下载辰思小说免费APP
Macomber——an\'Wetherby，meetmyfriendhere——youngSlone。An\'，Cordts，shakehandswithafellerthetownsagrandhoss!"
Bostillaughedasheintroducedthehorse-thieftoSlone。Theotherslaughed，too，evenCordtsjoiningin。TherewasmuchoftheoldriderdaredevilspiritleftinBostil，anditinterestedandamusedhimtoseeCordtsandSlonemeet。
AssuredlySlonehadheardofthenotedstealerofhorses。TheadvantagewascertainlyonCordts\'sside，forhewasgood-naturedandpleasantwhileSlonestiffened，palingslightlyashefacedabouttoacknowledgetheintroduction。
"Howdy，Slone，"drawledCordts，withhandoutstretched。"Isureamgladtomeetyuh。I\'dliketotradetheSageKingforthisredstallion!"
Aroaroflaughtergreetedthissally，allbutBostilandSlonejoiningin。
ThejokewasonBostil，andheshowedit。Slonedidnotevensmile。
"Howdy，Cordts，"hereplied。"I\'mgladtomeetyou——soI\'llknowyouwhenI
seeyouagain。"
"Wal，we\'reallgoodfellersto-day，"interposedBostil。"An\'nowlet\'sridehomean\'eat。Slone，youcomewithme。"
Thegroupslowlymountedtheslopewherethehorseswaited。Macomber，Wetherby，Burthwait，Blinn——allBostil\'sfriendsprofferedtheirfelicitationstotheyoungrider，andallwereevidentlyprepossessedwithhim。
Thesunwaslowinthewest；purpleshadeswereblottingoutthegoldlightsdownthevalley；thedayofthegreatraceswasalmostdone。Indianswerestillscatteredhereandthereingroups；otherswereturningoutthemustangs；andthemajoritywereridingandwalkingwiththecrowdtowardthevillage。
BostilobservedthatCordtshadhurriedaheadofthegroupandnowappearedtobesayingsomethingemphatictoDickSearsandHutchinson。BostilheardCordtscurse。ProbablyhewasarraigningthesullenSears。Cordtshadactedfirstrate——hadliveduptohisword，asBostilthoughthewoulddo。CordtsandHutchinsonmountedtheirhorsesandrodeoff，somewhattotheleftofthescatteredcrowd。ButSearsremainedbehind。Bostilthoughtthisstrangeandputitdowntothesurlinessofthefellow，whohadlostontheraces。Bostil，wishingSearswouldgetoutofhissight，resolvednevertomakeanotherblunderlikeinvitinghorse-thievestoarace。
AllthehorsesexceptWildfirestoodinabunchbackonthebench。Searsappearedtobefussingwiththestrapsonhissaddle。AndBostilcouldnotkeephisglancefromwanderingbacktogloatoverWildfire\'ssavagegraceandstrikingsize。
Suddenlytherecameahaltintheconversationofthemen，acurseinHolley\'sdeepvoice，aviolentsplitinthegroup。BostilwheeledtoseeSearsinamenacingpositionwithtwogunsleveledlow。
"Don\'tholler!"hecalled。"An\'don\'tmove!"
"What\'ntheh——lnow，Sears？"demandedBostil。
"I\'llboreyouifyoumove——thet\'swhat!"repliedSears。Hiseyes，bold，steely，withaglintthatBostilknew，vibratedasheheldinsightallpointsbeforehim。Aviciouslittlesand-rattlesnakeabouttostrike!
"Holley，turnyerback!"orderedSears。
Theoldrider，whostoodforemostofthegroup\'instantlyobeyed，withhandsup。Hetooknochanceshere，forhealonepackedagun。WithswiftstepsSearsmoved，pulledHolley\'sgun，flungitasideintothesage。
"Sears，itain\'tahold-up!"expostulatedBostil。Theactseemedtoobold，toowildevenforDickSears。
"Ain\'tit？"scoffedSears，malignantly。"Bostil，IwasaftertheKing。ButI
reckonI\'llgitthehossthetbeathim!"
Bostil\'sfaceturneddark-bloodcolorandhisneckswelled。"ByGawd，Sears!
Youain\'ta-goin\'tostealthisboy\'shoss!"
"Shutup!"hissedthehorse-thief。HepushedagunclosetoBostil。"I\'vealwayslaidferyou!I\'machin\'toboreyounow。Iwouldbutferscarin\'thishoss。IfyouyapagainI\'llKILLYOU，anyhow，an\'takeachance!"
Alltheterriblehateandevilandcrueltyanddeadlinessofhiskindburnedinhiseyesandstunginhisvoice。
"Sears，ifit\'smyhorseyouwantyouneedn\'tkillBostil，"spokeupSlone。
Thecontrastofhiscool，quietvoiceeasedtheterriblestrain。
"Leadhimroundhyar!"snappedSears。
Wildfireappearedmoreshyofthehorsesbackofhimthanofthemen。Slonewasabletoleadhim，however，towithinseveralpacesofSears。ThenSlonedroppedthereins。Hestillheldalassowhichwaslooselycoiled，andtheloopdroppedinfrontofhimashebackedaway。
Searssheathedtheleft-handgun。Keepingthegroupcoveredwiththeother，hemovedbackward，reachingforthehangingreins。Wildfiresnorted，appearedabouttojump。ButSearsgotthereins。Bostil，standinglikeastone，hiscompanionsalsomotionless，couldnothelpbutadmirethedaringofthisuplandhorse-thief。Howwashetomountthatwildstallion？Searswasnotedfortwoqualities——hisnervebeforemenandhisskillwithhorses。Assuredlyhewouldnotriskanordinarymount。WildfirebegantosuspectSears——tolookathiminsteadoftheotherhorses。ThenquickasacatSearsvaultedintothesaddle。Wildfiresnortedandliftedhisforefeetinalungethatmeanthewouldbolt。
Searsinvaultinguphadswungthegunaloft。Hesweptitdown，butwaveringly，forWildfirehadbeguntorear。
BostilsawhowfatalthatsingleinstantwouldhavebeenforSearsifheorHolleyhadagun。
Somethingwhistled。BostilsawtheleapofSlone\'slasso——thecurling，snakydartofthenoosewhichflewuptosnaparoundSears。Theropesungtaut。
Searswassweptbodilycleanfromthesaddle，tohitthegroundinsoddenimpact。
AlmostswifterthanBostil\'ssightwastheactionofSlone——flashingby——intheair——himselfontheplunginghorse。Searsshotonce，twice。ThenWildfireboltedashisriderwhippedthelassoroundthehorn。Sears，halfrising，wasjerkedtenfeet。Anawfulshriekwasthrottledinhisthroat。
Astreakofdustontheslope——atearing，partinglineinthesage!
Bostilstoodamazed。Theredstallionmadeshortplunges。Slonereachedlowforthetrippingreins。WhenhestraightenedupinthesaddleWildfirebrokewildlyintoarun。
ItwascharacteristicofHolleythatatthisthrilling，tragicinstanthewalkedoverintothesagetopickuphisgun。
"Throwedagunonme，gotthedrop，an\'pitchedmineaway!"mutteredHolley，indisgust。Thewayhespokemeantthathewasdisgraced。
"MyGawd!IwasscaredthetSearswouldgetthehoss!"rolledoutBostil。
Holleythoughtofhisgun；Bostilthoughtofthesplendidhorse。Thethoughtswerecharacteristicoftheseriders。Theothermen，however，recoveringfromahorror-brokensilence，burstoutinacclaimofSlone\'sfeat。
"DickSears\'sfinish!Ropedbyaboyrider!"exclaimedCalBlinn，fervidly。
"Bostil，thatriderisworthyofhishorse，"saidWetherby。"IthinkSearswouldhaveboredyou。Isawhisfingerpressing——pressingonthetrigger。MenlikeSearscan\'thelpbutpullatthatstage。"
"ThetwasthequickesttrickIeverseen，"declaredMacomber。
TheywatchedWildfirerundowntheslope，outintothevalley，withastreakofrisingdustoutbehind。Theyallsawwhenthereceasedtobethatpeculiarrisingofdust。Wildfireappearedtoshootaheadatgreaterspeed。Thenheslowedup。Theriderturnedhimandfacedbacktowardthegroup，comingatastiffgallop。SoonWildfirebreastedtheslope，andhalted，snorting，shakingbeforethemen。Thelassowasstilltrailingoutbehind，limpandsagging。
Therewasnoweightuponitnow。
Bostilstrodeslowlyahead。HesympathizedwiththetensionthatheldSlone；
heknewwhytherider\'sfacewasgray，whyhislipsonlymovedmutely，whytherewashorrorinthedark，strainedeyes，whythelean，stronghands，slowlytakingupthelasso，nowshooklikeleavesinthewind。
Therewasonlydustonthelasso。ButBostilknew——theyallknewthatnonethelessithaddealtaterribledeathtothehorse-thief。
SomehowBostilcouldnotfindwordsforwhathewantedtosay。Heputahandontheredstallion——pattedhisshoulder。ThenhegrippedSlonecloseandhard。Hewasthinkinghowhewouldhavegloriedinasonlikethisyoung，wildrider。Thenheagainfacedhiscomrades。
"Fellers，doyouthinkCordtswasinonthettrick？"hequeried。
"Nope。Cordtswasonthesquare，"repliedHolley。"Buthemusthaveseenitcomin\'an\'leftSearstohisfate。Itsurewasafittin\'lastrideforahoss-thief。"
BostilsentHolleyandFarlaneonaheadtofindCordtsandHutchinson，withtheircomrades，totellthemthefateofSears，andtowarnthemtoleavebeforethenewsgottotheriders。
Thesunwassettinggoldenandredoverthebrokenbattlementsofthecanyonstothewest。Theheatofthedayblewawayonabreezethatbentthetipsofthesage-brush。Awildsongdriftedbackfromtheriderstothefore。AndtheprocessionofIndiansmovedalong，theirgaytrappingsandbrightcolorsbeautifulinthefadingsunsetlight。
WhenBostiland，hisguestsarrivedatthecorrals，Holley，withFarlaneandotherriders，werewaiting。
"Boss，"saidHolley，"Cordtsan\'hisoutfitneverridin。TheywaslastseenbysomeNavajosheadin\'forthecanyon。"
"Thet\'sgood!"ejaculatedBostil，inrelief。"Walboys，lookafterthehosses……Slone，justturnWildfireovertotheboyswithinstructions，an\'feelsafe。"
Farlanescratchedhisheadandlookeddubious。"I\'mwonderin\'howsafeit\'llbeferus。"
"I\'lllookafterhim，"saidSlone。
BostilnoddedasifhehadexpectedSlonetorefusetoletanyriderputthestallionawayforthenight。Wildfirewouldnotgointothebarn，andSloneledhimintooneofthehigh-barredcorrals。Bostilwaited，talkingwithhisfriends，untilSlonereturned，andthentheywenttowardthehouse。
"Ireckonwecouldn\'tgetinsideBrack\'splacenow，"remarkedBostil。"ButinacaselikethisIcanscareupadrink。"Lightsfromthewindowsshonebrightthroughthedarknessunderthecottonwoods。Bostilhaltedatthedoor，asifsuddenlyremembering，andhewhispered，huskily:"Let\'skeepthewomenfromlearnin\'aboutSears——to-night，anyway。"
Thenheledthewaythroughthebigdoorintothehugeliving-room。Therewerehanging-lightsonthewallsandblazingsticksonthehearth。Lucycamerunningintomeetthem。ItdidnotescapeBostil\'skeeneyesthatshewasdressedinherbestwhitedress。Hehadneverseenherlooksosweetandpretty，and，forthatmatter，sostrange。Theflush，thedarknessofhereyes，theaddedsomethinginherface，tender，thoughtful，strong——thesewerenew。
Bostilponderedwhileshewelcomedhisguests。Slone，whohadhungback，waslastinturn。Lucygreetedhimasshehadtheothers。Slonemetherwithawkwardconstraint。Thegrayhadnotlefthisface。Lucylookedupathimagain，anddifferently。
"What——whathashappened？"sheasked。
ItannoyedBostilthatSloneandallthemensuddenlylookedblank。
"Why，nothin\'，"repliedSlone，slowly，"\'ceptI\'mfaggedout。"
Lucy，oranyothergirl，couldhaveseenthathe，wasevadingthetruth。SheflashedalookfromSlonetoherfather。
"Untilto-dayweneverhadabigracethatsomethingdreadfuldidn\'thappen，"
saidLucy。"Thiswasmyday——myrace。And，oh!Iwantedittopasswithout——without——"
"Wal，Lucydear，"repliedBostil，asshefaltered。"Nothin\'cameoffthet\'dmakeyoufeelbad。YoungSlonehadascareabouthishoss。Wildfire\'ssafeoutthereinthecorral，an\'he\'llbeguardedliketheKingan\'Sarch。Sloneneedsadrinkan\'somethin\'toeat，sameasallofus。"
Lucy\'scolorreturnedandhersmile，butBostilnotedthat，whileshewasservingthemandbrightlyresponsivetocompliments，shegavemorethanonesteadyglanceatSlone。Shewasdeep，thoughtBostil，anditangeredhimalittlethatsheshowedinterestinwhatconcernedthisstrangerider。
Thentheyhaddinner，withtwelveattable。ThewivesofBostil\'sthreefriendshadbeenhelpingAuntJanepreparethefeast，andtheyaddedtothemerriment。Bostilwasnotmuchgiventosocialintercourse——hewouldhavepreferredtobewithhishorsesandriders——butthisnightheoutdidhimselfashost，amazedhissisterJane，whoevidentlythoughthedranktoomuch，anddelightedLucy。Bostil\'soutwardappearanceandhisspeechandactionneverreflectedalltheworkingsofhismind。Noonewouldeverknowthedepthofhisbitterdisappointmentattheoutcomeoftherace。WithCreech\'sBlueRoanoutoftheway，anotherhorse，swifterandmoredangerous，hadcomealongtospoiltheKing\'schance。BostilfeltasubtlyincreasingcovetousnessinregardtoWildfire，andthiscoloredallhistalkandaction。Theuplandcountry，vastandrangy，wasforBostiltoosmalltoholdSageKingandWildfireunlesstheybothbelongedtohim。AndwhenoldCalBlinngavearingingtoasttoLucy，hopingtolivetoseeheruponWildfireinthegrandracethatmustberunwiththeKing，Bostilfeltstirinhimthebirthofasubtle，bitterfear。Atfirsthemockedit。He——Bostil——afraidtorace!Itwasalieoftheexcitedmind。Herepudiatedit。Insidiouslyitreturned。Hedrowneditdown——smothereditwithpassion。Thentheghostofitremained，hauntingly。
AfterdinnerBostilwiththemenwentdowntoBrackton\'s，whereSloneandthewinnersofthedayreceivedtheirprizes。
"Why，it\'smoremoneythanIeverhadinmywholelife!"exclaimedSlone，gazingincredulouslyatthegold。
Bostilwasamusedandpleased，andbackofbothamusementandpleasurewastheoldinventive，drivingpassiontogainhisownends。
Bostilwasabnormallygenerousinmanyways；monstrouslyselfishinoneway。
"Slone，Iseenyoudidn\'tdrinknone，"hesaid，curiously。
"No；Idon\'tlikeliquor。"
"Doyougamble？"
"Ilikealittlebet——onarace，"repliedSlone，frankly。
"Wal，thetain\'tgamblin\'。Thesefoolridersofminewillbetontheswitchin\'
ofahoss\'stail。"HedrewSlonealittleasidefromtheothers，whowereinterestedinBrackton\'sdeliveryofthedifferentprizes。"Slone，how\'dyouliketorideforme？"
Sloneappearedsurprised。"Why，Ineverrodeforanyone，"hereplied，slowly。
"Ican\'tstandtobetieddown。I\'mahorse-hunter，youknow。"
Bostileyedtheyoungman，wonderingwhatheknewaboutthedifficultiesofthejoboffered。ItwasnonewstoBostilthathewasatoncethebestandtheworstmantorideforinalltheuplands。
"Sure，Iknow。Butthetdoesn\'tmakenodifference，"wentonBostil，persuasively。"Ifwegotalong——wal，you\'dsavesomeofthetyellowcoinyou\'rejinglin\'。Aroamin\'riderneverbuildsnocorral!"
"Thankyou，Bostil，"repliedSlone，earnestly。"I\'llthinkitover。Itwouldseemkindoftamenowtogobacktowild-horsewranglin\'，afterI\'vecaughtWildfire。I\'llthinkitover。MaybeI\'lldoit，ifyou\'resureI\'mgoodenoughwithropean\'horse。"
"Wal，byGawd!"blurtedoutBostil。"Holleysayshe\'dratheryouthrowedagunonhimthanarope!SowouldI。An\'asforyourhandlin\'ahoss，Ineverseennobetter。"
Sloneappearedembarrassedandkeptstudyingthegoldcoinsinhispalm。SomeonetouchedBostil，who，turning，sawBracktonathiselbow。TheothermenwerenowbanteringwiththeIndians。
"ComenowwhileI\'vegotaminnit，"saidBrackton，takingupalantern。"I\'vesomethin\'toshowyou。"
BostilfollowedBrackton，andSlonecamealong。Theoldmanopenedadoorintoasmallroom，halffullofstoresandtrack。Thelanternonlydimlylightedtheplace。
"Lookthar!"AndBracktonflashedthelightuponamanlyingprostrate。
BostilrecognizedthepalefaceofJoelCreech。"Brack!What\'sthis？Ishedead？"Bostilsustainedastrange，incomprehensibleshock。Sightofadeadmanhadneverbeforeshockedhim。
"Nope，heain\'tdead，whichifhewasmightbegoodforthiscommunity，"
repliedBrackton。"He\'sonlyfalleninafit。FustoffIreckonedhewasdrunk。Butitain\'tthet。"
"Wal，whatdoyouwanttoshowhimtomefor？"demandedBostil，gruffly。
"Ireckonedyououghterseehim。"
"An\'why，Brackton？"
Bracktonsetdownthelanternand，pushingSloneoutside，said:"Jestaminnit，son，"andthenheclosedthedoor。"Joel\'sbeenonmyhandssincethefloodcuthimofffromhome，"saidBrackton。"An\'he\'sbeensometrial。Butnobodyelsewouldhavedonenothin\'forhim，soIhadto。IreckonIfeltsorryforhim。Hecriedlikeababythethadlostitsmother。Thenhegetswild-lookin\'an\'ravedaround。WhenIwasn\'tbusyIkeptaneyeonhim。ButsomeofthetimeIcouldn\'t，an\'hestoledrinks，whichmadehimwuss。An\'
whenIseenhewastryin\'tosneakoneofmyguns，Iupan\'getssuspicious。
Oncehesaid，\'Mydad\'shossesaregoin\'tostarve，an\'I\'mgoin\'tokillsomebody!\'Hewasoutofhisheadan\'dangerous。Wal，Iwasworriedsome，butallIcoulddowaslockupmyguns。LastnightIcaughthimconfabin\'withsomemenoutinthedark，behindthestore。TheyallskedaddledexceptJoel，butIrecognizedCordts。Ididn\'tlikethis，nuther。Joelwassurlyan\'ugly。
An\'whenoneoftheriderscalledhimhesaid:\'ThetboatNEVERDRIFTEDOFF。
FerthenightofthefloodIwentdowntheremyselfan\'tiedtheropes。Theynevercomeuntied。Somebodycutthem——jestbeforetheflood——tomakesuremydad\'shossescouldn\'tbecrossed。Somebodyfiggeredtheriveran\'theflood。
An\'ifmydad\'shossesstarveI\'mgoin\'tokillsomebody!\'"
Bracktontookupthelanternandplacedahandonthedoorreadytogoout。
"ThenariderpunchedJoel——Ineverseenwho——an\'Joelhadafit。Idraggedhiminhere。An\'asyousee，heain\'tcometoyet。"
"Wal，Brackton，theboy\'scrazy，"saidBostil。
"SoIreckon。An\'I\'mafearedhe\'llburnusout——he\'scrazyonfires，anyway——ordosomethin\'like。"
"He\'ssureaproblem。Wal，we\'llsee，"repliedBostil，soberly。
AndtheywentouttofindSlonewaiting。ThenBostilcalledhisguests，andwithSlonealsoaccompanyinghim，wenthome。
Bostilthrewofftherecurringgloom，andhewasgood-naturedwhenLucycametohisroomtosaygoodnight。Heknewshehadcometosaymorethanthat。
"Hello，daughter!"hesaid。"Aren\'tyouashamedtocomefacin\'yourpoorolddad？"
Lucyeyedhimdubiously。"No，I\'mnotashamed。ButI\'mstillalittle——afraid。"
"I\'mharmless，child。I\'mabrokenman。WhenyouputSageKingoutoftheraceyoubrokeme。"
"Dad，thatisn\'tfunny。Youmakemean——angrywhenyouhintIdidsomethingunderhand。"
"Wal，youdidn\'tconsultME。"
"Ithoughtitwouldbefuntosurpriseyouall。Why，you\'realwaysdelightedwithasurpriseinarace，unlessitbeatsyou。Then，itwasmygreatandonlychancetogetoutinfrontoftheKing。Oh，howgrandit\'dhavebeen!
Dad，I\'dhaverunawayfromhimthesameastheothers!"
"No，youwouldn\'t，"declaredBostil。
"Dad，WildfirecanbeattheKing!"
"Never，girl!Knockin\'agood-temperedhossoffhispinsain\'tbeatin\'himinarunnin\'-race。"
Thenfatheranddaughterfoughtovertheoldscore，theonedoggedly，imperturbably，theotherspiritedly，withflashingeyes。Itwasdifferentthistime，however，foritendedinLucysayingBostilwouldneverriskanotherrace。ThatstungBostil，anditcosthimanefforttocontrolhistemper。
"Letthetgonow。TellmeallabouthowyousavedWildfire，an\'Slone，too。"
Lucyreadilybeganthenarrative，andshehadscarcelystartedbeforeBostilfoundhimselfintenselyinterested。Soonhebecameabsorbed。Thatwasthemostthrillingandmovingkindofromancetohim，likehisrider\'sdreams。
"Lucy，you\'resureagamekid，"hesaid，fervidly，whenshehadended。"I
reckonIdon\'tblameSloneforfallin\'inlovewithyou。"
"WhosaidTHAT!"inquiredLucy。
"Nobody。Butit\'strue——ain\'tit？"
Shelookedupwitheyesastrueasevertheywere，yetalittlesad，hethought，alittlewistfulandwondering，asifastrangeandgravethingconfrontedher。
"Yes，Dad——it\'s——it\'strue，"sheanswered，haltingly。
"Wal，youdidn\'tneedtotellme，butI\'mgladyoudid。"
Bostilmeanttoaskherthenifsheinanysensereturnedtherider\'slove，butunaccountablyhecouldnotputthequestion。Thegirlwasastrueasever——asgoodasgold。Bostilfearedasecretthatmighthurthim。justassureaslifewasthereanddeathbutastepaway，somerider，soonerorlater，wouldwinthisgirl\'slove。Bostilknewthat，hatedit，fearedit。Yethewouldnevergivehisgirltoabeggarlyrider。SuchamanasWetherbyoughttowinLucy\'shand。AndBostildidnotwanttoknowtoomuchatpresent；hedidnotwanthisswift-mountinganimosityrousedsosoon。Stillhewascurious，and，wantingtogetthedriftofLucy\'smind，hetooktohisoldhabitofteasing。
"Anothermoonstruckrider!"hesaid。"Youreyesaresurefullmoons，Lucy。I\'dbeashamedtotriflewiththesepoorfellers。"
"Dad!"
"You\'reaheartlessflirt——sameasyourmotherwasbeforeshemetME。"
"I\'mnot。AndIdon\'tbelievemotherwas，either，"repliedLucy。Itwaseasytostrikefirefromher。
"Wal，youdiddeadwrongtorideouttheredayafterdaymeetin\'Slone，because——youngwoman——ifheeverhasthenervetoaskmeforyouI\'llbeathimupbad。"
"Thenyou\'dbeabrute!"retortedLucy。
"Wal，mebbe，"returnedBostil，secretlydelightedandsurprisedatLucy\'sfailuretoseethroughhim。Butshewaslookinginward。Hewonderedwhathidtheredeepinher。"ButIcan\'tstandforthenerveofthet。"
"He——hemeansto——toaskyou。"
"Theh。A-huh!"
Lucydidnotcatchtheslipoftongue。Shewasflushingnow。"Hesaidhe\'dneverhaveletmemeethimouttherealone——unless——he——helovedme——andasourneighborsandtheriderswouldlearnofit——andtalk——hewantedyouandthemtoknowhe\'daskedto——tomarryme。"
"Wal，he\'sasquareyoungman!"ejaculatedBostil，involuntarily。ItwashardforBostiltohidehissincerityandimpulsiveness；muchharderthantohideunworthyattributes。Thenhegotbackontheothertrack。"That\'llmakemetreathimdecent，sowhenheridesuptoaskforyouI\'lllethimoffwith，\'No!"
Lucydroppedherhead。Bostilwouldhavegivenallhehad，excepthishorses，tofeelsureshedidnotcareforSlone。
"Dad——Isaid——\'No\'——formyself，"shemurmured。
ThistimeBostildidnotwithholdtheprofanewordofsurprise。"。Sohe\'saskedyou，then？Wal，wal!When？"
"To-day——outthereintherockswherehewaitedwithWildfireforme。
He——he——"
Lucyslippedintoherfather\'sarms，andherslenderformshook。Bostilinstinctivelyfeltwhatshethenneededwashermother。Hermotherwasdead，andhewasonlyarough，old，hardrider。Hedidnotknowwhattodo——tosay。
Hisheartsoftenedandheclaspedherclose。Ithurthimkeenlytorealizethathemighthavebeenabetter，kinderfatherifitwerenotforthefearthatshewouldfindhimout。Butthatprovedhelovedher，cravedherrespectandaffection。
"Wal，littlegirl，tellme，"hesaid。
"He——hebrokehiswordtome。"
"A-huh!Thet\'stoobad。An\'howdidhe？"
"He——he——"Lucyseemedtocatchhertongue。
Bostilwaspositiveshehadmeanttotellhimsomethingandsuddenlychangedhermind。Subtlythechildvanished——awomanremained。Lucysatupself-possessedoncemore。Somepowerfullyimpellingthoughthadtransformedher。Bostil\'skeensensegatheredthatwhatshewouldnottellwasnotherstoreveal。Forherself，shewasthesoulofsimplicityandfrankness。
"DaysagoItoldhimIcaredforhim，shewenton。"ButIforbadehimtospeakofittome。Hepromised。Iwantedtowaittillaftertherace——tillafterI
hadfoundcouragetoconfesstoyou。Hebrokehisword。TodaywhenheputmeuponWildfirehe——hesuddenlylosthishead。"
TheslowscarletwelledintoLucy\'sfaceandhereyesgrewshamed，butbravelyshekeptfacingherfather。
"He——hepulledmeoff——hehuggedme——hek-kissedme。Oh，itwasdreadful-shameful!ThenIgavehimback——some——somethinghehadgivenme。AndItoldhimI——Ihatedhim——andItoldhim，\'No!\'"
"Butyourodehishossintherace，"saidBostil。
Lucybowedherheadatthat。"I——Icouldn\'tresist!"
Bostilstrokedthebrighthead。Whataquandaryforathick-skulledoldhorseman!"Wal，itseemstomeSlonedidn\'tactsobad，considerin\'。You\'dtoldhimyoucaredforhim。Ifitwasn\'tforthet!IrememberIdidmuchthesametoyourmother。Sheraisedthedevil，butIneverseenasshecaredanylessforme。"
"I\'llneverforgivehim，"Lucycried，passionately。"Ihatehim。Amanwhobreakshiswordinonethingwilldoitinanother。"
Bostilsadlyrealizedthathislittlegirlhadreachedwomanhoodandlove，andwiththemthesweet，bitterpangsoflife。Herealizedalsothatherewasacrisiswhenaword——anunjustorlyingwordfromhimwouldforeverruinanyhopethatmightstillexistforSlone。Bostilrealizedthisacutely，buttherealizationwasnotevenatemptation。
"Wal，listen。I\'mboundtoconfessyournewriderissureswift。An\'，Lucy，to-dayifhehadn\'tbeenasswiftwitharopeasheisinlove——wal，yourolddaddymightbedead!"
Shegrewaswhiteasherdress。"Oh，Dad!IKNEWsomethinghadhappened，"shecried，reachingforhim。
ThenBostiltoldherhowDickSearshadmenacedhim——howSlonehadfoiledthehorse-thief。Hetoldthestorybluntly，buteloquently，withallarider\'spraise。Lucyrosewithhandspressedagainstherbreast。WhenhadBostilseeneyeslikethose——dark，shining，wonderful？Ah!herememberedhermother\'sonce——onlyonce，asagirl。
ThenLucykissedhimandwithoutawordfledfromtheroom。
Bostilstaredafterher。"D——nme!"heswore，ashethrewabootagainstthewall。"IreckonI\'llneverlethermarrySlone，butIjusthadtotellherwhatIthinkofhim!"
CHAPTERXIV
Slonelaywideawakeunderanopenwindow，watchingthestarsglimmerthroughtherustlingfoliageofthecottonwoods。Somewherealonesomehoundbayed。
Veryfaintlycamethesilverytinkleofrunningwater。
ForfivedaysSlonehadbeenaguestofBostil\'s，andthewholefivedayshadbeentorment。
OnthemorningofthedayaftertheracesLucyhadconfrontedhim。Wouldheeverforgethereyes——hervoice？"Blessyouforsavingmydad!"shehadsaid。
"Itwasbrave。Butdon\'tletdadfoolyou。Don\'tbelieveinhiskindness。Aboveall，don\'trideforhim!HeonlywantsWildfire，andifhedoesn\'tgethimhe\'llhateyou!"
ThatspeechofLucy\'shadmadethesucceedingdayshardforSlone。Bostilloadedhimwithgiftsandkindnesses，andneverceasedimportuninghimtoaccepthisoffers。ButforLucy，Slonewouldhaveaccepted。ItwasshewhocastthefirstdoubtofBostilintohismind。Lucyaverredthatherfatherwassplendidandgoodineverywayexceptinwhatpertainedtofasthorses；therehewasimpossible。
ThegreatstallionthatSlonehadnearlysacrificedhislifetocatchwaslikeathornintherider\'sflesh。Slonelaythereinthedarkness，restless，hot，rollingfromsidetoside，orstaringoutatthestar-studdedsky——miserablyunhappyallonaccountofthathorse。Almosthehatedhim。WhatpridehehadfeltinWildfire!HowhehadgloriedinthegiftofthestalliontoLucy!
Then，onthemorningoftheracehadcomethatunexpected，incomprehensibleandwildactofwhichhehadbeenguilty。Yetnottosavehislife，hissoul，couldheregretit!Wasithewhohadbeenresponsible，oranunknownsavagewithinhim？HehadkepthiswordtoLucy，whendayafterdayhehadburnedwithloveuntilthatfatalmomentwhenthetouchofher，asheliftedhertoWildfire\'ssaddle，hadmadeamadmanoutofhim。Hehadsweptherintohisarmsandheldherbreasttohis，herfacebeforehim，andhehadkissedthesweet，partinglipstillhewasblind。
Thenhehadlearnedwhatalittlefuryshewas。Thenhelearnedhowhehadfallen，whathehadforfeited。Inhisamazeathimself，inhishumilityandshame，hehadnotbeenabletosayawordinhisowndefense。Shedidnotknowyetthathisacthadbeenungovernableandthathehadnotknownwhathewasdoingtilltoolate。Andshehadfinishedwith:"I\'llrideWildfireintherace——butIwon\'thavehim——andIwon\'thaveYOU!NO!"
Shehadthesteelandhardnessofherfather。
ForSlone，thewatchingofthatracewasablendofraptureanddespair。Helivedoverinmindallthetimebetweentheraceandthishourwhenhelaytheresleeplessandfullofremorse。Hismindwaslikearacecoursewithmanyraces；andpredominatinginitwasthatswift，strange，stingingraceofhismemoryofLucyBostil\'slooksandactions。
Whatanutterfoolhewastobelieveshehadmeantthosetenderwordswhen，outthereundertheloomingmonuments，shehadacceptedWildfire!Shehadbeenanimpulsivechild。Herscornandfurythatmorningoftheracehadleftnothingforhimexceptfootlessfancies。ShehadmistakenloveofWildfireforloveofhim。No，hiscasewashopelesswithLucy，andifithadnotbeensoBostilwouldhavemadeithopeless。YettherewerethingsSlonecouldnotfathom——thewilful，contradictory，proudandcoldandunaccountablysweetlooksandactionsofthegirl。TheyhauntedSlone。Theymadehimconscioushehadamindandtorturedhimwithhisdevelopment。Buthehadnoexperiencewithgirlstocomparewithwhatwashappeningnow。Itseemedthatacceptedfactandrememberedscornandcoldcertaintyweresomehowatvariancewithhithertounknownintuitionsandinstincts。Lucyavoidedhim，ifbychancesheencounteredhimalone。
WhenBostilorAuntJaneoranyoneelsewaspresentLucywaskind，pleasant，agreeable。Whatmadeherflushredatsightofhimandthen，pale？Whydidsheoftenattableorinthebigliving-roomsoftlybrushagainsthimwhenitseemedshecouldhaveavoidedthat？Manytimeshehadfeltsomeinconceivabledrawingpower，andlookeduptofindhereyesuponhim，strangeeyesfullofmystery，thatweresuddenlyaverted。Wasthereanymeaningattachabletothefactthathisroomwaskeptsotidyandneat，thateverydaysomethingwasaddedtoitscomfortorcolor，thathefoundfreshflowerswheneverhereturned，orabook，orfruit，oradaintymorseltoeat，andonceabunchofIndianpaint-brush，wildflowersofthedesertthatLucyknewheloved？Mostofall，itwasLucy\'seyeswhichhauntedSlone——eyesthathadchanged，darkened，losttheiraudaciousflash，andyetseemedallthesweeter。Theglanceshecaught，whichhefanciedwerestolen——andthenderidedhisfancy——thrilledhimtohisheart。ThusSlonehadspentwakinghoursbydayandnight，madwithloveandremorse，tormentedonehourbyimaginedgroundsforhopeandresignedtodespairthenext。
UponthesixthmorningofhisstayatBostil\'sSlonerosewithsomethingofhisformerwillreassertingitself。HecouldnotremaininBostil\'shomeanylongerunlessheacceptedBostil\'soffer，andthiswasnottobethoughtof。
WithawrenchSlonethrewoffthesofteningindecisionandhurriedouttofindBostilwhilethedeterminationwashot。
BostilwasinthecorralwithWildfire。ThiswasthesecondtimeSlonehadfoundhimthere。WildfireappearedtoregardBostilwithamuchbetterfavorthanhedidhismaster。AsSlonenotedthisalittleheatstolealonghisveins。Thatwasgalltoarider。
"Ilikeyourhoss，"saidBostil，withgrufffrankness。Butatingeofredshowedunderhisbeard。
"Bostil，I\'msorryIcan\'ttakeyouuponthejob，"rejoinedSlone，swiftly。
"It\'sbeenhardformetodecide。You\'vebeengoodtome。I\'mgrateful。Butit\'stimeIwastellin\'you。"
"Whycan\'tyou？"demandedBostil，straighteningupwithaglintinhisbigeyes。ItwasthefirsttimehehadaskedSlonethat。
"Ican\'trideforyou，"repliedSlone，briefly。
"Anythin\'todowithLucy？"queriedBostil。
"Howso？"returnedSlone，consciousofmoreheat。
"Wal，youwassweetonheran\'shewouldn\'thaveyou，"repliedBostil。
Slonefeltthebloodswellandboilinhisveins。ThisBostilcouldsayasharshandhardthingsasreputegavehimcreditfor。
"Yes，IAMsweetonLucy，an\'shewon\'thaveme，"saidSlone，steadily。"I
askedhertoletmecometoyouan\'tellyouIwantedtomarryher。Butshewouldn\'t。"
"Wal，it\'sjustasgoodyoudidn\'tcome，becauseImight。"Bostilbrokeoffhisspeechandbeganagain。"Youdon\'tlacknerve，Slone。What\'dyouhavetoofferLucy？"
"Nothin\'except——Butthatdoesn\'tmatter，"repliedSlone，cuttothequickbyBostil\'sscorn。"I\'mgladyouknow，an\'somuchforthat。"
BostilturnedtolookatWildfireoncemore，andhelookedlong。Whenhefacedaroundagainhewasanotherman。Slonefeltthepowerfuldrivingpassionofthisoldhorse-trader。
"Slone，I\'llgiveyoupickofahundredmustangsan\'athousanddollarsforWildfire!"
Soheunmaskedhispowerinthefaceofabeggarlyrider!ThoughitstruckSlonelikeathunderbolt，hefeltamused。Buthedidnotshowthat。Bostilhadonlyonepossession，amongallhisuncountedwealth，thatcouldwinWildfirefromhisowner。
"No，"saidSlone，briefly。
"I\'lldoubleit，"returnedBostil，justasbriefly。
"No!"
"I\'ll——"
"Saveyourbreath，Bostil，"flashedSlone。"Youdon\'tknowme。Butletmetellyou——youCAN\'TBUYmyhorse!"
ThegreatveinsswelledandchurnedinBostil\'sbullneck；athickanduglycontortionworkedinhisface；hiseyesreflectedasickrage。
SlonesawthattwopassionsshookBostil——one，abitter，terribledisappointment，andtheother，thepassionofamanwhocouldnotbrookbeingcrossed。ItappearedtoSlonethatthebestthinghecoulddowastogetawayquickly，andtothisendheledWildfireoutofthecorraltothestablecourtyard，andtherequicklysaddledhim。Thenhewentintoanothercorralforhisotherhorse，Nagger，and，bringinghimout，returnedtofindBostilhadfollowedasfarasthecourt。Theoldman\'srageapparentlyhadpassedorhadbeensmothered。
"Seehere，"hebegan，inthickvoice，"don\'tbead——foolan\'ruinyourchanceinlife。I\'ll——"
"Bostil，myonechancewasruined——an\'youknowwhodidit，"repliedSlone，ashegatheredNagger\'sropeandWildfire\'sbridletogether。"I\'venohardfeelin\'s。ButIcan\'tsellyoumyhorse。An\'Ican\'trideforyou——because——well，becauseitwouldbreedtrouble。"
"An\'whatkind？"queriedBostil。
HolleyandFarlaneandVan，withseveralotherriders，hadcomeupandwerestandingopen-mouthed。SlonegatheredfromtheirmannerandexpressionthatanythingmighthappenwithBostilinsuchamood。
"We\'dberacin\'theKingan\'Wildfire，wouldn\'twe？"repliedSlone。
"An\'supposin\'wewould？"returnedBostil，ominously。Hishugeframevibratedwithaslightstart。
"Wildfirewouldrunoffwithyourfavorite——an\'youwouldn\'tlikethat，"
answeredSlone。Itwashisrider\'shotbloodthatpromptedhimtolaunchthistaunt。Hecouldnothelpit。
"Youwild-hosschaser，"roaredBostil，"yourWildfiremaybeabloodykiller，buthecan\'tbeattheKinginarace!"
"ExcuseME，Bostil，butWildfiredidbeattheKing!"
Thiswasonlyaddingfueltothefire。SlonesawHolleymakingsignsthatmusthavemeantsilencewouldbebest。ButSlone\'sbloodwasup。Bostilhadrubbedhimthewrongway。
"You\'realair!"declaredBostil，withatremendousstrideforward。Slonesawthenhowdangerousthemanreallywas。"Itwasnorace。YourwildhossknockedtheKingoffthetrack。"
"SageKinghadthelead，didn\'the？Whydidn\'thekeepit？"
Bostilwaslikeafurious，intractablechildwhosefavoriteprecioustreasurehadbeenbroken；andheburstoutintoatorrentofincoherentspeech，apparentlyreasonswhythisandthatwereso。SlonedidnotmakeoutwhatBostilmeantandhedidnotcare。WhenBostilgotoutofbreathSlonesaid:
"We\'rebothwastin\'talk。An\'I\'mnotwantin\'youtocallmealiartwice……PutyourriderupontheKingan\'comeon，rightnow。I\'ll——"
"Slone，shutupan\'chaseyourself，"interruptedHolley"Yougotoh——l!"returnedSlone，coolly。
Therewasamoment\'ssilence，inwhichSlonetookHolley\'smeasure。Thehawk-eyedoldridermayhavebeensquare，buthewasthenthinkingonlyofBostil。
"WhatamIup，againsthere？"demandedSlone。"AmIgoin\'tobeshotbecauseI\'mtakin\'myownpart？Holley，youan\'therestofyourpardsareallafraidofthisolddevil。ButI\'mnot——an\'youstayoutofthis。"
"Wal，son，youneedn\'tgitriled，"repliedHolley，placatingly。"Iwasonlytryin\'tostaveofftalkyoumightbesorryfor。"
"Sorryfornothin\'!I\'mgoin\'tomakethisgreathorse-trader，thisrichan\'
mightyrancher，thisjudgeofgrandhorses，thisBOSTIL!I\'mgoin\'tomakehimracetheKingortakewater!"ThenSloneturnedtoBostil。Thatworthyevidentlyhadbeenstunnedbytheriderwhodaredcallhimtohisface。
"Comeon!FetchtheKing!Letyourownridersjudgetherace!"
Bostilstruggledbothtocontrolhimselfandtospeak。"Naw!Iain\'tgoin\'toseethetredhoss-killerjumptheKingagain!"
"Bah!you\'reafraid。Youknowthere\'dbenogirlonhisback。YouknowhecanoutruntheKingan\'that\'swhyyouwanttobuyhim。"
Slonecaughthisbreaththen。Herealizedsuddenly，atBostil\'spalingface，thatperhapshehaddaredtoomuch。Yet，maybethetruthflungintothishardoldrider\'steethwaswhatheneededmorethananythingelse。Slonedivined，ratherthansaw，thathehaddoneanunprecedentedthing。
"I\'llgonow，Bostil。"
Slonenoddedagood-bytotheriders，and，turningaway，heledthetwohorsesdownthelanetowardthehouse。ItscarcelyneededsightofLucyunderthecottonwoodstostillhisangerandrousehisregret。Lucysawhimcoming，and，asusual，startedtoavoidmeetinghim，whensightofthehorses，orsomethingelse，causedhertocometowardhiminstead。
Slonehalted。BothWildfireandNaggerwhinniedatsightofthegirl。Lucytookoneflashingglanceatthem，atSlone，andthensheevidentlyguessedwhatwasamiss。
"Lucy，I\'vedoneitnow——playedhob，sure，"saidSlone。
"What？"shecried。
"Icalledyourdad——calledhimgoodan\'hard——an\'he——he——"
"Lin!Oh，don\'tsayDad。"Lucy\'sfacewhitenedandsheputaswifthanduponhisarm——atouchthatthrilledhim。"Lin!there\'sblood——onyourface。
Don\'t——don\'ttellmeDadhityou？"
"Ishouldsaynot，"declaredSlone，quicklyliftinghishandtohisface。
"Mustbefrommycut，thatblood。Ibarkedmyhandholdin\'Wildfire。"
"Oh!I——Iwassickwith——with——"Lucyfalteredandbrokeoff，andthendrewbackquickly，asifsuddenlyconsciousofheractionsandwords。
ThenSlonebegantorelateeverythingthathadbeensaid，andbeforeheconcludedhisstoryhisheartgaveawildthrobatthetelltalefaceandeyesofthegirl。
"YousaidthattoDad!"shecried，inamazeandfearandadmiration。"Oh，Dadrichlydeservedit!ButIwishyouhadn\'t。Oh，Iwishyouhadn\'t!"
"Why？"askedSlone。
Butshedidnotanswerthat。"Whereareyougoing？"shequestioned。
"Cometothinkofthat，Idon\'tknow，"repliedSlone，blankly。"Istartedbacktofetchmythingsoutofmyroom。That\'sasfarasmymuddledthoughtsgot。"
"Yourthings？Oh!"Suddenlyshegrewintenselywhite。Thelittlefrecklesthathadbeensoindistinctstoodoutmarkedly，anditwasasifshehadneverhadanytan。Onebrownhandwenttoherbreast，theotherflutteredtohisarmagain。"Youmeanto——togoaway——forgood。"
"Sure。WhatelsecanIdo？"
"Lin!Oh，therecomesDad!Hemustn\'tseeme。Imustrun。Lin，don\'tleaveBostil\'sFord——don\'tgo——DON\'T!"
Thensheflewroundthecomerofthehouse，todisappear。Slonestoodtheretransfixedandthrilling。EvenBostil\'sheavytreaddidnotbreakthetrance，andameetingwouldhavebeenunavoidablehadnotBostilturneddownthepaththatledtothebackofthehouse。Slone，withastartcollectinghisthoughts，hurriedintothelittleroomthathadbeenhisandgathereduphisfewbelongings。Hewascarefultoleavebehindthegiftsofguns，blankets，gloves，andotherrider\'sbelongingswhichBostilhadpresentedtohim。Thusladen，hewentoutsideand，tinglingwithemotionsutterlysweetandbewildering，heledthehorsesdownintothevillage。
SlonewentdowntoBrackton\'s，andputthehorsesintoalarge，high-fencedpastureadjoiningBrackton\'shouse。Slonefeltreasonablysurehishorseswouldbesafethere，buthemeanttokeepamightyclosewatchonthem。AndoldBrackton，asifhereadSlone\'smind，saidthis:"Keepyoureyeonthetdaffyboy，JoelCreech。Hehangsroundmyplace，sleepsoutsomewheres，an\'
he\'scrazyabouthosses。"
Slonedidnotneedanywarninglikethat，noranyinformationtomakehimcuriousregardingyoungCreech。Lucyhadseentothat，and，infact，Slonewasanxioustomeetthishalf-wittedfellowwhohadsogrievouslyoffendedandthreatenedLucy。Thatmorning，however，Creechdidnotputinanappearance。
Thevillagehadnearlyreturnedtoitsnormalstatenow，andthesleepytenorofitsway。TheIndians，hadbeenthelasttogo，butnownoneremained。Thedayswerehotwhilethesunstayedhigh，andonlytheridersbraveditsheat。
Themorning，however，didnotpasswithoutaninterestingincident。BracktonapproachedSlonewithanofferthathetakechargeofthefreightingbetweentheFordandDurango。"WhatwouldIdowithWildfire？"wasSlone\'squestioningreply，andBracktonhelduphishands。AlaterincidentearnedmoreofSlone\'sattention。HehadobservedamaninBrackton\'sstore，anditchancedthatthismanheardSlone\'sreplytoBrackton\'soffer，andhesaid:"You\'llsureneedtocorralthetredstallion。GrandesthossIeverseen!"
