Heappearedtobehalfburiedinsand。Whilehestruggledtoextricatehimselfthethickdustblewawayandsettledsothathecouldsee。Wildfirelaybeforehim，attheedgeoftheslide，andnowhewasnotsodeeplyembeddedashehadbeenupontheslope。Hewasstrugglingandprobablysoonwouldhavebeenabletogetout。Thelineoffirewasclosenow，butSlonedidnotfearthat。
AthisshrillwhistleNaggerboundedtowardhim，obedient，butsnorting，withearslaidback。Hehalted。Asecondwhistlestartedhimagain。Slonefinallydughimselfoutofthesand，pulledthelassoesout，andranthelengthofthemtowardNagger。Theblackshowedbothfearandfight。Hiseyesroiledandhehalfshiedaway。
"Comeon!"calledSlone，harshly。
Hegotahandonthehorse，pulledhimround，and，mountinginaflash，woundbothlassoesroundthepommelofthesaddle。
"Haulhimout，Nagger，oldboy!"criedSlone，andhedugspursintotheblack。
OneplungeofNagger"sslidthestallionoutofthesand。Snorting，wild，blinded，Wildfiregotup，shakingineverylimb。Hecouldnotseehisenemies。
Theblowingsmoke，rightinhisnose，madescentimpossible。Butinthetautlassoeshesensedthedirectionofhiscaptors。Heplunged，rearingattheendoftheplunge，andstruckoutviciouslywithhishoofs。Slone，quickwithspurandbridle，swervedNaggerasideandWildfire，offhisbalance，wentdownwithacrash。Slonedraggedhim，stretchedhimout，pulledhimovertwicebeforehegotforefeetplanted。Onceup，herearedagain，screechinghisrage，strikingwildlywithhishoofs。Slonewheeledasideandtoppledhimoveragain。
"Wildfire，it"snofairfight，"hecalled，grimly。"Butyouledmeachase……An"youlearnrightnowI"mboss!"
Againhedraggedthestallion。Hewasruthless。Hewouldhavetobeso，stoppingjustshortofmaimingorkillingthehorse，elsehewouldneverbreakhim。ButWildfirewasnimble。Hegottohisfeetandthistimehelungedout。
Nagger，powerfulashewas，couldnotsustainthetremendousshock，andwentdown。Slonesavedhimselfwitharider"ssuppleskill，fallingclearofthehorse，andheleapedagainintothesaddleasNaggerpoundedup。Naggerbracedhishugeframeandheldtheplungingstallion。Butthesaddleslippedalittle，thecinchescracked。SloneeasedthestrainbywheelingafterWildfire。
Thehorseshadworkedawayfromthefire，andWildfire，freeofthestiflingsmoke，begantobreakandlungeandpitch，plungingroundNaggerinacircle，runningblindly，butwithunerringscent。Slone，bymasterlyhorsemanship，easilyavoidedtherushes，andmadeapivotofNagger，roundwhichthewildhorsedashedinhisfrenzy。Itseemedthathenolongertriedtofreehimself。
Helungedtokill。
"Steady，Nagger，oldboy!"Slonekeptcalling。"He"llnevergetatyou。
IfheslipsthatblinderI"llkillhim!"
Thestallionwasafiendinhisfury，quickerthanapanther，wonderfulonhisfeet，andpowerfulasanox。Buthewasatadisadvantage。Hecouldnotsee。
AndSlone，inhisspokenintentiontokillWildfireshouldthescarfslip，acknowledgedthatheneverwouldhaveachancetomasterthestallion。
Wildfirewasbigger，faster，strongerthanSlonehadbelieved，andasforspirit，thatwasagrandandfearfulthingtosee。
ThesoftsandinthepasswasploweddeepbeforeWildfirepausedinhismadplunges。Hewaswetandheaving。Hisredcoatseemedtoblaze。Hismanestoodupandhisearslayflat。
Sloneuncoiledthelassoesfromthepommelandslackedthemalittle。Wildfirestoodup，strikingattheair，snortingfiercely。SlonetriedtowheelNaggerinclosebehindthestallion。Bothhorseandmannarrowlyescapedthevicioushoofs。ButSlonehadclosedin。HetookadesperatechanceandspurredNaggerinasingleleapasWildfirerearedagain。Thehorsescollided。Slonehauledthelassoestight。TheimpactthrewWildfireoffhisbalance，justasSlonehadcalculated，andasthestallionplungeddownonfourfeetSlonespurredNaggercloseagainsthim。Wildfirewasalittleinthelead。Hecouldonlyhalfrearnow，fortheheaving，movingNagger，alwaysagainsthim，jostledhimdown，andSlone"sironarmhauledontheshortropes。WhenWildfireturnedtobite，Sloneknockedtheviciousnosebackwithalongswingofhisfist。
Upthepassthehorsesplunged。Witharider"swildjoySlonesawthelonggreen-and-grayvalley，andtheisolatedmonumentsinthedistance。There，onthatwidestretch，hewouldbreakWildfire。Howmarvelouslyluckhadfavoredhimatthelast!
"Run，youreddevil!"Slonecalled。"Dragusaroundnowtillyou"redone!"
Theyleftthepassandsweptoutuponthewasteofsage。Slonerealized，fromthestingingofthesweetwindinhisface，thatNaggerwasbeingpulledalongatatremendouspace。Thefaithfulblackcouldneverhavemadethewindcutso。Lowerthewildstallionstretchedandswifterheran，tillitseemedtoSlonethatdeathmustendthatthunderboltrace。
CHAPTERVIII
LucyBostilhadcalledtwicetoherfatherandhehadnotanswered。Hewasoutatthehitching-rail，withHolley，therider，andtwoothermen。IfheheardLucyhegavenosignofit。Shehadonherchapsanddidnotcaretogoanyfartherthanthedoorwhereshestood。
"SomershasgonetoDurangoan"Shugrueisouthuntin"hosses，"LucyheardBostilsay，gruffly。
"Walnow，IreckonIcouldhandletheboatan"fetchCreech"shossesover，"
saidHolley。
Bostilraisedanimpatienthand，asiftowaveasideHolley"sassumption。
Thenoneoftheothertwomenspokeup。Lucyhadseenhimbefore，butdidnotknowhisname。
"Surethereain"tanyneedtorustlethejob。Theriverhain"tshowedanysignsofrisin"yet。ButCreechisworryin"。Heallusisworryin"overthemhosses。Nowonder!ThetBlueRoanissureahoss。YesterdayattwomilesheshowedCreechhewasasightfasterthanlastyear。Thegrassisgoneoverthere。Creechisgrainin"hisstocktheselastfewdays。An"thet"sexpensive。"
"Howabouttheflatupthecanyon？"queriedBostil。"Ain"tthereanygrassthere？"
"Reckonnot。It"sthedryestspellCreecheverhad，"repliedtheother。"An"
iftherewasgrassitwouldn"tdohimnogood。Alandslideblockedtheonlytrailup。"
"Bostil，themhosses，theracersspecial，oughttobebroughtacrosttheriver，"saidHolley，earnestly。Helovedhorsesandwasthinkingofthem。
"Theboat"sgottobepatchedup，"repliedBostil，shortly。
ItoccurredtoLucythatherfatherwasalsothinkingofCreech"sthoroughbreds，butnotlikeHolley。Shegrewgraveandlistenedintently。
Therewasanawkwardpause。Creech"srider，whoeverhewas，evidentlytriedtoconcealhisanxiety。Heflickedhisbootswithaquirt。Thebootswerecoveredwithwetmud。Probablyhehadcrossedtheriververyrecently。
"Wal，whenwillyouhavethehossesfetchedover？"heasked，deliberately。
"Creech"llwanttoknow。"
"Justassoonastheboat"smended，"repliedBostil。"I"llputShugrueonthejobto-morrow。"
"Thanks，Bostil。Sure，thet"llbeallright。Creech"llbesatisfied，"saidtherider，asifrelieved。Thenhemounted，andwithhiscompaniontrotteddownthelane。
Thelean，grayHolleybentakeengazeuponBostil。ButBostildidnotnoticethat；heappearedpreoccupiedinthought。
"Bostil，thedrywinteran"springhereain"tanyguaranteethettherewasn"talotofsnowupinthemountains。"Holley"sremarkstartledBostil。
"No——itain"t——sure，"hereplied。
"An"anymornin"alongnowwemightwakeuptoheartheColoradoboomin"，"
wentonHolley，significantly。
Bostildidnotreplytothat。
"Creechhain"tlivedovertheresomanyyears。What"sheknowabouttheriver？
An"ferthatmatter，whoknowsanythin"sureaboutthethell-bentriver？"
"Itain"tmybusinessthetCreechlivesoverthereriskin"hisstockeveryspring，"repliedBostil，darkly。
Holleyopenedhislipstospeak，hesitated，lookedawayfromBostil，andfinallysaid，"No，itsureain"t。"Thenheturnedandwalkedaway，headbentinsoberthought。BostilcametowardtheopendoorwhereLucystood。Helookedsomber。Athergreetingheseemedstartled。
"What？"hesaid。
"Ijustsaid，"Hello，Dad，""shereplied，demurely。Yetshethoughtfullystudiedherfather"sdarkface。
"Helloyourself。DidyouknowVangotthrowedan"hurt？"
"Yes。"
Bostilsworeunderhisbreath。"Thereain"tanyridersontherangethetcanbetrusted，"hesaid，disgustedly。"They"reallthesame。Theyliketogetinabunchan"jeereachotheran"bet。TheywantMEANhosses。Theymakegoodhossesbuck。Theyhaven"tanyuseforahossthetwon"tbuck。Theyallwanttogiveahossarakin"over。ThinkofthetfoolVangettin"throwedbyatwo-dollarUtemustang。An"hurtsohecan"tridefordays!Withthemracescomin"soon!Itmakesmesick。"
"Dad，weren"tyouarideronce？"askedLucy。
"Ineverwasthetkind。"
"Vanwillbeallrightinafewdays。"
"Nomatter。It"sbadbusiness。IfIhadanyotherriderwhocouldhandletheKingI"dletVango。"
"IcangetjustasmuchoutoftheKingasVancan，"saidLucy，spiritedly。
"You!"exclaimedBostil。Buttherewasprideinhisglance。
"IknowIcan。"
"YouneverhadanyuseforSageKing，"saidBostil，asifhehadbeenwronged。
"IlovetheKingalittle，andhatehimalot，"laughedLucy。
"Wal，Imightletyourideatthet，ifVanain"tinshape，"rejoinedherfather。
"Iwouldn"tridehimintherace。ButI"llkeephiminfinefettle。"
"I"llbetyou"dliketoseeSarchbeathim，"saidBostil，jealously。
"SureIwould，"repliedLucy，teasingly。"But，Dad，I"mafraidSarchneverwillbeathim。"
Bostilgrunted。"Seehere。Idon"twantanyweightupontheKing。Youtakehimoutforafewdays。An"ridehim!Savvythet？"
"Yes，Dad。"
"Givehimmilesan"miles——an"thencomin"home，ongoodtrails，ridehimforallyourworth。Now，Lucy，keepyoureyeopen。Don"tletanyonegetnearyouonthesage。"
"Iwon"t。Dad，doyoustillworryaboutpoorJoelCreech？"
"NotJoel。ButI"dratherloseallmystockthenhaveCordtsorDickSearsgetwithinamileofyou。"
"Amile!"exclaimedLucy，lightly，thoughafleetingshadecrossedherface。
"Why，I"drunawayfromhim，ifIwasontheKing，evenifhegotwithintenyardsofme。"
"Amileiscloseenough，mydaughter，"repliedBostil。"Don"teverforgettokeepyoureyeopen。Cordtshasswornthetifhecan"tstealtheKinghe"llgetyou。
"Oh!heprefersthehorsetome。"
"Wal，Lucy，I"veasneakin"ideathetCordtswillneverleavetheuplandsunlesshegetsyouan"theKingboth。"
"And，Dad——youconsentedtoletthathorse-thiefcometoourraces？"exclaimedLucy，withheat。
"Whynot？Hecan"tdoanyharm。Ifheorhismengetuppish，theworseforthem。Cordtsgavehiswordnottoturnatricktillaftertheraces。"
"Doyoutrusthim？"
"Yes。Buthismenmightbreakloose，awayfromhissight。EspeciallythetDickSears。He"sabadman。Sobewatchfulwheneveryourideout。"
AsLucywentdowntowardthecorralsshewasthinkingdeeply。Shecouldalwaystell，woman-like。whenherfatherwasexcitedoragitated。SherememberedtheconversationbetweenhimandCreech"srider。SherememberedthekeenglanceoldHolleyhadbentuponhim。Andmostlysherememberedthesomberlookuponhisface。Shedidnotlikethat。Once，whenalittlegirl，shehadseenitandneverforgottenit，northethingthatitwasassociatedwith——somethingtragicalwhichhadhappenedinthebigroom。Therehadbeenloud，angryvoicesofmen——andshots——andthenthemencarriedoutalongformcoveredwithablanket。Shelovedherfather，buttherewasasidetohimshefeared。AndsomehowrelatedtothatsidewashishardnesstowardCreechandhisintoleranceofanyriderowningafasthorseandhisobsessioninregardtohisownracers。Lucyhadoftentantalizedherfatherwiththejokethatifitevercametoachoicebetweenherandhisfavoritestheywouldcomefirst。Butwasitanylongerajoke？Lucyfeltthatshehadleftchildhoodbehindwithitsfunandfancies，andshehadbeguntolookatlifethoughtfully。
Sightofthecorrals，however，andoftheKingprancingaround，droveseriousthoughtsaway。Therewereridersthere，amongthemFarlane，andtheyallhadpleasantgreetingsforher。
"Farlane，DadsaysI"mtotakeoutSageKing，"announcedLucy。
"No!"ejaculatedFarlane，ashepocketedhispipe。
"Sure。AndI"mtoRIDEhim。YouknowhowDadmeansthat。"
"Wal，now，I"mdoggoned!"addedFarlane，lookingworriedandpleasedatonce。
"Ireckon，MissLucy，you——youwouldn"tfoolme？"
"Why，Farlane!"returnedLucy，reproachfully。"DidIeverdoasinglethingaroundhorsesthatyoudidn"twantmeto？"
Farlanerubbedhischinbeardsomewhatdubiously。"Wal，MissLucy，notexactlywhileyouwasaroundthehosses。ButIreckonwhenyouonctgotup，you"vesortaforgotafewtimes。"
Alltheriderslaughed，andLucyjoinedthem。
"I"msafewhenI"mup，youknowthat，"shereplied。
Theybroughtoutthegray，andafterthemannerofriderswhohadthecareofagreathorseandlovedhim，theycurriedandcombedandrubbedhimbeforesaddlinghim。
"Reckonyou"dbetterrideVan"ssaddle，"suggestedFarlane。"Themracesisclosenow，an"astrangesaddle——"
"Ofcourse。Don"tchangeanythinghe"susedto，exceptthestirrups，"repliedLucy。
DespiteherantipathytowardSageKing，Lucycouldnotgazeathimwithoutallarider"sgloryinahorse。Hewassleek，sograceful，soracy，sonearthesoftgrayofthesage，sobeautifulinbuildandaction。Thenhewasthekindofahorsethatdidnothavetobeeternallywatched。Hewasspiritedandfulloflife，eagertorun，butwhenFarlanecalledforhimtostandstillheobeyed。Hewasthekindofahorsethatachildcouldhaveplayedaroundinsafety。Heneverkicked。Heneverbit。Heneverbolted。ItwassplendidtoseehimwithFarlaneorwithBostil。HedidnotlikeLucyverywell，afactthatperhapsaccountedforLucy"santipathy。Forthatmatter，hedidnotlikeanywoman。Ifhehadabadtrait，itcameoutwhenVanrodehim，butalltheriders，andBostil，too，claimedthatVanwastoblameforthat。
"Thar，Ireckonthemstirrupsisright，"declaredFarlane。"Now，MissLucy，holdhimtighttillhewearsoffthetedge。Heneedswork。"
SageKingwouldnotkneelforLucyasSarchedondid，andhewastoohighforhertomountfromtheground，soshemountedfromarock。Shetooktotheroad，andthenthefirsttrailintothesage，intendingtotrothimtenorfifteenmilesdownintothevalley，andgivehimsomefast，warmworkonthereturn。
ThedaywasearlyinMayandpromisedtogrowhot。Therewasnotacloudinthebluesky。Thewind，ladenwiththebreathofsage，blewbrisklyfromthewest。AllbeforeLucylaythevastvalley，grayandduskygray，thenblue，thenpurplewherethemonumentsstood，and，fartherstill，darkrampartsofrock。Lucyhadahabitofdreamingwhileonhorseback，ahabitalltheridershadtriedtobreak，butshedidnotgiveitreinwhilesherodeSarchedon，andassuredlynow，upontheKing，sheneverforgothimforaninstant。Heshiedatmockingbirdsandpack-ratsandblowingblossomsandevenatbutterflies；
andhedidit，Lucythought，justbecausehewasfullofmischief。SageKinghadbeenknowntogosteadywhentherehadbeenreasontoshy。HedidnotlikeLucyandhechosetotormenther。Finallyheearnedagooddigfromaspur，andthen，withswiftpoundingofhoofs，heplungedandveeredanddancedinthesage。Lucykepthertemper，whichwaswhatmostridersdidnotdo，andbypatienceandfirmnesspulledSageKingoutofhisprancingbackintothetrail。Hewasnottheleastcross-grained，and，havinghadhislittlespurt，hesettleddownintoeasygoing。
InanhourLucywastenmilesormorefromhome，andfartherdowninthevalleythanshehadeverbeen。Infact，shehadneverbeforebeendownthelongslopetothevalleyfloor。Howchangedthehorizonbecame!Themonumentsloomedupnow，dark，sentinel-like，andstrange。Thefirstone，agreatredrock，seemedtohersomefivemilesaway。Itwaslofty，straight-sided，withagreenslopeatitsbase。Andbeyondthattheothermonumentsstretchedoutdownthevalley。Lucydecidedtorideasfarasthefirstonebeforeturningback。Alwaysthesemonumentshadfascinatedher，andthiswasheropportunitytoridenearone。Howloftytheywere，howwonderfullycolored，andhowcomely!
Presently，overtheleft，wherethemonumentswerethicker，andgraduallymergedtheirslopesandlinesandbulkintotheyellowwalls，shesawlow，driftingcloudsofsmoke。
"Well，what"sthat，Iwonder？"shemused。Toseesmokeonthehorizoninthatdirectionwasunusual，thoughouttowardDurangothegrassybencheswouldoftenburnover。Andtheselowcloudsofsmokeresembledthoseshehadseenbefore。
"It"salongwayoff，"sheadded。
Soshekepton，nowandthengazingatthesmoke。Asshegrewnearertothefirstmonumentshewassurprised，thenamazed，atitsheightandsurpassingsize。Itwasmountain-high——agrandtower——smooth，worn，glistening，yellowandred。Thetrailshehadfollowedpeteredoutinadeepwash，andbeyondthatshecrossednomoretrails。Thesagehadgrownmeagerandthegreasewoodsstuntedanddead；andcactiappearedonbarrenplaces。Thegrasshadnotfailed，butitwasnotrichgrasssuchasthehorsesandcattlegrazeduponmilesbackontheslope。Theairwashotdownhere。Thebreezewasheavyandsmelledoffire，andthesandwasblowinghereandthere。Shehadasenseofthebigness，theopennessofthisvalley，andthensherealizeditswildnessandstrangeness。Theselonely，isolatedmonumentsmadetheplacedifferentfromanyshehadvisited。Theydidnotseemmerestandingrocks。Theyseemedtoretreatallthetimeassheapproached，andtheywatchedher。Theyinterestedher，madehercurious。Whathadformedallthesestrangemonuments？
Herethegroundwaslevelformilesandmiles，toslopegentlyuptothebasesofthesehugerocks。InanoldbookshehadseenpicturesoftheEgyptianpyramids，buttheseappearedvaster，higher，andstranger，andtheyweresheerlyperpendicular。
SuddenlySageKinghaltedsharply，shotuphisears，andwhistled。Lucywasstartled。ThatfromtheKingmeantsomething。Hastily，withkeenglancesheswepttheforeground。Amileon，nearthemonument，wasasmallblackspot。Itseemedmotionless。ButtheKing"swhistlehadprovedittobeahorse。WhenLucyhadcoveredaquarteroftheinterveningdistanceshecoulddistinguishthehorseandthatthereappearedsomethingstrangeabouthisposition。LucyurgedSageKingintoalopeandsoondrewnearer。Theblackhorsehadhisheaddown，yethedidnotappeartobegrazing。Hewasasstillasastatue。Hestoodjustoutsideaclumpofgreasewoodandcactus。
Suddenlyasoundpiercedthestillness。TheKingjumpedandsnortedinfright。
ForaninstantLucy"sbloodrancold，foritwasahorriblecry。Thensherecognizeditastheneighofahorseinagony。Shehadheardcrippledanddyinghorsesutterthatlong-drawnandblood-curdlingneigh。Theblackhorsehadnotmoved，sothesoundcouldnothavecomefromhim。LucythoughtSageKingactedmoreexcitedthantheoccasioncalledfor。Thenrememberingherfather"swarning，shereinedinontopofalittleknoll，perhapsahundredyardsfromwheretheblackhorsestood，andshebentherkeengazeforward。
Itwasahuge，gaunt，shaggyblackhorseshesaw，withthesaddlefartheruponhisshouldersthanitshouldhavebeen。Hestoodmotionless，asifutterlyexhausted。Hisforelegswerebraced，sothatheleanedslightlyback。ThenLucysawarope。Itwasfasttothesaddleandstretcheddownintothecactus。
Therewasnootherhorseinsight，noranylivingthing。Theimmensemonumentdominatedthescene。ItseemedstupendoustoLucy，sublime，almostfrightful。
Shehesitated。Sheknewtherewasanotherhorse，verylikelyattheotherendofthatlasso。Probablyariderhadbeenthrown，perhapskilled。Certainlyahorsehadbeenhurt。Thenonthemomentrangoutthesameneighofagony，onlyweakerandshorter。Lucynolongerfearedanambush。Thatwasacrywhichcouldnotbeimitatedbyamanorforcedfromahorse。Therewasprobablydeath，certainlysuffering，nearathand。ShespurredtheKingon。
Therewasalittleslopetodescend，awashtocross，abenchtoclimb——andthensherodeuptotheblackhorse。SageKingneededhardertreatmentthanLucyhadevergivenhim。
"What"swrongwithyou？"shedemanded，pullinghimdown。Suddenly，asshefelthimtremble，sherealizedthathewasfrightened。"That"sfunny!"Thenwhenshegothimquietshelookedaround。
Theblackhorsewasindeedhuge。Hismane，hisshaggyflanks，werelatheredasifhehadbeensmearedwithheavysoap-suds。Heraisedhisheadtolookather。Lucy，accustomedtohorsesallherlife，sawthatthisonewelcomedherarrival。Buthewasalmostreadytodrop。
Twotautlassoesstretchedfromthepommelofhissaddledownalittleintoadepressionfullofbrushandcactusandrocks。ThenLucysawaredhorse。Hewasdowninabadposition。Sheheardhislow，chokingheaves。Probablyhehadbrokenlegsorback。Shecouldnotbeartoseeahorseinpain。Shewoulddowhatwaspossible，eventotheextentofputtinghimoutofhismisery，ifnothingelsecouldbedone。Yetshescannedthesurroundingsclosely，andpeeredintothebushesandbehindtherocksbeforeshetriedtourgeSageKingcloser。Herefusedtogonearer，andLucydismounted。
Theredhorsewaspartlyhiddenbyoverbendingbrush。Hehadplungedintoaholefullofcactus。Therewasahackamoreroundhisnoseandatightnooseroundhisneck。Theoneroundhisneckwasalsoroundhisforelegs。Andbothlassoeswereheldtautbytheblackhorse。Atornandsoiledrider"sscarfhunglimproundtheredhorse"snose，keptfromfallingoffbythehackamore。
"Awildhorse，astallion，beingbroken!"exclaimedLucy，instantlygraspingthesituation。"Oh!where"stherider？"
Shegazedaround，rantoandfro，glanceddownthelittleslope，andbeyond，butshedidnotseeanythingresemblingtheformofaman。Thensheranback。
Lucytookanotherquicklookattheredstallion。Shedidnotbelieveeitherhislegsorbackwerehurt。Hewasjustplayedoutandtangledandtiedintheropes，andcouldnotgetup。Theshaggyblackhorsestoodtherebracedandindomitable。Buthe，likewise，wasalmostreadytodrop。Lookingattheconditionofbothhorsesandthesaddleandropes，Lucysawwhatafighttherehadbeen，andarace!Wherewastherider？Thrown，surely，andbackonthetrail，perhapsdeadormaimed。
Lucywentclosertothestallionsothatshecouldalmosttouchhim。Hesawher。Hewasnearlychoked。Foamandbloodwheezedoutwithhisheaves。Shemustdosomethingquickly。Andinherhastesheprickedherarmsandshouldersonthecactus。
Sheledtheblackhorsecloserin，lettingtheropesgo，slack。Theblackseemedasgladofthatreleaseasshewas。Whatafaithfulbrutehelooked!
Lucylikedhiseyes。
Thensheedgeddowninamongthecactusandbrush。Theredhorsenolongerlayinastrainedposition。Hecouldlifthishead。Lucysawthatthenoosestillheldtightroundhisneck。Fearlesslyshejerkeditloose。Thenshebackedaway，butnotquiteoutofhisreach。Hecoughedandbreathedslowly，withgreatheaves。Thenhesnorted。
"You"reallrightnow，"saidLucy，soothingly。Slowlyshereachedahandtowardhishead。Hedrewitbackasfarashecould。Shesteppedaround，closer，andmorebackofhim，andputahandonhim，gently，foraninstant。
Thensheslippedoutofthebrushand，untyingonelassofromthepommel，shereturnedtothehorseandpulleditfromroundhislegs。Hewasfreenow，exceptthehackamore，andthatropewasslack。Lucystoodnearhim，watchinghim，talkingtohim，waitingforhimtogetup。Shecouldnotbesurehewasnotbadlyhurttillhestoodup。Atfirsthemadenoeffortstorise。HewatchedLucy，lessfearfully，sheimagined。Andshenevermadeamove。Shewantedhimtosee，tounderstandthatshehadnothurthimandwouldnothurthim。Itbegantodawnuponherthathewasmagnificent。
Finally，withalong，slowheavehegottohisfeet。Lucyledhimoutoftheholetoopenground。Sheseemedsomehowconfident。Thereoccurredtoheronlyonewaytoact。
"Alittlehorsesense，asDadwouldsay，"shesoliloquized，andthen，whenshegothimoutofthebrush，shestoodthrilledandamazed。
"Oh，whatawild，beautifulhorse!Whatagiant!He"sbiggerthantheKing。
Oh，ifDadcouldseehim!"
Theredstalliondidnotappeartobehurt。Thetwitchingofhismusclesmusthavebeencausedbythecactusspikesembeddedinhim。Thereweredropsofbloodalloveroneside。Lucythoughtshedaredtotrytopullthesethornsout。Shehadneverinherlifebeenafraidofanyhorse。Farlane，Holley，alltheriders，andherfather，too，hadtriedtomakeherrealizethedangerinahorse，soonerorlater。ButLucycouldnothelpit；shewasnotafraid；shebelievedthatthemeanesthorsewasactuatedbynaturalfearofaman；shewasnotamanandshehadneverhandledahorselikeaman。Thisredstallionshowedhateoftheblackhorseandtheropethatconnectedthem；heshowedsomespiritattherepeatedblastsofSageKing。Butheshowedlessfearofher。
"Hehasbeenaproud，wildstallion，"musedLucy。"Andhe"snowbroken——terriblybroken——allbutruined。"
Thenshewalkeduptohimnaturallyandspokesoftly，andreachedahandforhisshoulder。
"Whoa，Reddy。Whoanow。There。That"sagoodfellow。Why，Iwouldn"tropeyouorhityou。I"monlyagirl。"
Hedrewup，madeasingleefforttojump，whichsheprevented，andthenhestoodquivering，eyingher，whileshetalkedsoothingly，andpattedhimandlookedathiminthewayshehadfoundinfalliblewithmosthorses。Lucybelievedhorseswerelikepeople，oreasiertogetalongwith。Presentlyshegentlypulledoutoneofthecactusspikes。Thehorseflinched，buthestood。
Lucywasslow，careful，patient，anddexterous。Thecactusneedleswerelooseandeasilyremovedorbrushedoff。Atlengthshegothimfreeofthem，andwasalmostasproudasshewasglad。Thehorsehadgraduallydroppedhishead；hewastiredandhisspiritwasbroken。
"Now，whatshallIdo？"shequeried。"I"lltakethebacktrailofthesehorses。Theycertainlyhadn"tbeenherelongbeforeIsawthem。Andtheridermaybeclose。IfnotI"lltakethehorseshome。"
Sheslippedthenoosefromthestallion"shead，leavingthehackamore，and，coilingthelooselasso，shehungitoverthepommeloftheblack"ssaddle。
Thenshetookuphisbridle。
"Comeon，"shecalled。
Theblackfollowedher，andthestallion，stillfasttohimbythelassoLucyhadlefttied，troopedbehindwithbowedhead。Lucywaselated。ButSageKingdidnotlikethematteratall。Lucyhadtodroptheblack"sbridleandcatchtheKing，andthenridebacktoleadtheotheragain。
Abroadtrailmarkedthewaythetwohorseshadcome，anditledofftotheleft，towardwherethemonumentswerethickest，andwherethegreatsectionsofwallstood，brokenandbattlemented。LucywashardputtoittoholdSageKing，butthehorsesbehindploddedalong。TheblackhorsestruckLucyasbeinganugly，butafaithfulandwonderfulanimal。Heunderstoodeverything。
Presentlyshetiedthebridleshewasleadinghimbytotheendofherownlasso，andthuslethimdropbackafewyards，whichlessenedtheKing"sfretting。
Intentonthetrail，Lucyfailedtonotetimeordistancetilltheloomingandfrowningmonumentsstoodaloftbeforeher。Whatweirdeffecttheyhad!Eachmighthavebeenacolossalstatuelefttheretomarktheworkoftheages。
Lucyrealizedthatthewholevastvalleyhadoncebeensolidrock，justlikethemonuments，andthroughthemillionsofyearsthesofterpartshaderodedandweatheredandblownaway——gonewiththegreatseathathadoncebeenthere。Butthebeauty，thesolemnity，themajestyofthesemonumentsfascinatedhermost。Shepassedthefirstone，ahugesquarebutte，andthenthesecond，aragged，thin，doubleshaft，andthenwentbetweentwomuchalike，reachingskywardintheshapeofmonstrousmittens。Shewatchedandwatchedthem，sparingamomentnowandthentoattendtothetrail。Shenoticedthatshewascomingintoaregionofgrass，andfaintsignsofwaterinthedraws。Shewasgettinghighagain，notmanymilesnowfromthewallofrock。
AllatonceSageKingshied，andLucylookeddowntoseeamanlyingontheground。Helayinert。Buthiseyeswereopen——dark，staringeyes。Theymoved。
Andhecalled。ButLucycouldnotunderstandhim。
InaflashsheleapedofftheKing。Sherantotheprostrateman——droppedtoherknees。
"Oh!"shecried。Hisfacewasghastly。"Oh!areyou——youbadlyhurt？"
"Liftme——myhead，"hesaid，faintly。
Sheraisedhishead。Whatastrained，passionate，terriblegazehebentuponthehorses。
"Boy，they"remine——theblackan"thered!"hecried。
"Theysurelymustbe，"repliedLucy。"Oh!tellme。Areyouhurt？"
"Boy!didyoucatchthem——fetchthemback——lookin"forme？"
"Isuredid。"
"Youcaught-thatreddevil——an"fetchedhim——backtome？"wentonthewondering，faintvoice。"Boy——oh——boy!"
Heliftedalong，raggedarmandpulledLucydown。Theactionamazedherequallyashispassionofgratitude。Hemighthavebeeninjured，buthehadanarmofiron。Lucywaspowerless。Shefeltherfaceagainsthis——andherbreastagainsthis。Thepoundingofhisheartwaslikeblows。Thefirstinstantshewantedtolaugh，despiteherpity。Thenthepowerfularm——thecontactaffectedherasnothingeverbefore。Supposethiscrippledriderhadtakenherforaboy——Shewasnotaboy!Shecouldnothelpbeingherself。Andnomanhadeverputahandonher。Consciousnessofthisbroughtshameandanger。Shestruggledsoviolentlythatshefreedherself。Andhelayback。
"Seehere——that"snowaytoact——tohug——aperson，"shecried，withflamingcheeks。
"Boy，I——"
"I"mNOTaboy。I"magirl。"
"What!"
Lucytoreoffhersombrero，whichhadbeenpulledfarforward，andthisrevealedherfacefully，andherhaircametumblingdown。Theridergazed，stupefied。Thenafainttingeofredcoloredhisghastlycheeks。
"Agirl!Why——why"scuseme，miss。I——Itookyou——foraboy。"
Heseemedsoastounded，helookedsoashamed，soscared，andwithal，sohaggardandweak，thatLucyimmediatelyrecoveredherequanimity。
"SureI"magirl。Butthat"snomatter。You"vebeenthrown。Areyouhurt？"
Hesmiledaweakassent。
"Badly？"shequeried。Shedidnotlikethewayhelay——solimp，somotionless。
"I"mafraidso。Ican"tmove。"
"Oh!WhatshallIdo？"
"Canyou——getmewater？"hewhispered，withdrylips。
Lucyflewtoherhorsetogetthesmallcanteenshealwayscarried。Butthathadbeenleftonhersaddle，andshehadriddenVan"s。Thenshegazedaround。
Thewashshehadcrossedseveraltimesrannearwheretheriderlay。Greengrassandwillowsborderedit。Sherandownand，hurryingalong，searchedforwater。Therewaswaterinplaces，yetshehadtogoalongwaybeforeshefoundwaterthatwasdrinkable。Fillinghersombrero，shehurriedbacktothesideoftherider。Itwasdifficulttogivehimadrink。
"Thanks，miss，"hesaid，gratefully。Hisvoicewasstrongerandlesshoarse。
"Haveyouanybrokenbones？"askedLucy。
"Idon"tknow。Ican"tfeelmuch。"
"Areyouinpain？"
"Hardly。Ifeelsortofthick。"
Lucy，beinganintelligentgirl，borninthedesertandusedtoitsneeds，hadnotoftenencounteredasituationwithwhichshewasunabletocope。
"Letmefeelifyouhaveanybrokenbones。THATarmisn"tbroken，I"mpositive。"
Theridersmiledfaintlyagain。Howhestaredwithhisstrained，darkeyes!
Hisfaceshowedghastlythroughthethin，softbeardandthetan。Lucyfoundhisrightarmbadlybruised，butnotbroken。Shemadesurehiscollar-bonesandshoulder-bladeswereintact。Brokenribswerehardertolocate；still，ashedidnotfeelpainfrompressure，sheconcludedtherewerenofracturesthere。Withherassistancehemovedhislegs，provingnobrokenbonesthere。
"I"mafraidit"smy——spine，"hesaid。
"Butyouraisedyourheadonce，"shereplied。"Ifyourbackwas——wasbrokenorinjuredyoucouldn"traiseyourhead。"
"SoIcouldn"t。IguessI"mjustknockedout。Iwas——prettyweakbeforeWildfireknockedme——offNagger。"
"Wildfire？"
"That"stheredstallion"sname。"
"Oh，he"snamedalready？"
"Inamedhim——longago。He"sknownonmanyarange。"
"Where？"
"Ithinkfarnorthofhere。I——trailedhim——days——weeks——months。Wecrossedthegreatcanyon——"
"TheGrandCanyon？"
"Itmustbethat。"
"TheGrandCanyonisdownthere，"saidLucy，pointing。"Iliveonit。
You"vecomealongway。"
"Hundredsofmiles!Oh，thegroundIcoveredthatawfulcanyoncountry!。ButIstayedwithWildfire。An"Iputaropeonhim。An"hegotaway……An"itwasaboy——no——aGIRLwho——savedhimforme——an"maybesavedmylife，too!"
Lucylookedawayfromthedark，staringeyes。Alightinthemconfusedher。
"Nevermindme。Yousayyouwereweak？Haveyoubeenill？"
"No，miss。juststarved。IstarvedonWildfire"strail。"
Lucyrantohersaddleandgotthebiscuitsoutofthepocketsofhercoat，andsheranbacktotherider。
"Here。Ineverthought。Oh，you"vehadahardtimeofit!Iunderstand。Thatwonderfulflameofahorse!I"dhavestayed，too。Myfatherwasarideronce。
Bostil。Didyoueverhearofhim？"
"Bostil。Thename——I"veheard。"Thentheriderlaythinking，ashemunchedabiscuit。"Yes，Iremember，butitwaslongago。Ispentanightwithawagon-train，acampofmanymenandwomen，religiouspeople，workingintoUtah。BostilhadaboatatthecrossingoftheFathers。"
"Yes，theycalledtheFerrythat。"
"Irememberwellnow。TheysaidBostilcouldn"tcounthishorses——thathewasarichman，hardonriders——an"he"dusedagunmorethanonce。"
Lucybowedherhead。"Yes，that"smydad。"
Theriderdidnotseemtoseehowhehadhurther。
"Herewearetalking——wastingtime，"shesaid。"Imuststarthome。Youcan"tbemoved。WhatshallIdo？"
"That"sforyoutosay，Bostil"sdaughter。"
"Myname"sLucy，"repliedthegirl，blushingpainfully，"ImeanI"llbegladtodoanythingyouthinkbest。"
"You"reverygood。"
Thenheturnedhisfaceaway。Lucylookedcloselyathim。Hewasindeedabeggaredrider。Hisclothesandhisbootshungintatters。Hehadnohat，nocoat，novest。Hisgauntfaceboretracesofwhatmighthavebeenafine，strongcomeliness，butnowitwasonlythin，worn，wan，pitiful，withthatlookwhichalwayswenttoawoman"sheart。Hehadthelookofahomelessrider。Lucyhadseenafewofhiswanderingtype，andhisstorywassoplain。
Butheseemedtohaveatouchofpride，andthisquickenedherinterest。
"ThenI"lldowhatIthinkbestforyou，"saidLucy。
FirstsheunsaddledtheblackNagger。Withthesaddleshemadeapillowfortherider"shead，andshecoveredhimwiththesaddleblanket。Beforeshehadfinishedthistaskheturnedhiseyesuponher。AndLucyfeltshewouldbehaunted。Washebadlyhurt，afterall？Itseemedprobable。Howstrangehewas!
"I"llwaterthehorses——thentieWildfirehereonadoublerope。There"sgrass。"
"Butyoucan"tleadhim，"repliedtherider。
"He"llfollowme。"
"Thatreddevil!"Theridershudderedashespoke。
Lucyhadsomefaintinklingofwhataterriblefightthathadbeenbetweenmanandhorse。"Yes；whenIfoundhimhewasbroken。Lookathimnow。"
Buttheriderdidnotappeartowanttoseethestallion。HegazedupatLucy，andshesawsomethinginhiseyesthatmadeherthinkofachild。Shelefthim，hadnotroubleinwateringthehorses，andhalteredWildfireamongthewillowsonapatchofgrass。Thenshereturned。
"I"llgonow，"shesaidtotherider。
"Where？"
"Home。I"llcomebackto-morrow，early，andbringsomeonetohelpyou——"
"Girl，ifYOUwanttohelpmemore——bringmesomebreadan"meat。Don"ttellanyone。LookwhataragamuffinIam。An"there"sWildfire。Idon"twanthimseentillI"m——onmyfeetagain。Iknowriders。That"sall。Ifyouwanttobesogood——come。"
"I"llcome，"repliedLucy，simply。
"Thankyou。Ioweyou——alot。Whatdidyousayyournamewas？"
"Lucy——LucyBostil。"
"Oh，Iforgot。AreyousureyoutiedWildfiregoodan"tight？"
"Yes，I"msure。I"llgonow。Ihopeyou"llbebetterto-morrow。"
Lucyhesitated，withherhandontheKing"sbridle。Shedidnotliketoleavethisyoungmanlyingtherehelplessonthedesert。Butwhatelsecouldshedo？
Whatastrangeadventurehadbefallenher!Atthefollowingthoughtthatitwasnotyetconcludedshefeltalittlestirofexcitementatherpulses。ShewassostrangelypreoccupiedthatsheforgotitwasnecessaryforhertohaveasteptomountSageKing。Sherealizeditquicklyenoughwhensheattemptedit。Thensheledhimoffinthesagetillshefoundarock。Mounting，sheturnedhimstraightacrosscountry，meaningtocutoutmilesoftravelthatwouldhavebeennecessaryalongherback-trail。Onceshelookedback。Theriderwasnotvisible；theblackhorse，Nagger，wasoutofsight，butWildfire，blazinginthesun，watchedherdepart。