第8章
Bostilsleptthatnight，buthissleepwastroubled，andastrange，dreadfulroarseemedtorunthroughit，likeamournfulwindoveradarkdesert。Hewasawakenedearlybyavoiceathiswindow。Helistened。Therecamearaponthewood。
"Bostil!Bostil!"ItwasHolley"svoice。
Bostilrolledoffthebed。Hehadsleptwithoutremovinganyapparelexcepthisboots。
"Wal，Hawk，whatd"yemeanwakin"amanatthisunholyhour？"growledBostil。
Holley"sfaceappearedabovetherudesill。Itwaspaleandgrave，withthehawkeyeslikeglass。"Itain"tsoawfulearly，"hesaid。"Listen，boss。"
Bostilhaltedintheactofpullingonaboot。Helookedathismanwhilehelistened。Thestillairoutsideseemedfilledwithlowboom，likethunderatadistance。Bostiltriedtolookastounded。
"Hell!It"stheColorado!She"sboomin"!"
"Reckonit"shellallright——forCreech，"repliedHolley。"Boss，whydidn"tyoufetchthemhossesover？"
Bostil"sfacedarkened。Hewasabadmantooppose——toquestionattimes。
"Holley，you"resurepowerfulanxiousaboutCreech。Areyouhisfriend？"
"Naw!I"velittleuseferCreech，"repliedHolley。"An"youknowthet。ButI
holdforhishossesasIwouldanyman"s。"
"A-huh!An"what"syourkick？"
"Nothin"——exceptyoucouldhavefetchedthemoverbeforethefloodcomedown。
That"sall。"
Theoldhorse-traderendhisright-handriderlookedateachotherforamomentinsilence。Theyunderstoodeachother。ThenBostilreturnedtothetaskofpullingonwetbootsandHolleywentaway。
Bostilopenedhisdoorandsteppedoutside。Theeasternrampartsofthedesertwerebrightredwiththerisingsun。Withthenightbehindhimandthemorningcoolandbrightandbeautiful，Bostildidnotsufferapangnorfeelaregret。
Hewalkedaroundunderthecottonwoodswherethemocking-birdsweresinging。
Theshrill，screechingbrayofaburrosplitthemorningstillness，andwiththatthesoundsoftheawakeningvillagedrownedthatsullen，dreadfulboomoftheriver。Bostilwentintobreakfast。
HeencounteredLucyinthekitchen，andhedidnotavoidher。Hecouldtellfromhersmilinggreetingthatheseemedtoherhisoldselfagain。Lucyworeanapronandshehadhersleevesrolledup，showinground，strong，brownarms。
SomehowtoBostilsheseemeddifferent。Shehadbeenpretty，butnowshewasmorethanthat。Shewasradiant。Herblueeyesdanced。Shelookedexcited。Shehadbeentellingherauntsomething，andthatworthywomanappearedatonceshockedanddelighted。ButBostil"sentrancehadcausedamysteriousbreakineverythingthathadbeengoingon，exceptthepreparationofthemorningmeal。
"NowIrodeinonsomeconfaborother，that"ssure，"saidBostil，good-naturedly。
"Yousuredid，Dad，"repliedLucy，withabrightsmile。
"Wal，letmesitinthegame，"herejoined。
"Dad，youcan"tevenante，"saidLucy。
"Jane，what"sthiskidupto？"askedBostil，turningtohissister。
"ThegoodLordonlyknows!"repliedAuntJane，withasigh。
"Kid？Seehere，Dad，I"meighteenlongago。I"mgrownup。IcandoasI
please，gowhereIlike，andanything。Why，Dad，Icouldget——married。"
"Haw!haw!"laughedBostil。"Jane，hearthegirl。"
"Ihearher，Bostil，"sighedAuntJane。
"Wal，Lucy，I"djustliketoseeyoufetchsomefoollove-sickrideraroundwhenI"mfeelin"good，"saidBostil。
Lucylaughed，buttherewasaroguish，daringflashinhereyes。"Dad，youdoseemtohavealltheyoungfellowsscared。Somedaymaybeonewillridealong——ariderlikeyouusedtobe——thatnobodycouldbluff。Andhecanhaveme!"
"A-huh!Lucy，areyouinfun？"
Lucytossedherbrighthead，butdidnotanswer。
"Jane，what"sgotintoher？"askedBostil，appealingtohissister。
"Bostil，she"sinfun，ofcourse，"declaredAuntJane。"Still，atthat，there"ssomesenseinwhatshesays。Cometoyourbreakfast，now。"
Bostiltookhisseatatthetable，gladthathecouldoncemorebeamiablewithhiswomen-folk。"Lucy，to-morrow"llbethebiggestdayBostil"sFordeverseen，"hesaid。
"Itsurewillbe，Dad。ThebiggestSURPRISINGdaytheFordeverhad，"repliedLucy。
"Surprisin"？"
"Yes，Dad。"
"Who"sgoin"togetsurprised？"
"Everybody。"
BostilsaidtohimselfthathehadbeenusedtoLucy"sbanter，butduringhismoodyspellofdayspasthehadforgottenhowtotakeherorelseshewasdifferent。
"Bracktontellsmeyou"veenteredahossagainstthefield。"
"It"sanopenrace，isn"tit？"
"Openasthedesert，Lucy，"hereplied。"What"sthishossWildfireyou"veentered？"
"Wouldn"tyouliketoknow？"tauntedLucy。
"Ifhe"sasgoodashisnameyoumightbeinatthefinish。But，Lucy，mydear，talkin"goodsensenow——youain"ta-goin"togouponsomeunbrokenmustanginthisbigrace？"
"Dad，I"mgoingtorideahorse。"
"But，Lucy，ain"titariskyou"llbetakin"——allforfun？"
"Fun!I"mindeadearnest。"
Bostillikedthelookofherthen。Shehadpaledalittle；hereyesblazed；
shewasintense。Hisquestionhadbroughtoutherearnestness，andstraightwayBostilbecamethoughtful。IfLucyhadbeenaboyshewouldhavebeenthegreatestriderontheuplands；andevengirlasshewas，superblymounted，shewouldhavebeendangerousinanyrace。
"Wal，Iain"tafraidofyourhandlin"ofahoss，"hesaid，soberly。"An"aslongasyou"reinearnestIwon"tstopyou。But，Lucy，nobettin"。Iwon"tletyougamble。"
"Notevenwithyou？"shecoaxed。
Bostilstaredatthegirl。Whathadgottenintoher？"What"llyoubet？"he，queried，withbluntcuriosity。
"Dad，I"llgoyouahundreddollarsingoldthatIfinishone——two——three。"
Bostilthrewbackhisheadtolaughheartily。Whatachipoftheoldblockshewas!"Child，there"ssomefasthossesthat"llbebackoftheKing。You"dbethrowin"awaymoney。"
Bluefireshoneinhisdaughter"seyes。Shemeantbusiness，allright，andBostilthrilledwithprideinher。
"Dad，I"llbetyoutwohundred，even，thatIbeattheKing!"sheflashed。
"Wal，ofallthenerve!"ejaculatedBostil。"No，Iwon"ttakeyouup。ReckonI
neverbeforeturneddownanevenbet。Understand，Lucy，ridin"intheraceisenoughforyou。"
"Allright，Dad，"repliedLucy，obediently。
AtthatjunctureBostilsuddenlyshovedbackhisplateandturnedhisfacetotheopendoor。"Don"tIheararunnin"hoss？"
AuntJanestoppedthenoiseshewasmaking，andLucydartedtothedoor。ThenBostilheardthesharp，rhythmichoof-beatsherecognized。Theyshortenedtoclatterandpound——thenceasedsomewhereoutinfrontofthehouse。
"It"stheKingwithVanup，"saidLucy，fromthedoor。"Dad，Van"sjumpedoff——he"scominginhe"srunning。Somethinghashappened。Thereareotherhorsescoming——riders——Indians。"
Bostilknewwhatwascomingandpreparedhimself。Rapidfootstepssoundedwithout。
"Hello，MissLucy!Where"sBostil？"
Alean，suppleriderappearedbeforethedoor。ItwasVan，greatlyexcited。
"Comein，boy，"saidBostil。"What"reyouflusteredabout？"
Vanstrodein，spursjangling，capinhand。"Boss，there"s——asixty-footraise——intheriver!"Vanpanted。
"Oh!"criedLucy，wheelingtowardherfather。
"Wal，Van，IreckonIknowedthet，"repliedBostil。"MebbeI"mgettin"old，butIcanstillhear。Listen。"
Lucytiptoedtothedoorandturnedherheadsidewiseandslowlybowedittillshestiffened。Outsidewere，soundsofbirdsandhorsesandmen，butwhenalullcameitquicklyfilledwithasullen，lowboom。
"Highestfloodwe——everseen，"saidVan。
"You"vebeendown？"queriedBostil，sharply。
"Nottotheriver，"repliedVan。"Iwentasfaras——wherethegulchopens——onthebluff。TherewasastringofNavajosgoin"down。An"somecomin"up。I
stayedtherewatchin"theflood，an"prettysoonSomerscomeupthetrailwithBlakesleyan"Brackan"someriders。An"Somersholleredout，"Theboat"sgone!""
"Gone!"exclaimedBostil，hisloudcryshowingconsternation。
"Oh，Dad!Oh，Van!"criedLucy，witheyeswideandlipsparted。
"Sureshe"sgone。An"thewholeplacedownthere——wherethewillowswasan"
thesand-bar——itwasdeepunderwater。"
"WhatwillbecomeofCreech"shorses？"askedLucy，breathlessly。
"MyGod!ain"titashame!"wentonBostil，andhecouldhavelaughedaloudathishypocrisy。HefeltLucy"sblueeyesriveteduponhisface。
"Thet"swhatweallwassayin"，"wentonVan。"Whilewewaswatchin"theawfulfloodan"listenin"tothedeepbum——bum——bumofrollin"rockssomeoneseenCreechan"twoPiutesleadin"thehossesupthettrailwheretheslidewas。Wecountedthehosses——nine。An"wesawtheroanshineblueinthesunlight。"
"PiuteswithCreech!"exclaimedBostil，thedeepgloominhiseyeslighting。
"Byallthet"slucky!MebbethemIndianscanclimbthehossesoutofthetholean"findwateran"grassenough。"
"Mebbe，"repliedVan，doubtfully。"SurethemPiutescouldifthere"sachance。
Butthereain"tanygrass。"
"Itwon"ttakemuchgrasstravelin"bynight。"
"Solotsoftheboyssay。ButtheNavajostheyshooktheirheads。An"Farlanean"Holley，why，theyjesthelduptheirhands。"
"WiththemIndiansCreechhasachancetogethishossesout，"declaredBostil。Hewassureofhissincerity，buthewasnotcertainthathissinceritywasnotthebirthofastrange，suddenhope。Andthenhewasabletomeettheeyesofhisdaughter。Thatwashissupremetest。
"Oh，Dad，why，whydidn"tyouhurryCreech"shorsesover？"saidLucy，withhertearsfalling。
SomethingtightwithinBostil"sbreastseemedtoeaseandlessen。"Whydidn"tI？Wal，Lucy，IreckonIwasn"tinnohurrytoobligeCreech。I"msorrynow。"
"Itwon"tbesoterribleifhedoesn"tlosethehorses，"murmuredLucy。
"Where"syoungJoelCreech？"askedBostil。
"Hestayedonthissidelastnight，"repliedVan。"Factis，Joel"stheonewhofirstknewthefloodwason。Someonesaidhesaidhesleptinthecanyonlastnight。Anyway，he"sravin"crazynow。An"ifhedoesn"tdoharmtosomeoneorhisselfI"llmissmyguess。"
"A-huh!"gruntedBostil。"Rightyouare。"
"Dad，can"tanythingbedonetohelpCreechnow？"appealedLucy，goingclosetoherfather。
Bostilputhisarmaroundherandfeltimmeasurablyrelievedtohavethegoldenheadpressclosetohisshoulder。"Child，wecan"tflyacrosttheriver。Nowdon"tyoucryaboutCreech"shosses。Theyain"tstarvedyet。It"shardluck。Butmebbeit"llturnoutsoCreech"llloseonlytherace。An"，Lucy，itwasadeadsurebethe"dhavelostthetanyway。"
Bostilfondledhisdaughteramoment，thefirsttimeinmanyaday，andthenheturnedtohisrideratthedoor。"Van，how"stheKing？"
"Wildtorun，Bostil，jestplumbwild。Therewon"tbeanyhosswiththeghostofashowto-morrow。"
Lucyraisedherdroopinghead。"IsTHATso，VanSickle？Listenhere。IfyouandSageKingdon"tgetmorewildrunningto-morrowthanyoueverhadI"llneverrideagain!"WiththisretortLucylefttheroom。
VanstaredatthedoorandthenatBostil。"What"dIsay，Bostil？"heasked，plaintively。"I"malwaysr"ilin"her。"
"Cheerup，Van。Youdidn"tsaymuch。Lucyisfierythesedays。She"sgotahosssomewherean"she"sgoin"toridehimintherace。Sheofferedtobetonhim——againsttheKing!Itcertainlybeatmeallhollow。Butseehere，Van。
I"veahunchthere"sadarkhossgoin"toshowupinthisrace。Sodon"tunderrateLucyan"hermount，whateverheis。ShecallshimWildfire。Everseehim？"
"Isurehaven"t。Factis，Ihaven"tseenLucyfordaysan"days。Asforthehunchyougave，I"llsayIwasfigurin"Lucyforsomerealrace。Bostil，shedoesn"tMAKEahossrun。He"llrunjesttopleaseher。An"Lucy"slighter"nafeather。Why，Bostil，ifshehappenedtorideoutthereonBlueRoanorsomeotherhossasfastI"d——I"djestwilt。"
Bostilutteredalaughfullofprideinhisdaughter。"Wal，shewon"tshowuponBlueRoan，"hereplied，withgrimgruffness。"Thet"ssureasdeath。
Comeonoutnow。IwantalookattheKing。"
Bostilwentintothevillage。Alldaylonghewassobusywithathousandandonethingsreferredtohim，putonhim，undertakenbyhim，thathehadnotimetothink。Backinhismind，however，therewasaburdenofwhichhewasvaguelyconsciousallthetime。Heworkedlateintothenightandsleptlatethenextmorning。
NeverinhislifehadBostilbeengloomyorretrospectiveonthedayofarace。InthepressofmattershehadonlyawordforLucy，butthatearnedasaucy，dauntlesslook。Hewasgladwhenhewasabletojointheprocessionofvillagers，visitors，andIndiansmovingouttowardthesage。
Theracecourselayatthefootoftheslope，andnowthegrayandpurplesagewasdottedwithmorehorsesandIndians，moremovingthingsandcolors，thanBostilhadeverseentherebefore。Itwasaspectaclethatstirredhim。ManyfiressentupbluecolumnsofsmokefrombeforethehastilybuiltbrushhutswheretheIndianscookedandate。Blanketsshonebrightinthesun；burrosgrazedandbrayed；horseswhistledpiercinglyacrosstheslope；Indianslolledbeforethehutsortalkedingroups，sittingandloungingontheirponies；
downinthevalley，hereandthere，wereIndiansracing，andotherswerechasingthewirymustangs。Beyondthisgayandcolorfulspectaclestretchedthevalley，mergingintothedesertmarkedsostrikinglyandbeautifullybythemonuments。
Bostilwasamongthelasttoridedowntothehighbenchthatoverlookedthehomeendoftheracecourse。HecalculatedthattherewereathousandIndiansandwhitescongregatedatthatpoint，whichwasthebestvantage-groundtoseethefinishofarace。Andtheoccasionofhisarrival，forallthegaiety，wasoneofdignityandimportance。IfBostilreveledinanythingitwasinanhourlikethis。Hisliberalitymadethiseventagreatrace-day。Thethoroughbredswereallthere，blanketed，inchargeofwatchfulriders。Inthecenterofthebrowofthislongbenchlayahuge，flatrockwhichhadbeenBostil"sseatinthewatchingofmanyarace。Herewereassembledhisneighborsandvisitorsactivelyinterestedintheraces，andalsotheimportantIndiansofbothtribes，allwaitingforhim。
AsBostildismounted，throwingthebridletoarider，hesawafacethatsuddenlyfrozethethrillingdelightofthemoment。Atall，gauntmanwithcavernousblackeyesandhuge，droopingblackmustachefrontedhimandseemedwaiting。Cordts!Bostilhadforgotten。InstinctivelyBostilstoodonguard。
Foryearshehadpreparedhimselfforthemomentwhenhewouldcomefacetofacewiththisnotedhorse-thief。
"Bostil，howareyou？"saidCordts。Heappearedpleasant，andcertainlygratefulforbeingpermittedtocomethere。Fromhislefthandhungabeltcontainingtwoheavyguns。
"Hello，Cordts，"repliedBostil，slowlyunbending。Thenhemettheother"sprofferedhand。
"I"vebetheavyontheKing，"saidCordts。
ForthemomenttherecouldhavebeennootherwaytoBostil"sgoodgraces，andthisremarkmadethegruffoldrider"shardfacerelax。
"Wal，Iwashopin"you"dbacksomeotherhoss，soIcouldtakeyourmoney，"
repliedBostil。
CordtsheldoutthebeltandgunstoBostil。"Iwanttoenjoythisrace，"hesaid，withasmilethatsomehowhintedoftheyearshehadpackedthosegunsdayandnight。
"Cordts，Idon"twanttotakeyourguns，"repliedBostil，bluntly。"I"vetakenyourwordan"that"senough。"
"Thanks，Bostil。Allthesame，asI"myourguestIwon"tpackthem，"returnedCordts，andhehungthebeltonthehornofBostil"ssaddle。"Someofmymenarewithme。TheywereallrighttilltheygotoutsideofBrackton"swhisky。
ButnowIwon"tanswerforthem。"
"Wal，you"resquaretosaythet，"repliedBostil。"An"I"llrunthisracean"
answerforeverybody。"
BostilrecognizedHutchinsonandDickSears，buttheothersofCordts"sganghedidnotknow。Theywereahard-lookinglot。Hutchinsonwasaspare，stoop-shouldered，red-faced，squinty-eyedrider，brandedalloverwiththemarksofabadman。AndDickSearslookedhisnotoriety。Hewasalittleknotofmuscle，shortandbow-legged，roughinappearanceascactus。Heworearaggedslouch-hatpulledlowdown。Hisfaceandstubbybeardweredust-colored，andhiseyesseemedsullen，watchful。HemadeBostilthinkofadusty，scaly，hard，desertrattlesnake。Bostileyedthisright-handmanofCordts"sandcertainlyfeltnofearofhim，thoughSearshadthefameofswiftanddeadlyskillwithagun。BostilfeltthathewasneitherafraidnorloathtofaceSearsingun-play，andhegazedatthelittlehorse-thiefinamannerthatnoonecouldmistake。Searswasnotdrunk，neitherwashewhollyfreefromtheunsteadinesscausedbythebottle。AssuredlyhehadnofearofBostilandeyedhiminsolently。Bostilturnedawaytothegroupofhisridersandfriends，andheaskedforhisdaughter。
"Lucy"soverthere，"saidFarlane，pointingtoamerrycrowd。
Bostilwavedahandtoher，andLucy，evidentlymistakinghisaction，cameforward，leadingoneofherponies。Sheworeagrayblousewitharedscarf，andaskirtoveroverallsandboots。Shelookedpale，butshewassmiling，andtherewasadarkgleamofexcitementinherblueeyes。Shedidnothaveonhersombrero。Sheworeherhairinabraid，andhadaredbandtightaboveherforehead。Bostiltookherinallataglance。Shemeantbusinessandshelookeddangerous。Bostilknewoncesheslippedoutofthatskirtshecouldridewithanyriderthere。Hesawthatshehadbecomethecentertowardwhichalleyesshifted。Itpleasedhim。Shewashis，likehermother，andasbeautifulandthoroughbredasanyridercouldwishhisdaughter。
"Lucy，where"syourhoss？"heasked，curiously。
"Neveryoumind，Dad。I"llbethereatthefinish，"shereplied。
"Red"syourcolorforto-day，then？"hequestioned，asheputabighandonthebright-bandedhead。
Shenoddedarchly。
"Lucy，Ineverthoughtyou"dflauntredinyouroldDad"sface。Red，whenthecoloroftheKingislikethesageoutyonder。You"vegonebackontheKing。"
"No，Dad，IneverwasforSageKing，elseIwouldn"twearredto-day。"
"Child，yousuremeantoruninthisrace——thebigone？"
"Sureandcertain。"
"Wal，theonlybitterdropinmycupto-daywillbeseein"yougetbeat。ButifyouransecondI"llgiveyouapresentthet"llmakethepurselooksick。"
EventheIndianchiefsweresmiling。OldHorse，theNavajo，beamedbenignlyuponthisdaughterofthefriendoftheIndians。Silver，hisbrotherchieftain，noddedasifheunderstoodBostil"sprideandregret。Someoftheyoungridersshowedtheirheartsintheireyes。Farlanetriedtolookmysterious，topretendhewasinLucy"sconfidence。
"Lucy，ifyouarereallygoin"toraceI"llwithdrawmyhosssoyoucanwin，"
saidWetherby，gallantly。
Bostil"ssonorouslaughrolleddowntheslope。
"MissLucy，Isurehatetorunahossagainstyours，"saidoldCalBlinn。ThenColson，Sticks，Burthwait，theotherprincipals，paidlaughingcomplimentstothebright-hairedgirl。
BostilenjoyedthishugelyuntilhecaughtthestrangeintensityofregardinthecavernouseyesofCordts。Thatgavehimashock。CordtshadlongwantedthisgirlasmuchprobablyashewantedSageKing。ThereweredarkandterriblestoriesthatstainedthenameofCordts。Bostilregrettedhisimpulseingrantingthehorse-thiefpermissiontoattendtheraces。SightofLucy"sfair，sweetfacemightinflamethisCordts——thisKentuckianwhohadboastedofhisloveofhorsesandwomen。BehindCordtshungthelittledust-coloredSears，likeacoiledsnake，readytostrike。Bostilfeltstirinhimalong-dormantfire——astealingalonghisveins，apassionhehated。
"Lucy，gobacktothewomentillyou"rereadytocomeoutonyourhoss，"hesaid。"An"mindyou，becarefulto-day!"
Hegaveherameaningglance，whichsheunderstoodperfectly，hesaw，andthenheturnedtostarttheday"ssport。
TheIndianracesrunintwosandthrees，andonuptoanumberthatcrowdedtheracecourse；thebettingandyellingandrunning；thewildandplungingmustangs；theheatanddustandpoundingofhoofs；theexcitedbetting；thesurprisesanddefeatsandvictories，thetrialtestsoftheprincipals，jealouslykeepingofftothemselvesinthesage；theendlessmoving，colorfulprocession，gaudyandswiftandthrilling——alltheseBostillovedtremendously。
Buttheywereasnothingtowhattheygraduallyworkedupto——theclimax——thegreatrace。
Itwasafternoonwhenallwasreadyforthisrace，andthesagewasbrightgrayinthewesteringsun。Everybodywasresting，waiting。Thetensequietoftheridersseemedtosettleuponthewholeassemblage。Onlythethoroughbredswererestless。Theyquiveredandstampedandtossedtheirsmall，fineheads。
Theyknewwhatwasgoingtohappen。Theywantedtorun。Blacks，bays，andwhiteswerethepredominatingcolors；andthehorsesandmustangswerealikeinthosepointsofraceandspeedandspiritthatproclaimedthemthoroughbreds。
Bostilhimselftookthecoveringoffhisfavorite。SageKingwasonedge。Hestoodoutstrikinglyincontrastwiththeotherhorses。Hissage-graybodywasassleekandshinyassatin。Hehadbeentrainedtothehour。Hetossedhisheadashechampedthebit，andeverymomenthismusclesrippledunderhisfineskin。Proud，mettlesome，beautiful!
SageKingwasthefavoriteinthebetting，theIndians，whowereardentgamblers，plungingheavilyonhim。
Bostilsaddledthehorseandwaslongatthetask。
Vanstoodwatching。Hewaspaleandnervous。Bostilsawthis。
"Van，"hesaid，"it"syourrace。"
Theriderreachedaquickhandforbridleandhorn，andwhenhisfoottouchedthestirrupSageKingwasintheair。Hecamedown，springy-quick，graceful，andthenheprancedintolinewiththeotherhorses。
Bostilwavedhishand。Thenthetroopofridersandracersheadedforthestarting-point，twomilesupthevalley。MacomberandBlinn，withariderandaNavajo，wereupthereastheofficialstartersoftheday。
Bostil"seyesglistened。Heputa，friendlyhandonCordts"sshoulder，anactionwhichshowedthestressofthemoment。MostofthemencrowdedaroundBostil。SearsandHutchinsonhungclosetoCordts。AndHolley，keepingnearhisemployer，hadkeeneyesforotherthingsthanhorses。
SuddenlyhetouchedBostilandpointeddowntheslope。"There"sLucy，"hesaid。"She"sridin"outtojointhebunch。"
"Lucy!Where？I"dforgottenmygirl!Where？"
"There，"repeatedHolly，andhepointed。Othersofthegroupspokeup，havingseenLucyridingdown。
"She"sonaredhoss，"saidone。
""Pearsall-firedbigtome——herhoss，"saidanother。"Who"sgotaglass？"
Bostilhadtheonlyfield-glassthereandhewasusingit。Acrosstheround，magnifiedfieldofvisionmovedagiantredhorse，hismanewavinglikeaflame。Lucyrodehim。Theyweremovingfromajumbleofbrokenrocksamiledowntheslope。Shehadkeptherhorsehiddenthere。Bostilfeltanaddedstirinhispulse-beat。Certainlyhehadneverseenahorselikethisone。Butthedistancewaslong，theglassnotperfect；hecouldnottrusthissight。
Suddenlythatsightdimmed。
"Holley，Ican"tmakeoutnothin"，"hecomplained。"Taketheglass。GivemealineonLucy"smount。"
"Boss，Idon"tneedtheglasstoseethatshe"suponaHOSS，"repliedHolley，ashetooktheglass。Heleveledit，adjustedittohiseyes，andthenlookedlong。Bostilgrewimpatient。Lucywasrapidlyoverhaulingthetroopofracersonherwaytothepost。NothingeverhurriedorexcitedHolley。
"Wal，can"tyouseeanybetter"nme？"queriedBostil，eagerly。
"Comeon，Holl，giveusatipbeforeshegitstothepost，"spokeuparider。
Cordtsshowedintenseeagerness，andallthegroupwereexcited。Lucy"sadvent，onanunknownhorsethatevenherfathercouldnotdisparage，wasthelastandunexpectedadditiontothesuspense。TheyallknewthatifthehorsewasfastLucywouldbedangerous。
Holleyatlastspoke:"She"suponawildstallion。He"sred，likefire。He"smightybig——strong。Looksasifhedidn"twanttogonearthebunch。Lord!
whataction!Bostil，I"dsay——agreathoss!"
Therewasamoment"sintensesilenceinthegrouproundBostil。Holleywasneverknowntomistakeahorseortobeextravagantinjudgmentorpraise。
"Awildstallion!"echoedBostil。"A-huh!An"shecallshimWildfire。Where"dshegethim？Gimmethetglass。"
ButallBostilcouldmakeoutwasablur。Hiseyeswerewet。HerealizednowthathisfirstsightofLucyonthestrangehorsehadbeenclearandstrong，anditwasthatwhichhaddimmedhiseyes。
"Holley，youusetheglass——an"tellmewhatcomesoff，"saidBostil，ashewipedhiseyeswithhisscarf。Hewasrelievedtofindthathissightwasclearing。"MyGod!ifIcouldn"tseethisfinish!"
Theneverybodywatchedtheclose，darkmassofhorsesandridersdownthevalley。AndallwaitedforHolleytospeak。"They"relinin"up，"begantherider。"Havin"somemuss，too，it"pears。Bostil，thetredhossisraisin"hell!Hewantstofight。There!he"supintheair。Boys，he"sadevil——ahoss-killerlikeallthemwildstallions。He"splungin"attheKing——strikin"!There!Lucy"sgothimdown。She"shandlin"him。Nowthey"vegottheKingontheotherside。Thet"sbetter。ButLucy"shosswon"tstand。Anyway，it"sarunnin"start。Van"sgotthebestposition。FoxyVan!He"llbeleadin"beforetherestknowtherace"son……ThemIndianmustangsarebehavin"scandalous。Guesstheredstallionscared"em。
Nowthey"realllinedupbackofthepost。Ah!gun-smoke!Theymove……Itlookslikeago。"
ThenHolleywassilent，strained。inwatching。Sowereallthewatcherssilent。Bostilsawfardownthevalleyamoving，darklineofhorses。
"THEY"REOFF!THEY"REOFF!"calledHolley，thrillingly。
Bostilutteredadeepandboomingyell，whichroseabovetheshoutsofthemenroundhimandwasheardeveninthedinofIndiancries。Thenasquicklyastheyellshadrisentheyceased。
Holleystoodupontherockwithleveledglass。
"Mac"sdroppedtheflag。It"sasurego。Now!Van"souttherefront——inside。TheKing"sgothisstride。Boss，theKing"sstretchin"out!。Look!Look!seethetredhossleap!Bostil，he"srunnin"downtheKing!Iknowedit。He"slikelightnin"。He"spushin"theKingover——offthecourse!Seehimplunge!Lord!Lucycan"tpullhim!Shegoesup——down——tossed——butshestickslikeaburr。Good，Lucy!Hangon!MyGawd，Bostil，theKing"sthrown!He"sdown!Hecomesup，offthecourse。
Theothersflashby。Van"soutoftherace!An"，Bostil——an"，gentlemen，thereain"tanythin"moretothisracebutaredhoss!"
Bostil"sheartgaveagreatleapandthenseemedtostandstill。Hewashalfcold，halfhot。
Whatahorrible，sickeningdisappointment。Bostilrolledoutacursingquery。
Holley"sanswerwasshortandsharp。TheKingwasout!Bostilraved。Hecouldnotsee。Hecouldnotbelieve。Afteralltheweeksofpreparation，ofexcitement，ofsuspense——onlythis!Therewasnorace。TheKingwasout!Thethingdidnotseempossible。AthousandthoughtsflittedthroughBostil"smind。Rage，impotentrage，possessedhim。HecursedVan，hesworehewouldkillthatredstallion。Andsomeoneshookhimhard。Someone"sincisivewordscutintohisthick，throbbingears:"Luckofthegame!TheKingain"tbeat!
He"sonlyout!"
Thentherider"shabitofmindasserteditselfandBostilbegantorecover。
FortheKingtofallwashardluck。Buthehadnotlosttherace!Anguishandpridebattledformasteryoverhim。EveniftheKingwereoutitwasaBostilwhowouldwinthegreatrace。
"Heain"tbeat!"mutteredBostil。"Itain"tfair!He"srunoffthetrackbyawildstallion!"
Hisdimmedsightgrewclearandsharp。Andwithagasphesawthemoving，darklinetakeshapeashorses。Abrighthorsewasinthelead。Brighterandlargerhegrew。Swiftlyandmoreswiftlyhecameon。Thebrightcolorchangedtored。
BostilheardHolleycallingandCordtscalling——andothervoices，buthedidnotdistinguishwhatwassaid。Thelineofhorsesbegantobob，tobunch。Theracelookedclose，despitewhatHolleyhadsaid。TheIndianswerebeginningtoleanforward，hereandthereutteringashort，sharpyell。EverythingwithinBostilgrewtogetherinonegreat，throbbing，tinglingmass。Hisrider"seye，keenoncemore，caughtagleamofgoldabovethered，andthatgoldwasLucy"shair。BostilforgottheKing。
ThenHolleybawledintohisear，"They"rehalf-way!"
Theracewasbeautiful。Bostilstrainedhiseyes。Hegloriedinwhathesaw——Lucylowovertheneckofthatredstallion。Hecouldseeplainernow。
Theywerecomingcloser。Howswiftly!Whatasplendidrace!Butitwastooswift——itwouldnotlast。TheIndiansbegantoyell，drowningthehoarseshoutsoftheriders。OutofthetailofhiseyeBostilsawCordtsandSearsandHutchinson。Theywereactinglikecrazymen。Strangethathorse-thievesshouldcare!ThemillionthrillswithinBostilcoalescedintoonegreatshudderofrapture。Hegrewwetwithsweat。HisstentorianvoicetookupthecallforLucytowin。
"Three-quarters!"bowledHolleyintoBostil"sear。"An"Lucy"sgivethetwildhossfreerein!Look，Bostil!Youneverinyourlifeseenahossranlikethet!"
Bostilneverhad。Hisheartswelled。Somethingshookhim。Wasthathisgirl——thattightlittlegrayburrhalfhiddeninthehugestallion"sflamingmane？ThedistancehadbeenclosebetweenLucyandthebunchedriders。
Butitlengthened。Howitwidened!Thatflameofahorsewasrunningawayfromtheothers。Andnowtheywereclose——comingintothehomestretch。Adeafeningroarfromtheonlookersengulfedallothersounds。Astraining，stamping，arm-flinginghordesurroundedBostil。
BostilsawLucy"sgoldenhairwhippingoutfromtheflame-streakedmane。Andthenhecouldonlyseethatredbruteofahorse。Wildfirebeforethewind!
Bostilthoughtoftheleapingprairieflame，storm-driven。
Oncametheredstallion——on——on!Whatatremendousstride!Whatamarvelousrecovery!Whatease!Whatsavageaction!
Heflashedpast，low，pointed，long，goingfastereverymagnificentstride——winnerbyadozenlengths。
CHAPTERXIII
Wildfireranondownthevalleyfarbeyondtheyellingcrowdlinedalongtheslope。Bostilwasdeaftothethrong；hewatchedthestalliontillLucyforcedhimtostopandturn。
ThenBostilwhirledtoseewhereVanwaswiththeKing。Mostofthecrowdsurgeddowntosurroundtheracers，andtheyellsgavewaytothebuzzofmanyvoices。SomeoftheranchersandridersremainednearBostil，allapparentlytalkingatonce。BostilgatheredthatHolley"sWhitefoothadransecond，andtheNavajo"smustangthird。ItwasHolleyhimselfwhoverifiedwhatBostilhadheard。Theoldrider"shawkeyeswerewarmwithdelight。
"Boss，herunsecond!"Holleykeptrepeating。
BostilhadthehearttoshakehandswithHolleyandsayhewasglad，whenitwasonhislipstoblurtouttherehadbeennorace。ThenBostil"snervestingledatsightofVantrottingtheKingupthecoursetowardtheslope。
Bostilwatchedwithsearchingeyes。SageKingdidnotappeartobeinjured。
Vanrodestraightuptheslopeandleapedoff。Hewaswhiteandshaking。
TheKing"sglossyhidewasdirtywithdustandbitsofcactusandbrush。Hewasnotevenhot。Theredidnotappeartobeabruiseormarkonhim。HewhinniedandrubbedhisfaceagainstBostil，andthen，flinching，hesweptuphishead，earshigh。Bothfearandfireshoneinhiseyes。
"Wal，Van，getitoutofyoursystem，"saidBostil，kindly。Hewasaharderloserbeforearacewasrunthanafterhehadlostit。
"ThetredhossruninontheKingbeforethestartan"scaredtheraceoutofhim，"repliedVan，swiftly。"Wehadahunch，youknow，butatthetLucy"shosswasasurprise。I"llsay，sir，thetLucyrodeherwildhossan"handledhim。
TwiceshepulledhimofftheKing。HemeanttokilltheKing!Askanyoftheboys。Wegotstarted。Itookthelead，sir。TheKingwasinthelead。IneverlookedbacktillIheardLucyscream。Shecouldn"tpullWildfire。Hewasrushin"theKing——meanttokillhim。An"SageKingwantedtofight。IfIcouldonlyhavekepthimrunnin"!Thetwouldhavebeenarace!。ButWildfiregotincloseran"closer。Hecrowdedus。HebitattheKing"sflankan"shoulderan"neck。LucypulledtillIyelledshe"dthrowthehossan"killusboth。ThenWildfirejumpedforus。Runnin"an"strikin"withbothfeetatonce!Bostil，thethoss"shell!Thenhehitusan"downwewent。Ihadabadspill。ButtheKing"snothurtan"thet"sablessedwonder。"
"Norace，Van!Itwashardluck。Takehimhome，"saidBostil。
Van"sstoryoftheaccidentvindicatedBostil"sdoubts。Anewhorsehadappearedonthescene，wildandswiftandgrand，butSageKingwasstillunbeateninafairrace。Therewouldcomeareckoning，Bostilgrimlymuttered。
WhoownedthisWildfire？
Holleymightaswellhavereadhismind。"Reckonthisfellerridin"upwilltakedowntheprizemoney，"remarkedHolley，andhepointedtoamanwhorodeahuge，shaggy，blackhorseandwasleadingLucy"spony。
"A-huh!"exclaimedBostil。"Astrangerider。"
"An"herecomesLucycoaxin"thestallionback，"addedHolley。
"Awildstallionneverclearbroke!"ejaculatedCordts。
AllthemenlookedandallhadsomeremarkofpraiseforLucyandhermount。
Bostilgazedwithastrange，irresistibleattraction。Neverhadheexpectedtolivetoseeawildstallionlikethisone，tosaynothingofhisdaughtermountedonhim，withtherecordofhavingputSageKingoutoftherace!
AthousandpairsofeyeswatchedWildfire。Heprancedouttherebeyondthecrowdofmenandhorses。Hedidnotwanttocomecloser。Yethedidnotseemtofighthisrider。Lucyhunglowoverhisneck，apparentlyexhausted，andshewaspattinghimandcaressinghim。TherewerehorsesandIndiansoneachsideoftheracetrack，andbetweentheselinesLucyappearedreluctanttocome。
Bostilstrodedownand，wavingandyellingforeverybodytomovebacktotheslope，heclearedthewayandthenstoodoutinfrontalone。
"Rideup，now，"hecalledtoLucy。
ItwasthenBostildiscoveredthatLucydidnotwearaspurandshehadneitherquirtnorwhip。SheturnedWildfireandhecameprancingon，headandmaneandtailerect。Hisactionwasbeautiful，springy，andeveryfewsteps，asLucytouchedhim，hejumpedwithmarvelouseaseandswiftness。
Bostilbecamealleyes。Hedidnotseehisdaughterassheparadedthewinnerbeforetheapplaudingthrong。AndBostilrecordedinhismindthatwhichhewouldneverforget——awildstallion，withunbrokenspirit；agiantofahorse，glisteningred，withmanelikedark-striped，wind-blownflame，allmuscle，allgrace，allpower；anecklongandslenderandarchingtothesmall，savagelybeautifulhead；thejawsopen，andthethin-skinned，pink-colorednostrilsthatprovedtheArabianblood；theslantingshouldersandthedeep，broadchest，thepowerfullegsandkneesnottoohighnortoolow，thesymmetricaldarkhoofsthatrangonthelittlestones——allthesemarkssosignificantofspeedandendurance。Astallionwithawonderfulphysicalperfectionthatmatchedthesavage，ruthlessspiritofthedesertkillerofhorses!
Lucywavedherhand，andthestrangeridertowhomHolleyhadcalledattentionstrodeoutofthecrowdtowardWildfire。
Bostil"sgazetookinthesplendidbuildofthislitherider，theclean-cutface，thedarkeye。Thisfellowhadashiny，coiledlassoinhand。HeadvancedtowardWildfire。Thestallionsnortedandplunged。IfeverBostilrawhateexpressedbyahorsehesawitthen。Butheseemedtobetractabletothecontrolofthegirl。Bostilswiftlygraspedthestrangesituation。Lucyhadwontheloveofthesavagestallion。Thatalwayshadbeenthesecretofherpower。AndshehadhatedSageKingbecausehealonehadsomehowtakenadisliketoher。Horseswereasqueeraspeople，thoughtBostil。
TheriderwalkedstraightuptothetremblingWildfire。WhenWildfireplungedandrearedupanduptheriderleapedforthebridleandwithanironarmpulledthehorsedown。Wildfiretriedagain，almostliftingtherider，butastingingcutfromthelassomadehimcometoastand。Plainlytheriderheldthemastery。
"Dad!"calledLucy，faintly。
Bostilwentforward，close，whiletheriderheldWildfire。Lucywasaswan-facedasaflowerbymoonlight。Hereyesweredarkwithemotions，fearpredominating。ThenforBostilthehalfofhisheartthatwashumanreasserteditself。Lucywasonlyagirlnow，andweakening。Herfear，herpitifullittlesmile，asifshedarednothopeforherfather"sapprovalyetcouldnothelpit，touchedBostiltothequick，andheopenedhisarms。Lucysliddownintothem。
"Lucy，girl，you"vewontheKing"sracean"double-crossedyourpoorolddad!"
"Oh，Dad，Ineverknew——IneverdreamedWildfire——wouldjumptheKing，"Lucyfaltered。"Icouldn"tholdhim。Hewasterrible。Itmademesick。
Daddy，tellmeVanwasn"thurt——ortheKing!"
"Thehoss"sallrightan"so"sVan，"repliedBostil。"Don"tcry，Lucy。Itwasafooltrickyoupulledoff，butyoudiditgreat。ByGad!yousurewasridin"
thetreddevil。An"say，it"sallrightwithme!"
Lucydidnotfaintthen，butshecamenearit。BostilputherdownandledherthroughthelinesofadmiringIndiansandapplaudingriders，andleftherwiththewomen。
WhenheturnedagainhewasintimetoseethestrangeridermountWildfire。
Itwasaswiftandhazardousmount，thestallionbeingintheair。Whenhecamedownhetoretheturfandsentitflying，andwhenheshotupagainhewasdoubledinaredknot，bristlingwithfieryhair，afuriouswildbeast，madtothrowtherider。Bostilneverheardaswildascreamutteredbyahorse。Likewisehehadneverseensoincomparableahorsemanasthisstranger。
Indiansandridersalikethrilledatasightwhichwasaftertheirownhearts。
Theriderhadhookedhislongspursunderthehorseandnowappearedapartofhim。Hecouldnotbedislodged。Thiswasnotabuckingmustang，butafierce，powerful，fightingstallion。Nodoubt，thoughtBostil，thisfighttookplaceeverytimetheridermountedhishorse。Itwasthesortofthingridersloved。
Mostofthemwouldnotownahorsethatwouldnotpitch。Bostilpresentlydecided，however，thatinthecaseofthisredstallionnoriderinhisrightsenseswouldcareforsuchafight，simplybecauseoftheextraordinarystrengths，activity，andferocityofthestallion。
Theriderswereallbettingthehorsewouldthrowthestranger。AndBostil，seeingthegatheringmightofWildfire"smomentum，agreedwiththem。Nohorsemancouldstickonthathorse。SuddenlyWildfiretrippedinthesage，andwentsprawlinginthedust，throwinghisriderahead。Bothmanandbeastwerequicktorise，buttheriderhadafootinthestirrupbeforeWildfirewasunderway。Thenthehorseplunged，ranfree，camecirclingback，andslowlygavewaytotherider"scontrol。Thosefewmomentsoffrenziedactivityhadbroughtoutthefoamandthesweat——Wildfirewaswet。ThemanpulledhiminbeforeBostilanddismounted。
"SometimesIridehim。thensometimesIdon"t，"hesaid，withasmile。
Bostilheldouthishand。Helikedthisrider。Hewouldhavelikedthefrankface，lesshardthanthatofmostriders，andthefine，darkeyes，straightandsteady，eveniftheirpossessorhadnotcomewiththeopensesametoBostil"sregard——agrand，wildhorse，andthenervetoridehim。
"Wal，yourodehimlonger"nanyofusfiggered"saidBostil，heartilyshakingtheman"shand。"I"mBostil。Gladtomeetyou。"
"Myname"sSlone——LinSlone，"repliedtherider，frankly。"I"mawild-horsehunteran"hailfromUtah。"
"Utah？How"dyouevergetover？Wal，you"vegotagrandhoss——an"youputagrandrideruponhimintherace。MygirlLucy——"
Bostilhesitated。Hismindwasrunningswiftly。BackofhisthoughtsgatheredthedesireandthedeterminationtogetpossessionofthishorseWildfire。Hehadforgottenwhathemighthavesaidtothisstrangerunderdifferentcircumstances。HelookedkeenlyintoSlone"sfaceandsawnofear，nosubterfuge。Theyoungmanwashonest。
"Bostil，Ichasedthiswildhorsedaysan"weeksan"months，hundredsofmiles——acrossthecanyonan"theriver——"
"No!"interruptedBostil，blankly。
"Yes。I"lltellyouhowlater。OutheresomewhereIcaughtWildfire，brokehimasmuchashe"lleverbebroken。Heplayedmeoutan"gotaway。Yourgirlrodealong——savedmyhorse——an"savedmylife，too。Iwasinbadshapefordays。ButIgotwell——an"——an"thenshewantedmetoletherrunWildfireinthebigrace。Icouldn"trefuse。An"itwouldhavebeenagreatracebutfortheunluckyaccidenttoSageKing。I"msorry，sir。"
"Slone，itjarredmesome，thetdisappointment。Butit"sover，"repliedBostil。"An"sothet"showLucyfoundherhoss。Shesurewasmysterious。
Wal，wal。"Bostilbecameawareofothersbehindhim。"Holley，shakehandswithSlone，hoss-wrangleroutofUtah。You，too，CalBlinn。An"