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ForsomereasonthedesertscenebeforeLucyBostilawokevaryingemotions——asweetgratitudeforthefullnessofherlifethereattheFord，yetahauntingremorsethatshecouldnotbewhollycontent——avaguelonelinessofsoul——athrillandafearforthestrangelycallingfuture，glorious，unknown。
Shelongedforsomethingtohappen。Itmightbeterrible，solongasitwaswonderful。Thisday，whenLucyhadstolenawayonaforbiddenhorse，shewaseighteenyearsold。Thethoughtofhermother，whohaddiedlongagoontheirwayintothiswilderness，wastheonedropofsadnessinherjoy。LucylovedeverybodyatBostil\'sFordandeverybodylovedher。Shelovedallthehorsesexceptherfather\'sfavoriteracer，thatperversedevilofahorse，thegreatSageKing。
Lucywasglowingandraptwithloveforallshebeheldfromherloftyperch:
thegreen-and-pinkblossominghamletbeneathher，setbetweenthebeautyofthegraysageexpanseandtheghastlinessofthebarrenheights；theswiftColoradosullenlythunderingbelowintheabyss；theIndiansintheirbrightcolors，ridinguptherivertrail；theeaglepoisedlikeafeatherontheair，andabeneathhimthegrazingcattlemakingblackdotsonthesage；thedeepvelvetazureofthesky；thegoldenlightsonthebarepeaksandthelilacveilsinthefarravines；thesilkyrustleofacanyonswallowasheshotdownwardinthesweepofthewind；thefragranceofcedar，theflowersofthespear-pointedmescal；thebroodingsilence，thebeckoningrange，thepurpledistance。
WhateveritwasLucylongedfor，whateverwaswhisperedbythewindandwritteninthemysteryofthewasteofsageandstone，shewantedittohappenthereatBostil\'sFord。Shehadnodesireforcivilization，shefloutedtheideaofmarryingtherichrancherofDurango。Bostil\'ssister，thatsternbutlovablewomanwhohadbroughtherupandtaughther，wouldneverpersuadehertomarryagainstherwill。Lucyimaginedherselflikeawildhorse——free，proud，untamed，meantforthedesert；andhereshewouldliveherlife。Thedesertandherlifeseemedasone，yetinwhatdidtheyresembleeachother——inwhatofthisscenecouldshereadthenatureofherfuture？
Shudderinglysherejectedthered，sullen，thunderingriver，withitsswift，changeful，endless，contendingstrife——forthatwastragic。Andsherejectedthefrowningmassofredrock，upreared，rivenandsplitandcanyoned，sogrimandaloof——forthatwasbarren。Butsheacceptedthevastslopingvalleyofsage，rollinggrayandsoftandbeautiful，downtothedimmountainsandpurplerampartsofthehorizon。Lucydidnotknowwhatsheyearnedfor，shedidnotknowwhythedesertcalledtoher，shedidnotknowinwhatitresembledherspirit，butshedidknowthatthesethreefeelingswereasone，deepinherheart。Fortenyears，everydayofherlife，shehadwatchedthisdesertscene，andneverhadtherebeenanhourthatitwasnotdifferent，yetthesame。Tenyears——andshegrewupwatching，feeling——tillfromthedesert\'sthousandmoodssheassimilateditsnature，lovedherbonds，andcouldneverhavebeenhappyawayfromtheopen，thecolor，thefreedom，thewildness。Onthisbirthday，whenthosewholovedhersaidshehadbecomeherownmistress，sheacknowledgedtheclaimofthedesertforever。Andsheexperiencedadeep，rich，strangehappiness。
Hersalwaysthenthemutableandimmutabledesert，theleaguesandleaguesofslopeandsageandrollingridge，thegreatcanyonsandthegiantcliffs，thedarkriverwithitsmysticthunderofwaters，thepine-fringedplateaus，theendlessstretchofhorizon，withitslofty，isolated，noblemonuments，andtheboldrampartswiththeirbeckoningbeyond!Hersalwaysthedesertseasons:theshrill，icyblast，theintensecold，thesteelyskies，thefadingsnows；thegrayoldsageandthebleachedgrassunderthepallofthespringsand-storms；
thehotfurnacebreathofsummer，withitsmagnificentcloudpageantsinthesky，withtheblacktempestshanginghereandthereoverthepeaks，darkveilsfloatingdownandrainbowseverywhere，andthelacywaterfallsupontheglisteningcliffsandthethunderoftheredfloods；andthegloriousgoldenautumnwhenitwasalwaysafternoonandtimestoodstill!Hersalwaystheridesintheopen，withthesunatherbackandthewindinherface!Andherssurely，soonerorlater，thenamelessadventurewhichhaditsinceptioninthestrangeyearningofherheartandpresageditsfulfilmentsomewheredownthattraillesssage-slopeshelovedsowell!
Bostil\'shousewasacrudebutpicturesquestructureofredstoneandwhiteclayandbleachedcottonwoods，anditstoodattheoutskirtsoftheclusterofgreen-inclosedcabinswhichcomposedthehamlet。Bostilwaswonttosaythatinalltheworldtherecouldhardlybeagranderviewthantheoutlookdownthatgrayseaofrollingsage，downtotheblack-fringedplateausandthewild，blue-rimmedandgold-spiredhorizon。
Onemorninginearlyspring，aswasBostil\'scustom，heorderedtheracerstobebroughtfromthecorralsandturnedlooseontheslope。Helovedtositthereandwatchhishorsesgraze，buteverhesawthattheriderswerecloseathand，andthatthehorsesdidnotgetoutontheslopeofsage。Hesatbackandgloriedinthesight。Heownedbandsofmustangs；nearbywasafieldofthem，fineandmettlesomeandracy；yetBostilhadeyesonlyforthebloodedfavorites。Strangeitwasthatnotoneofthesewasamustangorabrokenwildhorse，formanyoftheriders\'bestmountshadbeencapturedbythemortheIndians。AnditwasBostil\'ssupremeambitiontoownagreatwildstallion。
TherewasPlume，asuperbmarethatgothernamefromthewayhermanesweptinthewindwhenshewasontheran；andtherewasTwoFace，likeacoquette，sleekandglossyandrunningandthehuge，rangybay，DustyBen；andtheblackstallionSarchedon；andlastlySageKing，thecoloroftheuplandsage，aracerinbuild，ahorsesplendidandproudandbeautiful。
"Where\'sLucy？"presentlyaskedBostil。
Ashedividedhislove，sohedividedhisanxiety。
SomeriderhadseenLucyridingoff，withhergoldenhairflyinginthewind。
Thiswasanoldstory。
"She\'suponBuckles？"Bostilqueried，turningsharplythespeaker。
"Reckonso，"wasthecalmreply。
Bostilswore。Hedidnothaveariderwhocouldequalhiminprofanity。
"Farlane，you\'dorders。Lucy\'snottoridethemhosses，leastofallBuckles。
Heain\'tsafeevenforaman。"
"Wal，he\'ssafeferLucy。"
"Butdidn\'tIsayno？"
"Boss，it\'slikelyyoudid，feryoutalkalot，"repliedFarlane。"Lucypulledmyhatdownovermyeyes——toldmetogotothunder——an\'then，zip!shean\'
Bucklesweredustin\'itferthesage。"
"She\'sgottokeepoutofthesage，"growledBostil。"Itain\'tsafeforheroutthere。Where\'smyglass？Iwanttotakealookattheslope。Where\'smyglass？"
Theglasscouldnotbefound。
"What\'smakin\'themdust-cloudsonthesage？Antelope？Holley，youusedtohaveeyesbetter\'nme。Usethem，willyou？"
Agray-haired，hawk-eyedrider，leanandworn，approachedwithclinkingspurs。
"Downinthere，"saidBostil，pointing。
"Thet\'sabunchofhosses，"repliedHolley。
"Wildhosses？"
"Itake\'emso，seein\'howtheythrowthetdust。"
"Huh!Idon\'tlikeit。Lucyoughtn\'tberidin\'roundalone。"
"Wal，boss，whocouldcatchheruponBuckles？Lucycanride。An\'there\'stheKingan\'Sarchrightunderyournose——theonlyhossesonthesagethetcouldoutrunBuckles。"
Farlaneknewhowtomollifyhismasterandlonghabithadmadehimproficient。
Bostil\'seyesflashed。HewasproudofLucy\'spoweroverahorse。ThestoryBostilfirsttoldtoanystrangerhappeningbytheFordwashowLucyhadbeenbornduringawildride——almost，asitwere，onthebackofahorse。That，atleast，washerfame，andtheriderssworeshewasaworthydaughterofsuchamother。Then，asFarlanewellknew，aquickroadtoBostil\'sgoodwillwastopraiseoneofhisfavorites。
"Reckonyouspokesenseforonce，Farlane，"repliedBostil，withrelief。"I
wasn\'tthinkin\'somuchofdangerforLucy。Butsheletsthethalf-wittedCreechgowithher。"
"No，boss，you\'rewrong，"putinHolley，earnestly。"Iknowthegirl。ShehasnouseferJoel。Buthejestrunsafterher。"
"An\'he\'sharmless，"addedFarlane。
"Weain\'tagreed，"rejoinedBostil，quickly。"Whatdoyousay，Holley？"
Theoldriderlookedthoughtfulanddidnotspeakforlong。
"Wal，Yesan\'no，"heanswered，finally。"IreckonLucycouldmakeamanoutofJoel。Butshedoesn\'tcareferhim，an\'thetsettlesthet。An\'maybeJoel\'sleanin\'towardthebad。"
"IfshemeetshimagainI\'llropeherinthehouse，"declaredBostil。
Anotherclear-eyedriderdrewBostil\'sattentionfromthegraywasteofrollingsage。
"Bostil，look!LookattheKing!He\'swatchin\'fersomethin\'。An\'so\'sSarch。"
Thetwohorsesnamedwerefacingaridgesomefewhundredyardsdistant，andtheirheadswerealoftandearsstraightforward。SageKingwhistledshrillyandSarchedonbegantoprance。
"Boys，you\'dbetterdrivethemin，"saidBostil。"They\'dlikenothin\'sowellasgettin\'outonthesage。Hullo!what\'sthetshootin\'upbehindtheridge？"
Nomore\'nBuckleswithLucymakin\'himrunsome，"repliedHolley，withadrylaugh。
"Ifitain\'t!Lord!lookathimcome!"
Bostil\'sangerandanxietymightneverhavebeen。Thelightoftheuplandrider\'sjoyshoneinhiskeengaze。Theslopebeforehimwasopen，andalmostlevel，downtotheridgethathadhiddenthemissinggirlandhorse。Buckleswasrunningfortheloveofrunning，asthegirllowdownoverhisneckwasridingfortheloveofriding。TheSageKingwhistledagain，andshotoffwithgracefulsweeptomeetthem；Sarchedonplungedafterhim；TwoFaceandPlumejealouslytroopeddown，too，butDustyBen，afteratossofhishead，wentongrazing。ThegrayandtheblackmetBucklesandcouldnotturnintimetostaywithhim。Agirl\'sgayscreampealeduptheslope，andBuckleswentlowerandfaster。Sarchedonwasleftbehind。ThenthegrayKingbegantorunasifbeforehehadbeenloping。Hewasbeautifulinaction。Thiswasplay——agame——arace——plainlydominatedbythespiritofthegirl。Lucy\'shairwasabrightstreamofgoldinthewind。Sherodebareback。ItseemedthatshewashunchedlowoverBuckleswithherkneeshighonhisback——scarcelyastridehimatall。Yethermotionwasonewiththehorse。Againthatwild，gayscreampealedout——callorlaughorchallenge。SageKing，withafleetnessthatmadetheeyesofBostilandhisridersglisten，tookthelead，andthensheeredofftoslowdown，whileBucklesthunderedpast。Lucywaspullinghimhard，andhadhimplungingtoahalt，whentheriderHolleyranouttograsphisbridle。
Buckleswassnortingandhisearswerelaidback。Hepoundedthegroundandscatteredthepebbles。
"Nouse，Lucy，"saidBostil。"Youcan\'tbeattheKingatyourowngame，evenwitharunnin\'start。"
LucyBostil\'seyeswereblue，askeenasherfather\'s，andnowtheyflashedlikehis。Shehadahandtwistedinthehorse\'slongmane，andas，litheandsupple，sheslippedakneeacrosshisbroadbacksheshookalittlegantletedfistatBostil\'sgrayracer。
"SageKing，Ihateyou!"shecalled，asifthehorsewerehuman。"AndI\'llbeatyousomeday!"
BostilsworebythegodshisSageKingwastheswiftesthorseinallthatwilduplandcountryofwonderfulhorses。Hesworethegreatgraycouldlookbackoverhisshoulderandrunawayfromanybrokenhorseknowntotheriders。
Bostilhimselfwashalfhorse，andthehalfofhimthatwashumanhedividedbetweenloveofhisfleetracersandhisdaughterLucy。HehadseenyearsofhardridingonthatwildUtahborderwhere，inthosedays，ahorsemeantalltheworldtoaman。AluckystrikeofgrassyuplandandgoodwatersouthoftheRioColoradomadehimrichinallthathecaredtoown。TheIndians，yetunspoiledbywhitemen，werefriendly。BostilbuiltaboatattheIndiancrossingoftheColoradoandtheplacebecameknownasBostil\'sFord。Fromtimetotimehispersonalityandhisreputationandhisneedbroughthorse-hunters，riders，sheep-herders，andmenofpioneerspirit，aswellaswanderingdeserttravelers，totheFord，andthelonely，isolatedhamletslowlygrew。Northoftheriveritwasmorethantwohundredmilestothenearestlittlesettlement，withonlyafewlonelyranchesontheroad；tothewestwereseveralvillages，equallydistant，butcutofffortwomonthsatatimebytheragingColorado，floodedbymeltingsnowupinthemountains。
EastwardfromtheFordstretchedaghastly，broken，unknowndesertofcanyons。
Southwardrolledthebeautifuluplands，withvalleysofsageandgrass，andplateausofpineandcedar，untilthisrichrollinggrayandgreenrangebrokesharplyonapurplehorizonlineofupflungrockyrampartsandwallsandmonuments，wild，dim，andmysterious。
Bostil\'scattleandhorseswerenumberless，andmanyaswerehisriders，healwayscouldusemore。ButmostridersdidnotabidelongwithBostil，firstbecausesomeofthemwereofawanderingbreed，wild-horsehuntersthemselves；
andsecondly，Bostilhadtwogreatfaults:heseldompaidariderinmoney，andheneverpermittedonetoownafleethorse。Hewantedtoownallthefasthorseshimself。Andinthosedayseveryrider，especiallyawild-horsehunter，lovedhissteedaspartofhimself。IftherewasadifferencebetweenBostilandanyriderofthesage，itwasthat，ashehadmorehorses，sohehadmorelove。
WheneverBostilcouldnotgetpossessionofahorsehecoveted，eitherbypurchaseortrade，heinvariablyacquiredagrievancetowardtheowner。Thishappenedoften，forriderswereloathtopartwiththeirfavorites。Andhehadmademorethanoneenemybyhispersistentnagging。Itcouldnotbesaid，however，thathesoughttodrivehardbargains。Bostilwouldpayanypriceaskedforahorse。
AcrosstheColorado，inahigh，red-walledcanyonopeningupontheriver，livedapoorsheep-herderandhorse-tradernamedCreech。Thismanownedanumberofthoroughbreds，twoofwhichhewouldnotpartwithforallthegoldintheuplands。Theseracers，BlueRoanandPeg，hadbeencapturedwildontherangesbyUteIndiansandbrokentoracing。Theywerestillyoungandgettingfastereveryyear。Bostilwantedthembecausehecovetedthemandbecausehefearedthem。Itwouldhavebeenaterribleblowtohimifanyhorseeverbeatthegray。ButCreechlaughedatalloffersandtauntedBostilwithaboastthatinanothersummerhewouldseeahorseoutinfrontoftheKing。
TocomplicatemattersandleadrivalryintohatredyoungJoelCreech，agreathorseman，butworthlessintheeyesofallsavehisfather，hadbeenheardtosaythatsomedayhewouldforcearacebetweentheKingandBlueRoan。Andthatthreathadbeentakeninvariousways。ItalienatedBostilbeyondallhopeofreconciliation。ItmadeLucyBostillaughandlooksweetlymysterious。
Shehadnoenemiesandshelikedeverybody。ItwasevengossipedbythewomenofBostil\'sFordthatshehadmorethanlikingfortheidleJoel。ButthehusbandsofthesegossipssaidLucywasonlytender-hearted。Amongtheriders，whentheysataroundtheirlonelycamp-fires，orloungedatthecorralsoftheFord，therewasspeculationinregardtothisracehintedbyJoelCreech。
ThereneverhadbeenaracebetweentheKingandBlueRoan，andthereneverwouldbe，unlessJoelweretorideoffwithLucy。Inthatcasetherewouldbethegrandestraceeverrunontheuplands，withtheoddsagainstBlueRoanonlyifhecarrieddouble。IfJoelputLucyupontheRoanandherodePegtherewouldbeanotherstory。LucyBostilwasaslipofagirl，bornonahorse，asstrongandsuppleasanIndian，andshecouldridelikeaburrstickinginahorse\'smane。WithBlueRoancarryingherlightweightshemightrunawayfromanyoneupontheKing——whichforBostilwouldbeadoubletragedy，equallyinthelossofhisdaughterandthebeatingofhisbest-belovedracer。ButwithJoelonPeg，sucharacewouldendinheartbreakforallconcerned，fortheKingwouldoutrunPeg，andthatwouldbringriderswithingunshot。
Ithadalwaysbeenafascinatingsubject，thislong-looked-forrace。ItgrewmoresowhenJoel\'sinfatuationforLucybecameknown。TherewerefewerriderswhobelievedLucymightelopewithJoelthantherewerewhobelievedJoelmightstealhisfather\'shorses。Butalltheriderswholovedhorsesandallthewomenwholovedgossipwereunitedinatleastonething，andthatwasthatsomethinglikearaceoraromancewouldsoondisruptthepeaceful，sleepytenorofBostil\'sFord。
InadditiontoBostil\'sgrowinghatredfortheCreeches，hehadagreatfearofCordts，thehorse-thief。Afeareverrestless，everwatchful。Cordtshidbackintheuntroddenways。Hehadsecretfriendsamongtheridersoftheranges，faithfulfollowersbackinthecanyoncamps，goldforthedigging，cattlebythethousand，andfasthorses。Hehadalwaysgottenwhathewanted——exceptonething。Thatwasacertainhorse。AndthehorsewasSageKing。
Cordtswasabadman，aproductoftheearlygold-fieldsofCaliforniaandIdaho，anoutcastfromthatevilwaveofwanderersretreatingbackoverthetrailssomadlytraveledwestward。Hebecamealordoverthefreeranges。Butmorethanallelsehewasarider。Heknewahorse。HewasasmuchhorseasBostil。Cordtsrodeintothiswildfree-rangecountry，wherehehadbeen，heardtosaythatahorse-thiefwasmeanerthanapoisonedcoyote。
Nevertheless，hebecameahorse-thief。ThepassionhehadconceivedfortheSageKingwasthepassionofamanforanunattainablewoman。Cordtssworethathewouldneverrest，thathewouldnotdie，tillheownedtheKing。SotherewasreasonforBostil\'sgreatfear。
CHAPTERII
Bostilwenttowardthehousewithhisdaughter，turningatthedoortocallalastwordtohisridersaboutthecareofhishorses。
Thehousewasalow，flat，widestructure，withacorridorrunningthroughthemiddle，fromwhichdoorsledintotheadobe-walledrooms。Thewindowsweresmallopeningshighup，evidentlyintendedfordefenseaswellaslight，andtheyhadrudewoodenshutters。Thefloorwasclay，coveredeverywherebyIndianblankets。Apioneer\'shomeitwas，simpleandcrude，yetcomfortable，andhavingtherarequalitypeculiartodeserthomesitwascoolinsummerandwarminwinter。
AsBostilenteredwithhisarmroundLucyabighoundrosefromthehearth。
Thisroomwasimmense，runningthelengthofthehouse，anditcontainedahugestonefireplace，whereakettlesmokedfragrantly，andrudehome-madechairswithblanketcoverings，andtablestomatch，andwallscoveredwithbridles，guns，pistols，Indianweaponsandornaments，andtrophiesofthechase。Inafarcornerstoodawork-bench，withtoolsuponitandhorsetrappingsunderit。Intheoppositecomeradoorledintothekitchen。ThisroomwasBostil\'sfamousliving-room，inwhichmanythingshadhappened，someofwhichhadhelpedmakedeserthistoryandwerenevermentionedbyBostil。
Bostil\'ssistercameinfromthekitchen。Shewasahugepersonwithasevereyetmotherlyface。Shehadherhandsonherhips，andshecastaratherdisapprovingglanceatfatheranddaughter。
"Soyou\'rebackagain？"shequeried，severely。
"Sure，Auntie，"repliedthegirl，complacently。
"YouranofftogetoutofseeingWetherby，didn\'tyou？"
Lucystaredsweetlyatheraunt。
"Hewaswaitingforhours，"wentontheworthywoman。"Ineversawamaninsuchastew。Nowonder，playingfastandloosewithhimthewayyoudo。"
"ItoldhimNo!"flashedLucy。
"ButWetherby\'snotthekindtotakeno。AndI\'mnotsatisfiedtoletyoumeanit。LucyBostil，youdon\'tknowyourmindanhourstraightrunning。You\'vefooledenoughwiththeseridersofyourDad\'s。Ifyou\'renotcarefulyou\'llmarryoneofthem。Oneofthesewildriders!AsbadasaUteIndian!。Wetherbyisyoungandheidolizesyou。Inallcommonsensewhydon\'tyoutakehim？"
"Idon\'tcareforhim，"repliedLucy。
"Youlikehimaswellasanybody。JohnBostil，whatdoyousay？YouapprovedofWetherby。IheardyoutellhimLucywaslikeanunbrokencoltandthatyou\'d——"
"Sure，IlikeJim，"interruptedBostil；andheavoidedLucy\'sswiftlook。
"Well？"demandedhissister。
EvidentlyBostilfoundhimselfinacornerbetweentwofires。Helookedsheepish，thendisgusted。
"Dad!"exclaimedLucy，reproachfully。
"Seehere，Jane，"saidBostil，withanairoffinality，"thegirlisofageto-day——an\'shecandowhatshedamnpleases!"
"That\'safinethingforyoutosay，"retortedAuntJane。"Likeasnotshe\'llbefetchingthathang-dogJoelCreechuphereforyoutosupport。"
"Auntie!"criedLucy，hereyesblazing。
"Oh，child，youtormentme——worrymeso，"saidthedisappointedwoman。"It\'sallforyoursake。Lookatyou，LucyBostil!Agirlofeighteenwhocomesofafamily!Andyouridingaroundandgoingaroundasyouarenow——inaman\'sclothes!"
"But，youdearoldgoose，Ican\'trideinawoman\'sskirt，"expostulatedLucy。
"Mindyou，Auntie，IcanRIDE!"
"Lucy，ifIlivehereforeverI\'dnevergetreconciledtoaBostilwomaninleatherpants。WeBostilsweresomebodyonce，backinMissouri。"
Bostillaughed。"Yes，an\'ifIhadn\'thitthetrailwestwe\'dbestarvin\'yet。
Jane，you\'reasentimentaloldfool。Letthegirlalonean\'reconcileyourselftothiswilderness。"
AuntJane\'seyeswerewetwithtears。Lucy，seeingthem，rantoherandhuggedandkissedher。
"Auntie，Iwillpromise——fromto-day——tohavesomedignity。I\'vebeenfreeasaboyintheseriderclothes。AsIamnowthemenneverseemtoregardmeasagirl。Somehowthat\'sbetter。Ican\'texplain，butIlikeit。Mydressesarewhathavecausedallthetrouble。Iknowthat。ButifI\'mgrownup——ifit\'ssotremendous——thenI\'llwearadressallthetime，exceptjustWHENIride。
Willthatdo，Auntie？"
"Maybeyouwillgrowup，afterall，"repliedAuntJane，evidentlysurprisedandpleased。
ThenLucywithclinkingspursranawaytoherroom。
"Jane，what\'sthisnonsenseaboutyoungJoelCreech？"askedBostil，gruffly。
"Idon\'tknowanymorethanisgossiped。ThatItoldyou。HaveyoueveraskedLucyabouthim？"
"Isurehaven\'t，"saidBostil，bluntly。
"Well，askher。Ifshetellsyouatallshe\'lltellthetruth。Lucy\'dneversleepatnightifshelied。"
AuntJanereturnedtoherhousewifelytasks，leavingBostilthoughtfullystrokingthehoundandwatchingthefire。PresentlyLucyreturned——adifferentLucy——onethatdidnotrousehisrider\'spride，butthrilledhisfather\'sheart。Shehadbeenaslim，lithe，supple，disheveledboy，breathingthewildspiritoftheopenandthehorsesherode。Shewasnowagirlinthegracefulroundnessofherslenderform，withhairthegoldofthesageatsunset，andeyestheblueofthedeephazeofdistance，andlipsthesweetredoftheuplandrose。Andallaboutherseemeddifferent。
"Lucy——youlook——like——likesheusedtobe，"saidBostil，unsteadily。
"Mymother!"murmuredLucy。
Butthesetwo，sokeen，sostrong，soalive，didnotabidelongwithsadmemories。
"Lucy，Iwanttoaskyousomethin\'，"saidBostil，presently。"WhataboutthisyoungJoelCreech？"
Lucystartedasifsuddenlyrecalled，thenshelaughedmerrily。"Dad，youoldfox，didyouseehimrideoutafterme？"
"No。Iwasjustaskin\'on——ongeneralprinciples。"
"Whatdoyoumean？"
"Lucy，isthereanythin\'betweenyouan\'Joel？"heasked，gravely。
"No，"shereplied，withhercleareyesuptohis。
Bostilthoughtofabluebell。"I\'mbeggin\'yourpardon，"hesaid，hastily。
"Dad，youknowhowJoelrunsafterme。I\'vetoldyou。Ilethimtilllately。I
likedhim。Butthatwasn\'twhy。Ifeltsorryforhim——pitiedhim。"
"Youdid？Seemsanawfulwaste，"repliedBostil。
"Dad，Idon\'tbelieveJoelis——perfectlyrightinhismind，"Lucysaid，solemnly。
"Haw!haw!Finecomplimentsyou\'repayin\'yourself。"
"Listen。I\'mserious。ImeanI\'vegrowntosee——lookingback——thataslow，gradualchangehascomeoverJoelsincehewaskickedintheheadbyamustang。I\'msurenooneelsehasnoticedit。"
"Goin\'battyoveryou。That\'snounusualsignroundthisherecamp。Lookat——"
"We\'retalkingaboutJoelCreech。Latelyhehasdonesomequeerthings。
To-day，forinstance。IthoughtIgavehimtheslip。Buthemusthavebeenwatching。Anyway，tomysurpriseheshoweduponPeg。Hedoesn\'toftengetPegacrosstheriver。Hesaidthefeedwasgettingscarceoverthere。IwasdyingtoraceBucklesagainstPeg，butIrememberedyouwouldn\'tlikethat。"
"Ishouldsaynot，"saidBostil，darkly。
"Well，Joelcaughtuptome——andhewasn\'tniceatall。Hewasworseto-day。
Wequarreled。IsaidI\'dbethe\'dneverfollowmeagainandhesaidhe\'dbethewould。Thenhegotsulkyandhungback。Irodeaway，gladtoberidofhim，andIclimbedtoafavoriteplaceofmine。OnmywayhomeIsawPeggrazingontherimofthecreek，nearthatbigspring-holewherethewater\'ssodeepandclear。Andwhatdoyouthink？TherewasJoel\'sheadabovethewater。I
rememberedinourquarrelIhadtoldhimtogowashhisdirtyface。Hewasdoingit。Ihadtolaugh。Whenhesawme——he——then——thenhe——"Lucyfaltered，blushingwithangerandshame。
"Well，whatthen？"demandedBostil，quietly。
"Hecalled，\'Hey，Luce——takeoffyourclothesandcomeinforaswim!\'"
Bostilswore。
"ItellyouIwasmad，"continuedLucy，"andjustassurprised。Thatwasoneofthequeerthings。Butneverbeforehadhedaredto——to-"
"Insultyou。Thenwhat\'dyoudo？"interruptedBostil，curiously。
"Iyelled，\'I\'llfixyou，JoelCreech!\'。Hisclotheswereinapileonthebank。AtfirstIthoughtI\'dthrowtheminthewater，butwhenIgottothemI
thoughtofsomethingbetter。Itookupallbuthisshoes，forIrememberedthetenmilesofrockandcactusbetweenhimandhome，andIclimbeduponBuckles。Joelscreamedandsworesomethingfearful。ButIdidn\'tlookback。
AndPeg，youknow——maybeyoudon\'tknow——butPegisfondofme，andhefollowedme，straddlinghisbridleallthewayin。IdroppedJoel\'sclothesdowntheridgeaways，rightinthetrail，sohecan\'tmissthem。Andthat\'sall。Dad，wasit——wasitverybad？"
"Bad!Why，yououghttohavethrownyourgunonhim。Atleastbouncedarockoffhishead!Butsay，Lucy，afterall，maybeyou\'vedoneenough。Iguessyouneverthoughtofit。"
"What？"
"Thesunishotto-day。Hot!An\'ifJoel\'sascrazyan\'madasyousayhe\'llnothavesenseenoughtostayinthewaterorshadetillthesun\'sgonedown。
An\'ifhetacklesthattenmilesbeforehe\'llsunburnhimselfwithinaninchofhislife。"
"Sunburn？Oh，Dad!I\'msorry，"burstoutLucy，contritely。"Ineverthoughtofthat。I\'llridebackwithhisclothes。"
"Youwillnot，"saidBostil。
"Letmesendsomeone，then，"sheentreated。
"Girl，haven\'tyouthenervetoplayyourowngame？LetCreechgethislesson。
Hedeservesit。An\'now，Lucy，I\'vetwomorequestionstoask。"
"Onlytwo？"shequeried，archly。"Dad，don\'tscoldmewithquestions。"
"WhatshallIsaytoWetherbyforgoodan\'all？"
Lucy\'seyesshadeddreamily，andsheseemedtolookbeyondtheroom，outovertheranges。
"TellhimtogobacktoDurangoandforgetthefoolishgirlwhocancareonlyforthedesertandahorse。"
"Allright。Thatisstraighttalk，likeanIndian\'s。An\'nowthelastquestion——whatdoyouwantforabirthdaypresent？"
"Oh，ofcourse，"shecried，gleefullyclappingherhands。I\'dforgottenthat。
I\'meighteen!"
"Yougetthatoldchestofyourmother\'s。Butwhatfromme？"
"Dad，willyougivemeanythingIaskfor？"
"Yes，mygirl。"
"Anything——anyHORSE？"
Lucyknewhisweakness，forshehadinheritedit。
"Sure；anyhorsebuttheKing。"
"HowaboutSarchedon？"
"Why，Lucy，what\'dyoudowiththatbigblackdevil？He\'stoohigh。Seventeenhandshigh!Youcouldn\'tmounthim。"
"Pooh!SarchKNEELSforme。"
"Child，listentoreason。Sarchwouldpullyourarmsoutoftheirsockets。"
"Hehasgotanironjaw，"agreedLucy。"Well，then——howaboutDustyBen？"Shewastormentingherfatherandshediditwithglee。
"No——notBen。He\'sthefaithfulesthossIeverowned。Itwouldn\'tbefairtopartwithhim，eventoyou。Oldassociationsarider\'sloyalty
now，Lucy，youknow——"
"Dad，you\'reafraidI\'dtrainandloveBenintobeatingtheKing。SomedayI\'llridesomehorseoutinfrontofthegray。Remember，Dad!ThengivemeTwoFace。"
"Surenother，Lucy。Thetmarecan\'tbetrusted。LookwhywenamedherTwoFace。"
"Buckles，then，deargenerousDaddywholongstogivehisgrown-upgirlANYTHING!"
"Lucy，can\'tyoubesatisfiedan\'happywithyourmustangs？You\'vegotadozen。Youcanhaveanyothersontherange。Bucklesain\'tsafeforyoutoride。"
Bostilwasnotablythemostgenerousofmen，thekindestoffathers。Itwasanindicationofhisstrangeobsession，inregardtohorses，thatheneverwouldseethatLucywasteasinghim。Asfarashorseswereconcernedhelackedasenseofhumor。Anythingconnectedwithhishorseswasofintenseinterest。
"I\'ddearlylovetoownPlume，"saidLucy，demurely。
Bostilhadgrownredinthefaceandnowhewasontherack。Themonstrousselfishnessofariderwhohadbeensupremeinhisdaycouldnotbechanged。
"Girl，I——Ithoughtyouhadn\'tnouseforPlume，"hestammered。
"Ihaven\'t——thejade!Shethrewmeonce。I\'veneverforgivenherDad，I\'monlyteasingyou。Don\'tIknowyoucouldn\'tgiveoneofthoseracersaway？
Youcouldn\'t!"
"Lucy，Ireckonyou\'reright，"Bostilburstoutinimmenserelief。
"Dad，I\'llbetifCordtsgetsmeandholdsmeasransomfortheKing——ashe\'sthreatened——you\'lllethimhaveme!"
"Lucy，nowthetain\'tfunny!"complainedthefather。
"DearDad，keepyouroldracers!But，remember，I\'mmyfather\'sdaughter。I
canloveahorse，too。Oh，ifIevergettheoneIwanttolove!Awildhorse——adesertstallion——pureArabian——brokenrightbyanIndian!IfIevergethim，Dad，youlookout!ForI\'llrunawayfromSarchandBen——andI\'llbeattheKing!"
ThehamletofBostil\'sFordhadasingularsituation，though，consideringthewonderfulnatureofthatdesertcountry，itwasnotexceptional。ItlayundertheprotectingredbluffthatonlyLucyBostilcaredtoclimb。Ahard-troddenroadwounddownthroughroughbreaksinthecanyonwalltotheriver。Bostil\'shouse，attheheadofthevillage，lookedintheoppositedirection，downthesageslopethatwidenedlikeacolossalfan。Therewasonewidestreetborderedbycottonwoodsandcabins，andanumberofgardensandorchards，beginningtoburstintogreenandpinkandwhite。Abrookranoutofaravineinthehugebluff，andfromthisledirrigationditches。Theredearthseemedtoblossomatthetouchofwater。
TheplaceresembledanIndianencampment——quiet，sleepy，colorful，withthetiny-streamsofwaterrunningeverywhere，andlazycolumnsofbluewood-smokerising。Bostil\'sFordwastheoppositeofabusyvillage，yetitsfewinhabitants，asawhole，wereprosperous。Thewantsofpioneerswerefew。
Perhapsonceamonththebig，clumsyflatboatwasrowedacrosstheriverwithhorsesorcattleorsheep。Andtheseasonwasnowcloseathandwhenforweeks，sometimesmonths，theriverwasunfordable。Therewereascoreofpermanentfamilies，ahostofmerry，sturdychildren，anumberofidleyoungmen，andonlyonegirl——LucyBostil。Butthevillagealwayshadtransientinhabitants——friendlyUtesandNavajosintotrade，andsheep-herderswithascraggy，woollyflock，andtravelersofthestrangereligioussectidentifiedwithUtahgoingonintothewilderness。Thentherewerealwaysriderspassingtoandfro，andsometimesunknownonesregardedwithcaution。Horse-thievessometimesboldlyrodein，andsometimeswereabletosellortrade。Inthematterofhorse-dealingBostil\'sFordwasasboldasthethieves。
OldBrackton，amanofvariedWesternexperience，kepttheonestore，whichwastavern，trading-post，freighter\'sheadquarters，blacksmith\'sshop，andanythingelseneedful。Bracktonemployedriders，teamsters，sometimesIndians，tofreightsuppliesinonceamonthfromDurango。Andthatwasovertwohundredmilesaway。Sometimesthesuppliesdidnotarriveontime——occasionallynotatall。Newsfromtheoutsideworld，exceptthatelicitedfromthetaciturntravelersmarchingintoUtah，driftedinatintervals。Butitwasnotmissed。
Thesewildernessspiritsweretheforerunnersofagreat，movement，andassuchwerebig，strong，stern，sufficientuntothemselves。Lifetherewasmadepossiblebyhorses。Thedistantfuture，thatlookedbrighttofar-seeingmen，mustbeandcouldonlybefulfilledthroughtheenduranceandfaithfulnessofhorses。Andthen，fromthesemen，horsesreceivedthemeedduethem，andthelovetheyweretrulyworth。TheNavajowasanomadhorseman，anArabofthePaintedDesert，andtheUteIndianwasclosetohim。Itwastheywhodevelopedthewhiteridersoftheuplandsaswellasthewild-horsewranglerorhunter。
Brackton\'sramshackleestablishmentstooddownattheendofthevillagestreet。Therewasnotasawedboardinallthatstructure，andsomeofthepinelogsshowedhowtheyhadbeendroppedfromthebluff。Brackton，alittleoldgrayman，withscantbeard，andeyeslikethoseofabird，camebrisklyouttomeetanincomingfreighter。Thewagonwasminusahindwheel，buttheteamsterhadcomeinonthreewheelsandapole。Thesweaty，dust-caked，weary，thin-ribbedmustangs，andthegray-and-red-stainedwagon，andthehugejumbleofdustypacks，showedsomethingofwhatthejourneyhadbeen。
"Hithar，RedWilson，youairsomelategettin\'in，"greetedoldBrackton。
RedWilsonhadredeyesfromfightingtheflyingsand，andreddustpastedinhisscraggybeard，andashegavehisbeltanupwardhitchlittleredcloudsflewfromhisgun-sheath。
"Yep。An\'Ileftawheelan\'partoftheloadonthetrail，"hesaid。
WithhimwereIndianswhobegantounhitchtheteams。RidersloungingintheshadegreetedWilsonandinquiredfornews。Theteamsterrepliedthattravelwasdry，thewater-holesweredry，andhewasdry。Andhisreplygavebothconcernandamusement。
"Onemoretripoutan\'back——thet\'sall，tillitrains，"concludedWilson。
Bracktonledhiminside，evidentlytoalleviatepartofthatdryness。
Waterandgrass，nexttohorses，werethestocksubjectofallriders。
"It\'sgotoncommonhotearly，"saidone。
"Yes，an\'themnortheastwinds——hardthisspring，"saidanother。
"Nosnowontheuplands。"
"Holleyseenadryspellcomin\'。Wal，wecandriftalongwithoutfreighters。
There\'sgrassan\'waterenoughhere，evenifitdoesn\'train。"
"Sure，butthereain\'tnoneacrosstheriver。"
"Neverwas，inearlyseason。An\'iftherewasit\'dbesheepedoff。"
"Creech\'llbefetchin\'hishossesacrosssoon，Ireckon。"
"Youbethewill。He\'strainin\'fortheracesnextmonth。"
"An\'whenairtheycomin\'off？"
"Yougotme。MebbeVanknows。"
Someoneproddedasleepyriderwholayallhissplendidlithelength，hatoverhiseyes。Thenhesatupandblinked，alean-faced，gray-eyedfellow，halfgood-naturedandhalfresentful。
"Didsomebodypunchme？"
"Naw，yougotnightmare!Say，Van，whenwilltheracescomeoff？"
"Huh!An，youwokemeforthet？Bostilsaysinafewweeks，soonashehearsfromtheIndians。PlanstohaveeighthundredIndianshere，an\'thebiggestpursesan\'bestraceseverhadattheFord。"
"You\'llridetheKingagain？"
"Reckonso。ButBostiliskickin\'becauseI\'mheavierthanIwas，"repliedtherider。
"You\'reskinan\'bonesatthet。"
"Mebbeyou\'llneedtoworkalittleoff，Van。SomeonesaidCreech\'sBlueRoanwascomin\'fastthisyear。"
"Bill，yourmindain\'toperatin\'，"repliedVan，scornfully。"Didn\'tIbeatCreech\'shosseslastyearwithouttheKingturnin\'ahair？"
"NotifIrecollect，youdidn\'t。TheBlueRoanwasn\'trunnin\'。"
Thentheyargued，afterthemanneroffriendlyriders，butallearnest，aneloquentintheirconvictions。TheprevailingopinionwasthatCreech\'shorsehadachance，dependinguponconditionandluck。
Theargumentshifteduponthearrivaloftwonew-comers，leadingmustangsandapparentlytalkingtrade。Itwasmanifestthatthesearrivalswerenotloathtogettheopinionsofothers。
"Van，there\'sahoss!"exclaimedone。
"No，heain\'t，"repliedVan。
Andthatdiversejudgmentappearedtobecharacteristicthroughout。ThestrangethingwasthatMacomber，therancher，hadalreadytradedhismustangandmoneytobootforthesorrel。Thedeal，whetherwiseornot，hadbeenconsummated。BracktoncameoutwithRedWilson，andtheyhadtohavetheirsay。
"Wal，durnedifsomeofyoufellersain\'tkindan\'complimentary，"remarkedMacomber，scratchinghishead。"Buttheneveryfellercan\'thavehosssense。"
