第9章
Macomber——an"Wetherby，meetmyfriendhere——youngSlone。An"，Cordts，shakehandswithafellerthetownsagrandhoss!"
Bostillaughedasheintroducedthehorse-thieftoSlone。Theotherslaughed，too，evenCordtsjoiningin。TherewasmuchoftheoldriderdaredevilspiritleftinBostil，anditinterestedandamusedhimtoseeCordtsandSlonemeet。
AssuredlySlonehadheardofthenotedstealerofhorses。TheadvantagewascertainlyonCordts"sside，forhewasgood-naturedandpleasantwhileSlonestiffened，palingslightlyashefacedabouttoacknowledgetheintroduction。
"Howdy，Slone，"drawledCordts，withhandoutstretched。"Isureamgladtomeetyuh。I"dliketotradetheSageKingforthisredstallion!"
Aroaroflaughtergreetedthissally，allbutBostilandSlonejoiningin。
ThejokewasonBostil，andheshowedit。Slonedidnotevensmile。
"Howdy，Cordts，"hereplied。"I"mgladtomeetyou——soI"llknowyouwhenI
seeyouagain。"
"Wal，we"reallgoodfellersto-day，"interposedBostil。"An"nowlet"sridehomean"eat。Slone，youcomewithme。"
Thegroupslowlymountedtheslopewherethehorseswaited。Macomber，Wetherby，Burthwait，Blinn——allBostil"sfriendsprofferedtheirfelicitationstotheyoungrider，andallwereevidentlyprepossessedwithhim。
Thesunwaslowinthewest；purpleshadeswereblottingoutthegoldlightsdownthevalley；thedayofthegreatraceswasalmostdone。Indianswerestillscatteredhereandthereingroups；otherswereturningoutthemustangs；andthemajoritywereridingandwalkingwiththecrowdtowardthevillage。
BostilobservedthatCordtshadhurriedaheadofthegroupandnowappearedtobesayingsomethingemphatictoDickSearsandHutchinson。BostilheardCordtscurse。ProbablyhewasarraigningthesullenSears。Cordtshadactedfirstrate——hadliveduptohisword，asBostilthoughthewoulddo。CordtsandHutchinsonmountedtheirhorsesandrodeoff，somewhattotheleftofthescatteredcrowd。ButSearsremainedbehind。Bostilthoughtthisstrangeandputitdowntothesurlinessofthefellow，whohadlostontheraces。Bostil，wishingSearswouldgetoutofhissight，resolvednevertomakeanotherblunderlikeinvitinghorse-thievestoarace。
AllthehorsesexceptWildfirestoodinabunchbackonthebench。Searsappearedtobefussingwiththestrapsonhissaddle。AndBostilcouldnotkeephisglancefromwanderingbacktogloatoverWildfire"ssavagegraceandstrikingsize。
Suddenlytherecameahaltintheconversationofthemen，acurseinHolley"sdeepvoice，aviolentsplitinthegroup。BostilwheeledtoseeSearsinamenacingpositionwithtwogunsleveledlow。
"Don"tholler!"hecalled。"An"don"tmove!"
"What"ntheh——lnow，Sears？"demandedBostil。
"I"llboreyouifyoumove——thet"swhat!"repliedSears。Hiseyes，bold，steely，withaglintthatBostilknew，vibratedasheheldinsightallpointsbeforehim。Aviciouslittlesand-rattlesnakeabouttostrike!
"Holley，turnyerback!"orderedSears。
Theoldrider，whostoodforemostofthegroup"instantlyobeyed，withhandsup。Hetooknochanceshere，forhealonepackedagun。WithswiftstepsSearsmoved，pulledHolley"sgun，flungitasideintothesage。
"Sears，itain"tahold-up!"expostulatedBostil。Theactseemedtoobold，toowildevenforDickSears。
"Ain"tit？"scoffedSears，malignantly。"Bostil，IwasaftertheKing。ButI
reckonI"llgitthehossthetbeathim!"
Bostil"sfaceturneddark-bloodcolorandhisneckswelled。"ByGawd，Sears!
Youain"ta-goin"tostealthisboy"shoss!"
"Shutup!"hissedthehorse-thief。HepushedagunclosetoBostil。"I"vealwayslaidferyou!I"machin"toboreyounow。Iwouldbutferscarin"thishoss。IfyouyapagainI"llKILLYOU，anyhow，an"takeachance!"
Alltheterriblehateandevilandcrueltyanddeadlinessofhiskindburnedinhiseyesandstunginhisvoice。
"Sears，ifit"smyhorseyouwantyouneedn"tkillBostil，"spokeupSlone。
Thecontrastofhiscool，quietvoiceeasedtheterriblestrain。
"Leadhimroundhyar!"snappedSears。
Wildfireappearedmoreshyofthehorsesbackofhimthanofthemen。Slonewasabletoleadhim，however，towithinseveralpacesofSears。ThenSlonedroppedthereins。Hestillheldalassowhichwaslooselycoiled，andtheloopdroppedinfrontofhimashebackedaway。
Searssheathedtheleft-handgun。Keepingthegroupcoveredwiththeother，hemovedbackward，reachingforthehangingreins。Wildfiresnorted，appearedabouttojump。ButSearsgotthereins。Bostil，standinglikeastone，hiscompanionsalsomotionless，couldnothelpbutadmirethedaringofthisuplandhorse-thief。Howwashetomountthatwildstallion？Searswasnotedfortwoqualities——hisnervebeforemenandhisskillwithhorses。Assuredlyhewouldnotriskanordinarymount。WildfirebegantosuspectSears——tolookathiminsteadoftheotherhorses。ThenquickasacatSearsvaultedintothesaddle。Wildfiresnortedandliftedhisforefeetinalungethatmeanthewouldbolt。
Searsinvaultinguphadswungthegunaloft。Hesweptitdown，butwaveringly，forWildfirehadbeguntorear。
BostilsawhowfatalthatsingleinstantwouldhavebeenforSearsifheorHolleyhadagun。
Somethingwhistled。BostilsawtheleapofSlone"slasso——thecurling，snakydartofthenoosewhichflewuptosnaparoundSears。Theropesungtaut。
Searswassweptbodilycleanfromthesaddle，tohitthegroundinsoddenimpact。
AlmostswifterthanBostil"ssightwastheactionofSlone——flashingby——intheair——himselfontheplunginghorse。Searsshotonce，twice。ThenWildfireboltedashisriderwhippedthelassoroundthehorn。Sears，halfrising，wasjerkedtenfeet。Anawfulshriekwasthrottledinhisthroat。
Astreakofdustontheslope——atearing，partinglineinthesage!
Bostilstoodamazed。Theredstallionmadeshortplunges。Slonereachedlowforthetrippingreins。WhenhestraightenedupinthesaddleWildfirebrokewildlyintoarun。
ItwascharacteristicofHolleythatatthisthrilling，tragicinstanthewalkedoverintothesagetopickuphisgun。
"Throwedagunonme，gotthedrop，an"pitchedmineaway!"mutteredHolley，indisgust。Thewayhespokemeantthathewasdisgraced。
"MyGawd!IwasscaredthetSearswouldgetthehoss!"rolledoutBostil。
Holleythoughtofhisgun；Bostilthoughtofthesplendidhorse。Thethoughtswerecharacteristicoftheseriders。Theothermen，however，recoveringfromahorror-brokensilence，burstoutinacclaimofSlone"sfeat。
"DickSears"sfinish!Ropedbyaboyrider!"exclaimedCalBlinn，fervidly。
"Bostil，thatriderisworthyofhishorse，"saidWetherby。"IthinkSearswouldhaveboredyou。Isawhisfingerpressing——pressingonthetrigger。MenlikeSearscan"thelpbutpullatthatstage。"
"ThetwasthequickesttrickIeverseen，"declaredMacomber。
TheywatchedWildfirerundowntheslope，outintothevalley，withastreakofrisingdustoutbehind。Theyallsawwhenthereceasedtobethatpeculiarrisingofdust。Wildfireappearedtoshootaheadatgreaterspeed。Thenheslowedup。Theriderturnedhimandfacedbacktowardthegroup，comingatastiffgallop。SoonWildfirebreastedtheslope，andhalted，snorting，shakingbeforethemen。Thelassowasstilltrailingoutbehind，limpandsagging。
Therewasnoweightuponitnow。
Bostilstrodeslowlyahead。HesympathizedwiththetensionthatheldSlone；
heknewwhytherider"sfacewasgray，whyhislipsonlymovedmutely，whytherewashorrorinthedark，strainedeyes，whythelean，stronghands，slowlytakingupthelasso，nowshooklikeleavesinthewind。
Therewasonlydustonthelasso。ButBostilknew——theyallknewthatnonethelessithaddealtaterribledeathtothehorse-thief。
SomehowBostilcouldnotfindwordsforwhathewantedtosay。Heputahandontheredstallion——pattedhisshoulder。ThenhegrippedSlonecloseandhard。Hewasthinkinghowhewouldhavegloriedinasonlikethisyoung，wildrider。Thenheagainfacedhiscomrades。
"Fellers，doyouthinkCordtswasinonthettrick？"hequeried。
"Nope。Cordtswasonthesquare，"repliedHolley。"Buthemusthaveseenitcomin"an"leftSearstohisfate。Itsurewasafittin"lastrideforahoss-thief。"
BostilsentHolleyandFarlaneonaheadtofindCordtsandHutchinson，withtheircomrades，totellthemthefateofSears，andtowarnthemtoleavebeforethenewsgottotheriders。
Thesunwassettinggoldenandredoverthebrokenbattlementsofthecanyonstothewest。Theheatofthedayblewawayonabreezethatbentthetipsofthesage-brush。Awildsongdriftedbackfromtheriderstothefore。AndtheprocessionofIndiansmovedalong，theirgaytrappingsandbrightcolorsbeautifulinthefadingsunsetlight。
WhenBostiland，hisguestsarrivedatthecorrals，Holley，withFarlaneandotherriders，werewaiting。
"Boss，"saidHolley，"Cordtsan"hisoutfitneverridin。TheywaslastseenbysomeNavajosheadin"forthecanyon。"
"Thet"sgood!"ejaculatedBostil，inrelief。"Walboys，lookafterthehosses……Slone，justturnWildfireovertotheboyswithinstructions，an"feelsafe。"
Farlanescratchedhisheadandlookeddubious。"I"mwonderin"howsafeit"llbeferus。"
"I"lllookafterhim，"saidSlone。
BostilnoddedasifhehadexpectedSlonetorefusetoletanyriderputthestallionawayforthenight。Wildfirewouldnotgointothebarn，andSloneledhimintooneofthehigh-barredcorrals。Bostilwaited，talkingwithhisfriends，untilSlonereturned，andthentheywenttowardthehouse。
"Ireckonwecouldn"tgetinsideBrack"splacenow，"remarkedBostil。"ButinacaselikethisIcanscareupadrink。"Lightsfromthewindowsshonebrightthroughthedarknessunderthecottonwoods。Bostilhaltedatthedoor，asifsuddenlyremembering，andhewhispered，huskily:"Let"skeepthewomenfromlearnin"aboutSears——to-night，anyway。"
Thenheledthewaythroughthebigdoorintothehugeliving-room。Therewerehanging-lightsonthewallsandblazingsticksonthehearth。Lucycamerunningintomeetthem。ItdidnotescapeBostil"skeeneyesthatshewasdressedinherbestwhitedress。Hehadneverseenherlooksosweetandpretty，and，forthatmatter，sostrange。Theflush，thedarknessofhereyes，theaddedsomethinginherface，tender，thoughtful，strong——thesewerenew。
Bostilponderedwhileshewelcomedhisguests。Slone，whohadhungback，waslastinturn。Lucygreetedhimasshehadtheothers。Slonemetherwithawkwardconstraint。Thegrayhadnotlefthisface。Lucylookedupathimagain，anddifferently。
"What——whathashappened？"sheasked。
ItannoyedBostilthatSloneandallthemensuddenlylookedblank。
"Why，nothin"，"repliedSlone，slowly，""ceptI"mfaggedout。"
Lucy，oranyothergirl，couldhaveseenthathe，wasevadingthetruth。SheflashedalookfromSlonetoherfather。
"Untilto-dayweneverhadabigracethatsomethingdreadfuldidn"thappen，"
saidLucy。"Thiswasmyday——myrace。And，oh!Iwantedittopasswithout——without——"
"Wal，Lucydear，"repliedBostil，asshefaltered。"Nothin"cameoffthet"dmakeyoufeelbad。YoungSlonehadascareabouthishoss。Wildfire"ssafeoutthereinthecorral，an"he"llbeguardedliketheKingan"Sarch。Sloneneedsadrinkan"somethin"toeat，sameasallofus。"
Lucy"scolorreturnedandhersmile，butBostilnotedthat，whileshewasservingthemandbrightlyresponsivetocompliments，shegavemorethanonesteadyglanceatSlone。Shewasdeep，thoughtBostil，anditangeredhimalittlethatsheshowedinterestinwhatconcernedthisstrangerider。
Thentheyhaddinner，withtwelveattable。ThewivesofBostil"sthreefriendshadbeenhelpingAuntJanepreparethefeast，andtheyaddedtothemerriment。Bostilwasnotmuchgiventosocialintercourse——hewouldhavepreferredtobewithhishorsesandriders——butthisnightheoutdidhimselfashost，amazedhissisterJane，whoevidentlythoughthedranktoomuch，anddelightedLucy。Bostil"soutwardappearanceandhisspeechandactionneverreflectedalltheworkingsofhismind。Noonewouldeverknowthedepthofhisbitterdisappointmentattheoutcomeoftherace。WithCreech"sBlueRoanoutoftheway，anotherhorse，swifterandmoredangerous，hadcomealongtospoiltheKing"schance。BostilfeltasubtlyincreasingcovetousnessinregardtoWildfire，andthiscoloredallhistalkandaction。Theuplandcountry，vastandrangy，wasforBostiltoosmalltoholdSageKingandWildfireunlesstheybothbelongedtohim。AndwhenoldCalBlinngavearingingtoasttoLucy，hopingtolivetoseeheruponWildfireinthegrandracethatmustberunwiththeKing，Bostilfeltstirinhimthebirthofasubtle，bitterfear。Atfirsthemockedit。He——Bostil——afraidtorace!Itwasalieoftheexcitedmind。Herepudiatedit。Insidiouslyitreturned。Hedrowneditdown——smothereditwithpassion。Thentheghostofitremained，hauntingly。
AfterdinnerBostilwiththemenwentdowntoBrackton"s，whereSloneandthewinnersofthedayreceivedtheirprizes。
"Why，it"smoremoneythanIeverhadinmywholelife!"exclaimedSlone，gazingincredulouslyatthegold。
Bostilwasamusedandpleased，andbackofbothamusementandpleasurewastheoldinventive，drivingpassiontogainhisownends。
Bostilwasabnormallygenerousinmanyways；monstrouslyselfishinoneway。
"Slone，Iseenyoudidn"tdrinknone，"hesaid，curiously。
"No；Idon"tlikeliquor。"
"Doyougamble？"
"Ilikealittlebet——onarace，"repliedSlone，frankly。
"Wal，thetain"tgamblin"。Thesefoolridersofminewillbetontheswitchin"
ofahoss"stail。"HedrewSlonealittleasidefromtheothers，whowereinterestedinBrackton"sdeliveryofthedifferentprizes。"Slone，how"dyouliketorideforme？"
Sloneappearedsurprised。"Why，Ineverrodeforanyone，"hereplied，slowly。
"Ican"tstandtobetieddown。I"mahorse-hunter，youknow。"
Bostileyedtheyoungman，wonderingwhatheknewaboutthedifficultiesofthejoboffered。ItwasnonewstoBostilthathewasatoncethebestandtheworstmantorideforinalltheuplands。
"Sure，Iknow。Butthetdoesn"tmakenodifference，"wentonBostil，persuasively。"Ifwegotalong——wal，you"dsavesomeofthetyellowcoinyou"rejinglin"。Aroamin"riderneverbuildsnocorral!"
"Thankyou，Bostil，"repliedSlone，earnestly。"I"llthinkitover。Itwouldseemkindoftamenowtogobacktowild-horsewranglin"，afterI"vecaughtWildfire。I"llthinkitover。MaybeI"lldoit，ifyou"resureI"mgoodenoughwithropean"horse。"
"Wal，byGawd!"blurtedoutBostil。"Holleysayshe"dratheryouthrowedagunonhimthanarope!SowouldI。An"asforyourhandlin"ahoss，Ineverseennobetter。"
Sloneappearedembarrassedandkeptstudyingthegoldcoinsinhispalm。SomeonetouchedBostil，who，turning，sawBracktonathiselbow。TheothermenwerenowbanteringwiththeIndians。
"ComenowwhileI"vegotaminnit，"saidBrackton，takingupalantern。"I"vesomethin"toshowyou。"
BostilfollowedBrackton，andSlonecamealong。Theoldmanopenedadoorintoasmallroom，halffullofstoresandtrack。Thelanternonlydimlylightedtheplace。
"Lookthar!"AndBracktonflashedthelightuponamanlyingprostrate。
BostilrecognizedthepalefaceofJoelCreech。"Brack!What"sthis？Ishedead？"Bostilsustainedastrange，incomprehensibleshock。Sightofadeadmanhadneverbeforeshockedhim。
"Nope，heain"tdead，whichifhewasmightbegoodforthiscommunity，"
repliedBrackton。"He"sonlyfalleninafit。FustoffIreckonedhewasdrunk。Butitain"tthet。"
"Wal，whatdoyouwanttoshowhimtomefor？"demandedBostil，gruffly。
"Ireckonedyououghterseehim。"
"An"why，Brackton？"
Bracktonsetdownthelanternand，pushingSloneoutside，said:"Jestaminnit，son，"andthenheclosedthedoor。"Joel"sbeenonmyhandssincethefloodcuthimofffromhome，"saidBrackton。"An"he"sbeensometrial。Butnobodyelsewouldhavedonenothin"forhim，soIhadto。IreckonIfeltsorryforhim。Hecriedlikeababythethadlostitsmother。Thenhegetswild-lookin"an"ravedaround。WhenIwasn"tbusyIkeptaneyeonhim。ButsomeofthetimeIcouldn"t，an"hestoledrinks，whichmadehimwuss。An"
whenIseenhewastryin"tosneakoneofmyguns，Iupan"getssuspicious。
Oncehesaid，"Mydad"shossesaregoin"tostarve，an"I"mgoin"tokillsomebody!"Hewasoutofhisheadan"dangerous。Wal，Iwasworriedsome，butallIcoulddowaslockupmyguns。LastnightIcaughthimconfabin"withsomemenoutinthedark，behindthestore。TheyallskedaddledexceptJoel，butIrecognizedCordts。Ididn"tlikethis，nuther。Joelwassurlyan"ugly。
An"whenoneoftheriderscalledhimhesaid:"ThetboatNEVERDRIFTEDOFF。
FerthenightofthefloodIwentdowntheremyselfan"tiedtheropes。Theynevercomeuntied。Somebodycutthem——jestbeforetheflood——tomakesuremydad"shossescouldn"tbecrossed。Somebodyfiggeredtheriveran"theflood。
An"ifmydad"shossesstarveI"mgoin"tokillsomebody!""
Bracktontookupthelanternandplacedahandonthedoorreadytogoout。
"ThenariderpunchedJoel——Ineverseenwho——an"Joelhadafit。Idraggedhiminhere。An"asyousee，heain"tcometoyet。"
"Wal，Brackton，theboy"scrazy，"saidBostil。
"SoIreckon。An"I"mafearedhe"llburnusout——he"scrazyonfires，anyway——ordosomethin"like。"
"He"ssureaproblem。Wal，we"llsee，"repliedBostil，soberly。
AndtheywentouttofindSlonewaiting。ThenBostilcalledhisguests，andwithSlonealsoaccompanyinghim，wenthome。
Bostilthrewofftherecurringgloom，andhewasgood-naturedwhenLucycametohisroomtosaygoodnight。Heknewshehadcometosaymorethanthat。
"Hello，daughter!"hesaid。"Aren"tyouashamedtocomefacin"yourpoorolddad？"
Lucyeyedhimdubiously。"No，I"mnotashamed。ButI"mstillalittle——afraid。"
"I"mharmless，child。I"mabrokenman。WhenyouputSageKingoutoftheraceyoubrokeme。"
"Dad，thatisn"tfunny。Youmakemean——angrywhenyouhintIdidsomethingunderhand。"
"Wal，youdidn"tconsultME。"
"Ithoughtitwouldbefuntosurpriseyouall。Why，you"realwaysdelightedwithasurpriseinarace，unlessitbeatsyou。Then，itwasmygreatandonlychancetogetoutinfrontoftheKing。Oh，howgrandit"dhavebeen!
Dad，I"dhaverunawayfromhimthesameastheothers!"
"No，youwouldn"t，"declaredBostil。
"Dad，WildfirecanbeattheKing!"
"Never，girl!Knockin"agood-temperedhossoffhispinsain"tbeatin"himinarunnin"-race。"
Thenfatheranddaughterfoughtovertheoldscore，theonedoggedly，imperturbably，theotherspiritedly，withflashingeyes。Itwasdifferentthistime，however，foritendedinLucysayingBostilwouldneverriskanotherrace。ThatstungBostil，anditcosthimanefforttocontrolhistemper。
"Letthetgonow。TellmeallabouthowyousavedWildfire，an"Slone，too。"
Lucyreadilybeganthenarrative，andshehadscarcelystartedbeforeBostilfoundhimselfintenselyinterested。Soonhebecameabsorbed。Thatwasthemostthrillingandmovingkindofromancetohim，likehisrider"sdreams。
"Lucy，you"resureagamekid，"hesaid，fervidly，whenshehadended。"I
reckonIdon"tblameSloneforfallin"inlovewithyou。"
"WhosaidTHAT!"inquiredLucy。
"Nobody。Butit"strue——ain"tit？"
Shelookedupwitheyesastrueasevertheywere，yetalittlesad，hethought，alittlewistfulandwondering，asifastrangeandgravethingconfrontedher。
"Yes，Dad——it"s——it"strue，"sheanswered，haltingly。
"Wal，youdidn"tneedtotellme，butI"mgladyoudid。"
Bostilmeanttoaskherthenifsheinanysensereturnedtherider"slove，butunaccountablyhecouldnotputthequestion。Thegirlwasastrueasever——asgoodasgold。Bostilfearedasecretthatmighthurthim。justassureaslifewasthereanddeathbutastepaway，somerider，soonerorlater，wouldwinthisgirl"slove。Bostilknewthat，hatedit，fearedit。Yethewouldnevergivehisgirltoabeggarlyrider。SuchamanasWetherbyoughttowinLucy"shand。AndBostildidnotwanttoknowtoomuchatpresent；hedidnotwanthisswift-mountinganimosityrousedsosoon。Stillhewascurious，and，wantingtogetthedriftofLucy"smind，hetooktohisoldhabitofteasing。
"Anothermoonstruckrider!"hesaid。"Youreyesaresurefullmoons，Lucy。I"dbeashamedtotriflewiththesepoorfellers。"
"Dad!"
"You"reaheartlessflirt——sameasyourmotherwasbeforeshemetME。"
"I"mnot。AndIdon"tbelievemotherwas，either，"repliedLucy。Itwaseasytostrikefirefromher。
"Wal，youdiddeadwrongtorideouttheredayafterdaymeetin"Slone，because——youngwoman——ifheeverhasthenervetoaskmeforyouI"llbeathimupbad。"
"Thenyou"dbeabrute!"retortedLucy。
"Wal，mebbe，"returnedBostil，secretlydelightedandsurprisedatLucy"sfailuretoseethroughhim。Butshewaslookinginward。Hewonderedwhathidtheredeepinher。"ButIcan"tstandforthenerveofthet。"
"He——hemeansto——toaskyou。"
"Theh。A-huh!"
Lucydidnotcatchtheslipoftongue。Shewasflushingnow。"Hesaidhe"dneverhaveletmemeethimouttherealone——unless——he——helovedme——andasourneighborsandtheriderswouldlearnofit——andtalk——hewantedyouandthemtoknowhe"daskedto——tomarryme。"
"Wal，he"sasquareyoungman!"ejaculatedBostil，involuntarily。ItwashardforBostiltohidehissincerityandimpulsiveness；muchharderthantohideunworthyattributes。Thenhegotbackontheothertrack。"That"llmakemetreathimdecent，sowhenheridesuptoaskforyouI"lllethimoffwith，"No!"
Lucydroppedherhead。Bostilwouldhavegivenallhehad，excepthishorses，tofeelsureshedidnotcareforSlone。
"Dad——Isaid——"No"——formyself，"shemurmured。
ThistimeBostildidnotwithholdtheprofanewordofsurprise。"。Sohe"saskedyou，then？Wal，wal!When？"
"To-day——outthereintherockswherehewaitedwithWildfireforme。
He——he——"
Lucyslippedintoherfather"sarms，andherslenderformshook。Bostilinstinctivelyfeltwhatshethenneededwashermother。Hermotherwasdead，andhewasonlyarough，old，hardrider。Hedidnotknowwhattodo——tosay。
Hisheartsoftenedandheclaspedherclose。Ithurthimkeenlytorealizethathemighthavebeenabetter，kinderfatherifitwerenotforthefearthatshewouldfindhimout。Butthatprovedhelovedher，cravedherrespectandaffection。
"Wal，littlegirl，tellme，"hesaid。
"He——hebrokehiswordtome。"
"A-huh!Thet"stoobad。An"howdidhe？"
"He——he——"Lucyseemedtocatchhertongue。
Bostilwaspositiveshehadmeanttotellhimsomethingandsuddenlychangedhermind。Subtlythechildvanished——awomanremained。Lucysatupself-possessedoncemore。Somepowerfullyimpellingthoughthadtransformedher。Bostil"skeensensegatheredthatwhatshewouldnottellwasnotherstoreveal。Forherself，shewasthesoulofsimplicityandfrankness。
"DaysagoItoldhimIcaredforhim，shewenton。"ButIforbadehimtospeakofittome。Hepromised。Iwantedtowaittillaftertherace——tillafterI
hadfoundcouragetoconfesstoyou。Hebrokehisword。TodaywhenheputmeuponWildfirehe——hesuddenlylosthishead。"
TheslowscarletwelledintoLucy"sfaceandhereyesgrewshamed，butbravelyshekeptfacingherfather。
"He——hepulledmeoff——hehuggedme——hek-kissedme。Oh，itwasdreadful-shameful!ThenIgavehimback——some——somethinghehadgivenme。AndItoldhimI——Ihatedhim——andItoldhim，"No!""
"Butyourodehishossintherace，"saidBostil。
Lucybowedherheadatthat。"I——Icouldn"tresist!"
Bostilstrokedthebrighthead。Whataquandaryforathick-skulledoldhorseman!"Wal，itseemstomeSlonedidn"tactsobad，considerin"。You"dtoldhimyoucaredforhim。Ifitwasn"tforthet!IrememberIdidmuchthesametoyourmother。Sheraisedthedevil，butIneverseenasshecaredanylessforme。"
"I"llneverforgivehim，"Lucycried，passionately。"Ihatehim。Amanwhobreakshiswordinonethingwilldoitinanother。"
Bostilsadlyrealizedthathislittlegirlhadreachedwomanhoodandlove，andwiththemthesweet，bitterpangsoflife。Herealizedalsothatherewasacrisiswhenaword——anunjustorlyingwordfromhimwouldforeverruinanyhopethatmightstillexistforSlone。Bostilrealizedthisacutely，buttherealizationwasnotevenatemptation。
"Wal，listen。I"mboundtoconfessyournewriderissureswift。An"，Lucy，to-dayifhehadn"tbeenasswiftwitharopeasheisinlove——wal，yourolddaddymightbedead!"
Shegrewaswhiteasherdress。"Oh，Dad!IKNEWsomethinghadhappened，"shecried，reachingforhim。
ThenBostiltoldherhowDickSearshadmenacedhim——howSlonehadfoiledthehorse-thief。Hetoldthestorybluntly，buteloquently，withallarider"spraise。Lucyrosewithhandspressedagainstherbreast。WhenhadBostilseeneyeslikethose——dark，shining，wonderful？Ah!herememberedhermother"sonce——onlyonce，asagirl。
ThenLucykissedhimandwithoutawordfledfromtheroom。
Bostilstaredafterher。"D——nme!"heswore，ashethrewabootagainstthewall。"IreckonI"llneverlethermarrySlone，butIjusthadtotellherwhatIthinkofhim!"
CHAPTERXIV
Slonelaywideawakeunderanopenwindow，watchingthestarsglimmerthroughtherustlingfoliageofthecottonwoods。Somewherealonesomehoundbayed。
Veryfaintlycamethesilverytinkleofrunningwater。
ForfivedaysSlonehadbeenaguestofBostil"s，andthewholefivedayshadbeentorment。
OnthemorningofthedayaftertheracesLucyhadconfrontedhim。Wouldheeverforgethereyes——hervoice？"Blessyouforsavingmydad!"shehadsaid。
"Itwasbrave。Butdon"tletdadfoolyou。Don"tbelieveinhiskindness。Aboveall，don"trideforhim!HeonlywantsWildfire，andifhedoesn"tgethimhe"llhateyou!"
ThatspeechofLucy"shadmadethesucceedingdayshardforSlone。Bostilloadedhimwithgiftsandkindnesses，andneverceasedimportuninghimtoaccepthisoffers。ButforLucy，Slonewouldhaveaccepted。ItwasshewhocastthefirstdoubtofBostilintohismind。Lucyaverredthatherfatherwassplendidandgoodineverywayexceptinwhatpertainedtofasthorses；therehewasimpossible。
ThegreatstallionthatSlonehadnearlysacrificedhislifetocatchwaslikeathornintherider"sflesh。Slonelaythereinthedarkness，restless，hot，rollingfromsidetoside，orstaringoutatthestar-studdedsky——miserablyunhappyallonaccountofthathorse。Almosthehatedhim。WhatpridehehadfeltinWildfire!HowhehadgloriedinthegiftofthestalliontoLucy!
Then，onthemorningoftheracehadcomethatunexpected，incomprehensibleandwildactofwhichhehadbeenguilty。Yetnottosavehislife，hissoul，couldheregretit!Wasithewhohadbeenresponsible，oranunknownsavagewithinhim？HehadkepthiswordtoLucy，whendayafterdayhehadburnedwithloveuntilthatfatalmomentwhenthetouchofher，asheliftedhertoWildfire"ssaddle，hadmadeamadmanoutofhim。Hehadsweptherintohisarmsandheldherbreasttohis，herfacebeforehim，andhehadkissedthesweet，partinglipstillhewasblind。
Thenhehadlearnedwhatalittlefuryshewas。Thenhelearnedhowhehadfallen，whathehadforfeited。Inhisamazeathimself，inhishumilityandshame，hehadnotbeenabletosayawordinhisowndefense。Shedidnotknowyetthathisacthadbeenungovernableandthathehadnotknownwhathewasdoingtilltoolate。Andshehadfinishedwith:"I"llrideWildfireintherace——butIwon"thavehim——andIwon"thaveYOU!NO!"
Shehadthesteelandhardnessofherfather。
ForSlone，thewatchingofthatracewasablendofraptureanddespair。Helivedoverinmindallthetimebetweentheraceandthishourwhenhelaytheresleeplessandfullofremorse。Hismindwaslikearacecoursewithmanyraces；andpredominatinginitwasthatswift，strange，stingingraceofhismemoryofLucyBostil"slooksandactions。
Whatanutterfoolhewastobelieveshehadmeantthosetenderwordswhen，outthereundertheloomingmonuments，shehadacceptedWildfire!Shehadbeenanimpulsivechild。Herscornandfurythatmorningoftheracehadleftnothingforhimexceptfootlessfancies。ShehadmistakenloveofWildfireforloveofhim。No，hiscasewashopelesswithLucy，andifithadnotbeensoBostilwouldhavemadeithopeless。YettherewerethingsSlonecouldnotfathom——thewilful，contradictory，proudandcoldandunaccountablysweetlooksandactionsofthegirl。TheyhauntedSlone。Theymadehimconscioushehadamindandtorturedhimwithhisdevelopment。Buthehadnoexperiencewithgirlstocomparewithwhatwashappeningnow。Itseemedthatacceptedfactandrememberedscornandcoldcertaintyweresomehowatvariancewithhithertounknownintuitionsandinstincts。Lucyavoidedhim，ifbychancesheencounteredhimalone。
WhenBostilorAuntJaneoranyoneelsewaspresentLucywaskind，pleasant，agreeable。Whatmadeherflushredatsightofhimandthen，pale？Whydidsheoftenattableorinthebigliving-roomsoftlybrushagainsthimwhenitseemedshecouldhaveavoidedthat？Manytimeshehadfeltsomeinconceivabledrawingpower，andlookeduptofindhereyesuponhim，strangeeyesfullofmystery，thatweresuddenlyaverted。Wasthereanymeaningattachabletothefactthathisroomwaskeptsotidyandneat，thateverydaysomethingwasaddedtoitscomfortorcolor，thathefoundfreshflowerswheneverhereturned，orabook，orfruit，oradaintymorseltoeat，andonceabunchofIndianpaint-brush，wildflowersofthedesertthatLucyknewheloved？Mostofall，itwasLucy"seyeswhichhauntedSlone——eyesthathadchanged，darkened，losttheiraudaciousflash，andyetseemedallthesweeter。Theglanceshecaught，whichhefanciedwerestolen——andthenderidedhisfancy——thrilledhimtohisheart。ThusSlonehadspentwakinghoursbydayandnight，madwithloveandremorse，tormentedonehourbyimaginedgroundsforhopeandresignedtodespairthenext。
UponthesixthmorningofhisstayatBostil"sSlonerosewithsomethingofhisformerwillreassertingitself。HecouldnotremaininBostil"shomeanylongerunlessheacceptedBostil"soffer，andthiswasnottobethoughtof。
WithawrenchSlonethrewoffthesofteningindecisionandhurriedouttofindBostilwhilethedeterminationwashot。
BostilwasinthecorralwithWildfire。ThiswasthesecondtimeSlonehadfoundhimthere。WildfireappearedtoregardBostilwithamuchbetterfavorthanhedidhismaster。AsSlonenotedthisalittleheatstolealonghisveins。Thatwasgalltoarider。
"Ilikeyourhoss，"saidBostil，withgrufffrankness。Butatingeofredshowedunderhisbeard。
"Bostil，I"msorryIcan"ttakeyouuponthejob，"rejoinedSlone，swiftly。
"It"sbeenhardformetodecide。You"vebeengoodtome。I"mgrateful。Butit"stimeIwastellin"you。"
"Whycan"tyou？"demandedBostil，straighteningupwithaglintinhisbigeyes。ItwasthefirsttimehehadaskedSlonethat。
"Ican"trideforyou，"repliedSlone，briefly。
"Anythin"todowithLucy？"queriedBostil。
"Howso？"returnedSlone，consciousofmoreheat。
"Wal，youwassweetonheran"shewouldn"thaveyou，"repliedBostil。
Slonefeltthebloodswellandboilinhisveins。ThisBostilcouldsayasharshandhardthingsasreputegavehimcreditfor。
"Yes，IAMsweetonLucy，an"shewon"thaveme，"saidSlone，steadily。"I
askedhertoletmecometoyouan"tellyouIwantedtomarryher。Butshewouldn"t。"
"Wal，it"sjustasgoodyoudidn"tcome，becauseImight。"Bostilbrokeoffhisspeechandbeganagain。"Youdon"tlacknerve，Slone。What"dyouhavetoofferLucy？"
"Nothin"except——Butthatdoesn"tmatter，"repliedSlone，cuttothequickbyBostil"sscorn。"I"mgladyouknow，an"somuchforthat。"
BostilturnedtolookatWildfireoncemore，andhelookedlong。Whenhefacedaroundagainhewasanotherman。Slonefeltthepowerfuldrivingpassionofthisoldhorse-trader。
"Slone，I"llgiveyoupickofahundredmustangsan"athousanddollarsforWildfire!"
Soheunmaskedhispowerinthefaceofabeggarlyrider!ThoughitstruckSlonelikeathunderbolt，hefeltamused。Buthedidnotshowthat。Bostilhadonlyonepossession，amongallhisuncountedwealth，thatcouldwinWildfirefromhisowner。
"No，"saidSlone，briefly。
"I"lldoubleit，"returnedBostil，justasbriefly。
"No!"
"I"ll——"
"Saveyourbreath，Bostil，"flashedSlone。"Youdon"tknowme。Butletmetellyou——youCAN"TBUYmyhorse!"
ThegreatveinsswelledandchurnedinBostil"sbullneck；athickanduglycontortionworkedinhisface；hiseyesreflectedasickrage。
SlonesawthattwopassionsshookBostil——one，abitter，terribledisappointment，andtheother，thepassionofamanwhocouldnotbrookbeingcrossed。ItappearedtoSlonethatthebestthinghecoulddowastogetawayquickly，andtothisendheledWildfireoutofthecorraltothestablecourtyard，andtherequicklysaddledhim。Thenhewentintoanothercorralforhisotherhorse，Nagger，and，bringinghimout，returnedtofindBostilhadfollowedasfarasthecourt。Theoldman"srageapparentlyhadpassedorhadbeensmothered。
"Seehere，"hebegan，inthickvoice，"don"tbead——foolan"ruinyourchanceinlife。I"ll——"
"Bostil，myonechancewasruined——an"youknowwhodidit，"repliedSlone，ashegatheredNagger"sropeandWildfire"sbridletogether。"I"venohardfeelin"s。ButIcan"tsellyoumyhorse。An"Ican"trideforyou——because——well，becauseitwouldbreedtrouble。"
"An"whatkind？"queriedBostil。
HolleyandFarlaneandVan，withseveralotherriders，hadcomeupandwerestandingopen-mouthed。SlonegatheredfromtheirmannerandexpressionthatanythingmighthappenwithBostilinsuchamood。
"We"dberacin"theKingan"Wildfire，wouldn"twe？"repliedSlone。
"An"supposin"wewould？"returnedBostil，ominously。Hishugeframevibratedwithaslightstart。
"Wildfirewouldrunoffwithyourfavorite——an"youwouldn"tlikethat，"
answeredSlone。Itwashisrider"shotbloodthatpromptedhimtolaunchthistaunt。Hecouldnothelpit。
"Youwild-hosschaser，"roaredBostil，"yourWildfiremaybeabloodykiller，buthecan"tbeattheKinginarace!"
"ExcuseME，Bostil，butWildfiredidbeattheKing!"
Thiswasonlyaddingfueltothefire。SlonesawHolleymakingsignsthatmusthavemeantsilencewouldbebest。ButSlone"sbloodwasup。Bostilhadrubbedhimthewrongway。
"You"realair!"declaredBostil，withatremendousstrideforward。Slonesawthenhowdangerousthemanreallywas。"Itwasnorace。YourwildhossknockedtheKingoffthetrack。"
"SageKinghadthelead，didn"the？Whydidn"thekeepit？"
Bostilwaslikeafurious，intractablechildwhosefavoriteprecioustreasurehadbeenbroken；andheburstoutintoatorrentofincoherentspeech，apparentlyreasonswhythisandthatwereso。SlonedidnotmakeoutwhatBostilmeantandhedidnotcare。WhenBostilgotoutofbreathSlonesaid:
"We"rebothwastin"talk。An"I"mnotwantin"youtocallmealiartwice……PutyourriderupontheKingan"comeon，rightnow。I"ll——"
"Slone，shutupan"chaseyourself，"interruptedHolley"Yougotoh——l!"returnedSlone，coolly。
Therewasamoment"ssilence，inwhichSlonetookHolley"smeasure。Thehawk-eyedoldridermayhavebeensquare，buthewasthenthinkingonlyofBostil。
"WhatamIup，againsthere？"demandedSlone。"AmIgoin"tobeshotbecauseI"mtakin"myownpart？Holley，youan"therestofyourpardsareallafraidofthisolddevil。ButI"mnot——an"youstayoutofthis。"
"Wal，son，youneedn"tgitriled，"repliedHolley，placatingly。"Iwasonlytryin"tostaveofftalkyoumightbesorryfor。"
"Sorryfornothin"!I"mgoin"tomakethisgreathorse-trader，thisrichan"
mightyrancher，thisjudgeofgrandhorses，thisBOSTIL!I"mgoin"tomakehimracetheKingortakewater!"ThenSloneturnedtoBostil。Thatworthyevidentlyhadbeenstunnedbytheriderwhodaredcallhimtohisface。
"Comeon!FetchtheKing!Letyourownridersjudgetherace!"
Bostilstruggledbothtocontrolhimselfandtospeak。"Naw!Iain"tgoin"toseethetredhoss-killerjumptheKingagain!"
"Bah!you"reafraid。Youknowthere"dbenogirlonhisback。YouknowhecanoutruntheKingan"that"swhyyouwanttobuyhim。"
Slonecaughthisbreaththen。Herealizedsuddenly，atBostil"spalingface，thatperhapshehaddaredtoomuch。Yet，maybethetruthflungintothishardoldrider"steethwaswhatheneededmorethananythingelse。Slonedivined，ratherthansaw，thathehaddoneanunprecedentedthing。
"I"llgonow，Bostil。"
Slonenoddedagood-bytotheriders，and，turningaway，heledthetwohorsesdownthelanetowardthehouse。ItscarcelyneededsightofLucyunderthecottonwoodstostillhisangerandrousehisregret。Lucysawhimcoming，and，asusual，startedtoavoidmeetinghim，whensightofthehorses，orsomethingelse，causedhertocometowardhiminstead。
Slonehalted。BothWildfireandNaggerwhinniedatsightofthegirl。Lucytookoneflashingglanceatthem，atSlone，andthensheevidentlyguessedwhatwasamiss。
"Lucy，I"vedoneitnow——playedhob，sure，"saidSlone。
"What？"shecried。
"Icalledyourdad——calledhimgoodan"hard——an"he——he——"
"Lin!Oh，don"tsayDad。"Lucy"sfacewhitenedandsheputaswifthanduponhisarm——atouchthatthrilledhim。"Lin!there"sblood——onyourface。
Don"t——don"ttellmeDadhityou？"
"Ishouldsaynot，"declaredSlone，quicklyliftinghishandtohisface。
"Mustbefrommycut，thatblood。Ibarkedmyhandholdin"Wildfire。"
"Oh!I——Iwassickwith——with——"Lucyfalteredandbrokeoff，andthendrewbackquickly，asifsuddenlyconsciousofheractionsandwords。
ThenSlonebegantorelateeverythingthathadbeensaid，andbeforeheconcludedhisstoryhisheartgaveawildthrobatthetelltalefaceandeyesofthegirl。
"YousaidthattoDad!"shecried，inamazeandfearandadmiration。"Oh，Dadrichlydeservedit!ButIwishyouhadn"t。Oh，Iwishyouhadn"t!"
"Why？"askedSlone。
Butshedidnotanswerthat。"Whereareyougoing？"shequestioned。
"Cometothinkofthat，Idon"tknow，"repliedSlone，blankly。"Istartedbacktofetchmythingsoutofmyroom。That"sasfarasmymuddledthoughtsgot。"
"Yourthings？Oh!"Suddenlyshegrewintenselywhite。Thelittlefrecklesthathadbeensoindistinctstoodoutmarkedly，anditwasasifshehadneverhadanytan。Onebrownhandwenttoherbreast，theotherflutteredtohisarmagain。"Youmeanto——togoaway——forgood。"
"Sure。WhatelsecanIdo？"
"Lin!Oh，therecomesDad!Hemustn"tseeme。Imustrun。Lin，don"tleaveBostil"sFord——don"tgo——DON"T!"
Thensheflewroundthecomerofthehouse，todisappear。Slonestoodtheretransfixedandthrilling。EvenBostil"sheavytreaddidnotbreakthetrance，andameetingwouldhavebeenunavoidablehadnotBostilturneddownthepaththatledtothebackofthehouse。Slone，withastartcollectinghisthoughts，hurriedintothelittleroomthathadbeenhisandgathereduphisfewbelongings。Hewascarefultoleavebehindthegiftsofguns，blankets，gloves，andotherrider"sbelongingswhichBostilhadpresentedtohim。Thusladen，hewentoutsideand，tinglingwithemotionsutterlysweetandbewildering，heledthehorsesdownintothevillage。
SlonewentdowntoBrackton"s，andputthehorsesintoalarge，high-fencedpastureadjoiningBrackton"shouse。Slonefeltreasonablysurehishorseswouldbesafethere，buthemeanttokeepamightyclosewatchonthem。AndoldBrackton，asifhereadSlone"smind，saidthis:"Keepyoureyeonthetdaffyboy，JoelCreech。Hehangsroundmyplace，sleepsoutsomewheres，an"
he"scrazyabouthosses。"
Slonedidnotneedanywarninglikethat，noranyinformationtomakehimcuriousregardingyoungCreech。Lucyhadseentothat，and，infact，Slonewasanxioustomeetthishalf-wittedfellowwhohadsogrievouslyoffendedandthreatenedLucy。Thatmorning，however，Creechdidnotputinanappearance。
Thevillagehadnearlyreturnedtoitsnormalstatenow，andthesleepytenorofitsway。TheIndians，hadbeenthelasttogo，butnownoneremained。Thedayswerehotwhilethesunstayedhigh，andonlytheridersbraveditsheat。
Themorning，however，didnotpasswithoutaninterestingincident。BracktonapproachedSlonewithanofferthathetakechargeofthefreightingbetweentheFordandDurango。"WhatwouldIdowithWildfire？"wasSlone"squestioningreply，andBracktonhelduphishands。AlaterincidentearnedmoreofSlone"sattention。HehadobservedamaninBrackton"sstore，anditchancedthatthismanheardSlone"sreplytoBrackton"soffer，andhesaid:"You"llsureneedtocorralthetredstallion。GrandesthossIeverseen!"