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"ByG——d——I——got——arope-onhim!"criedSlone，inhoarsepants。
Hestared，unbelieving。Itwasunreal，thatsight——unrealliketheslow，grindingmovementoftheavalancheunderhim。Wildfire\'sheadseemedademonheadofhate。Itreachedout，mouthagape，tobite，torend。Thathorriblescreamcouldnotbethescreamofahorse。
Slonewasawild-horsehunter，arider，andwhenthatsecondofincredulityflashedby，thencamethemomentoftriumph。Nomomentcouldeverequalthatone，whenherealizedhestoodtherewitharopearoundthatgrandstallion\'sneck。Allthedaysandthemilesandthetoilandtheenduranceandthehopelessnessandthehungerwerepaidforinthatmoment。Hisheartseemedtoolargeforhisbreast。
"Itracked——you!"hecried，savagely。"Istayed——withyou!An\'Igotarope——onyou!An\'——I\'llrideyou——youreddevil!"
Thepassionofthemanwasintense。Thatendless，rackingpursuithadbroughtoutallthehardnessthedeserthadengenderedinhim。Almosthate，insteadoflove，spokeinSlone\'swords。Hehauledonthelasso，pullingthestallion\'sheaddownanddown。Theactionwasthelustofcaptureaswellastherider\'sinstinctivemotivetomakethehorsefearhim。Lifewasunquenchablywildandstronginthatstallion；itshowedintheterrorwhichmadehimhideous。Andmanandbeastsomehowresembledeachotherinthatmomentwhichwasinimicaltonoblelife。
Theavalancheslippedwithlittlejerks，asiftreacherouslyloosingitsholdforalongplunge。Thelineoffirebelowateatthebleachedgrassandthelongcolumnofsmokecurledawayonthewind。
Sloneheldthetautlassowithhislefthand，andwiththerightheswungtheotherrope，catchingthenooseroundWildfire\'snose。Thenlettinggoofthefirstropehehauledontheother，pullingtheheadofthestallionfardown。
HandoverhandSloneclosedinonthehorse。HeleapedonWildfire\'shead，presseditdown，and，holdingitdownonthesandwithhisknees，withswiftfingershetiedthenooseinahackamore——animprovisedhalter。Then，justasswiftly，heboundhisscarftightroundWildfire\'shead，blindfoldinghim。
"Allsoeasy!"exclaimedSlone，underhisbreath。"Lord!whowouldbelieveit!。Isitadream？"
Heroseandletthestallionhaveafreehead。
"Wildfire，Igotaropeonyou——an\'ahackamore——an\'ablinder，"saidSlone。
"An\'ifIhadabridleI\'dputthatonyou。Who\'deverbelieveyou\'dcatchyourself，draggin\'inthesand？"
Slone，findinghimselffailingonthesand，grewalivetotheaugmentedmovementoftheavalanche。Ithadbeguntoslide，toheaveandbulgeandcrack。Dustroseincloudsfromallaround。Thesandappearedtoopenandlethimsinktohisknees。Therattleofgravelwasdrownedinasoftroar。Thenheshotdownswiftly，holdingthelassoes，keepinghimselferect，andridingasifinaboat。Hefeltthesuccessivestepsoftheslope，andthenthelonginclinebelow，andthenthecheckingandrisingandspreadingoftheavalancheasitsloweddownonthelevel。Allmovementthenwascheckedviolently。Heappearedtobehalfburiedinsand。Whilehestruggledtoextricatehimselfthethickdustblewawayandsettledsothathecouldsee。Wildfirelaybeforehim，attheedgeoftheslide，andnowhewasnotsodeeplyembeddedashehadbeenupontheslope。Hewasstrugglingandprobablysoonwouldhavebeenabletogetout。Thelineoffirewasclosenow，butSlonedidnotfearthat。
AthisshrillwhistleNaggerboundedtowardhim，obedient，butsnorting，withearslaidback。Hehalted。Asecondwhistlestartedhimagain。Slonefinallydughimselfoutofthesand，pulledthelassoesout，andranthelengthofthemtowardNagger。Theblackshowedbothfearandfight。Hiseyesroiledandhehalfshiedaway。
"Comeon!"calledSlone，harshly。
Hegotahandonthehorse，pulledhimround，and，mountinginaflash，woundbothlassoesroundthepommelofthesaddle。
"Haulhimout，Nagger，oldboy!"criedSlone，andhedugspursintotheblack。
OneplungeofNagger\'sslidthestallionoutofthesand。Snorting，wild，blinded，Wildfiregotup，shakingineverylimb。Hecouldnotseehisenemies。
Theblowingsmoke，rightinhisnose，madescentimpossible。Butinthetautlassoeshesensedthedirectionofhiscaptors。Heplunged，rearingattheendoftheplunge，andstruckoutviciouslywithhishoofs。Slone，quickwithspurandbridle，swervedNaggerasideandWildfire，offhisbalance，wentdownwithacrash。Slonedraggedhim，stretchedhimout，pulledhimovertwicebeforehegotforefeetplanted。Onceup，herearedagain，screechinghisrage，strikingwildlywithhishoofs。Slonewheeledasideandtoppledhimoveragain。
"Wildfire，it\'snofairfight，"hecalled，grimly。"Butyouledmeachase……An\'youlearnrightnowI\'mboss!"
Againhedraggedthestallion。Hewasruthless。Hewouldhavetobeso，stoppingjustshortofmaimingorkillingthehorse，elsehewouldneverbreakhim。ButWildfirewasnimble。Hegottohisfeetandthistimehelungedout。
Nagger，powerfulashewas，couldnotsustainthetremendousshock，andwentdown。Slonesavedhimselfwitharider\'ssuppleskill，fallingclearofthehorse，andheleapedagainintothesaddleasNaggerpoundedup。Naggerbracedhishugeframeandheldtheplungingstallion。Butthesaddleslippedalittle，thecinchescracked。SloneeasedthestrainbywheelingafterWildfire。
Thehorseshadworkedawayfromthefire，andWildfire，freeofthestiflingsmoke，begantobreakandlungeandpitch，plungingroundNaggerinacircle，runningblindly，butwithunerringscent。Slone，bymasterlyhorsemanship，easilyavoidedtherushes，andmadeapivotofNagger，roundwhichthewildhorsedashedinhisfrenzy。Itseemedthathenolongertriedtofreehimself。
Helungedtokill。
"Steady，Nagger，oldboy!"Slonekeptcalling。"He\'llnevergetatyou。
IfheslipsthatblinderI\'llkillhim!"
Thestallionwasafiendinhisfury，quickerthanapanther，wonderfulonhisfeet，andpowerfulasanox。Buthewasatadisadvantage。Hecouldnotsee。
AndSlone，inhisspokenintentiontokillWildfireshouldthescarfslip，acknowledgedthatheneverwouldhaveachancetomasterthestallion。
Wildfirewasbigger，faster，strongerthanSlonehadbelieved，andasforspirit，thatwasagrandandfearfulthingtosee。
ThesoftsandinthepasswasploweddeepbeforeWildfirepausedinhismadplunges。Hewaswetandheaving。Hisredcoatseemedtoblaze。Hismanestoodupandhisearslayflat。
Sloneuncoiledthelassoesfromthepommelandslackedthemalittle。Wildfirestoodup，strikingattheair，snortingfiercely。SlonetriedtowheelNaggerinclosebehindthestallion。Bothhorseandmannarrowlyescapedthevicioushoofs。ButSlonehadclosedin。HetookadesperatechanceandspurredNaggerinasingleleapasWildfirerearedagain。Thehorsescollided。Slonehauledthelassoestight。TheimpactthrewWildfireoffhisbalance，justasSlonehadcalculated，andasthestallionplungeddownonfourfeetSlonespurredNaggercloseagainsthim。Wildfirewasalittleinthelead。Hecouldonlyhalfrearnow，fortheheaving，movingNagger，alwaysagainsthim，jostledhimdown，andSlone\'sironarmhauledontheshortropes。WhenWildfireturnedtobite，Sloneknockedtheviciousnosebackwithalongswingofhisfist。
Upthepassthehorsesplunged。Witharider\'swildjoySlonesawthelonggreen-and-grayvalley，andtheisolatedmonumentsinthedistance。There，onthatwidestretch，hewouldbreakWildfire。Howmarvelouslyluckhadfavoredhimatthelast!
"Run，youreddevil!"Slonecalled。"Dragusaroundnowtillyou\'redone!"
Theyleftthepassandsweptoutuponthewasteofsage。Slonerealized，fromthestingingofthesweetwindinhisface，thatNaggerwasbeingpulledalongatatremendouspace。Thefaithfulblackcouldneverhavemadethewindcutso。Lowerthewildstallionstretchedandswifterheran，tillitseemedtoSlonethatdeathmustendthatthunderboltrace。
CHAPTERVIII
LucyBostilhadcalledtwicetoherfatherandhehadnotanswered。Hewasoutatthehitching-rail，withHolley，therider，andtwoothermen。IfheheardLucyhegavenosignofit。Shehadonherchapsanddidnotcaretogoanyfartherthanthedoorwhereshestood。
"SomershasgonetoDurangoan\'Shugrueisouthuntin\'hosses，"LucyheardBostilsay，gruffly。
"Walnow，IreckonIcouldhandletheboatan\'fetchCreech\'shossesover，"
saidHolley。
Bostilraisedanimpatienthand，asiftowaveasideHolley\'sassumption。
Thenoneoftheothertwomenspokeup。Lucyhadseenhimbefore，butdidnotknowhisname。
"Surethereain\'tanyneedtorustlethejob。Theriverhain\'tshowedanysignsofrisin\'yet。ButCreechisworryin\'。Heallusisworryin\'overthemhosses。Nowonder!ThetBlueRoanissureahoss。YesterdayattwomilesheshowedCreechhewasasightfasterthanlastyear。Thegrassisgoneoverthere。Creechisgrainin\'hisstocktheselastfewdays。An\'thet\'sexpensive。"
"Howabouttheflatupthecanyon？"queriedBostil。"Ain\'tthereanygrassthere？"
"Reckonnot。It\'sthedryestspellCreecheverhad，"repliedtheother。"An\'
iftherewasgrassitwouldn\'tdohimnogood。Alandslideblockedtheonlytrailup。"
"Bostil，themhosses，theracersspecial，oughttobebroughtacrosttheriver，"saidHolley，earnestly。Helovedhorsesandwasthinkingofthem。
"Theboat\'sgottobepatchedup，"repliedBostil，shortly。
ItoccurredtoLucythatherfatherwasalsothinkingofCreech\'sthoroughbreds，butnotlikeHolley。Shegrewgraveandlistenedintently。
Therewasanawkwardpause。Creech\'srider，whoeverhewas，evidentlytriedtoconcealhisanxiety。Heflickedhisbootswithaquirt。Thebootswerecoveredwithwetmud。Probablyhehadcrossedtheriververyrecently。
"Wal，whenwillyouhavethehossesfetchedover？"heasked，deliberately。
"Creech\'llwanttoknow。"
"Justassoonastheboat\'smended，"repliedBostil。"I\'llputShugrueonthejobto-morrow。"
"Thanks，Bostil。Sure，thet\'llbeallright。Creech\'llbesatisfied，"saidtherider，asifrelieved。Thenhemounted，andwithhiscompaniontrotteddownthelane。
Thelean，grayHolleybentakeengazeuponBostil。ButBostildidnotnoticethat；heappearedpreoccupiedinthought。
"Bostil，thedrywinteran\'springhereain\'tanyguaranteethettherewasn\'talotofsnowupinthemountains。"Holley\'sremarkstartledBostil。
"No——itain\'t——sure，"hereplied。
"An\'anymornin\'alongnowwemightwakeuptoheartheColoradoboomin\'，"
wentonHolley，significantly。
Bostildidnotreplytothat。
"Creechhain\'tlivedovertheresomanyyears。What\'sheknowabouttheriver？
An\'ferthatmatter，whoknowsanythin\'sureaboutthethell-bentriver？"
"Itain\'tmybusinessthetCreechlivesoverthereriskin\'hisstockeveryspring，"repliedBostil，darkly。
Holleyopenedhislipstospeak，hesitated，lookedawayfromBostil，andfinallysaid，"No，itsureain\'t。"Thenheturnedandwalkedaway，headbentinsoberthought。BostilcametowardtheopendoorwhereLucystood。Helookedsomber。Athergreetingheseemedstartled。
"What？"hesaid。
"Ijustsaid，\'Hello，Dad，\'"shereplied，demurely。Yetshethoughtfullystudiedherfather\'sdarkface。
"Helloyourself。DidyouknowVangotthrowedan\'hurt？"
"Yes。"
Bostilsworeunderhisbreath。"Thereain\'tanyridersontherangethetcanbetrusted，"hesaid，disgustedly。"They\'reallthesame。Theyliketogetinabunchan\'jeereachotheran\'bet。TheywantMEANhosses。Theymakegoodhossesbuck。Theyhaven\'tanyuseforahossthetwon\'tbuck。Theyallwanttogiveahossarakin\'over。ThinkofthetfoolVangettin\'throwedbyatwo-dollarUtemustang。An\'hurtsohecan\'tridefordays!Withthemracescomin\'soon!Itmakesmesick。"
"Dad，weren\'tyouarideronce？"askedLucy。
"Ineverwasthetkind。"
"Vanwillbeallrightinafewdays。"
"Nomatter。It\'sbadbusiness。IfIhadanyotherriderwhocouldhandletheKingI\'dletVango。"
"IcangetjustasmuchoutoftheKingasVancan，"saidLucy，spiritedly。
"You!"exclaimedBostil。Buttherewasprideinhisglance。
"IknowIcan。"
"YouneverhadanyuseforSageKing，"saidBostil，asifhehadbeenwronged。
"IlovetheKingalittle，andhatehimalot，"laughedLucy。
"Wal，Imightletyourideatthet，ifVanain\'tinshape，"rejoinedherfather。
"Iwouldn\'tridehimintherace。ButI\'llkeephiminfinefettle。"
"I\'llbetyou\'dliketoseeSarchbeathim，"saidBostil，jealously。
"SureIwould，"repliedLucy，teasingly。"But，Dad，I\'mafraidSarchneverwillbeathim。"
Bostilgrunted。"Seehere。Idon\'twantanyweightupontheKing。Youtakehimoutforafewdays。An\'ridehim!Savvythet？"
"Yes，Dad。"
"Givehimmilesan\'miles——an\'thencomin\'home，ongoodtrails，ridehimforallyourworth。Now，Lucy，keepyoureyeopen。Don\'tletanyonegetnearyouonthesage。"
"Iwon\'t。Dad，doyoustillworryaboutpoorJoelCreech？"
"NotJoel。ButI\'dratherloseallmystockthenhaveCordtsorDickSearsgetwithinamileofyou。"
"Amile!"exclaimedLucy，lightly，thoughafleetingshadecrossedherface。
"Why，I\'drunawayfromhim，ifIwasontheKing，evenifhegotwithintenyardsofme。"
"Amileiscloseenough，mydaughter，"repliedBostil。"Don\'teverforgettokeepyoureyeopen。Cordtshasswornthetifhecan\'tstealtheKinghe\'llgetyou。
"Oh!heprefersthehorsetome。"
"Wal，Lucy，I\'veasneakin\'ideathetCordtswillneverleavetheuplandsunlesshegetsyouan\'theKingboth。"
"And，Dad——youconsentedtoletthathorse-thiefcometoourraces？"exclaimedLucy，withheat。
"Whynot？Hecan\'tdoanyharm。Ifheorhismengetuppish，theworseforthem。Cordtsgavehiswordnottoturnatricktillaftertheraces。"
"Doyoutrusthim？"
"Yes。Buthismenmightbreakloose，awayfromhissight。EspeciallythetDickSears。He\'sabadman。Sobewatchfulwheneveryourideout。"
AsLucywentdowntowardthecorralsshewasthinkingdeeply。Shecouldalwaystell，woman-like。whenherfatherwasexcitedoragitated。SherememberedtheconversationbetweenhimandCreech\'srider。SherememberedthekeenglanceoldHolleyhadbentuponhim。Andmostlysherememberedthesomberlookuponhisface。Shedidnotlikethat。Once，whenalittlegirl，shehadseenitandneverforgottenit，northethingthatitwasassociatedwith——somethingtragicalwhichhadhappenedinthebigroom。Therehadbeenloud，angryvoicesofmen——andshots——andthenthemencarriedoutalongformcoveredwithablanket。Shelovedherfather，buttherewasasidetohimshefeared。AndsomehowrelatedtothatsidewashishardnesstowardCreechandhisintoleranceofanyriderowningafasthorseandhisobsessioninregardtohisownracers。Lucyhadoftentantalizedherfatherwiththejokethatifitevercametoachoicebetweenherandhisfavoritestheywouldcomefirst。Butwasitanylongerajoke？Lucyfeltthatshehadleftchildhoodbehindwithitsfunandfancies，andshehadbeguntolookatlifethoughtfully。
Sightofthecorrals，however，andoftheKingprancingaround，droveseriousthoughtsaway。Therewereridersthere，amongthemFarlane，andtheyallhadpleasantgreetingsforher。
"Farlane，DadsaysI\'mtotakeoutSageKing，"announcedLucy。
"No!"ejaculatedFarlane，ashepocketedhispipe。
"Sure。AndI\'mtoRIDEhim。YouknowhowDadmeansthat。"
"Wal，now，I\'mdoggoned!"addedFarlane，lookingworriedandpleasedatonce。
"Ireckon，MissLucy，you——youwouldn\'tfoolme？"
"Why，Farlane!"returnedLucy，reproachfully。"DidIeverdoasinglethingaroundhorsesthatyoudidn\'twantmeto？"
Farlanerubbedhischinbeardsomewhatdubiously。"Wal，MissLucy，notexactlywhileyouwasaroundthehosses。ButIreckonwhenyouonctgotup，you\'vesortaforgotafewtimes。"
Alltheriderslaughed，andLucyjoinedthem。
"I\'msafewhenI\'mup，youknowthat，"shereplied。
Theybroughtoutthegray，andafterthemannerofriderswhohadthecareofagreathorseandlovedhim，theycurriedandcombedandrubbedhimbeforesaddlinghim。
"Reckonyou\'dbetterrideVan\'ssaddle，"suggestedFarlane。"Themracesisclosenow，an\'astrangesaddle——"
"Ofcourse。Don\'tchangeanythinghe\'susedto，exceptthestirrups，"repliedLucy。
DespiteherantipathytowardSageKing，Lucycouldnotgazeathimwithoutallarider\'sgloryinahorse。Hewassleek，sograceful，soracy，sonearthesoftgrayofthesage，sobeautifulinbuildandaction。Thenhewasthekindofahorsethatdidnothavetobeeternallywatched。Hewasspiritedandfulloflife，eagertorun，butwhenFarlanecalledforhimtostandstillheobeyed。Hewasthekindofahorsethatachildcouldhaveplayedaroundinsafety。Heneverkicked。Heneverbit。Heneverbolted。ItwassplendidtoseehimwithFarlaneorwithBostil。HedidnotlikeLucyverywell，afactthatperhapsaccountedforLucy\'santipathy。Forthatmatter，hedidnotlikeanywoman。Ifhehadabadtrait，itcameoutwhenVanrodehim，butalltheriders，andBostil，too，claimedthatVanwastoblameforthat。
"Thar，Ireckonthemstirrupsisright，"declaredFarlane。"Now，MissLucy，holdhimtighttillhewearsoffthetedge。Heneedswork。"
SageKingwouldnotkneelforLucyasSarchedondid，andhewastoohighforhertomountfromtheground，soshemountedfromarock。Shetooktotheroad，andthenthefirsttrailintothesage，intendingtotrothimtenorfifteenmilesdownintothevalley，andgivehimsomefast，warmworkonthereturn。
ThedaywasearlyinMayandpromisedtogrowhot。Therewasnotacloudinthebluesky。Thewind，ladenwiththebreathofsage，blewbrisklyfromthewest。AllbeforeLucylaythevastvalley，grayandduskygray，thenblue，thenpurplewherethemonumentsstood，and，fartherstill，darkrampartsofrock。Lucyhadahabitofdreamingwhileonhorseback，ahabitalltheridershadtriedtobreak，butshedidnotgiveitreinwhilesherodeSarchedon，andassuredlynow，upontheKing，sheneverforgothimforaninstant。Heshiedatmockingbirdsandpack-ratsandblowingblossomsandevenatbutterflies；
andhedidit，Lucythought，justbecausehewasfullofmischief。SageKinghadbeenknowntogosteadywhentherehadbeenreasontoshy。HedidnotlikeLucyandhechosetotormenther。Finallyheearnedagooddigfromaspur，andthen，withswiftpoundingofhoofs，heplungedandveeredanddancedinthesage。Lucykepthertemper，whichwaswhatmostridersdidnotdo，andbypatienceandfirmnesspulledSageKingoutofhisprancingbackintothetrail。Hewasnottheleastcross-grained，and，havinghadhislittlespurt，hesettleddownintoeasygoing。
InanhourLucywastenmilesormorefromhome，andfartherdowninthevalleythanshehadeverbeen。Infact，shehadneverbeforebeendownthelongslopetothevalleyfloor。Howchangedthehorizonbecame!Themonumentsloomedupnow，dark，sentinel-like，andstrange。Thefirstone，agreatredrock，seemedtohersomefivemilesaway。Itwaslofty，straight-sided，withagreenslopeatitsbase。Andbeyondthattheothermonumentsstretchedoutdownthevalley。Lucydecidedtorideasfarasthefirstonebeforeturningback。Alwaysthesemonumentshadfascinatedher，andthiswasheropportunitytoridenearone。Howloftytheywere，howwonderfullycolored，andhowcomely!
Presently，overtheleft，wherethemonumentswerethicker，andgraduallymergedtheirslopesandlinesandbulkintotheyellowwalls，shesawlow，driftingcloudsofsmoke。
"Well，what\'sthat，Iwonder？"shemused。Toseesmokeonthehorizoninthatdirectionwasunusual，thoughouttowardDurangothegrassybencheswouldoftenburnover。Andtheselowcloudsofsmokeresembledthoseshehadseenbefore。
"It\'salongwayoff，"sheadded。
Soshekepton，nowandthengazingatthesmoke。Asshegrewnearertothefirstmonumentshewassurprised，thenamazed，atitsheightandsurpassingsize。Itwasmountain-high——agrandtower——smooth，worn，glistening，yellowandred。Thetrailshehadfollowedpeteredoutinadeepwash，andbeyondthatshecrossednomoretrails。Thesagehadgrownmeagerandthegreasewoodsstuntedanddead；andcactiappearedonbarrenplaces。Thegrasshadnotfailed，butitwasnotrichgrasssuchasthehorsesandcattlegrazeduponmilesbackontheslope。Theairwashotdownhere。Thebreezewasheavyandsmelledoffire，andthesandwasblowinghereandthere。Shehadasenseofthebigness，theopennessofthisvalley，andthensherealizeditswildnessandstrangeness。Theselonely，isolatedmonumentsmadetheplacedifferentfromanyshehadvisited。Theydidnotseemmerestandingrocks。Theyseemedtoretreatallthetimeassheapproached，andtheywatchedher。Theyinterestedher，madehercurious。Whathadformedallthesestrangemonuments？
Herethegroundwaslevelformilesandmiles，toslopegentlyuptothebasesofthesehugerocks。InanoldbookshehadseenpicturesoftheEgyptianpyramids，buttheseappearedvaster，higher，andstranger，andtheyweresheerlyperpendicular。
SuddenlySageKinghaltedsharply，shotuphisears，andwhistled。Lucywasstartled。ThatfromtheKingmeantsomething。Hastily，withkeenglancesheswepttheforeground。Amileon，nearthemonument，wasasmallblackspot。Itseemedmotionless。ButtheKing\'swhistlehadprovedittobeahorse。WhenLucyhadcoveredaquarteroftheinterveningdistanceshecoulddistinguishthehorseandthatthereappearedsomethingstrangeabouthisposition。LucyurgedSageKingintoalopeandsoondrewnearer。Theblackhorsehadhisheaddown，yethedidnotappeartobegrazing。Hewasasstillasastatue。Hestoodjustoutsideaclumpofgreasewoodandcactus。
Suddenlyasoundpiercedthestillness。TheKingjumpedandsnortedinfright。
ForaninstantLucy\'sbloodrancold，foritwasahorriblecry。Thensherecognizeditastheneighofahorseinagony。Shehadheardcrippledanddyinghorsesutterthatlong-drawnandblood-curdlingneigh。Theblackhorsehadnotmoved，sothesoundcouldnothavecomefromhim。LucythoughtSageKingactedmoreexcitedthantheoccasioncalledfor。Thenrememberingherfather\'swarning，shereinedinontopofalittleknoll，perhapsahundredyardsfromwheretheblackhorsestood，andshebentherkeengazeforward。
Itwasahuge，gaunt，shaggyblackhorseshesaw，withthesaddlefartheruponhisshouldersthanitshouldhavebeen。Hestoodmotionless，asifutterlyexhausted。Hisforelegswerebraced，sothatheleanedslightlyback。ThenLucysawarope。Itwasfasttothesaddleandstretcheddownintothecactus。
Therewasnootherhorseinsight，noranylivingthing。Theimmensemonumentdominatedthescene。ItseemedstupendoustoLucy，sublime，almostfrightful。
Shehesitated。Sheknewtherewasanotherhorse，verylikelyattheotherendofthatlasso。Probablyariderhadbeenthrown，perhapskilled。Certainlyahorsehadbeenhurt。Thenonthemomentrangoutthesameneighofagony，onlyweakerandshorter。Lucynolongerfearedanambush。Thatwasacrywhichcouldnotbeimitatedbyamanorforcedfromahorse。Therewasprobablydeath，certainlysuffering，nearathand。ShespurredtheKingon。
Therewasalittleslopetodescend，awashtocross，abenchtoclimb——andthensherodeuptotheblackhorse。SageKingneededhardertreatmentthanLucyhadevergivenhim。
"What\'swrongwithyou？"shedemanded，pullinghimdown。Suddenly，asshefelthimtremble，sherealizedthathewasfrightened。"That\'sfunny!"Thenwhenshegothimquietshelookedaround。
Theblackhorsewasindeedhuge。Hismane，hisshaggyflanks，werelatheredasifhehadbeensmearedwithheavysoap-suds。Heraisedhisheadtolookather。Lucy，accustomedtohorsesallherlife，sawthatthisonewelcomedherarrival。Buthewasalmostreadytodrop。
Twotautlassoesstretchedfromthepommelofhissaddledownalittleintoadepressionfullofbrushandcactusandrocks。ThenLucysawaredhorse。Hewasdowninabadposition。Sheheardhislow，chokingheaves。Probablyhehadbrokenlegsorback。Shecouldnotbeartoseeahorseinpain。Shewoulddowhatwaspossible，eventotheextentofputtinghimoutofhismisery，ifnothingelsecouldbedone。Yetshescannedthesurroundingsclosely，andpeeredintothebushesandbehindtherocksbeforeshetriedtourgeSageKingcloser。Herefusedtogonearer，andLucydismounted。
Theredhorsewaspartlyhiddenbyoverbendingbrush。Hehadplungedintoaholefullofcactus。Therewasahackamoreroundhisnoseandatightnooseroundhisneck。Theoneroundhisneckwasalsoroundhisforelegs。Andbothlassoeswereheldtautbytheblackhorse。Atornandsoiledrider\'sscarfhunglimproundtheredhorse\'snose，keptfromfallingoffbythehackamore。
"Awildhorse，astallion，beingbroken!"exclaimedLucy，instantlygraspingthesituation。"Oh!where\'stherider？"
Shegazedaround，rantoandfro，glanceddownthelittleslope，andbeyond，butshedidnotseeanythingresemblingtheformofaman。Thensheranback。
Lucytookanotherquicklookattheredstallion。Shedidnotbelieveeitherhislegsorbackwerehurt。Hewasjustplayedoutandtangledandtiedintheropes，andcouldnotgetup。Theshaggyblackhorsestoodtherebracedandindomitable。Buthe，likewise，wasalmostreadytodrop。Lookingattheconditionofbothhorsesandthesaddleandropes，Lucysawwhatafighttherehadbeen，andarace!Wherewastherider？Thrown，surely，andbackonthetrail，perhapsdeadormaimed。
Lucywentclosertothestallionsothatshecouldalmosttouchhim。Hesawher。Hewasnearlychoked。Foamandbloodwheezedoutwithhisheaves。Shemustdosomethingquickly。Andinherhastesheprickedherarmsandshouldersonthecactus。
Sheledtheblackhorsecloserin，lettingtheropesgo，slack。Theblackseemedasgladofthatreleaseasshewas。Whatafaithfulbrutehelooked!
Lucylikedhiseyes。
Thensheedgeddowninamongthecactusandbrush。Theredhorsenolongerlayinastrainedposition。Hecouldlifthishead。Lucysawthatthenoosestillheldtightroundhisneck。Fearlesslyshejerkeditloose。Thenshebackedaway，butnotquiteoutofhisreach。Hecoughedandbreathedslowly，withgreatheaves。Thenhesnorted。
"You\'reallrightnow，"saidLucy，soothingly。Slowlyshereachedahandtowardhishead。Hedrewitbackasfarashecould。Shesteppedaround，closer，andmorebackofhim，andputahandonhim，gently，foraninstant。
Thensheslippedoutofthebrushand，untyingonelassofromthepommel，shereturnedtothehorseandpulleditfromroundhislegs。Hewasfreenow，exceptthehackamore，andthatropewasslack。Lucystoodnearhim，watchinghim，talkingtohim，waitingforhimtogetup。Shecouldnotbesurehewasnotbadlyhurttillhestoodup。Atfirsthemadenoeffortstorise。HewatchedLucy，lessfearfully，sheimagined。Andshenevermadeamove。Shewantedhimtosee，tounderstandthatshehadnothurthimandwouldnothurthim。Itbegantodawnuponherthathewasmagnificent。
Finally，withalong，slowheavehegottohisfeet。Lucyledhimoutoftheholetoopenground。Sheseemedsomehowconfident。Thereoccurredtoheronlyonewaytoact。
"Alittlehorsesense，asDadwouldsay，"shesoliloquized，andthen，whenshegothimoutofthebrush，shestoodthrilledandamazed。
"Oh，whatawild，beautifulhorse!Whatagiant!He\'sbiggerthantheKing。
Oh，ifDadcouldseehim!"
Theredstalliondidnotappeartobehurt。Thetwitchingofhismusclesmusthavebeencausedbythecactusspikesembeddedinhim。Thereweredropsofbloodalloveroneside。Lucythoughtshedaredtotrytopullthesethornsout。Shehadneverinherlifebeenafraidofanyhorse。Farlane，Holley，alltheriders，andherfather，too，hadtriedtomakeherrealizethedangerinahorse，soonerorlater。ButLucycouldnothelpit；shewasnotafraid；shebelievedthatthemeanesthorsewasactuatedbynaturalfearofaman；shewasnotamanandshehadneverhandledahorselikeaman。Thisredstallionshowedhateoftheblackhorseandtheropethatconnectedthem；heshowedsomespiritattherepeatedblastsofSageKing。Butheshowedlessfearofher。
"Hehasbeenaproud，wildstallion，"musedLucy。"Andhe\'snowbroken——terriblybroken——allbutruined。"
Thenshewalkeduptohimnaturallyandspokesoftly，andreachedahandforhisshoulder。
"Whoa，Reddy。Whoanow。There。That\'sagoodfellow。Why，Iwouldn\'tropeyouorhityou。I\'monlyagirl。"
Hedrewup，madeasingleefforttojump，whichsheprevented，andthenhestoodquivering，eyingher，whileshetalkedsoothingly，andpattedhimandlookedathiminthewayshehadfoundinfalliblewithmosthorses。Lucybelievedhorseswerelikepeople，oreasiertogetalongwith。Presentlyshegentlypulledoutoneofthecactusspikes。Thehorseflinched，buthestood。
Lucywasslow，careful，patient，anddexterous。Thecactusneedleswerelooseandeasilyremovedorbrushedoff。Atlengthshegothimfreeofthem，andwasalmostasproudasshewasglad。Thehorsehadgraduallydroppedhishead；hewastiredandhisspiritwasbroken。
"Now，whatshallIdo？"shequeried。"I\'lltakethebacktrailofthesehorses。Theycertainlyhadn\'tbeenherelongbeforeIsawthem。Andtheridermaybeclose。IfnotI\'lltakethehorseshome。"
Sheslippedthenoosefromthestallion\'shead，leavingthehackamore，and，coilingthelooselasso，shehungitoverthepommeloftheblack\'ssaddle。
Thenshetookuphisbridle。
"Comeon，"shecalled。
Theblackfollowedher，andthestallion，stillfasttohimbythelassoLucyhadlefttied，troopedbehindwithbowedhead。Lucywaselated。ButSageKingdidnotlikethematteratall。Lucyhadtodroptheblack\'sbridleandcatchtheKing，andthenridebacktoleadtheotheragain。
Abroadtrailmarkedthewaythetwohorseshadcome，anditledofftotheleft，towardwherethemonumentswerethickest，andwherethegreatsectionsofwallstood，brokenandbattlemented。LucywashardputtoittoholdSageKing，butthehorsesbehindploddedalong。TheblackhorsestruckLucyasbeinganugly，butafaithfulandwonderfulanimal。Heunderstoodeverything。
Presentlyshetiedthebridleshewasleadinghimbytotheendofherownlasso，andthuslethimdropbackafewyards，whichlessenedtheKing\'sfretting。
Intentonthetrail，Lucyfailedtonotetimeordistancetilltheloomingandfrowningmonumentsstoodaloftbeforeher。Whatweirdeffecttheyhad!Eachmighthavebeenacolossalstatuelefttheretomarktheworkoftheages。
Lucyrealizedthatthewholevastvalleyhadoncebeensolidrock，justlikethemonuments，andthroughthemillionsofyearsthesofterpartshaderodedandweatheredandblownaway——gonewiththegreatseathathadoncebeenthere。Butthebeauty，thesolemnity，themajestyofthesemonumentsfascinatedhermost。Shepassedthefirstone，ahugesquarebutte，andthenthesecond，aragged，thin，doubleshaft，andthenwentbetweentwomuchalike，reachingskywardintheshapeofmonstrousmittens。Shewatchedandwatchedthem，sparingamomentnowandthentoattendtothetrail。Shenoticedthatshewascomingintoaregionofgrass，andfaintsignsofwaterinthedraws。Shewasgettinghighagain，notmanymilesnowfromthewallofrock。
AllatonceSageKingshied，andLucylookeddowntoseeamanlyingontheground。Helayinert。Buthiseyeswereopen——dark，staringeyes。Theymoved。
Andhecalled。ButLucycouldnotunderstandhim。
InaflashsheleapedofftheKing。Sherantotheprostrateman——droppedtoherknees。
"Oh!"shecried。Hisfacewasghastly。"Oh!areyou——youbadlyhurt？"
"Liftme——myhead，"hesaid，faintly。
Sheraisedhishead。Whatastrained，passionate，terriblegazehebentuponthehorses。
"Boy，they\'remine——theblackan\'thered!"hecried。
"Theysurelymustbe，"repliedLucy。"Oh!tellme。Areyouhurt？"
"Boy!didyoucatchthem——fetchthemback——lookin\'forme？"
"Isuredid。"
"Youcaught-thatreddevil——an\'fetchedhim——backtome？"wentonthewondering，faintvoice。"Boy——oh——boy!"
Heliftedalong，raggedarmandpulledLucydown。Theactionamazedherequallyashispassionofgratitude。Hemighthavebeeninjured，buthehadanarmofiron。Lucywaspowerless。Shefeltherfaceagainsthis——andherbreastagainsthis。Thepoundingofhisheartwaslikeblows。Thefirstinstantshewantedtolaugh，despiteherpity。Thenthepowerfularm——thecontactaffectedherasnothingeverbefore。Supposethiscrippledriderhadtakenherforaboy——Shewasnotaboy!Shecouldnothelpbeingherself。Andnomanhadeverputahandonher。Consciousnessofthisbroughtshameandanger。Shestruggledsoviolentlythatshefreedherself。Andhelayback。
"Seehere——that\'snowaytoact——tohug——aperson，"shecried，withflamingcheeks。
"Boy，I——"
"I\'mNOTaboy。I\'magirl。"
"What!"
Lucytoreoffhersombrero，whichhadbeenpulledfarforward，andthisrevealedherfacefully，andherhaircametumblingdown。Theridergazed，stupefied。Thenafainttingeofredcoloredhisghastlycheeks。
"Agirl!Why——why\'scuseme，miss。I——Itookyou——foraboy。"
Heseemedsoastounded，helookedsoashamed，soscared，andwithal，sohaggardandweak，thatLucyimmediatelyrecoveredherequanimity。
"SureI\'magirl。Butthat\'snomatter。You\'vebeenthrown。Areyouhurt？"
Hesmiledaweakassent。
"Badly？"shequeried。Shedidnotlikethewayhelay——solimp，somotionless。
"I\'mafraidso。Ican\'tmove。"
"Oh!WhatshallIdo？"
"Canyou——getmewater？"hewhispered，withdrylips。
Lucyflewtoherhorsetogetthesmallcanteenshealwayscarried。Butthathadbeenleftonhersaddle，andshehadriddenVan\'s。Thenshegazedaround。
Thewashshehadcrossedseveraltimesrannearwheretheriderlay。Greengrassandwillowsborderedit。Sherandownand，hurryingalong，searchedforwater。Therewaswaterinplaces，yetshehadtogoalongwaybeforeshefoundwaterthatwasdrinkable。Fillinghersombrero，shehurriedbacktothesideoftherider。Itwasdifficulttogivehimadrink。
"Thanks，miss，"hesaid，gratefully。Hisvoicewasstrongerandlesshoarse。
"Haveyouanybrokenbones？"askedLucy。
"Idon\'tknow。Ican\'tfeelmuch。"
"Areyouinpain？"
"Hardly。Ifeelsortofthick。"
Lucy，beinganintelligentgirl，borninthedesertandusedtoitsneeds，hadnotoftenencounteredasituationwithwhichshewasunabletocope。
"Letmefeelifyouhaveanybrokenbones。THATarmisn\'tbroken，I\'mpositive。"
Theridersmiledfaintlyagain。Howhestaredwithhisstrained，darkeyes!
Hisfaceshowedghastlythroughthethin，softbeardandthetan。Lucyfoundhisrightarmbadlybruised，butnotbroken。Shemadesurehiscollar-bonesandshoulder-bladeswereintact。Brokenribswerehardertolocate；still，ashedidnotfeelpainfrompressure，sheconcludedtherewerenofracturesthere。Withherassistancehemovedhislegs，provingnobrokenbonesthere。
"I\'mafraidit\'smy——spine，"hesaid。
"Butyouraisedyourheadonce，"shereplied。"Ifyourbackwas——wasbrokenorinjuredyoucouldn\'traiseyourhead。"
"SoIcouldn\'t。IguessI\'mjustknockedout。Iwas——prettyweakbeforeWildfireknockedme——offNagger。"
"Wildfire？"
"That\'stheredstallion\'sname。"
"Oh，he\'snamedalready？"
"Inamedhim——longago。He\'sknownonmanyarange。"
"Where？"
"Ithinkfarnorthofhere。I——trailedhim——days——weeks——months。Wecrossedthegreatcanyon——"
"TheGrandCanyon？"
"Itmustbethat。"
"TheGrandCanyonisdownthere，"saidLucy，pointing。"Iliveonit。
You\'vecomealongway。"
"Hundredsofmiles!Oh，thegroundIcoveredthatawfulcanyoncountry!。ButIstayedwithWildfire。An\'Iputaropeonhim。An\'hegotaway……An\'itwasaboy——no——aGIRLwho——savedhimforme——an\'maybesavedmylife，too!"
Lucylookedawayfromthedark，staringeyes。Alightinthemconfusedher。
"Nevermindme。Yousayyouwereweak？Haveyoubeenill？"
"No，miss。juststarved。IstarvedonWildfire\'strail。"
Lucyrantohersaddleandgotthebiscuitsoutofthepocketsofhercoat，andsheranbacktotherider。
"Here。Ineverthought。Oh，you\'vehadahardtimeofit!Iunderstand。Thatwonderfulflameofahorse!I\'dhavestayed，too。Myfatherwasarideronce。
Bostil。Didyoueverhearofhim？"
"Bostil。Thename——I\'veheard。"Thentheriderlaythinking，ashemunchedabiscuit。"Yes，Iremember，butitwaslongago。Ispentanightwithawagon-train，acampofmanymenandwomen，religiouspeople，workingintoUtah。BostilhadaboatatthecrossingoftheFathers。"
"Yes，theycalledtheFerrythat。"
"Irememberwellnow。TheysaidBostilcouldn\'tcounthishorses——thathewasarichman，hardonriders——an\'he\'dusedagunmorethanonce。"
Lucybowedherhead。"Yes，that\'smydad。"
Theriderdidnotseemtoseehowhehadhurther。
"Herewearetalking——wastingtime，"shesaid。"Imuststarthome。Youcan\'tbemoved。WhatshallIdo？"
"That\'sforyoutosay，Bostil\'sdaughter。"
"Myname\'sLucy，"repliedthegirl，blushingpainfully，"ImeanI\'llbegladtodoanythingyouthinkbest。"
"You\'reverygood。"
Thenheturnedhisfaceaway。Lucylookedcloselyathim。Hewasindeedabeggaredrider。Hisclothesandhisbootshungintatters。Hehadnohat，nocoat，novest。Hisgauntfaceboretracesofwhatmighthavebeenafine，strongcomeliness，butnowitwasonlythin，worn，wan，pitiful，withthatlookwhichalwayswenttoawoman\'sheart。Hehadthelookofahomelessrider。Lucyhadseenafewofhiswanderingtype，andhisstorywassoplain。
Butheseemedtohaveatouchofpride，andthisquickenedherinterest。
"ThenI\'lldowhatIthinkbestforyou，"saidLucy。
FirstsheunsaddledtheblackNagger。Withthesaddleshemadeapillowfortherider\'shead，andshecoveredhimwiththesaddleblanket。Beforeshehadfinishedthistaskheturnedhiseyesuponher。AndLucyfeltshewouldbehaunted。Washebadlyhurt，afterall？Itseemedprobable。Howstrangehewas!
"I\'llwaterthehorses——thentieWildfirehereonadoublerope。There\'sgrass。"
"Butyoucan\'tleadhim，"repliedtherider。
"He\'llfollowme。"
"Thatreddevil!"Theridershudderedashespoke。
Lucyhadsomefaintinklingofwhataterriblefightthathadbeenbetweenmanandhorse。"Yes；whenIfoundhimhewasbroken。Lookathimnow。"
Buttheriderdidnotappeartowanttoseethestallion。HegazedupatLucy，andshesawsomethinginhiseyesthatmadeherthinkofachild。Shelefthim，hadnotroubleinwateringthehorses，andhalteredWildfireamongthewillowsonapatchofgrass。Thenshereturned。
"I\'llgonow，"shesaidtotherider。
"Where？"
"Home。I\'llcomebackto-morrow，early，andbringsomeonetohelpyou——"
"Girl，ifYOUwanttohelpmemore——bringmesomebreadan\'meat。Don\'ttellanyone。LookwhataragamuffinIam。An\'there\'sWildfire。Idon\'twanthimseentillI\'m——onmyfeetagain。Iknowriders。That\'sall。Ifyouwanttobesogood——come。"
"I\'llcome，"repliedLucy，simply。
"Thankyou。Ioweyou——alot。Whatdidyousayyournamewas？"
"Lucy——LucyBostil。"
"Oh，Iforgot。AreyousureyoutiedWildfiregoodan\'tight？"
"Yes，I\'msure。I\'llgonow。Ihopeyou\'llbebetterto-morrow。"
Lucyhesitated，withherhandontheKing\'sbridle。Shedidnotliketoleavethisyoungmanlyingtherehelplessonthedesert。Butwhatelsecouldshedo？
Whatastrangeadventurehadbefallenher!Atthefollowingthoughtthatitwasnotyetconcludedshefeltalittlestirofexcitementatherpulses。ShewassostrangelypreoccupiedthatsheforgotitwasnecessaryforhertohaveasteptomountSageKing。Sherealizeditquicklyenoughwhensheattemptedit。Thensheledhimoffinthesagetillshefoundarock。Mounting，sheturnedhimstraightacrosscountry，meaningtocutoutmilesoftravelthatwouldhavebeennecessaryalongherback-trail。Onceshelookedback。Theriderwasnotvisible；theblackhorse，Nagger，wasoutofsight，butWildfire，blazinginthesun，watchedherdepart。
