第7章

Therewasnomethod，nochannelwornthroughinanythingthatcouldbecalledaline。Whateverprimevaltorrenthadhoneycombedtheledgehadleftitsobeforeeveritswatershadformedastraightpassagethrough。HowEddieknewthewayhecouldonlyconjecture，rememberinghowhehimselfhadriddendevioustrailsdownontheTomahawkrangewhenhewasaboy。Itratherhurthispridetorealizethatneverhadheseenanythingapproachingthismadman’strail。

Withoutwarningtheyplungedintodarknessagain。DarknesssoblackthatBudknewtheyhadenteredanotherofthosemysterious，subterraneanpassageswhichhadcreatedsuchnamesasaboundedinthecountry：the"Sinks"，"LittleLost"，andSunkRiveritselfwhichdisappearedmysteriously。

Hewasbeginningtowonderwithagrimkindofhumorifhehimselfwasnotabouttofollowtheexampleoftheriversanddisappear，whenthesoftpaddingoftheirfootfallsblurredunderthewhistlingofwind。Fineparticlesofsandstunghim，ablastfullagainsthimhaltedhimforasecond。Buttheropepulledsteadilyandhewenton，half—draggedintostarlightagain。

Theywereinacanyon；deep，sombreinitsnightshadows，itswidthmadeknowntohimbythestripofstarlightoverhead。

Directlybeforethem，notmorethanahundredyards，alightshonethroughawindow。

Theropeslackenedinhishands，andEddieslippedbacktohimshiveringalittleasBuddiscoveredwhenhelaidahandonhisarm。

"IguessIbettertieyuh——butitwon’tbesoyuhcan’tshoot。

Geton，andletmetieyourfeetintothestirrups。I——I

guessmaybewecangetpast，allright——I’lltry——Iwanttogoandtakethatjobyousaidyou’dgiveme！"

"What’sthematter，son？IsthatwheretheCatrockershangout？"Budswungintothesaddle。"Itrustyou，kid。You’reherbrother。"

"I——IwanttolivelikeSiswantsmeto。ButI’vegottotieyuh，Mr。Birnie，andthatlooks——Butthey’dk——youdon’tknowhowtheykilltraitors。Isawone——"HeleanedagainstBud’sleg，onehandreachinguptothesaddlehornandgrippingitinapassingfrenzy。"Ifyousayso，"hewhisperedrapidly，"we’llsneakupandshoot’emthroughthewindowbeforetheygetachance——"

BudreachedouthishandandpattedEddieontheshoulder。"

Thatjobofyoursdon’tcallforanykillingwecanavoid，"

hesaid。"Goaheadandtieme。Nouseofwastingleadontwomenwhenonewilldo。It’sallright。Itrustyou，pardner。"

Eddie’sshouldersstiffened。Hestoodup，lookedtowardthelightandgrippedBud’shand。"Ithoughtthey’dbeasleep——

whatwashome，"hesaid。"Wegottoridepastthecabintogetoutthroughanotherwater—wash。Butyoutakeyourcoatandtieyourhorse’sfeet，andI’lltiemine。I——can’ttieyou，Mr。Birnie。We’llchanceittogether。"

Buddidnotsayanythingatall，forwhichEddieseemedgrateful。Theymuffledeighthoofs，rodeacrossthecanyon’sbottomandpassedthecabinsocloselythatthelightofasmokylanternonatablewasplainlyvisibletoBud，aswastheshaggyprofileofamanwhosatwithhisarmsfolded，gloweringoverapipe。Heheardnothing。BudhaltedSunfishandlookedagaintomakesure，whileEddiebeckonedfrantically。Theywentonundisturbed——theCatrockerskeptnodogs。

Theypassedacoupleofcorrals，rodeoverspringysodwhereBuddimlydiscernedhaystubble。Eddieletdownasetofbars，replacedthemcarefully，andtheycrossedanothermeadow。ItstruckBudthattheCatrockerswerefairlywellentrenchedintheircanyon，withplentyofhorsefeedatleast。

Theyfollowedatwistingtrailalongthecanyon’swall，rodeintoanotherpitofdarkness，cameoutintoasandystretchthatseemedhazilyfamiliartoBud。Theycrossedthis，doveintothebushesfollowingadimtrail，andintenminutesEddie’shorsebackedsuddenlyagainstSunfish’snose。Budstoodinhisstirrups，reinsheldfirmlyinhislefthand，andinhisrighthissix—shooterwiththehammerlifted，readytosnapdown。

AtallfiguresteppedawayfromthepeakedrocksandpausedatBud’sside。

"IbeenwaitingforMarian，"hesaidbluntly。"Youknowanythingabouther？"

"Sheturnedbacklastnightaftershehadshownmetheway。"

Bud’sthroatwentdry。"Didtheymissher？"Heleanedaggressively。

"Nottillbreakfasttime，theydidn’t。Iwaswaitinghere，mostallnight——exceptrightafteryoufolksleft。Shewasn’tmissed，andIneverflaggedher——andsheain’tshowedupyet！"

Budsattherestunned，tryingtothinkwhatmighthavehappened。Thosedarkpassagesthroughthemountains——theledge——"Ed，youknowthattrailshetookmeover？Shewascomingbackthatway。Shecouldgetlost——"

"Noshecouldn’t——notSis。Ifherhorsedidn’tactthefool——

whathorsewasitsherode？"EdturnedtoJerryasifhewouldknow。

"Boise，"Budspokequickly，asthoughsecondswereprecious。

"Shesaidheknewtheway。"

"Hesureoughtto，"Eddierepliedemphatically。"BoisebelongstoSis，byrights。ThemaregotkilledandDadgavehimtoSiswhenhewasasuckin’colt，andSisraisedhimoncow’smilkandbrokehimherself。Sherodehimallover。LewtookandsoldhimtoDave，andgambledthemoney，andSisneversignednobillofsale。Theycouldn’tmakeher。Sishasgotspunk，onceyoustirherup。She’lltackleanything。

She’salwaysclaimedBoiseishers。BoiseknowstheGaplikeabook。Siscouldn’tgetoffthetrailifsherodehim。"

"Somethinghappened，then，"Budmutteredstubbornly。"Fourmencamethroughbehindus，andwewaitedoutinthedarktoletthempass。Thenshesentmedowntothecreek—bottom，andsheturnedback。Iftheygother——"HeturnedSunfishinthenarrowbrushtrail。"She’shurt，ortheygother——I’mgoingback！"hesaidgrimly。

"Hell！youcan’tdoanygoodalone，"Eddieprotested，comingafterhim。"We’llgolookforher，Mr。Birnie，butwe’vegottohavesomethingsowecansee。If。Jerrycoulddigupacoupleoflanterns——"

"Youwait。I’mcomingalong，"Jerrycalledguardedly。"I’llbringlanterns。"

ToBudthattimeofwaitingwastorment。Hehadfaceddangerandtragedysincehecouldtoddle，andfearhadneveroverriddenthetitillatingsenseofadventure。Butthenthedangerhadbeenforhimself。Nowterrorconjuredpictureswhosehorrorsethimtrembling。Twenty—fourhoursandmorehadpassedsincehehadkissedMarian’shandandlethergo——

towhat？TheinkyblacknessofthosetunnelledcavernsintheGapconfrontedhismindlikeanightmare。Hecouldnotspeakofit——hedarednotthinkofit，andyethemust。

Jerrycameonhorseback，withthreeunlightedlanternsheldinaclusterbytheirwirehandles。EddieimmediatelyurgedhishorseintothebrushyedgeofthetrailsothathemightpassBudandtakethelead。"Yousuremadequicktime，"heremarkedapprovinglytoJerry。

"IraidedDave’scacheofwhiskeyorI’dhavebeenherequicker，"Jerryexplained。"Wemightneedsome。"

Budgrittedhisteeth。"Ride，whydon’tyuh？"heurgedEddieharshly。"Whatthehellailsthathorseofyours？Yougothimhobbled？"

Eddieglancedbackoverhisbobbingshoulderashishorsetrottedalongtheblindtrailthroughthebrush。"Thishereain’tnoracetrack，"heexpostulated。"We’llmakeitquickerwithoutnobrokenlegs。"

TherewasjusticeinhisprotestandBudsaidnothing。ButSunfish’sheadbumpedthetailofEddie’shorsemanytimesduringthatride。OnceintheGap，withalightedlanterninhisreinhandandhissix—shooterintheother——becauseitwasticklishriding，intherewithlightsrevealingthemtoanyonewhomightbecomingthrough——hewascontenttogoslowly，peeringthiswayandthatasherode。

OnceEddiehaltedandturnedtospeaktothem。"IknowBoisewouldn’tleavethetrail。IfSishadtoduckoffandhidefromsomebody，he’dcomebacktothetrail。Loose，he’ddothat。SisandIusedtoexplorearoundinherejustforfun，andkeptitforoursecrettillLewfoundout。ShealwaysrodeBoise。I’mdeadsurehe’dbringheroutallright。"

"Shehasn’tcomeout——yet。Goon，"saidBud，andEddierodeforwardobediently。

ThreehoursittookthemtosearchthevariouspassageswhereEddiethoughtitpossiblethatMarianhadturnedaside。Budsawthatthetrailthroughwassafeasanysuchtrailcouldbe，andhewonderedatthenerveandinitiativeofthegirlandtheboywhohadexploredtheplaceandfoundwherecertainqueertwistsandturnswouldlead。AfterwardshelearnedthatMarianwastwelveandEddietenwhenfirsttheyhadhiddentherefromIndians，andtheyhadbeenfiveyearsinfindingwhereeverypassageled。Also，indaytimetheplacewasnotsofearsome，sincesunlightslanteddownintomanyapassagewaythroughtheblow—holeshighabove。

"Sheain’there。Iknewshewasn’t，"EddieannouncedwhenthefinaltunnelletthemintothegrayinglightofdawnbeyondthePeak。

"Inthatcase——"BudglancedfromhimtoJerry，whowasblowingouthislantern。

Jerryletdowntheglobecarefully，atthesametimeglancingsoberlyatBud。"ThekidknowsbetterthanwedowhatwouldhappenifLewmetupwithherandBoise。"

Eddieshookhisheadmiserably，hiseyesfixedhelpesslyuponBud。"Lewnever，Mr。Birnie。Iwaswithhimeveryminutefromdarktill——tillthecashier，shothim。WecomeupthewayItookyouthroughthecanyon。LewneverknewshewasgoneanymorethanIdid。"

Jerrybithislip。"Kid，whatifthegangrunacrosther，KNOWINGLewwasdead？"hegrated。"AndheronBoise？Theword’soutthatBudstoleBoise。Daveandtheboysrodeouttoroundhimup——andtheyain’tdoneit，sothey’restillriding——we’llhope。Kid，youknowdamnwellyourgangwoulddouble—crossDaveinaminute，nowLew’skilled。Iftheygotholdofthehorse，doyuhthinkthey’dturnhimovertoDave？"

"No，youbetyourlifetheywouldn’t！"Eddieretorted。

"AndwhataboutHER？"Budcutinwithominouscalm。"She’syoursister，kid。WouldyoubeworriedifyouknewtheyhadHERandthehorse？"

Eddiegulpedandlookedaway。"Theywouldn’thurtherunlesstheyknew’tLewwasdead，"hesaid。"AndthemthatwenttoCraterwaskilledorjailed，so——"Hehesitated。"ItlookedtomelikeAnsewassettingupwaitingforthebunchtogetbackfromCrater。He——he’salwaysjumpywhentheygooffandstay，andit’dbejustlikehimtosetthereandwaittilldaylight。Itlookstome，Mr。Birnie，likehimand——andtherestdon’tknowyetthattheCraterjobwasafizzle。Theywouldn’tthinkofsuchathingastakingSis，orBoiseeither，unlesstheyknewLewwasdead。"

"Areyousureofthat？"Budhadhiminagripthatwidenedtheboy’seyeswithsomethingapproachingfear。

"Yessir，Mr。Birnie，I’msure。Whatdidn’tgotoCraterstayedincamp——orwasgoneonsomeothertrip。No，I’msure！"HejerkedawaywithsuddenindignationatBud’sdisbelief。"Say！DoyouthinkI’mbadenoughtoletmysistergetintotroublewiththeCatrockers？Iknowtheynevergother。More’nlikelyit’sDave。"

"DavewentupBurrobackValley，"Jerrystatedflatly。"Himandtheboyswasn’tonthissidetheridge。TheyhaditsizedupthatBudmightgofromCraterstraightacrossintoBlackRim，andtheyrodeuptocatchhimashecomesbackacross。"

Jerrygrinnedalittle。TheywantedthatmoneyyoupeeledoffthecrowdSunday，Bud。TheywaswillingyoushouldgettoCraterandcashthemchecksbeforetheyoverhauledyuhandstrungyuhup。"

"Youdon’tsupposethey’dhurtMarianiftheyfoundherwiththehorse？ShemighthavefollowedalongtoCrater——"

"Shenever，"Eddiecontradicted。AndJerrydeclaredinthesamebreath，"She’dbetoomuchafraidofLew。No，iftheyfoundherwiththehorsethey’dtakehimawayfromherandsendherbackonanotheronetodothekitchenwork，"heconjecturedwithsomecontempt。"IftheyfoundYOUwithoutthehorse——well——menhavebeenhungonsuspicion，Bud。

Money’ssomethingeverybodywants，andthereain’tamaninthevalleybutwhathasfiguredyourwinningsdowntothelasttwo—bitpiece。It’sjustarunnin’matchnowtoseewhatbunchgetstoyuhfirst。"

"Oh，themoney！I’dgivethewholeofittoanyonethatwouldtellmeMarian’ssafe，"Budcriedunguardedlyinhismisery。

WhereatJerryandEdlookedateachotherqueerly。

CHAPTERTWENTY："PICKYOURFOOTING！"

Thethreesatirresolutelyontheirhorsesatthetunnel’sendoftheGap，staringoutoverthevalleyoftheRedwaterandatthemountainsbeyond。Bud’sfacewashaggardandthelinesofhismouthwerehard。ItwassovastacountryinwhichtolookforonelittlewomanwhohadnotgonebacktoseeJerry’ssignal！

"I’llbetyuhSisclearedout，"Eddieblurted，lookingatBudeagerly，asifhehadbeensearchingforsomecomfortingword。"Sishasgotlotsofsand。Sheusedtocallmea’fraidcatallthetimewhenIdidn’twanttogowhereshedid。I’llbetshejusttookBoiseandrunoffwithhim。Shewould，ifshemadeuphermind——andIguessshe’dhadaboutasmuchasshecouldstand，cookin’atLittleLost——"

BudliftedhisheadandlookedatEddielikeamannewlyawakened。"Igavehermoneytotakehomeforme，tomymother，downLaramieway。Ibeggedhertogoifshewasliabletobeintroubleoverleavingtheranch。Butshesaidshewouldn’tgo——notunlessshewasmissed。SheknewI’dcomebacktotheranch。Ijustpiledherhandsfullofbillsinthedarkandtoldhertousethemifshehadto——"

"Shemighthavedoneit，"Jerryhazardedhopefully。"Maybeshedidsneakinsomeotherwayandgetherthings。She’dhavetotakesomeclothesalong。Womenfolksalwayshavetopack。Bygosh，shecouldhideBoiseoutsomewhereand——"

Forayoungmanindangerofbeinglynchedbyhisbossforhorsestealingandwaylaidandrobbedbyagangnotoriousinthecountry，Bud’sappetiteforriskseemedinsatiablethatmorning。Forheaddedtheextremepossibilityofbreakinghisneckbyrecklessridinginthenexthour。

HeswungSunfishaboutandjabbedhimwiththespurs，duckingintothegloomoftheGapasifthetwowhorodebehindwereassassinsonhistrail。Oncehespoke，andthatwastoSunfish。Histonewassavage。

"Damnyourlazyhide，you’vebeenthroughheretwiceandyou’vegotdaylighttohelp——nowpickupyourfeetandtravel！"

Sunfishtravelled；andthepacehesetsentevenJerrygaspingnowandthenwhenhecametotheworstplaces，withthesoundofgallopinghoofsinthedistancebeforehim，andEddiecomingalongbehindandliftinghisvoicewarninglynowandthen。EventheCatrockershadheldtheGapinrespect，andhadriddenitsdevioustrailcautiously。ButcautionwasameaninglesswordtoBudjustthenwhileasmallflameofhopeburnedsteadilybeforehim。

Thelastturn，whereonthefirsttripSunfishlostBoiseandbalkedforaminute，hemadesofastthatSunfishleftapatchofyellowishhaironapointedrockandcameintotheopensnortingfireofwrath。Hewentovertheroughgroundlikeabouncingantelope，simplybecausehewastoomadtocarehowmanylegshebroke。Atthepeakofrocksheshowedaninclinationtostop，andBud，whohadbeenthinkingandplanningwhilehehoped，pulledhimtoastandandwaitedfortheotherstocomeup。Theycouldnotgonearerthecorralswithoutincurringthedangerofbeingoverheard，andthatmustnothappen。

"Youdamnfool，"grittedJerrywhenhecameupwithBud。"IfI’dknowedyouwantedtocommitsuicideI’dacavedyourheadinwitharockandsavedmyselfthecraziestrideIevertookinm’life！"

"Oh，shutup！"Budsnappedimpatiently。"We’rehere，aren’twe？Nowlistentome，boys。Youcatchupmyhorses——Jerry，areyoucomingalongwithme？Youmayaswell。I’madeputysheriff，andifanybodystopsyouforwhateveryou’vedone，I’llshowawarrantforyourarrest。Andbythunder，"hedeclaredwithafaintgrin，"I’llserveitifIhavetotokeepyouwithme。Idon’tknowwhatyou’vedone，andIdon’tcare。Iwantyou。Socatchupmyhorses——andJerry，youcanpackmywar—bagandrollyourbedandmine，ifI’mtoobusywhileI’mhere。"

"You’reliabletobebusy，allright，"Jerryinterpolatedgrimly。

"Well，theywon’tbotheryou。Ed，youbettergetthehorses。

TakeSunfish，here，andgrazehimsomewhereoutasight。We’llkeepgoing，andwemighthavetostartsuddenly。"

"HowaboutSis？Ithought——"

"I’mgoingtoturnLittleLostupsidedowntofindher，ifshe’shere。Ifsheisn’t，I’mkindahopingshewentdowntomother。Shesaidtherewasnootherplacewhereshecouldgo。

Andshe’dfeelthatshehadtodeliverthemoney，perhaps——

becauseImusthavegivenheracoupleofthousanddollars。

Itwasquitearoll，mostlyinfiftiesandhundreds，andI’mshortthatmuch。I’mjustgamblingthatthesizeofmadeherfeelshemustgo。"

"That’dbeSisallover，Mr。Birnie。"Eddieglancedaroundhimuneasily。Thesunwasshininglevelinhiseyes，andsunlighttoEddiehadlongmeantdanger。"Iguesswebetterhurry，then。I’llgetthehorsesdownoutasight，andcomebackhereafootandwait。"

"Dothat，kid，"saidBud，slippingwearilyoffSunfish。HegavethereinsintoEddie’shand，motionedJerrywithhisheadtofollow，andhurrieddownthewindingpathtothecorrals。Thecoolbrillianceofthemorning，thecheerfulwarblingoflittle，wildcanariesinthebushesashepassed，foroncefailedtothrillhimwithjoyoflife。Hewaswonderingwhethertogostraighttothehouseandsearchitifnecessarytomakesurethatshehadnotbeenthere，orwhetherIndiancunningwouldservehimbest。Hiswholebeingachedfordirectaction；hishearttrembledwithfearlestheshouldjeopardizeMarian’ssafetybyhisimpetuoushastetohelpher。

Pop，comingfromthestablejustasBudwascrossingthecorral，settledthequestionforhim。Poppeeredathimsharply，putahandtothesmallofhisbackandcamesteppingbrisklytowardhim，hisjawworkinglikeasheepeatinghay。

"Afoot，airye？"heexclaimedcuriously。"What—ferideayuhgotinyoreheadnow，youngfeller？Comin’backhereafootwhenyeridtwofasthorses？Needn’tbeafraidofolePop——

notunlessyuhlieto’imandtrytogitsomethin’furnothin’。MadeoffwithLew’swife，too，didn’tye？Oh，thereain’tmuchgitspastolePop，evenifheain’tthemanheusedtobe。Iseenyuhlookin’atherwhenyuhoughtabeeneatin’。Iseenyuh！An’herwatchin’youwhenshethoughtnobuddy’dketchheratit！Sho！Shucksa’mighty！Youbeenplayin’hellallaround，now，ain’tye？Needn’tlie——Iknowwhatmyowneyestellsme！"

"Youknowalot，then，thatIwishIknew。I’vebeeninCraterallthetime，Pop。DidyouknowLewwasmixedupinabankrobberyyesterday，andthecashierofthebankshothim？Therestofthegangisdeadorinjail。Thesheriffdidsomegoodworkthereforafewminutes。"

PoppinchedinhislipsandstaredatBudunwinkinglyforaminute。"Don’tlietome，"hewarnedpetulantly。"WenttoCrater，didye？Cashedthemchecks，Iexpect。"

Budpulledhismouthintoaruefulgrin。"Yes，Pop，Icashedthechecks，allright——andhere’swhat’sleftofthemoney。

Iguess，"hewentonwhilehepulledoutasmallrollofbillsandlickedhisfingerpreparatorytocountingthem，"I

mightbetterhavestucktorunningmyhorses。Poker’ssureafright。Thewayitcaneatintoaman’spocket——"

"Wentandlostallthatmoneyonpoker，didye？"Pop’svoicewasshrill。"Aftermetellin’yuhhowtogitit——andshowin’

yuhhowyuhcouldbeatBoise——"theoldman’sragechokedhim。HethrusthisfaceclosetoBud’sandglaredvenomously。

"Yes，andjusttoshowyouIappreciateit，I’mgoingtogiveyouwhat’sleftafterI’vecountedoffenoughtoseemethroughtoSpokane。Ifeelsick，Pop。Iwantchangeofair。

AndasforridingtwofasthorsestoCrater——"hepausedwhilehecountedslowly，Poplickinghislipsavidlyashewatched，——"whyIdon’tknowwhatyoumean。Ionlyrideonehorseatatime，Pop，whenI’msober。AndIwassobertillI

hitCrater。"

HestoppedcountingwhenhereachedfiftydollarsandgavetheresttoPop，whothumbedthebanknotesinafrenzyofgreeduntilhesawthathehadtwohundreddollarsinhispossession。Thegleewhichhetriedtohide，thecraftysuspicionthatthiswasnotallofitthereturningconvictionthatBudwasactuallyalmostpenniless，andthecunningassumptionofsenility，waspicturedonhisface。

Pop’spoor，miserlysoulwasforaminuteshamelesslyrevealed。Distraughtthoughhewas，Budstaredandshudderedalittleatthespectacle。

Ialwayssaid’tyou’reagood，honest，well—meaningboy，"

Popcackled，slylyputtingthemoneyoutofsightwhilehepattedBudontheshoulder。"DavehethoughtmebbyyoutookandstoleBoise——andifIwasyou，Bud，I’dgittoSpokanequickasIcouldandnotletDaveketchye。Dave’soutnowlookin’forye。Ifhesuspicionedyou’dhavethegalltocomerightbacktoLittleLost，Iexpectmebbyhe’dstringyuhup，youngfeller。Dave’sgotanastytemper——hehasso！"

"There’ssomethingelse，Pop，thatIdon’tlikeverywelltobeaccusedof。YousayMrs。Morrisisgone。Idon’tknowathingaboutthat，oraboutthehorsebeinggone。I’vebeeninCrater。I’djustgotmymoneyoutofthebankwhenitwasheldup，andLewwasshot。"

Popteeteredandgummedhistobaccoandgrinnedfoxily。"Shucks！

Idon’tcarenothin’aboutLew’swifegoin’，nerIdon’tcarenothin’muchaboutthehorse。Theyain’tnofunraluhmine，Bud。

Davean’Lew，let’emlookaftertheirownbelongin’s。"

"They’llhaveto，farasI’mconcerned，"saidBud。"WhatwouldI

wantofahorseIcanbeatanytimeIwanttorunmine？DavemustthinkI’mscaredtoridefast，sinceSunday！AndPop，I’vegottroublesenoughwithouthavingawomanonmyhands。AreyousureMarian’sgone？"

"SURE？"Popsnorted。"Honey，she’shadtodothecookin’formean’Jerry——andifIain’tsure——"

Buddidnotwaittohearhimout。TherewasHoney，whomhewouldverymuchliketoavoidmeeting；sothesoonerhemadecertainofMarian’sdeliberateflightthebetter，sinceHoneywasnotanearlyriser。Hewenttothehouseandenteredbywayofthekitchen，feelingperfectlysureallthewhilethatPopwaswatchinghim。ThedisordertherewassufficientlyconvincingthatMarianwasgone，sohetip—toedacrosstheroomtoadoorthroughwhichhehadneverseenanyonepasssaveLewandMarian。

Itwasherbedroom，meagrelyfurnished，butinperfectorder。

Onthegoods—boxdresserwithawavy—glassedmirroraboveit，herhairbrush，combandafewcheaptoiletnecessitieslay，withthecombacrossanailfileasifshehadputitdownhurriedlybeforegoingouttoservesuppertothemen。

Marian，then，hadnotstolenhometopackthingsforthejourney，asJerryhaddeclaredawomanwoulddo。Budsentalingeringglancearoundtheroomandclosedthedoor。Hopewasstillwithhim，butitwasdarkenednowwithdoubts。

Inthekitchenagainhehesitated，wantinghisguitarandmandolinandyetawareofthefoolishnessofburdeninghimselfwiththemnow。Foodwasadifferentmatter，however。

Daveowedhimformorethanthreeweeksofhardworkinthehayfield，soBudcollectedfromthepantryasmuchashecouldcarry，andleftthehouselikeaburglar。

Popwasfiddlingwiththemowerthatstoodinfrontofthemachineshed，plainlywaitingforwhatevernighttranspire。

Andsincethebunk—housedoorwasinplainviewandnotsofarawayasBudwishedit，hewentboldlyovertotheoldman，carryinghisplunderonhisshoulder。

"Daveowesmeforwork，Pop，soItookwhatgrubIneeded，"

heexplainedwithelaboratecandor。"I’llshowyouwhatI’vegot，soyou’llknowI’mnottakinganythingthatI’venorightto。"Hesetdownthesack，openeditandlookedupintowhatappearedtobethelargest—muzzledsix—shooterhehadeverseeninhislife。Sheerastonishmentheldhimtheregaping，halfstoopedoverthesack。

"Noyedon’t，youngfeller！"Popsnarledvindictively。"YuhthinkI’dletahorsethiefgitoff’nthisranchwhilstI’mabletopullatrigger？Youforknerthatmoneyyougotonye，firstthingyuhdo！it’sminebyrights——ItoldyuhI’dhelpyetowinmoneyoff’nthevalleycrowd，andIdoneit。

An’whatdoesyoudo？NeverpayamiteofattentiontomeafterI’dgiveyealltheinsideworkin’softhegame——neveroffertogivememyshare——no，byChristmas，yougostealahorseofmyson’sandhidehimoutsomewheres，andgolosemightynearallIhelpedyuhwin，playin’poker！ThinkI’mgoin’tostandforthat？Thinktwohundreddollarsisgoin’

toeventhingsupwhenIhelpedyetowinafortune？Handoverthatfiftyyougotonyuh！

Verymeekly，hisfaceblank，Budreachedintohispocketandgotthemoney。Withoutawordhepulledtwoorthreedollarsinsilverfromhistrouserspocketsandaddedthattothelot。"Nowwhat？"hewantedtoknow。

"NowYou’llwaittillDavegitsheretohangyuhferhorse—

stealing！"shrilledPop。"Jerry！Oh，Jerry！Wherebeyuh？I

got’im，byChristmas——Igotthehorsethief——caughthimcarryingoodgrubrightoutathehouse！"

"Lookout，Jerry！"calledBud，glancingquicklytowardthebunk—house。

Now，Pophadwithoutdoubtbeenamandifficulttotrickinhisyouth，buthewasold，andhewasexcited，tickledoverhiseasytriumph。HeturnedtoseewhatwaswrongwithJerry。

"Lookout，Pop，youoldfool，You’llbustabloodvesselifyoudon’tquietdown，"Budcensuredmockingly，wrestingthegunfromtheclawing，strugglingoldmaninhisarms。HewassurprisedatthestrengthandagilityofPop，andthoughhewasforcinghimbackwardstepbystepintothemachineshed，andknewthathewasmasterofthesituation，hehadhishandsfull。

"WildcatsisnothingtoPopwhenhegetsriled，"Jerrygrinned，comingupontherun。Ikindaexpectedsomethinglikethis。Whatyuhwantdonewithhim，Bud？"

"Gaghimsohecan’thollerhisheadoff，andthentakehimalong——whenI’vegotmymoneyback，Budpanted。"Pop，you’reaboutasappreciativeasabuckInjun。"

"Goingtobehardtopackhimsohe’llride，"JerryobservedquizzicallywhenPop，boundandgagged，layglaringatthembehindthebunk—house。"Hedon’tquitebalanceyourtwogrips，Bud。Andwedoneedhatgrub。"

"Youbringthegrub——I’lltakePop——"Budstoppedintheactofliftingtheoldmanandlistened。Honey’svoicewascallingPop，withembellishmentssuchBudwouldneverhavebelievedapartofHoney’svocabulary。Fromherspeech，shewascomingafterhim，andPop’sjawsworkedfranticallybehindBud’shandkerchief。

Jerrytiltedhisheadtowardtheluggagehehadmadeasecondtripfor，pickedupPop，clampedhishandoverthemouththatwastryingtobetraythem，andslippedawaythroughthebrushglancingonceoverhisshouldertomakesurethatBudwasfollowinghim。

Theyreachedthesafescreenofbranchesandstoppedthereforaminute，listeningtoHoney’svituperationsandherthreatsofwhatshewoulddotoPopifhedidnotcomeupandstartafire。

Shestopped，andhoofbeatssoundedfromthemainroad。Daveandhismenwerecoming。

InhisheartBudthankedLittleLostforthathiddenpaththroughthebushes。HeheardDaveaskingHoneywhatwasthematterwithher，heardtheunwomanlyreplyofthegirl，heardhercursePopforhisneglectofthekitchenstoveatthathourofthemorning。Heard，too，herquestioningofDave。HadtheyfoundBud，orMarian？

"Ifyougot’emtogether，anddidn’tstring’embothuptothenearesttree——"

Budbithislipandwenton，hisfaceaflamewithrageatthebrutishnessofagirlhehadhalfrespected。"Honey！"hewhisperedcontemptuously。"Whatanameforthatlittlebeast！"

AttherocksEddiewaswaitingwithStopper，uponwhomtheyhurriedlypackedthebedsandBud’sluggage。Theyspokeinwhisperswhentheyspokeatall，andtoinsurethehorse’sremainingquietEddiehadtiedacottonropesnuglyarounditsmuzzle。

"I’lltakePop，"Budwhispered，butJerryshookhisheadandoncemoreshoulderedtheoldfellowashewouldcarryabagofgrain。Sotheyslippedbackdownthetrail，tookaturnwhichBuddidnotknow，andpresentlyBudfoundthatJerrywaskeepingstraighton。BudmadeanIndiansignonthechancethatJerrywouldunderstandit，andwithhisfreehandJerryreplied。HewastakingPopsomewhere。Theyweretowaitforhimwhentheyhadreachedthehorses。Sotheyseparatedforaspace。

"Thisissureagreatcountryforhideouts，Mr。Birnie，"

EddieventuredwhentheyhadputhalfamilebetweenthemselvesandLittleLost，andhadcomeuponSmoky，SunfishandEddie’shorsefeedingquietlyinatiny，spring—wateredbasinhalfsurroundedwithrocks。"Ifyouknowthecountryyoucankeepdodgin’sheriffsallyourlife——ifyoujusthavegrubenoughtolast。"

"Lookstomeasiftherearen’tmanywastedopportunitieshere，"Budansweredwithsomeirony。"Isthereanhonestmaninthewholecountry，Ed？I’djustliketoknow。"

Eddiehesitated，hiseyesanxiouslytryingtoreadBud’smeaningandhismood。"NotrightaroundtheSinks，Iguess，"

herepliedtruthfully。"UpatCratertherearesome，andovertoJumpoff。ButIguessthisvalleywouldbecalledprettytough，allright。It’ssofullofcavesandqueerplacesitkindaattractstheonesthatwanttohideout。"Thenhegrinned。"It’sluckyforyouit’slikethat，Mr。Birnie，orIdon’tseehowyou’dgetaway。NowIcanshowyouhowtogetclearawayfromherewithoutgettingcaught。ButIguessweoughttohavebreakfastfirst。I’mprettyhungry。Ain’tyou？

Icanbuildafireagainstthatcrackintheledgeoverthere，andthesmokewillgoawaybackunderneathsoitwon’tshow。There’sablow—holesomewherethatdrawssmokelikeachimney。"

Jerrycameafteralittle，sniffingbacon。Hethrewhimselfdownbesidethefireanddrewalongbreath。"Thatoldskunk’sheavierthanwhatyoumightthink，"heobservedwhimsically。"Ipackedhimdownintooneofthemsinkholesanduntiedhisfeetandlefthimtoscrambleoutbestwayhecan。It’lltakehimlonger’nittookme。Havingtheuseofyourhandshelpsquitealot。Andtheuseofyourmouthtocussalittle。Buthe’llmakeitinanhourortwo——I’mafraid。"HelookedatBud，ahalf—shamedtendernessinhiseyes。"ItsurewashardtoleavehimlikeIdid。Itwaslikewalkingonyourtoespastarattlercurledupasleepsomewhere，afraidyoumightspoilhisnap。OnlyPopwasn’tasleep。"HesatupandreachedhishandforacupofcoffeewhichEddiewasoffering。"Anyway，IhadthefunoftellingtheolddevilwhatIthoughtabouthim，"headded，andblewawaythesteamandtookanothersatisfyingnip。

"He’llputthemonourtrail，Isuppose，"saidBud，bitingintoaraggedpieceofbreadwithahalf—burnedsliceofhotbacononit。

"Whenhegetstotheranchhewill。HispoisonfangswassureloadedwhenIleft。Hesaidhewantedtocutyourheartoutforrobbinghim，andsoforth，adswearum。We’dbestnotleaveanytrail。"

"Weain’tgoingto，"Eddieassuredhimeagerly。"I’mgladbeingwiththeCatrockersisgoingtodosomegood，Mr。

Birnie。It’llhelpyougitaway，andthat’llhelpfindSis。I

guessshehitdownwhereyoulive，maybe。Howfarcanyourhorsetravelto—day——ifhehasto？"

BudlookedacrosstowhereSunfish，havingrolledinawetspotnearthespringandmuddiedhimselftohissatisfaction，wasgreedilyatworkuponapatchofgrass。"Ifhehasto，tillhedropsinhistracks。Andthatwon’tbeformanyamile，kid。He’sthoroughbred；athoroughbredneverknowswhentoquit。"

"Well，thereain’tanyspeedytrailaheadofustoday，"Eddievouchsafedcheeringly。"There’shalf—amilemaybewherewecangallop，andtherestisacaseofpickingyourfooting。"

"Let’sbeginpickingit，then，"saidBud，andgotup，reachingforhisbridle。

BydeviouswaysitwasthatEddieledthemoutofthatsinistercountrysurroundingtheSinks。InthebeginningBudandJerryexchangedglances，andlookedattheirguns，believingthatitwouldbethroughCatrockCanyontheywouldhavetoride。Eddie，ridingsoberlyinthelead，hadyetacertainyouthfulsenseofhisimportance。"They’llneverthinkoffollowingyuhthisway，unlessoldPopTrumangitsbackintimetotell’emI’mtravellingwithyuh，"heobservedoncewhentheyhadpenetratedbeyondtheneighborhoodofcavesandblow—holesandwereridingsafelydownacanyonthatofferedfewchancesoftheirbeingobservedsavefromthefront，whichdidnotconcernthem。

"Iguessyoudon’tknowoldPopisabouttheringeaderoftheCatrockers。Erhewas，tillhebegantogitkindachildishabouthoardingmoney，andthenDavesteppedin。AndMr。

Birnie，Iguessyou’dhavebeendeadwhenyoufirstcamethere，ifithadn’tbeenthatDaveandPopwantedtogiveyouachancetogetalotofmoneyoffofJeff’sbunch。Lewwastellinghowyoukeptcleaningup，andhesaidrightalongthattheywastakingtoomuchriskhavingyouaround。Lewsaidhebetyouwasadetective。Areyou，Mr。Birnie？"

Budwasridingwithhisshoulderssaggedforward，histhoughtswithMarian——wherevershewas。HehadbeenconvincedthatshewasnotatLittleLost，thatshehadstartedforLaramie。Butnowthathewasawayfromthatevilspothisdoubtsreturned。Whatifshewerestillintheneighborhood——

whatiftheyfoundher？MemoryofHoney’svindictivenessmadehimshiver，Honeywasthekindofwomanwhowouldkill。

"Iam，fromnowon，kid，"hesaiddespondently。"We’regoingtoridetillwefindyoursister。Andifthosehell—houndsgother——"

"Theydidn’t，fromthewayHoneytalked，"Jerrycomforted。

"We’llfindheratLaramie，don’tyoueverthinkwewon’t！"

CHAPTERTWENTY—ONE：TRAILSEND

Atthelastcamp，justnorthofthePlatte，Bud’stwoblacksheepbalked。Budhimself，wornbysleeplessnightsandlonghoursinthesaddle，turnedfuriouslywhenJerryannouncedthatheguessedheandEdwouldn’tgoanyfarther。

"Well，damnyoubothforungratefulhounds！"gratedBud，hurttothequick。"Ihopeyoudon’tthinkIbroughtyouthisfartohelpholdmeinthesaddle；Imadeitnorthalone，withoutanymishap。IthinkIcouldhavecomebackallright。Butifyouwanttoquithere，allright。Youcanhigh—tailitbacktoyouroutlaws——"

"Well，ifyougo’nputitthatway！"Jerryexpostulated，liftingbothhandshighintheairinavainattempttopullthesituationtowardthehumorous。"You’readepitysheriff，andyougotthedrop。"Hegrinned，sawthatBud’seyeswerestillhardandhismouthunyielding，andloweredhishands，lookingcrestfallenasakickedpupthathadtriedtobefriendly。

"Youcanseeforyourselfweain’tfittogo’nmeetyourmotherandyourfatherlikewewas——likewe’dwentstraight，"

Eddieputinexplanatorily。"You’vebeenraisedgood，and——

say，itmakesamanwanttoBEgoodtoseehowafellerdon’thavetobenopreachertoliveright。Butitdon’tseemsquaretoletyoutakeusrighthomewithyou，justbecauseyou’resodarnedkindyou’ddoitandneverthinkathingaboutit。Weain’tungrateful——IknowIain’t。But——but——"

"Thekid’ssaidit，Bud，"Jerrycametotherescue。"Wecomealongbecauseitwasaticklishtripyouhadahead。AndI’veknowedasgoodridersasyouare，thatcouldstandalittleholdinginthesaddlewhensomefreakhadtriedtoshoot’emoutofit。Butyou’reclosetohomenowandyoudon’tneedusnomore，andsoweain’tgoingtohorninontheprodigalcalf’smilkbucket。Marian，She’slikelythere——"

"IfSisain’twithyourfolkswe’llhuntherup，"Eddieinterruptedeagerly。"Sisisyourkind——she——she’sgoodenoughforyuh，Bud，andIhopeshe——ll——wellifshe’sgotanysenseshewill——well，ifitcomestothenarryingpoint，I——well，darnit，I’dliketoseeSisgitasgoodamanasyouare！"Eddie，havingblunteredthatfar，wentheadlongasifhewereafraidtostop。"Sisiseducated，andshe’sanawfulgoodsingerandafinegirl，onlyI’mherbrother。ButI’mgoingtolivehonestfromnowon，Bud，andIhopeyouwon’tholdoffonaccountofme。Iain’tgoingtohavesisfeellikecryingwhenshethinksaboutme！You——you——saidsomethingthathurtlikeaknife，Bud，whenyoutoldmethat，upinCrater。Andshewasn’ttoblameformarryn’Lew——andshedonethatoutagoodness，thekindyoushowedtoJerryandme。Andwedon’twanttogospoilin’everythingbylettingyourfolksseewhatyou’rebringin’homewithyuh！AnditmighthurtSiswithyourfolks，iftheyfoundoutthatI’m——"

Budhadbeenstandingbyhishorse，lookingfromonetotheother，listening，watchingtheirfaces，measuringthefulldepthoftheirmanhood。"Say！youremindmeofastorythefolkstellonme，"hesaid，hiseyesshining，whilehisvoicestrovetomakelightofitall。"Once，whenIwasakidinpink—aprons，Igotlostfromthetrail—herdmyfolkswerebringingupfromTexas。Itwascomin’dark，andtheyhadthewholeoutfitouthuntingme，andeverybodyscaredtodeath。

Whentheywereallaboutcrazy，theyclaimIcamewalkinguptothecamp—firedraggingadeadsnakebythetail，andcarryingahorntoadinmyshirt，andclaimingtheywereminebecauseI’ketched’em。’I’mnotbrandingthatyarnwithanymoral——butfigureitoutforyourself，boys。"

Thetwolookedateachotherandgrinned。"Iain’tdeadyet，"

Eddiemadesheepishcomment。"Mebbeyoukindalookonmeasbeingahorntoad，Bud。"

"Whenyoubearinmindthatmyfolksraisedthatkid，You’llrealizethatittakesagooddealtostampedemother。"Budswungintothesaddletoavoidsubjectinghisemotionstothecramped，inadequatelimitationsofspeech。"Let’sgo，boys。

She’salongtrailtotakethekinksoutofbeforesupper—

time。"

Theystoodstill，makingnomovetofollow。BudreinedSmokyaroundsothathefacedthem，reachedlaboriouslyintothatmysteriouspocketofacowpuncher’strouserswhichisalwaysheldclosedbythebeltofhischaps，andwhichinvariablyholdsinitsdepthsthethingshewantsinahurry。Theywatchedhimcuriously，resolutelyrefusingtointerprethisbitofautobiography，wonderingperhapswhyhedidnotgo。

"Heresheis。"Budhaddisinterredthedeputysheriff’sbadge，andbegantopolishitbytheprimitivebuteffectualmethodofspittingonitandthenrubbingvigorouslyonhissleeve。"You’reoutsideofCraterCounty，butbythunderyou’rebothguiltyofresistinganofficer，andcountylinesdon’tcount！"Hehadpinnedthebadgeatrandomonhiscoatwhilehewasspeaking，andnow，beforethetworealizedwhathewasabout，hehadhissix—shooteroutandaimedstraightatthem。

Budhadneverlivedinfearofthelaw。Instantlywassorrywhenhesawtheinvoluntarystiffeningoftheirmuscles，thequickwordlesssuspicionanddefiancethatsenttheireyesinshiftyglancestorightandleftbeforetheirhandsliftedalittle。Trusthim，lovehimtheymight，therewasthatlatentfearofcapturedrivendeepintotheirsouls；sodeepthatevenhehadnoterasedit。

Budsaw——andsohelaughed。

"I’vegottoshowmyfolksthatI’vemadeagathering，"hesaid。"Youcan’tquit，boys。AndI’mgoingtotakeyoutotheendofthetrail，nowyou’vestarted。"Heeyedthem，sawthattheywerestillstubborn，anddrewinhisbreathsharply，manfullymeetingthequestionintheirminds。

"We’veleftmoreattheSinksthanthegnashingofteeth，"hesaidwhimsically。"Acoupleofbadnames，forinstance。

You’retwobullygoodfriendsofmine，and——damnit，Marianwillwanttoseebothofyoufellows，ifshe’sthere。Ifsheisn’t——we’llmaybehaveabigcircletoride，findingher。

I’llneedyou，nomatterwhat’sahead。"Helookedfromonetotheother，gaveasnortandaddedimpatiently，"Aw，forkyourhorsesanddon’tstandtherelookinglikeacoupleofdamnfools！"

WhereuponJerryshookhisheaddissentingly，grinnedandgaveEddiesoemphaticanimpulsetowardhishorsethatthekidwentsprawling。

"GuessWe’reupagainstit，allright——butIdowishyo’dlosethatbadge！"Jerrysurrendered，andflippedthebridlereinsovertheneckofhishorse。"Horntoadisright，thewayyou’rescabblingaroundamongstthemrocks，"hecalledlight—heartedlytothekid。"Everseeapurtiersunrise？I

never！"

Idon’tknowwhattheythoughtofthesunset。Gorgeousitwas，withmanysoftcolorsblendedintounnamabletintsandtranslucencies，andthesongsofbirdsinthethicketsastheypassed。Smoky，SunfishandStopperwalkedbriskly，earsperkedforward，headsup，eyeseagertocatchthefamiliarlandmarksthatmeanthome。Bud’sheadwasup，also，hiseyeswenthereandthere，restingwithacarelessaffectiononthosesamelandmarkswhichspelledhome。HewouldhaveletSmoky’sreinshaveabitmoreslackandwouldhaveledhislittleconvoytothecorralsatagallop，hadnothopebeguntotrembleandshrinkfrommeetingcertaintyfacetoface。

Hadyouaskedhimthen，IthinkBudwouldhaveownedhimselfacoward。Untilhehadspeechwithhome—folkhewouldmerelybehopingthatMarianwasthere；butuntilhehadspeechwiththemheneednothearthattheyknewnothingofher。Bud——

like，however，hetriedtocoverhistrepidationwithajoke。

"We’llsneakupon。’em，"hesaidtoEdandJerrywhentheroofsofhouseandstablescameintoview。

Here’swhereIgrewup，boys。Andinaminuteortwomoreyou’llseethegreatestlittlemotheronearth——andthefinestdad，"headded，swallowingthelastofhisScotchstubbornness。

"AndSis，Ihope，"Eddiesaidwistfully。"Isurehopeshe’shere。"

NeitherJerrynorBudansweredhimatall。Smokythrewuphisheadsuddenlyandgaveashrillwhinny，andahorseatthecorralsansweredsonorously。

"Say！ThatsoundstomelikeBoise！"Eddieexclaimed，standingupinhisstirrupstolook。

Budturnedpale，thenflushedhotly。"Don’tholler！"hemuttered，andheldSmokybackalittle。Forjustonereasonayoungman’sheartpoundsasBud’sheartpoundedthen。Jerrylookedathim，tookadeepbreathandbithislipthoughtfully。ItmaybethatJerry’sheartbeatswerenotquitenormaljustthen，butnoonewouldeverknow。

Theyrodeslowlytoapointnearthecornerofthetable，andthereBudhaltedthetwowithhisliftedhand。Budwastremblingalittle——buthewassmiling，too。Eddiewasfranklygrinning，Jerry’sfacewasthefaceofagoodpoker—player——

ittoldnothing。

Inagroupwiththeirbackstothemstoodthree：Marian，Bud’smotherandhisfather。BobBirnieheldBoisebythebridle，andthetwowomenwerestrokingthebrownnoseofthehorsethatmoveduneasily，withlittleimpatienthead—

tossings。

"Hedoesn’tbehavelikeahorsethathasmadethelongtriphehasmade，"Bud’smotherobservedadmiringly。"Youmustbeawonderfullittlehorsewoman，mydear，aswellasawonderfullittlewomanineveryotherway。Buddyshouldneverhavesentyouonsuchatrip——justtobringhomemoney，likeabankmessenger！ButI’mgladthathedid！AndIdowishyouwouldconsenttostay——suchanafternoonwithmusicI

haven’thadsinceBuddyleftus。Youcouldstaywithmeandtrainfortheconcertworkyouintenddoing。I’monlyanoldranchwomaninaslatsunbonnet——butItaughtmyBuddy——andhaveyouheardhim？"

"Anoldwomaninaslatsunbonnet——oh，howcanyou？Why，you’rethemostwonderfulwomaninthewholeworld。"Marian’svoicewasalmosttearfulinitsprotest。"Yes——Ihaveheard——yourBuddy。"

"’TisthestrangestwaytogoaboutsellingahorsethatI

eversaw，"BobBirnieputindryly，smoothinghisbeardwhilehelookedatthem。"We’dbegladtohaveyoustay，lass。Butyou’veaskedmetoplaceapriceonthehorse，andIshouldliketoaskyeaquestionortwo。Howfastdidyesayhecouldrun？"

Marianlaidanarmaroundtheshouldersoftheoldladyinaslatsunbonnetandpattedherarmwhilesheanswered。

"Well，hebeateverythinginthecountry，sotheyrefusedtoraceagainsthim，untilBudcamewithhishorses，"shereplied。"IttookSunfishtooutrunhim。He’sterriblyfast，Mr。Birnie。I——really，Ithinkhecouldbeattheworld’srecord——ifBudrodehim！"

JusthereyoushouldpictureEdandJerrywiththeirhandsovertheirmouths，andBudwantingtohidehisfacewithhishat。

BobBirnie’sbeardbehavedoddlyforaminute，whileheleanedandstrokedBoise’sflatforelegs，thattoldofspeed。

"Wee—ll，"hehesitated，soft—heartednessbattlingwiththehorse—buyer’skeenness，"sinceBudisnaeretoridehim，he’llmakeagoodhorsefortheroundup。I’llgiveye"——morebattling——"ahundredandfiftydollarsforhim，ifyecaretosell——"

"Here，waitaminutebeforeyouselltothatoldskinflint！"

Budshoutedexuberantly，dismountingwitharush。Therush，I

maysay，carriedhimtothelittleoldladyintheslatsunbonnet，andtothatotherlittleladywhowasstaringathimwithwide，brightyes。Bud’sarmswentaroundhismother。

PerhapsbyaccidenthegatheredinMarianalso——theywerestandingveryclose，andhisarmswereverylong——andhewasslowtodiscoverhismistake。

"I’llgiveyoutwohundredforBoise，andI’llthrowinonebrother，andonelong—legged，good—for—nothingcowpuncher——"

"Meaningyourself，Buddy？"cameteasinglyfromheslatsunbonnet，whoseoccupanthadnotbeentoldjusteverything。

"I’llbesurprisedifshe’llhaveyou，withthatdirtyfaceandnoshaveforaweekandmore。Butifshedoes，you’reluckierthanyoudeserve，forridinguponuslikethis！

We’veheardallaboutyou，Buddy——thoughyouwerewisetosendthislassietogildyourfaultsandmakeaheroofyou！"

Now，youwanttoknowhowMarianmanagedtolivethroughthat。Iwillsaythatshediscoveredhowtenaciouslyayoungman’sarmsmayclingwhenhethinksheisembracingmerelyhismother；butshefreedherselfandrantoEddie，fairlypulledhimoffhishorse，andtalkedveryfastandincoherentlytohimandJerry，askingquestionafterquestionwithoutwaitingforareplytoanyofthem。Allthis，I

suppose，inthehopethattheywouldnothear，or，hearing，wouldnotunderstandwhatthatterrible，wonderfullittlewomanwassayingsoinnocently。

Butyoucannotfazeyouth。EddiehadimportantnewsforSis，andhefeltthatnowwasthetimetotellitbeforeMarianblushedanyredder，sohepulledherfaceuptohis，puthislipssoclosetoherearthathisbreathtickled，andwhispered——withoutanyprefacewhateverthatshecouldmarryBudanytimenow，becauseshewasawidow。

"Here！Somebody——Bud——quick！Sishasfainted！Doggoneit，I

onlytoldherLew’sdeadandshecanmarryyou——shucks！I

thoughtshe’dbeglad！"

DownontheStakedPlains，onaneveningmuchliketheeveningwhenBudcamehomewithhis"stake"andhishopesandtwoblacksheepwhowerebecomingwhiteasmostofus，acamp—firebegantocrackleandwavesmokeribbonsthiswayandthatbeforeitburnedsteadilyunderthesupperpotsofacertainhungry，happygroupwhichyouknow。

"It’ssomewhereaboutherethatIgotlostfromcampwhenI

wasakid，"Budobserved，tiltingbackhishatandliftingakneetosnapadrystickoverit。"Mother’dknow，Ibet。I

kindawishwe’dbroughtheranddadalongwithus。That’sabouteighteenyearsagotheytrailedaherdnorth——andhereweare，takingourtrail——herdnorthonthesametrail！I

kindawishnowI’dpickedupabunchofyearlingheifersalongwithourtwo—year—olds。Wecouldhavebroughtanotherhundredheadjustaswellasnot。Theysuredrivenice。

Motherwouldhaveenjoyedthistrip。"

"Youthinkso，doyou？"Mariangavehimasuperiorlittlesmilealongwiththecoffee—boiler。"Ifyou’dheardhertalkaboutthattripnorthwhenthereweren’tanymenaroundlistening，you’dchangeyourmind。BudBirnie，youaretheSIMPLESTcreature！Youthink，becauseawomandoesn’tmakeafussoverthings，shedoesn’tmind。Yourmothertoldmethatitwasaperfectnightmare。Shetaughtyoumusicjustinthehopethatyou’dgobacktocivilizationandlivetherewheretherearesomemodernimprovements，andshecouldvisityou！

Andhereyouare——allrappedupinabunchofyoungstock，dirtyaspigandyourwhiskers——ow！Bud！Stopthatimmediatly，orI’llgoputmyfaceinacactusjustforrelief！"

"Maybeyou’redissatisfiedyourselfwithmybunchofcattle。

Maybeyoudidn’tgoinrapturesoverouraimandmakemoreplansinadaythanfourmencouldcarryoutinayear。Maybeyouwishyourhusbandwasamanthatwascontenttopoundpianokeysallhislifeandlethishairgrowlonginsteadofhiswhiskers。Ifyouhatethis，whydidn’tyousayso？"

"Iwasspeaking，"saidMarianasdignifiedlyaswaspossible，"ofyourmother。Shewasraisedincivilization，andshehassimplymadethebestofpioneeringallhermarriedlife。I

wasbornandraisedincow—countryandIloveit。AsIsaidbefore，youaretheSIMPLESTcreature！Wouldyoureallybringafatherandmotherahoneymoontrail——especiallywhenthebridedidn’twantthem，andtheywouldmuchratherstayhome？"

"Hey！"criedEddiedisgustedly，comingupfromashallowcreekwithabucketofwaterandafewdrysticks。"Thecoffee’supsetandputtingthefireout。Geewhiz！Can’tyoufolksquitlove—makin’andtendtobusinesslongenoughtocookameal？"