第6章
LucyBostilcouldnotcontroltheglowofstrangeexcitementunderwhichshelabored，butshecouldputhermindontheridingofSageKing。Shedidnotrealize，however，thatshewasridinghimunderthestressandspellofthatexcitement。
Shehadheadedouttomakeashortcut，fairlysureofherdirection，yetshewasnotunawareofthefactthatshewouldbelosttillsheranacrosshertrail。Thatmightbeeasytomissandtimewasflying。SheputtheKingtoabrisktrot，windingthroughtheaislesofthesage。
Soonshehadleftthemonumentregionandwasdownonthevalleyflooragain。
Fromtimetotimesheconqueredadesiretolookback。Presentlyshewassurprisedandverygladtorideintoatrailwhereshesawthetracksshehadmadecomingout。WithmuchreliefsheturnedSageKingintothistrail，andthenanyanxietyshehadfeltleftherentirely。Butthatdidnotmitigateherexcitement。SheeasedtheKingintoalong，swinginglope。Andashewarmedtotheworkshewasarousedalso。Itwashardtoholdhimin，oncehegotoutofatrot，andaftermilesandmilesofthis，Whenshethoughtbesttoslowdownhenearlypulledherarmsoff。Stillshefinallygothiminhand。Thenfollowedmilesofsoftandroughgoing，whichseemedlongandtedious。Beyondthatwasthehomestretchupthevalley，whosegradualslopecouldbeseenonlyatadistance。Herewasastraight，broadtrail，nottoosoftnortoohard，andforalltheyearsshecouldrememberridershadtriedoutandtrainedtheirfavoritesonthatcourse。
Lucyreacheddowntoassureherselfthatthecinchwastight，thenshepulledhersombrerodownhard，slackenedthebridle，andlettheKinggo。Hesimplybrokehisgait，hewassosurprised。Lucysawhimtryingtolookbackather，asifhecouldnotrealizethatthisyoungwomanriderhadgivenhimafreerein。Perhapsonereasonhedislikedherhadbeenalwaysandeverlastinglythattightrein。Likethewaryhorsehewashetooktoacanter，totryoutwhathisnewfreedommeant。
"Say，what"sthematterwithyou？"calledLucy，disdainfully。"Areyoulazy？
Ordon"tyoubelieveIcanrideyou？"
Whereuponshedughimwithherspurs。SageKingsnorted。Hisactionshiftedmarvelously。Thunderrolledfromunderhishoofs。Andhebrokeoutofthatclatteringroarintohisfleetstride，wherehishoof-beatswereswift，regular，rhythmic。
Lucyrodehimwithteethandfistsclenched，bendinglow。Afterall，shethought，itwasnotricktoridehim。Inthatgaithewasdangerous，forafallmeantdeath；butheransosmoothlythatridinghimwaseasyandcertainlyglorious。Hewentsofastthatthewindblindedher。Thetrailwasonlyawhitestreakinblurredgray。Shecouldnotgetherbreath；thewindseemedtowhiptheairawayfromher。Andthenshefeltthelesseningofthetremendouspace。SageKinghadrunhimselfoutandthemileswerebehindher。
Graduallyhersightbecameclear，andasthehotandwethorsesloweddown，satisfiedwithhiswildrun，Lucyrealizedthatshewasupontheslopeonlyafewmilesfromhome。Suddenlyshethoughtshesawsomethingdarkstirbehindasage-bushjustahead。BeforeshecouldmoveahandatthebridleSageKingleapedwithafranticsnort。Itwasaswerving，nimble，tremendousbound。Hewenthigh。Lucywasunseated，butsomehowclungon，andcamedownwithhim，findingthesaddle。Anditseemed，whileintheair，shesawalong，snaky，whippingloopofropeshootoutandclosejustwhereSageKing"slegshadbeen。
Shescreamed。Thehorsebrokeandran。Lucy，rightingherself，lookedbacktoseeJoelCreechholdingalimplasso。HehadtriedtoropetheKing。
ThebloodofherfatherwasarousedinLucy。Shethoughtofthehorse——notherself。IftheKinghadnotbeensokeen-sighted，soswift，hewouldhavegonedownwithabrokenleg。Lucyneverinherlifehadbeensofurious。
Joelshookhisfistatherandyelled，"I"d"a"gotyou——onanyotherhoss!"
Shedidnotreply，thoughshehadtofightherselftokeepfrompullinghergunandshootingathim。Sheguidedtherunninghorsebackintothetrail，rapidlyleavingCreechoutofsight。
"He"sgonecrazy，that"ssure，"saidLucy。"Andhemeansmeharm!"
SherantheKingclearuptothecorrals，andhewasstillgoinghardwhensheturneddownthelanetothebarns。Thenshepulledhimin。
Farlanewastheretomeether。Shesawnootherridersandwasglad。
"Wal，MissLucy，theKingsurelooksgood，"saidFarlane，asshejumpedoffandflunghimthebridle。"He"sjusthadaboutright，judgin"。Say，girl，you"reallpale!Oh，say，youwasn"tscaredoftheKing，now？"
"No，"repliedLucy，panting。
"Wal，what"sup，then？"Theriderspokeinanentirelydifferentvoice，andintohisclear，hazeleyesalittledarkgleamshot。
"JoelCreechwaylaidmeoutinthesage——and——andtriedtocatchme。"Lucycheckedherself。ItmightnotdototellhowJoelhadtriedtocatchher。
"Hedid？An"youontheKing!"Farlanelaughed，asifrelieved。"Wal，he"striedthetbefore。MissLucy。Butwhenyouwasuponthegray——thetshowsJoel"scrazy，sure。"
"Hesureis。Farlane，I——Iammad!"
"Wal，cooloff，MissLucy。Itain"tnothin"togitsetupabout。An"don"ttelltheoldman。"
"Whynot？"demandedLucy。
"Wal，becausehe"sinaqueersortofbadmoodlately。Itwouldn"tbesafe。HehatesthemCreeches。Sodon"ttellhim。"
"Allright，Farlane，Iwon"t。Don"tyoutell，either，"repliedLucy，soberly。
"SureI"llkeepmum。ButifJoeldoesn"twatchoutI"llputacrimpinhimmyself。"
Lucyhurriedawaydownthelaneandenteredthehousewithoutmeetinganyone。
Inherroomshechangedherclothesandlaydowntorestandthink。
Strangelyenough，LucymightneverhaveencounteredJoelCreechoutinthesage，forallthethoughtshegavehim。Hermindwasbusywiththecrippledrider。Whowashe？Wherewashefrom？Whatstrangepassionhehadshownovertherecoveryofthatwonderfulredhorse!Lucycouldnotforgetthefeelingofhisironarmwhenheheldherinakindoffrenziedgratitude。Awilduplandrider，livingonlyforawildhorse!HowlikeIndianssomeoftheseriders!
Yetthisfellowhadseemeddifferentfrommostoftheuncouthridersshehadknown。Hespokebetter。Heappearedtohavehadsomelittleschooling。Lucydidnotrealizethatshewasinterestedinhim。Shethoughtshewassorryforhimandinterestedinthestallion。ShebegantocompareWildfirewithSageKing，andifsherememberedrightlyWildfire，eveninhisdisheveledstate，hadappearedaworthyrivaloftheKing。WhatwouldBostilsayatsightofthatflame-coloredstallion？Lucythrilled。
Latersheleftherroomtoseeifthehourwasopportuneforherplantomakeupapackofsuppliesfortherider。Herauntwasbusyinthekitchen，andBostilhadnotcomein。Lucytookadvantageofthemomenttotieupapackandcarryittoherroom。Somehowthetaskpleasedher。Sherecalledtheleanfaceoftherider。Andthatrecalledhisraggedappearance。Whynotpackupanoutfitofclothes？Bostilhadastock-roomfullofsuchaccessoriesforhismen。ThenLucy，glowingwiththethought，hurriedtoBostil"sstock-room，andwithdefthandsandswiftjudgmentselectedanoutfitfortherider，evendowntoacombandrazor。Allthisshecarriedquicklytoherroom，whereinherthoughtfulnesssheaddedabitofglassfromabrokenmirror，andsoapandatowel。Thenshetiedupasecondpack。
Bostildidnotcomehometosupper，acircumstancethatmadeLucy"sauntcross。Theyatealone，and，waitingawhile，wereratherlateinclearingawaythetable。AfterthisLucyhadherchanceintheduskofearlyevening，andshecarriedbothpackswayoutintothesageandleftthemnearthetrail。
"Hopeacoyotedoesn"tcomealong，"shesaid。Thatpossibility，however，didnotworryherasmuchasgettingthosepacksupontheKing。Howintheworldwouldsheeverdoit？
Shehurriedbacktothehouse，stealthilykeepingtotheshadowofthecottonwoods，forshewouldhavefacedanembarrassingsituationifshehadmetherfather，evenhadhebeeninagoodhumor。Andshereachedthesitting-roomunobserved。Thelampshadbeenlightedandalogblazedonthehearth。ShewasreadingwhenBostilentered。
"Hello，Lucy!"hesaid。
Helookedtired，andLucyknewhehadbeendrinking，becausewhenhehadbeenheneverofferedtokissher。Thestrange，sombershadewasstillonhisface，butitbrightenedsomewhatatsightofher。Lucygreetedhimasalways。
"FarlanetellsmeyouhandledtheKinggreat——better"nVanhasworkedhimlately，"saidBostil。"Butdon"ttellhimItoldyou。"
ThatwassweetpraisefromFarlane。"Oh，Dad，itcouldhardlybetrue，"
expostulatedLucy。"BothyouandFarlanearealittlesoreatVannow。"
"I"malotsore，"repliedBostil，gruffly。
"Anyway，howdidFarlaneknowhowIhandledSageKing？"queriedLucy。
"Wal，everyhaironahosstalkstoFarlane，soHolleysays。Lucy，youtaketheKingouteverydayforawhile。Ridehimnowan"watchout!JoelCreechwasinthevillageto-day。Hesuresneakedwhenheseenme。He"suptosomemischief。"
Lucydidnotwanttolieandshedidnotknowwhattosay。PresentlyBostilbadehergoodnight。Lucyendeavoredtoread，buthermindcontinuallywanderedbacktotheadventureoftheday。
Nextmorningshehaddifficultyinconcealingherimpatience，butluckfavoredher。Bostilwasnotinevidence，andFarlane，foronce，couldsparenomoretimethanittooktosaddleSageKing。Lucyrodeoutintothesage，prettysurethatnoonewatchedher。
Shehadhiddenthepacksnearthetallestbunchofgreasewoodalongthetrail；
andwhenshehaltedbehinditshehadnofearofbeingseenfromthecorrals。
Shegotthepacks。Thelightonewasnothardtotiebackofthesaddle，butthelargeonewasaverydifferentmatter。Shedecidedtocarryitinfront。
Therewasagood-sizedrocknear，uponwhichshestepped，leadingSageKingalongside；andafteranexceedinglytryingmomentshegotup，holdingthepack。ForawonderSageKingbehavedwell。
Thenshestartedoff，holdingthepackacrossherlap，andshetriedtheKing"sseveralgaitstoseewhichonewouldlenditselfmorecomfortablytothetaskbeforeher。ThetroublewasthatSageKinghadnoslowgait，evenhiswalkwasfast。AndLucywascompelledtoholdhimintothat。Shewantedtohurry，butthatseemedoutofthequestion。Shetriedtokeepfromgazingouttowardthemonuments，becausetheyweresofaraway。
Howwouldshefindthecrippledrider？Itflashedintohermindthatshemightfindhimdead，andthisseemedhorrible。Buthercommonsensepersuadedherthatshewouldfindhimaliveandbetter。Thepackwashardtohold，andSageKingfrettedatthemonotonouswalk。Thehoursdragged。Thesungrewhot。Anditwasnoon，almost，whenshereachedthepointwhereshecutoffthetrailtotheleft。Thereafter，withthemonumentsstandingeverhigher，andthedistanceperceptiblylessening，theminutespassedlesstediously。
Atlengthshereachedthezoneofloftyrocks，andfoundthemdifferent，how，shecouldnottell。Sherodedownamongthem，andwasgladwhenshesawthehugemittens——herlandmarks。Atlastsheespiedthegreen-borderedwashandthefewcedar-trees。Thenahorseblazedredagainstthesageandanothershoneblack。ThatsightmadeLucythrill。Sherodeon，eagernow，butmovedbythestrangenessoftheexperience。
Beforeshegotquiteclosetothecedarsshesawaman。Hetookafewslowstepsoutoftheshade。Hisbackwasbent。Lucyrecognizedtherider，andinhergladnesstoseehimonhisfeetshecriedout。Then，whenSageKingreachedthespot，Lucyrolledthepackofftotheground。
"Oh，thatwasajob!"shecried。
Theriderlookedupwitheyesthatseemedkeener，lessstaringthansheremembered。"Youcame？Iwasafraidyouwouldn"t，"hesaid。
"SureIcame。You"rebetter——notbadlyhurt？"shesaid，gravely，"I——I"msoglad。"
"I"vegotacrimpinmyback，that"sall。"
LucywasquicktoseethatafterthefirstglanceatherhewasalleyesforSageKing。Shelaughed。Howlikearider!Shewatchedhim，knowingthatpresentlyhewouldrealizewhatahorseshewasriding。Sheslippedoffandthrewthebridle，andthen，swiftlyuntyingthesecondpack，shelaiditdown。
Therider，withslow，painfulstepsandbentback，approachedSageKingandputalean，strong，brownhandonhim，andtouchedhimasifhewishedtofeelifhewerereal。Thenhewhistledsoftly。WhenheturnedtoLucyhiseyesshonewithabeautifullight。
"It"sSageKing，Bostil"sfavorite，"saidLucy。
"SageKing!Helooksit。Butneverawildhorse？"
"No。"
"Afinehorse，"repliedtherider。"Ofcoursehecanrun？"Thislastheldanoteofarider"sjealousy。
Lucylaughed。"Run!TheKingisBostil"sfavorite。Hecanrunawayfromanyhorseintheuplands。"
"I"llbetyouWildfirecanbeathim，"repliedtherider，withadarkglance。
"Comeon!"criedLucy，daringly。
Thentheriderandgirllookedmoreearnestlyateachother。Hesmiledinawaythatchangedhisface——brightenedoutthesethardness。
"IreckonI"llhavetocrawl，"hesaid，ruefully。"ButmaybeIcanrideinafewdays——ifyou"llcomebackagain。"
HisremarkbroughttoLucytheideathatofcourseshewouldhardlyseethisrideragainafterto-day。EvenifhewenttotheFord，whicheventwasunlikely，hewouldnotremaintherelong。Thesensationofblanknesspuzzledher，andshefeltanunfamiliarconfusion。
"I——I"vebroughtyou——somethings，"shesaid，pointingtothelargerpack。
"Grub，youmean？"
"No。"
"ThatwasallIaskedyoufor，miss，"hesaid，somewhatstiffly。
"Yes，but——I——Ithought——"Lucybecameunaccountablyembarrassed。Supposethisstrangeriderwouldbeoffended。"Yourclotheswere——sotorn。Andnowonderyouwerethrown——inthoseboots!SoIthoughtI"d——"
"YouthoughtIneededclothesasbadasgrub，"hesaid，bitterly。"Ireckonthat"sso。"
Hislook，morethanhistone，cutLucy；andinvoluntarilyshetouchedhisarm。
"Oh，youwon"trefusetotakethem!Pleasedon"t!"
Athertouchawarmthcameintohisface。"Takethem？IshouldsmileIwill。"
Hetriedtoreachdowntoliftthepack，butasitwasobviouslypainfulforhimtobend，Lucyinterceptedhim。
"Butyou"vehadnobreakfast，"sheprotested。"Whynoteatbeforeyouopenthatpack？"
"Nope。I"mnothungry。MaybeI"lleatalittle，afterIdressup。"Hestartedtowalkaway，thenturned。"MissBostil，haveyoubeensogoodtoeverywanderin"rideryouhappenedtorunacross？"
"Good!"sheexclaimed，flushing。Shedroppedhereyesbeforehis。"Nonsense……Anyway，you"rethefirstwanderingriderIevermet——likethis。"
"Well，you"regood，"hereplied，withemotion。Thenhewalkedawaywithslow，stiffstepsanddisappearedbehindthewillowsinthelittlehollow。
LucyuncoiledtheropeonhersaddleandhalteredSageKingonthebestgrassnearathand。Thensheopenedthepackofsupplies，thinkingthewhilethatshemustnottarryherelong。
"ButontheKingIcanrunbacklikethewind，"shemused。
Thepackcontaineddriedfruitsandmeatandstaples，alsoanassortmentofgoodthingstoeatthatwereofaperishablenature，alreadymuchtheworseforthelongride。Shespreadallthisoutintheshadeofacedar。Theutensilswerefew——twocups，twopans，andatinypot。Shegatheredwood，andarrangeditforafire，sothattheridercouldstartassoonashecameback。
Heseemedlongincoming。Lucywaited，yetstillhedidnotreturn。Finallyshethoughtoftheredstallion，andstartedoffdownthewashtotakealookathim。Hewasgrazing。Hehadlostsomeofthedirtanddustandthebedraggledappearance。Whenhecaughtsightofherheliftedhisheadhighandwhistled。Howwildhelooked!Andhiswhistlewasshrill，clear，strong。Boththeotherhorsesansweredit。LucywentonclosertoWildfire。Shewasfascinatednow。
"Ifhedoesn"tknowme!"shecried。Neverhadshebeensopleased。Shehadexpectedeverysignofsavagenessonhispart，andcertainlyhadnotintendedtogonearhim。ButWildfiredidnotshowfearorhateinhisrecognition。
Lucywentdirectlytohimandgotahandonhim。Wildfirerearedalittleandshookalittle，butthisdisappearedpresentlyunderhertouch。Heheldhisheadveryhighandwatchedherwithwonderfuleyes。Graduallyshedrewhisheaddown。Standingbeforehim，shecarefullyandslowlychangedthesetofthehackamore，whichhadmadeaweltonhisnose。Itseemedtohavebeenhergoodfortunethateverysignificantmoveshehadmadearoundthisstallionhadbeentomitigatehispain。Lucybelievedheknewthisaswellassheknewit。
Hertheory，anoftendisputedone，wasthathorseswereasintelligentashumanbeingsandhadjustthesamefears，likes，anddislikes。Lucyknewshewassafewhensheuntiedthelassofromthestrongrootwhereshehadfastenedit，andledthestalliondownthewashtoapoolofwater。Andshestoodbesidehimwithahandonhisshoulderwhilehebenthisheadtosniffatthewater。Hetastedit，plainlywithdisgust。Itwasstagnantwater，fullofvermin。Butfinallyhedrank。Lucyledhimupthewashtoanotherlikelyplace，andtiedhimsecurely。
Whenshegotbacktothecampinthecedarstheriderwasthere，onhisknees，kindlingthefire。Hisclean-shavedfaceandnewapparelmadehimvastlydifferent。Hewasyoung，and，hadhenotbeensogaunt。hewouldhavebeenfine-looking，Lucythought。
"Wildfirerememberedme，"Lucyburstout。"Hewasn"tabitscary。Letmehandlehim。Followedmetowater。"
"He"stakentoyou，"repliedtherider，seriously。"I"veheardofthelike，butnotsoquick。Washeinabadfixwhenyougottohimyesterday？"
Lucyexplainedbriefly。
"Aha!IfthatreddevilhasanyloveinhimI"llnevergetit。IwishI
couldhavedonesomuchforhim。Butalwayswhenheseesmehe"llremember。"
Lucysawthattheriderwasindifficulties。Hecouldnotbendhisback，andevidentlyitpainedhimtotry。Hisbrowwasmoist。
"Letmedothat，"shesaid。
"Thanks。Ittookaboutallmystrengthtogetintothisnewoutfit，"hesaid，relinquishing，hisplacetoLucy。
Whenshelookedupfromhertask，presently，hewassittingintheshadeofthecedar，watchingher。Hehadtheexpressionofamanwhohardlybelievedwhathesaw。
"Didyouhaveanytroublegettin"away，withouttellin"——aboutme？"heasked。
"No。ButIsurehadajobwiththosepacks，"shereplied。
"Youmustbeawonderwithahorse。"
AsfarasvanitywasconcernedLucyhadonlyoneweakness——andhehadtoucheduponit。
"Well，DadandHolleyandFarlanearguemuchaboutme。Still，IguesstheyallagreeIcanride。"
"Holleyan"Farlaneareriders？"hequestioned。
"Yes，Dad"sright-handmen。"
"Yourdadhiresmanyriders，Isupposed？"
"SureIneverheardofhimturninganyriderdown，atleastnotwithoutatry。"
"Iwonderifhewouldgivemeajob？"
Lucyglancedupquickly。Theideasurprisedher——pleasedher。"Inaminute，"
shereplied。"Andhe"dbegrandtoyou。Yousee，he"dhaveaneyeforWildfire。"
Theridernoddedhisheadasifheunderstoodhowthatwouldbe。
"Andofcourseyou"dneversellnortradeWildfire？"wentonLucy。
Therider"ssmilewassad，butitwasconclusive。
"Thenyou"dbetterstayawayfromBostil，"returnedLucy，shortly。
Heremainedsilent，andLucy，busyaboutthecampfire，didnotspeakagaintillthesimplefarewasready。Thenshespreadatarpaulinintheshade。
"I"mprettyhungrymyself，"shesaid。"ButIdon"tsupposeIknowwhathungeris。"
"Afterawhileafellowlosesthefeelin"ofhunger，"hereplied。"Ireckonit"llcomebackquick。Thisalllooksgood。"
Sotheybegantoeat。Lucy"sexcitement，hersenseoftheunrealityofthisadventure，innowiseimpairedherappetite。Sheseemedacutelysensitivetotheperceptionsofthemoment。Theshadeofthecedarswascool。Andoutonthedesertshecouldseethedarksmokyveilsofheatlifting。Thebreezecarriedadryodorofsandandgrass。Sheheardbeeshummingby。Andallaroundthegreatisolatedmonumentsstoodup，redtopsagainstthebluesky。
Itwasasilent，dreaming，impressiveplace，whereshefeltunlikeherself。
"Imustn"tstaylong，"shesaid，suddenlyremembering。
"Willyoucomeback——again？"heasked。
ThequestionstartledLucy。"Why——I——Idon"tknow。Won"tyourideintotheFordjustassoonasyou"reable？"
"Ireckonnot。"
"Butit"stheonlyplacewherethere"speopleinhundredsofmiles。Surelyyouwon"ttrytogobackthewayyoucame？"
"WhenWildfireleftthatcountryIleftit。Wecan"tback。"
"Thenyou"venopeople——nooneyoucarefor？"sheasked，insweetseriousness。
"There"snoone。I"manorphan。MypeoplewerelostinanIndianmassacre——withawagon-traincrossin"Wyomin"。Afewescaped，an"Iwasoneoftheyoungsters。Ihadatoughtime，likeastraydog，tillIgrewup。An"thenItooktothedesert。"
"Oh，Isee。I——I"msorry，"repliedLucy。"Butthat"snotverydifferentfrommydad"sstory，ofhisearlyyears。Whatwillyoudonow？"
"I"llstayheretillmybackstraightensout。Willyourideoutagain？"
"Yes，"repliedLucy，withoutlookingathim；andshewonderedifitwerereallyshewhowasspeaking。
ThenheaskedherabouttheFord，andBostil，andtheranchesandvillagesnorth，andtheridersandhorses。Lucytoldhimeverythingsheknewandcouldthinkof，and，lastly，afterwaxingeloquentonthehorsesoftheuplands，particularlyBostil"s，shegavehimagraphicaccountofCordtsandDickSears。
"Horse-thieves!"exclaimedtherider，darkly。Therewasagrimnessaswellasfearinhistone。"I"veheardofSears，butnotCordts。Wheredoesthisbandhangout？"
"Nooneknows。Holleysaystheyhideupinthecanyoncountry。Noneoftheridershaveevertriedtotrackthemfar。Itwouldbeuseless。Holleysaysthereareplateausofrichgrassandgreatforests。TheUteIndianssaythatmuch，too。Butweknowlittleaboutthewildcountry。"
"Aren"tthereanyhuntersatBostil"sFord？"
"Wild-horsehunters，youmean？"
"No。Bearan"deerhunters。"
"There"snone。AndIsupposethat"swhywe"renotfamiliarwiththewildcanyoncountry。I"dliketorideintheresometimeandcamp。Butourpeopledon"tgoinforthat。Theylovetheopenranges。NooneIknow，exceptahalf-wittedboy，everrodedownamongthesemonuments。Andhowwonderfulaplace!Itcan"tbemorethantwentymilesfromhome。Imustbegoingsoon。I"mforgettingSageKing。DidItellyouIwastraininghimfortheraces？"
"No，youdidn"t。Whatraces？Tellme，"hereplied，withkeeninterest。
ThenLucytoldhimaboutthegreatpassionofherfather——aboutthelong，time-honoredcustomoffree-for-allraces，andthegreatracesthathadbeenruninthepast；abouttheCreechesandtheirswifthorses；abouttherivalryandspeculationandbetting；andlastlyabouttheracestoberuninafewweeks——racessowonderfulinprospectthateventhehorse-thief，Cordts，hadbeggedtobeallowedtoattend。
"I"mgoingtoseetheKingbeatCreech"sroan，"shoutedtherider，withredinhischeeksandaflashinhiseye。
HisenthusiasmwarmedLucy"sinterest，yetitmadeherthoughtful。Ideasflashedintohermind。Iftheriderattendedtheraceshewouldhavethatfleetstallionwithhim。Hecouldnotbeseparatedfromthehorsethathadcosthimsodearly。WhatwouldBostilandHolleyandFarlanesayatsightofWildfire？SupposeWildfirewastoentertheraces!Itwasprobablethathecouldrunawayfromthewholefield——evenbeattheKing。Lucythrilledandthrilled。Whatasurpriseitwouldbe!Shehadtherider"strueloveofseeingtheunheraldedhorsewinoverthefavorite。Shehadforyearswantedtoseeahorse——andrideahorse——outinfrontofSageKing。Thensuddenlyalltheseflashingideascoruscatedseeminglyintoagleam——aleaping，radiant，wonderfulthought。Irresistiblyitburstfromher。
"LetMErideyourWildfireinthegreatrace？"shecried，breathlessly。
Hisresponsewasinstantaneous——asmilethatwaskeenandsweetandstrong，andaprofferedhand。ImpulsivelyLucyclaspedthathandwithbothhers。
"Youdon"tmeanit，"shesaid。"Oh，it"swhatAuntiewouldcalloneofmywilddreams!AndI"mgrowingup——theysay。But——Oh，ifIcouldrideWildfireagainstthefieldinthatrace。IfIONLYCOULD!"
Shewasonfirewiththehope，flushing，tingling。Shewasunconsciousofhereffectupontherider，whogazedatherwithanew-bornlightinhiseyes。
"Youcanridehim。IreckonI"dliketoseethatracejustasmuchasBostilorCordtsoranyman。An"seehere，girl，Wildfirecanbeatthisgrayracerofyourfather"s。"
"Oh!"criedLucy。
"WildfirecanbeattheKing，"repeatedtherider，intensely。"Thetamehorsedoesn"tsteponthisearththatcanrunwithWildfire。He"sastallion。Hehasbeenakillerofhorses。It"sinhimtoKILL。Ifheranaraceitwouldbethatinstinctinhim。"
"Howcanweplanit？"wentonLucy，impulsively。Shehadforgottentowithdrawherhandsfromhis。"Itmustbeasurprise——acompletesurprise。IfyoucametotheFordwecouldn"tkeepitsecret。AndDadorFarlanewouldpreventme，somehow。"
"It"seasy。Rideouthereasoftenasyoucan。Bringalightsaddlean"letmeputyouuponWildfire。You"llrunhim，trainhim，gethiminshape。ThenthedayoftheracesorthenightbeforeI"llgoinan"hideoutinthesagetillyoucomeorsendforWildfire。"
"Oh，it"llbeglorious，"shecried，witheyeslikestars。"Iknowjustwheretohaveyouhide。Apileofrocksneartheracecourse。There"saspringandgoodgrass。Icouldrideouttoyoujustbeforethebigrace，andwe"dcomeback，withmeonWildfire。Thecrowdalwaysstaysdownattheendoftheracecourse。Onlythestartersstayoutthere。Oh，IcanseeBostilwhenthatredstallionrunsintosight!"
"Well，isitsettled？"queriedtherider，strangely。
Lucywasstartledintoself-consciousnessbyhistone。
Howstrangelyhemusthavefelt。Andhiseyeswerepiercing。
"Youmean——thatIrideWildfire？"shereplied，shyly。"Yes，ifyou"llletme。"
"I"llbeproud。"
"You"reverygood。AnddoyouthinkWildfirecanbeattheKing？"
"Iknowit。"
"Howdoyou？"
"I"veseenbothhorses。"
"Butitwillbeagrandrace。"
"Ireckonso。It"slikelytobethegrandesteverseen。ButWildfirewillwinbecausehe"srunwildallhislife——an"runtokillotherhorses。Theonlyquestionis——CANyouridehim？"
"Yes。IneversawthehorseIcouldn"tride。BostilsaystherearesomeI
can"tride。Farlanesaysnot。Onlytwohorseshavethrownme，theKingandSarchedon。Butthatwasbeforetheyknewme。AndIwassortofwild。IcanmakeyourWildfireloveme。"
"THAT"SthelastpartofitI"deverdoubt，"repliedtherider。"It"ssettled，then。I"llcamphere。I"llbewellinafewdays。ThenI"lltakeWildfireinhand。Youwillrideoutwheneveryouhaveachance，withoutbein"seen。An"
thetwoofuswilltrainthestalliontoupsetthatrace。"
"Yes——then——it"ssettled。"
Lucy"sgazewasimpelledandheldbytherider"s。Whywashesopale？Butthenhehadbeeninjured——weakened。Thiscompactbetweenthemhadsomehowchangedtheirrelation。Sheseemedtohaveknownhimlong。
"What"syourname？"sheasked。
"LinSlone，"repliedtherider。
Thenshereleasedherhands。"Imustrideinnow。Ifthisisn"tadreamI"llcomebacksoon。"SheledSageKingtoarockandmountedhim。
"It"sgoodtoseeyouupthere，"saidSlone。"An"thatsplendidhorse!
Heknowswhatheis。It"llbreakBostil"shearttoseethathorsebeat。"
"Dad"llfeelbad，butit"lldohimgood，"repliedLucy。
Thatwastheoldrider"sruthlessspiritspeakingoutofhisdaughter"slips。
SlonewentclosetotheKingand，puttingahandonthepommel，helookedupatLucy。"Maybe——itis——adream——an"youwon"tcomeback，"hesaid，withunsteadyvoice。
"ThenI"llcomeindreams，"sheflashed。"Becarefulofyourself。
Good-by。"
AndatatouchtheimpatientKingwasoff。FromfaruptheslopenearamonumentLucylookedback。Slonewaswatchingher。Shewavedagauntletedhand——andthenlookedbacknomore。
CHAPTERX
Twoweeksslippedbyonthewingsoftimeandopportunityandachievement，allcoloredsowonderfullyforLucy，allspellingthatadventureforwhichshehadyearned。
Lucywasridingdownintothesagetowardthemonumentswithawholedaybeforeher。Bostilkeptmoreandmoretohimself，acircumstancethatworriedher，thoughshethoughtlittleaboutit。VanhadtakenupthetrainingoftheKing；andLucyhaddeliberatelyquarreledwithhimsothatshewouldbefreetoridewhereshelisted。Farlanenaggedheroccasionallyaboutherridesintothesage，insistingthatshemustnotgosofarandstaysolong。AndafterVan"sreturntoworkhemadeherrideSarchedon。
ThingshadhappenedattheFordwhichwouldhaveconcernedLucygreatlyhadshenotbeenover-excitedaboutherownaffairs。SomeonehadambushedBostilinthecottonwoodsnearhishouseandhadshotathim，narrowlymissinghim。
Bostilhadswornherecognizedtheshotashavingcomefromarifle，andthatheknewtowhomitbelonged。Theridersdidnotbelievethis，andsaidsomeboy，shootingatarabbitorcoyote，hadbeenafraidtoconfesshehadnearlyhitBostil。TheridersallsaidBostilwasnotwhollyhimselfoflate。Theriverwasstilllow。Theboathadnotbeenrepaired。AndCreech"shorseswerestillontheotherside。
ThesethingsconcernedLucy，yettheyonlycameandwentswiftlythroughhermind。Shewasobsessedbythingsintimatelyconcerningherself。
"Oh，Ioughtn"ttogo，"shesaid，aloud。ButshedidnotevencheckSarchedon"slongswing，hisrocking-chairlope。Shehadsaidahundredtimesthatsheoughtnotgoagainouttothemonuments。ForLinSlonehadfallendespairingly，terriblyinlovewithher。
Itwasnotthis，sheaverred，butthemonumentsandthebeautifulWildfirethathadwovenaspellroundhershecouldnotbreak。ShehadriddenWildfireallthroughthatstrangeregionofmonumentsandnowtheyclaimedsomethingofher。JustaswonderfulwasWildfire"sloveforher。ThegreatstallionhatedSloneandlovedLucy。Ofalltheremarkablecircumstancesshehadseenorheardaboutahorse，thisfactwasthemoststriking。Shecoulddoanythingwithhim。Allthatsavagenessandwildnessdisappearedwhensheapproachedhim。Hecameathercall。Hewhistledatsightofher。Hesentoutaringingblastofdisapprovalwhensherodeaway。EverydayhetriedtobiteorkickSlone，buthewasmeekunderLucy"stouch。
ButthismorningtherecametoLucythefirstvaguedoubtofherself。Onceenteringhermind，thatdoubtbecameclear。AndthenshevowedshelikedSloneasshemightabrother。Andsomethingwithinheraccusedherownconviction。
Theconvictionwasherrealself，andtheaccusationwassomeothergirllatelyborninher。Lucydidnotlikethisnewperson。Shewasafraidofher。
Shewouldnotthinkofherunlessshehadto。
"Inevercaredforhim——thatway，"shesaid，aloud。"Idon"t——I
couldn"t——ever——I——I——loveLinSlone!"
Thespokenthought——thesoundofthewordsplayedhavocwithLucy"sself-consciouscalmness。Sheburned。Shetrembled。Shewasinaragewithherself。ShespurredSarchedonintoarunandtorethroughthesage，downintothevalley，runninghimharderthansheshouldhaverunhim。Thenshecheckedhim，and，penitent，pettedhimoutofallproportiontoherthoughtlessness。
Theviolentexerciseonlyheatedherbloodand，ifanything，increasedthissuddenandnewtorment。Whyhadshediscardedherboy"srideroutfitandchapsforariding-habitmadebyheraunt，andoneshehadscornedtowear？Someawful，accusingvoicethunderedinLucy"sburningearsthatshehaddonethisbecauseshewasashamedtofaceLinSloneanymoreinthatcostume——shewantedtoappeardifferentinhiseyes，tolooklikeagirl。Ifthatshamefulsuspicionwasafactwhywasit——whatdiditmean？Shecouldnottell，yetshewasafraidofthetruth。
AllofasuddenLinSlonestoodoutclearerinhermentalvision——thefinesttypeofaridershehadeverknown——astrong，lithe，magnificenthorseman，whosegentlenessshowedhisloveforhorses，whoseroughnessshowedhispower——astrange，intense，lonelymaninwhomshehadbroughtoutpride，gratitude，kindness，passion，anddespair。Shefeltherheartswellattherealizationthatshehadchangedhim，madehimkinder，madehimdividehisloveasdidherfather，madehimhuman，hopeful，longingforafutureunfetteredbythetoilsofdesertallurement。Shecouldnotcontrolherpride。
Shemustlikehimverymuch。Sheconfessedthat，honestly，withoutaqualm。Itwasonlybewilderingmomentsofstrangeagitationanduncertaintythatbotheredher。Shehadrefusedtobeconcernedbythemuntiltheyhadfinallyimpingeduponherpeaceofmind。Thentheyaccusedher；nowsheaccusedherself。SheoughtnotgotomeetLinSloneanymore。
"Butthen——therace!"shemurmured。"Icouldn"tgivethatup。Andoh!
I"mafraidtheharmisdone!WhatcanIdo？"
Aftertherace——whatthen？Tobesure，allofBostil"sFordwouldknowshehadbeenmeetingSloneoutinthesage，traininghishorse。Whatwouldpeoplesay？
"Dadwillsimplyberadiant，IFhecanbuyWildfire——andafiendifhecan"t，"
shemuttered。
Lucysawthatherownimpulsivenesshadamountedtodaring。Shehadgonetoofar。Sheexcusedthat——forshehadarider"sblood——shewasBostil"sgirl。Butshehad，inherwildnessandjoyandspirit，spentmanyhoursalonewitharider，tohisundoing。Shecouldnotexcusethat。Shewasashamed。Whatwouldhesaywhenshetoldhimshecouldseehimnomore？Thethoughtmadeherweak。
Hewouldacceptandgohisway——backtothatlonelydesert，withonlyahorse。
"Wildfiredoesn"tlovehim!"shesaid。
Andthescarletfiredherneckandcheekandtemple。Thatleapofbloodseemedtoreleaseariotofemotions。Whathadbeenatormentbecameatorture。SheturnedSarchedonhomeward，butscarcelyhadfacedthatwaywhenshewheeledhimagain。Sherodeslowlyandsherodeswiftly。Theformerwashatefulbecauseitheldherback——fromwhatshenolongerdaredthink；thelatterwasfearfulbecauseithurriedheronswiftly，irresistiblytoherfate。
LinSlonehadchangedhiscampandhadchosenapasshighupwherethegreatwallshadbegantobreakintosections。Heretherewasintimacywiththesheercliffsofredandyellow。Wideavenuesbetweenthewallsopenedonallpointsofthecompass，andthatonetothenorthappearedtobeagatewaydownintothevalleyofmonuments。Themonumentstroopeddownintothevalleytospreadoutandgrowisolatedinthedistance。Slone"scampwasinaclumpofcedarssurroundingaspring。Therewasgrassandwhitesagewhererabbitsdartedinandout。
LucydidnotapproachthiscampfromthatroundabouttrailwhichshehadmadeuponthefirstoccasionofhervisitingSlone。Hehadfoundanopeninginthewall，andbyridingthiswayintothepassLucycutoffmiles。Infact，thecampwasnotoverfifteenmilesfromBostil"sFord。ItwassoclosethatLucywasworriedlestsomehorse-trackershouldstumbleonthetrailandfollowherupintothepass。
ThismorningsheespiedSloneathisoutlookonahighrockthathadfallenfromthegreatwalls。Shealwayslookedtoseeifhewasthere，andshealwayssawhim。Thedaysshehadnotcome，whichwerefew，hehadspentwatchingforherthere。Histaskswerenotmany，andhesaidhehadnothingtodobutwaitforher。Lucyhadapersistentandremorseful，yetsweetmemoryofSloneathislonelylookout。Herewasafine，strong，splendidyoungmanwhohadnothingtodobutwatchforher——awasteofprecioushours!
Shewavedherhandfromafar，andhewavedinreply。ThenasshereachedthecedaredpartofthepassSlonewasnolongervisible。SheputSarchedontoarunupthehard，wind-sweptsand，andreachedthecampbeforeSlonehadclimbeddownfromhisperch。
Lucydismountedreluctantly。Whatwouldhesayabouttheriding-habitthatshewore？Shefeltverycurioustolearn，andshyerthaneverbefore，andaltogetherdifferent。Theskirtmadehermoreofagirl，itseemed。
"Hello，Lin!"shecalled。Therewasnothinginherusualgreetingtobetraythestateofhermind。
"Goodmornin"——Lucy，"hereplied，veryslowly。Hewaslookingather，shethought，withdifferenteyes。Andheseemedchanged，too，thoughhehadlongbeenwell，andhistall，litherider"sform，hislean，strongface，andhisdarkeyeswereadmirableinhersight。Onlythismorning，allbecauseshehadwornagirl"sriding-skirtinsteadofboy"schaps，everythingseemeddifferent。Perhapsheraunthadbeenright，afterall，andnowthingswerenatural。
SlonegazedsolongatherthatLucycouldnotkeepsilent。Shelaughed。
"Howdoyoulike——me——inthis？"
"Ilikeyoumuchbetter，"Slonesaid，bluntly。
"Auntiemadethis——andshe"sbeentryingtogetmetorideinit。"
"Itchangesyou，Lucy。Butcanyourideaswell？"
"I"mafraidnot。What"sWildfiregoingtothinkofme？"
"He"lllikeyoubetter，too。Lucy，how"stheKingcomin"on？"
"Lin，I"lltellyou，ifIwasn"tascrazyaboutWildfireasyouare，I"dsayhe"llhavetokillhimselftobeattheKing，"repliedLucy，withgravity。
"SometimesIdoubt，too，"saidSlone。"ButIonlyhavetolookatWildfiretogetbackmynerve。Lucy，thatwillbethegrandestraceeverrun!"
"Yes，"sighedLucy。
"What"swrong？Don"tyouwantWildfiretowin？"
"Yesandno。ButI"mgoingtobeattheKing，anyway。BringonyourWildfire!"
LucyunsaddledSarchedonandturnedhimloosetograzewhileSlonewentoutafterWildfire。AndpresentlyitappearedthatLucymighthavesomelittletimetowait。Wildfirehadlatelybeentrustedtohobbles，whichfactmadeitlikelythathehadstrayed。
Lucygazedaboutheratthegreatloomingredwallsandoutthroughtheavenuestothegraydesertbeyond。Thisadventureofherswouldsoonhaveanend，forthedayoftheraceswasnotfardistant，andafterthatitwasobviousshewouldnothaveoccasiontomeetSlone。TothinkofnevercomingtothepassagaingaveLucyapang。Unconsciouslyshemeantthatshewouldneverrideuphereagain，becauseSlonewouldnotbehere。Awindalwaysblewthroughthepass，andthatwaswhythesandwassocleanandhard。To-dayitwasapleasantwind，nothot，norladenwithdust，andsomehowmusicalinthecedars。ThebluesmokefromSlone"sfirecurledawayandfloatedoutofsight。
Itwaslonely，withthehauntingpresenceofthebrokenwallsevermanifest。
Butthelonelinessseemedfullofcontent。ShenolongerwonderedatSlone"sdesertlife。Thatmightbewellforayoungman，duringthoseyearswhenadventureanddaringcalledhim，butshedoubtedthatitwouldbewellforallofaman"slife。Andonlyalittleofitoughttobeknownbyawoman。Shesawhowthewildnessandlonelinessandbroodingofsuchalifewouldpreventawoman"sdevelopment。Yetsheloveditallandwantedtolivenearit，sothatwhentheneedpressedhershecouldrideoutintothegreatopenstretchesandseethedarkmonumentsgrownearerandnearer，tillshewasunderthem，inthesilentandcoloredshadows。
SlonereturnedpresentlywithWildfire。Thestallionshonelikeaflameinthesunlight。HisfearandhatredofSloneshowedinthewayheobeyed。Slonehadmasteredhim，andmustalwayskeeptheupperhandofhim。Ithadfromthefirstbeenafightbetweenmanandbeast，andLucybelieveditwouldalwaysbeso。
ButWildfirewasadifferenthorsewhenhesawLucy。DaybydayevidentlySlonelovedhimmoreandtriedhardertowinalittleofwhatWildfireshowedatsightofLucy。StillSlonewasproudofLucy"scontroloverthestallion。
HewasjustasmuchheartandsoulbentonwinningthegreatraceasLucywas。
ShehadriddenWildfirebarebackatfirst，andthentheyhadbrokenhimtothesaddle。
Itwasseriousbusiness，thattrainingofWildfire，andSlonehadpeculiarideasregardingit。Lucyrodehimupanddownthepassuntilhewaswarm。ThenSlonegotonSarchedon。WildfirealwayssnortedandshowedfightatsightofSageKingorNagger，andthestallionSarchedoninfuriatedhimbecauseSarchedonshowedfight，too。SlonestartedoutaheadofLucy，andthentheyraceddownthelongpass。Thecoursewashard-packedsand。FastasSarchedonwas，andmatchlessasahorsemanaswasSlone，theracewasoveralmostassoonasitbegan。Wildfireranindeedlikefirebeforethewind。Hewantedtorun，andtheotherhorsemadehimfierce。LikeaburrLucystucklowoverhisneck，apartofthehorse，andsolighthewouldnothaveknownhewascarryingherbutfortherepeatedcallsinhisears。Lucyneverspurredhim。
Sheabsolutelyrefusedtousespursonhim。ThisdaysheranawayfromSlone，and，turningattheendofthetwo-milecoursetheyhadmarkedout，shelopedWildfireback。Sloneturnedwithher，andtheyweresoonincamp。Lucydidnotjumpoff。Shewasinatransport。Everyracekindledamountingfireinher。
Shewasscarletofface，outofbreath，herhairflying。AndshelayonWildfire"sneckandhuggedhimandcaressedhimandtalkedtohiminlowtonesoflove。
SlonedismountedandgotSarchedonoutoftheway，thencrossedtowhereLucystillfondledWildfire。Hepausedamomenttolookather，butwhenshesawhimhestartedagain，andcamecloseuptoherasshesatthesaddle。