第3章

Threewild-horsehuntersmadecamponenightbesidealittlestreamintheSevierValley，fivehundredmiles，asacrowflies，fromBostil\'sFord。

Thesehuntershadapooroutfit，excepting，ofcourse，theirhorses。Theywereyoungmen，rangyinbuild，leanandhardfromlifeinthesaddle，bronzedlikeIndians，still-faced，andkeen-eyed。Twoofthemappearedtobetiredout，andlaggedatthecamp-fireduties。Whenthemeagermealwaspreparedtheysat，cross-legged，beforearaggedtarpaulin，eatinganddrinkinginsilence。

Theskyinthewestwasrosy，slowlydarkening。Thevalleyfloorbillowedaway，ridgedandcut，growinggrayandpurpleanddark。Wallsofstone，pinkwiththelastraysofthesettingsun，inclosedthevalley，stretchingawaytowardalong，low，blackmountainrange。

Theplacewaswild，beautiful，open，withsomethingnamelessthatmadethedesertdifferentfromanyothercountry。Itwas，perhaps，alonelinessofvaststretchesofvalleyandstone，cleartotheeye，evenaftersunset。Thatblackmountainrange，whichlookedcloseenoughtoridetobeforedark，wasahundredmilesdistant。

Theshadesofnightfellswiftly，anditwasdarkbythetimethehuntersfinishedthemeal。Thenthecampfirehadburnedlow。Oneofthethreedraggedbranchesofdeadcedarsandreplenishedthefire。Quicklyitflaredup，withthewhiteflameandcracklecharacteristicofdrycedar。Thenightwindhadrisen，moaningthroughthegnarled，stuntedcedarsnearby，anditblewthefragrantwood-smokeintothefacesofthetwohunters，whoseemedtootiredtomove。

"Ireckonapipewouldhelpmemakeupmymind，"saidone。

"Wal，Bill，"repliedtheother，dryly，"yourmind\'smadeup，elseyou\'dnotsaysmoke。"

"Why？"

"Becausethereain\'tthreepipefulsofthetprecioustobaccoleft。"

"Thet\'soneapiece，then。Lin，comean\'smokethelastpipewithus。"

Thetallestofthethree，hewhohadbroughtthefirewood，stoodinthebrightlightoftheblaze。Helookedthebornrider，light，lithe，powerful。

"Sure，I\'llsmoke，"hereplied。

Then，presently，heacceptedthepipetenderedhim，and，sittingdownbesidethefire，hecomposedhimselftotheenjoymentwhichhiscompanionsevidentlyconsideredworthyofadecisiontheyhadreached。

"Sothissmokin\'meansyoubothwanttoturnback？"queriedLin，hissharpgazeglancingdarklybrightintheglowofthefire。

"Yep，we\'llturnback。An\'，Lordy!thereliefIfeel!"repliedone。

"We\'vebeenlongcomin\'toit，Lin，an\'thetwasforyoursake，"repliedtheother。

Linslowlypulledathispipeandblewoutthesmokeasifreluctanttopartwithit。"Let\'sgoon，"hesaid，quietly。

"No。I\'vehadallIwantofchasin\'thetdamnwildstallion，"returnedBill，shortly。

TheotherspreadwidehishandsandbentanexpostulatinglookupontheonecalledLin。"We\'retwohundredmilesout，"hesaid。"There\'sonlyalittleflourleftinthebag。Nocoffee!Onlyalittlesalt!AllthehossesexceptyourbigNaggerareplayedout。We\'realreadyinstrangecountry。An\'youknowwhatwe\'veheerdofthisan\'alltothesouth。It\'sallcanyons，an\'

somewheresdownthereisthetawfulcanyonnoneofourpeopleeverseen。Butwe\'veheerdofit。Anawfulcut-upcountry。"

Hefinishedwithaconvictionthatnoonecouldsayawordagainstthecommonsenseofhisargument。Linwassilent，asifimpressed。

Billraisedastrong，lean，brownhandinaforciblegesture。"Wecan\'tketchWildfire!"

Thatseemedtohim，evidently，amoreconvincingargumentthanhiscomrade\'s。

"Billissureright，ifI\'mwrong，whichIain\'t，"wentontheother。"Lin，we\'vetrailedthetwildstallionforsixweeks。Thet\'sthelongestchaseheeverhad。He\'slefthisoldrange。He\'scutouthisband，an\'leftthem，onebyone。We\'vetriedeverytrickweknowonhim。An\'he\'stoosmartforus。

There\'sahoss!Why，Lin，we\'reallbutgonetothedogschasin\'Wildfire。An\'

nowI\'mdone，an\'I\'mgladofit。"

Therewasanothershortsilence，whichpresentlyBillopenedhislipstobreak。

"Lin，itmakesmesicktoquit。Iain\'tdenyin\'thetforalongtimeI\'vehadhopesofketchin\'Wildfire。He\'sthegrandesthossIeverlaideyeson。I

reckonnoman，onlesshewasanArab，everseenasgoodaone。Butnow，thet\'sneitherherenorthere。We\'vegottohitthebacktrail。"

"Boys，IreckonI\'llsticktoWildfire\'stracks，"saidLin，inthesamequiettone。

Billsworeathim，andtheotherhuntergrewexcitedandconcerned。

"LinSlone，areyougoneplumbcrazyoverthetredhoss？"

"I——reckon，"repliedSlone。Theworkingofhisthroatasheswallowedcouldbeplainlyseenbyhiscompanions。

Billlookedathisallyasiftoconfirmsomesuddenunderstandingbetweenthem。TheytookSlone\'sattitudegravelyandtheywaggedtheirheadsdoubtfully，astheymighthavedonehadSlonejustacquaintedthemwithahopelessanddeathlesspassionforawoman。Itwassignificantofthenatureofridersthattheyacceptedhisattitudeandhadconsiderationforhisfeelings。Forthemthesituationsubtlychanged。Forweekstheyhadbeenthreewild-horsewranglersonahardchaseafteravaluablestallion。Theyhadfailedtogetevenclosetohim。Theyhadgonetothelimitoftheirenduranceandoftheoutfit，anditwastimetoturnback。ButSlonehadconceivedthatstrangeandrarelongingforahorse——apassionunderstood，ifnotshared，byallriders。AndtheyknewthathewouldcatchWildfireordieintheattempt。

FromthatmomenttheirattitudetowardSlonechangedassubtlyashadcometheknowledgeofhisfeeling。Thegravityandgloomlefttheirfaces。ItseemedtheymighthaveregrettedwhattheyhadsaidaboutthefutilityofcatchingWildfire。TheydidnotwantSlonetoseeorfeelthehopelessnessofhistask。

"Itellyou，Lin，"saidBill，"yourhossNagger\'sasgoodaswhenwestarted。"

"Aw，he\'sbetter，"vouchsafedtheotherrider。"Naggerneededtolosesomeweight。Lin，haveyougotanextrasetofshoesforhim？"

"Nofullset。Onlythreeleft，"repliedLin，soberly。

"Wal，thet\'senough。YoucankeepNaggershod。An\'MEBBEthetredstallionwillgetsorefeetan\'golame。Thenyou\'dstandachance。"

"ButWildfirekeepstravelin\'thevalleys——thesoftground，"saidSlone。

"Nomatter。He\'sleavin\'thecountry，an\'he\'sboundtostrikesandstonesoonerorlater。Then，bygosh!mebbehe\'llwearoffthemhoofs。"

"Say，can\'theringbellsoffentherocks？"exclaimedBill。"Oh，Lordy!whatahoss!"

"Boys，doyouthinkhe\'sleavin\'thecountry？"inquiredSlone，anxiously。

"Sureheis，"repliedBill。"Heain\'tthefirststallionI\'vechasedofftheSevierrange。An\'Iknow。It\'sastallionthetmakesfornewcountry，whenyoupushhimhard。"

"Yep，Lin，he\'ssureleavin\'，"addedtheothercomrade。"Why，he\'straveledabee-linefordays!I\'llbethe\'sseenusmanyatime。Wildfire\'saboutassmartasanyman。Hewasbornwild，an\'hisdamwasbornwild，an\'thereyouhaveit。Thewildestofallwildcreatures——awildstallion，withtheintelligenceofaman!Agrandhoss，Lin，butonethet\'llbehell，ifyoueverketchhim。HehaskilledstallionsallovertheSevierrange。Awildstallionthet\'sakiller!Ineverlikedhimforthet。Couldhebebroke？"

"I\'llbreakhim，"saidLinSlone，grimly。"It\'sgettin\'himthet\'sthejob。

I\'vegotpatiencetobreakahoss。Butpatiencecan\'tcatchastreakoflightnin\'。"

"Nope；you\'reright，"repliedBill。"Ifyouhavesomeluckyou\'llgethim——mebbe。Ifhewearsouthisfeet，orifyoucrowdhimintoanarrowcanyon，orranhimintoabadplacewherehecan\'tgetbyyou。Thetmighthappen。An\'then，withNagger，youstandachance。Didyouevertirethethoss？"

"Notyet。"

"An\'howfurdidyoueverrunhimwithoutabreak？Why，whenweketchedthetsorrellastyearIrodeNaggermyself——thirtymiles，mostatahardgallop。

An\'heneverturnedahair!"

"I\'vebeatthet，"repliedLin。"Hecouldrunhardfiftymiles——mebbemore。

Honestly，Ineverseenhimtiredyet。Ifonlyhewasfast!"

"Wal，Naggerain\'tsodurnedslow，cometothinkofthet，"repliedBill，withagrunt。"He\'sgoodenoughforyounottowantanotherhoss。"

"Lin，you\'regoin\'towearoutWildfire，an\'thentraphimsomehow——isthettheplan？"askedtheothercomrade。

"Ihaven\'tanyplan。I\'lljusttrailhim，likeacougartrailsadeer。"

"Lin，ifWildfiregivesyouthesliphe\'llhavetofly。You\'vegotthebesteyesfortracksofanywranglerinUtah。"

Sloneacceptedthecomplimentwithafleeting，doubtfulsmileonhisdarkface。Hedidnotreply，andnomorewassaidbyhiscomrades。Theyrolledwithbackstothefire。Sloneputonmorewood，forthekeenwindwascoldandcutting；andthenhelaydown，hisheadinhissaddle，withagoatskinunderhimandasaddle-blanketoverhim。

Allthreeweresoonasleep。Thewindwhippedthesandandashesandsmokeoverthesleepers。Coyotesbarkedfromnearindarkness，andfromthevalleyridgecamethefaintmournofahuntingwolf。Thedesertnightgrewdarkerandcolder。

TheStewartbrotherswerewild-horsehuntersforthesakeoftradesandoccasionalsales。ButLinSlonenevertradednorsoldahorsehehadcaptured。

Theexcitementofthegame，andthelureofthedesert，andtheloveofahorsewerewhatkepthimattheprofitlesswork。Histypewasrareintheuplands。

TheseweretheearlydaysofthesettlementofUtah，andonlyafewofthehardiestandmostadventurouspioneershadpenetratedthedesertinthesouthernpartofthatvastupland。AndwiththemcamesomeofthatwildbreedofriderstowhichSloneandtheStewartsbelonged。Horseswerereallymoreimportantandnecessarythanmen；andthissingularfactgavetheselonelyridersacalling。

BeforetheSpaniardscametherewerenohorsesintheWest。Thoseexplorersleftorlosthorsesalloverthesouthwest。ManyofthemwereArabianhorsesofpurestblood。Americanexplorersandtravelers，attheoutsetofthenineteenthcentury，encounteredcountlessdrovesofwildhorsesallovertheplains。AcrosstheGrandCanyon，however，wildhorseswerecomparativelyfewinnumberintheearlydays；andthesehadprobablycomeinbywayofCalifornia。

TheStewartsandSlonehadnoestablishedmodeofcatchingwildhorses。Thegamehadnotdevelopedfastenoughforthat。Everychaseofhorseordrovewasdifferent；andonceinmanyattemptstheymetwithsuccess。

AfavoritemethodoriginatedbytheStewartswastofindawater-holefrequentedbythebandofhorsesorthestallionwanted，andtobuildroundthisholeacorralwithanopeningforthehorsestogetin。Thenthehunterswouldwatchthetrapatnight，andifthehorseswentintodrink，agatewasclosedacrosstheopening。AnothermethodoftheStewartswastotrailacovetedhorseuponamesaorhighland，placeswhichseldomhadmorethanonetrailofascentanddescent，andthereblocktheescape，andcutlinesofcedars，intowhichthequarrywasrantillcaptured。Stillanothermethod，discoveredbyaccident，wastoshootahorselightlyintheneckandstinghim。Thislast，calledcreasing，wasseldomsuccessful，andforthatmatterinanymethodtentimesasmanyhorseswerekilledascaptured。

LinSlonehelpedtheStewartsintheirownway，buthehadnoespeciallikingfortheirtricks。PerhapsafewremarkablecapturesofremarkablehorseshadspoiledSlone。Hewasalwaystryingwhatthebrothersclaimedtobeimpossible。Hewasafearlessrider，buthehadthefaultofsavinghismount，andtokillawildhorsewasatragedyforhim。Hewouldmuchratherhavehuntedalone，andhehadbeenaloneonthetrailofthestallionWildfirewhentheStewartshadjoinedhim。

LinSloneawokenextmorningandrolledoutofhisblanketathisusualearlyhour。Buthewasnotearlyenoughtosaygood-bytotheStewarts。Theyweregone。

Thefactsurprisedhimandsomehowrelievedhim。Theyhadlefthimmorethanhisshareoftheoutfit，andperhapsthatwaswhytheyhadslippedoffbeforedawn。Theyknewhimwellenoughtoknowthathewouldnothaveacceptedit。

Besides，perhapstheyfeltalittlehumiliationatabandoningachasewhichhechosetokeepup。Anyway，theyweregone，apparentlywithoutbreakfast。

Themorningwasclear，cool，withtheairdarklikethatbeforeastorm，andintheeast，overthesteelywallofstone，shonearednessgrowingbrighter。

Slonelookedawaytothewest，downthetrailtakenbyhiscomrades，buthesawnothingmovingagainstthatcedar-dottedwaste。

"Good-by，"hesaid，andhespokeasifhewassayinggood-bytomorethancomrades。

"IreckonIwon\'tseeSevierVillagesoonagain——an\'maybenever，"hesoliloquized。

Therewasnoonetoregrethim，unlessitwasoldMotherHall，whohadbeenkindtohimonthoserareoccasionswhenhegotoutofthewilderness。Still，itwaswithregretthathegazedawayacrosstheredvalleytothewest。Slonehadnohome。Hisfatherandmotherhadbeenlostinthemassacreofawagon-trainbyIndians，andhehadbeenoneofthefewsavedandbroughttoSaltLake。Thathadhappenedwhenhewastenyearsold。Hislifethereafterhadbeenhard，andbutforhissturdyTexastraininghemightnothavesurvived。Thelastfiveyearshehadbeenahorse-hunterinthewilduplandsofNevadaandUtah。

Sloneturnedhisattentiontothepackofsupplies。TheStewartshaddividedtheflourandtheparchedcornequally，andunlesshewasgreatlymistakentheyhadlefthimmostofthecoffeeandallofthesalt。

"NowIholdthatdecentofBillan\'Abe，"saidSlone，regretfully。"ButI

couldhavegotalongwithoutitbetter\'ntheycould。"

Thenheswiftlysetaboutkindlingafireandgettingameal。Inthemidstofhistaskasuddenruddybrightnessfellaroundhim。LinSlonepausedinhisworktolookup。

Thesunhadrisenovertheeasternwall。

"Ah!"hesaid，anddrewadeepbreath。

Thecold，steely，darklingsweepofdeserthadbeentransformed。Itwasnowaworldofredearthandgoldrocksandpurplesage，witheverywheretheendlessstragglinggreencedars。Abreezewhippedin，makingthefireroarsoftly。Thesunfeltwarmonhischeek。Andatthemomentheheardthewhistleofhishorse。

"GoodoldNagger!"hesaid。"Ishorewon\'thavetotrackyouthismornin\'。"

PresentlyhewentoffintothecedarstofindNaggerandthemustangthatheusedtocarryapack。Naggerwasgrazinginalittleopenpatchamongthetrees，butthepack-horsewasmissing。Sloneseemedtoknowinwhatdirectiontogotofindthetrail，forhecameuponitverysoon。Thepack-horseworehobbles，buthebelongedtotheclassthatcouldcoveragreatdealofgroundwhenhobbled。Slonedidnotexpectthehorsetogofar，consideringthatthegrassthereaboutswasgood。Butinawild-horsecountryitwasnotsafetogiveanyhorseachance。Thecallofhiswildbrethrenwasirresistible。

Slone，however，foundthemustangstandingquietlyinaclumpofcedars，and，removingthehobbles，hemountedandrodebacktocamp。Naggercaughtsightofhimandcameathiscall。

ThishorseNaggerappearedasuniqueinhisclassasSlonewasrareamongriders。Naggerseemedofseveralcolors，thoughblackpredominated。Hiscoatwasshaggy，almostwoolly，likethatofasheep。Hewashuge，raw-boned，knotty，longofbodyandlongofleg，withtheheadofawarcharger。Hisbuilddidnotsuggestspeed。Thereappearedtobesomethingslowandponderousabouthim，similartoanelephant，withthesamesuggestionofpowerandendurance。Slonediscardedthepack-saddleandbags。Thelatterwerealmostempty。Heropedthetarpaulinonthebackofthemustang，and，makingasmallbundleofhisfewsupplies，hetiedthattothetarpaulin。Hisblanketheusedforasaddle-blanketonNagger。OftheutensilsleftbytheStewartshechoseacoupleofsmallironpans，withlonghandles。Therestheleft。Inhissaddle-bagshehadafewextraahorseshoes，somenails，bulletsforhisrifle，andaknifewithaheavyblade。

"Notarichoutfitforafarcountry，"hemused。Slonenottalkverymuch，andwhenhedidheaddressedNaggerandhimselfsimultaneously。Evidentlyheexpectedalongchase，onefromwhichhewouldnotreturn，andlightashisoutfitwasitwouldgrowtooheavy。

Thenhemountedandrodedownthegradualslope，facingthevalleyandtheblack，bold，flatmountaintothesoutheast。SomefewhundredyardsfromcamphehaltedNaggerandbentoverinthesaddletoscrutinizetheground。

Theclean-cuttrackofahorseshowedinthebare，hardsand。Thehoof-markswerelarge，almostoval，perfectinshape，andmanifestlytheywerebeautifultoLinSlone。Hegazedatthemforalongtime，andthenhelookedacrossthedottedredvalleyupthevastridgysteps，towardtheblackplateauandbeyond。ItwasthelookthatanIndiangivestoastrangecountry。ThenSloneslippedoffthesaddleandknelttoscrutinizethehorsetracks。Alittlesandhadblownintothedepressions，andsomeofitwaswetandsomeofitwasdry。

Hetookhistimeaboutexaminingit，andheeventriedgentlyblowingothersandintothetracks，tocomparethatwithwhatwasalreadythere。FinallyhestoodupandaddressedNagger。

"Reckonwewon\'thavetoarguewithAbean\'Billthismornin\'，"hesaid，withsatisfaction。"Wildfiremadethattrackyesterday，beforesun-up。

ThereuponSloneremountedandputNaggertoatrot。Thepack-horsefollowedwithanalacritythatshowedhehadnodesireforloneliness。

Asstraightasabee-lineWildfirehadleftatraildownintothefloorofthevalley。Hehadnotstoppedtograze，andhehadnotlookedforwater。Slonehadhopedtofindawater-holeinoneofthedeepwashesintheredearth，butiftherehadbeenanywaterthereWildfirewouldhavescentedit。HehadnothadadrinkforthreedaysthatSloneknewof。AndNaggerhadnotdrunkforfortyhours。Slonehadacanvaswater-baghangingoverthepommel，butitwasahabitofhistodenyhimself，asfaraspossible，tillhishorsecoulddrinkalso。LikeanIndian，Sloneateanddrankbutlittle。

Ittookfourhoursofsteadytrottingtoreachthemiddleandbottomofthatwide，flatvalley。Anetworkofwashescutupthewholecenterofit，andtheywereallasdryasbleachedbone。TocrosstheseSlonehadonlytokeepWildfire\'strail。AnditwasproofofNagger\'squalitythathedidnothavetoveerfromthestallion\'scourse。

Itwashotdowninthelowland。Theheatstruckup，reflectedfromthesand。

ButitwasaMarchsun，andnomorethanpleasanttoSlone。Thewindrose，however，andblewdustandsandinthefacesofhorseandrider。Exceptlizards，Slonedidnotseeanylivingthings。

Milesoflowgreasewoodandsparseyellowsageledtothefirstalmostimperceptibleriseofthevalleyflooronthatside。ThedistantcedarsbeckonedtoSlone。Hewasnotpatient，becausehewasonthetrailofWildfire；but，nevertheless。thehoursseemedshort。

Slonehadnopasttothinkabout，andthefutureheldnothingexceptahorse，andsohisthoughtsrevolvedthepossibilitiesconnectedwiththischaseofWildfire。Thechasewashopelessinsuchcountryashewastraversing，andifWildfirechosetoroamaroundvalleyslikethisoneSlonewouldfailutterly。

Butthestallionhadlongagolefthisbandofhorses，andthen，onebyonehisfavoriteconsorts，andnowhewasalone，headedwithunerringinstinctforwild，untrammeledranges。Hehadbeenusedtothepure，coldwaterandthesucculentgrassofthecolddesertuplands。Assuredlyhewouldnottarryinsuchbarrenlandsasthese。

ForSloneanever-presentandgrowingfascinationlayinWildfire\'sclear，sharplydefinedtracks。Itwasasifeveryhoof-marktoldhimsomething。Once，faruptheinterminableascent，hefoundonaridge-toptracksshowingwhereWildfirehadhaltedandturned。

"Ha，Nagger!"criedSlone，exultingly。"Lookthere!He\'sbegunfacin\'about。

He\'swonderin\'ifwe\'restillafterhim。He\'sworried。Butwe\'llkeepoutofsight——adaybehind。"

WhenSlonereachedthecedarsthesunwaslowdowninthewest。Helookedbackacrossthefiftymilesofvalleytothecoloredcliffsandwalls。Heseemedtobeabovethemnow，andthecoolair，withtangofcedarandjuniper，strengthenedtheimpressionthathehadclimbedhigh。

Amileormoreaheadofhimroseagraycliffwithbreaksinitandalineofdarkcedarsorpinyonsonthelevelrims。Hebelievedthesebreakstobethemouthsofcanyons，andsoitturnedout。Wildfire\'strailledintothemouthofanarrowcanyonwithverysteepandhighwalls。Naggersnortedhisperceptionofwater，andthemustangwhistled。Wildfire\'stracksledtoapointunderthewallwhereaspringgushedforth。Thereweremountain-lionanddeertracksalso，aswellasthoseofsmallergame。

Slonemadecamphere。Themustangwastired。ButNagger，upontakingalongdrink，rolledinthegrassasifhehadjustbegunthetrip。Aftereating，Slonetookhisrifleandwentouttolookfordeer。Butthereappearedtobenoneathand。Hecameacrossmanyliontracksandsaw，withapprehension，whereonehadtakenWildfire\'strail。Wildfirehadgrazedupthecanyon，keepingonandon，andhewaslikelytogomilesinanight。SlonereflectedthatassmallaswerehisownchancesofgettingWildfire，theywerestillbetterthanthoseofamountain-lion。Wildfirewasthemostcunningofallanimals——awildstallion；hisspeedandendurancewereincomparable；hisscentaskeenasthoseanimalsthatreliedwhollyuponscenttowarnthemofdanger，andasforsight，itwasSlone\'sbeliefthatnohoofedcreature，exceptthemountain-sheepusedtohighaltitudes，couldseeasfarasawildhorse。

ItbotheredSlonealittlethathewasgettingintoalioncountry。Naggershowednervousness，somethingunusualforhim。Slonetiedbothhorseswithlonghaltersandstationedthemonpatchesofthickgrass。Thenheputacedarstumponthefireandwenttosleep。Uponawakeningandgoingtothespringhewassomewhatchagrinedtoseethatdeerhadcomedowntodrinkearly。

Evidentlytheywerenumerous。Alioncountrywasalwaysadeercountry，forthelionsfollowedthedeer。

Slonewaspackedandsaddledandonhiswaybeforethesunreddenedthecanyonwall。Hewalkedthehorses。FromtimetotimehesawsignsofWildfire\'sconsistentprogress。Thecanyonnarrowedandthewallsgrewlowerandthegrassincreased。Therewasadecidedascentallthetime。SlonecouldfindnoevidencethatthecanyonhadeverbeentraveledbyhuntersorIndians。Thedaywaspleasantandwarmandstill。Everyonceinawhilealittlebreathofwindwouldbringafragranceofcedarandpinyon，andasweethintofpineandsage。Ateveryturnhelookedahead，expectingtoseethegreenofpineandthegrayofsage。Towardthemiddleoftheafternoon，comingtoaplacewhereWildfirehadtakentoatrot，heputNaggertothatgait，andbysundownhadworkeduptowherethecanyonwasonlyashallowravine。Andfinallyitturnedoncemore，toloseitselfinalevelwherestragglingpinesstoodhighabovethecedars，andgreat，dark-greensilversprucesstoodabovethepines。Andherewerepatchesofsage，freshandpungent，andlongreachesofbleachedgrass。Itwastheedgeofaforest。Wildfire\'strailwenton。Slonecameatlengthtoagroupofpines，andherehefoundtheremainsofacamp-fire，andsomeflintarrow-heads。Indianshadbeeninthere，probablyhavingcomefromtheoppositedirectiontoSlone\'s。Thisencouragedhim，forwhereIndianscouldhuntsocouldhe。Soonhewasenteringaforestwherecedarsandpinyonsandpinesbegantogrowthickly。Presentlyhecameuponafaintlydefinedtrail，justadim，darklineeventoanexperiencedeye。Butitwasatrail，andWildfirehadtakenit。

Slonehaltedforthenight。Theairwascold。Andthedampnessofitgavehimanideathereweresnow-bankssomewherenotfardistant。Thedewwasalreadyheavyonthegrass。HehobbledthehorsesandputabellonNagger。Abellmightfrightenlionsthathadneverheardone。Thenhebuiltafireandcookedhismeal。

Ithadbeenlongsincehehadcampedhighupamongthepines。Thesoughofthewindpleasedhim，likemusic。TherehadbeguntobeprospectsofpleasantexperiencealongwiththetoilofchasingWildfire。Hewasenteringnewandstrangeandbeautifulcountry。Howfarmightthechasetakehim？Hedidnotcare。Hewasnotsleepy，butevenifhehadbeenitdevelopedthathemustwaittillthecoyotesceasedtheirbarkingroundhiscamp-fire。Theycamesoclosethathesawtheirgrayshadowsinthegloom。Butpresentlytheyweariedofyelpingathimandwentaway。Afterthatthesilence，brokenonlybythewindasitroaredandlulled，seemedbeautifultoSlone。Helostcompletelythatsenseofvagueregretwhichhadremainedwithhim，andheforgottheStewarts。Andsuddenlyhefeltabsolutelyfree，alone，withnothingbehindtoremember，withwild，thrilling，namelesslifebeforehim。Justthenthelongmournofatimberwolfwailedinwiththewind。Seldomhadheheardthecryofoneofthosenightwanderers。Therewasnothinglikeit——nosoundlikeittofixinthelonecamper\'sheartthegreatsolitudeandthewild。

CHAPTERV

Intheearlymorningwhenallwasgrayandthebig，darkpineswereshadowyspecters，Slonewasawakenedbythecold。Hishandsweresonumbthathehaddifficultystartingafire。Hestoodovertheblaze，warmingthem。Theairwasnipping，clearandthin，andsweetwithfrostyfragrance。

Daylightcamewhilehewasinthemidstofhismorningmeal。Awhitefrostcoveredthegroundandcrackledunderhisfeetashewentouttobringinthehorses。Hesawfreshdeertracks。Thenhewentbacktocampforhisrifle。

Keepingasharplookoutforgame，hecontinuedhissearchforthehorses。

Theforestwasopenandpark-like。Therewerenofallentreesorevidencesoffire。PresentlyhecametoawidegladeinthemidstofwhichNaggerandthepack-mustangweregrazingwithaherdofdeer。ThesizeofthelatteramazedSlone。ThedeerhehadhuntedbackontheSevierrangeweremuchsmallerthanthese。Evidentlytheseweremuledeer，closelyalliedtotheelk。Theyweresotametheystoodfacinghimcuriously，withlongearserect。Itwassheermurdertokilladeerstandingandwatchinglikethat，butSlonewasoutofmeatandhungryandfacingalong，hardtrip。Heshotabuck，whichleapedspasmodicallyaway，tryingtofollowtheherd，andfellattheedgeoftheglade。Slonecutoutahaunch，andthen，catchingthehorses，hereturnedtocamp，wherehepackedandsaddled，andatoncerodeoutonthedimtrail。

Thewildnessofthecountryhewasenteringwasevidentinthefactthatashepassedthegladewherehehadshotthedeerafewminutesbefore，therewerecoyotesquarrelingoverthecarcass。

Stonecouldseeaheadandoneachsideseveralhundredyards，andpresentlyheascertainedthattheforestfloorwasnotsolevelashehadsupposed。Hehadenteredavalleyorwastraversingawide，gentlyslopingpass。Hewentthroughthicketsofjuniper，andhadtogoaroundclumpsofquakingaspen。Thepinesgrewlargerandfartherapart。Cedarsandpinyonshadbeenleftbehind，andhehadmetwithnosilversprucesafterleavingcamp。Probablythatpointwastheheightofadivide。Therewerebanksofsnowinsomeofthehollowsonthenorthside。Evidentlythesnowhadveryrecentlymelted，anditwasevidentalsothatthedepthofsnowthroughherehadbeenfullytenfeet，judgingfromthemutilationofthejuniper-treeswherethedeer，standingonthehard，frozencrust，hadbrowseduponthebranches。

ThequietoftheforestthrilledSlone。Andtheonlymovementwastheoccasionalgrayflashofadeerorcoyoteacrossaglade。NobirdsofanyspeciescrossedStone\'ssight。Hecame，presently，uponaliontrackinthetrail，madeprobablyadaybefore。Slonegrewcuriousaboutit，seeinghowitheld，ashewasholding，toWildfire\'stracks。Afteramileorsohemadesurethelionhadbeentrailingthestallion，andforasecondhefeltacoldcontractionofhisheart。AlreadyhelovedWildfire，andbyvirtueofallthistoiloftravelconsideredthewildhorsehisproperty。

"NolioncouldevergetclosetoWildfire，"hesoliloquized，withashortlaugh。Ofthathewasabsolutelycertain。

Thesunrose，meltingthefrost，andabreathofwarmair，ladenwiththescentofpine，movedheavilyunderthehuge，yellowtrees。Slonepassedapointwheretheremainsofanoldcamp-fireandapileofdeerantlerswerefurtherproofthatIndiansvisitedthisplateautohunt。Fromthiscampbroader，moredeeplydefinedtrailsledawaytothesouthandeast。Slonekepttotheeasttrail，inwhichWildfire\'stracksandthoseofthelionshowedclearly。Itwasaboutthemiddleoftheforenoonwhenthetracksofthestallionandlionleftthetrailtoleadupalittledrawwheregrassgrewthick。Slonefollowed，readingthesignsofWildfire\'sprogress，andtheactionofhispursuer，aswellasifhehadseenthem。Herethestallionhadplowedintoasnow-bank，eatingaholetwofeetdeep；thenhehadgrazedaroundalittle；thenonandon；therehissplendidtracksweredeepinthesoftearth。Sloneknewwhattoexpectwhenthetrackofthelionveeredfromthoseofthehorse，andhefollowedtheliontracks。Thegroundwassoftfromthelatemeltingofsnow，andNaggersunkdeep。Thelionleftaplaintrack。

Herehestolesteadilyalong；thereheleftmanytracksatapointwherehemighthavehaltedtomakesureofhisscent。Hewascirclingonthetrailofthestallion，withcunningintentofambush。Theendofthisslow，carefulstalkofthelion，astoldinhistracks，cameupontheedgeofaknollwherehehadcrouchedtowatchandwait。

Fromthisperchhehadmadeamagnificentspring——Sloneestimatingittobefortyfeet-buthehadmissedthestallion。TherewereWildfire\'stracksagain，slowandshort，andthendeepandsharpwhereintheimpetusoffrighthehadsprungoutofreach。Asecondleapofthelion，andthenlesseningbounds，andfinallyanabruptturnfromWildfire\'strailtoldthefutilityofthatstalk。

SlonemadecertainthatWildfirewassokeenthatashegrazedalonghehadkepttoopenground。

Wildfirehadrunforamile，thensloweddowntoatrot，andhehadcircledtogetbacktothetrailhehadleft。Slonebelievedthehorsewasjustsointelligent。Atanyrate，Wildfirestruckthetrailagain，andturnedatrightanglestofollowit。

Heretheforestfloorappearedperfectlylevel。Patchesofsnowbecamefrequent，andlargerasSlonewenton。Atlengththepatchesclosedup，andsoonextendedasfarashecouldsee。Itwassoft，affordingdifficulttravel。

Slonecrossedhundredsofdeertracks，andthetrailhewasoneventuallybecameadeerrunway。

Presently，fardownoneoftheaislesbetweenthegreatpinesSlonesawwhatappearedtobeayellowcliff，faraway。Itpuzzledhim。Andashewentonhereceivedtheimpressionthattheforestdroppedoutofsightahead。Thenthetreesgrewthicker，obstructinghisview。Presentlythetrailbecamesoggyandhehadtohelphishorse。Themustangflounderedinthesoftsnowandearth。

Cedarsandpinyonsappearedagain，makingtravelstillmorelaborious。

AllatoncetherecametoSloneastrangeconsciousnessoflightandwindandspaceandvoid。Ontheinstanthishorsehaltedwithasnort。Slonequicklylookedup。Hadhecometotheendoftheworld？Anabyss，acanyon，yawnedbeneathhim，beyondallcomparisoninitsgreatness。Hiskeeneye，educatedtodesertdistanceanddimension，sweptdownandacross，takinginthetremendoustruth，beforeitstaggeredhiscomprehension。Butasecondsweepingglance，slower，becomingintoxicatedwithwhatitbeheld，sawgiganticcliff-stepsandyellowslopesdottedwithcedars，leadingdowntocleftsfilledwithpurplesmoke，andtheseledonandontoaraggedredworldofrock，bare，shining，bold，upliftedinmesa，dome，peak，andcrag，clearandstrangeinthemorninglight，stillandsleepinglikedeath。

This，then，wasthegreatcanyon，whichhadseemedlikeahunter\'sfableratherthantruth。Slone\'ssightdimmed，blurringthespectacle，andhefoundthathiseyeshadfilledwithtears。Hewipedthemawayandlookedagainandagain，untilhewasconfoundedbythevastnessandthegrandeurandthevaguesadnessofthescene。Nothinghehadeverlookedathadaffectedhimlikethiscanyon，althoughtheStewartshadtriedtopreparehimforit。

Itwasthehorse-hunter\'spassionthatremindedhimofhispursuit。Thedeertrailleddownthroughabreakinthewall。Onlyafewrodsofitcouldbeseen。Thistrailwaspassable，eventhoughchokedwithsnow。ButthedepthbeyondthiswallseemedtofascinateSloneandholdhimback，usedashewastodeserttrails。ThenthecleanmarkofWildfire\'shoofbroughtbacktheoldthrill。

"Thisplacefitsyou，Wildfire，"mutteredSlone，dismounting。

Hestarteddown，leadingNagger。Themustangfollowed。Slonekepttothewallsideofthetrail，fearingthehorsesmightslip。ThesnowheldfirmlyatfirstandSlonehadnotrouble。Thegapintherim-rockwidenedtoaslopethicklygrownoverwithcedarsandpinyonsandmanzanita。Thisgrowthmadethedescentmorelaborious，yetaffordedmeansatleastforSlonetogodownwithlessdanger。Therewasnostopping。Oncestarted，thehorseshadtokeepon。

Slonesawtheimpossibilityofeverclimbingoutwhilethatsnowwasthere。

Thetrailzigzaggeddownanddown。Verysoontheyellowwallhungtremendouslyoverhim，straightup。Thesnowbecamethinnerandsofter。Thehorsesbegantoslip。Theyslidontheirhaunches。Fortunatelytheslopegrewlesssteep，andSlonecouldseebelowwhereitreachedouttocomparativelylevelground。

Still，amishapmightyetoccur。SlonekeptasclosetoNaggeraspossible，helpinghimwheneverhecoulddoit。Themustangslipped，rolledover，andthenslippedpastSlone，wentdowntheslopetobringupinacedar。Sloneworkeddowntohimandextricatedhim。ThenthehugeNaggerbegantoslide。

Snowandlooserockslidwithhim，andsodidSlone。Thelittleavalanchestoppedofitsownaccord，andthenSlonedraggedNaggerondownanddown，presentlytocometotheendofthesteepdescent。Slonelookeduptoseethathehadmadeshortworkofathousand-footslope。Herecedarsandpinyonsgrewthicklyenoughtomakeaforest。Thesnowthinnedouttopatches，andthenfailed。Butthegoingremainedbadforawhileasthehorsessankdeepinasoftredearth。Thiseventuallygrewmoresolidandfinallydry。Sloneworkedoutofthecedarstowhatappearedagrassyplateauinclosedbythegreatgreen-and-whiteslopewithitsyellowwalloverhanging，anddistantmesasandcliffs。Herehisviewwasrestricted。Hewasdownonthefirstbenchofthegreatcanyon。Andtherewasthedeertrail，awell-wornpathkeepingtotheedgeoftheslope。Slonecametoadeepcutintheearth，andthetrailheadedit，whereitbeganatthelastdescentoftheslope。Itwasthesourceofacanyon。Hecouldlookdowntoseethebare，wornrock，andahundredyardsfromwherehestoodtheearthwaswashedfromitsrimsanditbegantoshowdepthandsomethingofthatraggedoutlinewhichtoldofviolenceofflood。

Thetrailheadedmanycanyonslikethis，allrunningdownacrossthisbench，disappearing，droppinginvisibly。Thetrailswungtotheleftunderthegreatslope，andthenpresentlyitclimbedtoahigherbench。Herewerebrushandgrassandhugepatchesofsage，sopungentthatitstungSlone\'snostrils。

Thenhewentdownagain，thistimetocometoaclearbrooklinedbywillows。

HerethehorsesdranklongandSlonerefreshedhimself。Thesunhadgrownhot。

Therewasfragranceofflowershecouldnotseeandalowmurmurofawaterfallthatwaslikewiseinvisible。Formostofthetimehisviewwasshutoff，butoccasionallyhereachedapointwherethroughsomebreakhesawtowersgleamingredinthesun。Astrangeplace，aplaceofsilence，andsmokyveilsinthedistance。Timepassedswiftly。Towardthewaningoftheafternoonhebegantoclimbtowhatappearedtobeasaddleofland，connectingthecanyonwallontheleftwithagreatplateau，gold-rimmedandpine-fringed，risingmoreandmoreinhiswayasheadvanced。AtsunsetSlonewasmoreshutinthanforseveralhours。Hecouldtellthetimewassunsetbythegoldenlightonthecliffwallagainoverhanginghim。Theslopewasgradualuptothispasstothesaddle，anduponcomingtoaspring，andthefirstpine-trees，hedecidedtohaltforacamp。Themustangwasalmostexhausted。

Thereuponhehobbledthehorsesintheluxuriantgrassroundthespring，andthenunrolledhispack。Onceasduskcamestealingdown，whilehewaseatinghismeal，Naggerwhistledinfright。Slonesawagray，pantherishformglidingawayintotheshadows。Hetookaquickshotatit，butmissed。

"It\'salioncountry，allright，"hesaid。Andthenhesetaboutbuildingabigfireontheothersideofthegrassyplot，sotohavethehorsesbetweenfires。Hecutallthevenisonintothinstrips，andspentanhourroastingthem。Thenhelaydowntorest，andhesaid:"WonderwhereWildfireisto-night？AmIclosertohim？Where\'sheheadin\'for？"

Thenightwaswarmandstill。Itwasblacknearthehugecliff，andoverheadvelvetyblue，withstarsofwhitefire。Itseemedtohimthathehadbecomemorethoughtfulandobservingoftheaspectsofhiswildenvironment，andhefeltawelcomeconsciousnessofloneliness。Thensleepcametohimandthenightseemedshort。Inthegraydawnhearoserefreshed。

Thehorseswererestive。Naggersnortedawelcome。Evidentlytheyhadpassedanuneasynight。Slonefoundliontracksatthespringandinsandyplaces。

Presentlyhewasonhiswayuptothenotchbetweenthegreatwallandtheplateau。Agrowthofthickscrub-oakmadetraveldifficult。Ithadnotappearedfaruptothatsaddle，butitwasfar。Therewerestragglingpine-treesandhugerocksthatobstructedhisgaze。Butonceuphesawthatthesaddlewasonlyanarrowridge，curvedtoslopeuponbothsides。

StraightbeforeSloneandunderhimopenedthecanyon，blazingandgloriousalongthepeaksandramparts，wheretherisingsunstruck，mistyandsmokyandshadowydowninthosemysteriousdepths。

Ittookaneffortnottokeepongazing。ButSloneturnedtothegrimbusinessofhispursuit。ThetrailhesawleadingdownhadbeenmadebyIndians。Itwasusedprobablyonceayearbythem；andalsobywildanimals，anditwasexceedinglysteepandrough。Wildfirehadpacedtoandfroalongthenarrowridgeofthatsaddle，makingmanytracks，beforehehadheadeddownagain。

Sloneimaginedthatthegreatstallionhadbeendauntedbythetremendouschasm，buthadfinallyfacedit，meaningtoputthisobstaclebetweenhimandhispursuers。ItneveroccurredtoSlonetoattributelessintelligencetoWildfirethanthat。So，dismounting，SlonetookNagger\'sbridleandstarteddown。Themustangwiththepackwasreluctant。Hesnortedandwhistledandpawedtheearth。Buthewouldnotbeleftalone，sohefollowed。

Thetrailleddownundercedarsthatfringedaprecipice。Slonewasawareofthiswithoutlooking。Heattendedonlytothetrailandtohishorse。OnlyanIndiancouldhavepickedoutthatcourse，anditwascrueltoputahorsetoit。ButNaggerwaspowerful，sure-footed，andhewouldgoanywherethatSloneledhim。GraduallySloneworkeddownandawayfromthebulgingrim-wall。Itwashard，roughwork，andriskybecauseitcouldnotbeaccomplishedslowly。

Brushandrocks，looseshaleandweatheredslope，long，dustyinclinesofyellowearth，andjumblesofstone——thesemadebadgoingformilesofslow，zigzagtraildownoutofthecedars。Thenthetrailenteredwhatappearedtobearavine。

Thatravinebecameacanyon。Atitsheaditwasadrywash，fullofgravelandrocks。Itbegantocutdeepintothebowelsoftheearth。Itshutoutsightofthesurroundingwallsandpeaks。Waterappearedfromunderacliffand，augmentedbyothersprings，becameabrook。Hot，dry，andbarrenatitsbeginning，thiscleftbecamecoolandshadyandluxuriantwithgrassandflowersandambermosswithsilverblossoms。Therockshadchangedcolorfromyellowtodeepred。Fourhoursofturningandtwisting，endlesslydownanddown，overbouldersandbanksandeveryconceivableroughnessofearthandrock，finishedthepack-mustang；andSlonemercifullylefthiminalongreachofcanyonwheregrassandwaterneverfailed。InthisplaceSlonehaltedforthenoonhour，lettingNaggerhavehisfilloftherichgrazing。Nagger\'sthreedaysingrassyupland，despitethecontinuoustravelbyday，hadimprovedhim。Helookedfat，andSlonehadnotyetcaughtthehorseresting。

Naggerwasirontoendure。HereSloneleftalltheoutfitexceptwhatwasonhissaddle，andthesackcontainingthefewpoundsofmeatandsupplies，andthetwoutensils。Thissackhetiedonthebackofhissaddle，andresumedhisjourney。

PresentlyhecametoaplacewhereWildfirehaddoubledonhistrailandhadturnedupasidecanyon。TheclimboutwashardonSlone，ifnotonNagger。