第11章
"I"llfight——I"llfight!Icouldn"tavoidVan。ItwasHolleywhotoldmeVanwasthreateningyou。AndwhenImetVanhetoldmehoweverybodysaidyouinsultedme——hadbeenworsethanadrunkenrider——andthathe"dbeatyouhalftodeath。SoItoldVanJoelCreechmighthaveseenus——Ididn"tdoubtthat——buthedidn"tseethatIlikedbeinghugged。"
"WhatdidVansaythen？"askedSlone，allaglowwithhiswonderfuljoy。
"Hewilted。Heslunkaway。AndsoI"lltellthemall。"
"But，Lucy，you"vealwaysbeenso——sotruthful。"
"Whatdoyoumean？"
"Well，tosayyoulikedbeinghuggedthatdaywas——wasastory，wasn"tit？"
"Thatwaswhatmademesofurious，"sheadmitted，shyly。"IwassurprisedwhenyougrabbedmeoffWildfire。Andmyheartbeat——beat——beatsowhenyouhuggedme。AndwhenyoukissedmeI——Iwaspetrified。IknewIlikeditthen——andI
wasfuriouswithmyself。"
Slonedrewalong，deepbreathofutterenchantment。"You"lltakebackWildfire？"
"Oh，Lin——don"t——ask——me，"sheimplored。
"Takehimback——an"mewithhim。"
"ThenIwill。Butnoonemustknowthatyet。"
Theydrewapartthen。
"An"nowyoumustgo，"saidSlone，reluctantly。"Listen。IforgottowarnyouaboutJoelCreech。Don"teverlethimnearyou。He"scrazyan"hemeansevil。"
"Oh，Iknow，Lin!I"llwatch。ButI"mnotafraidofhim。"
"He"sstrong，Lucy。Isawhimliftbagsthatwereheftyforme。Lucy，doyouridethesedays？"
"Everyday。IfIcouldn"trideIcouldn"tlive。"
"I"mafraid，"saidSlone，nervously。"There"sCreechan"Cordts——bothhavethreatenedyou。"
"I"mafraidofCordts，"repliedLucy，withashiver。"Youshouldhaveseenhimlookatmerace-day。Itmademehotwithanger，yetweak，too，somehow。ButDadsaysI"mneverinanydangerifIwatchout。AndIdo。WhocouldcatchmeonSarch？"
"Anyhorsecanbetrippedinthesage。YoutoldmehowJoeltriedtoropeSageKing。Didyouevertellyourdadthat？"
"Iforgot。ButthenI"mgladIdidn"t。Dadwouldshootforthat，quickerthanifJoeltriedtoropehim。Don"tworry，Lin，Ialwayspackagun。"
"Butcanyouuseit？"
Lucylaughed。"DoyouthinkIcanonlyride？"
SlonerememberedthatHolleyhadsaidhehadtaughtLucyhowtoshootaswellasride。"You"llbewatchful——careful，"hesaid，earnestly。
"Oh，Lin，youneedtobethatmorethanI。Whatwillyoudo？"
"I"llstayupatthelittlecabinIthoughtIownedtillto-day。"
"Didn"tyoubuyit？"askedLucy，quickly。
"IthoughtIdid。Butnevermind。MaybeIwon"tgetputoutjustyet。
An"whenwillIseeyouagain？"
"Here，everynight。WaittillIcome，"shereplied。"Goodnight，Lin。"
"I"ll——wait!"heexclaimed，withacatchinhisvoice。"Oh，myluck!
I"llwait，Lucy，everyday——hopin"an"prayin"thatthistroublewilllighten。
An"I"llwaitatnight——foryou!"
Hekissedhergood-byandwatchedtheslightformglideaway，flittoandfro，whiteinthedarkpatches，growindistinctandvanish。Hewasleftaloneinthesilentgrove。
Slonestolebacktothecabinandlaysleeplessandtranced，watchingthestars，tilllatethatnight。
Allthenextdayhedidscarcelyanythingbutwatchandlookafterhishorsesandwatchanddragthehoursoutanddreamdespitehisdread。Butnoonevisitedhim。Thecabinwaslefttohimthatday。
Ithadbeenahotday，withgreatthunderhead，blackandcreamywhitecloudsrollingdownfromthecanyoncountry。NorainhadfallenattheFord，thoughstormsnearbyhadcooledtheair。AtsunsetSlonesawarainbowbendingdown，ruddyandgold，connectingthepurpleofcloudwiththepurpleofhorizon。
Outbeyondthevalleythecloudswerebroken，showingriftsofblue，andtheyrolledlow，buryingtheheadsofthemonuments，creatingawildandstrangespectacle。Twilightfollowed，andappearedtorisetomeetthedarkeningclouds。Andatlastthegoldontheshaftsfaded；themonumentsfaded；andthevalleygrewdark。
Slonetookadvantageofthehourbeforemoonrisetostealdownintothegrove，theretowaitforLucy。Shecamesoquicklyhescarcelyfeltthathewaitedatall；andthenthetimespentwithher，sweet，fleeting，precious，lefthimstrongertowaitforheragain，toholdhimselfin，toceasehisbrooding，tolearnfaithinsomethingdeeperthanhecouldfathom。
Thenextdayhetriedtowork，butfoundidlewaitingmadethetimeflyswifterbecauseinithecoulddream。InthedarkoftherustlingcottonwoodshemetLucy，aseagertoseehimashewastoseeher，tender，loving，remorseful——ahundredsweetandbewilderingthingsallsonew，sounbelievabletoSlone。
ThatnighthelearnedthatBostilhadstartedforDurangowithsomeofhisriders。ThistripsurprisedSloneandrelievedhimlikewise，forDurangowasovertwohundredmilesdistant，andajourneythereevenforthehardriderswasamatterofdays。
"Heleftnoordersforme，"Lucysaid，"excepttobehavemyself。Isthisbehaving？"shewhispered，andnestledclosetoSlone，audacious，tormentingasshehadbeenbeforethisdarkcloudoftrouble。"ButheleftordersforHolleytoridewithmeandlookafterme。Isn"tthatfunny？PooroldHolley!HehatestodoublecrossDad，hesays。"
"I"mgladHolley"stolookafteryou，"repliedSlone。"YesterdayIsawyoutearin"downintothesageonSarch。Iwonderedwhatyou"ddo，Lucy，ifCordtsorthatloonCreechshouldgetholdofyou？"
"I"dfight!"
"But，child，that"snonsense。Youcouldn"tfighteitherofthem。"
"Couldn"tI？Well，Ijustcould。I"d——I"dshootCordts。AndI"dwhipJoelCreechwithmyquirt。AndifhekeptaftermeI"dletSarchrunhimdown。
Sarchhateshim。"
"You"reabravesweetheart，"musedSlone。"Supposeyouwerecaughtan"
couldn"tgetaway。Wouldyouleaveatrailsomehow？"
"Isurewould。"
"Lucy，I"mawild-horsehunter，"hewenton，thoughtfully，asifspeakingtohimself。"Ineverfailedonatrail。Icouldtrackyouoverbarerock。"
"Lin，I"llleaveatrail，soneverfear，"shereplied。"Butdon"tborrowtrouble。You"realwaysafraidforme。Lookatthebrightside。Dadseemstohaveforgottenyou。Maybeitallisn"tsobadaswethought。Oh，Ihopeso!。Howismyhorse，Wildfire？Iwanttoridehimagain。Icanhardlykeepfromgoingafterhim。"
Andsotheywhisperedwhilethemomentsswiftlypassed。
ItwasearlyduringtheafternoonofthenextdaythatSlone，hearingtheclip-clopofunshodponies，wentoutsidetolook。Onepartofthelanehecouldseeplainly，andintoitstalkedJoelCreech，leadingtheleanestandgauntestponiesSlonehadeverseen。Amanasleanandgauntastheponiesstalkedbehind。
ThesightshockedSlone。JoelCreechandhisfather!Slonehadnoproof，becausehehadneverseentheelderCreech，yetstrangelyhefeltconvincedofit。Andgrimideasbegantoflashintohismind。Creechwouldhearwhowasaccusedofcuttingtheboatadrift。Whatwouldhesay？Ifhebelieved，asallthevillagersbelieved，thenBostil"sFordwouldbecomeanunhealthyplaceforLinSlone。Wherewerethegreatrace-horses——BlueRoanandPeg——andtheotherthoroughbreds？ApangshotthroughSlone。
"Oh，notlost——notstarved？"hemuttered。"Thatwouldbehell!"
Yethebelievedjustthishadhappened。HowstrangehehadneverconsideredsuchaneventasthereturnofCreech。
"I"dbetterlookhimupbeforehelooksme，"saidSlone。
Ittookbutaninstanttostraponhisbeltandgun。ThenSlonestrodedownhispath，outintothelanetowardBrackton"s。WhateverbeforebodedilltoSlonehadbeennothingtowhatmenacedhimnow。Hewouldhaveamantoface——amanwhomreputecalledjust，butstern。
BeforeSlonereachedthevicinityofthestorehesawriderscomeouttomeettheCreechparty。ItsohappenedthereweremoreridersthanusuallyfrequentedBrackton"satthathour。Theoldstorekeepercamestumblingoutandraisedhishands。Theriderscouldbeheard，loud-voicedandexcited。Slonedrewnearer，andthenearerhegottheswifterhestrode。Instincttoldhimthathewasmakingtherightmove。Hewouldfacethismanwhomhewasaccusedofruining。Thepoormustangshungtheirheadsdejectedly。
"Bagsofbones，"someriderloudlysaid。
AndthenSlonedrewdosetotheexcitedgroup。Bracktonheldthecenter；hewasgesticulating；histhinvoicerosepiercingly。
"Creech!Whar"sPegan"theRoan？GawdAlmighty，man!Youain"tmeanin"themcayusestharareallyou"vegotleftofthetgrandbunchofhosses？"
Therewasscarcelyasound。Alltheriderswerestill。SlonefastenedhiseyesonCreech。Hesawagaunt，haggardfacealmostblackwithdust——wornandsad——withbigeyesofterriblegloom。Hesawanunkempt，raggedformthathadbeenwetandmuddy，andwasnowdust-caked。
CreechstoodsilentinadignityofdespairthatwrungSlone"sheart。Hissilencewasananswer。ItwasJoelCreechwhobrokethesuspense。
"Didn"tItellyou-allwhat"dhappen？"heshrilled。"PARCHEDAN"STARVED!"
"Awno!"chorusedtheriders。
Bracktonshookallover。Tearsdimmedhiseyes——tearsthathehadnoshamefor。"SohelpmeGawd——I"msorry!"washisbrokenexclamation。
Slonehadforgottenhimselfandpossiblerevelationconcerninghim。ButwhenHolleyappearedclosetohimwithasignificantwarninglook，Slonegrewkeenoncemoreonhisownaccount。Hefeltahotflameinsidehim——adeepandburningangeratthemanwhomighthavesavedCreech"shorses。Andhe，likeBrackton，feltsorrowforCreech，andarider"ssenseofloss，ofpain。Thesehorses——thesedumbbrutes——faithfulandsometimesdevoted，hadtosufferanagonizingdeathbecauseoftheselfishnessofmen。
"Ireckonwe"dallliketohearwhatcomeoff，Creech，ifyoudon"tfeeltoobadtotellus，"saidBrackton。
"Gimmeadrink，"repliedCreech。
"Wal，d——nmyoldhead!"exclaimedBrackton。"I"mgittin"old。Comeonin。Allofyou!We"regladtoseeCreechhome。"
TheridersfiledinafterBracktonandtheCreeches。HolleystayedclosebesideSlone，bothoftheminthebackground。
"Iheerdthefloodcomin"thetnight，"saidCreechtohissilentandtense-facedlisteners。"Iheerditmilesupthecanyon。"Pearedabiggerroarthananyfloodbefore。Asithappened，Iwasalone，an"ittooktimetogitthehossesup。Ifthere"dbeenanIndianwithme——orevenJoel——mebbe——"Hisvoicequaveredslightly，broke，andthenheresumed。"EvenwhenIgotthehossesovertothelandin"itwasn"ttoolate——ifonlysomeonehadheerdmean"comedown。Iyelledan"shot。Nobodyheerd。Theriverwasrisin"fast。An"
thetroarhadbeguntomakemyhairraise。ItseemedlikeyearsthetimeI
waitedthere。Thenthefloodcamedown——blackan"windyan"awful。I
hadhellgittin"thehossesback。
"Nextmornin"twoPiutescomedown。Theyhadlostmustangsupontherocks。
Allthefeedonmyplacewasgone。Therewasn"tnothin"todobuttrytogitout。ThePiutessaidtherewasn"tnochancenorth——nowater——nograss——an"soIdecidedtogosouth，ifwecouldclimboverthetlastslide。Pegbrokeherlegthere，an"——I——Ihadtoshoother。Butweclimbedoutwiththerestofthebunch。IleftitthentothePiutes。Wetraveledfivedayswesttoheadthecanyons。Nograssan"onlyalittlewater，saltatthet。BlueRoanwasgameifeverIseenagamehoss。ThenthePiutestooktoworkin"inan"outan"
around，nottogitout，buttofindalittlegrazin"。Ineverknowedtheearthwassobarren。Onebyonethemhosseswentdown。An"atlast，I
couldn"t——Icouldn"tseeBlueRoanstarvin"——dyin"rightbeforemyeyes——an"I
shothim，too。An"whathurtsmemostnowisthetIdidn"thavethenervetokillhimfustoff。"
TherewasalongpauseinCreech"snarrative。
"ThemPiuteswillgitpaidifeverIcanpaythem。I"dparchedmyselfbutforthem。Wecircledan"crossedthemredcliffsan"thenthestripofredsand，an"workeddownintothecanyon。Underthewallwasalongstretchofbeach——sandy——an"attheheadofthiswefoundBostil"sboat。"
"Wal，——!"burstouttheprofaneBrackton。"Bostil"sboat!Say，"ain"tJoeltoldyouyetaboutthetboat？"
"No，Joel"ain"tsaidawordabouttheboat，"repliedCreech。"Whataboutit？"
"Itwascutloosejestbeforetheflood。"
ManifestlyBracktonexpectedthistobestaggeringtoCreech。Buthedidnotevenshowsurprise。
"There"sariderherenamedSlone——awild-hosswrangler，"wentonBrackton，"an"JoelswearsthisSlonecuttheboatlooseso"she"dhaveabetterchancetowintherace。JoelswearshetrackedthisfellerSlone。"
ForSlonethemomentwasfraughtwithmanyemotions，butnotoneofthemwasfear。HedidnotneedthesuddenforceofHolley"sstronghand，pushinghimforward。SlonebrokeintothegroupandfacedCreech。
"It"snottrue。Inevercutthatboatloose，"hedeclaredringingly。
"Who"reyou？"queriedCreech。
"Myname"sSlone。Irodeinherewithawildhorse，an"hewonarace。ThenI
wasblamedforthistrick。"
Creech"ssteady，gloomyeyesseemedtopierceSlonethrough。Theywereterribleeyestolookinto，yettheyheldnomenaceforhim。"An"Joelaccusedyou？"
"Sotheysay。Ifoughtwithhim——struckhimforaninsulttoagirl。"
"Comeroundhyar，Joel，"calledCreech，sternly。Hisbig，scaly，blackhandclosedontheboy"sshoulder。Joelcringedunderit。"Son，you"velied。Whatfor？"
Joelshowedabjectfearofhisfather。"He"sgoneonLucy——an"Iseenhimwithher，"mutteredtheboy。
"An"youliedtohurtSlone？"
Joelwouldnotreplytothisinspeech，thoughthatwasscarcelyneededtoshowhehadlied。Heseemedtohavenosenseofguilt。Creecheyedhimpityinglyandthenpushedhimback。
"Men，mysonhasdonethisriderdirt，"saidCreech。"You-allseethet。Slonenevercuttheboatloose。An"say，you-allseemtothinkcuttin"thetboatloosewasthecrime。No!Thetwasn"tthecrime。Thecrimewaskeepin"theboatoutofthewaterferdayswhenmyhossescouldhavebeencrossed。"
Slonesteppedback，forgotten，itseemedtohim。Bothjoyandsorrowswayedhim。Hehadbeenexonerated。ButthishardandgloomyCreech——heknewthings。
AndSlonethoughtofLucy。
"Whodidcutthettharboatloose？"demandedBrackton，incredulously。
Creechgavehimastrangeglance。"AsIwassayin"，wecomeontheboatfastattheheadofthelongstretch。Iseenthecableshadbeencut。An"Iseenmore"nthet。Wal，theriverwashighan"swift。Butthiswasalongstretchwithgoodlandin"waybelowontheotherside。Wegottheboatin，an"
byrowin"hardan"driftin"wegotacrost，leadin"thehosses。Wehadfivewhenwetooktotheriver。Twowentdownonthewayover。Weclimbedoutthen。
ThePiuteswenttofindsomeNavajosan"gethosses。An"IheadedfertheFord——madecamptwice。An"Joelseenmecomin"outaways。"
"Creech，wasthereanythin"leftinthetboat？"beganBrackton，withintensebutponderingcuriosity。"Anythin"ontheropes——orso——thetmightgiveanideewhocutherloose？"
Creechmadenoreplytothat。Thegloomburneddarkerinhiseyes。Heseemedamanwithasecret。Hetrustednoonethere。Thesemenwereallfriendsofhis，butfriendsunderstrangeconditions。Hissilencewastragic，andallaboutthemanbreathedvengeance。
CHAPTERXVI
Nomoonshowedthatnight，andfewstarstwinkledbetweentheslow-movingclouds。Theairwasthickandoppressive，fulloftheday"sheatthathadnotblownaway。Adrystormmovedindrymajestyacrossthehorizon，andthesheetsandropesoflightning，blazingwhitebehindtheblackmonuments，gaveweirdandbeautifulgrandeurtothedesert。
LucyBostilhadtoevadeheraunttogetoutofthehouse，andthewindow，thathadnotbeenthemeansofexitsinceBostilleft，oncemorecameintouse。AuntJanehadgrownsuspiciousoflate，andLucy，muchasshewantedtotrustherwithhersecret，darednotdoit。ForsomereasonunknowntoLucy，Holleyhadalsobeenhardtomanage，particularlyto-day。LucycertainlydidnotwantHolleytoaccompanyheronhernightlyrendezvouswithSlone。Shechangedherlightgowntothedarkerandthickerriding-habit。
Therewasalonged-for，all-satisfyingflavorinthisnightadventure——somethingthathadnotalltodowithlove。Thestealth，theoutwittingofguardians，thedarkness，thesilence，therisk——allthesecalledtosomedeep，undevelopedinstinctinher，andthrilledalongherveins，cool，keen，exciting。Shehadthebloodinherofthegreatestadventurerofhisday。
Lucyfearedshewasalittlelate。AllayingthesuspicionsofAuntJaneandchangingherdresshadtakentime。Lucyburnedwithlesscautioussteps。StillshehadonlyusedcautioninthegrovebecauseshehadpromisedSlonetodoso。Thisnightsheforgotordisregardedit。Andtheshadowswerethick——darkerthanatanyothertimewhenshehadundertakenthisventure。Shehadalwaysbeenalittleafraidofthedark——afactthatmadehercontemptuousofherself。Nevertheless，shedidnotpeerintothedeeperpitsofgloom。Sheknewherwayandcouldslipswiftlyalongwithonlyarustleofleavesshetouched。
Suddenlysheimaginedsheheardastepandshehalted，stillasatree-trunk。
Therewasnoreasontobeafraidofastep。Ithadbeenasurprisetoherthatshehadneverencounteredariderwalkingandsmokingunderthetrees。
Listening，sheassuredherselfshehadbeenmistaken，andthenwenton。Butshelookedback。Didsheseeashadow——darkerthanothers——moving？Itwasonlyherimagination。Yetshesustainedaslightchill。Theairseemedmoreoppressive，orelsetherewassomeintangibleandstrangethinghoveringinit。Shewenton——reachedthelanethatdividedthegrove。Butshedidnotcrossatonce。Itwaslighterinthislane；shecouldseequitefar。
Asshestoodthere，listening，keenlyresponsivetoalltheinfluencesofthenight，shereceivedanimpressionthatdidnothaveitsorigininsightnorsound。Andonlytheleavestouchedher——andonlytheirdryfragrancecametoher。Butshefeltapresence——astrange，indefinablepresence。
ButLucywasbrave，andthisfeeling，whateveritmightbe，angeredher。Sheenteredthelaneandstoleswiftlyalongtowardtheendofthegrove。Pathscrossedthelaneatrightangles，andatthesepointsshewentswifter。ItwouldbesomethingtotellSlone——shehadbeenfrightened。Butthoughtofhimdroveawayherfearandnervousness，andherangerwithherself。
Thenshecametoawiderpath。Shescarcelynoteditandpassedon。Thencameaquickrustle——aswiftshadow。Betweentwosteps——asherheartleaped——violentarmssweptherofftheground。Ahardhandwasclappedoverhermouth。Shewasbeingcarriedswiftlythroughthegloom。
Lucytriedtostruggle。Shecouldscarcelymoveamuscle。Ironarmswrappedherincoilsthatcrushedher。Shetriedtoscream，butherlipsweretight-pressed。Hernostrilswerealmostclosedbetweentwohardfingersthatsmelledofhorse。
Whoeverhadher，shewashelpless。Lucy"sfuryadmittedofreason。Thenbothsuccumbedtoaparalyzinghorror。Cordtshadgother!Sheknewit。Shegrewlimpasaragandhersensesdulled。Shealmostfainted。Thesickeningparalysisofherfacultieslingered。Butshefeltherbodyreleased——shewasplaceduponherfeet——shewasshakenbyaroughhand。Sheswayed，andbutforthathandmighthavefallen。Shecouldseeatall，darkformoverher，andhorses，andthegloomygrayopenofthesageslope。Thehandleftherface。
"Don"tyap，girl!"Thiscommandinahard，lowvoicepiercedherears。Shesawtheglintofagunheldbeforeher。Instinctivefearrevivedheroldfaculties。Thehorriblesickweakness，thedimness，theshakinginternalcollapsealllefther。
"I"ll——be——quiet!"shefaltered。Sheknewwhatherfatherhadalwaysfearedhadcometopass。Andthoughshehadbeentoldtoputnovalueonherlife，inthatevent，shecouldnotrun。Allinaninstant——whenlifehadbeensosweet——shecouldnotfacepainordeath。
Themanmovedbackastep。Hewastall，gaunt，ragged。ButnotlikeCordts!
NeverwouldsheforgetCordts。Shepeeredupathim。InthedimlightofthefewstarssherecognizedJoelCreech"sfather。
"Oh，thankGod!"shewhispered，intheshockofblessedrelief。Ithought——youwere——Cordts!"
"Keepquiet，"hewhisperedback，sternly，andwithroughhandheshookher。
Lucyawoketorealities。Somethingevilmenacedher，eventhoughthismanwasnotCordts。Hermindcouldnotgraspit。Shewasamazed——stunned。Shestruggledtospeak，yettokeepwithinthatwarningcommand。
"What——onearth——doesthis-mean？"shegasped，verylow。ShehadnosenseoffearofCreech。Once，whenheandherfatherhadbeenfriends，shehadbeenafavoriteofCreech"s。Whenalittlegirlshehadriddenhiskneemanytimes。
BetweenCreechandCordtstherewasimmeasurabledistance。Yetshehadbeenviolentlyseizedandcarriedoutintothesageandmenaced。
Creechleaneddown。Hisgauntface，lightedbyterribleeyes，madeherrecoil。
"Bostilruinedme——an"killedmyhosses，"hewhispered，grimly。"An"I"mtakin"youaway。An"I"llholdyouinransomfortheKingan"Sarchedon——an"
allhisracers!"
"Oh!"criedLucy，instartlingsurprisethatyetheldapang。"Oh，Creech!。Thenyoumeanmenoharm!"
Themanstraightenedupandstoodamoment，darklysilent，asifherqueryhadpresentedanewaspectofthecase。"LucyBostil，I"mabrokenmanan"wildan"fullofhate。ButGodknowsIneverthoughtofthet——ofharmtoyou。
No，child，Iwon"tharmyou。Butyoumustobeyan"goquietly，forthere"sadevilinme。"
"Wherewillyoutakeme？"sheasked。
"Downinthecanyons，wherenoonecantrackme，"hesaid。"It"llbehardgoin"feryou，child，an"hardfare。ButI"mstrikin"atBostil"sheartashehasbrokenmine。I"llsendhimword。An"I"lltellhimifhewon"tgivehishossesthetI"llsellyoutoCordts。"
"Oh，Creech——butyouwouldn"t!"shewhispered，andherhandwenttohisbrawnyarm。
"Lucy，inthetcaseI"dmakeaspoorablackguardasanythin"elseI"vebeen，"
hesaid，forlornly。"ButI"mfiggerin"Bostilwillgiveuphishossesferyou。"
"Creech，I"mafraidhewon"t。You"dbettergivemeup。Letmegoback。I"llnevertell。Idon"tblameyou。Ithinkyou"resquare。Mydadis。But，oh，don"tmakeMEsuffer!Youusedto——tocareforme，whenIwaslittle。"
"Thetain"tnouse，"hereplied。"Don"ttalknomore。Gituphyarnowan"rideinfrontofme。"
Heledhertoaleanmustang。Lucyswungintothesaddle。Shethoughthowsingularacoincidenceitwasthatshehadwornariding-habit。Itwasdarkandthick，andcomfortableforriding。Supposeshehadworntheflimsydress，inwhichshehadmetSloneeverynightsavethisone？ThoughtofSlonegaveherapang。Hewouldwaitandwaitandwait。Hewouldgobacktohiscabin，notknowingwhathadbefallenher。
SuddenlyLucynoticedanotherman，nearathand，holdingtwomustangs。Hemounted，rodebeforeher，andthensherecognizedJoelCreech。Assuranceofthisbroughtbacksomethingofthedread。Butthefathercouldcontroltheson!
"Rideon，"saidCreech，hittingherhorsefrombehind。
AndLucyfoundherselfridingsinglefile，withtwomenandapack-horse，outuponthewindy，darksageslope。Theyfacedthedirectionofthemonuments，loomingnowandthensoweirdlyblackandgrandagainstthebroadflareoflightning-blazedsky。
EversinceLucyhadreachedherteenstherehadbeenpredictionsthatshewouldbekidnapped，andnowthethinghadcometopass。Shewasindanger，sheknew，butininfinitelylessthanhadanyotherwildcharacteroftheuplandsbeenhercaptor。Shebelieved，ifshewentquietlyandobedientlywithCreech，thatshewouldbe，atleast，safefromharm。ItwashardluckforBostil，shethought，butnoworsethanhedeserved。Retributionhadovertakenhim。Howterriblyhardhewouldtakethelossofhishorses!LucywonderedifhereallyeverwouldpartwiththeKing，eventosaveherfromprivationandperil。
BostilwasmorelikelytotrailherwithhisridersandtokilltheCreechesthantoconcedetheirdemands。Perhaps，though，thatthreattosellhertoCordtswouldfrightenthehardoldman。
Thehorsestrottedandswungupovertheslope，turninggradually，evidentlytomakeawidedetourroundtheFord，untilLucy"sbackwastowardthemonuments。Beforeherstretchedthebleak，barren，darkdesert，andthroughtheopaquegloomshecouldseenothing。Lucyknewshewasheadedforthenorth，towardthewildcanyons，unknowntotheriders。Cordtsandhisganghidinthere。WhatmightnothappeniftheCreechesfellinwithCordts？Lucy"sconfidencesustainedacheck。Still，sherememberedtheCreecheswerelikeIndians。AndwhatwouldSlonedo？Hewouldrideoutonhertrail。LucyshiveredfortheCreechesifSloneevercaughtupwiththem，andrememberinghiswild-horse-hunter"sskillattracking，andthefleetandtirelessWildfire，shegrewconvincedthatCreechcouldnotlongholdhercaptive。ForSlonewouldbewary。Hewouldgivenosignofhispursuit。HewouldstealupontheCreechesinthedarkand——Lucyshiveredagain。WhatanawfulfatehadbeenthatofDickSears!
SoassherodeonLucy"smindwasfull。Shewasusedtoriding，andinthemotionofahorsetherewassomethinginharmonywithherblood。Evennow，withworryanddreadandplottingstronguponher，habithadsuchpoweroverherthatridingmadethehoursfleet。Shewassurprisedtobehalted，toseedimlylow，darkmoundsofrockahead。
"Gitoff，"saidCreech。
"Wherearewe？"askedLucy。
"Reckonhyar"stherocks。An"yousleepsome，feryou"llneedit。"Hespreadablanket，laidhersaddleattheheadofit，anddroppedanotherblanket。"WhatIwanttoknowis——shallItieyouupornot？"askedCreech。"IfIdoyou"llgitsore。An"this"llbethetoughesttripyouevermade。"
"YoumeanwillItrytogetawayfromyou——ornot？"queriedLucy。
"Jestthet。"
Lucypondered。Shedivinedsomefinenessoffeelinginthiscoarseman。Hewantedtosparehernotonlypain，butthenecessityofwatchfuleyesonhereverymoment。Lucydidnotliketopromisenottotrytoescape，ifopportunitypresented。Still，shereasoned，thatoncedeepinthecanyons，whereshewouldbeinanotherday，shewouldbeworseoffifshedidgetaway。
ThememoryofCordts"scavernous，hungryeyesuponherwasnotasmallfactorinLucy"sdecision。
"Creech，ifIgivemywordnottotrytogetaway，wouldyoubelieveme？"sheasked。
Creechwasslowinreplying。"ReckonIwould，"hesaid，finally。
"Allright，I"llgiveit。"
"An"thet"ssense。Nowyoulaydown。"
Lucydidasshewasbiddenandpulledtheblanketoverher。Theplacewasgloomyandstill。Sheheardthesoundofmustangs"teethongrass，andthesoftfootfallsofthemen。Presentlythesesoundsceased。Acoldwindblewoverherfaceandrustledinthesagenearher。Graduallythechillpassedaway，andastealingwarmthtookitsplace。Hereyesgrewtired。Whathadhappenedtoher？Witheyesclosedshethoughtitwasalladream。Thenthefeelingofthehardsaddleasapillowunderherheadtoldhershewasindeedfarfromhercomfortablelittleroom。WhatwouldpoorAuntJanedointhemorningwhenshediscoveredwhowasmissing？WhatwouldHolleydo？WhenwouldBostilreturn？Itmightbesoonanditmightbedays。AndSlone——Lucyfeltsorriestforhim。Forhelovedherbest。ShethrilledatthoughtofSloneonthatgrandhorse——onherWildfire。Andwithhermindrunningonandon，seeminglymakingsleepimpossible，thethoughtsatlastbecamedreams。Lucyawakenedatdawn。Onehandachedwithcold，forithadbeenoutsidetheblanket。Herhardbedhadcrampedhermuscles。Sheheardthecracklingoffireandsmelledcedarsmoke。InthegrayofmorningshesawtheCreechesroundacamp-fire。
Lucygotupthen。Bothmensawher，butmadenocomment。Inthatcold，graydawnshefeltherpredicamentmoregravely。Herhairwasdamp。Shehadriddennearlyallnightwithoutahat。Shehadabsolutelynothingofherownexceptwhatwasonherbody。ButLucythankedherluckystarsthatshehadwornthethickriding-suitandherboots，forotherwise，inasummerdress，herconditionwouldsoonhavebeenmiserable。
"Comean"eat，"saidCreech。"Youhavesense——an"eatifitsticksinyourthroat。"
Bostilhadalwayscontendedinhisargumentswithridersthatamanshouldeatheartilyonthestartofatripsothatthefinishmightfindhimstrong。AndLucyate，thoughthecoarsefaresickenedher。OnceshelookedcuriouslyatJoelCreech。Shefelthiseyesuponher，butinstantlyheavertedthem。Hehadgrownmorehaggardandsullenthaneverbefore。
TheCreechesdidnotloiteroverthecamptasks。Lucywaslefttoherself。Theplaceappearedtobeakindofdepressionfromwhichthedesertrolledawaytoabulgeagainsttherosyeast，andtherocksbehindrosebrokenandyellow，fringedwithcedars。
"Gitthehossesin，ifyouwantto，"Creechcalledtoher，andthenasLucystartedofftowherethemustangsgrazedsheheardhimcursehisson。"Comebackhyar!LeavethegirlaloneorI"llrapyouone!"
Lucydrovethreeofthemustangsintocamp，whereCreechbegantosaddlethem。
Theremainingone，thepackanimal，Lucyfoundamongthescrubcedarsatthebaseofthelowcliffs。WhenshedrovehiminCreechwastalkinghardtoJoel，whohadmounted。
"Whenyoucomeback，workupthiscanyontillyougitup。Itheadsonthepineplateau。Ican"tmissseein"you，oranyone，longbeforeyougitupontop。
An"youneedn"tcomewithoutBostil"shosses。YouknowwhattotellBostilifhethreatensyou，orrefusestosendhishosses，orturnshisridersonmytrail。Thet"sall。Nowgit!"
JoelCreechrodeawaytowardtheriseintherolling，barrendesert。
"An"nowwe"llgoon，"saidCreechtoLucy。
WhenhehadgottenallinreadinessheorderedLucytofollowcloselyinhistracks。Heenteredanarrowcleftinthelowcliffswhichwoundinandout，andwasthickwithsageandcedars。Lucy，ridingclosetothecedars，conceivedtheideaofpluckingthelittlegreenberriesanddroppingthemonpartsofthetrailwheretheirtrackswouldnotshow。Warilyshefilledthepocketsofherjacket。
Creechledthewaywithoutlookingback，anddidnotseemtocarewherethehorsesstepped。Thetimehadnotyetcome，Lucyconcluded，whenhewasreadytohidehistrail。Presentlythenarrowcleftopenedintoalow-walledcanyon，fullofdebrisfromtherottingcliffs，andthisinturnopenedintoamaincanyonwithmountingyellowcrags。Itappearedtoleadnorth。Farinthedistanceaboverimsandcragsroseinalong，blacklinelikeahorizonofdarkcloud。
Creechcrossedthiswidecanyonandenteredoneofthemanybreaksinthewall。Thisonewasfullofsplinteredrockandweatheredshale——thehardestkindoftravelforbothmanandbeast。Lucywasnothingifnotconsiderateofahorse，andhereshebegantohelpheranimalinallthewaysagoodriderknows。Muchasthistaxedherattention，sherememberedtodropsomeofthecedarberriesuponhardgroundorrocks。AndsheknewshewasleavingatrailforSlone"skeeneyes。
ThatdaywastheswiftestandthemoststrenuousinallLucyBostil"sexperienceintheopen。Atsunset，whenCreechhaltedinanicheinagorgebetweenloweringcliffs，Lucyfelloffherhorseandlaystillandspentonthegrass。
Creechhadaglanceofsympathyandadmirationforher，buthedidnotsayanythingaboutthelongday"sride。Lucyneverinherlifebeforeappreciatedrestnorthesoftnessofgrassnorthereliefattheendofaride。Shelaystillwithathrobbing，burningacheinallherbody。Creech，afterhehadturnedthehorsesloose，broughtheradrinkofcoldwaterfromthebrooksheheardsomewherenearby。
"How——far——did——we——come？"shewhispered。
"BythewayroundIreckonnighontosixtymiles，"hereplied。"Butweain"thalfthetfarfromwherewecampedlastnight。"
Thenhesettoworkatcamptasks。Lucyshookherheadwhenhebroughtherfood，butheinsisted，andshehadtoforceitdown。Creechappearedroughbutkind。Aftershehadbecomeusedtothehard，gaunt，blackfaceshesawsadnessandthoughtinit。OnethingLucyhadnoticedwasthatCreechneverfailedtospareahorse，ifitwaspossible。Hewouldclimbonfootoverbadplaces。
Nightsoonmantledthegorgeinblacknessthickaspitch。Lucycouldnottellwhetherhereyeswereopenorshut，sofaraswhatshesawwasconcerned。Hereyesseemedfilled，however，withathousandpicturesofthewildandtortuouscanyonsandgorgesthroughwhichshehadriddenthatday。Theacheinherlimbsandthefeverinherbloodwouldnotlethersleep。Itseemedthatthesewereforevertobeapartofher。Fortwelvehoursshehadriddenandwalkedwithscarceathoughtofthenatureofthewildcountry，yetonceshelaydowntoresthermindwasanendlesshurryingprocessionofpictures——narrowredcleftschokedwithgreengrowths——yellowgorgesandweatheredslides——dusty，treacherousdividesconnectingcanyons——jumblesofruinedcliffsandpilesofshale——milesandmilesandendlesswindingmilesyellow，low，beetlingwalls。
Andthroughitallshehadleftatrail。
NextdayCreechclimbedoutofthatlow-walledcanyon，andLucysawawild，rockycountrycutbygorges，greenandbare，oryellowandcedared。Thelong，black-fringedlineshehadnoticedthedaybeforeloomedcloser；overhangingthiscrisscrossedregionofcanyons。Everyhalf-hourCreechwouldleadthemdownwardandpresentlyclimboutagain。Thereweresandandhardgroundandthickturfandacresandacresofbarerockwhereevenashodhorsewouldnotleaveatrack。
Butthegoingwasnotsohard——therewasnotsomuchtravelonfootforLucy——andshefinishedthatdayinbetterconditionthanthefirstone。
NextdayCreechproceededwithcareandcaution。Manytimesheleftthedirectroute，biddingLucywaitforhim，andhewouldridetotherimsofcanyonsorthetopsofridgesofcedarforests，andfromthesevantage-pointshewouldsurveythecountry。Lucygatheredafterawhilethathewasapprehensiveofwhatmightbeencountered，andparticularlysoofwhatmightbefearedinpursuit。Lucythoughtthisstrange，becauseitwasoutofthequestionforanyonetobesosoononCreech"strail。
ThesepeculiaractionsofCreechweremorenoticeableonthethirdday，andLucygrewapprehensiveherself。Shecouldnotdivinewhy。ButwhenCreechhaltedonahighcrestthatgaveasweepingvisionofthebrokentable-landtheyhadtraversedLucymadeoutforherselffaintmovingspecksmilesbehind。
"Ireckonyouseethet，"saidCreech"Horses，"repliedLucy。
Henoddedhisheadgloomily，andseemedponderingaseriousquestion。
"Issomeonetrailingus？"askedLucy，andshecouldnotkeepthetremoroutofhervoice。
"Wal，Ishouldsmile!Fertwodays-an"itsurebeatsme。They"veneverhadasightofus。Buttheykeepcomin"。"
"They!Who？"sheasked，swiftly。
"Ihatetotellyou，butIreckonIought。Thet"sCordtsan"twoofhisgang。"
"Oh——don"ttellmeso!"criedLucy，suddenlyterrified。MentionofCordtshadnotalwayshadpowertofrightenher，butthistimeshehadareturnofthatshakingfearwhichhadovercomeherinthegrovethenightshewascaptured。
"Cordtsallright，"repliedCreech。"IknowedthetbeforeIseenhim。Fertwomornin"sbackIseenhishossgrazininthetwidecanyon。ButIthoughtI"dslippedby。Someoneseenus。Ortheyseenourtrail。Anyway，he"safterus。
Whatbeatsmeishowhestickstothettrail。Cordtsneverwasnotracker。An"
sinceDickSearsisdeadthereain"tatrackerinCordts"soutfit。An"I
alwayscouldhidemytracks。Beatsme!"
"Creech，I"vebeenleavingatrail，"confessedLucy。
"What!"
Thenshetoldhimhowshehadbeendroppingcedarberriesandbitsofcedarleavesalongthebareandstonycoursetheyhadtraversed。
"Wal，I"m——"Creechstifledanoath。Thenhelaughed，butgruffly。"Youairacuteone。ButIreckonyoudidn"tpromisenottodothet。An"nowifCordtsgitsyouthere"llbeonlyyourselftoblame。"
"Oh!"criedLucy，franticallylookingback。Themovingspeckswereplainlyinsight。"Howcanheknowhe"strailingme？"
"ThetIcan"tsay。Mebbehedoesn"tknow。Hishossesairfresh，though，an"ifIcan"tshakehimhe"llfindoutsoonenoughwhohe"strailin"。"
"Goon!Wemustshakehim。I"llneverdoTHATagain!ForGod"ssake，Creech，don"tlethimgetme!"
AndCreechleddownoffthehighopenlandintocanyonsagain。
Thedayended，andthenightseemedablackblanktoLucy。AnothersunrisefoundCreechleadingon，sparingneitherLucynorthehorses。Hekeptonasteadywalkortrot，andhepickedoutgroundlesslikelytoleaveanytracks。
Likeanolddeerhedoubledonhistrail。Hetraveleddownstream-bedswherethewaterleftnotrail。Thatdaythemustangsbegantofail。Theotherswerewearingout。
Thecanyonsranliketheribsofawash-board。Andtheygrewdeepandverdant，withlooming，toweredwalls。ThatnightLucyfeltlostinanabyss。Thedreamingsilencekeptherawakemanymomentswhilesleephadalreadyseizeduponhereyelids。AndthenshedreamedofCordtscapturingher，ofcarryinghermilesdeeperintothesewildandpurplecliffs，ofSloneinpursuitonthestallionWildfire，andofasavagefight。Andsheawoketerrifiedandcoldintheblacknessofthenight。
OnthenextdayCreechtraveledwest。ThisseemedtoLucytobefartotheleftofthedirectiontakenbefore。AndLucy，inspiteofherutterweariness，andthenecessityofcaringforherselfandherhorse，couldnotbutwonderatthewildandfrowningcanyon。Itwasonlyatributaryofthegreatcanyon，shesupposed，butitwasdifferent，strange，impressive，yetintimate，becauseallaboutitwasoverpowering，nearathand，eventhebeetlingcrags。Andateveryturnitseemedimpossibletogofartheroverthatnarrowandrock-bestrewnfloor。YetCreechfoundawayon。
ThencamehoursofclimbingsuchslopesandbenchesandledgesasLucyhadnotyetencountered。Thegraspingspikesofdeadcedartoreherdresstoshreds，andmanyascratchburnedherflesh。AboutthemiddleoftheafternoonCreechledupoverthelastdeclivity，ayellowslopeofcedar，toaflatuplandcoveredwithpineandhighbleachedgrass。Theyrested。
"We"vefooledCordts，youcanbesureofthet，"saidCreech。"You"reagamekid，an"，byGawd!ifIhadthisjobtodooverI"dnevertackleitagain!"
"Oh，you"resurewe"velosthim？"imploredLucy。
"SureasIamofdeath。An"we"llmakesurerincrossin"thisbench。It"smilestotheothersidewhereI"mtokeepwatchferJoel。An"wewon"tleaveatrackalltheway。"
"Butthisgrass？"questionedLucy。"It"llshowourtracks。"
"Lookatthelanesan"trailsbetween。Allpinematsthickan"softan"
springy。OnlyanIndiancouldfollowushyaronWildHossBench。"
Lucygazedbeforeherunderthepines。Itwasabeautifulforest，withtreesstandingfarapart，yetnotsofarbutthattheirfoliageintermingled。Adryfragrance，thickasaheavyperfume，blewintoherface。Shecouldnothelpbutthinkoffire——howitwouldracethroughhere，andthatrecalledJoelCreech"shorriblethreat。Lucyshudderedandputawaythememory。"Ican"tgo——anyfarther——to-day，"shesaid。
Creechlookedathercompassionately。ThenLucybecameconsciousthatoflatehehadsoftened。
"You"llhavetocome，"hesaid。"There"snowateronthisside，shortofthetcanyon-bed。An"acrostthere"swatercloseunderthewall。"
Sotheysetoutintotheforest。AndLucyfoundthatafterallshecouldgoon。Thehorseswalkedandonthesoft，springygrounddidnotjarher。Deerandwildturkeyaboundedthereandshowedlittlealarmatsightofthetravelers。AndbeforelongLucyfeltthatshewouldbecomeintoxicatedbythedryodor。Itwassostrong，sothick，sopenetrating。Yet，thoughshefeltshewouldreelunderitsinfluence，itrevivedher。
Theafternoonpassed；thesunsetoffthroughthepines，ablack-streaked，goldenflare；twilightshortlychangedtonight。Thetreeslookedspectralinthegloom，andtheforestappearedtogrowthicker。Wolvesmurmured，andtherewerewildcriesofcatandowl。Lucyfellasleeponherhorse。Atlast，sometimelateinthenight，whenCreechliftedherfromthesaddleandlaidherdown，shestretchedoutonthesoftmatofpineneedlesandknewnomore。
Shedidnotawakenuntiltheafternoonofthenextday。ThesitewhereCreechhadmadehisfinalcampoverlookedthewildestofallthatwilduplandcountry。Thepineshadscatteredandtroopedaroundabeautifulparkofgrassthatendedabruptlyuponbarerock。Yellowcragstoweredabovetherim，andunderthemayawningnarrowgorge，overshadowedfromabove，blueinitsdepths，splittheendofthegreatplateauandopenedoutsheerintotheheadofthecanyon，which，accordingtoCreech，stretchedawaythroughthatwildernessofredstoneandgreenclefts。WhenLucy"sfascinatedgazelookedafarshewasstunnedatthevast，billowy，baresurfaces。Everygreencleftwasashortcanyonrunningparallelwiththiscentralandlongerone。Thedipsandbreaksshowedhowallthesecanyonswereconnected。Theyledthegazeaway，descendinggraduallytothedimpurpleofdistance——thebare，rollingdesertupland。
Lucydidnothingbutgaze。Shewasunabletowalkoreatthatday。Creechhungaroundherwitharemorseheapparentlyfelt，yetcouldnotputintowords。
"DoyouexpectJoeltocomeupthisbigcanyon？"
"IreckonIdo——someday，"repliedCreech。"An"Iwishhe"dhurry。"
"Doesheknowtheway？"
"Nope。Buthe"sgoodatfindin"places。An"Itoldhimtosticktothemaincanyon。Wouldyoubelieveyoucouldrideofferthisrim，straightdowntharferfiftymiles，an"nevergitoffyourhoss？"