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Bostilsleptthatnight，buthissleepwastroubled，andastrange，dreadfulroarseemedtorunthroughit，likeamournfulwindoveradarkdesert。Hewasawakenedearlybyavoiceathiswindow。Helistened。Therecamearaponthewood。
"Bostil!Bostil!"ItwasHolley\'svoice。
Bostilrolledoffthebed。Hehadsleptwithoutremovinganyapparelexcepthisboots。
"Wal，Hawk，whatd\'yemeanwakin\'amanatthisunholyhour？"growledBostil。
Holley\'sfaceappearedabovetherudesill。Itwaspaleandgrave，withthehawkeyeslikeglass。"Itain\'tsoawfulearly，"hesaid。"Listen，boss。"
Bostilhaltedintheactofpullingonaboot。Helookedathismanwhilehelistened。Thestillairoutsideseemedfilledwithlowboom，likethunderatadistance。Bostiltriedtolookastounded。
"Hell!It\'stheColorado!She\'sboomin\'!"
"Reckonit\'shellallright——forCreech，"repliedHolley。"Boss，whydidn\'tyoufetchthemhossesover？"
Bostil\'sfacedarkened。Hewasabadmantooppose——toquestionattimes。
"Holley，you\'resurepowerfulanxiousaboutCreech。Areyouhisfriend？"
"Naw!I\'velittleuseferCreech，"repliedHolley。"An\'youknowthet。ButI
holdforhishossesasIwouldanyman\'s。"
"A-huh!An\'what\'syourkick？"
"Nothin\'——exceptyoucouldhavefetchedthemoverbeforethefloodcomedown。
That\'sall。"
Theoldhorse-traderendhisright-handriderlookedateachotherforamomentinsilence。Theyunderstoodeachother。ThenBostilreturnedtothetaskofpullingonwetbootsandHolleywentaway。
Bostilopenedhisdoorandsteppedoutside。Theeasternrampartsofthedesertwerebrightredwiththerisingsun。Withthenightbehindhimandthemorningcoolandbrightandbeautiful，Bostildidnotsufferapangnorfeelaregret。
Hewalkedaroundunderthecottonwoodswherethemocking-birdsweresinging。
Theshrill，screechingbrayofaburrosplitthemorningstillness，andwiththatthesoundsoftheawakeningvillagedrownedthatsullen，dreadfulboomoftheriver。Bostilwentintobreakfast。
HeencounteredLucyinthekitchen，andhedidnotavoidher。Hecouldtellfromhersmilinggreetingthatheseemedtoherhisoldselfagain。Lucyworeanapronandshehadhersleevesrolledup，showinground，strong，brownarms。
SomehowtoBostilsheseemeddifferent。Shehadbeenpretty，butnowshewasmorethanthat。Shewasradiant。Herblueeyesdanced。Shelookedexcited。Shehadbeentellingherauntsomething，andthatworthywomanappearedatonceshockedanddelighted。ButBostil\'sentrancehadcausedamysteriousbreakineverythingthathadbeengoingon，exceptthepreparationofthemorningmeal。
"NowIrodeinonsomeconfaborother，that\'ssure，"saidBostil，good-naturedly。
"Yousuredid，Dad，"repliedLucy，withabrightsmile。
"Wal，letmesitinthegame，"herejoined。
"Dad，youcan\'tevenante，"saidLucy。
"Jane，what\'sthiskidupto？"askedBostil，turningtohissister。
"ThegoodLordonlyknows!"repliedAuntJane，withasigh。
"Kid？Seehere，Dad，I\'meighteenlongago。I\'mgrownup。IcandoasI
please，gowhereIlike，andanything。Why，Dad，Icouldget——married。"
"Haw!haw!"laughedBostil。"Jane，hearthegirl。"
"Ihearher，Bostil，"sighedAuntJane。
"Wal，Lucy，I\'djustliketoseeyoufetchsomefoollove-sickrideraroundwhenI\'mfeelin\'good，"saidBostil。
Lucylaughed，buttherewasaroguish，daringflashinhereyes。"Dad，youdoseemtohavealltheyoungfellowsscared。Somedaymaybeonewillridealong——ariderlikeyouusedtobe——thatnobodycouldbluff。Andhecanhaveme!"
"A-huh!Lucy，areyouinfun？"
Lucytossedherbrighthead，butdidnotanswer。
"Jane，what\'sgotintoher？"askedBostil，appealingtohissister。
"Bostil，she\'sinfun，ofcourse，"declaredAuntJane。"Still，atthat，there\'ssomesenseinwhatshesays。Cometoyourbreakfast，now。"
Bostiltookhisseatatthetable，gladthathecouldoncemorebeamiablewithhiswomen-folk。"Lucy，to-morrow\'llbethebiggestdayBostil\'sFordeverseen，"hesaid。
"Itsurewillbe，Dad。ThebiggestSURPRISINGdaytheFordeverhad，"repliedLucy。
"Surprisin\'？"
"Yes，Dad。"
"Who\'sgoin\'togetsurprised？"
"Everybody。"
BostilsaidtohimselfthathehadbeenusedtoLucy\'sbanter，butduringhismoodyspellofdayspasthehadforgottenhowtotakeherorelseshewasdifferent。
"Bracktontellsmeyou\'veenteredahossagainstthefield。"
"It\'sanopenrace，isn\'tit？"
"Openasthedesert，Lucy，"hereplied。"What\'sthishossWildfireyou\'veentered？"
"Wouldn\'tyouliketoknow？"tauntedLucy。
"Ifhe\'sasgoodashisnameyoumightbeinatthefinish。But，Lucy，mydear，talkin\'goodsensenow——youain\'ta-goin\'togouponsomeunbrokenmustanginthisbigrace？"
"Dad，I\'mgoingtorideahorse。"
"But，Lucy，ain\'titariskyou\'llbetakin\'——allforfun？"
"Fun!I\'mindeadearnest。"
Bostillikedthelookofherthen。Shehadpaledalittle；hereyesblazed；
shewasintense。Hisquestionhadbroughtoutherearnestness，andstraightwayBostilbecamethoughtful。IfLucyhadbeenaboyshewouldhavebeenthegreatestriderontheuplands；andevengirlasshewas，superblymounted，shewouldhavebeendangerousinanyrace。
"Wal，Iain\'tafraidofyourhandlin\'ofahoss，"hesaid，soberly。"An\'aslongasyou\'reinearnestIwon\'tstopyou。But，Lucy，nobettin\'。Iwon\'tletyougamble。"
"Notevenwithyou？"shecoaxed。
Bostilstaredatthegirl。Whathadgottenintoher？"What\'llyoubet？"he，queried，withbluntcuriosity。
"Dad，I\'llgoyouahundreddollarsingoldthatIfinishone——two——three。"
Bostilthrewbackhisheadtolaughheartily。Whatachipoftheoldblockshewas!"Child，there\'ssomefasthossesthat\'llbebackoftheKing。You\'dbethrowin\'awaymoney。"
Bluefireshoneinhisdaughter\'seyes。Shemeantbusiness，allright，andBostilthrilledwithprideinher。
"Dad，I\'llbetyoutwohundred，even，thatIbeattheKing!"sheflashed。
"Wal，ofallthenerve!"ejaculatedBostil。"No，Iwon\'ttakeyouup。ReckonI
neverbeforeturneddownanevenbet。Understand，Lucy，ridin\'intheraceisenoughforyou。"
"Allright，Dad，"repliedLucy，obediently。
AtthatjunctureBostilsuddenlyshovedbackhisplateandturnedhisfacetotheopendoor。"Don\'tIheararunnin\'hoss？"
AuntJanestoppedthenoiseshewasmaking，andLucydartedtothedoor。ThenBostilheardthesharp，rhythmichoof-beatsherecognized。Theyshortenedtoclatterandpound——thenceasedsomewhereoutinfrontofthehouse。
"It\'stheKingwithVanup，"saidLucy，fromthedoor。"Dad，Van\'sjumpedoff——he\'scominginhe\'srunning。Somethinghashappened。Thereareotherhorsescoming——riders——Indians。"
Bostilknewwhatwascomingandpreparedhimself。Rapidfootstepssoundedwithout。
"Hello，MissLucy!Where\'sBostil？"
Alean，suppleriderappearedbeforethedoor。ItwasVan，greatlyexcited。
"Comein，boy，"saidBostil。"What\'reyouflusteredabout？"
Vanstrodein，spursjangling，capinhand。"Boss，there\'s——asixty-footraise——intheriver!"Vanpanted。
"Oh!"criedLucy，wheelingtowardherfather。
"Wal，Van，IreckonIknowedthet，"repliedBostil。"MebbeI\'mgettin\'old，butIcanstillhear。Listen。"
Lucytiptoedtothedoorandturnedherheadsidewiseandslowlybowedittillshestiffened。Outsidewere，soundsofbirdsandhorsesandmen，butwhenalullcameitquicklyfilledwithasullen，lowboom。
"Highestfloodwe——everseen，"saidVan。
"You\'vebeendown？"queriedBostil，sharply。
"Nottotheriver，"repliedVan。"Iwentasfaras——wherethegulchopens——onthebluff。TherewasastringofNavajosgoin\'down。An\'somecomin\'up。I
stayedtherewatchin\'theflood，an\'prettysoonSomerscomeupthetrailwithBlakesleyan\'Brackan\'someriders。An\'Somersholleredout，\'Theboat\'sgone!\'"
"Gone!"exclaimedBostil，hisloudcryshowingconsternation。
"Oh，Dad!Oh，Van!"criedLucy，witheyeswideandlipsparted。
"Sureshe\'sgone。An\'thewholeplacedownthere——wherethewillowswasan\'
thesand-bar——itwasdeepunderwater。"
"WhatwillbecomeofCreech\'shorses？"askedLucy，breathlessly。
"MyGod!ain\'titashame!"wentonBostil，andhecouldhavelaughedaloudathishypocrisy。HefeltLucy\'sblueeyesriveteduponhisface。
"Thet\'swhatweallwassayin\'，"wentonVan。"Whilewewaswatchin\'theawfulfloodan\'listenin\'tothedeepbum——bum——bumofrollin\'rockssomeoneseenCreechan\'twoPiutesleadin\'thehossesupthettrailwheretheslidewas。Wecountedthehosses——nine。An\'wesawtheroanshineblueinthesunlight。"
"PiuteswithCreech!"exclaimedBostil，thedeepgloominhiseyeslighting。
"Byallthet\'slucky!MebbethemIndianscanclimbthehossesoutofthetholean\'findwateran\'grassenough。"
"Mebbe，"repliedVan，doubtfully。"SurethemPiutescouldifthere\'sachance。
Butthereain\'tanygrass。"
"Itwon\'ttakemuchgrasstravelin\'bynight。"
"Solotsoftheboyssay。ButtheNavajostheyshooktheirheads。An\'Farlanean\'Holley，why，theyjesthelduptheirhands。"
"WiththemIndiansCreechhasachancetogethishossesout，"declaredBostil。Hewassureofhissincerity，buthewasnotcertainthathissinceritywasnotthebirthofastrange，suddenhope。Andthenhewasabletomeettheeyesofhisdaughter。Thatwashissupremetest。
"Oh，Dad，why，whydidn\'tyouhurryCreech\'shorsesover？"saidLucy，withhertearsfalling。
SomethingtightwithinBostil\'sbreastseemedtoeaseandlessen。"Whydidn\'tI？Wal，Lucy，IreckonIwasn\'tinnohurrytoobligeCreech。I\'msorrynow。"
"Itwon\'tbesoterribleifhedoesn\'tlosethehorses，"murmuredLucy。
"Where\'syoungJoelCreech？"askedBostil。
"Hestayedonthissidelastnight，"repliedVan。"Factis，Joel\'stheonewhofirstknewthefloodwason。Someonesaidhesaidhesleptinthecanyonlastnight。Anyway，he\'sravin\'crazynow。An\'ifhedoesn\'tdoharmtosomeoneorhisselfI\'llmissmyguess。"
"A-huh!"gruntedBostil。"Rightyouare。"
"Dad，can\'tanythingbedonetohelpCreechnow？"appealedLucy，goingclosetoherfather。
Bostilputhisarmaroundherandfeltimmeasurablyrelievedtohavethegoldenheadpressclosetohisshoulder。"Child，wecan\'tflyacrosttheriver。Nowdon\'tyoucryaboutCreech\'shosses。Theyain\'tstarvedyet。It\'shardluck。Butmebbeit\'llturnoutsoCreech\'llloseonlytherace。An\'，Lucy，itwasadeadsurebethe\'dhavelostthetanyway。"
Bostilfondledhisdaughteramoment，thefirsttimeinmanyaday，andthenheturnedtohisrideratthedoor。"Van，how\'stheKing？"
"Wildtorun，Bostil，jestplumbwild。Therewon\'tbeanyhosswiththeghostofashowto-morrow。"
Lucyraisedherdroopinghead。"IsTHATso，VanSickle？Listenhere。IfyouandSageKingdon\'tgetmorewildrunningto-morrowthanyoueverhadI\'llneverrideagain!"WiththisretortLucylefttheroom。
VanstaredatthedoorandthenatBostil。"What\'dIsay，Bostil？"heasked，plaintively。"I\'malwaysr\'ilin\'her。"
"Cheerup，Van。Youdidn\'tsaymuch。Lucyisfierythesedays。She\'sgotahosssomewherean\'she\'sgoin\'toridehimintherace。Sheofferedtobetonhim——againsttheKing!Itcertainlybeatmeallhollow。Butseehere，Van。
I\'veahunchthere\'sadarkhossgoin\'toshowupinthisrace。Sodon\'tunderrateLucyan\'hermount，whateverheis。ShecallshimWildfire。Everseehim？"
"Isurehaven\'t。Factis，Ihaven\'tseenLucyfordaysan\'days。Asforthehunchyougave，I\'llsayIwasfigurin\'Lucyforsomerealrace。Bostil，shedoesn\'tMAKEahossrun。He\'llrunjesttopleaseher。An\'Lucy\'slighter\'nafeather。Why，Bostil，ifshehappenedtorideoutthereonBlueRoanorsomeotherhossasfastI\'d——I\'djestwilt。"
Bostilutteredalaughfullofprideinhisdaughter。"Wal，shewon\'tshowuponBlueRoan，"hereplied，withgrimgruffness。"Thet\'ssureasdeath。
Comeonoutnow。IwantalookattheKing。"
Bostilwentintothevillage。Alldaylonghewassobusywithathousandandonethingsreferredtohim，putonhim，undertakenbyhim，thathehadnotimetothink。Backinhismind，however，therewasaburdenofwhichhewasvaguelyconsciousallthetime。Heworkedlateintothenightandsleptlatethenextmorning。
NeverinhislifehadBostilbeengloomyorretrospectiveonthedayofarace。InthepressofmattershehadonlyawordforLucy，butthatearnedasaucy，dauntlesslook。Hewasgladwhenhewasabletojointheprocessionofvillagers，visitors，andIndiansmovingouttowardthesage。
Theracecourselayatthefootoftheslope，andnowthegrayandpurplesagewasdottedwithmorehorsesandIndians，moremovingthingsandcolors，thanBostilhadeverseentherebefore。Itwasaspectaclethatstirredhim。ManyfiressentupbluecolumnsofsmokefrombeforethehastilybuiltbrushhutswheretheIndianscookedandate。Blanketsshonebrightinthesun；burrosgrazedandbrayed；horseswhistledpiercinglyacrosstheslope；Indianslolledbeforethehutsortalkedingroups，sittingandloungingontheirponies；
downinthevalley，hereandthere，wereIndiansracing，andotherswerechasingthewirymustangs。Beyondthisgayandcolorfulspectaclestretchedthevalley，mergingintothedesertmarkedsostrikinglyandbeautifullybythemonuments。
Bostilwasamongthelasttoridedowntothehighbenchthatoverlookedthehomeendoftheracecourse。HecalculatedthattherewereathousandIndiansandwhitescongregatedatthatpoint，whichwasthebestvantage-groundtoseethefinishofarace。Andtheoccasionofhisarrival，forallthegaiety，wasoneofdignityandimportance。IfBostilreveledinanythingitwasinanhourlikethis。Hisliberalitymadethiseventagreatrace-day。Thethoroughbredswereallthere，blanketed，inchargeofwatchfulriders。Inthecenterofthebrowofthislongbenchlayahuge，flatrockwhichhadbeenBostil\'sseatinthewatchingofmanyarace。Herewereassembledhisneighborsandvisitorsactivelyinterestedintheraces，andalsotheimportantIndiansofbothtribes，allwaitingforhim。
AsBostildismounted，throwingthebridletoarider，hesawafacethatsuddenlyfrozethethrillingdelightofthemoment。Atall，gauntmanwithcavernousblackeyesandhuge，droopingblackmustachefrontedhimandseemedwaiting。Cordts!Bostilhadforgotten。InstinctivelyBostilstoodonguard。
Foryearshehadpreparedhimselfforthemomentwhenhewouldcomefacetofacewiththisnotedhorse-thief。
"Bostil，howareyou？"saidCordts。Heappearedpleasant，andcertainlygratefulforbeingpermittedtocomethere。Fromhislefthandhungabeltcontainingtwoheavyguns。
"Hello，Cordts，"repliedBostil，slowlyunbending。Thenhemettheother\'sprofferedhand。
"I\'vebetheavyontheKing，"saidCordts。
ForthemomenttherecouldhavebeennootherwaytoBostil\'sgoodgraces，andthisremarkmadethegruffoldrider\'shardfacerelax。
"Wal，Iwashopin\'you\'dbacksomeotherhoss，soIcouldtakeyourmoney，"
repliedBostil。
CordtsheldoutthebeltandgunstoBostil。"Iwanttoenjoythisrace，"hesaid，withasmilethatsomehowhintedoftheyearshehadpackedthosegunsdayandnight。
"Cordts，Idon\'twanttotakeyourguns，"repliedBostil，bluntly。"I\'vetakenyourwordan\'that\'senough。"
"Thanks，Bostil。Allthesame，asI\'myourguestIwon\'tpackthem，"returnedCordts，andhehungthebeltonthehornofBostil\'ssaddle。"Someofmymenarewithme。TheywereallrighttilltheygotoutsideofBrackton\'swhisky。
ButnowIwon\'tanswerforthem。"
"Wal，you\'resquaretosaythet，"repliedBostil。"An\'I\'llrunthisracean\'
answerforeverybody。"
BostilrecognizedHutchinsonandDickSears，buttheothersofCordts\'sganghedidnotknow。Theywereahard-lookinglot。Hutchinsonwasaspare，stoop-shouldered，red-faced，squinty-eyedrider，brandedalloverwiththemarksofabadman。AndDickSearslookedhisnotoriety。Hewasalittleknotofmuscle，shortandbow-legged，roughinappearanceascactus。Heworearaggedslouch-hatpulledlowdown。Hisfaceandstubbybeardweredust-colored，andhiseyesseemedsullen，watchful。HemadeBostilthinkofadusty，scaly，hard，desertrattlesnake。Bostileyedthisright-handmanofCordts\'sandcertainlyfeltnofearofhim，thoughSearshadthefameofswiftanddeadlyskillwithagun。BostilfeltthathewasneitherafraidnorloathtofaceSearsingun-play，andhegazedatthelittlehorse-thiefinamannerthatnoonecouldmistake。Searswasnotdrunk，neitherwashewhollyfreefromtheunsteadinesscausedbythebottle。AssuredlyhehadnofearofBostilandeyedhiminsolently。Bostilturnedawaytothegroupofhisridersandfriends，andheaskedforhisdaughter。
"Lucy\'soverthere，"saidFarlane，pointingtoamerrycrowd。
Bostilwavedahandtoher，andLucy，evidentlymistakinghisaction，cameforward，leadingoneofherponies。Sheworeagrayblousewitharedscarf，andaskirtoveroverallsandboots。Shelookedpale，butshewassmiling，andtherewasadarkgleamofexcitementinherblueeyes。Shedidnothaveonhersombrero。Sheworeherhairinabraid，andhadaredbandtightaboveherforehead。Bostiltookherinallataglance。Shemeantbusinessandshelookeddangerous。Bostilknewoncesheslippedoutofthatskirtshecouldridewithanyriderthere。Hesawthatshehadbecomethecentertowardwhichalleyesshifted。Itpleasedhim。Shewashis，likehermother，andasbeautifulandthoroughbredasanyridercouldwishhisdaughter。
"Lucy，where\'syourhoss？"heasked，curiously。
"Neveryoumind，Dad。I\'llbethereatthefinish，"shereplied。
"Red\'syourcolorforto-day，then？"hequestioned，asheputabighandonthebright-bandedhead。
Shenoddedarchly。
"Lucy，Ineverthoughtyou\'dflauntredinyouroldDad\'sface。Red，whenthecoloroftheKingislikethesageoutyonder。You\'vegonebackontheKing。"
"No，Dad，IneverwasforSageKing，elseIwouldn\'twearredto-day。"
"Child，yousuremeantoruninthisrace——thebigone？"
"Sureandcertain。"
"Wal，theonlybitterdropinmycupto-daywillbeseein\'yougetbeat。ButifyouransecondI\'llgiveyouapresentthet\'llmakethepurselooksick。"
EventheIndianchiefsweresmiling。OldHorse，theNavajo，beamedbenignlyuponthisdaughterofthefriendoftheIndians。Silver，hisbrotherchieftain，noddedasifheunderstoodBostil\'sprideandregret。Someoftheyoungridersshowedtheirheartsintheireyes。Farlanetriedtolookmysterious，topretendhewasinLucy\'sconfidence。
"Lucy，ifyouarereallygoin\'toraceI\'llwithdrawmyhosssoyoucanwin，"
saidWetherby，gallantly。
Bostil\'ssonorouslaughrolleddowntheslope。
"MissLucy，Isurehatetorunahossagainstyours，"saidoldCalBlinn。ThenColson，Sticks，Burthwait，theotherprincipals，paidlaughingcomplimentstothebright-hairedgirl。
BostilenjoyedthishugelyuntilhecaughtthestrangeintensityofregardinthecavernouseyesofCordts。Thatgavehimashock。CordtshadlongwantedthisgirlasmuchprobablyashewantedSageKing。ThereweredarkandterriblestoriesthatstainedthenameofCordts。Bostilregrettedhisimpulseingrantingthehorse-thiefpermissiontoattendtheraces。SightofLucy\'sfair，sweetfacemightinflamethisCordts——thisKentuckianwhohadboastedofhisloveofhorsesandwomen。BehindCordtshungthelittledust-coloredSears，likeacoiledsnake，readytostrike。Bostilfeltstirinhimalong-dormantfire——astealingalonghisveins，apassionhehated。
"Lucy，gobacktothewomentillyou\'rereadytocomeoutonyourhoss，"hesaid。"An\'mindyou，becarefulto-day!"
Hegaveherameaningglance，whichsheunderstoodperfectly，hesaw，andthenheturnedtostarttheday\'ssport。
TheIndianracesrunintwosandthrees，andonuptoanumberthatcrowdedtheracecourse；thebettingandyellingandrunning；thewildandplungingmustangs；theheatanddustandpoundingofhoofs；theexcitedbetting；thesurprisesanddefeatsandvictories，thetrialtestsoftheprincipals，jealouslykeepingofftothemselvesinthesage；theendlessmoving，colorfulprocession，gaudyandswiftandthrilling——alltheseBostillovedtremendously。
Buttheywereasnothingtowhattheygraduallyworkedupto——theclimax——thegreatrace。
Itwasafternoonwhenallwasreadyforthisrace，andthesagewasbrightgrayinthewesteringsun。Everybodywasresting，waiting。Thetensequietoftheridersseemedtosettleuponthewholeassemblage。Onlythethoroughbredswererestless。Theyquiveredandstampedandtossedtheirsmall，fineheads。
Theyknewwhatwasgoingtohappen。Theywantedtorun。Blacks，bays，andwhiteswerethepredominatingcolors；andthehorsesandmustangswerealikeinthosepointsofraceandspeedandspiritthatproclaimedthemthoroughbreds。
Bostilhimselftookthecoveringoffhisfavorite。SageKingwasonedge。Hestoodoutstrikinglyincontrastwiththeotherhorses。Hissage-graybodywasassleekandshinyassatin。Hehadbeentrainedtothehour。Hetossedhisheadashechampedthebit，andeverymomenthismusclesrippledunderhisfineskin。Proud，mettlesome，beautiful!
SageKingwasthefavoriteinthebetting，theIndians，whowereardentgamblers，plungingheavilyonhim。
Bostilsaddledthehorseandwaslongatthetask。
Vanstoodwatching。Hewaspaleandnervous。Bostilsawthis。
"Van，"hesaid，"it\'syourrace。"
Theriderreachedaquickhandforbridleandhorn，andwhenhisfoottouchedthestirrupSageKingwasintheair。Hecamedown，springy-quick，graceful，andthenheprancedintolinewiththeotherhorses。
Bostilwavedhishand。Thenthetroopofridersandracersheadedforthestarting-point，twomilesupthevalley。MacomberandBlinn，withariderandaNavajo，wereupthereastheofficialstartersoftheday。
Bostil\'seyesglistened。Heputa，friendlyhandonCordts\'sshoulder，anactionwhichshowedthestressofthemoment。MostofthemencrowdedaroundBostil。SearsandHutchinsonhungclosetoCordts。AndHolley，keepingnearhisemployer，hadkeeneyesforotherthingsthanhorses。
SuddenlyhetouchedBostilandpointeddowntheslope。"There\'sLucy，"hesaid。"She\'sridin\'outtojointhebunch。"
"Lucy!Where？I\'dforgottenmygirl!Where？"
"There，"repeatedHolly，andhepointed。Othersofthegroupspokeup，havingseenLucyridingdown。
"She\'sonaredhoss，"saidone。
"\'Pearsall-firedbigtome——herhoss，"saidanother。"Who\'sgotaglass？"
Bostilhadtheonlyfield-glassthereandhewasusingit。Acrosstheround，magnifiedfieldofvisionmovedagiantredhorse，hismanewavinglikeaflame。Lucyrodehim。Theyweremovingfromajumbleofbrokenrocksamiledowntheslope。Shehadkeptherhorsehiddenthere。Bostilfeltanaddedstirinhispulse-beat。Certainlyhehadneverseenahorselikethisone。Butthedistancewaslong，theglassnotperfect；hecouldnottrusthissight。
Suddenlythatsightdimmed。
"Holley，Ican\'tmakeoutnothin\'，"hecomplained。"Taketheglass。GivemealineonLucy\'smount。"
"Boss，Idon\'tneedtheglasstoseethatshe\'suponaHOSS，"repliedHolley，ashetooktheglass。Heleveledit，adjustedittohiseyes，andthenlookedlong。Bostilgrewimpatient。Lucywasrapidlyoverhaulingthetroopofracersonherwaytothepost。NothingeverhurriedorexcitedHolley。
"Wal，can\'tyouseeanybetter\'nme？"queriedBostil，eagerly。
"Comeon，Holl，giveusatipbeforeshegitstothepost，"spokeuparider。
Cordtsshowedintenseeagerness，andallthegroupwereexcited。Lucy\'sadvent，onanunknownhorsethatevenherfathercouldnotdisparage，wasthelastandunexpectedadditiontothesuspense。TheyallknewthatifthehorsewasfastLucywouldbedangerous。
Holleyatlastspoke:"She\'suponawildstallion。He\'sred，likefire。He\'smightybig——strong。Looksasifhedidn\'twanttogonearthebunch。Lord!
whataction!Bostil，I\'dsay——agreathoss!"
Therewasamoment\'sintensesilenceinthegrouproundBostil。Holleywasneverknowntomistakeahorseortobeextravagantinjudgmentorpraise。
"Awildstallion!"echoedBostil。"A-huh!An\'shecallshimWildfire。Where\'dshegethim？Gimmethetglass。"
ButallBostilcouldmakeoutwasablur。Hiseyeswerewet。HerealizednowthathisfirstsightofLucyonthestrangehorsehadbeenclearandstrong，anditwasthatwhichhaddimmedhiseyes。
"Holley，youusetheglass——an\'tellmewhatcomesoff，"saidBostil，ashewipedhiseyeswithhisscarf。Hewasrelievedtofindthathissightwasclearing。"MyGod!ifIcouldn\'tseethisfinish!"
Theneverybodywatchedtheclose，darkmassofhorsesandridersdownthevalley。AndallwaitedforHolleytospeak。"They\'relinin\'up，"begantherider。"Havin\'somemuss，too，it\'pears。Bostil，thetredhossisraisin\'hell!Hewantstofight。There!he\'supintheair。Boys，he\'sadevil——ahoss-killerlikeallthemwildstallions。He\'splungin\'attheKing——strikin\'!There!Lucy\'sgothimdown。She\'shandlin\'him。Nowthey\'vegottheKingontheotherside。Thet\'sbetter。ButLucy\'shosswon\'tstand。Anyway，it\'sarunnin\'start。Van\'sgotthebestposition。FoxyVan!He\'llbeleadin\'beforetherestknowtherace\'son……ThemIndianmustangsarebehavin\'scandalous。Guesstheredstallionscared\'em。
Nowthey\'realllinedupbackofthepost。Ah!gun-smoke!Theymove……Itlookslikeago。"
ThenHolleywassilent，strained。inwatching。Sowereallthewatcherssilent。Bostilsawfardownthevalleyamoving，darklineofhorses。
"THEY\'REOFF!THEY\'REOFF!"calledHolley，thrillingly。
Bostilutteredadeepandboomingyell，whichroseabovetheshoutsofthemenroundhimandwasheardeveninthedinofIndiancries。Thenasquicklyastheyellshadrisentheyceased。
Holleystoodupontherockwithleveledglass。
"Mac\'sdroppedtheflag。It\'sasurego。Now!Van\'souttherefront——inside。TheKing\'sgothisstride。Boss，theKing\'sstretchin\'out!。Look!Look!seethetredhossleap!Bostil，he\'srunnin\'downtheKing!Iknowedit。He\'slikelightnin\'。He\'spushin\'theKingover——offthecourse!Seehimplunge!Lord!Lucycan\'tpullhim!Shegoesup——down——tossed——butshestickslikeaburr。Good，Lucy!Hangon!MyGawd，Bostil，theKing\'sthrown!He\'sdown!Hecomesup，offthecourse。
Theothersflashby。Van\'soutoftherace!An\'，Bostil——an\'，gentlemen，thereain\'tanythin\'moretothisracebutaredhoss!"
Bostil\'sheartgaveagreatleapandthenseemedtostandstill。Hewashalfcold，halfhot。
Whatahorrible，sickeningdisappointment。Bostilrolledoutacursingquery。
Holley\'sanswerwasshortandsharp。TheKingwasout!Bostilraved。Hecouldnotsee。Hecouldnotbelieve。Afteralltheweeksofpreparation，ofexcitement，ofsuspense——onlythis!Therewasnorace。TheKingwasout!Thethingdidnotseempossible。AthousandthoughtsflittedthroughBostil\'smind。Rage，impotentrage，possessedhim。HecursedVan，hesworehewouldkillthatredstallion。Andsomeoneshookhimhard。Someone\'sincisivewordscutintohisthick，throbbingears:"Luckofthegame!TheKingain\'tbeat!
He\'sonlyout!"
Thentherider\'shabitofmindasserteditselfandBostilbegantorecover。
FortheKingtofallwashardluck。Buthehadnotlosttherace!Anguishandpridebattledformasteryoverhim。EveniftheKingwereoutitwasaBostilwhowouldwinthegreatrace。
"Heain\'tbeat!"mutteredBostil。"Itain\'tfair!He\'srunoffthetrackbyawildstallion!"
Hisdimmedsightgrewclearandsharp。Andwithagasphesawthemoving，darklinetakeshapeashorses。Abrighthorsewasinthelead。Brighterandlargerhegrew。Swiftlyandmoreswiftlyhecameon。Thebrightcolorchangedtored。
BostilheardHolleycallingandCordtscalling——andothervoices，buthedidnotdistinguishwhatwassaid。Thelineofhorsesbegantobob，tobunch。Theracelookedclose，despitewhatHolleyhadsaid。TheIndianswerebeginningtoleanforward，hereandthereutteringashort，sharpyell。EverythingwithinBostilgrewtogetherinonegreat，throbbing，tinglingmass。Hisrider\'seye，keenoncemore，caughtagleamofgoldabovethered，andthatgoldwasLucy\'shair。BostilforgottheKing。
ThenHolleybawledintohisear，"They\'rehalf-way!"
Theracewasbeautiful。Bostilstrainedhiseyes。Hegloriedinwhathesaw——Lucylowovertheneckofthatredstallion。Hecouldseeplainernow。
Theywerecomingcloser。Howswiftly!Whatasplendidrace!Butitwastooswift——itwouldnotlast。TheIndiansbegantoyell，drowningthehoarseshoutsoftheriders。OutofthetailofhiseyeBostilsawCordtsandSearsandHutchinson。Theywereactinglikecrazymen。Strangethathorse-thievesshouldcare!ThemillionthrillswithinBostilcoalescedintoonegreatshudderofrapture。Hegrewwetwithsweat。HisstentorianvoicetookupthecallforLucytowin。
"Three-quarters!"bowledHolleyintoBostil\'sear。"An\'Lucy\'sgivethetwildhossfreerein!Look，Bostil!Youneverinyourlifeseenahossranlikethet!"
Bostilneverhad。Hisheartswelled。Somethingshookhim。Wasthathisgirl——thattightlittlegrayburrhalfhiddeninthehugestallion\'sflamingmane？ThedistancehadbeenclosebetweenLucyandthebunchedriders。
Butitlengthened。Howitwidened!Thatflameofahorsewasrunningawayfromtheothers。Andnowtheywereclose——comingintothehomestretch。Adeafeningroarfromtheonlookersengulfedallothersounds。Astraining，stamping，arm-flinginghordesurroundedBostil。
BostilsawLucy\'sgoldenhairwhippingoutfromtheflame-streakedmane。Andthenhecouldonlyseethatredbruteofahorse。Wildfirebeforethewind!
Bostilthoughtoftheleapingprairieflame，storm-driven。
Oncametheredstallion——on——on!Whatatremendousstride!Whatamarvelousrecovery!Whatease!Whatsavageaction!
Heflashedpast，low，pointed，long，goingfastereverymagnificentstride——winnerbyadozenlengths。
CHAPTERXIII
Wildfireranondownthevalleyfarbeyondtheyellingcrowdlinedalongtheslope。Bostilwasdeaftothethrong；hewatchedthestalliontillLucyforcedhimtostopandturn。
ThenBostilwhirledtoseewhereVanwaswiththeKing。Mostofthecrowdsurgeddowntosurroundtheracers，andtheyellsgavewaytothebuzzofmanyvoices。SomeoftheranchersandridersremainednearBostil，allapparentlytalkingatonce。BostilgatheredthatHolley\'sWhitefoothadransecond，andtheNavajo\'smustangthird。ItwasHolleyhimselfwhoverifiedwhatBostilhadheard。Theoldrider\'shawkeyeswerewarmwithdelight。
"Boss，herunsecond!"Holleykeptrepeating。
BostilhadthehearttoshakehandswithHolleyandsayhewasglad，whenitwasonhislipstoblurtouttherehadbeennorace。ThenBostil\'snervestingledatsightofVantrottingtheKingupthecoursetowardtheslope。
Bostilwatchedwithsearchingeyes。SageKingdidnotappeartobeinjured。
Vanrodestraightuptheslopeandleapedoff。Hewaswhiteandshaking。
TheKing\'sglossyhidewasdirtywithdustandbitsofcactusandbrush。Hewasnotevenhot。Theredidnotappeartobeabruiseormarkonhim。HewhinniedandrubbedhisfaceagainstBostil，andthen，flinching，hesweptuphishead，earshigh。Bothfearandfireshoneinhiseyes。
"Wal，Van，getitoutofyoursystem，"saidBostil，kindly。Hewasaharderloserbeforearacewasrunthanafterhehadlostit。
"ThetredhossruninontheKingbeforethestartan\'scaredtheraceoutofhim，"repliedVan，swiftly。"Wehadahunch，youknow，butatthetLucy\'shosswasasurprise。I\'llsay，sir，thetLucyrodeherwildhossan\'handledhim。
TwiceshepulledhimofftheKing。HemeanttokilltheKing!Askanyoftheboys。Wegotstarted。Itookthelead，sir。TheKingwasinthelead。IneverlookedbacktillIheardLucyscream。Shecouldn\'tpullWildfire。Hewasrushin\'theKing——meanttokillhim。An\'SageKingwantedtofight。IfIcouldonlyhavekepthimrunnin\'!Thetwouldhavebeenarace!。ButWildfiregotincloseran\'closer。Hecrowdedus。HebitattheKing\'sflankan\'shoulderan\'neck。LucypulledtillIyelledshe\'dthrowthehossan\'killusboth。ThenWildfirejumpedforus。Runnin\'an\'strikin\'withbothfeetatonce!Bostil，thethoss\'shell!Thenhehitusan\'downwewent。Ihadabadspill。ButtheKing\'snothurtan\'thet\'sablessedwonder。"
"Norace，Van!Itwashardluck。Takehimhome，"saidBostil。
Van\'sstoryoftheaccidentvindicatedBostil\'sdoubts。Anewhorsehadappearedonthescene，wildandswiftandgrand，butSageKingwasstillunbeateninafairrace。Therewouldcomeareckoning，Bostilgrimlymuttered。
WhoownedthisWildfire？
Holleymightaswellhavereadhismind。"Reckonthisfellerridin\'upwilltakedowntheprizemoney，"remarkedHolley，andhepointedtoamanwhorodeahuge，shaggy，blackhorseandwasleadingLucy\'spony。
"A-huh!"exclaimedBostil。"Astrangerider。"
"An\'herecomesLucycoaxin\'thestallionback，"addedHolley。
"Awildstallionneverclearbroke!"ejaculatedCordts。
AllthemenlookedandallhadsomeremarkofpraiseforLucyandhermount。
Bostilgazedwithastrange，irresistibleattraction。Neverhadheexpectedtolivetoseeawildstallionlikethisone，tosaynothingofhisdaughtermountedonhim，withtherecordofhavingputSageKingoutoftherace!
AthousandpairsofeyeswatchedWildfire。Heprancedouttherebeyondthecrowdofmenandhorses。Hedidnotwanttocomecloser。Yethedidnotseemtofighthisrider。Lucyhunglowoverhisneck，apparentlyexhausted，andshewaspattinghimandcaressinghim。TherewerehorsesandIndiansoneachsideoftheracetrack，andbetweentheselinesLucyappearedreluctanttocome。
Bostilstrodedownand，wavingandyellingforeverybodytomovebacktotheslope，heclearedthewayandthenstoodoutinfrontalone。
"Rideup，now，"hecalledtoLucy。
ItwasthenBostildiscoveredthatLucydidnotwearaspurandshehadneitherquirtnorwhip。SheturnedWildfireandhecameprancingon，headandmaneandtailerect。Hisactionwasbeautiful，springy，andeveryfewsteps，asLucytouchedhim，hejumpedwithmarvelouseaseandswiftness。
Bostilbecamealleyes。Hedidnotseehisdaughterassheparadedthewinnerbeforetheapplaudingthrong。AndBostilrecordedinhismindthatwhichhewouldneverforget——awildstallion，withunbrokenspirit；agiantofahorse，glisteningred，withmanelikedark-striped，wind-blownflame，allmuscle，allgrace，allpower；anecklongandslenderandarchingtothesmall，savagelybeautifulhead；thejawsopen，andthethin-skinned，pink-colorednostrilsthatprovedtheArabianblood；theslantingshouldersandthedeep，broadchest，thepowerfullegsandkneesnottoohighnortoolow，thesymmetricaldarkhoofsthatrangonthelittlestones——allthesemarkssosignificantofspeedandendurance。Astallionwithawonderfulphysicalperfectionthatmatchedthesavage，ruthlessspiritofthedesertkillerofhorses!
Lucywavedherhand，andthestrangeridertowhomHolleyhadcalledattentionstrodeoutofthecrowdtowardWildfire。
Bostil\'sgazetookinthesplendidbuildofthislitherider，theclean-cutface，thedarkeye。Thisfellowhadashiny，coiledlassoinhand。HeadvancedtowardWildfire。Thestallionsnortedandplunged。IfeverBostilrawhateexpressedbyahorsehesawitthen。Butheseemedtobetractabletothecontrolofthegirl。Bostilswiftlygraspedthestrangesituation。Lucyhadwontheloveofthesavagestallion。Thatalwayshadbeenthesecretofherpower。AndshehadhatedSageKingbecausehealonehadsomehowtakenadisliketoher。Horseswereasqueeraspeople，thoughtBostil。
TheriderwalkedstraightuptothetremblingWildfire。WhenWildfireplungedandrearedupanduptheriderleapedforthebridleandwithanironarmpulledthehorsedown。Wildfiretriedagain，almostliftingtherider，butastingingcutfromthelassomadehimcometoastand。Plainlytheriderheldthemastery。
"Dad!"calledLucy，faintly。
Bostilwentforward，close，whiletheriderheldWildfire。Lucywasaswan-facedasaflowerbymoonlight。Hereyesweredarkwithemotions，fearpredominating。ThenforBostilthehalfofhisheartthatwashumanreasserteditself。Lucywasonlyagirlnow，andweakening。Herfear，herpitifullittlesmile，asifshedarednothopeforherfather\'sapprovalyetcouldnothelpit，touchedBostiltothequick，andheopenedhisarms。Lucysliddownintothem。
"Lucy，girl，you\'vewontheKing\'sracean\'double-crossedyourpoorolddad!"
"Oh，Dad，Ineverknew——IneverdreamedWildfire——wouldjumptheKing，"Lucyfaltered。"Icouldn\'tholdhim。Hewasterrible。Itmademesick。
Daddy，tellmeVanwasn\'thurt——ortheKing!"
"Thehoss\'sallrightan\'so\'sVan，"repliedBostil。"Don\'tcry，Lucy。Itwasafooltrickyoupulledoff，butyoudiditgreat。ByGad!yousurewasridin\'
thetreddevil。An\'say，it\'sallrightwithme!"
Lucydidnotfaintthen，butshecamenearit。BostilputherdownandledherthroughthelinesofadmiringIndiansandapplaudingriders，andleftherwiththewomen。
WhenheturnedagainhewasintimetoseethestrangeridermountWildfire。
Itwasaswiftandhazardousmount，thestallionbeingintheair。Whenhecamedownhetoretheturfandsentitflying，andwhenheshotupagainhewasdoubledinaredknot，bristlingwithfieryhair，afuriouswildbeast，madtothrowtherider。Bostilneverheardaswildascreamutteredbyahorse。Likewisehehadneverseensoincomparableahorsemanasthisstranger。
Indiansandridersalikethrilledatasightwhichwasaftertheirownhearts。
Theriderhadhookedhislongspursunderthehorseandnowappearedapartofhim。Hecouldnotbedislodged。Thiswasnotabuckingmustang，butafierce，powerful，fightingstallion。Nodoubt，thoughtBostil，thisfighttookplaceeverytimetheridermountedhishorse。Itwasthesortofthingridersloved。
Mostofthemwouldnotownahorsethatwouldnotpitch。Bostilpresentlydecided，however，thatinthecaseofthisredstallionnoriderinhisrightsenseswouldcareforsuchafight，simplybecauseoftheextraordinarystrengths，activity，andferocityofthestallion。
Theriderswereallbettingthehorsewouldthrowthestranger。AndBostil，seeingthegatheringmightofWildfire\'smomentum，agreedwiththem。Nohorsemancouldstickonthathorse。SuddenlyWildfiretrippedinthesage，andwentsprawlinginthedust，throwinghisriderahead。Bothmanandbeastwerequicktorise，buttheriderhadafootinthestirrupbeforeWildfirewasunderway。Thenthehorseplunged，ranfree，camecirclingback，andslowlygavewaytotherider\'scontrol。Thosefewmomentsoffrenziedactivityhadbroughtoutthefoamandthesweat——Wildfirewaswet。ThemanpulledhiminbeforeBostilanddismounted。
"SometimesIridehim。thensometimesIdon\'t，"hesaid，withasmile。
Bostilheldouthishand。Helikedthisrider。Hewouldhavelikedthefrankface，lesshardthanthatofmostriders，andthefine，darkeyes，straightandsteady，eveniftheirpossessorhadnotcomewiththeopensesametoBostil\'sregard——agrand，wildhorse，andthenervetoridehim。
"Wal，yourodehimlonger\'nanyofusfiggered"saidBostil，heartilyshakingtheman\'shand。"I\'mBostil。Gladtomeetyou。"
"Myname\'sSlone——LinSlone，"repliedtherider，frankly。"I\'mawild-horsehunteran\'hailfromUtah。"
"Utah？How\'dyouevergetover？Wal，you\'vegotagrandhoss——an\'youputagrandrideruponhimintherace。MygirlLucy——"
Bostilhesitated。Hismindwasrunningswiftly。BackofhisthoughtsgatheredthedesireandthedeterminationtogetpossessionofthishorseWildfire。Hehadforgottenwhathemighthavesaidtothisstrangerunderdifferentcircumstances。HelookedkeenlyintoSlone\'sfaceandsawnofear，nosubterfuge。Theyoungmanwashonest。
"Bostil，Ichasedthiswildhorsedaysan\'weeksan\'months，hundredsofmiles——acrossthecanyonan\'theriver——"
"No!"interruptedBostil，blankly。
"Yes。I\'lltellyouhowlater。OutheresomewhereIcaughtWildfire，brokehimasmuchashe\'lleverbebroken。Heplayedmeoutan\'gotaway。Yourgirlrodealong——savedmyhorse——an\'savedmylife，too。Iwasinbadshapefordays。ButIgotwell——an\'——an\'thenshewantedmetoletherrunWildfireinthebigrace。Icouldn\'trefuse。An\'itwouldhavebeenagreatracebutfortheunluckyaccidenttoSageKing。I\'msorry，sir。"
"Slone，itjarredmesome，thetdisappointment。Butit\'sover，"repliedBostil。"An\'sothet\'showLucyfoundherhoss。Shesurewasmysterious。
Wal，wal。"Bostilbecameawareofothersbehindhim。"Holley，shakehandswithSlone，hoss-wrangleroutofUtah。You，too，CalBlinn。An\'
