第4章

Nextday，whenhecameinatnoon，therewasHen，fromtheMuleshoe，waitingfordinnerbeforeherodebackwiththemail。Hen’sjawdroppedwhenhesawBudridingonaLittleLosthay—wagon，andhiseyesbulgedwithwhatBudbelievedwasconsternation。AllthroughthemealBudhadcaughtHeneyeinghimmiserably，andlookingstealthilyfromhimtotheothers。Noonepaidanyattention，andforthatBudwasratherthankful；hedidnotwanttheLittleLostfellowstothinkthatperhapshehaddonesomethingwhichheknewwouldhanghimifitwerediscovered，which，hedecided，wasthemildestinterpretationakeenobserverwouldbeapttomakeofHen’sbehavior。

Whenhewentout，Henwasathisheels，tryingtosaysomethinginhisfutile，tongue—tiedgobble。Budstoppedandlookedathimtolerantly。"Hen，"It’snouse——youmightaswellbetalkingChinese，forallIknow。Ifit’simportant，writeitdownorI’llneverknowwhat’sonyourmind。"

Hepulledanote—bookandapencilfromhisvest—pocketandgavethemtoHen，wholookedathimdumbly，workedhisAdam’sappleviolentlyandretreatedtohishorse，fumbledthemailwhichwastiedinthebottomofafloursackforsafekeeping，soughtashelteredplacewherehecouldsitdown，remainedthereafewminutes，andthenreturnedtohishorseHebeckonedtoBud，whowaswatchinghimcuriously；andwhenBudwentovertohimsaidsomethingunintelligibleandhandedbackthenote—book，motioningforcautionwhenBudwouldhaveopenedthebookatonce。

SoBudthankedhimgravely，butwithatwinkleinhiseyes，andwaiteduntilHenhadgoneandhewasalonebeforehereadthemessage。Itwasmysteriousenough，certainly。Henhadwritteninafine，cramped，unevenhand：

"Youbeecarful。bernthisup&anddentletonlikeyounoanythingbutiwarnyoubeshurebernthisup。"

Budtoreoutthepageandburneditasrequested，andsincehewasnotenlightenedbythewarningheobeyedHen’sinstructionsanddidnot"leton。"Buthecouldnothelpwondering，andwasunconsciouslypreparedtoobservelittlethingswhichordinarilywouldhavepassedunnoticed。

AtthedanceonFridaynight，forinstance，therewasagooddealofdrinkingandmightylittlehilarity。Budhadbeenaccustomedtoloudtalkandmuchhorseplayoutsideamongthemenonsuchoccasions，andevenafightortwowouldbeacceptedasamatterofcourse。Butthoughseveralquartbottleswerepassedaroundduringthenightandthrownawayemptyintothebushes，themenwentinanddancedandcameoutagainimmediatelytoconverseconfidentiallyinsmallgroups，ortosmokewithoutmuchspeech。ThemenofBurrobackValleywerenotrunningtruetoform。

Thewomenweremuchlikeallthewomenofcow—country：motherswithsmallchildrenwhoearlybecamecrossandsleepyandwerehushedundershawlsonthemostconvenientbed，apieceofcakeintheirhands；motherswhosefaceswerelinedtoosoonwithworkandill—health，andwithuntidyhairthatbecameuntidierasthedanceprogressed。Thereweredaughters——shyandgigglingtohidetheirshyness——Budknewtheirtypeverywellandmadefriendswiththemeasily，andimmediatelybecamethecentreofaclamoringaudienceafterhehadsungasongortwo。

TherewasHoney，withherinscrutablehalfsmileandherveiledeyes，condescendingtograciousnessandquiteplainlyassumingaproprietaryairtowardBud，whomsheputthroughwhatevermusicalpacespleasedherfancy。Bud，Imaysay，wasextremelytractable。WhenHoneysaidsing，Budsang；whenshesaidplay，Budsatdowntothepianoandplayeduntilsheaskedhimtodosomethingelse。ItwasallverypleasantforHoney——andBudultimatelywonhispoint——Honeydecidedtoextendhergraciousnessalittle。

Whyhadn’tBuddancedwithMarian？Hemustgorightawayandaskhertodance。JustbecauseLewwasgone，Marianneednotbeslighted——andbesides，therewereotherfellowswhomightwantalittleofHoney’stime。

SoBudwentawayandfoundMarianinthepantry，cuttingcakeswhilethecoffeeboiled，andaskedhertodance。Marianwastootired，and’shehadnotthetimetospare；whereforeBudhelpedhimselftoaknifeandproceededtocutcakeswithgeometricalprecision，andateallthecrumbs。Withhishandsbusy，hefoundthecouragetotalktoheralittle。HemadeMarianlaughoutloudanditwasthefirsttimehehadeverheardherdothat。

Mariandisclosedasenseofhumor，andeventeasedBudalittleaboutHoney。ButherteasinglackedthatedgeofbitternesswhichBudhadhalfexpectedinretaliationforHoney’slittleairofsuperiority。

"Yourprecisionincuttingcakesisverymuchlikeyouraccuratefingeringofthepiano，"sheobservedirrelevantly，surveyinghisworkwithherlipspursed。"Apairofcaliperswouldproveeverypieceexactly，thesamewidth；andevenwhenyouplayaMeditation？I’msurethemetronomewouldwaggleinperfectunisonwithyourtempo。Iwonder——"Sheglancedupathimspeculatively。"——Iwonderifyouthinkwithsuchmathematicalprecision。Doyoualwaysfindthattwoandtwomakefour？"

"Youmean，haveIanyimaginationwhatever？"Budlookedawayfromhereyes——towardtheuncurtained，highlittlewindow。A

faceappearedthere，asifatallmanhadglancedinashewaspassingbyandhaltedforasecondtolook。Bud’seyesmetfulltheeyesofthemanoutside，whotiltedhisheadbackwardinasignificantmovementandpassedon。Marianturnedherheadandcaughtthesignal，lookedatBudquickly，alittleflushcreepingintohercheeks。

"Ihopeyouhavealittleimagination，"shesaid，loweringhervoiceinstinctively。"Itdoesn’trequiremuchtoseethatJerryisright。TheconventionsarestrictlyobservedatLittleLost——inthekitchen，atleast，"sheadded，underherbreath，withaflashofresentment。"Runalong——andthenexttimeHoneyasksyoutoplaythepiano，willyoupleaseplayLotusblume？Andwhenyouhavethrownopentheprisonwindowswiththat，willyouplaySchubert’sAveMaria——thewayyouplayit——tosendabreathofcoolnightairin？"

SheputoutthetipsofherfingersandpressedthemlightlyagainstBud’sshoulder，turningtowardthedoor。Budstarted，steppedintothekitchen，wheeledaboutandstoodregardingherwithastubbornlookinhiseyes。

"Imightkickthedoordown，too，"hesaid。"Idon’tlikeprisonsnohow。"

"No—justawindow，thankyou，"shelaughed。

Budthoughtthelaughdidnotgoverydeep。"Jerrywantstotalktoyou。He’sthewhitestofthelot，ifyoucancallthat——"shestoppedabruptly，putoutahandtothedoor，gavehimamomenttolookintoherdeep，troubledeyes，andclosedthedoorgentlybutinexorablyinhisface。

Jerrywasstandingatthecornerofthehousesmokingnegligently。HewaiteduntilBudhadcomeclosealongsidehim，thenledthewayslowlydownthepathtothecorrals。

"IthoughtIheardthehorsesfighting，"heremarked。"Therewasanoisedownthisway。"

"Isthatwhyyoucalledmeoutside？"askedBud，whoscornedsubterfuge。

"Yeah。Isawyouwasn’tdancingorsingingorplayingthepiano——andIknewHoney’dlikelybelookingyouuptodooneortheother，inaminute。Shesurelikesyou，Bud。Shedon’t，everybodythatcomesalong。"

BuddidnotwanttodiscussHoney，whereforehemadenoreply，andtheywalkedalonginsilence，thecool，heavydarknessgratefulaftertheoillampsandtheheatofcrowdedrooms。Astheynearedthecorralsastabledoorcreakedopenandshut，yettherewasnowind。Jerryhalted，onehandgoingtoBud’sarm。Theystoodforaminute，andheardtheswishofthebushesbehindthecorral，asifahorsewerepassingthrough。Jerryturnedback，leadingBudbythearm。TheywerefiftyfeetawayandthebusheswerestillagainbeforeJerryspokeguardedly。

"IguessImadeamistake。Therewasn’tnothing，"hesaid，anddroppedBud’sarm。"

Budstopped。"Therewasamanridingoffinthebrush，"hesaidbluntly，"andallthefolksthatcametothedancerodeinthroughthefrontgate。IreckonI’lljusttakealookwhereIleftmysaddle，anyway。"

"Thatmighthavebeensomeloosestock，"Jerryargued，butBudwentback，wonderingalittleatJerry’smanner。

Thesaddlewasallright，andsowaseverythingelse，sofarasBudcoulddetermineinthedark，buthewasnotsatisfied。

HethoughtheunderstoodJerry’sreasonforbringinghimdowntothecorrals，buthecouldnotunderstandJerry’sattitudetowardanincidentwhichanymanwouldhavecalledsuspicious。

Budquietlycountednoseswhenhereturnedtothehouseandfoundthatsupperwasbeingserved，buthecouldnotrecallanymanwhowasmissingnow。EveryguestandeverymanontheranchwaspresentexceptoldPop，whohadalittleshacktohimselfandwenttobedatdarkeverynight。

Budwasmystified，andhehatedmysteries。Moreover，hewasworkingforDaveTruman，andwhatevermightconcernLittleLostconcernedhimalso。Butthemenhadbeguntotalkopenlyoftheirvarious"runninghorses"，andtoexchangejibesandboastsandtobetalittleonSunday’sraces。Budwantedtomissnothingofthat，andJerry’sindifferencetotheincidentatthestableservedtoreassurehimforthetimebeing。Heedgedclosetothegroupwherethetalkwasloudest，andlistened。

AmantheycalledJeffwastryingtojeerhisneighborsintobettingagainstahorsecalledSkeeter，andwasfindingthemtoocautiousforhisliking。Helaughedand，happeningtocatchBud’seyesuponhim，strodeforwardwithanemptytincupinhishandandslappedBudfriendliwiseontheshoulder。

"Why，Ibetthissingin’kid，thatdon’tknowwhaIgotnerwhatyoufellershasgot，ain’tscaredtotake，achance。Areyuh，kid？Whatd’yuhthinkofthispikin’bunchherethathasseenSkeetercomeinsecondandthirdmoretimes’nwhathebeat，andyetisafraidtotakeachanceonrosin’twobits？Whatd’yuhthinkof’em？Ain’ttheyanonerybunch？"

"Isupposetheyhatetolose，"Budgrinned。

"That’sit——money’smoreto’emthanthesportofkings，whichisrunnin’horses。Thisbunch，kidbelly—achedtillDavetookhishorseBoiseoutathegame，andnow，bygosh，they’rebackin’upfrommySkeeter，thathasbeenbeatmoretimesthanhewon。’

"Whenyoupulledhim，Jeff！"amockingvoicedrawled。"Andthatwaswhenyouwasn’tbettin’yourself。"

JeffturnedinjuredlytoBud。"Nowdon’tthatsoundlikeapiker？"hecomplained。"Itain’treasontoclaimI’dpullmyownhorse。Ain’tthattheoutdoinestwaytocomebackatamanthatlikesagoodrace？

BudswelledhischestandlaidhishandonJeff’sshoulder。

"JusttoshowyouI’mnotapiker，"hecriedrecklessly，"I’llbetyoutwenty—fivedollarsIcanbeatyourSkeeterwithmySmokyhorsethatIrodeinhere。Isitago？"

Jeff’sjawdroppedalittle，withsurprise。"WhatferhorseisthishereSmokyhorseofyourn？"hewantedtoknow。

Budwinkedatthegroup，whichcackledgleeful！，"Ilovethesportofkings，"hesaid。"IloveitsowellIdon’thavetoseeyourSkeeterhorsetillSunday。Fromthewaytheseboyssidestephim，Iguesshe’sasure—enoughrunninghorse。MySmoky’sagoodlittlehorse，too，butheneverscaredabunchtilltheyhadcrampsinthepockets。Still，"headdedwithagrin，"I’lltryanythingonce。Ibetyoutwenty—fivedollarsmySmokycanbeatyourSkeeter。"

"Say，kid，honestIhatetotakeitawayfromyuh。Honest，I

do。Thewayyoucanknockthelivin’taroutathatpyannyisacautiontocats。Ic’dlistenallnight。Butwhenitcomestorunnin’horses——"

"Areyouafraidofyourmoney？"Budaskedhimarrogantly。

"Youcalledthisabunchofpikers——"

"Well，bygolly，it’llbeyourownfault，kid。IfItakeyourmoneyawayfromyuh，don’tgoandblameitontome。Mebbethesefellershasgotsomecausetosidestep——"

"Allright，thebet’son。AndIwon’tblameyouifIlose。

Smoky’sagoodlittlehorse。Don’tthinkforaminuteI’mgivingyoumyhardearnedcoin。You’llhavetothrowupsomedusttogetit，old—timer。IforgottosayI’dliketomakeitaquarterdash。"

"Aquarterdashitis，"JeffagreedderisivelyasBudturnedtoanswerthesummonsofthemusicwhichwasbeginningagain。

Theracingenthusiastslingeredoutside，andBudsmiledtohimselfwhilehewhirledHoneytwicearoundinanold—

fashionedwaltz。Hehadthemtalkingabouthim，andwonderingabouthishorse。WhentheysawSmokytheywouldperhapscallhimachanceykid。HemeanttoaskPopaboutSkeeter，thoughPopseemedconfidentthatSmokywouldwinagainstanythinginthevalley。

Butontheotherhand，hehadseeninhisshortacquaintancewithLittleLostthatPopwasconsideredchildish——thatcomprehensiveaccusationwhichbelittlesthewisdomofage。

Theboysmadeitapointtohumorhimwithouttakinghimseriously。HoneypamperedhimandcalledhimPoppy，whileinMarian’schillcourtesy，inheravertedglances，BudhadreadherdislikeofPop。Hehadseenherhandshrinkawayfromcontactwithhishandwhenshesethiscoffeebesidehisplate。

ButBudhadheardothersspeakrespectfullyofBoise，andregretthathewastoofasttorun。Popmightbechildishonsomesubjects，butBudratherbankedonhisjudgmentofhorses——andPopwaspenuriousandanxioustowinmoney。

"Whatareyouthinkingabout？"Honeydemandedwhenthemusicstopped。"Somethingawfulimportant，Iguess，tomakeyouwanttokeeprightondancing！"

"Iwasthinkingofhorse—racing，"Budconfessed，gladthathecouldtellherthetruth。

"Ah，you！Don’tletthemmakeafoolofyou。Someofthefellowswouldbettheshirtofftheirbacksonahorse—race！

Youlookoutforthem，Bud。"

"Theywouldn’tbetanymorethanIwould，"Budboldlydeclared。"I’vebetalreadyagainstahorseI’veneverseen。

How’sthat？"

"That’scrazy。You’lllose，andserveyouright。"Shewentofftodancewithsomeoneelse，andBudturnedsmilingtofindapassablepartneramongsttheolderwomen——forhewasinclinedtocautionwherestrangegirlswereconcerned。Muchtroublecouldcometoastrangerwhodancedwithagirlwhohappenedtohaveajealoussweetheart，andBuddidnotcourttroubleofthatkind。Hemuchpreferredtofightoverotherthings。Besides，hehadnowishtoantagonizeHoney。

Buthisdancewithsomefaded，heavy—footedwomanwasnottobe。Jerryoncemoresignalledhimanddrewhimoutsideforalittleprivateconference。Jerrywasillateaseandinclinedtobereproachfulandevencondemnatory。

HewantedfirsttoknowwhyBudhadbeensuchamanykindsofafoolastomakethatbetwithJeffHall。Allthefellowsweretalkingaboutit。"Theywasaskingmewhatkindofahorseyou’vegot——andIwouldn’tputitpastJeffandhisbunchtopullsomekindofadirtytrickonyou，"hecomplained。"Bud，onthesquare，Ilikeyouawholelot。Youseemkindainnocent，insomeways，andinotherwaysyoudon’t。Iwishyou’dtellmejustonething，soIcansleepcomfortable。Haveyougotsomeschemeofyourown？Orwhatthedevilailsyou？"

"Well，I’vejustgotanotion，"Budadmitted。"I’mgoingtohavesomefunwatchingthosefellowsperform，whetherIwinorlose。I’vespentasmuchastwenty—fivedollarsonacircus，beforenow，andfeltthatIgottheworthofmymoney，too。I’mgoingtoenjoymyselfrealwell，nextSunday。"

Jerryglancedbehindhimandloweredhisvoice，speakingclosetoBud’sear。"Well，there’ssomethingI’dliketosaythatitain’tsafetosay，Bud。I’dhatelikehelltoseeyougetintrouble。Goasfarasyoulikehavingfun——but——oh，hell！What’stheuse？"Heturnedabruptlyandwentinside，leavingBudstaringafterhimratherblankly。

JerrydidnotstrikeBudasbeingthekindofamanwhogoesaroundinterferingwitheveryotherman’sbusiness。Hewasaquiet，good—naturedyoungfellowwithquizzicaleyesofthatmixedcolorwhichwecallhazelsimplybecausethereismorebrownthangrayorgreen。Hedidnottalkmuch，butheobservedmuch。BudwasstronglyinclinedtoheedJerry’swarning，butitwastoovaguetohaveanypracticalvalue——"

aboutlikeHen’snote，"Budconcluded。"Well—meaningbuthazy。Likeareddangerflagonarailroadcrossingwherethetrackistornupandmoved。Isawone，onceandmyhorsethrewafitatitandalmostpiledme。Ifiguredthattheredflagcreatedthedanger，whereIwasconcerned。Still，I’dliketoobligeJerryandsidestepsomethingorother，but……"

Histhoughtsgrewlessdistinct，mergedintowordlessrememberingsandconjectures，clarifiedagainintotersesentenceswhichneverreachedthemediumofspeech。

"Well，I’lljustmakesuretheydon’ttryoutSmokewhenI’mnotlooking，"hedecided，andslippedawayinthedark。

Byaroundaboutwaywhichavoidedthetrailhemanagedtoreachthepasturefencewithoutbeingseen。Nohorsesgrazedinsight，andheclimbedthroughandwentpickinghiswayacrossthelumpymeadowinthestarlight。Atthefarthersidehefoundthehorsesstandingoutonasandyridgewherethemosquitoeswerenotquitesopestiferous。TheLittleLosthorses；snortedandtooktotheirheels，histhreefollowingforashortdistance。

BudstoppedandwhistledapeculiarcallinventedlongagowhenhewasjustBuddy，andwatchedovertheTomahawkREMUDA。

EveryhorsewiththeTomahawkbrandknewthatsummons——thoughnoteveryhorsewouldobeyit。Butthesethreehadcomewhentheyweresuckingcolts，ifBuddywhistled；andintheirbreakingandtraining，inthelongtripnorth，theyhadnotquestioneditsauthority。TheyturnedandtrottedbacktohimnowandnosedBud’shandswhichheheldouttothem。

Hepettedthemallandtalkedtotheminanaffectionatemurmurwhichtheyansweredbysundrylipnibblesandsubduedsnorts。Smokyhesingledoutfinally，rubbinghisbackandsideswiththeflatofhishandfromshouldertoflank，andsototherumpanddownthethightothehocktothescantyfetlockwhichtold，tothosewhoknew，thatherewasanaristocratamonghorses。

Smokystoodquiet，andBud’shandlingeredthere，smoothingtheslenderankle。Bud’sfingersfeltthefine—hairedtail，thengavealittletwitch。Hewasbusyforaminute，kneelinginthesandwithoneknee，hisheadbent。Thenhestoodup，wentforwardtoSmoky’shead，andstoodrubbingthehorse’snosethoughtfully。

"Ihatetodoit，oldboy——butI’mworkingtomake’sahome——

we’vegottoworktogether。AndI’mnotaskinganymoreofyouthanI’dbewillingtodomyself，ifIwereahorseandyouwereaman。"

Hegavethethreehorsesahastypatapieceandstartedbackacrossthemeadowtothefence。Theyfollowedhimlikepetdogs——andwhenBudglancedbackoverhisshoulderhesawinthedimlightthatSmokywalkedwithaslightlimp。

CHAPTERTWELVE：SPORTO’KINGS

Sundayhappenedtobefair，withnottoostrongawindblowing。BeforenoonLittleLostranchwasabusyplace，andjustbeforedinneritbecamebusier。Horse—racingseemedtobeaspopularasportinthevalleyasdancing。Indeed，mencameridinginwhohadnotcometothedance。Thedrycreek—

bedwherethehorseswouldrunhadnoroadleadingtoit，sothatallvehiclescametoLittleLostandremainedtherewhilethepassengerscontinuedonfoottotheraces。

Atthecorralfreshshavenmen，incleanshirtstodistinguishthisasadress—upoccasion，foregathered，lookingoverthehorsesandmakingbetsandarguing。Popshambledhereandthere，smokingcigarettesfuriouslyandkeepingakeeneartowardtheloudestbetting。HecamesidlinguptoBud，whowasleadingSmokyoutofthestable，andhissharpeyestookineveryinchofthehorseandwentinquiringlytoBud’sface。

"Goin’torunhim，youngfeller——lameaswhatheis？"hedemandedsharply。

"Goingtotry，anyway，"saidBud。"I’vegotabetuponhim，dad。"

"Sho！Fixin’tolose，airye？Youkincallitoff，likeasnot。Jeffain’tsoonreason’ble’the’dmakeyuhrunalamehorse。Airyuh，Jeff？"

JeffstrolledupandlookedSmokyoverwithcriticaleyes。

"What’sthematter？Ain’tthekidgametorunhim？Lookstomelikeagoodlittlegoer。"

"He’sgotalimp——butI’llrunhimanyway。"Budglancedup。

"Maybewhenhe’swarmeduphe’llforgetaboutit。"

"SeenmySkeeter？"

"Goodhorse，Ishouldjudge，"Budobservedindifferently。

"ButIain’tworryingany。"

"Well，neitheramI，"Jeffgrinned。

Popstoodteeteringbackandforth，plainlyuneasy。"I’drubhimrightgoodwithliniment，"headvisedBud。"I’llgitsome’tIknowoughtt’help。"

"What’sthematter，Pop？Yougotmoneyuponthatcayuse？"

Jefflaughed。

Popwhirledonhim。"Iain’tgotmoneyuponhim，no。Butifhewasn’tlameI’dhavesome！I’dshowye’tIadmiregamenessinakid。Iwouldso。"

Jeffnudgedhisneighborintolaughter。"Thereain’tagameroldbirdinthevalleythanPop，"Jeffcried。"C’mawn，Pop，I’llbetyuhtendollarsthekidbeatsme！"

Popwasshufflinghurriedlyoutofthecorralaftertheliniment。ToJeff’schallengehemadenoreplywhatever。ThegrouparoundJeffshooedSmokygentlytowardtheothersideofthecorral，therebyconvincingthemselvesofthelimpinhisrighthindfoot。Whilenotsopronouncedastobecrippling，itcertainlywasnoassettoarunninghorse，andthewiseonesconferredtogetherinundertones。

"Thattherekid’sabornfool，"DaveTrumanstatedpositively。"Thehorsecan’trun。He’sgotthelookofaspeedylittleanimal——butshucks！Thekiddon’tknowanythingaboutrunninghorses。I’vebeentalkingtohim，andIknow。

Jeff，you’retakingthemoneyawayfromhimifyourunthatrace。"

"Well，I’mgivingthekidachancetobackout，"Jeffhastenedtodeclare。"Hecanputitofftillhishorsegitswell，ifhewantsto。Iain’tgoingtoholdhimtoit。I

neversaidIwas。"

"That’smightykindofyou，"Budsaid，comingupfrombehindwithabottleofliniment，andwithPopathisheels。"ButI’llrunhimjustthesame。Smokyhasfavoredthisfootbefore，anditneverseemedtohurthimany。Youneedn’tthinkI’mgoingtocrawfish。YoumustthinkI’mawhiningcuss——say！I’llbetanothertendollarsthatIdon’tcomeinmorethananeckbehind，lamehorseornot！"

"Now，kid，don’tgitchancey，"Popadmonisheduneasily。

"Twenty—fiveisenoughmoneytodonatetoJeff。"

"That’sright，kid。Ilikeyournerve，"Jeffcutin，emphasizinghisapprovalwithaslaponBud’sshoulderashebenttoliftSmoky’sleg。"I’vesawworsehorsesthanthisonecomeinahead——itwouldn’tbenosporto’kingsifnobodytookachance。"

"I’mtakingchanceenough，"Budretortedwithoutlookingup。

"IfIdon’twinthistimeIwillthenext，maybe。"

"That’sright，"Jeffagreedheartily，winkingbroadlyattheothersbehindBud’sback。

BudrubbedSmoky’sanklewithliniment，listenedtovariousandsundryself—appointedadvisersand，withoutseemingtothinkhowthesumswouldtotal，tookseveralothersmallbetsontherace。Theyweresmall——Popbegantoteeterbackandforthandlifthisshouldersandpullhisbeard——suresignsofperturbation。

"ByChristmas，I’lljustputuptendollarsonthekid，"Popfinallycackled。"Iain’tgotmuchtolose——butI’llshowyuholdPopain’tgoingtoseetheyoungfellerstandalone。"HetriedtocatchBud’seye，butthatyoungmanwasbusysaddlingSmokyandreturningjibeforjibewiththemenaroundhim，anddidnotglancetowardPopatall。

"I’lltakethisbottleinmypocket，Pop，"hesaidwithhisbacktowardtheoldman，andmountedcarelessly。"I’llridehimaroundalittleandgivehimanothergoodrubbingbeforewerun。I’mbetting，"headdedtotheothersfrankly，"onthechancethatexerciseandthelinimentwilltakethesorenessoutofthatankle。Idon’tbelieveitamountstoanythingatall。Soifanyofyoufellowswanttobet——"

"Shucks！Don’tgo’n—"Popbegan，andbitthesentenceintwo，droppingimmediatelyintoadeepstudy。ThekidwasgettingbeyondPop’sunderstanding。

Acrowdofperhapsahundredmenandwomen——withageneroussprinklingofunrulyjuveniles——linedthesheerbankofthecreek—bedandwatchedthehorsesrun，andscreamedtheircheapwitticismsatthelosers，andtheirapprovalofthosewhowon。Theyoungsterwiththemysteriouspastandthefoolhardinesstobetonalamehorsetheywatchedanddiscussed，thewomenplainlywishinghewouldwin——becausehewashandsomeandyoung，andsuchawonderfulmusician。Themenweremorecold—blooded。TheycouldnotseethatBud’sgoodlooksorthehauntingmelodyofhisvoicehadanybearingwhateveruponhiswinningarace。Theycalledhimafool，andeitherrefusedtobetatallonsuchafreakpropositionasalamehorserunningagainstSkeeter，orbetagainsthim。AfewofthewiseoneswonderedifJeffandhisbunchweremerely"stringingthekidalong"；iftheymightnotlethimwinalittle，justtomakehimmore"chancey。"

Buttheydidnotthinkitwisetobetonthatprobability。

WhilethreeraceswerebeingrunBudrodewiththeLittleLostmen，andSmokystilllimpedalittle。JerryMyers，stillself—appointedguardianofBud，herdedhimapartandcalledhimafoolandimploredhimtocalltheraceoffandkeephismoneyinhisownpocket。

Budwasthinkingjustthenaboutacertainlittlewomanwhosatonthecreekbankwithawide—brimmedstrawhatshadingherwonderfuleyes，andapairoflittle，high—archedfeettappingheelsabsentlyagainstthebankwall。Honeysatbesideher，andacoupleofthevalleywomenwhomBudhadmetatthedance。Hehadriddencloseandpausedforafewfriendlysentenceswiththequartette，carefultogiveHoneytheattentionsheplainlyexpected。ButitwasnotHoneywhoworethewidehatandownedtheprettylittlefeet。Budpulledhisthoughtsbackfromafruitlesswishthathemightinsomewayhelpthatlittlewomanwhosetroublelookedfromhereyes，andwhoselipssmiledsobravely。Hedidnotthinkofpossessionwhenhethoughtofher；itwasthelookinhereyes，andtheslightingtonesinwhichHoneyspokeofher。

"Say，comealive！Whatyuhgoingoffinatrancefor，whenI’mtalkingtoyuhforyourowngood？"Jerrysmiledwhimsically，buthiseyeswereworried。

Budpulledhimselftogetherandreinedcloser。

"Don’tbetanythingonthisrace，Jerry，"headvised"Orifyoudo，don’tbetonSkeeter。But——well，I’lljusttradeyoualittleadviceforallyou’vegivenme。Don’tbet！"

"Whatthehell！"surprisejoltedoutofJerry。

"It’smyfuneral，"Budlaughed。"I’machanceykid，yousee——

butI’dhatetoseeyoubetonme。"Hepulleduptowatchthenextrace——fournervylittlecow—horsesoftruerangebreeding，goingdowntothequarterpost。

"They’regoingtomakefalsestartsaplenty，"Budremarkedafterthefirstfluke。"JeffandIhaveitoutnext。I’lljustgiveSmokeanothertreatment。"Hedismounted，lookedatJerryundecidedlyandslappedhimontheknee。"I’mgladtohaveafriendlikeyou，"hesaidimpulsively。"There’salotoftwo—facedsinnersaroundherethatwouldstealamanblind。Don’tthinkI’maltogetherafool。"

Jerrylookedathimqueerly，openedhismouthandshutitagainsotightlythathisjawbonesstoodoutalittle。HewatchedBudbathingSmoky’sankle。WhenBudwasthroughandhandedJerrythebottletokeepforhim，Jerryheldhimforaninstantbythehand。

"Say，forGawdsakedon’ttalklikethatpromiscuous，Bud，"hebegged。"Youmighthittooclose——"

"Ay，Jerry！EverhearthatoldArmenianproverb，’Hewhotellsthetruthshouldhaveonefootinthestirrup’？I

learnedthatinschool。"

JerryletgoBud’shandandtookthebottle，Bud’swatchthathadhismother’spicturepastedintheback，andhisvest，apocketofwhichcontainedamemorandumofhiswagers。Budwassteppingoutofhischaps，andhelookedupandgrinned。

"Cheerup，Jerry。You’regoingtolaughinaminute。"WhenJerrystillremainedthoughtful，Budaddedsoberly，"I

appreciateyouandoldPopstandingbyme。Idon’tknowjustwhatyou’vegotonyourmind，butthefactthatthere’ssomethingishintenoughforme。"WhereuponJerry’seyeslightenedalittle。

Thefourhorsescamethunderingdownthetrack，throwingtinypebbleshighintotheairastheypassed。Atrimlittlesorrelwon，andtherewastheusualconfusionofvoicesupraisedinanefforttobeheard。Whenthathadsubsided，interestoncemorecenteredonSkeeterandSmoky，whoseemedtohaverecoveredsomewhatfromhislameness。

NotamansavePopandBudhadplacedabetonSmoky，yeteverymanthereseemedkeenlyinterestedintherace。TheyjoshedBud，whogrinnedandtookitgood—naturedly，andfoundanotherfivedollarsin——hispockettobet——thistimewithPop，whokepteyeinghimsharply——anditseemedtoBudwarningly。ButBudwantedtoplayhisowngame，thistime，andheavoidedPop’seyes。

Thetwomenrodedownthehoof—scoredsandtothequarterpost，Skeeterdancingsidewiseattheprospectofarace，SmokynowandthententativelyagainstBud’ssteadypressureofthebit。

"He’snotlimpingnow，"Budgloatedastheyrode。ButJeffonlylaughedtolerantlyandmadenoreply。

DaveTrumanstartedthemwithapistolshot，andthetwohorsesdartedaway，Smokyhalfajumpinthelead。Hislimpwasforgotten，andforhalfthedistanceheranneckandneckwithSkeeter。ThenhedroppedtoSkeeter’smiddle，tohisflank——thenranwithhisblacknoseevenwithSkeeter’srump。

Evensoitwasacloserracethanthecrowdhadexpected，andallthecowboysbegantoyellthemselvespurple。

Butwhentheywereyetafewleapsfromthewireclothes—linestretchedhigh，fromposttopost，BudleanedforwarduntilhelayflatalongsideSmoky’sneck，andgavearealIndianwar—whoop。Smokyliftedandlengthenedhisstride，cameupagaintoSkeeter’smiddle，tohisshoulder，tohisears——andwiththenextleapthrusthisnosepastSkeeter’sastheyfinished。

Well，thentherewastheusualnoise，everyonetryingtoshoutlouderthanhisfellows。BudrodetowherePopwassittingapartonapacinggrayhorsethathealwaysrode，andpausedtosayguardedly，"Ipulledhim，Pop。ButatthatIwon，soifIcanpryanotherraceoutofthisbunchto—day，youcanbetallyoulike。Andyouowemefivedollars，"headdedthriftily。

"Sho！Shucksalmighty！"splutteredPop，reachingreluctantlyintohispocketforthemoney。"Jeff，hedonesomepullin’

himself——IwishIknowed，"headdedpettishly，"justhowbigafoolyouair。"

"Hey，comeoverhere！"shoutedJeff。"WhatyuhnaggingolePopabout？"

"Poplostfivedollarsonthatrace，"Budcalledback，andlopedovertothecrowd。"Butheisn’ttheonlyone。SeemstomeI’vegotquiteabunchofmoneycomingtome，fromthiscrowd！"

"Jeff，he’dabeathimamileifhisbridlereinhadbusted，"

anarrogantvoiceshoutedrecklessly。"Jeff，youoldfox，youknowdamnwellyoupulledSkeeter。Youmustlovetolose，doggoneyuh。"

"IfyouthinkIdidn’trunright，"Jeffretorted，asifalittlenettled，"someoneelsecanridethehorse。Thatis，ifthekidhereain’tscaredoffwithyourtalk。Howaboutit，Bud？Thinkyouwonfair？"

Budwascollectinghismoney，andhedidnotimmediatelyanswerthechallenge。Whenhediditwastoofferthemanotherrace。Hewouldnot，hesaid，backdownfromanyone。

HewouldbethislastcentonlittleSmoky。Hebecameslightlyvociferativeandmorethanalittlevain—glorious，andwithinhalfanhourhehadoncemorestakedallthemoneyhehadintheworld。Thenumberofmenwhowantedtobetwithhimsurprisedhimalittle。AlsothefactthattheLittleLostmenwerebettingonSmoky。

Honeycalledhimovertothebankandscoldedhimintonesmuchlikehername，andfinallygavehimtendollarswhichshewantedtowageronhiswinning。Ashewhirledaway，Marianbeckonedimpulsivelyandleanedforward，stretchingouttohimherclosedhand。

"Here’sten，"shesmiled，"justtoshowthattheLittleLoststandsbyitsmen——andhorses。PutitonSmoky，please。"WhenBudwasalmostoutofeasyhearing，shecalledtohim。"Oh——

wasthatafiveoratendollarbillIgaveyou？"

Budturnedback，unfoldingthebanknote。Averytightlyfoldedscrapofpaperslidintohispalm。

"Oh，allright——Ihavethefivehereinmypocket，"calledMarian，andlaughedquiteconvincingly。"Goonandrun！Wewon’tbeabletobreathefreelyuntiltheraceisover。"

WhereforeBudturnedback，puzzledandwithhisheartjumping。ForsomereasonMarianhadtakenthismeansofgettingamessageintohishands。Whatitcouldbehedidnotconjecture；buthehadavague，unreasoninghopethatshetrustedhimandwasaskinghimtohelphersomehow。Hedidnotthinkthatitconcernedtherace，sohedidnotriskopeningthenotethen，withsomanypeopleabout。

Aslim，narrow—eyedyouthofaboutBud’sweightwaschosentorideSkeeter，andtogethertheywentbackoverthecoursetothequarterpost，withDavetostartthemandtwoorthreeotherstomakesurethattheracewasfair。Smokywasfullnowoflittleprancingsteps，andheldhisneckarchedwhilehisnostrilsflaredinexcitement，showingpinkwithin。

Skeeterpersistentlydancedsidewise，fightingthebit，crazytorun。

Skeetermadetwofalsestarts，andwhenthepistolwasfired，jumpedhighintotheairandforward，shakinghishead，impatientagainsttherestrainthisriderputuponhim。

HalfwaydownthestretchhelungedsidewisetowardSmoky，butthatlevel—headedlittlehorseswervedandwenton，shouldertoshoulderwiththeother。AttheverylastSkeeterrolledapebbleunderhisfootandstumbled——andagainSmokycameinwithhisslatynoseinthelead。

Poprodeintothecentreoftheyellingcrowd，hiswhiskersbristling。"Shucksalmighty！"hecried。"Whatferridin’doyuhcallthatthere？JeffHall，thatfellerheldSkeeterinworse’nwhatyoudidyourself！Ikinproveit！Igotastopwatch，an’Itimed’im，Idid。An’IkintellyuhthetimeyorehorsemadewhenherunaginDave’sBoise。He’sthreeseconds——yes，byChristmas，he’sfoursecondsslowert’day’nwhathe’severrunbefore！Whatfersportd’youcallthat？"

Hisvoicewentupandcrackedatthequestionmarklikeaboyinhisearlyteens。

JeffstalkedforwardtoSkeeter’sside。"Jake，didyoupullSkeeter？"hedemandedsternly。"I’llswanifthisain’tthebelly—achinessbunchIeverseen！Howaboutit，Jake？DidSkeeterdohisdurndest，ordidn’the？

"Shore，hedid！"Jaketestifiedwarmly。"I’dabeat，too，ifhehadn’tstumbledrightatthelast。Didn’tyuhseehimpurtyneargodown？Andwasn’thewithinsixinchesofbeatin’？Ileaveittothecrowd！"

Thecrowdwasfullofargument，andsomebetswerepaidunderprotest。Buttheywerepaid，justthesame。BurrobackValleyinsistedthatthemainpointsofracinglawshouldbeobeyedtotheletter。Budcollectedhiswinnings，theScotchinhimoverlookingnothingwhateverintheshapeofadollar。Then，undercoverofgettinghissmokingmaterial，hedaredbringoutMarian’snote。Thereweretwolinesinafine，evenhandonacigarettepaper，andBud，relievedathercleverness，unfoldedthepaperandreadwhileheopenedhisbagoftobacco。Thelineswerelikethoseinanold—fashionedcopybook：

"Winnersmaybelosers。

Emptypockets，safeowner。"

Andthatwasall。Budsiftedtobaccointothepaper，rolleditintoacigaretteandsmokedittososhortastubthatheburnthislips。Thenhedroppeditbesidehisfootandgrounditintothesandwhilehetalked。

HewouldrunSmokynomorethatday，hedeclared，butnextSundayhewouldgivethemallachancetosettletheirmindsandwinbacktheirlosings，providinghishorse’sankledidn’tgobadagainwithto—day’srunning。Pop，Dave，Jeffandafewotherwiseonesexaminedtheweakankleanddisagreedovertheexactcauseandnatureoftheweakness。Itseemedallright。Smokydidnotflinchfromrubbing，thoughhedidlifthisfootawayfromstrangehands。TheyquestionedBud，whocouldoffernopositiveinformationonthesubject，exceptthatonceheandSmokyhadrolleddownablufftogether，andSmokyhadbeenlameforawhileafterwards。

ItdidnotoccurtoanyonetoaskBudwhichleghadbeenlamed，andBuddidnotvolunteerthedetail。Anoldsprain，theyfinallydecided，andBudreplacedhissaddle，gothischapsandcoatfromJerry，whowassmilingoveranextratwenty—fivedollars，androdeovertogivethegirlstheirwinnings。

HestayedforseveralminutestalkingwiththemandhopingforachancetothankMarianforherfriendlywarning。Buttherewasnone，andherodeawaydissatisfiedandwonderinguneasilyifMarianthoughthewasreallyasfriendlywithHoneyasthatyoungladymadehimappeartobe。

Hewasoneofthefirsttoridebacktotheranch，andheturnedSmokyinthepastureandcaughtupStoppertoridewithHoney，whosaidshewasgoingforaridewhentheraceswereover，andthatifhelikedtogoalongshewouldshowhimtheSinks。BudhadprofessedaneagernesstoseetheSinkswhichhedidnotfeeluntilMarianhadturnedherheadtowardHoneyandsaidinherquietvoice：

"WhytheSinks？Youknowthatisn’tsafecountrytoridein，Honey。"

"That’swhyIwanttoridethere，"Honeyretortedflippantly。

"Ihatesafeplacesandsafethings。"

MarianhadglancedatBud——anditwasthatglancewhichhewasrememberingnowwithapuzzledsensethat，likethenote，ithadmeantsomethingdefinite，somethingvitaltohisownwelfareifhecouldonlyfindthekey。FirstitwasHen，thenJerry，andnowMarian，allwarninghimvaguelyofdangerintowhichhemightstumbleifhewerenotcareful。

Budwasnofool，butontheotherhandhewasnotonetostampedeeasily。Hehadthatsteadfastcourage，perhaps，whichcouldfacedangerandstillmaintainhisnaturalcalm——

justashismotherhadcorrectedgrammaticalslipsintheverysentenceswhichtoldherofanimpendingoutbreakofIndianslongagoBudsaddledStopperandthehorsewhichHoneywastoride，ledthemtothehouseandwentinsidetowaituntilthegirlwasready。Whilehewaitedheplayed——andhopedthatMarian，hearing，wouldknowthatheplayedforher；andthatshewouldcomeandexplainthecrypticmessage。

WhetherMarianheardandappreciatedthemusicornot，shefailedtoappearandlethimknow。Itseemedtohimthatshemighteasilyhavecomeintotheroomforaminutewhensheknewhewasthere，andlethimhaveachancetothankherandaskherjustwhatshemeant。

HewasjustfinishingtheAVEMARIAwhichMarianhadlikenedtoabreathofcoolair，whenHoneyappearedinridingskirtandlightshirtwaist。Shelookedverytrimandattractive，andBudsmileduponherapprovingly，andcutshortthelaststrainbyfourbeats，whichwasonewayoflettingMarianknowthatheconsideredherratherunappreciative。

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN：THESINKS

"Wecangothroughthepastureandcutoffacoupleofmiles，"saidHoneywhentheyweremounted。"Ihopeyoudon’tthinkI’mcrazy，wantingarideatthistimeofday，afteralltheexcitementwe’vehad。ButeverySundayistakenupwithhorse—racingtilllateintheafternoon，andduringtheweeknoonehastimetogo。And，"sheaddedwithasidelonglookathim，"there’ssomethingabouttheSinksthatmakesmelovetogothere。UncleDavewon’tletmegoalone。"

Buddismountedtopulldownthetwotopbarsofthepasturegatesothattheirhorsescouldstepover。AlittlewaydownthegrassyslopeSmokyandSunfishfedtogether，theLittleLosthorsesgroupednearerthecreek。

"Ilovethatlittlehorseofyours——why，he’sgonelameagain！"exclaimedHoney。"Isn’tthatashame！Yououghtn’ttorunhimifitdoesthattohim。"

"Helikesit，"saidBudcarelesslyasheremounted。"AndsodoI，whenIcancleanupthewayIdidtoday。I’moverthreehundreddollarsricherrightnowthanIwasthismorning。"

"AndnextSunday，maybeyou’llbebroke，"Honeyaddedsignificantly。"Youneverknowhowyouarecomingout。I

thinkJeffletyouwinto—dayonpurpose，soyou’dbetitallagainandlose。He’slikethat。Hedon’tcarehowmuchhelosesoneday，becausehegetsitbacksomeothertime。I

don’tlikeit。Someoftheboysneverdogetahead，andyou’llbeinthesamefixifyoudon’tlookout。"

"Youdidn’tbringmealongtolectureme，Iknow，"saidBudwithagood—naturedsmile。"WhatabouttheSinks？Isitadangerousplaceas——Mrs。Morrissays？"

"Oh，Marian？Sheneverdoeswantmetocome。ShethinksI

oughttostayinthehousealways，thewayshedoes。TheSinksis——is——queer。Therearecaves，andthenagaindeepholesstraightdown，andtracksofwildcatsandlions。Andinsomeplacesyoucanheargurglesandrumbles。Ilovetobetherejustatsundown，becausetheshadowsarespookyanditmakesyoufeel——oh，youknow——kindofcreepyupyourback。

Youdon’tknowwhatmighthappen。I——doyoubelieveinghostsandhauntedplaces，Bud？"

"I’dneedalotofscaringbeforeIdid。AretheSinkshaunted？"

"No—o——buttherearefunnynoisesandpeoplehavegotlostthere。Anywaytheynevershowedupafterwards。TheIndiansclaimit’shaunted。"Shesmiledthatbaringsmileofhers。

"Doyouwanttoturnaroundandgoback？"

"Sure。Afterwe’vehadourride，andseenthesights。"Andheaddedwithsomesatisfaction，"Themoon’sfullto—night，andnoclouds。"

"AndIbroughtsandwiches，"Honeythrewinasespecialblessing。"UncleDavewillbemad，Iexpect。ButI’veneverseentheSinksatnight，withmoonlight。"

ShewasquietwhilethehorseswadedSunkCreekandpickedtheirwaycarefullyoveraparticularlyrockystretchbeyond。

"ButwhatI’dratherdo，"shesaid，speakingfromherthoughtswhichhadevidentlycarriedforwardinthesilence，"isexploreCatrockCanyon。"

"Well，whynot，ifwehavetime？"Budrodeupalongsideher。"Isitfar？"

Honeylookedathimsearchingly。"Youmustbestrangertotheseparts，"shesaiddisbelievingly。"Doyouthinkyoucanmakemeswallowthat？"

Budlookedatherinquiringly，whichforcedhertogoon。

"YoumustknowaboutCatrockCanyon，BudBirnie。Don’ttrytomakemebelieveyoudon’t。"

"Idon’t。IneverheardofitbeforethatIremember。Whatisitmakesyouwanttoexploreit？"

Honeystudiedhim。"You’rethequeerestspecimenIeverdidsee，"sheexclaimedpettishly。"Why，it’snotgoingtohurtyoutoadmityouknowCatrockCanyonis——unexplorable。"

"Oh。Soyouwanttoexploreitbecauseit’sunexplorable。

Well，whyisitunexplorable？"

Honeylookedaroundheratthedrysagelandtheywerecrossing。"Oh，youmakemeTIRED！"shesaidbluntly，withsomethingoftherangeroughnessinhervoice。"Becauseitis，that’sall。"

"ThenI’dliketoexploreitmyself，"Buddeclared。

"Foronething，"Honeydilated，"there’snowaytogetinthere。

Upontheridgethisside，wheretherockisthatthrowsashadowlikeacat’sheadontheoppositewall，youcanlookdownaways。Butthetwosidescomesoclosetogetheratthetopthatyoucan’tseethebottomofthecanyonatall。I’vebeenontheridgewhereIcouldseethecat’shead。"

Budglancedspeculativelyupatthesun，andHoney，catchinghismeaning，shookherheadandsmiled。

"IfwegetintotheSinksandbackto—day，theywilldoenoughtalkingaboutit；orUncleDavewill，andMarian。I——I

thoughtperhapsyou’dbeabletotellmeabout——CatrockCanyon。"

"I’mabletosayIdon’tknowathingaboutit。Ifnoonecangetintoit，Ishouldthinkthat’saboutall，isn’tit？"

"Yes——you’dthinkso，"Honeyagreedenigmatically，andbegantotalkoftheracingthatday，andofthedance，andofotherdancesandotherracesyettocome。Buddiscussedthesesubjectsforawhileandthenaskedboldly，"When’sLewcomingback？"

"Lew？"Honeyshotaswiftglanceathim。"Why？"Shelookedaheadattheforbidding，craggyhillstowardwhichshehadglancedwhenshespokeofCatrock。"Why，Idon’tknow。HowshouldI？"

Budsawthathehadspokenunwisely。"Iwasthinkinghe’dmaybehatetomissanotherrunningmatchliketo—day，"heexplainedguilelessly。"Everybodyandhisdogseemedtobethereto—day，andeverybodyhadmoneyup。All，"hemodified，"excepttheMuleshoeboys。Ididn’tseeanyofthem。"

"Youwon’t，"Honeytoldhimwithsomeemphasis。"UncleDaveandtheMuleshoeareontheouts。Theynevercomearoundexceptformailandthingsfromthestore。AndmostalwaystheysendHen。UncleDaveandDirkTracyhadanawfulrowlastwinter。Itwasnextthingtoakilling。Soofcoursetheoutfitsain’tonfriendlyterms。"

ThiswasmorethanPophadgossipedtoBud，andsincethewholethingwasofnoconcerntohim，andHoneyplainlyobjectedtotalkingaboutMarian’shusband，hewasquitereadytofixhisinterestoncemoreupontheSinks。Hewassurprisedwhentheyemergedfromaclusterofsmall，sage—

coveredknolls，directlyupontheedgeofwhatatfirstsightseemedtobeanotherdryriverbed——sprawledwider，perhaps，withirregulararmsthrustbackintothelesssterileland。

Theyrodedownasteep，rockytrailandcameoutintotheSinks。

Itwasanodd，forbiddingplace，andthefartherupthegravellybottomtheyrode，themoreforbiddingitbecame。BudthoughtthatinthetimewhenIndiansweredangerousasshe—

bearstheSinkswouldnotbeaplacewhereamanwouldwanttoride。Thereweretoomanyjuttingcrags，toomanyunsuspected，blackholesthatledback——nooneknewjustwhere。

HoneyledthewaytoanirregularcircleofwaterwashedcobblesandBudpeereddownfiftyfeettoanotherdry，gravellybottomseeminglyaduplicateoftheuppersurface。

Sherodeonpastothercaves，andlethimlookdownintootherholes。Therewerefaintrumblingsinsomeofthese，butinnonewasthereanywatershowingsaveinstagnantpoolsintherockwheretherainhadfallen。

"There’sonecaveIliketogointo，"saidHoneyatlast。

"It’salittlefartheron，butwehavetimeenough。There’saspringinside，andwecaneatoursandwiches。Itisn’tdark—

thereareopeningstothetop，andlotsoffunny，windingpassages。That，"shefinishedthrillingly，"istheplacetheIndiansclaimishaunted。"

Buddidnotshudderconvincingly，andtheyrodeslowlyforward，pickingtheirwayamongtherocks。Thecaveyawnedwideopentothesun，whichhungonthetopofCatrockPeak。

Theydismounted，anchoredthereinswithrocksandwentinside。

WhenBudhadbeeninvestigativeBuddy，hehadexploredmorecavesthanhecouldcount。Hehadfilchedcandlesfromhismotherandhadcreptbackandbackuntilthecandleflameflickeredwarningthathewasnearingthe"damps"Indiansalwaysdidbelievecaveswerehaunted，probablybecausetheydidnotunderstandthe"damps"，andthoughtevilspiritshadtakenthosewhowentinandneverreturned。Buddyhadoncebeenlostinacaveforfourharrowinghours，andhadfoundhiswayoutbysheerluck，passingtheskeletonofanIndianandtakingthetomahawkasasouvenir。

Whereforethisparticularcave，withaspringbackfiftyfeetfromtheentrancewhereashaftofsunlightstrucktherockthroughsomeobscureslitintherock，hadnothrillforhim。

Butthefloorwasoffine，whitesand，andtheceilingwasknobbyandgrotesque，andhewasquitewillingtosittherebesidethespringandeattwosandwichesandtalkfoolishnesswithHoney，usingthatpartofhismindwhichwasnotbusywiththecomplexitiesofwinningmoneyonthespeedofhishorseswhenthreehorsesrepresentedhisentirebusinesscapital，andwithwonderingwhatwaswrongwithBurrobackValley，thatthreepersonsofwidelydifferentviewpointshadfeltitnecessarytocautionhim，——andhadcouchedtheiradmonitionsinsuchgeneraltermsthathecouldnotfeeltheforceoftheirwarning。

HewasthinkingbackalonghislifetowherefalsealarmsofIndianoutbreakshadplayedaverylargepartintheTomahawk’saffairs，andhowlittleoftheranchworkwouldeverhavebeendonehadtheylistenedtoeverycalamityhowlerthatcamealong。Honeywastalking，andhewasansweringpartlyatrandom，whenshesuddenlylaughedandgotup。

"Youmustbeinlove，BudBirnie。Youjustsaid’yes’whenI

askedyouifyoudidn’tthinkwatersnakeswouldbecomingoutthisfallwiththeirstripesrunningroundtheminsteadoflengthwise！Youdidn’thearaword——now，didyou？"

"Iheardmusic，"Budliedgallantly，"andIknewitwasyourvoice。I’dprobablysayyesifyouaskedmewhetherthemoonwouldn’tlookbetterwitharufflearoundit。"

"I’llsaythemoonwillbewonderingwhereweare，ifwedon’tstartback。Thesun’sdown。"

Budgotupfromsittingcross—leggedlikeaTurk，helpedHoneytoherfeet——andfeltherfingersclingingwarmlytohisown。Heledthewaytothecave’smouth，notlookingather。"Greatsunset，"heobservedcarelessly，glancingupattheridgewhileheheldherhorseforhertomount。

Honeyshowedthatshewasperfectlyathomeinthesaddle。

Sherodeonahead，leavingBudtomountandfollow。HewasjustswingingleisurelyintothesaddlewhenStopperthrewhisheadaround，glancingbacktowardtheleveljustbeyondthecave。AtthesameinstantBudheardthefamiliar，unmistakableswishofaropeheadedhisway。

HeflattenedhimselfalongStopper’sleftshoulderastheloopsettledandtightenedonthesaddlehorn，anddroppedontothegroundasStopperwhirledautomaticallytotherightandbracedhimselfagainstthestrain。Budturnedhalfkneeling，hisguninhishandreadyfortheshotheexpectedwouldfollowtherope。ButStopperwasinaction—thebestropehorsetheTomahawkhadeverowned。Forafewsecondshestoodbraced，hisneckarched，hiseyesbrightandwatchful。

Thenheleapedforward，straightatthehorseandtheriderwhowasintheactoflevelinghisgun。Thehorsehesitated，takenunawarebytheonslaught。WhenhestartedtorunStopperwasalreadypassinghim，turningsharplytotherightagainsothattheroperakedthehorse’sfrontlegs。TwojumpsandStopperhadstopped，facedthehorseandstoodbracedagain，hisearsperkedknowinglywhilehewaitedfortheflop。

Itcame——justasitalwaysdidcomewhenStoppergotactionontheendofarope。Horseandridercamedowntogether。

TheywouldnotgetupuntilBudwishedit——hecouldtrustStopperforthat——soBudwalkedovertotheheap，hisgunreadyforaction——andthat，too，couldbetrustedtoperformwithwhatspeedandprecisionwasnecessary。Therewouldbenohastyshooting，however；Buddyhadlearnedtosavehisbulletsforrealneedwhenammunitionwasnottobehadfortheasking，andgrown—upBudhadneveroutgrownthehabit。

Hepickedupthefellow’ssix—shooterwhichhehaddroppedwhenhefell，andstoodsizingupthesituation。

Bytheneckerchiefdrawnacrosshisfaceitwasastraightcaseofholdup。Budstoopedandyankedoffthemaskandlookedintotheglaringeyesofonewhomhehadneverbeforeseen。

"Well，howd’yuhlikeit，farasyou’vegot？"Budaskedcuriously。"Thinkyouwereholdingupapilgrim，orwhat？"

Justthen，BING—GGsangariflebulletfromtheridgeabovethecave。Budlookedthatwayandspiedamanstandinghalfrevealedagainsttherosycloudsthatwerealreadydullingasduskcreptupfromthelowground。Itwasalongshotforasix—shooter，butBuddyusedtoshootantelopealmostthatfar，soBudliftedhisarmandstraightenedit，justasifhewerepointingafingerattheman，andfired。Hehadthesatisfactionofseeingthefigurejerkbackwardandgooffovertheridgeinastoopingkindofrun。