下载辰思小说免费APP
"Youwentpastmelikeabullet，"hesaid。
"Oh，can\'therun!"murmuredLucy。
"CouldhebeattheKingto-day？"
Slonehadaskedthatquestioneveryday，morethanonce。
"Yes，hecould——to-day。Iknowit，"repliedLucy。"Oh——Igetso-soexcited。
I——Imakeafoolofmyself——overhim。Buttoridehim——goinglikethat——Lin!
it\'sjustglorious!"
"Yousurecanridehim，"repliedSlone。"Ican\'tseeafaultanywhere——inhim——orinyourhandlinghim。Heneverbreaks。Hegoeshard，buthesavessomething。Hegetsmad——fierce——allthetime，yetheWANTStogoyourway。
Lucy，Ineversawthelikeofit。Somehowyouan\'Wildfiremakeacombination。
Youcan\'tbebeat。"
"DoIridehim——well？"sheasked，softly。
"Icouldneverridehimsowell。"
"Oh，Lin——youjustwanttopleaseme。Why，Vancouldn\'tridewithyou。"
"Idon\'tcare，Lucy，"repliedSlone，stoutly。"Yourodethishorseperfect。
I\'vefoundfaultwithyouontheKing，onyourmustangs，an\'onthisblackhorseSarch。ButonWildfire!Yougrowthere。"
"WhatwillDadsay，andFarlane，andHolley，andVan？Oh，I\'llcrowoverVan，"
saidLucy。"I\'mcrazytorideWildfireoutbeforealltheIndiansandranchersandriders，beforetheraces，justtoshowhimoff，tomakethemstare。"
"No，Lucy。Thebestplanistosurprisethemall。Enteryourhorsefortherace，butdon\'tshowuptillalltheridersareatthestart。"
"Yes，that\'llbebest。And，Lin，onlyfivedaysmore——fivedays!"
HerwordsmadeSlonethoughtful，andLucy，seeingthat，straightwaygrewthoughtful，too。
"Sure——onlyfivedaysmore，"repeatedSlone，slowly。
HistoneconvincedLucythathemeanttospeakagainashehadspokenoncebefore，precipitatingtheonlyquarreltheyhadeverhad。
"DoesANYONEatBostil\'sFordknowyoumeetmeouthere？"heasked，suddenly。
"OnlyAuntie。Itoldhertheotherday。Shehadbeenwatchingme。Shethoughtthings。SoItoldher。"
"Whatdidshesay？"wentonSlone，curiously。
"Shewasmad，"repliedLucy。"Shescoldedme。Shesaid。But，anyway，I
coaxedhernottotellonme。"
"Iwanttoknowwhatshesaid，"spokeuptherider，deliberately。
Lucyblushed，anditwasaconsciousnessofconfusionaswellasSlone\'stonethatmadeherhalf-angry。
"ShesaidwhenIwasfoundoutthere\'dbea——agreatfussattheFord。Therewouldbetalk。AuntiesaidI\'mnowagrown-upgirl。Oh，shecarriedon!。Bostilwouldlikelyshootyou。Andifhedidn\'tsomeoftheriderswould。Oh，Lin，itwasperfectlyridiculousthewayAuntietalked。"
"Ireckonnot，"repliedSlone。"I\'mafraidI\'vedonewrongtoletyoucomeouthere。ButIneverthought。I\'mnotusedtogirls。I\'ll——I\'lldeservewhatIgetforlettin\'youcame。"
"It\'smyownbusiness，"declaredLucy，spiritedly。"AndIguessthey\'dbetterletyoualone。"
Sloneshookhisheadmournfully。HewasgettingoneofthosegloomyspellsthatLucyhated。Nevertheless，shefeltastirofherpulses。
"Lucy，therewon\'tbeanydoubtaboutmystand——whenImeetBostil，"saidSlone。Somethoughthadanimatedhim。
"Whatdoyoumean？"Lucytrembledalittle。
TherewasasternnessaboutSlone，adignitythatseemednew。"I\'llaskhimto——toletyoumarryme。"
Lucystaredaghast。Sloneappearedindeadearnest。
"Nonsense!"sheexclaimed，shortly。
"Ireckonthepossibilityis——that，"repliedSlone，bitterly，"butmymotiveisn\'t。"
"Itis。Why，you\'veknownmeonlyafewdays。Dadwouldbemad。Likeasnothe\'dknockyoudown。Itellyou，Lin，mydadis——isprettyrough。
Andjustatthistimeoftheraces。AndifWildfirebeatstheKing!。Whew!"
"WHENWildfirebeatstheKing，notIF，"correctedSlone。
"Dadwillbedangerous，"warnedLucy。"Pleasedon\'t——don\'taskhimthat。TheneverybodywouldknowI——I——you——you——"
"That\'sit。Iwanteverybodyatyourhometoknow。"
"Butit\'salittleplace，"flashedLucy。"Everyoneknowsme。I\'mtheonlygirl。Therehavebeen——otherfellowswho。Andoh!Idon\'twantyoumadefunof!"
"Why？"heasked。
Lucyturnedawayherheadwithoutanswering。Somethingdeepwithinherwassofteningheranger。Shemustfighttokeepangry；andthatwaseasyenough，shethought，ifshecouldonlykeepinmindSlone\'soppositiontoher。
Strangely，shediscoveredthatithadbeensweettofindhimalwaysgovernedbyherdesireorwill。
"Maybeyoumisunderstand，"hebegan，presently。Andhisvoicewasnotsteady。
"Idon\'tforgetI\'monly——abeggarlyrider。Icouldn\'thavegoneintotheFordatall——Iwassucharagamuffin——"
"Don\'ttalklikethat!"interruptedLucy，impatiently。
"Listen，"hereplied。"Myaskin\'Bostilforyoudoesn\'tmeanI\'veanyhope……It\'sjustIwanthiman\'everybodytoknowthatIasked。"
"ButDad——everybodywillthinkthatYOUthinkthere\'sreason——why——I——why，youOUGHTtoask，"burstoutLucy，withscarletface。
"Sure，that\'sit，"hereplied。
"Butthere\'snoreason。None!Notareasonunderthesun，"retortedLucy，hotly。"Ifoundyououthere。Ididyoua——alittleservice。WeplannedtoraceWildfire。AndIcameouttoridehim。That\'sall。"
Slone\'sdark，steadygazedisconcertedLucy。"But，nooneknowsme，andwe\'vebeenaloneinsecret。"
"It\'snotaltogether——that。I——ItoldAuntie，"falteredLucy。
"Yes，justlately。"
"LinSlone，I\'llneverforgiveyouifyouaskDadthat，"declaredLucy，withstartlingforce。
"Ireckonthat\'snotsoimportant。"
"Oh!——soyoudon\'tcare。"Lucyfeltherselfindeedinamoodnotcomprehensibletoher。Herbloodraced。ShewantedtobefuriouswithSlone，butsomehowshecouldnotwhollybeso。Therewassomethingabouthimthatmadeherfeelsmallandthoughtlessandselfish。Slonehadhurtherpride。ButthethingthatshefearedandresentedandcouldnotunderstandwasthestrangegladnessSlone\'sdeclarationrousedinher。Shetriedtocontrolhertempersoshecouldthink。Twoemotionscontendedwithinher——oneofintenseannoyanceatthethoughtofembarrassmentsurelytofollowSlone\'saction，andtheotheravague，disturbingelement，allsweetandfuriousandinexplicable。
Shemusttrytodissuadehimfromapproachingherfather。
"Pleasedon\'tgotoDad。"SheputahandonSlone\'sarmashestoodcloseuptoWildfire。
"IreckonIwill，"hesaid。
"Lin!"Inthatwordtherewasthesubtle，namelesscharmofanintimacyshehadnevergrantedhimuntilthatmoment。Heseemeddrawnasifbyinvisiblewires。Heputashakinghandonhersandcrushedhergauntletedfingers。AndLucy，inthecurrentnowofherwoman\'sneedtobeplacatedifnotobeyed，pressedhersmallhandtohis。Howstrangetowhatlengthsalittlesubmissiontoherfeelinghadcarriedher!Everyspokenword，everymovement，seemedtoexactmorefromher。Shedidnotknowherself。
"Lin!Promisenotto——speaktoDad!"
"No。"Hisvoicerang。
"Don\'tgivemeaway——don\'ttellmyDad!"
"What？"hequeried，incredulously。
Lucydidnotunderstandwhat。Buthisamazedvoice，hiswide-openeyesofbewilderment，seemedtoaidherintopiercingthemazeofherownmind。A
hundredthoughtswhirledtogether，andallaroundthemwaswrappedthewarm，strongfeelingofhishandonhers。Whatdidshemeanthathewouldtellherfather？Thereseemedtobeadeep，hiddenselfinher。Upoutofthesedepthscameawhisper，likearayoflight，anditsaidtoherthattherewasmorehopeforLinSlonethanhehadeverhadinoneofhiswildestdreams。
"Lin，ifyoutellDad——thenhe\'llknow——andthereWON\'Tbeanyhopeforyou!"
criedLucy，honestly。
IfSlonecaughtthesignificanceofherwordshedidnotbelieveit。
"I\'mgoin\'toBostilaftertheracean\'askhim。That\'ssettled，"declaredSlone，stubbornly。
AtthisLucyutterlylosthertemper。"Oh!you——youfool!"shecried。
Slonedrewbacksuddenlyasifstruck，andaspotofdarkbloodleapedtohisleanface。"No!Itseemstometherightway。"
"Rightorwrongthere\'snosenseinit——because——because。Oh!can\'tyousee？"
"IseemorethanIusedto，"hereplied。"Iwasafooloverahorse。An\'nowI\'mafooloveragirl。Iwishyou\'dneverfoundmethatday!"
LucywhirledinthesaddleandmadeWildfirejump。Shequietedhim，and，leapingoff，threwthebridletoSlone。"Iwon\'trideyourhorseintherace!"
shedeclaredwithsuddenpassion。Shefeltherselfshakingallover。
"LucyBostil，IwishIwasassureofHeavenasIamyou\'llbeuponWildfireinthatrace，"hesaid。
"Iwon\'trideyourhorse。"
"MYhorse。Oh，Isee。Butyou\'llrideWildfire。"
"Iwon\'t。"
Slonesuddenlyturnedwhite，andhiseyesflasheddarkfire。"Youwon\'tbeabletohelpridin\'himanymorethanIcouldhelpit。"
"Alotyouknowaboutme，LinSlone!"returnedLucy，withscorn。"Icanbeas——asbull-headedasyou，anyday。"
Sloneevidentlycontrolledhistemper，thoughhisfaceremainedwhite。Heevensmiledather。
"YouareBostil\'sdaughter，"hesaid。
"Yes。"
"Youarebloodan\'bone，heartan\'soularider，ifanygirleverwas。You\'reawonderwithahorse——asgoodasanymanIeversaw。YouloveWildfire。An\'
look——howstrange!Thatwildstallion——thatkillerofhorses，whyhefollowsyou，hewhistlesforyou，herunslikelightnin\'foryou；heLOVESyou。"
SlonehadattackedLucyinheroneweakpoint。Shefeltaforcerendingher。
ShedarednotlookatWildfire。Yes——all，thatwastrueSlonehadsaid。Howdesperatelyhardtothinkofforfeitingthegreatracesheknewshecouldwin!
"Never!I\'llneverrideyourWildfireAGAIN!"shesaid，very，low。
"MINE!Sothat\'sthetrouble。Well，Wildfirewon\'tbeminewhenyouridetherace。"
"Whatdoyoumean？"demandedLucy。"You\'llsellhimtoBostil。Bah!youcouldn\'t"
"SellWildfire!——afterwhatitcostmetocatchan\'breakhim？Notforallyourfather\'slandsan\'horsesan\'money!"
Slone\'svoicerolledoutwithdeep，ringingscorn。AndLucy，hertemperquelled，begantofeeltherider\'sstrength，hismasteryofthesituation，andsomethingvague，yetsplendidabouthimthathurther。
Slonestrodetowardher。Lucybackedagainstthecedar-treeandcouldgonofarther。Howwhitehewasnow!Lucy\'sheartgaveagreat，fearfulleap，forsheimaginedSloneintendedtotakeherinhisarms。Buthedidnot。
"Whenyouride——Wildfireinthat——racehe\'llbe——YOURS!"saidSlone，huskily。
"Howcanthatbe？"questionedLucy，inastonishment。
"Igivehimtoyou。"
"You——give——Wildfire——tome？"gaspedLucy。
"Yes。Rightnow。"
Therider\'swhitefaceanddarkeyesshowedthestrainofgreatandpassionatesacrifice。
"LinSlone!Ican\'t——understandyou。"
"You\'vegottorideWildfireinthatrace。You\'vegottobeattheKing。
SoIgiveWildfiretoyou。An\'nowyoucan\'thelpbutridehim。"
"Why——whydoyougivehim——tome？"falteredLucy。
Allherprideandtemperhadvanished，andsheseemedlostinblankness。
"BecauseyouloveWildfire。An\'Wildfirelovesyou。Ifthatisn\'treasonenough——thenbecauseIlovehim——asnoridereverlovedahorse。
An\'Iloveyouasnomaneverlovedagirl!"
SlonehadneverbeforespokenwordsoflovetoLucy。Shedroppedherhead。Sheknewofhisinfatuation。Buthehadalwaysbeenshyexceptoncewhenhehadbeenbold，andthathadcausedaquarrel。WithastrangepainatherbreastLucywonderedwhySlonehadnotspokenthatwaybefore？Itmadeasgreatachangeinherasifshehadbeenbornagain。Itreleasedsomething。Aboltshotbackinherheart。Sheknewshewasquiveringlikealeaf，withnopowertocontrolhermuscles。SheknewifshelookedupthenSlonemightseethedepthsofhersoul。Evenwithherhandsshuttingoutthelightshethoughtthedesertaroundhadchangedandbecomeallmellowgoldandblueandwhite，radiantasthemoonlightofdreams——andthatthemonumentssoaredabovethemgrandly，andwerebeautifulandnoble，liketherevelationsofloveandjoytoher。Andsuddenlyshefoundherselfsittingatthefootofthecedar，weeping，withtear-wethandsoverherface。
"There\'snothin\'to——tocryabout，"Slonewassaying。"ButI\'msorryifI
hurtyou。"
"Will——you——please——fetchSarch？"askedLucy，tremulously。
WhileSlonewentforthehorseandsaddledhimLucycomposedherselfoutwardly。Andshehadtwoverystrongdesires——onetotellSlonesomething，andtheothertorun。Shedecidedshewoulddobothtogether。
SlonebroughtSarchedon。Lucyputonhergauntlets，and，mountingthehorse，shetookamomenttoarrangeherskirtsbeforeshelookeddownatSlone。Hewasnowpale，ratherthanwhite，andinsteadoffireinhiseyestherewassadness。Lucyfelttheswellingandpoundingofherheart——andalong，deliciousshudderingthrillthatranoverher。
"Lin，Iwon\'ttakeWildfire，"shesaid。
"Yes，youwill。Youcan\'trefuse。Rememberhe\'sgrowntolooktoyou。Itwouldn\'tberightbythehorse。"
"Buthe\'sallyouhaveintheworld，"sheprotested。Yetsheknewanyprotestationswouldbeinvain。
"No。IhavegoodoldfaithfulNagger。"
"Wouldyougotrytohuntanotherwildstallion——likeWildfire？"askedLucy，curiously。Shewasplayingwiththewonderfulsweetconsciousnessofherpowertorenderhappinesswhenshechose。
"Nomorehorse-huntin\'forme，"declaredSlone。"An\'asforfindin\'onelikeWildfire——that\'dneverbe。"
"SupposeIwon\'taccepthim？"
"Howcouldyourefuse？NotformebutforWildfire\'ssake!Butifyoucouldbemeanan\'refuse，why，Wildfirecangobacktothedesert。"
"No!"exclaimedLucy。
"Ireckonso。"
Lucypausedamoment。Howdryhertongueseemed!Andherbreathingwaslabored!Anunrealshimmeringgleamshoneonallabouther。Eventheredstallionappearedenvelopedinaglow。Andtheloomingmonumentslookeddownuponher，paternal，old，andwise，brightwiththecolorofhappiness"Wildfireoughttohaveseveralmoredays\'training——thenadayofrest——andthentherace，"saidLucy，turningagaintolookatSlone。
Asmilewasbeginningtochangethehardnessofhisface。"Yes，Lucy，"hesaid。
"AndI\'llHAVEtoridehim？"
"Yousurewill——ifhe\'severtobeattheKing。"
Lucy\'seyesflashedblue。Shesawthecrowd——thecurious，friendlyIndians——theeagerriders——thespiritedhorses——thefaceofherfather——andlasttheraceitself，sucharaceashadneverbeenran，soswift，sofierce，sowonderful。
"ThenLin，"beganLucy，withaslowlyheavingbreast，"ifIacceptWildfirewillyoukeephimforme——untilandifIaccepthim，andtellyouwhy，willyoupromisetosay——"
"Don\'taskmeagain!"interruptedSlone，hastily。"IWILLspeaktoBostil。"
"Wait，willyoupromisenottosayaword——asinglewordtoME——tillaftertherace？"
"Aword——toyou!Whatabout？"hequeried，wonderingly。SomethinginhiseyesmadeLucythinkofthedawn。
"About——the——Because——Why，I\'m——I\'llacceptyourhorse。"
"Yes，"hereplied，swiftly。
Lucysettledherselfinthesaddleand，shorteningthebridle，shegotreadytospurSarchedonintoabolt。
"Lin，I\'llacceptWildfirebecauseIloveyou。"
Sarchedonleapedforward。LucydidnotseeSlone\'sfacenorhearhimspeak。
Thenshewastearingthroughthesage，outpastthewhistlingWildfire，withthewindsweetinherface。Shedidnotlookback。
CHAPTERXI
AllthroughMaytherewasanidea，darkandsinister，growinginBostil\'smind。Fiercelyatfirsthehadrejecteditasutterlyunworthyofthemanhewas。Butitreturned。Itwouldnotbedenied。Itwasfosteredbysingularandunforeseencircumstances。ThemeetingswithCreech，thestrange，sneakingactionsofyoungJoelCreech，andespeciallythegossipofridersabouttheimprovementinCreech\'sswifthorse——thesethingsappearedtoloomlargerandlargerandtoaugmentinBostil\'smindthemonstrousideawhichhecouldnotshakeoff。Sohebecamebroodingandgloomy。
ItappearedtobeanindicationofhisintensepreoccupationofmindthatheseemedunawareofLucy\'slongtripsdownintothesage。ButBostilhadobservedthemlongbeforeHolleyandotherridershadapproachedhimwiththeinformation。
"Letheralone，"hegrowledtohismen。"IgaveherorderstotraintheKing。
An\'afterVangotwellmebbeLucyjusthadahabitofridin\'downthere。Shecantakecareofherself。"
Tohimself，whenalone，Bostilmuttered:"Wonderwhatthekidhaslookedupnow？Somemischief，I\'llbet!"
Nevertheless，hedidnotspeaktoheronthesubject。Deepinhisheartheknewhefearedhiskeen-eyeddaughter，andduringthesedayshewasgladshewasnotinevidenceatthehourswhenhecouldnotverywellkeepentirelytohimself。BostilwasafraidLucymightdivinewhathehadonhismind。Therewasnooneelsehecaredfor。Holley，thatoldhawk-eyedrider，mightseethroughhim，butBostilknewHolleywouldbeloyal，whateverhesaw。
Towardtheendofthemonth，whenSomersreturnedfromhorse-hunting，BostilputhimandShugruetoworkuponthebigflatboatdownatthecrossing。Bostilhimselfwentdown，andhewalked——afactapttobeconsideredunusualifithadbeennoticed。
"Putinnewplanks，"washisordertothemen。"An\'pourhottarinthecracks。ThenwhenthetardriesshoveherinbutI\'lltellyouwhen。"
EverymorningyoungCreechrowedovertoseeiftheboatwasreadytotakethetripacrosstobringhisfather\'shorsesback。ThethirdmorningofworkontheboatBostilmetJoeldownthere。JoelseemedeagertospeaktoBostil。Hecertainlywasawild-lookingyouth。
"Bostil，myolemanislosin\'sleepwaitin\'togitthehossesover，"hesaid，frankly。"Feed\'salmostgone。"
"That\'llbeallright，Joel，"repliedBostil。"Yousee，theriverain\'tbeguntoraiseyet。How\'rethehossescomin\'on？"
"Grand，sir——grand!"exclaimedthesimpleJoel。"Pegisrunnin\'fasterthanlastyear，butBlueRoanisleavin\'heramile。Dad\'sgoin\'tobetallhehas。
Theroancan\'tlosethisyear。"
Bostilfeltlikeabullbayedatbyahound。BlueRoanwasayounghorse，andeveryseasonhehadgrownbiggerandfaster。TheKinghadreachedthelimitofhisspeed。Thatwasgreat，Bostilknew，andenoughtowinoveranyhorseintheuplands，providingtheluckoftheracefelleven。Luck，however，wasaficklething。
"Iwasadvisin\'Dadtoswimthehossesover，"declaredJoel，deliberately。
"A-huh!Youwas？An\'why？"rejoinedBostil。
Joel\'ssimplicityandfranknessvanished，andwiththemhisrationality。Helookedqueer。Hiscontrastingeyesshotlittlemalignantgleams。Hemutteredincoherently，andmovedbacktowardtheskiff，makingviolentgestures，andhismutteringgrewtoshouting，thoughstillincoherent。Hegotintheboatandstartedtorowbackovertheriver。
"Surehe\'sgotascrewloose，"observedSomers。Shugruetappedhisgrizzledheadsignificantly。
Bostilmadenocomment。Hestrodeawayfromhismendowntotherivershore，and，findingaseatonastone，hestudiedthesloweddyingredcurrentoftheriverandhelistened。IfanymanknewthestrangeandremorselessColorado，thatmanwasBostil。Henevermadeanymistakesinanticipatingwhattheriverwasgoingtodo。
Andnowhelistened，asifindeedthesullen，lowroar，themurmuringhollowgurgle，thesuddenstrangesplash，werespokenwordsmeantforhisearsalone。
Theriverwaslow。Itseemedtiredout。Itwasadirtyredincolor，anditswirledandflowedalonglingeringly。Attimesthecurrentwasalmostimperceptible；andthenagainitmovedatvaryingspeed。Itseemedapetulant，waiting，yetinevitablestream，withsomeremorselessendbeforeit。Ithadathousandvoices，butnottheoneBostillistenedtohear。
Heploddedgloomilyupthetrail，restinginthequiet，darkplacesofthecanyon，loathtoclimboutintotheclearlightofday。Andonceinthevillage，Bostilshookhimselfasiftocastoffanevil，ever-present，pressingspell。
Theraceswerenowonlyafewdaysoff。PiutesandNavajoswerecampedoutonthesage，andhourlythenumbergrewasmorecamein。Theywerebuildingcedarsunshades。Columnsofbluesmokecurleduphereandthere。Mustangsandponiesgrazedeverywhere，andalineofIndiansextendedalongtheracecourse，wheretrialswerebeingheld。Thevillagewasfullofriders，horse-tradersandhunters，andranchers。Workontherangeshadpracticallystoppedforthetimebeing，andinanotherdayorsoeveryinhabitantofthecountrywouldbeinBostil\'sFord。
Bostilwalkedintothevillage，grimlyconsciousthatthepresenceoftheIndiansandridersandhorses，theactionandcolorandbustle，thenearapproachofthegreatrace-day——thesethingsthatinformeryearshadbroughthimkeendelightandspeculation——hadsomehowlosttheirtang。Hehadchanged。
Somethingwaswronginhim。Buthemustgoamongthesevisitorsandwelcomethemasofold；hewhohadalwaysbeenthelifeoftheseracing-daysmustbeoutwardlythesame。AndthetaskwasalltheharderbecauseofthepleasureshownbyoldfriendsamongtheIndiansandtheridersatmeetinghim。Bostilknewhehadbeenacunninghorse-trader，buthehadlikewisebeenagoodfriend。ManyweretheridersandIndianswhoowedmuchtohim。Soeverywherehewashailedandbesieged，untilfinallytheoldexcitementofbettingandbanteringtookholdofhimandheforgothisbrooding。
Brackton\'splace，asalways，wasaheadquartersforallvisitors。Macomberhadjustcomeinfullofenthusiasmandprideoverthehorsehehadentered，andhehadmoneytowager。TwoNavajochiefs，calledbywhitemenOldHorseandSilver，werethereforthefirsttimeinyears。Theywerereadytogamblehorseagainsthorse。CalBlinnandhisridersofDurangohadarrived；likewiseColson，Sticks，andBurthwait，oldfriendsandrivalsofBostil\'s。
ForawhileBrackton\'swasmerry。Therewassomedrinkingandmuchbetting。ItwascharacteristicofBostilthathewouldgiveanyoddsaskedontheKinginarace；and，furthermore，hewouldtakeanyendofwagersonotherhorses。Asfarashisownhorseswereconcernedhebetshrewdly，butinraceswherehishorsesdidnotfigureheseemedtofindfuninthebetting，whetherornothewon。
Thefactremained，however，thattherewereonlytwowagersagainsttheKing，andbothwereputupbyIndians。Macomberwasbettingonsecondorthirdplaceforhishorseinthebigrace。NooddsofBostil\'stemptedhim。
"Say，where\'sWetherby？"rolledoutBostil。"He\'llbackhishoss。"
"Wetherby\'sridin\'overto-morrow，"repliedMacomber。"Butyougottabethimtwotoone。"
"Seehyar，Bostil，"spokeupoldCalBlinn，"youjestwaittillIgitaneyeontheKing\'srunnin\'。MebbeI\'llgoyouevenmoney。"
"An\'asferme，Bostil，"saidColson，"Iain\'tsetupyitwhichhossI\'llrace。"
Burthwait，anoldrider，cameforwardtoBrackton\'sdeskandenteredawageragainstthefieldthatmadeallthemengasp。
"ByGeorge!pard，youain\'ta-limpin\'along!"ejaculatedBostil，admiringly，andheputahandontheother\'sshoulder。
"Bostil，I\'veagrandhoss，"repliedBurthwait。"He\'sfouryearsold，Iguess，ferhewasbornwild，an\'youneverseenhim。"
"Wildhoss？Huh!"growledBostil。"Youmustthinkhecanrun。"
"Why，Bostil，astreakoflightnin\'ain\'tanywhereswithhim。"
"Wal，I\'mgladtohearit，"saidBostil，gruffly。"Brack，howmanyhossesenterednowforthebigrace？"
Thelean，grayBracktonbentearnestlyoverhissoiledledger，whiletheridersandhorsemenroundhimgrewsilenttolisten。
"Thar\'stheSageKingbyBostil，"repliedBrackton。"BlueRoanan\'Peg，byCreech；Whitefoot，byMacomber；Rocks，byHolley；Hoss-shoes，byBlinn；BayCharley，byBurthwait。Thenthar\'sthetwomustangsenteredbyOldHossan\'
Silver——an\'last——Wildfire，byLucyBostil。"
"What\'sthetlast？"queriedBostil。
"Wildfire，byLucyBostil，"repeatedBrackton。
"Hasthegirlgonean\'enteredahoss？"
"Shesurehas。Shecameinto-day，regularan\'business-like，writhernamean\'herhoss\'s——here\'tis——an\'putuptheentrancemoney。"
"Wal，I\'llbed——d!"exclaimedBostil。Hewasastonishedandpleased。"Shesaidshe\'ddoit。ButIdidn\'ttakenostockinhertalk。An\'thehoss\'sname？"
"Wildfire。"
"Huh!Wildfire。Mebbethetgirlcan\'tthinkofnamesforhosses!What\'sthishossshecallsWildfire？"
"Shesuredidn\'tsay，"repliedBrackton。"Holleyan\'Vanan\'somemoreoftheboyswashere。Theyjokedheralittle。YououghterseenthelookLucygivethem。Butferoncesheseemedmum。Shejestwalkedawaymysteriouslike。"
"Lucy\'sgotaponyoffsomeIndian，Ireckon，"returnedBostil，andhelaughed。"Thenthetmakestenhossesenteredsofar？"
"Right。An\'there\'ssuretobeonemore。Iguessthe，track\'swideenoughfortwelve。"
"Wal，Brack，there\'lllikelybeonehossoutinfrontan\'somestretchedoutbehind，"repliedBostil，dryly。"Thetrack\'ssurewideenough。"
"Won\'tthetbeagrandrace!"exclaimedanenthusiasticrider。"WishtIhadaboutamilliontobet!"
"Bostil，I\'mostforgot，"wentonBrackton，"CordtssentwordbythePiuteswhocometo-daythethe\'dbeheresure。"
Bostil\'sfacesubtlychanged。Thelightseemedtoleaveit。HedidnotreplytoBrackton——didnotshowthatheheardthecommentonallsides。PublicopinionwasagainstBostil\'spermissiontoallowCordtsandhishorse-thievestoattendtheraces。Bostilappearedgrave，regretful。Yetitwasknownbyallthatinthestrangenessandperversityofhisrider\'snaturehewantedCordtstoseetheKingwinthatrace。Itwashisrider\'svanityanddefianceintheteethofagreathorse-thief。ButnogoodwouldcomeofCordts\'spresence——thatmuchwasmanifest。
Therewasamomentofsilence。Allthesemen，iftheydidnotfearBostil，weresometimesuneasywhennearhim。Somewhoweremorerecklessthandiscreetlikedtoirritatehim。That，too，wasarider\'sweakness。
"When\'sCreech\'shossescomin\'over？"askedColson，withsuddeninterest。
"Wal，Ireckon——soon，"repliedBostil，constrainedly，andheturnedaway。
Bythetimehegothomealltheexcitementofthepasthourhadlefthimandgloomagainabidedinhismind。Heavoidedhisdaughterandforgotthefactofherenteringahorseintherace。Heatesupperalone，withoutspeakingtohissister。ThenintheduskhewentouttothecorralsandcalledtheKingtothefence。Therewaslovebetweenmasterandhorse。Bostiltalkedlow，likeawoman，toSageKing。Andthehardoldrider\'sheartwasfullandalumpswelledinhisthroat，forcontactwiththeKingremindedhimthatothermenlovedotherhorses。
Bostilreturnedtothehouseandwenttohisroom，wherehesatthinkinginthedark。Byandbyallwasquiet。Thenseeminglywithawrenchhebestirredhimselfanddidwhatforhimwasastrangeaction。Removinghisboots，heputonapairofmoccasins。Heslippedoutofthehouse；hekepttotheflagstoneofthewalk；hetooktothesagetilloutofthevillage，andthenhesheeredroundtotherivertrail。WiththestepandsurenessandtheeyesofanIndianhewentdownthroughthatpitch-blackcanyontotheriverandtheford。
Theriverseemedabsolutelythesameasduringtheday。Hepeeredthroughthedarkopaquenessofgloom。Itmovedthere，theriverheknew，shadowy，mysterious，murmuring。Bostilwentdowntotheedgeofthewater，and，sittingthere，helistened。Yes——thevoicesofthestreamwerethesame。Butafteralongtimeheimaginedtherewasamongthemaninfinitelylowvoice，asiffromagreatdistance。Heimaginedthis；hedoubted；hemadesure；andthenallseemedfancyagain。Hismindheldonlyoneideaandwasrivetedroundit。Hestrainedhishearing，solong，sointently，thatatlastheknewhehadheardwhathewaslongingfor。Theninthegloomhetooktothetrail，andreturnedhomeashehadleft，stealthily，likeanIndian。
ButBostildidnotsleepnorrest。
Nextmorningearlyherodedowntotheriver。SomersandShugruehadfinishedtheboatandwerewaiting。Othermenwerethere，curiousandeager。JoelCreech，barefootedandragged，withholloweyesandstrangeactions，pacedthesands。
Theboatwaslyingbottomup。Bostilexaminedthenewplankingandtheseams。
Thenhestraightenedhisform。
"Turnherover，"heordered。"Shoveherin。An\'lethersoakupto-day。"
Themenseemedgladandrelieved。JoelCreechheardandhecameneartoBostil。
"You\'ll——you\'llfetchDad\'shossesover？"hequeried。
"Sure。To-morrow，"repliedBostil，cheerily。
Joelsmiled，andthatsmileshowedwhatmighthavebeenpossibleforhimunderkinderconditionsoflife。"Now，Bostil，I\'msorryferwhatIsaid，"blurtedJoel。
"Shutup。Gotellyouroldman。"
Joelrandowntohisskiffand，leapingin，begantorowvigorouslyacross。
Bostilwatchedwhiletheworkmenturnedtheboatoverandsliditoffthesand-barandtieditsecurelytothemooring。Bostilobservedthatnotamantheresawanythingunusualabouttheriver。But，forthatmatter，therewasnothingtosee。Theriverwasthesame。
ThatnightwhenallwasquietinandaroundthevillageBostilemergedfromhishouseandtooktohisstealthystalkdowntowardtheriver。
Themomenthegotoutintothenightoppressionlefthim。Howinterminablethehourshadbeen!Suspense，doubt，anxiety，fearnolongerburdenedhim。Thenightwasdark，withonlyafewstars，andtheairwascool。Asoftwindblewacrosshisheatedface。Aneighbor\'sdog，bayingdismally，startledBostil。Hehaltedtolisten，thenstoleonunderthecottonwoods，throughthesage，downthetrail，intothejet-blackcanyon。Yethefoundhiswayasifithadbeenlight。Inthedarknessofhisroomhehadbeenaslavetohisindecision；nowinthedarknessoftheloomingcliffshewasfree，resolved，immutable。
Thedistanceseemedshort。Hepassedoutofthenarrowcanyon，skirtedthegorgeovertheriver，andhurrieddownintotheshadowyamphitheaterundertheloomingwalls。
Theboatlayatthemooring，oneendrestinglightlythesand-bar。Withstrong，nervousclutchBostilfelttheknotsofthecables。ThenhepeeredintotheopaquegloomofthatstrangeandhugeV-shapedsplitbetweenthegreatcanyonwalls。Bostil\'smindhadbeguntorelaxfromthesingleidea。Washealone？Exceptforthelowmurmuroftherivertherewasdeadsilence——asilencelikenoother——asilencewhichseemedheldunderimprisoningwalls。
YetBostilpeeredlongintotheshadows。Thenhelookedup。Theraggedrampartsfarabovefrownedboldandblackatafewcoldstars，andtheblueofitsskywaswithouttheusualvelvetybrightness。Howfaritwasuptothatcorrugatedrim!AllofasuddenBostilhatedthisvastebonypit。
Hestrodedowntothewaterand，sittinguponthestonehehadoccupiedsooften，helistened。Heturnedhisearup-stream，thendown-stream，andtotheside，andagainup-streamandlistened。
Theriverseemedthesame。
Itwasslow，heavy，listless，eddying，lingering，moving——thesameapparentlyasfordayspast。Itsplashedverysoftlyandmurmuredlowandgurgledfaintly。Itgaveforthfitfullittleswishesandmusicaltinklesandlappingsounds。Itwasflowingwater，yettheproofwasthereoftardiness。Nowitwasalmoststill，andthenagainitmovedon。Itwasariverofmysterytellingaliewithitslowmusic。AsBostillistenedallthosesoft，waterysoundsmergedintowhatseemedamoaning，andthatmoaningheldaroarsolowastobeonlydistinguishabletotheeartrainedbyyears。
No——theriverwasnotthesame。ForthevoiceofitssoftmoaningshowedtoBostilitsmeaning。Itcalledfromthefarnorth——thenorthofgreatice-cladpeaksbeginningtoglistenunderthenearingsun；ofvastsnow-filledcanyonsdrippingandmelting；ofthecrystalbrookssuddenlycoloredandroiledandfilledbank-fullalongthemountainmeadows；ofmanybrooksplungingdownanddown，rollingtherocks，topourtheirvolumeintothegrowingturbidstreamsontheslopes。Itwasthevoiceofallthatwidelyseparatedwaterspilledsuddenlywithmagicalpowerintothedesertrivertomakeitamighty，thunderingtorrent，redanddefiled，terribleinitsincreasingonslaughtintothecanyon，deep，ponderous，butswift——theColoradoinflood。
AndasBostilheardthatvoicehetrembled。Whatwasthethinghemeanttodo？
Athousandthoughtsassailedhiminanswerandnonewereclear。Achillpassedoverhim。Suddenlyhefeltthatthecoldstoleupfromhisfeet。Theywerebothinthewater。Hepulledthemoutand，bendingdown，watchedthedim，darklineofwater。Itmovedupandup，inchbyinch，swiftly。Theriverwasontherise!
Bostilleapedup。Heseemedpossessedofdevils。Aripplinghotgashofbloodfiredhiseveryveinandtremoraftertremorshookhim。
"ByG——d!Ihaditright——she\'srisin\'!"heexclaimed，hoarsely。
Hestaredinfascinatedcertaintyattheriver。Allaboutitandpertainingtoithadchanged。Themurmurandmoanchangedtoalow，sullenroar。Themusicwasgone。Thecurrentchafedatitsrock-boundconfines。Herewasanuneasy，tormented，drivenriver!Thelightfromthestarsshoneondark，glancing，restlesswaters，unevenandstrange。AndwhileBostilwatched，whetheritwasashorttimeorlong，theremorseless，destructivenatureoftherivershoweditself。
Bostilbegantopacethesands。Hethoughtofthosebeautifulrace-horsesacrosstheriver。
"It\'snottoolate!"hemuttered。"Icangettheboatoveran\'back——yet!"
HeknewthatonthemorrowtheColoradoinfloodwouldbarthosehorses，imprisontheminabarrencanyon，shutthemintostarve。
"It\'dbehellish!Bostil，youcan\'tdoit。Youain\'tthetkindofamanBostilpoisonawater-holewherehosseslovedtodrink，orburnovergrass!WhatwouldLucythinkofyou？No，Bostil，you\'veletspiterulebad。Hurrynowandsavethemhosses!"
Hestrodedowntotheboat。Itswungclearnow，andtherewaswaterbetweenitandtheshore。Bostillaidholdofthecables。AshedidsohethoughtofCreechandablacknessenfoldedhim。HeforgotCreech\'shorses。Somethinggrippedhim，burnedhim——somehardandbitterfeelingwhichhethoughtwashateofCreech。Againthewaveoffireranoverhim，andhishugehandsstrainedonthecables。Thefiendofthatfiendishriverhadenteredhissoul。
Hemeantruintoaman。Hemeantmorethanruin。Hemeanttodestroywhathisenemy，hisrivalloved。Thedarknessallabouthim，thegloomandsinistershadowofthecanyon，thesullenincreasingroarofthe\'river——theselenttheirinfluencetothedeed，encouragedhim，drovehimonward，foughtandstrangledtheresistanceinhisheart。Ashebroodedallthemotivesforthedeedgrewlikethatremorselessriver。Hadnothisenemy\'ssonshotathimfromambush？Wasnothisverylifeatstake？AterribleblowmustbedealtCreech，onethatwouldcrushhimorelselendhimmanhoodenoughtocomeforthwithagun。Bostil，inhistorment，divinedthatCreechwouldknowwhohadruinedhim。Theywouldmeetthen，asBostilhadtriedmorethanoncetobringaboutameeting。Bostilsawintohissoul，anditwasagulflikethiscanyonpitwherethedarkandsullenriverraged。Heshrankatwhathesaw，butthefuriesofpassionheldhimfast。Hishandstoreatthecables。Thenhefelltopacingtoandfrointhegloom。Everymomenttheriverchangeditsvoice。Inanhourfloodwouldbedown。Toolate，then!Bostilagainrememberedthesleek，slim，racythoroughbreds——BlueRoan，awildhorsehehadlongedtoown，andPeg，amarethathadnoequalintheuplands。WheredidBostil\'shateofamanstandincomparisonwithloveofahorse？Hebegantosweatandthesweatburnedhim。
"Howsoon\'llCreechheartheriveran\'knowwhat\'scomin\'？"mutteredBostil，darkly。Andthatquestionshowedhimhowhewaslost。Allthisstrifeofdoubtandfearandhorrorwereofnouse。HemeanttodoomCreech\'shorses。Thethinghadbeenunalterablefromtheinceptionoftheinsidious，hatefulidea。
Itwasirresistible。Hegrewstrong，hard，fierce，andimplacable。Hefoundhimself。Hestrodebacktothecables。Theknots，havingdraggedinthewater，weresoakingwetandswollen。Hecouldnotuntiethem。Thenhecutonestrandafteranother。Theboatswungoutbeyondhisreach。
InstinctivelyBostilreachedtopullitback。
"MyGod!It\'sgoin\'!"hewhispered。"WhathaveIdone？"
He——Bostil——whohadmadethisCrossingoftheFathersmorefamousasBostil\'sFord——he——tocuttheboatadrift!Thethingwasinconceivable。
Theroaroftheriverroseweirdandmournfulandincessant，withfewbreaks，andtheseweremarkedbystrangerippingandsplashingsoundsmadeasthebulgesofwaterbrokeonthesurface。Twentyfeetouttheboatfloated，turningalittleasitdrifted。Itseemedloathtoleave。Itheldontheshoreeddy。Hungrily，spitefullythelittle，heavywaveslappedit。Bostilwatcheditwithdilatingeyes。There!thecurrentcaughtoneendandthewaterroseinahollowsplashoverthecorner。Aninvisiblehand，likeamightygiant\'s，seemedtoswingtheboatout。Ithadbeendark；nowitwasopaque，nowshadowy，nowdim。Howswiftthiscursedriver!WasthereanywayinwhichBostilcouldrecoverhisboat？Theriveransweredhimwithhollow，deepmockery。Despairseizeduponhim。Andthevagueshapeoftheboat，spectralandinstinctwithmeaning，passedfromBostil\'sstrainedgaze。
"SohelpmeGod，I\'vedoneit!"hegroaned，hoarsely。Andhestaggeredbackandsatdown。Mindandheartandsoulweresuddenlyandexquisitelyacutetotheshameofhisact。Remorseseizeduponhisvitals。Hesufferedphysicalagony，asifawolfgnawedhiminternally。
"TohellwithCreechan\'hishosses，butwheredoIcomeinasaman？"hewhispered。Andhesatthere，armstightaroundhisknees，lockedbothmentallyandphysicallyintoinaction。
Therisingwaterbrokethespellanddrovehimback。Theriverwascreepingnolonger。Itswelled。Andtheroarlikewiseswelled。Bostilhurriedacrosstheflattogettotherockytrailbeforehewascutoff，andthelastfewrodshewadedinwateruptohisknees。
"I\'llleavenotrailthere，"hemuttered，withahardlaugh。Itsoundedghastlytohim，likethelaughoftheriver。
Andthereatthefootoftherockytrailhehaltedtowatchandlisten。Theoldmemorableboomcametohisears。Thefloodwascoming。Fortwenty-threeyearshehadheardthevanguardboomoftheColoradoinflood。Butneverlikethis，forinthesoundheheardthestrifeandpassionofhisblood，andrealizedhimselfahumancounterpartofthatremorselessriver。Themomentspassedandeachonesawaswellingofthevolumeofsound。Thesullenroarjustbelowhimwasgraduallylostinadistantroar。Asteadywindnowblewthroughthecanyon。Thegreatwallsseemedtogapewidertoprepareforthetorrent。Bostilbackedslowlyupthetrailasfootbyfootthewaterrose。Theflooroftheamphitheaterwasnowalakeofchoppy，angrywaves。Thewillowsbentandseethedintheedgeofthecurrent。Beyondrananuneven，bulgingmassthatresembledsomegray，heavymovingmonster。InthegloomBostilcouldseehowtheriverturnedacornerofwallandslantedawayfromittowardthecenter，whereitrosehigher。Blackobjectsthatmusthavebeendriftwoodappearedonthiscrest。Theyshowedaninstant，thenflashedoutofsight。Theboomgrewsteadier，closer，louder，andthereverberations，likelowdetonationsofthunder，werelessnoticeablebecauseallsoundswerebeingswallowedup。
AharderbreezepuffedintoBostil\'sface。Itbroughtatremendousthunder，asifallthecolossalwallswerefallinginavalanche。Bostilknewthecrestofthefloodhadturnedthecorneraboveandwouldsoonreachhim。Hewatched。Helistened，butsoundhadceased。Hiscarsseemedringingandtheyhurt。Allhisbodyfeltcold，andhebackedupandup，withdeadfeet。
Theshadowsofthecanyonlightened。Ariver-widefroth，likeacurtain，moveddown，spreadingmushroom-wisebeforeit，arolling，heavingmaelstrom。Bostilrantoescapethegreatwavethatsurgedintotheamphitheater，upanduptherockytrail。Whenheturnedagainheseemedtolookdownintohell。Murkydepths，streakedbypalegleams，andblack，sinister，changingformsyawnedbeneaththem。Hewatchedwithfixedeyesuntiloncemorethefeelingoffilledearslefthimandanawfulthunderingboomassuredhimofactualities。ItwasonlytheColoradoinflood。
