第12章
"No，Iwouldn"tbelieveitpossible。"
"Wal，it"sso。I"vedoneit。An"Ididn"twanttocomeupthetwaybecauseI"dhadtoleavetracks。"
"Doyouthinkwe"resafe——fromCordtsnow？"sheasked。
"Ireckonso。He"snotracker。"
"Butsupposehedoestrailus？"
"Wal，IreckonI"veashadethebestofCordtsatgun-play，anyday。"
Lucyregardedthemaninsurprise。"Oh，it"sso——strange!"shesaid。"You"dfightforme。Yetyoudraggedmefordaysovertheseawfulrocks!Lookatme，Creech。DoIlookmuchlikeLucyBostil？"
Creechhunghishead。"Wal，IreckonedIwasn"tablackguard，butIAM。"
"YouusedtocareformewhenIwaslittle。IrememberhowIusedtotakeridesonyourknee。"
"Lucy，IneverthoughtofthetwhenIketchedyou。Youwasonlyameanstoanend。Bostilhatedme。Heruinedme。Igiveuptorevenge。An"Icouldonlygitthetthroughyou。"
"Creech，I"mnotdefendingDad。He"s——he"snogoodwherehorsesareconcerned。
Iknowhewrongedyou。Thenwhydidn"tyouwaitandmeethimlikeamaninsteadofdraggingmetothismisery？"
"Wal，Ineverthoughtofthet，either。IwishedIhad。"Hegrewgloomierthenandrelapsedintosilentwatching。
Lucyfeltbetternextday，andofferedtohelpCreechatthefewcampduties。
Hewouldnotlether。Therewasnothingtodobutrestandwait，andtheidlenessappearedtobeharderonCreechthanonLucy。Hehadalwaysbeenexceedinglyactive。Lucydivinedthateveryhourhisremorsegrewkeener，andshedidallshecouldthinkoftomakeitso。Creechmadeherarudebrushbygatheringsmallrootsandbindingthemtightlyandcuttingtheendssquare。
AndLucy，afterthemannerofanIndian，gotthetanglesoutofherhair。ThatdayCreechseemedtowanttohearLucy"svoice，andsotheyoftenfellintoconversation。Oncehesaid，thoughtfully:
"I"mtryin"toremembersomethin"IheerdattheFord。Imeanttoaskyou——"
Suddenlyheturnedtoherwithanimation。Hewhohadbeensogloomyandlusterlessanddeadshowedabrighteagerness。"IheerdyoubeattheKingonaredhoss——awildhoss!Thetmusthavebeenajoke——likeoneofJoel"s。"
"No。It"strue。An"Dadnearlyhadafit!"
"Wal!"Creechsimplyblazedwithexcitement。"Iain"twonderin"ifhedid。Hisowngirl!Lucy，cometoremember，youalwayssaidyou"dbeatthetgrayracer……FertheLord"ssaketellmeallaboutit。"
Lucywarmedtohimbecause，brokenashewas，hecouldbegenuinelygladsomehorsebuthisownhadwonarace。Bostilcouldneverhavebeenlikethat。SoLucytoldhimabouttherace——andthenshehadtotellaboutWildfire，andthenaboutSlone。ButatfirstallofCreech"sinterestcenteredroundWildfireandtheracethathadnotreallybeenrun。Heaskedahundredquestions。Hewasaspleasedasaboylisteningtoagoodstory。HepraisedLucyagainandagain。HecrowedoverBostil"sdiscomfiture。AndwhenLucytoldhimthatSlonehaddaredherfathertorace，hadofferedtobetWildfireandhisownlifeagainstherhand，thenCreechwasbesidehimself。
"ThishyarSlone——heCALLEDBostil"shand!"
"He"sawild-horsehunter。AndHEcantrailus!"
"Trailus!Slone？Say，Lucy，areyouinlovewithhim？"
Lucyutteredastrangelittlebrokensound，halflaugh，halfsob。"Lovehim!
Ah!"
"An"yourDad"sag"inhim!SureBostil"llhateanyriderwithafasthoss。Whydidn"tthedarnfoolsellhisstalliontoyourfather？"
"HegaveWildfiretome。"
"I"dhavedonethesame。Wal，now，whenyougitbackhomewhat"scomin"ofitall？"
Lucyshookherheadsorrowfully。"Godonlyknows。DadwillneverownWildfire，andhe"llneverletmemarrySlone。AndwhenyoutaketheKingawayfromhimtoransomme——thenmylifewillbehell，forifDadsacrificesSageKing，afterwardhe"llhatemeasthecauseofhisloss。"
"Icansureseethesenseofallthat，"repliedCreech，soberly。Andhepondered。
Lucysawthroughthismanasifhehadbeenaninchofcrystalwater。Hewasnovillain，andjustnowinhissimplicity，inhisploddingthoughtofsympathyforherhewaslovable。
"It"sonehellofamuss，ifyou"llexcusemytalk，"saidCreech。"An"Idon"tlikethelooksofwhatI"peartobethrowin"inyourway。Butseehyar，Lucy，ifBostildidn"tgiveup——or，say，hegitstheKingback，thetwouldn"tmakeyourchancewithSloneanybrighter。"
"Idon"tknow。"
"Thetracewillhavetoberan!"
"Whatgoodwillthatdo？"criedLucy，withtearsinhereyes。"Idon"twanttoloseDad。I——I——lovehim——meanasheis。Andit"llkillmetoloseLin。
BecauseWildfirecanbeatSageKing，andthatmeansDadwillbeforeveragainsthim。"
"Couldn"tthiswild-horsefellerLETtheKingwinthetrace？"
"Oh，hecould，buthewouldn"t。"
"Can"tyoubesweetroundhim——fetchhimovertothet？"
"Oh，Icould，butIwon"t。"
Creechmighthavebeenplottingthehappinessofhisowndaughter，hewassodeeplyinearnest。
"Wal，mebbeyoudon"tloveeachothersomuch，afterall。Fasthossesmeanmuchtoamaninthishyarcountry。Iknow，ferIlostmine!Buttheyain"tall。Ireckonyouyoungfolksdon"tlovesomuch，afterall。"
"But——we——do!"criedLucy，withapassionatesob。Allthistalkhadunnervedher。
"ThentheonlywayisferSlonetolietoBostil。"
"Lie!"exclaimedLucy。
"Thet"sit。Fetchaboutarace，somehow——oneBostilcan"tsee——an"thenliean"saytheKingrunWildfireoffhislegs。"
SuddenlyitoccurredtoLucythatonesignificanceofthisideaofCreech"shadnotdawneduponhim。"YouforgetthatsoonmyfatherwillnolongerownSageKingorSarchedonorDustyBen——oranyracer。Helosesthemorme，I
thought。That"swhatIamherefor。"
Creech"saspectchanged。Theeagernessandsympathyfledfromhisface，leavingitoncemorehardandstern。Hegotupandstoodatall，dark，andgloomyman，broodingoverhisloss，ashewatchedthecanyon。Still，therewasinhimthenastrugglethatLucyfelt。Presentlyhebentoverandputhisbighandonherhead。Itseemedgentleandtendercomparedwithformercontacts，anditmadeLucythrill。Shecouldnotseehisface。Whatdidhemean？Shedivinedsomethingstartling，andsattheretremblinginsuspense。
"Bostilwon"tlosehisonlygirl——orhisfavoritehoss!Lucy，Ineverhadnogirl。ButitseemsI"mrememberin"themridesyouusedtohaveonmykneewhenyouwaslittle!"
Thenhestrodeawaytowardtheforest。Lucywatchedhimwithafullheart，andasshethoughtofhisovercomingtheevilinhimwhenherfatherhadyieldedtoit，shesufferedpoignantshame。ThisCreechwasnotabadman。Hewasgoingtolethergo，andhewasgoingtoreturnBostil"shorseswhentheycame。LucyresolvedwithapassionatedeterminationthatherfathermustmakeamplerestitutionforthelossCreechhadendured。ShemeanttotellCreechso。
Uponhisreturn，however，heseemedsostrangeandforbiddingagainthatherheartfailedher。Hadhereconsideredhisgenerousthought？Lucyalmostbelievedso。Theseoldhorse-traderswereincomprehensibleinanyrelationconcerninghorses。RecallingCreech"sintenseinterestinWildfireandintheinevitableracetoberunbetweenhimandSageKing，LucyalmostbelievedthatCreechwouldsacrificehisvengeancejusttoseetheredstallionbeatthegray。IfCreechkepttheKinginransomforLucyhewouldhavetostaydeeplyhiddeninthewildbreaksofthecanyoncountryorleavetheuplands。ForBostilwouldneverletthatdeedgounreckonedwith。LikeBostil，oldCreechwashalfhorseandhalfhuman。Thehumansidehadwarmedtoremorse。HehadregrettedLucy"splight；hewantedhertobesafeathomeagainandtofindhappiness；herememberedwhatshehadbeentohimwhenshewasalittlegirl。
Creech"sothersidewasmorecomplex。
BeforetheeveningmealendedLucydivinedthatCreechwasdarkandtroubledbecausehehadresignedhimselftoasacrificeharderthanithadseemedinthefirstflushofnoblefeeling。Butshedoubtedhimnomore。Shewassafe。
TheKingwouldbereturned。ShewouldcompelherfathertopayCreechhorseforhorse。AndperhapsthelessontoBostilwouldbeworthallthepainofeffortanddistressofmindthatithadcosther。
Thatnightasshelayawakelisteningtotheroarofthewindinthepinesastrangepremonition——likeamysteriousvoice——cametoherwiththeassurancethatSlonewasonhertrail。
OnthefollowingdayCreechappearedtohavecastoffthebroodingmood。
Still，hewasnottalkative。Heappliedhimselftoconstantwatchingfromtherim。
Lucybegantofeelrested。ThatlongtripwithCreechhadmadeherthinandhardandstrong。Shespentthehoursundertheshadeofacedarontherimthatprotectedherfromsunandwind。Thewind，particularly，washardtostand。Itblewagaleoutofthewest，adry，odorous，steadyrushthatroaredthroughthepine-topsandflattenedthelong，whitegrass。ThisdayCreechhadtobuildupabarrierofrockroundhiscamp-fire，tokeepitfromblowingaway。Andtherewasaconstantdangeroffiringthegrass。
OnceLucyaskedCreechwhatwouldhappeninthatcase。
"Wal，Ireckonthegrasswouldburnbackevenag"inthetwind，"repliedCreech。"I"dhatetoseefireinthewoodsnowbeforetherainscome。It"sbeenthelongest，dryestspellIeverlivedthrough。Butferthetmyhosses——
Thishyar"sawestwind，an"it"sblowin"hardereveryday。It"llfetchtherains。"
Nextdayaboutnoon，whenbothwindandheatwerehigh，Lucywasawakenedfromadoze。Creechwasstandingnearher。Whenheturnedhislonggazeawayfromthecanyonhewassmiling。Itwasasmileatoncetriumphantandsad。
"Joel"scomin"withthehosses!"
Lucyjumpedup，tremblingandagitated。"Oh!Where？Where？"
Creechpointedcarefullywithbenthand，likeanIndian，andLucyeithercouldnotgetthedirectionorseefarenough。
"Rightdownalongthebaseofthetredwall。Alineofhosses。Jestlikeafewcrawlin"ants"An"nowthey"recreepin"outofsight。"
"Oh，Ican"tseethem!"criedLucy。"AreyouSURE？"
"Positivean"sartin，"hereplied。"Joel"scomin"。He"llbeuphyarbeforelong。Ireckonwe"djestaswelllethimcome。Ferthere"swateran"grasshyar。An"downbelowgrassisscarce。"
ItseemedanagetoLucy，waitingthere，untilshedidseehorseszigzaggingtheridgesbelow。Theydisappeared，andthenitwasanotheragebeforetheyreappearedcloseunderthebulgeofwall。ShethrilledatsightofSageKingandSarchedon。Shegotonlyaglimpseofthem。Theymustpassroundunderhertoclimbasplitinthewall，andupalongdrawthatreachedlevelgroundbackintheforest。Buttheywerenear，andLucytriedtowait。Creechshowedeagernessatfirst，andthenwentonwithhiscamp-fireduties。Whileincamphealwayscookedamiddaymeal。
Lucysawthehorsesfirst。Shescreamedout。Creechjumpedupinalarm。
JoelCreech，mountedonSageKing，andleadingSarchedon，wascomingatagallop。Theotherhorseswerefollowing。
"What"shishurry？"demandedLucy。"AfterclimbingoutofthatcanyonJoeloughtnottopushthehorses。"
"He"llgititfrommeifthere"snoreason，"growledCreech。"Themhossesiswet。"
"LookatSarch!He"swild。HealwayshatedJoel。"
"Wal，Lucy，IreckonIain"tlikin"thishyar。LookatJoel!"mutteredCreech，andhestrodeouttomeethisson。
Lucyranouttoo，andbeyondhim。ShesawonlySageKing。Hesawher，recognizedher，and，whistledevenwhileJoelwaspullinghimin。ForoncetheKingshowedhewasgladtoseeLucy。Hehadbeenhavingroughtreatment。Buthewasnotwinded——onlyhotandwet。Sheassuredherselfofthat，thenrantoquiettheplungingSarch。Hecamedownatonce，andpushedhisbignosealmostintoherface。Shehuggedhisgreat，hotneck。Hewasquiveringallover。Lucyheardtheotherhorsespoundingup；sherecognizedTwoFace"shighwhinny，likeasqueal；andinherdelightshewasabouttoruntothemwhenCreech"sharshvoicearrestedher。AndsightofJoel"sfacesuddenlymadeherweak。
"What"dyousay？"demandedCreech。
"I"dagoodreasontorunthehossesup-hill——thet"swhat!"snappedJoel。Hewasfrothingatthemouth。
"Outwithit!"
"Cordtsan"Hutch!"
"What？"roaredCreech，graspingthepaleJoelandshakinghim。
"Cordtsan"Hutchrodeinbehindmedownatthetcrosscanyon。Theyseenme。
An"they"reaftermehard!"
Creechgavecloseandkeenscrutinytothestrangefaceofhisson。Thenhewheeledaway。
"Helpmepack。An"you，too，Lucy。We"vegottorustleoutofhyar。"
Lucyfoughtasickfaintnessthatthreatenedtomakeheruseless。Butshetriedtohelp，andpresentlyactionmadeherstronger。
TheCreechesmadeshortworkofthatbreakingofcamp。Butwhenitcametogettingthehorsesthereappeareddangerofdelay。SarchedonhadledDustyBenandTwoFaceoffinthegrass。WhenJoelwentforthemtheygallopedawaytowardthewoods。Joelranback。
"Son，you"reasmarthossman!"exclaimedCreech，indisgust。
"ShallIgitontheKingan"ketchthem？"
"No。HoldtheKing。"CreechwentoutafterPlume，buttheexcitedandwaryhorseeludedhim。ThenCreechgaveup，caughthisownmustangs，andhurriedintocamp。
"Lucy，ifCordtsgitsafterSarchan"theothersit"llbeaswellferus，"hesaid。
Soontheywereridingintotheforest，Creechleading，Lucyinthecenter，andJoelcomingbehindontheKing。Twounsaddledmustangscarryingthepacksweredriveninfront。Creechlimitedthegaittothebestthatthepack-horsescoulddo。Theymadefasttime。Thelevelforestfloor，hardandspringy，affordedthebestkindofgoing。
AcolddreadhadoncemoreclutchedLucy"sheart。Whatwouldbetheendofthisflight？ThewayCreechlookedbackincreasedherdread。HowhorribleitwouldbeifCordtsaccomplishedwhathehadalwaysthreatened——torunoffwithbothherandtheKing!LucylostherconfidenceinCreech。ShedidnotglanceagainatJoel。Oncehadbeenenough。Sherodeonwithheavyheart。Anxietyanddreadandconjectureandagradualsinkingofspiritweighedherdown。Yetsheneverhadaclearerperceptionofoutsidethings。Theforestloomedthickeranddarker。Theskywasseenonlythroughagreen，crisscrossoffoliagewavingintheroaringgale。ThisstrongwindwaslikeablastinLucy"sface，anditskeendrynesscrackedherlips。
Whentheyrodeoutoftheforest，downagentleslopeofwind-sweptgrass，toanopeningintoacanyonLucywassurprisedtorecognizetheplace。Howquicklytheridethroughtheforesthadbeenmade!
Creechdismounted。"Gitoff，Lucy。You，Joel，hurryan"handmethelittlepack。NowI"lltakeLucyan"theKingdowninhyar。Yougothetwaywiththehossesan"makeasifyouwashidin"yourtrail，butdon"t。Doyousavvy？"
Joelshookhishead。Helookedsullen，somber，strange。Hisfatherrepeatedwhathehadsaid。
"You"rewantin"Cordtstosplitonthetrail？"askedJoel。
"Sure。He"llketchupwithyousometime。Butyouneedn"tbeafearedifhedoes。"
"Iain"ta-goin"todothet。"
"Whynot？"Creechdemanded，slowly，witharisingvoice。
"I"ma-goin"withyou。Whatd"yemean，Dad，bythismove？You"llbeheadin"
backfertheFord。An"we"dgitsaferifwegotheotherway。"
Creechevidentlycontrolledhistemperbyaneffort。"I"mtakin"Lucyan"theKingbacktoBostil。"
Joelechoedthosewords，slowlydiviningthem。"Takin"themBOTH!Thegirl……An"givin"uptheKing!"
"Yes，bothofthem。I"vechangedmymind，Joel。Now——you——"
ButCreechneverfinishedwhathemeanttosay。JoelCreechwassuddenlyseizedbyahorriblemadness。Itwasthen，perhaps，thatthefinalthreadwhichlinkedhismindtorationalitystretchedandsnapped。Hisfaceturnedgreen。Hisstrangeeyesprotruded。Hisjawworked。Hefrothedatthemouth。Heleaped，apparentlytogetnearhisfather，buthemissedhisdirection。Then，asifsighthadcomeback，hewheeledandmadestrangegestures，allthewhilecursingincoherently。Thefather"sshockedfacebegantoshowdisgust。ThenpartofJoel"srantingbecameintelligible。
"Shutup!"suddenlyroaredCreech。
"No，Iwon"t!"shriekedJoel，wagginghisheadinspentpassion。"An"youain"ta-goin"totakethetgirlhome。I"lltakeherwithme。An"
youtakethehosseshome!"
"You"recrazy!"hoarselyshoutedCreech，hisfacegoingblack。"Theyallussaidso。ButIneverbelievedthet。"
"An"ifI"mcrazy，thetgirlmademe。YouknowwhatI"ma-goin"todo？。I"llstriphernaked——an"I"ll——"
LucysawoldCreechlungeandstrike。Sheheardthesoddenblow。Joelwentdown。ButhescrambledupwithhiseyesandmouthresemblingthoseofamadhoundLucyoncehadseen。Thefactthathereachedtwiceforhisgunandcouldnotfinditprovedthebreakingconnectionofnerveandsense。CreechjumpedandgrappledwithJoel。Therewasawrestling，strainedstruggle。Creech"shairstoodupandhisfacehadakindofsickfury，andhecontinuedtocurseandcommand。Theyfoughtforthepossessionofthegun。ButJoelseemedtohavesuperhumanstrength。Hisholdontheguncouldnotbebroken。Moreover，hekeptstrainingtopointthegunathisfather。Lucyscreamed。Creechyelledhoarsely。Buttheboywasbeyondreasonorhelp，andhewasbeyondoverpowering!Lucysawhimbendhisarminspiteofthedesperateholduponitandfirethegun。Creech"shoarseentreatiesceasedashisholdonJoelbroke。Hestaggered。Hisarmswentupwithatragic，terriblegesture。Hefell。Joelstoodoverhim，shakingandlivid，butheshowedonlythevaguestrealizationofthedeed。Hisactionswereinstinctive。Hewastheanimalthathadclawedhimselffree。Furtherproofofhisaberrationstoodoutintheactionofsheathinghisgun；hemadethemotiontodoso，butheonlydroppeditinthegrass。
SightofthatdroppedgunbrokeLucy"sspellofhorror，whichhadkepthersilentbutforonescream。Suddenlyherbloodleapedlikefireinherveins。
ShemeasuredthedistancetoSageKing。Joelwasturning。ThenLucydartedattheKing，reachedhim，and，leaping，washalfuponhimwhenhesnortedandjumped，notbreakingherhold，butkeepingherfromgettingup。Thenironhandsclutchedherandthrewher，likeanemptysack，tothegrass。
JoelCreechdidnotsayaword。Hisdistortedfacehadthederidingscornofasuperiorbeing。Lucylayflatonherback，watchinghim。Hermindworkedswiftly。Shewouldhavetofightforherbodyandherlife。Herterrorhadfledwithherhorror。Shewasnotnowafraidofthisdementedboy。Shemeanttofight，calculatinglikeacunningIndian，wildasatrappedwildcat。
Lucylayperfectlystill，forsheknewshehadbeenthrownnearthespotwherethegunlay。IfshegotherhandsonthatgunshewouldkillJoel。Itwouldbetheactionofaninstant。ShewatchedJoelwhilehewatchedher。AndshesawthathehadhisfootontheroperoundSageKing"sneck。TheKingneverlikedarope。Hewasnervous。Hetossedhisheadtogetridofit。Creech，watchingLucyallthewhile，reachedfortherope，pulledtheKingcloserandcloser，anduntiedtheknot。TheKingstoodthen，bridledownandquiet。Insteadofasaddleheworeablanketstrappedroundhim。
ItseemedthatLucylocatedthegunwithoutturninghereyesawayfromJoel"s。
Shegatheredallherforce——rolledoverswiftly——again——gotherhandsonthegunjustasCreechleapedlikeapantheruponher。Hisweightcrushedherflat——hisstrengthmadeherhand-holdlikethatofachild。Hethrewthegunaside。Lucylayfacedown，unabletomoveherbodywhilehestoodoverher。
Thenhestruckher，notastunningblow，butjustthehardrapacruelridergivestoahorsethatwantsitsownway。UnderthatblowLucy"sspiritrosetoaheightofterriblepassion。Stillshedidnotlosehercunning；theblowincreasedit。ThatblowshowedJoeltobecrazy。Shemightoutwitacrazyman，whereamanmerelywickedmightmasterher。
Creechtriedtoturnher。Lucyresisted。Andshewasstrong。ResistanceinfuriatedCreech。Hecuffedhersharply。Thisactiononlymadehimworse。
Thenwithhandslikesteelclawshetoreawayherblouse。
TheshockofhishandsonherbarefleshmomentarilyweakenedLucy，andCreechdraggedatheruntilshelayseeminglyhelplessbeforehim。
AndLucysawthatatthesightofherlikethissomethinghadcomebetweenJoelCreech"smadmotivesandtheirexecution。Oncehehadlovedher——desiredher。Helookedvague。Hestrokedhershoulder。Hisstrangeeyessoftened，thenblazedwithadifferentlight。Lucydivinedthatshewaslostunlessshecouldrecallhisinsanefury。Shemustbeginthatterriblefightinwhichnowthebestshecouldhopeforwastomakehimkillherquickly。
Swiftandviciousasacatshefastenedherteethinhisarm。Shebitdeepandheldon。Creechhowledlikeadog。Hebeather。Hejerkedandwrestled。Thenheliftedher，andtheswingofherbodytorethefleshloosefromhisarmandbrokeherhold。Lucyhalfrose，crawled，plungedforthegun。Shegotit，too，onlytohaveCreechkickitoutofherhand。Thepainofthatbrutalkickwassevere，butwhenhecutheracrossthebarebackwiththeropesheshriekedout。Suppleandquick，sheleapedupandran。Invain!Withafewboundshehadheragain，trippedherup。Lucyfelloverthedeadbodyofthefather。Yeteventhatdidnotshakeherdesperatenerve。Alltheferocityofadesert-bredsavageculminatedinher，fightingfordeath。
Creechleaneddown，swingingthecoiledrope。Hemeanttodomorethanlashherwithit。Lucy"shandsflashedup，closedtightinhislonghair。Thenwithabellowhejerkedupandliftedhersheerofftheground。TherewasaninstantinwhichLucyfeltherselfswungandtorn；shesaweverythingasawhirlingblur；shefeltanagonyinherwristsatwhichCreechwasclawing。
WhenhebrokeherholdtherewerehandfulsofhairinLucy"sfists。
Shefellagainandhadnotthestrengthtorise。ButCreechwasraging，andlittleofhisbrokenspeechwasintelligible。Hekneltwithasharpkneepressingherdown。Hecuttherope。Nimbly，likeariderinmomentsofneedfulswiftness，henoosedoneendoftheroperoundherankle，thentheendoftheotherpieceroundherwrist。Hemighthavebeentyingupanunbrokenmustang。
Rising，heretainedholdonbothropes。Hemovedback，slidingthemthroughhishands。ThenwithaquickmovehecaughtupSageKing"sbridle。
Creechpausedamoment，darklytriumphant。Ahideoussuccessshowedinhisstrangeeyes。Along-cherishedmadvengeancehadreacheditsfruition。ThenheledthehorseneartoLucy。
Warilyhereacheddown。HedidnotknowLucy"sstrengthwasspent。Hefearedshemightyetescape。Withhard，quickgrasphecaughther，liftedher，threwherovertheKing"sback。Heforcedherdown。
Lucy"sresistancewasheronlysalvation，becauseitkepthimonthetrackofhisoldthreat。Sheresistedallshecould。HepulledherarmsdownroundtheKing"sneckandtiedthemclose。Thenhepulledhardontheropeonherankleandtiedthattoherotherankle。
Lucyrealizedthatshewasboundfast。Creechhadmadegoodmostofhisthreat。Andnowinhermindthehopeofthedeathshehadsoughtchangedtothehopeoflifethatwaspossible。WhateverpowershehadeverhadovertheKingwasinhervoice。IfonlyCreechwouldslipthebridleorcutthereins——ifonlySageKingcouldbefreetorun!
LucycouldturnherfacefarenoughtoseeCreech。Likeafiendhewasrevelinginhiswork。Suddenlyhepickedupthegun。
"Looka-hyar!"hecalled，hoarsely。
Witheyesonher，grinninghorribly，hewalkedafewpacestowherethelonggrasshadnotbeentrampledorpresseddown。Thewind，whippingupoutofthecanyon，wasstillblowinghard。Creechputthegundowninthegrassandfired。
SageKingplunged。Buthewasnotgun-shy。Hesteadieddownwithapoundingofheavyhoofs。ThenLucycouldseeagain。Athinstreakofyellowsmokerose——alittlesnakyflame——aslightcracklinghiss!Thenasthewindcaughttheblazetherecamearushing，lowroar。Fire，likemagic，racedandspreadbeforethewindtowardtheforest。
LucyhadforgottenthatCreechhadmeanttodriveherintofire。Thesuddenhorrorofitalmostcausedcollapse。Commotionwithin——coldandquakeandnauseaandagony——deadenedherhearinganddarkenedhersight。ButCreech"shardhandsquickenedher。Shecouldseehimthen，thoughnotclearly。Hisfaceseemedinhuman，misshapen，gray。Hishandspulledatherarms——alastprecautiontoseethatshewastightlybound。ThenwiththedeftfingersofariderheslippedSageKing"sbridle。
Lucycouldnottrusthersight。WhatmadetheKingstandsostill？Hisearswentup——stiff——pointed!
CreechsteppedbackandlaidaviolenthandonLucy"sgarments。Shebent——twistedhernecktowatchhim。Buthersightgrewnoclearer。Stillshesawhemeanttostriphernaked。Hebracedhimselfforastrong，rippingpull。
Hisyellowteethshoweddeepinhislip。Hiscontrastingeyeswerealightwithinsanejoy。
Butheneverpulled。Somethingattractedhisattention。Helooked。Hesawsomething。Thebeastinhimbecamehuman——themadnesschangedtorationality——thedeviltoacraven!Hisashenlipsutteredalow，terriblecry。
LucyfelttheKingtremblingineverymuscle。Sheknewthatwasflight。Sheexpectedhisloudsnort，andwaspreparedforitwhenitrangout。Inasecondhewouldbolt。Sheknewthat。Shethrilled。Shetriedtocalltohim，butherlipswereweak。Creechseemedparalyzed。TheKingshiftedhisposition，andLucy"slastglimpseofCreechwasoneshewouldneverforget。ItwasasifCreechfacedburninghell!
ThentheKingwhistledandreared。Lucyheardswift，dull，throbbingbeats。
Beatsofafasthorse"shoofsontherun!Shefeltasurgingthrillofjoy。
Shecouldnotthink。Allofherbloodandboneandmuscleseemedtothrob。
Suddenlytheairsplittoahigh-pitched，wild，whistlingblast。ItpiercedtoLucy"smind。Sheknewthatwhistle。
"Wildfire!"shescreamed，withburstingheart。
TheKinggaveamightyconvulsiveboundofterror。He，too，knewthatwhistle。
Andinthatonegreatboundhelaunchedoutintoarun。Straightacrossthelineofburninggrass!Lucyfeltthestingofflame。Smokeblindedandchokedher。Thenclear，dry，keenwindsunginherearsandwhippedherhair。Thelightaboutherdarkened。TheKinghadheadedintothepines。TheheavyroarofthegaleoverheadstruckLucywithnewandtorturingdread。SageKingonceinhislifewasrunningaway，bridleless，andbehindhimtherewasfireonthewingsofthewind。
CHAPTERXVII
ForthefirsttimeinhisexperienceBostilfoundthathorse-tradingpalleduponhim。ThistriptoDurangowasafailure。Somethingwaswrong。Therewasavoiceconstantlycallingintohisinnerear——avoicetowhichherefusedtolisten。Andduringthefivedaysofthereturntripthestrangemoodgrewuponhim。
ThelastdayheandhisriderscoveredoverfiftymilesandreachedtheFordlateatnight。Nooneexpectedthem，andonlythemenondutyatthecorralsknewofthereturn。Bostil，muchrelievedtogethome，wenttobedandatoncefellasleep。
Heawakenedatalatehourforhim。Whenhedressedandwentouttothekitchenhefoundthathissisterhadlearnedofhisreturnandhadbreakfastwaiting。
"Where"sthegirl？"askedBostil。
"Notupyet，"repliedAuntJane。
"What!"
"LucyandIhadatifflastnightandshewenttoherroominatemper。"
"Nothin"newaboutthet。"
"HolleyandIhavehadourtroublesholdingherin。Don"tyouforgetthat。"
Bostillaughed。"Wal，callheran"tellherI"mhome。"
AuntJanedidasshewasbidden。Bostilfinishedhisbreakfast。ButLucydidnotcome。
Bostilbegantofeelsomethingstrange，and，goingtoLucy"sdoor，heknocked。
Therewasnoreply。Bostilpushedopenthedoor。Lucywasnotinevidence，andherroomwasnotastidyasusual。Hesawherwhitedressthrownuponthebedshehadnotsleptin。Bostilgazedaroundwithaqueercontractionoftheheart。Thatsenseofsomethingamissgrewstronger。Thenhesawachairbeforetheopenwindow。Thatwindowwasratherhigh，andLucyhadplacedachairbeforeitsothatshecouldlookoutorgetout。Bostilstretchedhisneck，lookedout，andintheredearthbeneaththewindowhesawfreshtracksofLucy"sboots。ThenheroaredforJane。
Shecamerunning，andbetweenBostil"sfuriousquestionsandherownexcitedanswerstherewasnothingarrivedat。Butpresentlyshespiedthewhitedress，andthensherantoLucy"scloset。FromtheresheturnedawhitefacetoBostil。
"Sheputonherriding-clothes!"gaspedAuntJane。
"Supposin"shedid!Whereisshe？"demandedBostil。
"SHE"SRUNOFFWITHSLONE!"
Bostilcouldnothavebeenshockedorhurtanymoreacutelybyaknife-thrust。
Heglaredathissister。
"A-huh!Sothet"sthewayyouwatchher!"
"Watchher？Itwasn"tpossible。She"s——well，she"sassmartasyouare。
Oh，Iknewshe"ddoit!Shewaswildinlovewithhim!"
Bostilstrodeoutoftheroomandthehouse。HewentthroughthegroveanddirectlyupthepathtoSlone"scabin。Itwasempty，justasBostilexpectedtofindit。
Thebarsofthecorralweredown。BothSlone"shorsesweregone。PresentlyBostilsawtheblackhorseNaggerdowninBrackton"spasture。
TherewereridersinfrontofBrackton"s。AllspokeatoncetoBostil，andheonlyyelledforBrackton。Theoldmancamehurriedlyout，alarmed。
"Where"sthisSlone？"demandedBostil。
"Slone!"ejaculatedBrackton。"I"mblessedifIknow。Ain"thehome？"
"No。An"he"slefthisblackhossinyourfield。"
"Wal，bygolly，thet"snewstome。Bostil，there"sbeenstrangedoin"slately。"Bracktonseemedatalossforwords。"MebbeSlonegotoutbecauseofsomethin"thetcomeofflastnight。Now，JoelCreechan"——an"——"
Bostilwaitedtohearnomore。WhatdidhecareabouttheidiotCreech？Hestrodedownthelanetothecorrals。Farlane，Van，andotherriderswerethere，leisurelyasusual。ThenHolleyappeared，comingoutofthebarn。He，too，waseasy，cool，natural，lazy。Noneoftheseridersknewwhatwasamiss。
Butinstantlyachangepassedoverthem。ItcamebecauseBostilpulledagun。
"Holley，I"veamindtoboreyou!"
Theoldhawk-eyedriderdidnotflinchorturnashadeoffcolor。"Whatfer？"
hequeried。Buthiscustomarydrawlwaswanting。
"IleftyoutowatchLucy。An"she"sgone!"
Holleyshowedgenuinesurpriseanddistress。TheotherridersechoedBostil"slastword。Bostilloweredthegun。
"Ireckonwhatsavesyouisyou"retheonlytrackerthet"dhaveashowtofindthiscussedSlone。"
Holleynowshowednosignofsurprise，buttheotherriderswereastounded。
"Lucy"srunoffwithSlone，"addedBostil。
"Wal，ifshe"sgone，an"ifhe"sgone，it"sacinch，"repliedHolley，throwinguphishands。"Boss，shedouble-crossedmesameasyou!Shepromisedfaithfultostayinthehouse。"
"Promisesnothin"!"roaredBostil。"She"sinlovewiththiswild-hosswrangler!Shemethimlastnight!"
"Icouldn"thelpthet，"retortedHolley。"An"Itrustedthegirl。"
Bostiltossedhishands。Hestruggledwithhisrage。HehadnofearthatLucywouldnotsoonbefound。Buttheoppositiontohiswillmadehimfurious。
VanleftthegroupofridersandcameclosetoBostil。"Itain"tanhourbackthetIseenSlonerideoffaloneonhisredhoss。"
"Whatofthet？"demandedBostil。"Sureshewaswaitin"somewheres。They"dhavetoomuchsensetogotogether。Saddleup，youboys，an"we"ll——"
"Say，Bostil，IhappentoknowSlonedidn"tseeLucylastnight，"interruptedHolley。
"A-huh!Wal，you"dbettertalkout。"
"ItrustedLucy，"saidHolley。"Butallthesame，knowin"shewasinlove，I
jestwantedtoseeifanygirlinlovecouldkeepherword。SoaboutdarkIwentdownthegrovean"watchedferSlone。PrettysoonIseenhim。Hesneakedalongtheupperendan"Ifollered。Hewenttothetbenchupbythebiggestcottonwood。An"hewaitedalongtime。ButLucydidn"tcome。Hemusthavewaitedtillmidnight。Thenheleft。Iwatchedhimgoback——seenhimgouptohiscabin。"
"Wal，ifshedidn"tmeethim，wherewasshe？Shewasn"tinherroom。"
BostilgazedatHolleyandtheotherriders，thenbacktoHolley。Whatwasthematterwiththisoldrider？BostilhadneverseenHolleyseemsostrange。Thewholeaffairbegantoloomstrangely，darkly。SomeportentquickenedBostil"slumberingpulse。ItseemedthatHolley"smindmusthavefoundanobstacletothought。Suddenlytheoldrider"sfacechanged——thebronzewasblottedout——agraynesscame，andthenadeadwhite。
"Bostil，mebbeyou"ain"tbeentoldyetthet——thetCreechrodeinyesterday……Helostallhisracers!HehadtoshootbothPegan"Roan!"
Bostil"sthoughtsufferedasudden，blankhalt。Then，withrealization，cametheshockforwhichhehadlongbeenprepared。
"A-huh!Isthetso？Wal，an"whatdidhesay？"
Holleylaughedagrim，significantlaughthatcurdledBostil"sblood。"Creechsaidalot!Butletthetgonow。Comewithme。"
Holleystartedwithrapidstridesdownthelane。Bostilfollowed。Andheheardtheriderscomingbehind。AdarkandgloomythoughtsettleduponBostil。Hecouldnotcheckthat，butheheldbackimpatienceandpassion。
HolleywentstraighttoLucy"swindow。Hegotdownonhiskneestoscrutinizethetracks。
"Mademore"ntwelvehoursago，"hesaid，swiftly。"Shehadonherboots，butnospurs。Nowlet"sseewhereshewent。"
HolleybegantotrailLucy"sprogressthroughthegrove，silentlypointingnowandthentoatrack。Hewentswifter，tillBostilhadtohurry。Theothermencamewhisperingafterthem。
Holleywasaskeenasahoundonscent。
"Shestoppedthere，"hesaid，"mebbetolisten。Lookslikeshewantedtocrossthelane，butshedidn"t:hereshegottogoin"faster。"
Holleyreachedanintersectingpathandsuddenlyhaltedstock-still，pointingatabigtrackinthedust。
"MyGod!Bostil，lookatthet!"
OnerivingpangtorethroughBostil——andthenhewassuddenlyhisoldself，facingthetruthofdangertooneheloved。HesawbesidethebigtrackafaintimprintofLucy"ssmallfoot。Thatwasthelastsignofherprogressandittoldastory。
"Bostil，thetain"tSlone"strack，"saidHolley，ringingly。
"Sureitain"t。Thet"sthetrackofabigman，"repliedBostil。
Theotherriders，circlingroundwithbentheads，allsaidonewayoranotherthatSlonecouldnothavemadethetrail。
"An"whoeverhewasgrabbedLucyup——madeoffwithher？"askedBostil。
"Plainasifweseenitdone!"exclaimedHolley。Therewasfireintheclear，hawkeyes。
"Cordts!"criedBostil，hoarsely。
"Mebbe——mebbe。Butthetain"tmyidee。Comeon。"
Holleywentsofasthealmostran，andhegotaheadofBostil。Finallyseveralhundredyardsoutinthesagehehalted，andagaindroppedtohisknees。
Bostilandtheridershurriedon。
"Keepback；don"tstamproundsoclose，"orderedHolley。Thenlikeamansearchingforlostgoldinsandandgrasshesearchedtheground。ToBostilitseemedalongtimebeforehegotthrough。Whenhearosetherewasadarkanddeadlycertaintyinhisface，bywhichBostilknewtheworsthadbefallenLucy。
"Fourmustangsan"twomenlastnight，"saidHolley，rapidly。"Here"swhereLucywassetdownonherfeet。Here"swhereshemounted。An"here"sthetracksofathirdman——tracksmadethismornin"。"
BostilstraightenedupandfacedHolleyasifreadytotakeadeath-blow。"I"mreckonin"themlastisSlone"stracks。"
"Yes，Iknowthem，"repliedHolley。
"An"——them——othertracks？Whomadethem？"
"CREECHAN"HISSON!"
Bostilfeltsweptawaybyadark，whirlingflame。Andwhenitpassedhelayinhisbarn，intheshadeoftheloft，prostrateonthefragranthay。Hisstrengthwithhispassionwasspent。Adullacheremained。Thefightwasgonefromhim。Hisspiritwasbroken。Andhelookeddownintothatdarkabysswhichwashisownsoul。
Byandbytheriderscameforhim，gothimup，andledhimout。Heshookthemoffandstoodbreathingslowly。Theairfeltrefreshing；itcooledhishot，tiredbrain。ItdidnotsurprisehimtoseeJoelCreechthere，cringingbehindHolley。
Bostilliftedahandforsomeonetospeak。AndHolleycameastepforward。
Hisfacewashaggard，butitswhitetensenesswasgone。Heseemedasifhewerereluctanttospeak，toinflictmorepain。
"Bostil，"hebegan，huskily，"you"retosendtheKing——an"Sarch——an"Benan"
TwoFacean"PlumetoransomLucy!Ifyouwon"t——thenCreech"llsellhertoCordts!"
Whatastrangelookcameintothefacesoftheriders!Did，theythinkhecaredmoreforhorsefleshthanforhisownfleshandblood？
"SendtheKing——an"allhewants。An"sendwordferCreechtocomebacktotheFord。TellhimIsaid——mysinfoundmeout!"
BostilwatchedJoelCreechridetheKingoutupontheslope，drivingtheothersahead。SageKingwantedtorun。Sarchedonwaswildandunruly。Theypassedoutofsight。ThenBostilturnedtohissilentriders。
"Boys，seein"theKinggothetwaywasn"tnothin"。Butwhatcrucifiesmeis——WILLTHETFETCHHERBACK？"
"Godonlyknows!"repliedHolley。"Mebbenot——Ireckonnot!But，Bostil，youforgetSloneisoutthereonLucy"strail。OutthereaheadofJoel!Slonehe"sawild-hosshunter——thekeenestIeverseen。DoyouthinkCreechcanshakehimonatrail？He"llkillCreech，an"he"lllayferJoelgoin"
back——an"he"llkillhim。An"I"llbetmyallhe"llrideinherewithLucyan"theKing!"
"Holley，youain"tfigurin"onthetredhossofSlone"sridin"downtheKing？"
HolleylaughedasifBostil"squerywasthestrangestthingofallthatpoignantday。"Naw。Slone"lllayferJoelan"ropehimlikeheropedDickSears。"
"Holley，Ireckonyousee——clearer"nme，"saidBostil，plaintively。""PearsasifIneverhadahardknockbefore。Fermynerve"sbroke。Ican"thope……Lucy"sgone!Ain"tthereanythin"todobutwait？"
"Thet"sall。Jestwait。IfwewentoutonJoel"strailwe"dqueerthechanceofCreech"sbein"honest。An"we"dqueerSlone"sgame。I"dhatetohavehimtrailin"me。"
CHAPTERXVIII
OnthedaythatoldCreechrepudiatedhisson，SlonewithimmeasurablereliefleftBrackton"swithoutevenawordtotherejoicingHolley，andploddedupthepathtohiscabin。
Afterthefirstflushofelationhadpassedhefoundapeculiarmoodsettlingdownuponhim。Itwasasifallwasnotsowellashehadimpulsivelyconceived。Hebegantoponderoverthisstrangedepression，tothinkback。
Whathadhappenedtodashthecupfromhislips？Didheregretbeingfreedfromguiltinthesimplemindsofthevillagers——regretitbecausesuspicionwouldfalluponLucy"sfather？No；hewassorryforthegirl，butnotforBostil。ItwasnotthisnewaspectofthesituationattheFordthatoppressedhim。
HetrailedhisvaguefeelingsbacktoasubtleshockhehadsustainedinalastlookatCreech"sdark，somberface。IthadbeenthefaceofaNemesis。
AllaboutCreechbreathedsilent，revengefulforce。Sloneworkedoutinhisploddingthoughtwhythatfactshouldoppresshim；anditwasbecauseinstrikingBostiloldCreechmuststrikethroughBostil"shorsesandhisdaughter。
Slonedivinedit——divineditbythesubtle，intuitivepowerofhisloveforLucy。HedidnotreconsiderwhathadbeenhissuppositionbeforeCreech"sreturn——thatCreechwouldkillBostil。Deathwouldbenorevenge。CreechhaditinhimtostealtheKingandstarvehimortodothesameandworsewithLucy。SoSloneimagined，rememberingCreech"sface。
BeforetwilightsetinSlonesawtheCreechesridingoutofthelaneintothesage，evidentlyleavingtheFord。ThisoccasionedSlonegreatrelief，butonlyforamoment。WhattheCreechesappearedtobedoingmightnotbesignificant。
AndheknewiftheyhadstayedinthevillagethathewouldhavewatchedthemascloselyasifhethoughttheyweretryingtostealWildfire。
Hegothiseveningmeal，caredforhishorses，andjustasdarknesscameonheslippeddownintothegroveforhisrendezvouswithLucy。Alwaysthismadehisheartbeatandhisnervesthrill，butto-nighthewasexcited。Thegroveseemedfullofmovingshadows，allofwhichhefanciedwereLucy。Reachingthebigcottonwood，hetriedtocomposehimselfonthebenchtowait。Butcomposureseemedunattainable。Thenightwasstill，onlythecricketsandthesoftrustleofleavesbreakingadeadsilence。Slonehadtheearsofawildhorseinthatheimaginedsoundshedidnotreallyhear。Manyalonelynightwhilehelaywatchingandwaitinginthedark，ambushingawater-holewherewildhorsesdrank，hehadheardsofttreadsthatwereonlythesubstanceofdreams。Thatwaswhy，onthisnightwhenhewasoverstrained，hefanciedhesawLucycoming，asilent，movingshadow，wheninrealityshedidnotcome。
Thatwaswhyhethoughtheheardverystealthysteps。
Hewaited。Lucydidnotcome。Shehadneverfailedbeforeandheknewshewouldcome。Waitingbecamehard。Hewantedtogobacktowardthehouse——tointerceptherontheway。Stillhekepttohispost，watchful，listening，hisheartfull。Andhetriedtoreasonawayhisstrangedread，hissenseofaneedofhurry。ForatimehesucceededbydreamingofLucy"ssweetness，ofhercourage，ofwhatawonderfulgirlshewas。Hoursandhourshehadpassedinsuchdreams。Onedreaminparticularalwaysfascinatedhim，anditwasoneinwhichhesawthegirlridingWildfire，winningagreatraceforherlife。
Another，justasfascinating，butsohauntingthathealwaysdispelledit，wasadreamwhereLucy，aloneandinperil，foughtwithCordtsorJoelCreechformorethanherlife。ThesevaguedreamswereSlone"sacceptanceofthebloodandspiritinLucy。ShewasBostil"sdaughter。Shehadnosenseoffear。Shewouldfight。AndthoughSlonealwaysthrilledwithpride，healsotrembledwithdread。
AtlengthevenwilderdreamsofLucy"sraremoments，whensheletherselfgo，likeadesertwhirlwind，toenvelophiminallhersweetness，couldnotavailtokeepSlonepatient。Hebegantopacetoandfrounderthebigtree。Hewaitedandwaited。Whatcouldhavedetainedher？SloneinwardlylaughedattheideathateitherHolleyorAuntJanecouldkeephisgirlindoorswhenshewantedtocomeouttomeethim。YetLucyhadalwayssaidsomethingmightprevent。TherewasnoreasonforSlonetobeconcerned。Hewasmistakinghisthrillsandexcitementandloveanddisappointmentforsomethinginwhichtherewasnoreality。Yethecouldnothelpit。Thelongerhewaitedthemoreshadowsglidedbeneaththecottonwoods，themorefaint，namelesssoundsheheard。
Hewaitedlongafterhebecameconvincedshewouldnotcome。Uponhisreturnthroughthegrovehereachedapointwheretheunrealandimaginativeperceptionsweresuddenlyandstunninglybroken。Hedidhearastep。Hekepton，asbefore，andinthedeepshadowheturned。Hesawamanjustfaintlyoutlined。Oneoftheridershadbeenwatchinghim——hadfollowedhim!Slonehadalwaysexpectedthis。SohadLucy。Andnowithadhappened。ButLucyhadbeentooclever。Shehadnotcome。Shehadfoundoutorsuspectedthespyandshehadoutwittedhim。SlonehadreasontobeprouderofLucy，andhewentbacktohiscabinfreefromfurtheranxiety。
Beforehewenttosleep，however，heheardtheclatterofanumberofhorsesinthelane。Hecouldtelltheyweretiredhorses。Ridersreturning，hethought，andinstantlycorrectedthat，forridersseldomcameinatnight。AndthenitoccurredtohimthatitmightbeBostil"sreturn。ButthenitmightbetheCreeches。Slonehadanuneasyreturnofpuzzlingthoughts。These，however，didnothinderdrowsiness，and，decidingthatthefirstthinginthemorninghewouldtrailtheCreeches，justtoseewheretheyhadgone，hefellasleep。
Inthemorningthebright，broadday，withitsdispellingreality，madeSloneregardhimselfdifferently。Thingsthatoppressedhiminthedarkofnightvanishedinthelightofthesun。Still，hewascuriousabouttheCreeches，andafterhehaddonehismorning"sworkhestrolledouttotakeuptheirtrail。Itwasnothardtofollowinthelane，fornootherhorseshadgoneinthatdirectionsincetheCreecheshadleft。
Onceuponthewide，windyslopethereachandcolorandfragranceseemedtocalltoSloneirresistibly，andhefelltotrailingthesetracksjustfortheloveofaskilllongunused。HalfamileouttheroadturnedtowardDurango。
ButtheCreechesdidnotcontinueonthatroad。Theyenteredthesage。
InstantlySlonebecamecurious。
HefollowedthetrackstoapileofrockswheretheCreecheshadmadeagreasewoodfireandhadcookedameal。Thiswasstrange——withinamileoftheFord，whereBracktonandotherswouldhavehousedthem。Whatwasstrangerwasthefactthatthetrailstartedsouthfromthereandswungroundtowardthevillage。
Slone"sheartbegantothump。Butheforcedhimselftothinkonlyofthesetracksandnotanysignificancetheymighthave。Hetrailedthemendowntoabenchontheslope，afewhundredyardsfromBostil"sgrove，andhereatrampledspacemarkedwhereahalthadbeenmadeandawait。
AndhereSlonecouldnolongerrestrainconjectureanddread。Hesearchedandsearched。Hegotonhisknees。Hecrawledthroughthesageallaroundthetrampledspace。Suddenlyhisheartseemedtoreceiveastab。HehadfoundprintsofLucy"sbootsinthesoftearth!Andheleapedup，wildandfierce，needingtoknownomore。
Heranbacktohiscabin。HeneverthoughtofBostil，ofHolley，ofanythingexceptthestoryrevealedinthoselittleboot-tracks。Hepackedasaddle-bagwithmeatandbiscuits，filledacanvaswater-bottle，and，takingthemandhisrifle，hehurriedouttothecorral。FirsthetookNaggerdowntoBrackton"spastureandlethimin。Thenreturning，hewentatthefierystallionashehadnotgoneinmanyaday，ropedhim，saddledhim，mountedhim，androdeoffwithahard，grimcertaintythatinWildfirewasLucy"ssalvation。
FourhourslaterSlonehaltedonthecrestofaridge，inthecoverofsparsecedars，andsurveyedavast，gray，barrenbasinyawningandreachingouttoarugged，brokenplateau。
HeexpectedtofindJoelCreechreturningontheback-trail，andhehadtakentheprecautiontorideononesideofthetrackshewasfollowing。HedidnotwantJoeltocrosshistrail。SlonehadlongagosolvedthemeaningoftheCreeches"flight。TheywoulduseLucytoransomBostil"shorses，andmorethanlikelytheywouldnotlethergoback。ThattheyhadherwasenoughforSlone。
Hewasgrimandimplacable。
Theeyesofthewild-horsehunterhadnotsearchedthatbasinlongbeforetheypickedoutadotwhichwasnotarockoracedar，butahorse。Slonewatcheditgrow，and，hiddenhimself，heheldhispostuntilheknewtheriderwasJoelCreech。Slonedrewhisownhorsebackandtiedhimtoasage-bushamidstsomescantgrass。Thenhereturnedtowatch。ItappearedCreechwasclimbingtheridgebelowSlone，andsomedistanceaway。ItwasadesperatechanceJoelranthen，forSlonehadsetouttokillhim。ItwascertainthatifJoelhadhappenedtoridenearinsteadoffar，Slonecouldnothavehelpedbutkillhim。Asitwas，hedesistedbecauseherealizedthatJoelwouldacquaintBostilwiththeabductingofLucy，anditmightbethatthiswouldbewell。
SlonewasshakingwhenyoungCreechpassedupandoutofsightovertheridge——shakingwiththedeadlygripofpassionsuchashehadneverknown。Hewaited，slowlygainingcontrol，andatlengthwentbackforWildfire。
Thenherodeboldlyforthonthetrail。HecalculatedthatoldCreechwouldtakeLucytosomewildretreatinthecanyonsandtherewaitforJoelandthehorses。Creechhadalmostcertainlygoneonandwouldbeunawareofapursuersocloselyonhistrail。Slonetookthedirectionofthetrail，andhesawalow，darknotchintherockywallinthedistance。AfterthathepaidnomoreattentiontochoosinggoodgroundforWildfirethanhedidtothetrail。ThestallionwasmoretractablethanSlonehadeverfoundhim。Helovedtheopen。
Hesmelledthesageandthewild。Hesettleddownintohislong，easy，swinginglopewhichseemedtoeatupthemiles。SlonewasobsessedwiththoughtscenteringroundLucy，andtimeanddistancewerescarcelysignificant。
ThesunhaddippedfullredinagoldenwestwhenSlonereachedthewallofrocksandthecleftwhereCreech"stracksandLucy"s，too，markedthecamp。
Slonedidnotevendismount。Ridingonintothecleft，hewoundatlengthintoacanyonandoutofthatintoalargerone，wherehefoundthatLucyhadrememberedtoleaveatrail，anddownthistoabreakinahighwall，andthroughittoanotherwinding，canyon。Thesunset，butSlonekeptonaslongashecouldseethetrail，andafterthat，untilanintersectingcanyonmadeitwiseforhimtohalt。
Therewererichgrassandsweetwaterforhishorse。Hehimselfwasnothungry，butheate；hewasnotsleepy，butheslept。AnddaylightfoundhimurgingWildfireinpursuit。OntherockyplacesSlonefoundthecedarberriesLucyhaddropped。Hewelcomedsightofthem，buthedidnotneedthem。ThismanCreechcouldneverhideatrailfromhim，Slonethoughtgrimly，anditsuitedhimtofollowthattrailatarapidtrot。Ifhelostthetracksforadistancehewentrighton，andheknewwheretolookforthemahead。TherewasavastdifferencebetweenthecunningofCreechandthecunningofawildhorse。AndtherewasanequaldifferencebetweenthegoingandstayingpowersofCreech"smustangsandWildfire。Yes，SlonedivinedthatLucy"ssalvationwouldbeWildfire，herhorse。Thetrailgrewrougher，steeper，harder，butthestallionkepthiseagernessandhispace。OnmanyanopenlengthofcanyonorheightofwilduplandSlonegazedaheadhopingtoseeCreech"smustangs。Hehopedforthatevenwhenheknewhewasstilltoofarbehind。Andthen，suddenly，intheopen，sandyflatofanintersectingcanyonhecameabruptlyonafreshtrailofthreehorses，oneofthemshod。
Thesurprisestunnedhim。Foramomenthegazedstupidlyatthesestrangetracks。Whohadmadethem？HadCreechmetallies？Wasthatlikelywhenthemanhadnofriends？Ponderingthething，Slonewentslowlyon，realizingthatanewanddisturbingfeatureconfrontedhim。ThenwhenthesenewtracksmetthetrailthatCreechhadleftSlonefoundthatthesestrangerswereasinterestedinCreech"stracksashewas。Slonefoundtheirboot-marksinthesand——thehand-printswheresomeonehadknelttoscrutinizeCreech"strail。
Sloneledhishorseandwalkedon，moreandmoredisturbedinmind。Whenhecametoalarger，bare，flatcanyonbottom，wheretherockhadbeenwashedclearofsand，hefoundnomorecedarberries。Theyhadbeenpickedup。Attheotherextremeedgeofthisstonygroundhefoundcrumpledbitsofcedarandcedarberriesscatteredinonespot，asifthrowntherebysomeonewhoreadtheirmeaning。
ThisdiscoveryunnervedSlone。Itmeantsomuch。AndifSlonehadanyhopeorreasontodoubtthatthesestrangershadtakenupthetrailforgood，thenextfewmilesdispelledit。TheyweretrailingCreech。
SuddenlySlonegaveawildstart，whichmadeWildfireplunge。
"CORDTS!"whisperedSloneandthecoldsweatoozedoutofeverypore。
Thesecanyonswerethehiding-placesofthehorse-thief。HeandtwoofhismenhadchanceduponCreech"strail；andperhapstheirguessatitsmeaningwaslikeSlone"s。Iftheyhadnotguessedtheywouldsoonlearn。ItmagnifiedSlone"staskathousandfold。Hehadamomentofbitter，almosthopelessrealizationbeforeamoredesperatespiritawokeinhim。Hehadonlymorementokill——thatwasall。Theseuplandridersdidnotpackrifles，ofthatSlonewassure。AndthesoonerhecameupwithCordtsthebetter。ItwasthenheletWildfirechoosehisgaitandthetrail。Sunset，twilight，dusk，anddarknesscamewithSlonekeepingonandon。AslongastherewerenointersectingcanyonsorcleftsorslopesbywhichCreechmighthaveswervedfromhiscourse，justsolongSlonewouldtravel。Anditwaslateinthenightwhenhehadtohalt。
Earlynextdaythetrailledupoutoftheredandbrokengulchestothecedareduplands。Slonesawablack-rimmed，loomingplateauinthedistance。
Allthesewindingcanyons，andthenecksofthehighridgesbetween，mustrunuptothatgreattable-land。
Thatdayhelosttwoofthehorsetracks。HedidnotmarkthechangeforalongtimeaftertherehadbeenasplitinthepartythathadbeentrailingCreech。Thenitwastoolateforhimtogobacktoinvestigate，evenifthathadbeenwise。Hekepton，pondering，tryingtodecidewhetherornothehadbeendiscoveredandwasnowindangerofambushaheadandpursuitfrombehind。
HethoughtthatpossiblyCordtshadsplithisparty，onetotrailalongafterCreech，theotherstoworkaroundtoheadhimoff。UndoubtedlyCordtsknewthisbrokencanyoncountryandcouldtellwhereCreechwasgoing，andknewhowtointercepthim。
TheuncertaintyworeheavilyuponSlone。Hegrewdesperate。Hehadnotimetostealalongcautiously。HemustbethefirsttogettoCreech。Soheheldtothetrailandwentasrapidlyasthenatureofthegroundwouldpermit，expectingtobeshotatfromanyclumpofcedars。Thetrailleddownagainintoanarrowcanyonwithlowwalls。Sloneputallhiskeennessonwhatlaybeforehim。
Wildfire"ssuddenbreakandupflingingofheadandhissnortprecededthecrackofarifle。Sloneknewhehadbeenshotat，althoughheneitherfeltnorheardthebullet。Hehadnochancetoseewheretheshotcamefrom，forWildfirebolted，andneededasmuchholdingandguidingasSlonecouldgive。
Heranamile。ThenSlonewasabletolookabouthim。Hadhebeenshotatfromaboveorbehind？Hecouldnottell。Itdidnotmatter，solongasthedangerwasnotinfront。Hekeptasharplookout，andpresentlyalongtherightcanyonrim，fivehundredfeetabovehim，hesawabayhorse，andariderwitharifle。Hehadbeenwrong，then，abouttheseridersandtheirweapons。Slonedidnotseeanywisdominhaltingtoshootupatthispursuer，andhespurredWildfirejustasasharpcracksoundedabove。Thebulletthuddedintotheearthafewfeetbehindhim。Andthenoverbadground，withthestallionalmostunmanageable，Sloneranagantletofshots。Evidentlythemanontherimhadsmoothgroundtorideover，forheeasilykeptabreastofSlone。Buthecouldnotgettherange。FortunatelyforSlone，brokenrampartsabovecheckedthetricksofthatpursuer，andSlonesawnomoreofhim。
ItaffordedhimgreatrelieftofindthatCreech"strailturnedintoacanyonontheleft；andhere，withthesunalreadylow，Slonebegantowatchtheclumpsofcedarsandthejumblesofrock。Buthewasnotambushed。Darknesssetin，and，beingtiredout，hewasabouttohaltforthenightwhenhecaughttheflickerofacampfire。Thestallionsawit，too，butdidnotsnort。
Slonedismountedand，leadinghim，wentcautiouslyforwardonfoot，rifleinhand。
Thecanyonwidenedatapointwheretwobreaksoccurred，andtheless-restrictedspacewasthickwithcedarandpinyon。Slonecouldtellbythepresenceofthesetreesandalsobyakeeneratmospherethathewasslowlygettingtoahigherattitude。Thiscamp-firemustbelongtoCordtsortheonemanwhohadgoneonahead。AndSloneadvancedboldly。Hedidnothavetomakeuphismindwhattodo。
Buthewasamazedtoseeseveraldarkformsmovingtoandfrobeforethebrightcamp-fire，andhecheckedhimselfabruptly。Consideringamoment，Slonethoughthehadbetterhavealookatthesefellows。SohetiedWildfireand，takingtothedarkersideofthecanyon，hestolecautiouslyforward。
Thedistancewasconsiderable，ashehadcalculated。Soon，however，hemadeouttheshadowyoutlinesofhorsesfeedingintheopen。Hehuggedthecanyonwallforfeartheymightseehim。Asluckwouldhaveitthenightbreezewasinhisfavor。Stealthilyhestoleon，inthedeepshadowofthewall，andunderthecedars，untilhecametoapointoppositethecamp-fire，andthenheturnedtowardit。Hewentslowly，carefully，noiselessly，andatlasthecrawledthroughthenarrowaislesbetweenthicksage-brush。Anotherclumpofcedarsloomedup，andhesawtheflickeringoffirelightuponthepale-greenfoliage。
Heheardgruffvoicesbeforeheraisedhimselftolook，andbythishegaugedhisdistance。Hewascloseenough——almosttooclose。Butashecrouchedindarkshadeandtherewerenohorsesnear，hedidnotfeardiscovery。
Whenhepeeredoutfromhiscovertthefirstthingtostrikeandholdhisrapidglancewastheslightfigureofagirl。Slonestifledagaspinhisthroat。HethoughtherecognizedLucy。Stunned，hecroucheddownagainwithhishandsclenchedroundhisrifle。Andthereheremainedforalongmomentofagonybeforereasonasserteditselfoveremotion。HadhereallyseenLucy？Hehadheardofagirlnowandtheninthecampsofthesemen，especiallyCordts。
MaybeCreechhadfalleninwithcomrades。No，hecouldnothavehadanycomradestherebuthorse-thieves，andCreechwasabovethat。IfCreechwastherehehadbeenheldupbyCordts；ifLucyonlywaswiththegang，Creechhadbeenkilled。
Slonehadtoforcehimselftolookagain。Thegirlhadchangedherposition。
Butthelightshoneuponthemen。Creechwasnotoneofthethree，norCordts，noranymanSlonehadseenbefore。Theywerenothonestmen，judgingfromtheirhard，evillooks。Slonewasnonplussedandhewaslosingself-control。
Againheloweredhimselfandwaited。Hecaughttheword"Durango"and"hosses"
and"ferenoughin，"themeaningofwhichwas，vague。Thenthegirllaughed。