第6章

Boisewasstandingbehindthepeakedoutcroppingofrock，andbesidehimwasastock—saddlewhichmusthavetaxedMarian’sstrengthtocarry。Indeed，Budthoughtshemusthavehadwings，todosomuchinsoshortaspaceoftime；thoughwhenhecametoestimatethattimehedecidedthathemusthavebeenawayfromthehousetenminutes，atleast。IfMarianfollowedhimcloselyenoughtoseehimduckbehindthemachineshedandmeetJerry，shecouldrunbehindthecorralandgetBoiseoutbywayofthebackdoorofthestable。

Therewasapath，screenedfromthecorralbyafringeofbrush，whichwentthatway。ThetruthflasheduponhimthatonecouldrideunseenallaroundLittleLost。

HewasjustdroppingthestirrupdownfromthesaddlehornwhenMarianappearedwithJerryandSunfishclosebehindher。

Jerryheldoutthepackage。

"Shesaysshe’llshowyouashortcut，"hewhispered。"ShesaysIdon’tknowanythingaboutit。Iguessshe’sright——

there’salotIdon’tknow。Lew’sgone，andshesaysshe’llbebackbeforedaylight。IftheymissBoisethey’llthinkyoustolehim。Buttheywon’tlook。Davewouldn’tslamaroundinthenightonBoise——hethinkstoomuchofhim。Well——beatit，andIsurewishyuhluck。Youbecareful，Marian。Comebackthisway，andifyouseeaman’shandkerchiefhangingonthisbushrightherewhereI’mstanding，it’llmeanyou’vebeenmissed。"

"Thankyou，Jerry，"Marianwhispered。"I’lllookforit。Come，Bud——keepclosebehindme，anddon’tmakeanynoise。"

Budwouldhaveprotested，butMariandidnotgivehimachance。Shetookupthereins，graspedthesaddlehorn，stuckherslippertoeinthestirrupandmountedBoiseasquicklyasBudcouldhavedoneit——aseasily，too，makingallowanceforthedifferenceintheirheight。BudmountedSunfishandfollowedherdownthetrailwhichledtotheracetrack；butwhentheyhadgonethroughthebrushandcouldseestarlightbeyond，sheturnedsharplytotheleft，letBoisepickhiswaycarefullyoverarockystretchandplungedintothebrushagain，leaninglowinthesaddlesothatthehigherbrancheswouldnotclawatherhairandface。

WhentheyhadoncemorecomeintoopengroundwithashoulderofCatrockPeakbeforethem，Marianpulleduplongenoughtountieherapronandbinditoverherhairlikeapeasantwoman。SheglancedbackatBud，andalthoughdarknesshidtheexpressiononherface，hesawhereyesshininginthestarlight。Sheraisedherhandandbeckoned，andBudreinedSunfishclosealongside。

"We’regoingintoaspookyplacenow，"sheleanedtowardhimtowhisper。"Boiseknowstheway，andyourhorsewillfollow。"

"Allright，"Budwhisperedback。"Butyou’dbettertellmethewayandletmegoonalone。I’mprettygoodatscoutingoutnewtrails。Idon’twantyoutogetintrouble——"

Shewouldnotlistentomoreofthat，butpushedhimbackwiththeflatofherbarehandandrodeaheadofhimagain。

Straightatthesheerbluff，thatlifteditshuge，rockyshapebeforethem，sheledtheway。SofarasBudcouldseeshewasnotfollowinganytrail；butwasaimingatacertainpointandwassureenoughofthegroundtoavoiddetours。

Theycameoutuponthebankofthedryriver—bed。Budknewitbytheflatnessoftheforegroundandthegeneralcontourofthemountainsbeyond。Butimmediatelytheyturnedatasharpangle，travelledforafewminuteswiththeriver—bedattheirbacks，andenteredanarrowslitinthemountainswheretwopeakshadbeenrentasunderinsometitanicupheavalwhentheworldwasyoung。Thehorsesscrambledalongtherockybottomforalittleway，thenBoisedisappeared。

Sunfishhalted，threwhisheadthiswayandthat，gaveasuspicioussniffandturnedcarefullyaroundthecornerofasquare—facedboulder。Infrontwasblackness。Budurgedhimalittlewithreinandsoftpressureofthespurs，andSunfishsteppedforward。Heseemedreassuredtofindfirm，smoothsandunderhisfeet，andhurriedalittleuntilBoisewasjustaheadclickinghisfeetnowandthenagainstarock。

"Coming？"Marian’svoicesoundedsubdued，muffledbytheclosewallsofthetunnel—likecrevice。

"Coming，"Budassuredherquietly"Atyourheels。"

"IalwaysusedtofeelspookywhenIwasridingthroughhere，"Mariansaid，droppingbacksothattheyrodesidebyside，stirrupstouching。"IwastenwhenIfirstmadethetrip。ItwastogetawayfromIndians。Theywouldn’tcomeintotheseplaces。EddieandIfoundthewaythrough。Wewereafraidtheywereafterus，andsowekeptgoing，andourhorsesbroughtusout。Eddie——ismybrother。"

"Yougrewuphere？"Buddidnotknowhowmuchincredulitywasinhisvoice。"IwasraisedamongsttheIndiansinWyoming。I

thoughtyouwerefromtheEast。"

"IwasinChicagoforthreeyears，"Marianexplained。"I

studiedeverywakingminute，Ithink。Iwantedtobeasinger。Then——Icamehometohelpburymother。Father——Lewandfatherwerepartners，andI——marriedLew。Ididn’tknow——

itseemedasthoughImust。Fatherputitthatway。Theoldstory，Bud。Iusedtolaughatitinnovels，butitdoeshappen。LewhadaholdoverfatherandEddie，andhewantedme。Imarriedhim，butitdidnogood，forfatherwaskilledjustalittlemorethanamonthafterwards。Wehadaranch，uphereintheRedwaterValley，abouthalfwaytoCrater。Butitwent——Lewgambledanddrankand——sohetookmetoLittleLost。I’vebeentherefortwoyears。"

Thewordsofpity——andmore——thatcrowdedforwardforutterance，Budknewhemustnotspeak。Sohesaidnothingatall。

"LewhasalwaysheldEddieovermyhead，"shewentonpouringouthertroublestohim。"There’sagang，calledtheCatrockGang，andLewisoneofthem。ItoldyouLewisthemanyoushot。IthinkDaveTrumanisinwiththem——atanyrateheshutshiseyestowhatevergoeson，andgetspartofthestealings，Ifeelsure。That’swhyLewissuchafavorite。

Yousee，Eddieisone——I’mtrustingyouwithmylife，almost，whenItellyouthis。

"ButIcouldn’tstandbyandnotliftahandtosaveyou。I

knewtheywouldkillyou。They’dhaveto，becauseIfeltthatyouwouldfightandnevergiveup。Andyouaretoofineamanforthosebeaststomurderforthemoneyyouhave。Iknew，theminuteIsawJeffpayingyouhislosingswithacheck，andsomeoftheothersdoingthesame，justwhatwouldhappen。JeffisalmostasbadastheCatrockers，exceptthatheistoocowardlytocomeoutintotheopen。Hegaveyouacheck；andeveryonewhowasthereknewhewouldhurryuptoCraterandstoppaymentonit，ifhecoulddoitandkeepoutofyoursight。Thosecroniesofhiswoulddothesame——sotheypaidwithchecks。

"AndtheCatrockgangknewthat。Theymeantogetholdofyou，roband—and—killyou，andforgetheendorsementonthechecksandletonemancashtheminCraterbeforepaymentcanbestopped。Indeed，thegangwillseetoitthatJeffstaysawayfromCrater。Lewhintedthatwhiletheywereaboutittheymightaswellcleanoutthebank。Itwouldn’tbethefirsttime，"sheaddedbitterly。

Shestoppedthenandaskedforamatch，andwhenBudgaveheroneshelightedacandleandhelditupsothatshecouldexaminethewalls。"It’sanaturaltunnel，"shevolunteeredinadifferenttone。"Somewherealongherethereisabranchthatgoesbackintothehillandendsinablow—hole。Butwe’reallrightsofar。"

SheblewoutthecandleandurgedBoiseforward，edgingovertotheright。

"Wasn’tthattakingquiteachance，makingalight？"Budaskedastheywenton。

"Itwas，butnotsogreatachanceasmissingtheway。Jerrydidn’thearanythingofthemwhenhewenttothepasturegate，andtheymaynotcomethroughthiswayatall。Theymaynotrealizeatfirstthatyouhaveleft，andevenwhentheydidtheywouldnotbelieveatfirstthatyouhadgonetoCrater。Yousee"——andinthedarknessBudcouldpicturehertroubledsmile——"theythinkyouareanawfulfool，insomeways。Thewayyoubetto—daywaspuremadness。"

"Itwouldhavebeen，exceptthatIknewIcouldwin。"

"Theyneverbetlikethat。Theyalways’figure’，astheycallit，thattheotherfellowisgoingtoplaysometrickonthem。HalfthetimeJeffbetsagainsthisownhorse，onthesly。Theyalldo，unlesstheyfeelsurethattheirowntrickisbest。"

"Theyshouldhavedonethatto—day，"Budobserveddryly。"Butyou’veexplainedit。TheythoughtI’manawfulfool。"

OutofthedarknesscameMarian’svoice。"It’sbecauseyou’resodifferent。Theycan’tunderstandyou。

Budwasnotinterestedinhisownfoolishnessjustthen。

Somethinginhervoicehadthrilledhimanewwithadesiretohelpherandwiththeconvictionthathewasdesperatelyinneedofhelp。Therewasapatheticpatienceinhertonewhenshesummarizedhewholeaffairinthoselasttwosentences。

Itwasasifsheweretellinghimhowherwholelifewasdarkenedbecausesheherselfwasdifferent——becausetheycouldnotunderstandawomansofine，sotrueandsweet。

"Whatwillhappenifyouaremissed？IfyougobackanddiscoverJerry’shandkerchiefonthatbush，whatwillyoudo？

Youcan’tgobackiftheyfindout——"Therewasnoneedforhimtofinishthatsentence。

"Idon’tknow，"saidMarian，"whatIshalldo。Ihadn’tthoughtmuchaboutit。"

"Ihaven’tthoughtmuchaboutanythingelse，"Budtoldherstraightforwardly。"IfJerryflagsyou，you’dbetterkeepgoing。Couldn’tyougotofriends？"

"Icould——ifIhadany。Bud，youdon’tunderstand。EddieistheonlyrelativeIhaveonearth，thatIknowatall。Heis——he’swiththeCatrockersandLewdominateshimcompletely。LewhaspushedEdintodoingthingssothatI

mustshieldbothorneither。AndEddie’sjustaboy。SoI’venooneatall。"

Budstudiedthiswhiletheyrodeonthroughthedefilethatwasmorefrequentlyatunnel，sincethesuccessionofcavesalwayshadanoutletwhichMarianfound。Shehadstoppednowanddismounted，andtheywereleadingtheirhorsesdownasteep，scramblingplacewiththestarsshowingoverhead。

"Ablowhole，"Marianinformedhimbriefly。"We’llcomeintoanothercave，soon，andwhileit’ssafeifyouknowit，I’llexplainnowthatyoumustwalkaheadofyourhorseandkeepyourrighthandalwaysintouchwiththewalluntilweseethestarsagain。There’saledge—fivefeetwideinthenarrowestplace，ifyouarenervousaboutledges——andifyoushouldgetoffthatyou’dhaveadropoftenfeetorso。Wefoundthattheledgemakeseasiertravelling，becausethebottomisfullofrocksandnastydepressionsthatarenoticeableonlywithlights。"

Shestartedoffagain，andBudfollowedher，hisglovedfingerstouchingtherightwall，hissoulhumbledbeforethegreatnessofthislittlewomanwiththedeep，troubledeyes。

WhentheycameoutintothestarlightshestoppedandlistenedforwhatseemedtoBudaverylongtime。

"Iftheyarecoming，theyarealongwaybehindus，"shesaidrelievedly，andremounted。"Boiseknowshistrailandhasmadegoodtime。Andyourhorsehasprovenbeyondalldoubtthathe’sathoroughbred。I’veseenhorsesbalkatgoingwherewehavegone。"

"AndI’veseenmenwhocountedthemselvesbraveasany，whowouldn’tdowhatyouaredoingto—night；Jerry，forinstance。

Iwishyou’dgoback。Ican’tbearhavingyoutakethisrisk。"

"Ican’tgoback，Bud。NotiftheyfindI’vegone。"Thenheheardherlaughquietly。"Ican’timaginenowwhyIstayedandendureditallthiswhile。IthinkIonlyneededthepsychologicalmomentforrebellion，andto—nightthemomentcame。Soyouseeyouhavereallydonemeaservicebygettingintothisscrape。It’sthefirsttimeIhavebeenofftheranchinayear。"

"Ifyoucallthatdoingyouaservice，I’mgoingtoaskyoutoletmedosomethingalsoforyou。"Budhalfsmiledtohimselfinthedarkness，thinkinghowdiplomatichewas。"Ifyou’refoundout，you’llhavetokeepongoing，andItakeityouwouldn’tbeparticularwhereyouwent。SoIwishyou’dtakechargeofpartofthismoneyforme，andifyouleave，godowntomymother，ontheTomahawkranch，outfromLaramie。Anyonecantellyouwhereitis，whenyougetdownthatwayIfyouneedanymoneyuseit。AndtellmotherIsentherthefinestcookinthecountry。Mother，bytheway，isagreatmusician，Marian。ShetaughtmeallIknowofmusic。

You’dgetalongjustfinewithmother。Andsheneedsyou，honest。Sheisn’tverystrong，yetshecan’tfindanyonetosuit，downthere——"

"Imightnotsuit，either，"saidMarian，hervoicesomewhatmuffled。

"Oh，I’mnotafraidofthat。And——there’samessageIwanttosend——IpromisedmotherI’d——"

"Oh，hush！You’rereallyanawfullypoorprevaricator，Bud。

Thisistohelpme，you’replanning。"

"Well——it’stohelpmethatIwantyoutotakepartofthemoney。Thegangwon’tholdyouup，willthey？AndIwantmothertohaveit。Iwanthertohaveyou，too，——tohelpoutwhencompanycomesdriftinginthere，sometimesfifteenortwentystrong。EspeciallyonSunday。Motherhastowaitonthemandcookforthem，and——aslongasyouaregoingtocookforabunch，youmayaswelldoitwhereitwillbeappreciated，andwhereyou’llbetreatedlikea——likealadyoughttobetreated。"

"You’reevenworse——"beganMarian，laughingsoftly，andstoppedabruptly，listening，herheadturnedbehindthem。"

Sh—sh—someoneiscomingbehindus，"shewhispered。"We’realmostthrough——comeon，anddon’ttalk！"

CHAPTERSEVENTEEN：GUARDIANANGELSARERIDINGPOINT

Theyplungedintodarknessagain，rodeatahalftrotoversmooth，hardsand，BudtrustinghimselfwhollytoMarianandtothesagacityofthetwohorseswhocouldsee，hehoped，muchbetterthanhehimselfcould。Hiskeenhearinghadcaughtafaintsoundfrombehindthem——farbackinthecrevice—likegorgetheyhadjustquitted，hebelieved。ForMarian’ssakehestaredanxiouslyahead，eagerforthefirstfaintsuggestionofstarlightbeforethem。Itcame，andhebreathedfreerandfeltofhisguninitsholster，pullingitforwardaninchortwo。

"Thisway，Bud，"Marianmurmured，andswungBoisetotheleft，againstthemountainunderandthroughwhichtheyseemedtohavepassed。Sheledhimintoanothersmallgorgewhoseextenthecouldnotsee，andstoppedhimwithahandpressedagainstSunfish’sshoulder。

"We’dbettergetdownandholdourhorsesquiet，"shecautioned。"Boisemaytrytowhinny，andhemustn’t。"

Theystoodsidebysideattheirhorses’heads，holdingtheanimalsclose。ForatimetherewerenosoundsatallsavethebreathingofthehorsesandoncearepressedsighfromMarian。Budrememberedsuddenlyhowtiredshemustbe。Atsixo’clockthatmorningshehadfedtwelvemenasubstantialbreakfast。Atnoontherehadbeendinnerforseveralmorethantwelve，andsupperagainatsix——andhereshewas，riskingherlifewhensheshouldbeinbed。Hefeltforherfreehand，foundithanginglistlesslybyhersideandtookitinhisownandhelditthere，justasoneholdsthehandofatimidchild。YetMarianwasnottimid。

Asubduedmutterofvoices，theclickofhoofsstrikingagainststone，andthepursuerspassedwithinthirtyfeetofthem。Boisehadliftedhisheadtonickerasalute，butMarian’sjerkonthereinsstoppedhim。Theystoodverystill，notdaringsomuchasawhisperuntilthesoundshadrecededandsilencecameagain。

"Theytooktheside—hilltrail，"whisperedMarian，pushingBoisebackwardtoturnhiminthenarrowdefile。"You’llhavetogetdownthehillintothecreek—bedandfollowthatuntilyoucometothestageroad。Theremaybeotherscomingthatway，buttheywillbetwoorthreemilesbehindyou。Thistunneltrailcutsoffatleastfivemilesbutwehadtogoslower，yousee。

"RighthereyoucanleadSunfishdowntheblufftothecreek。

It’salldry，andaroundthefirstbendyouwillseewheretheroadcrosses。Turntotheleftonthatandride！Thishorseofyourswillhavetoshowthestuffthat’sinhim。GettoCrateraheadofthesementhattookthehilltrail。

They’llnotridefast——theyneverdreamedyouhadcomethroughhere，buttheycametocutoffthedistanceandtoheadyouoff。Withothersbehind，youmustbeatthemallinoryou’llbetrappedbetween。"

ShehadleftBoisetiedhastilytoabushandwaswalkingaheadofBuddownthesteep，rockyhillsidetoshowhimtheeasiestwayamongstthebouldersHalfwaydown，Budcaughthershoulderandstoppedher。

"I’mnotakid，"hesaidfirmly。"Icanmakeitfromherealone。Notanotherstep，younglady。IfyoucangetbackhomeYou’llbedoingenough。Takethis——it’smoney，butIdon’tknowhowmuch。Andwatchyourchanceandgodowntomotherwiththatmessage。Birnie，oftheTomahawkoutfit——you’llfindoutinLaramiewheretogo。AndtellmotherI’mallright，andshe’llseemesomeday——whenI’vemademystake。

Godblessyou，littlewoman。You’rethetruest，sweetestlittlewomanintheworld。There’sjustonemorelikeyou——

that’smother。Nowgoback——andforGod’ssakehecareful！"

Hepressedmoneyintohertwohands，heldthemtightlytogether，kissedthembothhurriedlyandplungeddownthehillwithSunfishslippingandslidingafterhim。Forhersafety，ifnotforhisown，hemeanttogetawayfromthereasquicklyaspossible。

Inthecreekbedhemountedandrodeawayatasharpgallop，gladthatSunfish，thoroughbredthoughhewas，hadnotbeenraisedtenderlyinstallandcorral，buthadrunfreewiththerangehorsesandhadlearnedtokeephisfeetunderhiminroughcountryorsmooth。WhenhereachedthecrossingofthestageroadheturnedtotheleftasMarianhadcommandedandputSunfishtoapacethatslidthemilesbehindhim。

WithhisthoughtsclingingtoMarian，totheharshnesswhichlifehadshownherwhowasallgoodnessandsweetnessandcourage，Budforgottokeepcarefulwatchbehindhim，ortolookfortheplacewherethehilltrailjoinedtheroad，asitprobablydidsomedistancefromCrater。Itwouldbeablindtrail，ofcourse——sinceonlytheCatrockgangandMarianknewofit。

Theycameintotheroadnotfarbehindhim，outofrock—

strewn，brushywildernessthatslopedupsteeplytotheruggedsidesofGoldGapmountains。Sunfishdiscoveredthemfirst，andgaveBudwarningjustbeforetheyidentifiedhimandbegantoshoot。

Budlaidhimselfalongtheshoulderofhishorsewithahandfulofmanetosteadyhimwhilehewatchedhischanceandfiredbackatthem。Therewerefour，justthenumberhehadguessedfromthesoundsastheycameoutofthetunnel。A

horseranstaggeringtowardhimwiththeothers，falteredandfell。Budwassorryforthat。Ithadbeennopartofhisplantoshootdownthehorses。

Thethreecameon，leavingthefourthtohisowndevices——andthat，too，wasquiteinkeepingwiththetypeofhumanvulturestheywere。TheykeptfiringatBud，andoncehefeltSunfishwinceandleapforwardasifaspurhadrakedhim。

Budshotagain，andthoughthesawonehorsemanlurchbackward。Buthecouldnotbesure——theyweregoingataterrificpacenow，andSunfishwasleavingthemfartherandfartherbehind。Theywereoutclassed，hopelesslyoutofpistolrange，andtheymusthaveknownit，foralthoughtheyheldtothechasetheyfirednomoreshots。

Thenadogbarked，andBudknewthathewaspassingaranch。

Hecouldsmellthefreshhayinthestacks，andamomentlaterhedescriedtheblackhulkofranchbuildings。Sunfishwasrunningeasily，hisbreathunlabored。Budstoodinthestirrupsandlookedback。Theywerestillcoming，forhecouldhearthepoundofhoofs。

Theranchwasbehindhim。Clearstarlightwasallaround，andthebulkofnearmountains。Theroadseemedsandy，yieldingbeneaththepoundofSunfish’shoofs。Budleanedforwardagaininthesaddle，andplannedwhathewoulddowhenhereachedCrater；foundtime，also，tohopethatMarianhadgoneback，andhadnotheardtheshooting。

Anotherdogbarked，thistimeontheright。Budsawthattheywerepassingapicketfence。Thebarkingofthisdogstartedanotherfartheraheadandtotheleft。HousessoclosetogethercouldonlymeanthathewasapproachingCrater。BudbegantopullSunfishdowntoamoreconventionalpace。Hedidnotparticularlywanttoseeheadsthrustfromwindows，andquestionsshoutedtohim。TheCatrockgangmighthavefriendsupthisway。Itwouldbestrange，Budthought，iftheyhadn’t。

Helopedalongtheroadgrownbroadernowandsmoother。Manyhouseshepassed，andthemouthsofobscurelanes。Dogsranoutathim。Budslowedtoawalkandturnedinthesaddle，listening。Awayback，wherehehadfirstmetthesignsofcivilization，thedoghehadarousedwasbarkingagain，hisdeepbayingblurredbythedistance。Budgrinnedtohimselfandrodeonatawalk，speakingnowandthentoaninquiringdogandcallinghimPurpinatonethatsoothed。

Crater，hediscoveredinacursorypatroloftheplace，wasnomorethananovergrownvillage。Thecourt—houseandjailstoodonthemainstreet，andjustbeyondwasthebank。Budrodehereandthere，examiningcloselythefrontsofvariousbuildingsbeforeheconcludedthattherewasonlytheonebankinCrater。Whenhewasquitesureofthathechoseplacenearbytherearofthebank，whereonehorseandacowoccupiedacomfortablecorraltogetherwithhay。HeunsaddledSunfishandturnedhimthere，himselfreturningtothebankbeforethoseothernight—ridershadmorethanreachedthefirststragglingsuburbsofthetown。

Ontheporchofthecourt—house，behindajuttingcornerpillarthatseemedespeciallydesignedfortheconcealmentofamaninBud’ssituation，herolledcigarettewhichhemeanttosmokelateronwhenthewaywasclear，andwaitedforthehorsementoappear。

Presentlytheycame，rodetoapointoppositethecourt—houseandbankwithnomorethanacarelessglancethatway，andhaltedinfrontofanuninvitinghotelacrossthestreet。Tworemainedontheirhorseswhilethethirdpoundedonthedoorandshookitbytheknobandfinallyraisedthelandlordfromhissleep。TherewasaconferencewhichBudwitnessedwithmuchinterest。Alamphadbeenlightedinthebareoffice，andagainsttheyellowglowBuddistinctlysawthelandlordnodhisheadtwice——whichplainlybetokenedsomesortofunderstanding。

Hewasgladthathehadnotstoppedatthehotel。Hefeltmuchmorecomfortableonthecourt—houseporch。"Mother’sguardianangelsmustberiding’point’to—night，"hemused。

ThehorsemenrodebacktoaliverystablewhichBudhadobservedbuthadnotentered。Theretheyalsosoughtfornewsofhim，itwouldappear。Youwillrecall，however，thatBudhadriddenslowlyintothebusinessdistrictofCrater，andhispassinghadbeenunmarkedexceptbythebarkingofdogsthatspenttheirnightsinyammeringateverysoundandsowerenevertakenseriously。Thethreehorsemenwereplainlynonplussedandconferredtogetherinlowtonesbeforetheyrodeon。ItwasevidentthattheymeanttofindBudiftheycould。WhattheymeanttodowithhimBuddidnotattempttoconjecture。Hedidnotintendtobefound。

Afterawhilethehorsemenrodebacktothehotel，gotthelandlordoutwithlessdifficultythanbeforeandhadanothertalkwithhim。

"HestoleahorsefromDaveTruman，"Budheardoneofthethreesaydistinctly。"ThatthererunninghorseDavehad。"

Thelandlordtuckedinhisshirtandexclaimedatthenews，andBudheardhimmentionthesheriff。Butnothingcameofthatevidently。Theytalkedfurtherandreinedtheirhorsestoridebackwhencetheycame。

"Helikely’sgiveustheslipoutsideoftown，someplace，"

onemanconcluded。"We’llridebackandsee。Ifheshowsup，he’lllikelywanttoeat……AndsendDickouttotheStiversplace。We’llcomea—running。"HehadloweredhisvoicesothatBudcouldnothearwhatwastohappenbeforethelandlordsentDick，buthedecidedhewouldnotpryintothematterandtrytofillthatgapintheconversation。

Hesatwherehewasuntilthethreehadriddenbackdownthesandyroadwhichservedasastreet。Thenheslippedbehindthecourt—houseandsmokedhiscigarette，andwentandborrowedhayfromthecowandthehorseinthecorralandmadehimselfsomesortofbedwithhissaddleblankettohelpout，andsleptuntilmorning。

CHAPTEREIGHTEEN：THECATROCKGANG

Awomanwithacheckeredapronandamotherlylookcametoletherchickensoutandmilkthecow，andwokeBudsothatshecouldtellhimshebelievedhehadbeenona"toot"，orheneverwouldhavetakensuchalibertywithhercorral。Budagreedtothetoot，andapologized，andaskedforbreakfast。

Andthewoman，afteronegoodlookathim，handedhimthemilkbucketandaskedhimhowhelikedhiseggs。

"Allthewayfrombarntobreakfast，"Budgrinned，andthewomanchuckledandcalledhimSmarty，andtoldhimtocomeinassoonasthecowwasmilked。

BudhadagreatbreakfastwiththewidowHanson。Shetalked，andBudlearnedagooddealaboutCrateranditssurroundings，andwhenhespokeofholdupgangssheseemedtoknowimmediatelywhathemeant，andtoldhimagreatdealmoreabouttheCatrockersthanMarianhaddone。EverythingfrommurderingandrobbingapeddlertolootingthebanksatCraterandLavawaslaidtotheCatrockers。Theywerethehumanbuzzardsthatwatchedoverthecountryandswoopeddownwherevertherewasmoney。Thesheriffcouldn’tdoanythingwiththem，andnooneexpectedhimto，sofarasBudcoulddiscover。

HehesitatedalongtimebeforeheaskedaboutMarianMorris。

Mrs。HansonweptwhilesherelatedMarian’shistory，whichinsubstancewasexactlywhatMarianherselfhadtoldBud。Mrs。

Hanson，however，toldhowMarianhadfoughttosaveherfatherandEd，andhowshehadmarriedLewMorrisasapartofhercampaignforhonestyandgoodness。NowshewasdownatLittleLostcookingforagangofmen，saidMrs。Hanson，whensheoughttobeoutintheworldsingingforthousandsandherinsilksanddiamondsinsteadofginghamdressesandnotenoughofthem。

"MarianCollieristhesweetestthingthatevergrewupinthiscountry，"theoldladysniffled。"She’soneinathousandandwhenshewasofftoschoolsheshowedthatshewasn’tnocommontrash。Shewantedtobeanoperysinger，butthenhermotherdiedandMariandonewhatlookedtobeherduty。AbirdinatrapiswhatIcallher。"

Budregrettedhavingopenedthesubject，andpraisedthecookingbywayofturninghishostess’sthoughtsintoadifferentchannel。Heaskedherifshewouldaccepthimasaboarderwhilehewasintown，andwaspromptlyaccepted。

Hedidnotwanttoappearinpublicuntilthebankwasopened，andhewasabittroubledoveridentification。Therecouldbenoharm，hereflected，inconfidingtoMrs。Hansonasmuchaswasnecessaryofhisadventures。Whereforehedriedthedishesforherandtoldherhiserrandintown，andwhyitwasthatheandhishorsehadsleptinhercorralinsteadofpatronizinghotelandliverystable。Heshowedherthecheckshewantedtocash，andaskedher，withflatteringeagernessforheradvice，whatheshoulddo。Hehadbeenwarned，hesaid，thatJeffandhisfriendsmighttrytobeathimyetbystoppingpayment，andheknewthathehadbeenfollowedbythemtotown。

"WhatYou’lldowillbewhatItellye，"MrsHansonrepliedwithdecision。"Thecashierisafriendtome——Iwaswithhiswifelastmonthwithherfirstbaby，andtheyswearbymenow，forIgavehergoodcare。We’llgoovertherethisminute，andhavetalkwithhim。He’lldowhathecanforye，andhe’lldoitformysake。"

"Youdon’tknowme，remember，"Budremindedherhonestly。

ThewidowHansongavehimascornfulsmileandtossofherhead。"AnddoInot？"shedemanded。DoyouthinkI’veburiedthreehusbandsandthinkingnowofthefourth，withoutknowingwhat’swroteaman’sface？ThreeIburied，andonlyonediedhisbed。Icantellifaman’shonestornot，withoutgivinghimthesecondlook。Ifyou’vegotthemchecksyoushouldgetthemoneyonthem——forIknowtheirstripe。

ComeonwithmetoJimmyLawton’shouse。He’slikelyholdingthebabywhileMiniedoesthedishes。"

Mrs。Hansonguessedshrewdly。ThecashieroftheCraterCountyBankwasdoingexactlywhatshesaidhewouldbedoing。Hewassittinginthekitchen，rockingapinkbabywrappedinwhiteoutingflannelwithblueborder，whenMrs。

Hanson，withouttheformalityofmorethanonewarningtaponthescreendoor，walkedinwithBud。SheheldoutherhandsforthebabywhilesheintroducedthecashiertoBud。Inthenextbreathshewasexplainingwhatwaswantedofthebank。

"They’vedoneitbefore，andyeknowit’splainthieveryandoughttobecomplainedabout。Sonowgetyourwitstowork，Jimmy，forthisfriendofmineisentitledtohismoneyandshouldhaveitifitistheretobehad。"

"Oh，it’sthere，"saidJimmy。Helookedathiswatch，lookedatthekitchenclock，lookedatBudandwinked。"Weopenatnine，inthistown，"hesaid。"Itlackshalfanhour——butletmeseethosechecks。"

VeryrelievedlyBudproducedthem，watchedthecashierscaneachonetomakesurethattheywereright，andquakedwhenJimmyscowledatJeffHall’ssignatureonthelargestcheckofall。"Hehadanotiontousethewrongsignature，buthemayhavelosthisnerve。It’sallright，Mr。Birnie。Justendorsethese，andI’lltakethemintothebankandattendtothemthefirstthingIdoafterthedoorisopen。You’dbettercomeinwhenIopenup——"

"Theganghadsometalkaboutcleaningoutthebankwhilethey’reaboutit，"Budrememberedsuddenly。"Can’tyouappointmesomething，orhiremeasaguardandletmehelpout？Howmanymendoyouhavehereinthisbank？"

"Two，exceptwhenthepresident’sinhisofficeintherear。

That’sfineofyoutooffer。We’vebeenheldup，once——andtheycleanedusoutofcash。"JimmyturnedtoMrs。Hanson。

"Mother，can’tyourunoverandhaveJesscomeandswearMr。

Birnieinasadeputy？IfIgo，orhegoes，someonemaynoticeitandtipthegangoff。"

Mrs。Hansonhastilydepositedthebabyinitscradleandwenttocall"Jess"，herfacepinkwithexcitement。

"You’reluckyyoustoppedatherhouseinsteadofsomeotherplace，"Jimmyobserved。"She’sacorkinggoodwoman。Asadeputysheriff，you’llcomeinmightyhandyiftheydotryanything，Mr。Birnie——ifyou’rethekindofamanyoulooktobe。I’llbetyoucanshoot。Canyou？"

"Ifyouscaremebadlyenough，Imightgetacrampinmytriggerfinger，"Budconfessed。Jimmygrinnedandwentbacktoconsideringhisownpart。

"I’llcashthesechecksforyouthefirstthingIdo。Andasdeputyyoucangowithme。I’llhavetounlockthedoorontime，andiftheymeantostoppayment，andcleanthebanktoo，itwillprobablybedoneallatonce。Ithasbeenayearsincetheybotheredus，sotheymayneedalittlechange。IfJessisn’tbusyhemaystickaround。"

"Nooneexpectshimtoroundupthegang，Iheard。"

"NooneexpectshimtogointoCatrockCanyonafterthem。

He’llroundthemup，quickenough，ifhecancatchthemfarenoughfromtheirholes。"

JessreturnedwithMrs。Hanson，sworeinanewdeputy，eyedBudcuriously，andagreedtoremainhiddenacrosstheroadfromthebankwitharifle。HenoddedunderstandinglywhenBudwarnedhimthatthelootingwasamatterofhearsayonhispart，anddepartedwithanawkwardcomplimenttoMrs。Jimabouthopingthatthebabywasgoingtolooklikeher。

Jimlivedjustbehindthebank，andahighboardfencebetweenthetwobuildingsservedtohidehiscomingandgoing。ButBudtookoffhishatandwalkedstooping，——byspecialrequestofMrs。Hanson——tomakesurethathewasnotobserved。

"IthinkI’llstandoutinfrontofthewindow，"saidBudwhentheywereinside。"Itwilllookmorenatural，andifanyofthesefellowsshowupI’djustassoonnotshowmybrandthefirstthing。"

Theyshowedup，allright，withintwominutesoftheunlockingofthebankandtherollingupoftheshades。JeffHallwasthefirstmantowalkin，andhestoppedshortwhenhesawBudloungingbeforetheteller’swindowandthecashierbusywithin。Othermenwerestragglingupontheporch，andtwoofthementered。JeffwalkedovertoBud，whoshiftedhispositionenoughtobringhimfacingJeff，whomhedidnottrustatall。

"Mr。Lawton，"Jeffbeganhurriedly，"Iwanttostoppaymentonacheckthisyoungfellergotfrommebyfraud。It’sforfivethousandeighthundreddollars，andInotifyyou——"

"Toolate，Mr。Hall。Ihavealreadyacceptedthechecks。

Wheredidthefraudcomein？Youcanbringsuit，ofcourse，torecover。"

"I’lltellyou，Jimmy。Hebetthatmyhorsecouldn’tbeatDaveTruman’sBoise。Agoodmanybetonthesamething。Butmyhorseprovedtohavemorespeed，soalotofthemaresore。"BudchuckledasotherSundayloserscamestragglingin。

"Well，it’stoolate。Ihavehonoredthechecks，"Jimmysaidcrisply，andturnedtohandasealedmanilaenvelopetothebookkeeperwithwhisperedinstructions。Thebookkeeper，whohadjustenteredfromtherearoftheoffice，turnedonhisheelandleftagain。

Jeffmutteredsomethingtohisfriendsandwentoutsideasiftheirbusinessweredonefortheday。

"Igaveyoufivethousandincurrencyandthebalanceinacashier’scheck，"Jimmywhisperedthroughhewicket。"Sentittothehouse，Wedon’tkeepagreatdeal——tenthousand’sourlimitincash，andIdon’tthinkyouwanttopackgoldorsilver——"

"No，Ididn’t。I’drather——"

Twomencamein，onegoingovertothedeskwhereheapparentlywroteacheck，theothercamestraighttothewindow。BudlookedintotheheavilybeardedfaceofamanwhohadtheeyesofLewMorris。Heshiftedhispositionalittlesothathefacedtheman’srightside。Theoneatthedeskwasglancingslylyoverhisshoulderatthebookkeeper，whohadjustreturnedtohiswork。

"CanyouchangethistwentysoIcangetsevendollarsandaquarteroutofit？"askedthemanathewindow。Asheslidthebillthroughthewickethestartedtosneeze，andreachedbackward——forhishandkerchief，apparently。

"Here’sone，"saidBud。"Don’tsneezetoohard，old—timer，oryou’reliabletosneezeyourwhiskersalloff。It’shappenedbefore。"

SomeoneoutsidefiredashotinatBud，clippinghishatbandinfront。Atthesoundoftheshotthewhiskeredonesnatchedhisgunout，andthecashiershothim。Budhadsentashotthroughtheoutsidewindowandhitsomebody——whom，hedidnotknow，forhehadnotimetolook。Theyoungfellowatthedeskhadwhirled，andwaspointingagunshakily，firstathecashierandthenatBud。Budfiredandknockedhegunoutofhishand，thensteppedoverthemanhesuspectedwasLewandcaughttheyoungfellowbythewrist。

"You’reEdCollier——byyoureyesandyourmouth，"Budsaidinarapidundertone。"I’mgoingtogetyououtofthis，ifyou’lldowhatIsay。Willyou？"

"Hegotmeinhere，honest，"theyoungfellowquaked。Hecouldn’tbemorethannineteen，Budguessedswiftly。

"Letmethrough，Jimmy，"Budorderedhurriedly。"Yougotthemanthatputupthisjob。I’lltakethekidoutthebackway，ifyoudon’tmind。"

Jimmyopenedthesteel—grilleddoorandletthemthrough。

"EdCollier，"hesaidinatoneofrecognition。"Iheardhewastrailing——"

"Forgetit，Jimmy。Ifthesheriffasksabouthim，sayhegotout。Now，Ed，I’mgoingtotakeyouovertoMrs。Hanson’s。

She’llkeepaneyeonyouforawhile。"

Eddiewaslookingatthedeadmanonthefloor，andtremblingsothathedidnotattempttoreply；andbywayofJimmy’sbackfenceandthewidowHanson’sbarnandcorral，BudgotEddiesafeintothekitchenjustasthatdeterminedladywasleavinghomewithashotguntohelpdefendthehonorofthetown。

Budtookherbytheshoulderandtoldherwhathewantedhertodo。"He’sMarian’sbrother，andtooyoungtobewiththatgang。Sokeephimhere，safeandoutofsight，untilIcome。

ThenI’llwanttoborrowyourhorse。ShallItiethekid？"

"Andmeanable—bodiedwomanthatcouldturnhimacrostmyknee？"Mrs。Hanson’seyessnapped。

"It’smorelikelytheboyneedshisbreakfast。Getalongwithye！"

Budgotalong，slippingintothebankbythereardoorandtakingahandinthedesultoryfiringinthestreet。Thesheriffhadacoupleofmenironedandonemandownandthelandlordofthehotelwasdoingagreatdealofexplainingthathehadneverseenthebanditsbefore。JustbywayofstimulatinghismemoryBudthrewabulletclosetohisheels，andthelandlordthereupongrovelledandweptwhileheprotestedhisinnocence。

"He’sadamnliar，sheriff，"Budcalledacrossthehoof—

scarredroad。"Hewastalkingtothemabouteleveno’clocklastnight。Therewerethreethatchasedmeintotown，andtheygothimupoutofbedtofindoutwhetherI’dstoppedthere。Ihadn’t，luckilyforme。IfIhadhe’dhaveshowedthemthewaytomyroom，andhe’dhavehadadeadboarderthismorning。Keeprightonsheddingtears，youoldcut—

throat！Iwassittingonthecourt—houseporch，lastnight，andIheardeverywordthatpassedbetweenyouandtheCatrockers！"

"I’vebeensuspicioningherewaswheretheygottheirinformationrightalong，"thesheriffcommented，andslippedthehandcuffsonthelandlord。InvestigationprovedthatJeffHallandhisfriendshadsuddenlydecidedthattheyhadnobusinesswiththebankthatday，andhadmountedandgallopedoutoftownwhenthefirstshotwasfired。WhichsimplifiedmattersabitforBud。

InJimmyLawton’skitchenhereceivedhismoney，andwhentheprisonerswerelockeduphesavedhimselfsometroublewiththesheriffbyhuntinghimupandexplainingjustwhyhehadtakentheCollierboyintocustody。

"Youknowyourselfhe’sjustakid，andifyousendhimovertheroadhe’sacriminalforlife。IbelieveIcanmakeadecentmanofhim。Iwanttotry，anyway。Soyoujustleavemethisdeputy’sbadge，andmakemycommissionregularandpermanent，andI’llkeepaneyeonhim。GivemeapapersoI

cangetarequisitionandbringhimbacktostandtrial，anytimehebreaksout。I’llberesponsibleforhim，sheriff。"

"Andwhoinblazesareyou？"thesheriffinquired，withagrintoremovethestingofsuspicion。"Namesoundedfamiliar，too！"

"BudBirnieoftheTomahawk，downnearLaramie；TelegraphLaramieifyoulikeandfindoutaboutme。

"GoodLord！IknowtheTomahawklikeabook！"criedthesheriff。"Andyou’reBobBirnie’sboy！Say！D’yourememberdraggingintocamponthesummitonetimewhenyouwasabouttwelveyearsold——beenhidin’outfromInjunsaboutthreedays？Well，say！I’mthefellerthatpackedyouintothetent，andfedyuhwhenyuhcometo。RememberthetimeIrodedownandstayedovernightatyoreplace，thetimeBillNyecomedownfromhisprospectholeupintheSnowies，bringin’

wordtheInjunswasupagain？"ThesheriffgrabbedBud’shandandheldit，shakingitupanddownnowandthentoemphasizehiswords。

"FolkscalledyouBuddy，then。Irememberyuh，helpin’yourmothercook’n’washdishesforusfellers。IkindafeltlikeIhadaclaimonyuh，Buddy。

"Say，BillNye，he’sfamousnow。Writin’booksfullofjokes，andallthat。Healwayswasacomicalcuss。Don’tyourememberhowthebunchofuslaughedathimwhenhedriftedinaboutdark，himandfourburros——thatonehecalledBoomerang，thathenamedhispaperafterinLaramie？I’vetoldlotsoftimeswhathesaidwhenhecomestoopin’intothekitchen——howColorouhadsenthimwordthathe’dgiveBilljustfoursleepstogetoutathere。An，’Hell！’saysBill。’Ididn’tneedanysleeps！’An’weallturnedtoandcookedahullbeefyoredadhadbutcheredthatday——andBillloadedupwiththefirstchunkswehadready，andpulledhisfreight。Hesuredidn’tneedanysleeps——"

"Yes，youbetIremember。JesseCummingsisyourname。Isureoughttorememberyou，foryouandyourpartnersavedmylife，Iexpect。IthoughtI’dseenyoubefore，whenyoumademedeputy。Howaboutthekid？CanIhavehim？LewMorris，themanthatkepthimonthewrongsideofthelaw，isdead，I

heardthedoctorsay。Jimmygothimwhenhepulledhisgun。"

"Why，yes——ifthetowndon’tgitontometurnin’himloose，I

guessyoucanhavethekidforallIcare。Hedidn’ttakeanypartintheholdup，didheBuddy？"

"Hewasoverbythecustomers’deskwhenLewstarted，toholdupthecashier。"

"WellIgotenoughprisonerssoIguesshewon’tbemissed。

Butyoulookouthowyuhgithimoutatown。Betterwaittilkindalateto—night。Isurewouldliketoseehimgitashow。

ThemtwoCollierkidsneverdidhaveasquaredeal，farasI’veheard。

Butbecareful，youngster。IwantanothertermoffthiscountyifIcangetit。Don’tgogetmeinbad。"

"Iwon’t，"BudpromisedandhurriedbacktoMrs。Hanson’shouse。

ThatestimableladywaspattingbutterinawoodenbowlwhenBudwentin。Sheturnedandbrushedawispofgrayhairfromherfacewithherforearmandsh—shedhimintosilentstepping，motioningtowardaninnerroom。Budtiptoedandlooked，sawEdCollierfastasleep，swaddledinablanket，andgrinnedhisapproval。

Hemadesurethatthesleepwasgenuine，alsothattheblanketswaddlingwasefficient。Moreover，hediscoveredthatMrs。Hansonhadveryprudentlyattachedathinwiretothefootoftheblanketcocoon，hadpassedthewirethroughaknotholeinacupboardsetintothepartition，andtoasheepbellwhichshenodoubtexpectedtoringuponprovocation——suchasaprisonerstrugglingtoreleasehisfeetfromagrayblanketfastenedwithmanylargesafetypins。

"Hewentrighttosleep，theminuteI’dfedhimandtiedhimsnug，"Mrs。Hansonmurmured。"Hewasasulkydivvleandwouldn’tgiveadecentanswertometillhehadhisstomachfilled。Fromthewayhewadedintothehamandeggs，Iguessasquaremealandhimhasbeenstrangersforalongtime。"

SleepandEdColliermusthavebeenstrangersalso，forBudattendedtheinquestofLewMorris，visitedafterwardswithSheriffCummings，whowasfullofreminiscenceandwantedtoremindBudofeverythingthathadeverhappenedwithinhisknowledgeduringthetimewhentheyhadbeenneighborswithnomorethanfortymilesorsobetweenthem。ThesheriffofferedBudahorseandsaddle，whichhepromisedtodelivertothewidow’scorralafterthecitizensofCraterhadgonetobed。AndwhilehedidnotsaythatitwouldbeEd’shorse，Budguessedshrewdlythatitwould。Afterthat，Budcarefullyslittheliningofhisbootstuckedmoneyandchecksintotheopeninghehadmade，anddidaveryneatrepairjob。

AllthatwhileEdCollierslept。WhenBudreturnedforhissupperEdhadevidentlyjustawakenedandwaslyingonhisbackbitinghislipwhileheeyedthewirethatranfromhisfeettothepartingofapairofcalicocurtains。HedidnotseeBud，whowaswatchinghimthroughacrackinthedoorattheheadofthebed。Edwasplainlypuzzledatthewireandabitresentful。Heliftedhisfeetuntilthewirewaswellslackened，heldthempoisedforaminuteanddeliberatelybroughtthemdownhardonthefloor。

Theresultwasallthathecouldpossiblyhaveexpected。

Somewherewasaviciousclang，therattleofatinpanandtheapproachingoutcryofawoman。Budretreatedtothekitchentoviewthedevastationanddiscoveredthatasheepbellnottoocleanhadbeendislodgedfromanailanddraggedthroughonepanofmilkintoanother，whereitwasrollingonitsedge，stirringthecreamthathadrisen。AsMrs。Hansonrushedinfromthebackyard，Budreturnedtotheangrycaptive’sside。

"I’vegothimsafe，"hesoothedMrs。Hansonandhershotgun。

"Hejusthadanightmare。Perhapsthatbreakfastyoufedhimwastoohearty。I’lllookafterhimnow，Mrs。Hanson。Wewon’tbebotheringyoulong，anyway。"

Mrs。Hansonwastalkingtoherselfwhenshewenttohermilkpans，andBudreleasedEddieCollier，guessinghowhumiliatingitmustbetobeayoungfellowpinnedintoablanketwithsafetypins，andknowingfromcertainexperiencesofhisownthathumiliationisquiteasapttobreedtroubleasanyotheremotion。

EddiesatupontheedgeofthebedandstaredatBud。HiseyeswerelikeMarian’sinshapeandcolor，buttheirexpressionwassuspicion，defiance，andwatchfulnessblendedintoonecompellingstarethatspelledFear。OrsoBudreadit，havingtrappedanimalsofvariousgradeseversincehehadcaughtthe"HAWNTOAD"，andseenthatlookmany，manytimesintheeyesofhiscatch。

"How’dyouliketotakeatripwithme——asakindofapartner？"Budbegancarelessly，pullingasplinteroffthehomemadebedforwhichMrs。Hansonwouldnotthankhim——andbeginningtowhittleittoasharppointaimlessly，asmenhaveawayofdoingwhentheirmindsareatworkuponaproblemwhichrequires——muchconstructivethinking。

"Pardnerinwhat？"Eddiecounteredsullenly。

"PardnerinwhatIamplanningtodotomakemoney。Icanmakemoney，youknow——andstayonfriendlytermswiththesheriff，too。That’sbetterthanyourbunchhasbeenabletodo。Idon’tmindtellingyou——it’sstalenews，Iguess——thatIcleanedupclosetotwelvethousanddollarsinlessthanamonth，offaworkingcapitalofthreethoroughbredhorsesandaboutsixtydollarscash。AndI’lladdtheknowledgethatI

wasplayingagainstmenthatwouldslipacolddeckiftheyplayedsolitaire，theyweresocrooked。Andifthatdoesn’trecommendmesufficiently，I’llsayI’madeputysheriffofCraterCounty，andJesseCummingsknowsmypast。Iwanttohireyoutogowithmeandmakesomemoney，andI’llpayyoufortyamonthandfivepercentbonusonmyprofitsattheendoftwoyears。Thefirstyearmaynotshowanyprofits，butthesecondyearwill。Howdoesitsoundtoyou？"

Hehadbeenrollingacigarette，andnowheofferedthe"makings"toEd，whoacceptedthemmechanically，hiseyesstillstaringhardatBud。Heglancedtowardthedoorandtheonelittlewindowwherewildcucumbervineswerethicklymatted，andBudinterpretedhisglance。

"LewandanotherCatrocker——theonethattriedtoropemedownintheSinks——aredead，andthreemoreareinjail。

Businesswon’tbeverybriskwiththeCatrockgangforawhile。"

"Ifyou’retryingtobribemeintosquealingontherest，you’readamnfool，"saidEddieharshly。"Iain’tthesquealingkind。Youcanleadmeovertojailfirst。I’drathertakemychanceswiththeothers。"Hewasbreathinghardwhenhefinished。

"Ratherthanworkforme？"Budslicedoffthesharppointwhichhehadsocarefullywhittled，andbegantosharpenanewone。Eddiewatchedhimfascinatedly。

"Ratherthansquealonthebunch。There’snootherreasoninGod’sworldwhyyou’dmakemeanofferlikethat。Iain’tafoolquite，ifmyheaddoesrunuptoapeak。"

Budchewedhislip，whittled，andfinallythrewthesplinteraway。WhenheturnedtowardEddiehiseyeswereshiny。

"Kid，you’rebreakingyoursister’sheart，followingthistrail。I’dliketoseeyougiveherachancetospeakyournamewithoutblinkingbacktears。I’dliketoseehersmileallthewayfromherdimplestohereyeswhenshethinksofyou。That’swhyImadetheoffer——thatandbecauseIthinkyou’dearnyourwages。"

Eddielookedathim，lookedaway，staringvacantlyatthewall。Hiseyelasheswereblinkingveryfast，hislipbegantotremble。"You——I——Ineverwantedto——Iain’tworthsaving——

oh，hell！Ineverhadachancebefore——"Hedroppedsidewiseonthebed，buriedhisfaceinhisarmsandsobbedhoarsely，liketheboyhewas。

CHAPTERNINETEEN：BUDRIDESTHROUGHCATROCKANDLOSESMARIAN

"You’llhavetoshowmethetrail，pardner，"saidBudwhentheyweremakingtheirwaycautiouslyoutoftownbywayofthetincansuburbs。"Icouldfigureoutthedirectionallright，andmakeitbymorning；butseeingyougrewuphere，I’llletyoupilot。"

"You’llhavetotellmewhereyouwanttogo，first，"saidEddiewithagooddealofsullennessstillinhisvoice。

"LittleLost。"Withoutintendingtodoso，Budputagooddealofmeaninginhisvoice。

Eddiedidnotsayanything，butveeredtotheright，climbinghigherontheslopethanBudwouldhavegone。"Wecantakethehightrail，"hevolunteeredwhentheystoppedtorestthehorses。"IttakesupoverthesummitanddownBurrobackValley。It’slonger，butthestageroadedgesalongtheSinksand——itmightberoughgoing，afterwegetdownapiece。"

"Howabouttheside—hilltrail，throughCatrockPeak？"

Eddieturnedsharply。InthestarlightBudwaswatchinghim，wonderingwhathewasthinking。

"How’dyougetnexttoanyside—hilltrail？"Eddieaskedafteraminute。"Youbeenoverit？"

"Isurelyhave。AndIexpecttogoagain，to—nigh！Ayoungfellowaboutyoursizeisgoingtoactapilot，andgetmetoLittleLostasquickaspossibe。It’llbedaylightatthat。"

"Ifyougotanotherdaycoming，itbetterbebeforedaylightwegetthere，"Eddieretortedglumly。Hhesitated，turnedhishorseandledthewaydowntheslope，anglingdownawayfromthewell—travelledtrailoverthesummitofGoldGap。

ThathesitationtoldBud，withoutwords，howtenuouswashisholduponEddie。Hepossessedsufficientimaginationtoknowthathisowncarefullydisciplinepast，shelteredfromactualcontactwithevil，hadgivenhimlittleenoughbywhichtomeasurethesoulofayouthlikeEddieCollier。

HowlongEddiehadsuppedandsleptwiththievesandmurderers，Budcouldonlyguess。FromthelittlethatMarianhadtoldhim，Eddie’sfatherhadbeenoneofthegang。Atleast，shehadplainlystatedthatheandLewhadbeenpartners——thoughColliermighthavebeenranchinginnocentlyenough，andignorantofLew’srealnature。

Atallevents，Eddiewasaladwellschooledininequitysuchasthewildernessfostersinsturdyfashion。Widespacesgiveroomforgreatvirtuesandgreatwickedness。Budfeltthathewasbettinglargeoddsonanunknownquantity。HewasplacinghimselfliterallyinthehandsofanacknowledgedCatrocker，becauseofthecleangazeofapairofeyes，thefinecurveofthemouth。

Foralongtimetheyrodewithoutspeech。Eddieinthelead，Budfollowing，alerttoeverylittlemovementinthesage，everylittlesoundofthenight。Thatwaswhatwerathernaivelycall"secondnature"，habitbornofBud’sgrowingyearsamongstdangerswhicheverypioneerfamilyknows。Alerthewas，yetdeeplydreaming；atenuousdreamtoosweettocometrue，hetoldhimself；adreamwhichheneverdaredtodreamuntilthecoolstars，andthelittlenightwindbegantowhispertohimthatMarianwasfreefromthebrutethathadownedher。Hescarcelydaredthinkofityet。Shylyherememberedhowhehadheldherhandtogivehercouragewhiletheyrodeindarkness；herpoorwork—roughenedlittlehand，thathadbeenoldwhenhetookitfirst，andhadwarmedinhisclasp。Herememberedhowhehadpressedherhandstogetherwhentheyparted——why，surelyitwaslongeragothanlastnight！——andhadkissedthemreverentlyashewouldkissthefingersofaqueen。

"Hell’stoogoodforLewMorris，"heblurtedunexpectedly，thethoughtofMarian’sbruisedcheekcominglikeablow。

"Wanttogoandtellhimso？Ifyoudon’tyuhbettershutup，"Eddiewhisperedfiercewarning。"Youneedn’tthinkalltheCatrockersaredeadorinjail。They’safewleftandthey’dkillyuhquicker’nthey’dtakeadrink。"

Bud，embarrassedattheemotionbehindhisstatement，ratherthanashamedoftheremarkitself，madenoreply。

MuchasEddiedesiredsilence，hehimselfpulledupandspokeagainwhenBudhadriddenclose。

"IguessyoucomethroughtheGap，"hewhispered。"They’sashorterwaythanthat——Sisdon’tknowit。It’sonethebunchusesalot——iftheycatchus——Icansavemyhidebymakin’

outIledyouintoatrap。You’llgetyours，anyway。Howmuchsandyougot？"

Budleanedandspatintothedarkness。"Notmuch。Maybeenoughtogetthroughthisscaryshort—cutofyours。"

"Youtellthetruthwhenyousayscary。It’ssodarncrazytogodownCatrockCanyonmaybetheywon’tthinkwe’dtackleit。

Andiftheycatchus，I’llsayIledyuhin——andthen——say，I’mkindabettin’onyourluck。Thewayyoucleaneduponthemhorses，maybeluck’llstaywithyou。AndI’llhelpallI

can，honest。"

"Fine。"BudreachedoverandclosedhisfingersaroundEddie’sthin，boyisharm。"Youdidn’ttellmeyetwhytheothertrailisn’tgoodenough。"

"IheardasoundintheGaptunnel，that’swhy。Youmaybedidn’tknowwhatitwas。Iknowthemechoestoafare—ye—

well。Somebody’sthere——likelypostedwaiting。"Hewasmotionlessforaspace，listening。

"Getoff—easy。Takeoffyourspurs。"Eddiewasdown，whisperingeagerlytoBud。"There’sadraftofairfromtheblow—holesthatcomesthisway。Soundcomesoutatherealoteasierthanitgoesin。SisandIfoundthatout。Leadyourhorse——iftheyjumpus，givehimalickwiththequirtandhideinthebrush。"

LikeIndiansthetwomadetheirwaydownaramblingslopenotfarfromwhereMarianhadguidedBud。To—night，however，Eddieledthewaytotherightinsteadoftheleft，whichseemedtoBudadirectionthatwouldbringthemdownOldmancreek，thatdryriverbed，andfinally，perhaps，totheracetrack。

Eddieneverdidexplainjusthowhemadehiswaythroughamazeofwater—cutpillarsandheapsofsandstonesobewilderingthatBudafterwardsworethatinspiteofthefactthathewasleadingSunfish，hefrequentlyfoundhimselfatthatpatientanimal’stail，wheretheyweredoubledaroundsomefreakishpillar。FrequentlyEddiestoppedandpeeredpasthishorsetomakesurethatBudhadnotlostthetrail。

Andfinally，becausehewasnodoubtworriedoverthatpossibility，heknottedhisropetohissaddlehorn，broughtbackalengththatreachedafullpacebehindthetailofthehorse，andplacedtheendinBud’shand。

"Ifyuhlosemeyou’reagoner，"hewhispered。"Sohangontothat，nomatterwhatcomes。Anddon’tyuhspeaktome。Thisishell’scorralandwe’rewalkingthetoptrailrightnow。"

HemadesurethatBudhadtheloopinhishand，thenslippedbackpasthishorseandwenton，walkingmorequickly。

Budadmittedafterwardsthathewasperfectlywillingtobeledlikeatamesquirrelaroundthetopof"hell’scorral"，whateverthatwas。AllthatBudsawwasanintricateassemblyofthoseterrificpillars，whoseheighthedidnotknow，sincehehadnotimetoglanceupandestimatethedistance。