第10章

ThatpraisewonSlone，andheengagedinconversationwiththeman，whosaidhisnamewasVorhees。ItdevelopedsoonthatVorheesownedalittlehouse，acorral，andapatchofgroundonalikelysiteupunderthebluff，andhewasanxioustosellcheapbecausehehadafineopportunityatDurango，wherehispeoplelived。WhatinterestedSlonemostwastheman\'sremarkthathehadacorralwhichcouldnotbebrokeninto。Thepriceheaskedwasridiculouslylowifthepropertywasworthanything。AnideaflashedacrossSlone\'smind。HewentuptoVorhees\'splaceandwasmuchpleasedwitheverything，especiallythecorral，whichhadbeenbuiltbyamanwhofearedhorse-thievesasmuchasBostil。Theviewfromthedoorofthelittlecabinwasmagnificentbeyondcompare。SlonerememberedLucy\'slastwords。Theyranglikebellsinhisears。

"Don\'tgo——don\'t!"TheywereenoughtochainhimtoBostil\'sForduntilthecrackofdoom。Hedarednotdreamofwhattheymeant。Heonlylistenedtotheirmusicastheypealedoverandoverinhisears。

"Vorhees，areyouserious？"heasked。"Themoneyyouaskislittleenough。"

"It\'senoughan\'tospare，"repliedtheman。"An\'I\'dtakeitasafavorofyou。"

"Well，I\'llgoyou，"saidSlone，andhelaughedalittleirrationally。"Onlyyouneedn\'ttellrightawaythatIboughtyouout。"

Thedealwasconsummated，leavingSlonestillwithhalfofthemoneythathadbeenhisprizeintherace。Hefeltelated。Hewasrich。Heownedtwohorses——onethegrandestinalltheuplands，theotherthefaithfulest——andheownedaneatlittlecabinwhereitwasajoytositandlookout，andacorralwhichwouldlethimsleepatnight，andhehadmoneytoputintosuppliesandfurnishings，andagarden。Afterhedrankoutofthespringthatbubbledfromunderthebluffhetoldhimselfitalonewasworththemoney。

"LooksrightdownonBostil\'splace，"Slonesoliloquized，withglee。"Won\'thejustbemad!An\'Lucy!Whatever\'sshegoin\'tothink？"

ThemoreSlonelookedaroundandthought，themorehebecameconvincedthatgoodfortunehadknockedathisdooratlast。AndwhenhereturnedtoBrackton\'shewasinanexultantmood。Theoldstorekeepergavehimanudgeandpointedunderhandtoayoungmanofraggedaspectsittinggloomilyonabox。SlonerecognizedJoelCreech。Thefellowsurelymadeapatheticsight，andSlonepitiedhim。Helookedneedyandhungry。

"Say，"saidSlone，impulsively，"wanttohelpmecarrysomegruban\'stuff？"

"Howdy!"repliedCreech，raisinghishead。"Suredo。"

Slonesustainedthequeerestshockofhislifewhenhemetthegazeofthosecontrastingeyes。Yethedidnotbelievethathisstrangefeelingcamefromsightofdifferent-coloredeyes。Therewasaninstinctorportentinthatmeeting。

HepurchasedabillofgoodsfromBrackton，and，withCreechhelping，carriedituptothecabinunderthebluff。Threetripswereneededtopackupallthesupplies，andmeanwhileCreechhadbutfewwordstosay，andtheseofnomoment。Sloneofferedhimmoney，whichherefused。

"I\'llhelpyoufixup，an\'eatabite，"hesaid。"Niceuphyar。"

Heseemedrationalenoughandcertainlyrespondedtokindness。SlonefoundthatVorheeshadleftthecabinsocleantherewaslittlecleaningtodo。Anopenfireplaceofstonerequiredsomerepairandtherewaswoodtocut。

"Joel，youstartafirewhileIgodownaftermyhorses，"saidSlone。

YoungCreechnoddedandSlonelefthimthere。ItwasnoteasytocatchWildfire，noranyeasiertogethimintothenewcorral；butatlastSlonesawhimsafelythere。Andthebarsandlocksonthegatemighthavedefiedanyefforttoopenorbreakthemquickly。Creechwasstandinginthedoorway，watchingthehorses，andsomehowSlonesaw，orimaginedhesaw，thatCreechworeadifferentaspect。

"Grandwildhoss!HedidwhatBluewasa-goin\'todo——beatthetthered——dBostil\'sKing!"

Creechwaggedhishead。Hewasgloomyandstrange。Hiseyeswereunpleasanttolookinto。Hisfacechanged。Andhemumbled。Slonepitiedhimthemore，butwishedtoseethelastofhim。Creechstayedon，however，andgrewstrangerandmoretalkativeduringthemeal。Herepeatedthingsoften——talkeddisconnectedly，andgaveotherindicationsthathewasnotwhollyrightinhismind。YetSlonesuspectedthatCreech\'swantofbalanceconsistedonlyinwhatconcernedhorsesandtheBostils。AndSlone，wantingtolearnallhecould，encouragedCreechtotalkabouthisfatherandtheracersandtheriverandboat，andfinallyBostil。

Slonebecameconvincedthat，whetheryoungCreechwashalfcrazyornot，heknewhisfather\'shorsesweredoomed，andthattheboatattheferryhadbeencutadrift。Slonecouldnotunderstandwhyhewasconvinced，buthewas。

FinallyCreechtoldhowhehadgonedowntotheriveronlyadaybefore；howhehadfoundthefloodstillraging，butmuchlower；howhehadworkedroundthecliffsandhadpulleduptheropecablestofindtheyhadbeencut。

"Yousee，Bostilcutthemwhenhedidn\'tneedto，"continuedCreech，shrewdly。

"Buthedidn\'tknowthefloodwascomin\'downsoquick。Hewasafearedwe\'dcomeacrossan\'gittheboatthetnight。An\'hemeanttotakeawaythemcutcables。Buthehadn\'tnotime。"

"Bostil？"queriedSlone，ashegazedhardatCreech。Thefellowhadtoldthatrationallyenough。SlonewonderedifBostilcouldhavebeensobase。No!andyet——whenitcametohorsesBostilwasscarcelyhuman。

Slone\'squeryservedtosendCreechoffonanothertangentwhichwoundupindark，mysteriousthreats。ThenSlonecaughtthenameofLucy。ItabruptlykilledhissympathyforCreech。

"What\'sthegirlgottodowithit？"hedemanded，angrily。"Ifyouwanttotalktomedon\'tusehername。"

"I\'llusehernamewhenIwant，"shoutedCreech。

"Nottome!"

"Yes，toyou，mister。Iain\'tcarin\'ad——nferyou!"

"Youcrazyloon!"exclaimedSlone，withimpatienceanddisgustaddedtoanger。

"What\'stheuseofbeingdecenttoyou？"

Creechcrouchedlow，hishandsdigginglikeclawsintothetable，asifheweremakingreadytospring。Atthatinstanthewashideous。

"Crazy，amI？"heyelled。"Mebbenotd——ncrazy!Ikintellyou\'regoneonLucyBostil!Iseenyouwithheroutthereintherocksthemornin\'oftherace。Iseenwhatyoudidtoher。An\'I\'ma-goin\'totellit!An\'I\'ma-goin\'toketchLucyBostilan\'striphernaked，an\'whenIgitthroughwithherI\'lltieheronahossan\'firethegrass!ByGawd!Iam!"Lividandwild，hebreathedhardashegotup，facingSlonemalignantly。

"Crazyornot，heregoes!"mutteredSlone，grimly；and，leapingup，withoneblowheknockedCreechhalfoutofthedoor，andthenkickedhimtherestoftheway。"Goonandhaveafit!"criedSlone。"I\'mliabletokillyouifyoudon\'thaveone!"

Creechgotupandrandownthepath，turningtwiceontheway。Thenhedisappearedamongthetrees。

Slonesatdown。"Lostmytemperagain!"hesaid。"Thishasbeenaday。GuessI\'dbettercooloffrightnowan\'stayhere。Thatpoordevil!Maybehe\'snotsocrazy。Buthe\'swilderthananIndian。ImustwarnLucy。Lord!I

wonderifBostilcouldhaveheldbackrepairin\'thatboat，an\'thencutitloose？Iwonder？YesterdayI\'dhaveswornnever。To-day——"

Slonedrovetheconclusionofthatthoughtoutofhisconsciousnessbeforehewhollyadmittedit。Thenhesettoworkcuttingthelonggrassfromthewetandshadynooksunderthebluffwherethespringmadethegroundrich。Hecarriedanarmfuldowntothecorral。Naggerwasroamingaroundoutside，pickinggrassforhimself。WildfiresnortedasalwayswhenhesawSlone，andSloneasalways，whentimepermitted，triedtocoaxthestalliontohim。Hehadneversucceeded，nordidhethistime。WhenheleftthebundleofgrassonthegroundandwentoutsideWildfirereadilycameforit。

"You\'rethattame，anyhow，youhungryreddevil，"saidSlone，jealously。

WildfirewouldtakeabunchofgrassfromLucyBostil\'shand。Slone\'sfeelingshadundergonesomereaction，thoughhestilllovedthehorse。Butitwaslovemixedwithbitterness。MorethaneverhemadeuphismindthatLucyshouldhaveWildfire。Thenhewalkedaroundhisplace，planningtheworkhemeanttostartatonce。

SeveraldaysslippedbywithSlonescarcelyrealizinghowtheyflew。

Unaccustomedlabortiredhimsothathewenttobedearlyandsleptlikealog。Ifithadnotbeenfortheever-presentworryandsuspenseandlonging，inregardtoLucy，hewouldhavebeenhappierthaneverhecouldremember。

Almostatoncehehadbecomeattachedtohislittlehome，andthemorehelaboredtomakeitproductiveandcomfortablethestrongergrewhisattachment。Practicaltoilwasnotconducivetodaydreaming，soSlonefeltalossofsomethingvagueandsweet。ManytimeshecaughthimselfwatchingwitheagereyesforaglimpseofLucyBostildownthereamongthecottonwoods。

Still，heneversawher，and，infact，hesawsofewvillagersthattheplacebegantohavealonelinesswhichendearedittohimthemore。ThentheviewdownthegrayvalleytothepurplemonumentswasalwaysthrillinglymemorabletoSlone。ItwasoutthereLucyhadsavedhishorseandhislife。Hiskeendesertgazecouldmakeoutevenatthatdistancethegreat，darkmonument，gold-crowned，intheshadowofwhichhehadheardLucyspeakwordsthathadtransformedlifeforhim。Hewouldrideouttheresomeday。Thespellofthoseloominggrandshaftsofcoloredrockwasstillstronguponhim。

OnemorningSlonehadavisitor——oldBrackton。Slone\'scordialitydiedonhislipsbeforeitwashalfuttered。Brackton\'sformerfriendlinesswasnotinevidenceindeed，helookedatSlonewithcuriosityanddisfavor"Howdy，Slone!Ijestwantedtoseewhatyouwasdoin\'uphyar，"hesaid。

Slonespreadhishandsandexplainedinfewwords。

"Soyoutookovertheplace，hey？Weallfiggeredthet。ButVorheeswasmum。

Factis，hewassuremysterious。"BracktonsatdownandeyedSlonewithinterest。"Folksaretalkin\'alotaboutyou，"hesaid，bluntly。

"Isthatso？"

"You\'peartobeaprettymysteriouskindofafeller，Slone。Ikindoftookashinetoyouatfirst，an\'thet\'swhyIcomeuphyartotellyouit\'dbewiseferyoutovamoose。"

"What!"exclaimedSlone。

Bracktonrepeatedsubstantiallywhathehadsaid，then，pausinganinstant，continued:"I\'venocalltogiveyouahunch，butI\'lldoitjestbecauseI

didlikeyoufustoff。"

Theoldmanseemedfussyandnervousandpatronizinganddisparagingallatonce。

"What\'dyoubeatupthetpoorJoelCreechfer？"demandedBrackton。

"Hegotwhathedeserved，"repliedSlone，andthememory，comingontheheadofthisstrangeattitudeofBrackton\'s，rousedSlone\'stemper。

"Wal，Joeltellssomequeerthingsaboutyou——ferinstance，howyoutookadvantageoflittleLucyBostil，grabbin\'heran\'maulin\'herthewayJoelseenyou。"

"D——ntheloon!"mutteredSlone，risingtopacethepath。

"Wal，Joel\'sabitoff，buthe\'snotloonyallthetime。He\'sseenyouan\'

he\'stellin\'it。WhenBostilhearsityou\'dbetterbeacrostthecanyon!"

Slonefeltthehot，sickrushofbloodtohisface，andhumiliationandrageovertookhim。

"Joel\'sdownatmyhouse。Hehadfitsafteryoubeathim，an\'he\'ain\'tgotoverthemyet。Buthecouldblabtotheriders。VanSickle\'slookin\'feryou。

An\'to-daywhenIwasalonewithJoelhetoldmesomemorequeerthingsaboutyou。Ishuthimupquick。ButIain\'tguaranteein\'Icankeephimshutup。"

"I\'llbetyouIshuthimup，"declaredSlone。"Whatmoredidthefoolsay？"

"Slone，hevyoubeenroundthesehyarparts——downamongthemonuments——feranyconsiderabletime？"queriedBrackton。

"Yes，Ihave——severalweeksoutthere，an\'abouttendaysorsoaroundtheFord。"

"Wherewasyouthenightoftheflood？"

Theshrewdscrutinyoftheoldman，thesuspicion，angeredSlone。

"Ifit\'sanyofyourmix，Iwasoutontheslopeamongtherocks。Iheardthatfloodcomin\'downlongbeforeitgothere，"repliedSlone，deliberately。

Bracktonavertedhisgaze，andabruptlyroseasiftheoccasionwasended。

"Wal，takemyhunchan\'leave!"hesaid，turningaway。

"Brackton，ifyoumeanwell，I\'mmuchobliged，"returnedSlone，slowly，ponderingly。"ButI\'llnottakethehunch。"

"Suityourself，"addedBrackton，coldly，andhewentaway。

Slonewatchedhimgodownthepathanddisappearinthelaneofcottonwoods。

"I\'llbedarned!"mutteredSlone。"Funnyoldman。MaybeCreech\'snottheonlyloonyonehereabouts。"

Slonetriedtolaughofftheeffectoftheinterview，butitpersistedandworriedhimallday。Aftersupperhedecidedtowalkdownintothevillage，andwouldhavedonesobutforthefactthathesawamanclimbinghispath。

WhenherecognizedtheriderHolleyhesensedtrouble，andstraightwayhebecamegloomy。Bostil\'sright-handmancouldnotcallonhimforanyfriendlyreason。Holleycameupslowly，awkwardly，afterthemannerofariderunusedtowalking。Slonehadbuiltalittleporchonthefrontofhiscabinandabench，whichhehadcoveredwithgoatskins。ItstruckhimalittlestrangelythatheshouldbendovertorearrangetheseskinsjustasHolleyapproachedtheporch。

"Howdy，son!"wastherider\'sdrawledremark。"Suremakes——me——pufftoclimb——upthismountain。"

Sloneturnedinstantly，surprisedatthefriendlytone，doubtinghisownears，andwantingtoverifythem。HewasthemoresurprisedtoseeHolleyunmistakablyamiable。

"Hello，Holley!Howareyou？"hereplied。"Haveaseat。"

"Wal，I\'mrightspryferanoldbird。ButIcan\'tclimbwuthad——n

Say，thisherebeatsBostil\'sview。"

"Yes，it\'sfine，"repliedSlone，ratherawkwardly，ashesatdownontheporchstep。WhatcouldHolleywantwithhim？Thisoldriderwasabovecuriosityorgossip。

"Slone，youain\'tholdin\'itag\'inme——thetItriedtoshutyouuptheotherday？"hedrawled，withdryfrankness"Why，no，Holley，I\'mnot。Isawyourpoint。Youwereright。ButBostilmadememad。"

"Sure!He\'dmakeanybodymad。I\'veseenridersbitethemselves，theywassomadatBostil。Youcalledhim，an\'yousuretickledalltheboys。Butyouhurtyourself，ferBostilownsan\'runsthishereFord。"

"SoI\'vediscovered，"repliedSlone。

"Yougotyourselfinbadrightoff，ferBostilhasturnedtheridersag\'inyou，an\'thisherepunchin\'ofCreechhasturnedthevillagefolksag\'inyou。

What\'dpitchintohimfer？"

Slonecaughtthekindlyinterestandintentoftherider，anditwarmedhimasBrackton\'sdisapprovalhadalienatedhim。

"Wal，IreckonI\'dbettertellyou，"drawledHolley，asSlonehesitated，"thetLucywantstoknowIFyoubeatupJoelan\'WHYyoudid。"

"Holley!Didsheaskyoutofindout？"

"Shesuredid。Thegirl\'sworriedthesedays，Slone。Yousee，youhaven\'tbeenaround，an\'youdon\'tknowwhat\'scomin\'off。"

"Bracktonwashereto-dayan\'hetoldmeagooddeal。I\'mworried，too，"saidSlone，dejectedly。

"Thethossofyours，Wildfire，he\'senoughtomakeyouhatedinBostil\'scamp，evenifyouhadn\'tmadeafoolofyourself，whichyousurehave。"

Slonedroppedhisheadasadmission。

"WhatCreechswearsheseenyoudotoMissLucy，outthereamongtherocks，whereyouwashidwithWildfire——isthereanytruthinthet？"askedHolley，earnestly。"Tellme，Slone。Folksbelieveit。An\'it\'shurtyouattheFord。

Bostilhasn\'theardityet，an\'Lucyshedoesn\'tknow。ButI\'mfiggerin\'thetyoupunchedJoelbecausehethroweditinyourface。"

"Hedid，an\'Ilambastedhim，"repliedSlone，withforce。

"Youdidright。ButwhatIwanttoknow，isittruewhatJoelseen？"

"It\'strue，Holley。ButwhatIdidisn\'tsobad——sobadashe\'dmakeitlook。"

"Wal，Iknowedthet。IknowedferalongtimehowLucycaresferyou，"

returnedtheoldrider，kindly。

Sloneraisedhisheadswiftly，incredulously。"Holley!Youcan\'tbeserious。"

"Wal，Iam。I\'vebeensortofabigbrothertoLucyBostilforeighteenyears。

Icarriedherintheseherehandswhensheweighednomore\'nmyspurs。I

taughtherhowtoride——whatsheknowsabouthosses。An\'sheknowsmore\'nherdad。Itaughthertoshoot。Iknowherbetter\'nanybody。An\'latelyshe\'sbeendifferent，She\'sworriedan\'unhappy。"

"ButHolley，allthat——itdoesn\'tseem——"

"Ireckonnot，"wentonHolley，asSlonehalted。"Ithinkshecaresferyou。

An\'I\'myourfriend，Slone。You\'regoin\'tobuckupag\'insomehellroundheresoonerorlater。An\'you\'llneedafriend。"

"Thanks——Holley，"repliedSlone，unsteadily。Hethrilledundertheirongraspoftherider\'shardhand。

"You\'vegotanotherfriendyoucangambleon，"saidHolley，significantly。

"Another!Who？"

"LucyBostil。An\'don\'tyoufergitthet。I\'llbetshe\'llraisemoretroublethanBostilwhenshehearswhatJoelCreechistellin\'。Fershe\'sboundtohearit。VanSickleswearshe\'sa-goin\'totellheran\'thenbeatyouupwithaquirt。"

"Heis，ishe？"snappedSlone，darkly。

"I\'veahunchLucy\'sguessedwhyyoupunchedJoel。Butshewantstoknowfersure。Now，Slone，I\'lltellherwhy。"

"Oh，don\'t!"saidSlone，involuntarily。

"Wal，it\'llbebettercomin\'fromyouan\'me。Takemywordferthet。I\'llprepareLucy。An\'she\'sasgoodascrapperasBostil，anyday。"

"Itallscaresme，"repliedSlone。Hedidfeelpanicky，andthatwasfromthoughtsofwhatshamemightbefallLucy。Thecoldsweatoozedoutofeverypore。WhatmightnotBostildo？"Holley，Ilovethegirl。SoI——Ididn\'tinsulther。Bostilwillneverunderstand。An\'what\'shegoin\'todowhenhefindsout？"

"Wal，let\'shopeyouwon\'tgitanywuss\'nyougiveJoel。"

"LetBostilbeatme!"ejaculatedSlone。"IthinkI\'mwillin——now——the——wayI

feel。ButI\'veatemper，andBostilrubsmethewrongway。"

"Wallleaveyourgunhome，an\'fightBostil。You\'reprettyhusky。Surehe\'lllickyou，butmebbeyoucouldgivetheoldcussablackeye。"Holleylaughedasiftheideagavehiminfinitepleasure。

"FightBostil？Lucywouldhateme!"criedSlone。

"Nix!Youdon\'tknowthetkid。IftheoldmangoesafteryouLucy\'llcaremoreferyou。She\'sjestlikehiminsomeways。"Holleypulledoutastubbyblackpipeand，fillingandlightingit，heappearedtogrowmorethoughtful。"Itwasn\'tonlyLucythetsentmeupheretoseeyou。Bostilhadbeenpesterin\'meferdays。ButIkeptfightin\'shyofittillLucygotholdofme。"

"Bostilsentyou？Why？"

"Reckonyoucanguess。Hecan\'tsleep，thinkin\'aboutyourredhoss。NoneofuseverseenBostilhavesichabadcase。HeraisedSageKing。Buthe\'salwaysbeencrazyferagreatwildstallion。An\'hereyoucomealong——an\'yourhossjumpstheKing——an\'there\'stroublegenerally。"

"Holley，doyouthinkWildfirecanbeatSageKing？"askedSlone，eagerly。

"ReckonIdo。Lucysaysso，an\'I\'llbackheranyday。But，son，Iain\'tparadin\'whatIthink。I\'dgitinbadmyself。Farlanean\'theotherboys，they\'rewithBostil。Vanhe\'stoblameferthet。He\'stakin\'adisliketoyou，rightoff。An\'whathetellsBostilan\'theboysaboutthetracedon\'tagreewithwhatLucytellsme。LucysaysWildfireranfieryan\'crankyatthestart。

Hewantedtorunroundan\'killtheKinginsteadofracin\'。SohewasthreelengthsbehindwhenMacomberdroppedtheflag。LucysaystheKinggotintohisstride。Sheknows。An\'thereWildfirecomesfrombehindan\'climbsallovertheKing!Vantellsadifferentstory。"

"ItcameoffjustasLucytoldyou，"declaredSlone。"Isaweverymove。"

"Wal，thet\'sneitherherenorthere。Whatyou\'reupag\'inisthis。Bostilissoresinceyoucalledhim。Butheholdshimselfinbecausehehasn\'tgivenuphopeofgittin\'Wildfire。An\'，Slone，you\'resurewise，ain\'tyou，thetifBostildoesn\'tbuyhimyoucan\'tstayonhere？"

"I\'mwise。ButIwon\'tsellWildfire，"repliedSlone，doggedly。

"Wal，I\'dneverwastedmybreathtellin\'youallthisifIhadn\'tfiggeredaboutLucy。You\'vegothertothinkof。"

SloneturnedonHolleypassionately。"Youkeephintin\'there\'sahopeforme，whenIknowthere\'snone!"

"You\'reonlyaboy，"repliedHolley。"Son，wherethere\'slifethere\'shope。I

ain\'ta-goin\'totellyouaginthetIknowLucyBostil。"

Slonecouldnotstandnorwalknorkeepstill。Hewasshakingfromheadtofoot。

"Wildfire\'snotminetosell。He\'sLucy\'s!"confessedSlone。

"Thedevilyousay!"ejaculatedHolley，andhenearlydroppedhispipe。

"IgaveWildfiretoher。Sheacceptedhim。ItwasDONE。Then——thenIlostmyheadan\'madehermad。An\'——shesaidshe\'dridehimintherace，butwouldn\'tkeephim。ButheIShers。"

"Oho!Isee。Slone，Iwasgoin\'toadviseyoutosellWildfire——allonaccountofLucy。You\'reyoungan\'you\'dhaveabigstartinlifeifyouwould。

ButLucy\'syourgirlan\'yougiveherthehoss。Thetsettlesthet!"

"IfIgoawayfromherean\'leaveWildfireforLucy——doyouthinkshecouldkeephim？Wouldn\'tBostiltakehimfromher？"

"Wal，son，ifhetriedthetonLucyshe\'djumpWildfirean\'hityourtrailan\'

hangontoittillshefoundyou。"

"What\'llyoutellBostil？"askedSlone，halfbesidehimself。

"I\'mconsarnedifIknow，"repliedHolley。"MebbeI\'llthinkofsomeidee。

I\'llgobacknow。An\'say，son，Ireckonyou\'dbetterhangclosetohome。IfyoumeetBostildowninthevillageyoutwo\'dclashsure。I\'llcomeupsoon，butit\'llbeafterdark。"

"Holley，allthisis——isgoodofyou，"saidSlone。"I——I\'ll——"

"Shutup，son，"interruptedtherider，dryly。"Thet\'syouronlyweakness，sofarasIcansee。Yousaytoomuch。"

Holleystarteddownthen，hislong，clinkingspursdiggingintothesteeppath。HeleftSloneapreytodeepthoughtsatonceanxiousanddreamy。

NextdaySloneworkedhardallday，lookingforwardtonightfall，expectingthatHolleywouldcomeup。HetriedtoresistthesweetandtantalizinganticipationofamessagefromLucy，butinvain。TheriderhadimmeasurablyupliftedSlone\'shopethatLucy，atleast，caredforhim。NotforamomentalldaycouldSlonedriveawaythehope。Attwilighthewastooeagertoeat——tooobsessedtoseethemagnificentsunset。ButHolleydidnotcome，andSlonewenttobedlate，halfsickwithdisappointment。

Thenextdaywasworse。Slonefoundworkirksome，yetheheldtoit。Onthethirddayherestedanddreamed，andgrewdoubtfulagain，andthenmoody。OnthefourthdaySlonefoundheneededsuppliesthathemustobtainfromthestore。HedidnotforgetHolley\'swarning，buthedisregardedit，thinkingtherewouldscarcelybeachanceofmeetingBostilatmidday。

Therewerehorsesstanding，bridlesdown，beforeBrackton\'splace，andridersloungingattherailandstep。SomeofthesemenhadbeenpleasanttoSloneonearlieroccasions。Thisdaytheyseemednottoseehim。Slonewastinglingalloverwhenhewentintothestore。Somedeviltrywasafoot!Hehadanangrythoughtthattheseriderscouldnothavemindsoftheirown。JustinsidethedoorSloneencounteredWetherby，theyoungrancherfromDurango。Slonespoke，butWetherbyonlyrepliedwithaninsolentstare。SlonedidnotglanceatthemantowhomWetherbywastalking。Onlyafewpeoplewereinsidethestore，andBracktonwaswaitinguponthem。Slonestoodbackalittleintheshadow。

Bracktonhadobservedhisentrance，butdidnotgreethim。ThenSloneabsolutelyknewthatforhimthegoodwillofBostil\'sFordwasathingofthepast。

PresentlyBracktonwasatleisure，butheshowednodispositiontoattendtoSlone\'swants。ThenSlonewalkeduptothecounterandaskedforsupplies。

"Haveyougotthemoney？"askedBrackton，asifaddressingonehewouldnottrust。

"Yes，"repliedSlone，growingredunderaninsultthatheknewWetherbyhadheard。

Bracktonhandedoutthesuppliesandreceivedthemoney，withoutaword。Heheldhisheaddown。Itwasasingularactionforamanusedtodealingfairlywitheveryone。Slonefeltoutraged。Hehurriedoutoftheplace，withshameburninghim，withhisowneyesdowncast，andinhishurryhebumpedsquareintoaburlyform。Slonerecoiled——lookedup。Bostil!Theoldriderwaseyinghimwithcoolspeculation。

"Wal，areyoudrunk？"hequeried，withoutanyparticularexpression。

YetthequerywastoSlonelikeablow。Itbroughthisheadupwithajerk，hisglancesteadyandkeenonBostil\'s。

"Bostil，youknowIdon\'tdrink，"hesaid。

"A-huh!Iknowalotaboutyou，Slone。IheardyouboughtVorhees\'splace，uponthebench。"

"Yes。"

"Didhetellyouitwasmortgagedtomeformore\'nit\'sworth？"

"No，hedidn\'t。"

"Didhemakeoveranypaperstoyou？"

"No。"

"Wal，ifitinterestsyouI\'llshowyoupapersthetprovestheproperty\'smine。"

Slonesufferedapang。Thelittlehomehadgrowndeareranddearertohim。

"Allright，Bostil。Ifit\'syours——it\'syours，"hesaid，calmlyenough。

"IreckonI\'ddroveyououtbeforethisifIhadn\'tfeltwecouldmakeadeal。"

"Wecan\'tagreeonanydeal，Bostil，"repliedSlone，steadily。ItwasnotwhatBostilsaid，butthewayhesaidit，thesubtlemeaningandpowerbehindit，thatgaveSloneasenseofmenaceandperil。Thesehehadbeenusedtoforyears；hecouldmeetthem。Buthewashandicappedherebecauseitseemedthat，thoughhecouldmeetBostilfacetoface，hecouldnotfighthim。ForhewasLucy\'sfather。Slone\'sposition，theimpotenceofit，renderedhimlessabletocontrolhistemper。

"Whycan\'twe？"demandedBostil。"Ifyouwasn\'tsotouchywecould。An\'letmesay，youngfeller，thetthere\'smorereasonnowthetyouDOmakeadealwithme。"

"Deal？Whatabout？"

"Aboutyourredhoss。"

"Wildfire!Nodeals，Bostil，"returnedSlone，andmadeasiftopasshim。

ThebighandthatforcedSlonebackwasfarfromgentle，andagainhefeltthequickrushofblood。

"MebbeIcantellyousomethin\'thet\'llmakeyousellWildfire，"saidBostil。

"Notifyoutalkedyourselfdumb!"flashedSlone。TherewasnousetotrytokeepcoolwiththisBostil，ifhetalkedhorses。"I\'llraceWildfireagainsttheKing。Butnomore。"

"Race!Wal，wedon\'trunracesaroundherewithoutstakes，"repliedBostil，withdeepscorn。"An\'whatcanyoubet？Thetlittledabofprizemoneyisgone，an\'wouldn\'tbeenoughtomeetme。You\'reastrangeoneintheseparts。

I\'vepridean\'reputationtouphold。Youbragofracin\'withme——an\'youabeggarlyrider!Youwouldn\'thavethemclothesan\'bootsifmygirlhadn\'tfetchedthemtoyou。"

TheridersbehindBostillaughed。Wetherby\'sfacewasthereinthedoor，notamused，buthardwithscornandsomethingelse。Slonefeltasickening，terriblegustofpassion。Itfairlyshookhim。Andasthewavesubsidedthequickcoolingofskinandbodypainedhimlikeaburnmadewithice。

"Yes，Bostil，I\'mwhatyousay，"respondedSlone，andhisvoiceseemedtofillhisears。"Butyou\'redeadwrongwhenyousayI\'venothin\'tobetonarace。"

"An\'what\'llyoubet？"

"Mylifean\'myhorse!"

Theriderssuddenlygrewsilentandintense。Bostilvibratedtothat。Heturnedwhite。Hemorethananyriderontheuplandsmusthavefeltthenatureofthatoffer。

"Ag\'inwhat？"hedemanded，hoarsely。

"YOURDAUGHTERLUCY!"

OneinstantthesurpriseheldBostilmuteandmotionless。Thenheseemedtoexpand。Hishugebulkjerkedintomotionandhebellowedlikeamadbull。

Slonesawtheblowcoming，madenomovetoavoidit。Thebigfisttookhimsquareonthemouthandchinandlaidhimflatontheground。SightfailedSloneforalittle，andlikewiseabilitytomove。Buthedidnotloseconsciousness。Hisheadseemedtohavebeenburstintoraysandredmistthatblurredhiseyes。Thentheseclearedaway，leavingintensepain。Hestartedtogetup，hisbraininawhirl。Wherewashisgun？Hehadleftitathome。ButforthathewouldhavekilledBostil。Hehadalreadykilledoneman。Thethingwasaburningflash——thenallover!Hecoulddoitagain。ButBostilwasLucy\'sfather!

Slonegatheredupthepackagesofsupplies，andwithoutlookingatthemenhehurriedaway。Heseemedpossessedofafurytoturnandrunback。Someforce，likeaninvisiblehand，withheldhim。Whenhereachedthecabinheshuthimselfin，andlayonhisbunk，forgettingthattheplacedidnotbelongtohim，aliveonlytothemysteryofhistrouble，smartingwiththeshameoftheassaultuponhim。Itwasdarkbeforehecomposedhimselfandwentout，andthenhehadnotthedesiretoeat。Hemadenomovetoopenthesuppliesoffood，didnotevenmakealight。Buthewentouttotakegrassandwatertothehorses。Whenhereturnedtothecabinamanwasstandingattheporch。

SlonerecognizedHolley\'sshapeandthenhisvoice。

"Son，youraisedthedevilto-day。"

"Holley，don\'tyougobackonme!"criedSlone。"Iwasdriven!"

"Don\'ttalksoloud，"whisperedtheriderinreturn。"I\'veonlyaminnit……Here——aletterfromLucy。An\'，son，don\'tgittheideethetI\'llgobackonyou。"

Slonetooktheletterwithtremblingfingers。Allthefuryandgloominstantlyfled。Lucyhadwrittenhim!Hecouldnotspeak。

"Son，I\'mdouble-crossin\'theboss，rightthisminnit!"whisperedHolley，hoarsely。"An\'thesametimeI\'mplayin\'Lucy\'sgame。IfBostilfindsouthe\'llkillme。Imustn\'tbeketcheduphere。ButIwon\'tlosetrackofyou——whereveryougo。"

Holleyslippedawaystealthilyinthedusk，leavingSlonewithathrobbingheart。

"Whereveryougo!"heechoed。"Ah!Iforgot!Ican\'tstayhere。"

Lucy\'slettermadehisfingerstingle——madethemsohastyandawkwardthathehaddifficultyinkindlingblazeenoughtoseetoread。Theletterwasshort，writteninlead-pencilonthetornleafofaledger。Slonecouldnotreadrapidly——thoseyearsonthedeserthadseentothat——andhishastetolearnwhatLucysaidbewilderedhim。Atfirstallthewordsblurred:

Comeatoncetothebenchinthecottonwoods。I\'llmeetyouthere。Myheartisbreaking。It\'salie——alie——whattheysay。I\'llswearyouwerewithmethenighttheboatwascutadrift。IKNOWyoudidn\'tdothat。Iknowwho……Oh，come!Iwillsticktoyou。Iwillrunoffwithyou。Iloveyou!"

CHAPTERXV

Slone\'sheartleapedtohisthroat，anditsbeatingchokedhisutterancesofraptureandamazeanddread。Butrapturedominatedtheotheremotions。HecouldscarcelycontroltheimpulsetoruntomeetLucy，withoutasinglecautiousthought。

Heputthepreciousletterinsidehisblouse，whereitseemedtowarmhisbreast。Hebuckledonhisgun-belt，and，extinguishingthelight，hehurriedout。

Acrescentmoonhadjusttippedthebluff。Thevillagelanesandcabinsandtreeslaysilverinthemoon-light。Alonesomecoyotebarkedinthedistance。

Allelsewasstill。Theairwascool，sweet，fragrant。Thereappearedtobeaglamouroflight，ofsilence，ofbeautyoverthedesert。

Slonekeptunderthedarkleeofthebluffandworkedaroundsothathecouldbeabovethevillage，wheretherewaslittledangerofmeetinganyone。Yetpresentlyhehadtogooutoftheshadowintothemoon-blanchedlane。SwiftandsilentasanIndianhewentalong，keepingintheshadeofwhattreestherewere，untilhecametothegroveofcottonwoods。Thegrovewasablackmysterylancedbysilverrays。Heslippedinamongthetrees，haltingeveryfewstepstolisten。Theaction，therealizationhadhelpedtomakehimcool，tosteelhim，thoughneverbeforeinhislifehadhebeensoexalted。ThepursuitandcaptureofWildfire，atonetimethedesireofhisheart，wereasnothingtothis。Lovehadcalledhim——andlife——andheknewdeathhunginthebalance。IfBostilfoundhimseekingLucytherewouldbebloodspilled。Slonequakedatthethought，forthecoldandghastlyoppressionfollowingthedeathhehadmetedouttoSearscametohimattimes。Butsuchthoughtswerefleeting；onlyonethoughtreallyheldhismind——andtheonewasthatLucylovedhim，hadsentstrange，wild，passionatewordstohim。

Hefoundthenarrowpath，itswhitecrossedbyslowlymovingblackbarsofshadow，andstealthilyhefollowedthis，keenofeyeandear，stoppingateveryrustle。HewellknewthebenchLucyhadmentioned。Itwasinaremotecornerofthegrove，underbigtreesnearthespring。OnceSlonethoughthehadaglimpseofwhite。Perhapsitwasonlymoonlight。Heslippedonandon，andwhenbeyondthebranchingpathsthatledtowardthehousehebreathedfreer。Thegroveappeareddeserted。Atlasthecrossedtherunwayfromthespring，smelledthecool，wetmossandwatercress，andsawthebigcottonwood，loomingdarkabovetheothertrees。Apatchofmoonlightbrightenedalittlegladejustattheedgeofdenseshadecastbythecottonwood。Herethebenchstood。Itwasempty!

Slone\'srapturevanished。Hewassuddenlychilled。Shewasnotthere!Shemighthavebeenintercepted。Hewouldnotseeher。Thedisappointment，thesuddenrelaxation，washorrible。Thenawhite，slendershapeflashedfrombesidetheblacktree-trunkandflewtowardhim。Itwasnoiseless，likeaspecter，andswiftasthewind。Washedreaming？Hefeltsostrange。Then——thewhiteshapereachedhimandheknew。

Lucyleapedintohisarms。

"Lin!Lin!Oh，I\'mso——sogladtoseeyou!"shewhispered。Sheseemedbreathless，keen，newtohim，notintheleastafraidnorshy。Slonecouldonlyholdher。Hecouldnothavespoken，evenifshehadgivenhimachance。

"Iknoweverything——whattheyaccuseyouof——howtheriderstreatedyou——howmydadstruckyou。Oh!He\'sabrute!Ihatehimforthat。Whydidn\'tyoukeepoutofhisway？Vansawitall。Oh，Ihatehim，too!Hesaidyoulaystill——whereyoufell!DearLin，thatblowmayhavehurtyoudreadfully——shamedyoubecauseyoucouldn\'tstrikebackatmydad——butitreachedme，too。Ithurtme。Itwokemyheart。Where——wheredidhehityou？Oh，I\'veseenhimhitmen!Histerriblefists!"

"Lucy，nevermind，"whisperedSlone。"I\'dstoodtobeshotjustforthis。"

Hefeltherhandssoftlyonhisface，feelingaroundtenderlytilltheyfoundtheswollenbruiseonmouthandchin。

"Ah!Hestruckyou。AndI——I\'llkissyou，"shewhispered。"Ifkisseswillmakeitwell——it\'llbewell!"

Sheseemedstrange，wild，passionateinhertenderness。Sheliftedherfaceandkissedhimsoftlyagainandagainandagain，tillthetouchthathadbeenexquisitelypainfultohisbruisedlipsbecamerapture。Thensheleanedbackinhisarms，herhandsonhisshoulders，white-faced，dark-eyed，andlaughedupinhisface，lovingly，daringly，asifshedefiedtheworldtochangewhatshehaddone。

"Lucy!Lucy!Hecanbeatme——again!"saidSlone，lowandhoarsely。

"Ifyoulovemeyou\'llkeepoutofhisway，"repliedthegirl。

"IfIloveyou？MyGod!I\'vefeltmyheartdieathousandtimessincethatmornin\'——when——whenyou——"

"Lin，Ididn\'tknow，"sheinterrupted，withsweet，graveearnestness。"Iknownow!"

AndSlonecouldnotbutknow，too，lookingather；andthesweetness，theeloquence，thenobleabandonofheravowalsoundedtothedepthsofhim。Hisdread，hisresignation，hisshame，allspedforeverinthedeep，fullbreathofreliefwithwhichhecastoffthatburden。Hetastedthenectarofhappiness，thefirsttimeinhislife。Heliftedhishead——never，heknew，toloweritagain。Hewouldbetruetowhatshehadmadehim。

"Comeintheshade，"hewhispered，andwithhisarmroundherheledhertothegreattree-trunk。"Isitsafeforyouhere？An\'howlongcanyoustay？"

"IhaditoutwithDad——lefthimlickedonceinhislife，"shereplied。"ThenIwenttomyroom，fastenedthedoor，andslippedoutofmywindow。IcanstayoutaslongasIwant。Noonewillknow。"

Slone\'sheartthrobbed。Shewashis。Theclaspofherhandsonhis，thegleamofhereyes，thewhite，daringflashofherfaceintheshadowofthemoon——thesetoldhimshewashis。Howithadcomeaboutwasbeyondhim，butherealizedthetruth。Whatagirl!ThiswasthesamenervewhichsheshowedwhenshehadrunWildfireoutinfrontofthefleetesthorsesintheuplands。

"Tellme，then，"hebegan，quietly，withkeengazerovingunderthetreesandeyesstrainedtight，"tellmewhat\'scomeoff。"

"Don\'tyouknow？"shequeried，inamaze。

"OnlythatforsomereasonI\'mdoneinBostil\'sFord。Itcan\'tbebecauseI

punchedJoelCreech。IfeltitbeforeImetBostilatthestore。Hetauntedme。Wehadbitterwords。HetoldbeforeallofthemhowtheoutfitIworeyougaveme。An\'thenIdaredhimtoracetheKing。Myhorsean\'mylifeagainstYOU!"

"Yes，Iknow，"shewhispered，softly。"It\'sallovertown。Oh，Lin!itwasagrandbet!AndBostilfour-flushed，astheriderssay。FordaysaracebetweenWildfireandtheKinghadbeenintheair。There\'llneverbepeaceinBostil\'sFordagaintillthatraceisrun。"

"But，Lucy，couldBostil\'swantin\'Wildfirean\'hatin\'mebecauseIwon\'tsell——couldthatruinmehereattheFord？"

"Itcould。But，Lin，there\'smore。Oh，Ihatetotellyou!"shewhispered，passionately。"Ithoughtyou\'dknow。JoelCreechsworeyoucuttheropesontheferry-boatandsentitadrift。"

"Theloon!"ejaculatedSlone，andhelaughedlowinbothangerandridicule。

"Lucy，that\'sonlyafool\'stalk。"

"He\'scrazy。Oh，ifIevergethiminfrontofmeagainwhenI\'monSarch——I\'ll——I\'ll。"SheendedwithalittlegaspandleanedamomentagainstSlone。Hefeltherheartbeat——feltthestrongclaspofherhands。ShewasindeedBostil\'sfleshandblood，andtherewasthatinherdangeroustoarouse。

"Lin，thefolksherearequeer，"sheresumed，morecalmly。"ForlongyearsDadhasruledthem。Theyseewithhiseyesandtalkwithhisvoice。JoelCreechsworeyoucutthosecables。Sworehetrailedyou。Bracktonbelievedhim。Vanbelievedhim。Theytoldmyfather。Andhe——mydad——Godforgivehim!hejumpedatthat。ThevillageasonepersonnowbelievesyousenttheboatadriftsoCreech\'shorsescouldnotcrossandyoucouldwintherace。"

"Lucy，ifitwasn\'tso——sofunnyI\'dbemadas——as——"burstoutSlone。

"Itisn\'tfunny。It\'sterrible。Iknowwhocutthosecables。Holleyknows。DADknows——an\'，oh，Lin——I——hate——Ihatemyownfather!"

"MyGod!"gaspedSlone，asthefullsignificationburstuponhim。ThenhisnextthoughtwasforLucy。"Listen，dear——youmustn\'tsaythat，"heentreated。

"He\'syourfather。He\'sagoodmaneverywayexceptwhenhe\'safterhorses。

Thenhe\'shalfhorse。Iunderstandhim。Ifeelsorryforhim。An\'ifhe\'sthrowedtheblameonme，allright。I\'llstandit。WhatdoIcare？Iwasqueered，anyhow，becauseIwouldn\'tpartwithmyhorse。Itcan\'tmattersomuchifpeoplethinkIdidthatjusttohelpwinarace。Butiftheyknewyour——yourfatherdidit，an\'ifCreech\'shorsesstarve，whyit\'dbeadisgraceforhim——an\'you。"

"LinSlone——you\'llaccepttheblame!"shewhispered，withwide，darkeyesonhim，handsathisshoulders。

"SureIwill，"repliedSlone。"Ican\'tbeanyworseoff。"

"You\'rebetterthanallofthem——myrider!"shecried，full-voicedandtremulous。"Lin，youmakemeloveyouso——it——ithurts!"Andsheseemedabouttoflingherselfintohisarmsagain。Therewasastrangenessabouther——aglory。"Butyou\'llnottaketheshameofthatact。ForIwon\'tletyou。I\'lltellmyfatherIwaswithyouwhentheboatwascutloose。He\'llbelieveme。"

"Yes，an\'he\'llKILLme!"groanedSlone。"GoodLord!Lucy，don\'tdothat!"

"Iwill!An\'he\'llnotkillyou。Lin，Dadtookagreatfancytoyou。Iknowthat。Hethinkshehatesyou。Butinhishearthedoesn\'t。IfhegotholdofWildfire——why，he\'dneverbeabletodoenoughforyou。Henevercouldmakeitup。Whatdoyouthink？Itoldhimyouhuggedandkissedmeshamefullythatday。"

"Oh，Lucy!youdidn\'t？"imploredSlone。

"Isuredid。Andwhatdoyouthink？Hesaidheoncedidthesametomymother!。No，Lin，Dad\'dneverkillyouforanythingexceptafuryabouthorses。

Allthefightsheeverhadwereoverhorsedeals。Thetwomen——he——he——"LucyfalteredandhershudderwasilluminatingtoSlone。"Bothofthem——fightsoverhorsetrades!"

"Lucy，ifI\'meverunluckyenoughtomeetBostilagainI\'llbedeafan\'dumb。

An\'nowyoupromisemeyouwon\'ttellhimyouwerewithmethatnight。"

"Lin，iftheoccasioncomes，Iwill——Icouldn\'thelpit，"repliedLucy。

"Thenfightshyoftheoccasion，"herejoined，earnestly。"ForthatwouldbetheendofLinSlone!"

"Then——whatonearthcan——wedo？"Lucysaid，withsuddenbreakofspirit。

"Ithinkwemustwait。Youwroteinyourletteryou\'dsticktome——you\'d——"

Hecouldnotgetthewordsout，thethoughtsoovercamehim。

"Ifitcomestoafinish，I\'llgowithyou，"Lucyreturned，withpassionrisingagain。

"Oh!torideoffwithyou，Lucy——tohaveyoualltomyself——Idaren\'tthinkofit。Butthat\'sonlyselfish。"

"Maybeit\'snotsoselfishasyoubelieve。IfyoulefttheFord——now——it\'dbreakmyheart。I\'dnevergetoverit。"

"Lucy!Youloveme——thatwell？"

Thentheirlipsmetagainandtheirhandslocked，andtheystoodsilent，strainingtowardeachother。Heheldtheslightform，sopliant，soresponsive，soalive，closetohim，andherfacelayhiddenonhisbreast；andhelookedoutoverherheadintothequiveringmoonlitshadows。Thenightwasasstillasoneawayonthedesertfarfromtheabodeofmen。Itwasmorebeautifulthananydreamofanightinwhichhehadwanderedfarintostrangelandswherewildhorseswereandforestslayblackundermoon-silveredpeaks。

"We\'llrun——then——ifitcomestoafinish，"saidSlone，huskily。"ButI\'llwait。I\'llstickitouthere。I\'lltakewhatcomes。So——maybeI\'llnotdisgraceyoumore。"

"ItoldVanI——Igloriedinbeinghuggedbyyouthatday，"shereplied，andherlittledefiantlaughtoldwhatshethoughtoftheallegeddisgrace。

"Youtormenthim，"remonstratedSlone。"Yousethimagainstus。Itwouldbebettertokeepstill。"

"Butmybloodisup!"shesaid，andshepoundedhisshoulderwithherfist。