第12章

"No，Iwouldn\'tbelieveitpossible。"

"Wal，it\'sso。I\'vedoneit。An\'Ididn\'twanttocomeupthetwaybecauseI\'dhadtoleavetracks。"

"Doyouthinkwe\'resafe——fromCordtsnow？"sheasked。

"Ireckonso。He\'snotracker。"

"Butsupposehedoestrailus？"

"Wal，IreckonI\'veashadethebestofCordtsatgun-play，anyday。"

Lucyregardedthemaninsurprise。"Oh，it\'sso——strange!"shesaid。"You\'dfightforme。Yetyoudraggedmefordaysovertheseawfulrocks!Lookatme，Creech。DoIlookmuchlikeLucyBostil？"

Creechhunghishead。"Wal，IreckonedIwasn\'tablackguard，butIAM。"

"YouusedtocareformewhenIwaslittle。IrememberhowIusedtotakeridesonyourknee。"

"Lucy，IneverthoughtofthetwhenIketchedyou。Youwasonlyameanstoanend。Bostilhatedme。Heruinedme。Igiveuptorevenge。An\'Icouldonlygitthetthroughyou。"

"Creech，I\'mnotdefendingDad。He\'s——he\'snogoodwherehorsesareconcerned。

Iknowhewrongedyou。Thenwhydidn\'tyouwaitandmeethimlikeamaninsteadofdraggingmetothismisery？"

"Wal，Ineverthoughtofthet，either。IwishedIhad。"Hegrewgloomierthenandrelapsedintosilentwatching。

Lucyfeltbetternextday，andofferedtohelpCreechatthefewcampduties。

Hewouldnotlether。Therewasnothingtodobutrestandwait，andtheidlenessappearedtobeharderonCreechthanonLucy。Hehadalwaysbeenexceedinglyactive。Lucydivinedthateveryhourhisremorsegrewkeener，andshedidallshecouldthinkoftomakeitso。Creechmadeherarudebrushbygatheringsmallrootsandbindingthemtightlyandcuttingtheendssquare。

AndLucy，afterthemannerofanIndian，gotthetanglesoutofherhair。ThatdayCreechseemedtowanttohearLucy\'svoice，andsotheyoftenfellintoconversation。Oncehesaid，thoughtfully:

"I\'mtryin\'toremembersomethin\'IheerdattheFord。Imeanttoaskyou——"

Suddenlyheturnedtoherwithanimation。Hewhohadbeensogloomyandlusterlessanddeadshowedabrighteagerness。"IheerdyoubeattheKingonaredhoss——awildhoss!Thetmusthavebeenajoke——likeoneofJoel\'s。"

"No。It\'strue。An\'Dadnearlyhadafit!"

"Wal!"Creechsimplyblazedwithexcitement。"Iain\'twonderin\'ifhedid。Hisowngirl!Lucy，cometoremember，youalwayssaidyou\'dbeatthetgrayracer……FertheLord\'ssaketellmeallaboutit。"

Lucywarmedtohimbecause，brokenashewas，hecouldbegenuinelygladsomehorsebuthisownhadwonarace。Bostilcouldneverhavebeenlikethat。SoLucytoldhimabouttherace——andthenshehadtotellaboutWildfire，andthenaboutSlone。ButatfirstallofCreech\'sinterestcenteredroundWildfireandtheracethathadnotreallybeenrun。Heaskedahundredquestions。Hewasaspleasedasaboylisteningtoagoodstory。HepraisedLucyagainandagain。HecrowedoverBostil\'sdiscomfiture。AndwhenLucytoldhimthatSlonehaddaredherfathertorace，hadofferedtobetWildfireandhisownlifeagainstherhand，thenCreechwasbesidehimself。

"ThishyarSlone——heCALLEDBostil\'shand!"

"He\'sawild-horsehunter。AndHEcantrailus!"

"Trailus!Slone？Say，Lucy，areyouinlovewithhim？"

Lucyutteredastrangelittlebrokensound，halflaugh，halfsob。"Lovehim!

Ah!"

"An\'yourDad\'sag\'inhim!SureBostil\'llhateanyriderwithafasthoss。Whydidn\'tthedarnfoolsellhisstalliontoyourfather？"

"HegaveWildfiretome。"

"I\'dhavedonethesame。Wal，now，whenyougitbackhomewhat\'scomin\'ofitall？"

Lucyshookherheadsorrowfully。"Godonlyknows。DadwillneverownWildfire，andhe\'llneverletmemarrySlone。AndwhenyoutaketheKingawayfromhimtoransomme——thenmylifewillbehell，forifDadsacrificesSageKing，afterwardhe\'llhatemeasthecauseofhisloss。"

"Icansureseethesenseofallthat，"repliedCreech，soberly。Andhepondered。

Lucysawthroughthismanasifhehadbeenaninchofcrystalwater。Hewasnovillain，andjustnowinhissimplicity，inhisploddingthoughtofsympathyforherhewaslovable。

"It\'sonehellofamuss，ifyou\'llexcusemytalk，"saidCreech。"An\'Idon\'tlikethelooksofwhatI\'peartobethrowin\'inyourway。Butseehyar，Lucy，ifBostildidn\'tgiveup——or，say，hegitstheKingback，thetwouldn\'tmakeyourchancewithSloneanybrighter。"

"Idon\'tknow。"

"Thetracewillhavetoberan!"

"Whatgoodwillthatdo？"criedLucy，withtearsinhereyes。"Idon\'twanttoloseDad。I——I——lovehim——meanasheis。Andit\'llkillmetoloseLin。

BecauseWildfirecanbeatSageKing，andthatmeansDadwillbeforeveragainsthim。"

"Couldn\'tthiswild-horsefellerLETtheKingwinthetrace？"

"Oh，hecould，buthewouldn\'t。"

"Can\'tyoubesweetroundhim——fetchhimovertothet？"

"Oh，Icould，butIwon\'t。"

Creechmighthavebeenplottingthehappinessofhisowndaughter，hewassodeeplyinearnest。

"Wal，mebbeyoudon\'tloveeachothersomuch，afterall。Fasthossesmeanmuchtoamaninthishyarcountry。Iknow，ferIlostmine!Buttheyain\'tall。Ireckonyouyoungfolksdon\'tlovesomuch，afterall。"

"But——we——do!"criedLucy，withapassionatesob。Allthistalkhadunnervedher。

"ThentheonlywayisferSlonetolietoBostil。"

"Lie!"exclaimedLucy。

"Thet\'sit。Fetchaboutarace，somehow——oneBostilcan\'tsee——an\'thenliean\'saytheKingrunWildfireoffhislegs。"

SuddenlyitoccurredtoLucythatonesignificanceofthisideaofCreech\'shadnotdawneduponhim。"YouforgetthatsoonmyfatherwillnolongerownSageKingorSarchedonorDustyBen——oranyracer。Helosesthemorme，I

thought。That\'swhatIamherefor。"

Creech\'saspectchanged。Theeagernessandsympathyfledfromhisface，leavingitoncemorehardandstern。Hegotupandstoodatall，dark，andgloomyman，broodingoverhisloss，ashewatchedthecanyon。Still，therewasinhimthenastrugglethatLucyfelt。Presentlyhebentoverandputhisbighandonherhead。Itseemedgentleandtendercomparedwithformercontacts，anditmadeLucythrill。Shecouldnotseehisface。Whatdidhemean？Shedivinedsomethingstartling，andsattheretremblinginsuspense。

"Bostilwon\'tlosehisonlygirl——orhisfavoritehoss!Lucy，Ineverhadnogirl。ButitseemsI\'mrememberin\'themridesyouusedtohaveonmykneewhenyouwaslittle!"

Thenhestrodeawaytowardtheforest。Lucywatchedhimwithafullheart，andasshethoughtofhisovercomingtheevilinhimwhenherfatherhadyieldedtoit，shesufferedpoignantshame。ThisCreechwasnotabadman。Hewasgoingtolethergo，andhewasgoingtoreturnBostil\'shorseswhentheycame。LucyresolvedwithapassionatedeterminationthatherfathermustmakeamplerestitutionforthelossCreechhadendured。ShemeanttotellCreechso。

Uponhisreturn，however，heseemedsostrangeandforbiddingagainthatherheartfailedher。Hadhereconsideredhisgenerousthought？Lucyalmostbelievedso。Theseoldhorse-traderswereincomprehensibleinanyrelationconcerninghorses。RecallingCreech\'sintenseinterestinWildfireandintheinevitableracetoberunbetweenhimandSageKing，LucyalmostbelievedthatCreechwouldsacrificehisvengeancejusttoseetheredstallionbeatthegray。IfCreechkepttheKinginransomforLucyhewouldhavetostaydeeplyhiddeninthewildbreaksofthecanyoncountryorleavetheuplands。ForBostilwouldneverletthatdeedgounreckonedwith。LikeBostil，oldCreechwashalfhorseandhalfhuman。Thehumansidehadwarmedtoremorse。HehadregrettedLucy\'splight；hewantedhertobesafeathomeagainandtofindhappiness；herememberedwhatshehadbeentohimwhenshewasalittlegirl。

Creech\'sothersidewasmorecomplex。

BeforetheeveningmealendedLucydivinedthatCreechwasdarkandtroubledbecausehehadresignedhimselftoasacrificeharderthanithadseemedinthefirstflushofnoblefeeling。Butshedoubtedhimnomore。Shewassafe。

TheKingwouldbereturned。ShewouldcompelherfathertopayCreechhorseforhorse。AndperhapsthelessontoBostilwouldbeworthallthepainofeffortanddistressofmindthatithadcosther。

Thatnightasshelayawakelisteningtotheroarofthewindinthepinesastrangepremonition——likeamysteriousvoice——cametoherwiththeassurancethatSlonewasonhertrail。

OnthefollowingdayCreechappearedtohavecastoffthebroodingmood。

Still，hewasnottalkative。Heappliedhimselftoconstantwatchingfromtherim。

Lucybegantofeelrested。ThatlongtripwithCreechhadmadeherthinandhardandstrong。Shespentthehoursundertheshadeofacedarontherimthatprotectedherfromsunandwind。Thewind，particularly，washardtostand。Itblewagaleoutofthewest，adry，odorous，steadyrushthatroaredthroughthepine-topsandflattenedthelong，whitegrass。ThisdayCreechhadtobuildupabarrierofrockroundhiscamp-fire，tokeepitfromblowingaway。Andtherewasaconstantdangeroffiringthegrass。

OnceLucyaskedCreechwhatwouldhappeninthatcase。

"Wal，Ireckonthegrasswouldburnbackevenag\'inthetwind，"repliedCreech。"I\'dhatetoseefireinthewoodsnowbeforetherainscome。It\'sbeenthelongest，dryestspellIeverlivedthrough。Butferthetmyhosses——

Thishyar\'sawestwind，an\'it\'sblowin\'hardereveryday。It\'llfetchtherains。"

Nextdayaboutnoon，whenbothwindandheatwerehigh，Lucywasawakenedfromadoze。Creechwasstandingnearher。Whenheturnedhislonggazeawayfromthecanyonhewassmiling。Itwasasmileatoncetriumphantandsad。

"Joel\'scomin\'withthehosses!"

Lucyjumpedup，tremblingandagitated。"Oh!Where？Where？"

Creechpointedcarefullywithbenthand，likeanIndian，andLucyeithercouldnotgetthedirectionorseefarenough。

"Rightdownalongthebaseofthetredwall。Alineofhosses。Jestlikeafewcrawlin\'ants\'An\'nowthey\'recreepin\'outofsight。"

"Oh，Ican\'tseethem!"criedLucy。"AreyouSURE？"

"Positivean\'sartin，"hereplied。"Joel\'scomin\'。He\'llbeuphyarbeforelong。Ireckonwe\'djestaswelllethimcome。Ferthere\'swateran\'grasshyar。An\'downbelowgrassisscarce。"

ItseemedanagetoLucy，waitingthere，untilshedidseehorseszigzaggingtheridgesbelow。Theydisappeared，andthenitwasanotheragebeforetheyreappearedcloseunderthebulgeofwall。ShethrilledatsightofSageKingandSarchedon。Shegotonlyaglimpseofthem。Theymustpassroundunderhertoclimbasplitinthewall，andupalongdrawthatreachedlevelgroundbackintheforest。Buttheywerenear，andLucytriedtowait。Creechshowedeagernessatfirst，andthenwentonwithhiscamp-fireduties。Whileincamphealwayscookedamiddaymeal。

Lucysawthehorsesfirst。Shescreamedout。Creechjumpedupinalarm。

JoelCreech，mountedonSageKing，andleadingSarchedon，wascomingatagallop。Theotherhorseswerefollowing。

"What\'shishurry？"demandedLucy。"AfterclimbingoutofthatcanyonJoeloughtnottopushthehorses。"

"He\'llgititfrommeifthere\'snoreason，"growledCreech。"Themhossesiswet。"

"LookatSarch!He\'swild。HealwayshatedJoel。"

"Wal，Lucy，IreckonIain\'tlikin\'thishyar。LookatJoel!"mutteredCreech，andhestrodeouttomeethisson。

Lucyranouttoo，andbeyondhim。ShesawonlySageKing。Hesawher，recognizedher，and，whistledevenwhileJoelwaspullinghimin。ForoncetheKingshowedhewasgladtoseeLucy。Hehadbeenhavingroughtreatment。Buthewasnotwinded——onlyhotandwet。Sheassuredherselfofthat，thenrantoquiettheplungingSarch。Hecamedownatonce，andpushedhisbignosealmostintoherface。Shehuggedhisgreat，hotneck。Hewasquiveringallover。Lucyheardtheotherhorsespoundingup；sherecognizedTwoFace\'shighwhinny，likeasqueal；andinherdelightshewasabouttoruntothemwhenCreech\'sharshvoicearrestedher。AndsightofJoel\'sfacesuddenlymadeherweak。

"What\'dyousay？"demandedCreech。

"I\'dagoodreasontorunthehossesup-hill——thet\'swhat!"snappedJoel。Hewasfrothingatthemouth。

"Outwithit!"

"Cordtsan\'Hutch!"

"What？"roaredCreech，graspingthepaleJoelandshakinghim。

"Cordtsan\'Hutchrodeinbehindmedownatthetcrosscanyon。Theyseenme。

An\'they\'reaftermehard!"

Creechgavecloseandkeenscrutinytothestrangefaceofhisson。Thenhewheeledaway。

"Helpmepack。An\'you，too，Lucy。We\'vegottorustleoutofhyar。"

Lucyfoughtasickfaintnessthatthreatenedtomakeheruseless。Butshetriedtohelp，andpresentlyactionmadeherstronger。

TheCreechesmadeshortworkofthatbreakingofcamp。Butwhenitcametogettingthehorsesthereappeareddangerofdelay。SarchedonhadledDustyBenandTwoFaceoffinthegrass。WhenJoelwentforthemtheygallopedawaytowardthewoods。Joelranback。

"Son，you\'reasmarthossman!"exclaimedCreech，indisgust。

"ShallIgitontheKingan\'ketchthem？"

"No。HoldtheKing。"CreechwentoutafterPlume，buttheexcitedandwaryhorseeludedhim。ThenCreechgaveup，caughthisownmustangs，andhurriedintocamp。

"Lucy，ifCordtsgitsafterSarchan\'theothersit\'llbeaswellferus，"hesaid。

Soontheywereridingintotheforest，Creechleading，Lucyinthecenter，andJoelcomingbehindontheKing。Twounsaddledmustangscarryingthepacksweredriveninfront。Creechlimitedthegaittothebestthatthepack-horsescoulddo。Theymadefasttime。Thelevelforestfloor，hardandspringy，affordedthebestkindofgoing。

AcolddreadhadoncemoreclutchedLucy\'sheart。Whatwouldbetheendofthisflight？ThewayCreechlookedbackincreasedherdread。HowhorribleitwouldbeifCordtsaccomplishedwhathehadalwaysthreatened——torunoffwithbothherandtheKing!LucylostherconfidenceinCreech。ShedidnotglanceagainatJoel。Oncehadbeenenough。Sherodeonwithheavyheart。Anxietyanddreadandconjectureandagradualsinkingofspiritweighedherdown。Yetsheneverhadaclearerperceptionofoutsidethings。Theforestloomedthickeranddarker。Theskywasseenonlythroughagreen，crisscrossoffoliagewavingintheroaringgale。ThisstrongwindwaslikeablastinLucy\'sface，anditskeendrynesscrackedherlips。

Whentheyrodeoutoftheforest，downagentleslopeofwind-sweptgrass，toanopeningintoacanyonLucywassurprisedtorecognizetheplace。Howquicklytheridethroughtheforesthadbeenmade!

Creechdismounted。"Gitoff，Lucy。You，Joel，hurryan\'handmethelittlepack。NowI\'lltakeLucyan\'theKingdowninhyar。Yougothetwaywiththehossesan\'makeasifyouwashidin\'yourtrail，butdon\'t。Doyousavvy？"

Joelshookhishead。Helookedsullen，somber，strange。Hisfatherrepeatedwhathehadsaid。

"You\'rewantin\'Cordtstosplitonthetrail？"askedJoel。

"Sure。He\'llketchupwithyousometime。Butyouneedn\'tbeafearedifhedoes。"

"Iain\'ta-goin\'todothet。"

"Whynot？"Creechdemanded，slowly，witharisingvoice。

"I\'ma-goin\'withyou。Whatd\'yemean，Dad，bythismove？You\'llbeheadin\'

backfertheFord。An\'we\'dgitsaferifwegotheotherway。"

Creechevidentlycontrolledhistemperbyaneffort。"I\'mtakin\'Lucyan\'theKingbacktoBostil。"

Joelechoedthosewords，slowlydiviningthem。"Takin\'themBOTH!Thegirl……An\'givin\'uptheKing!"

"Yes，bothofthem。I\'vechangedmymind，Joel。Now——you——"

ButCreechneverfinishedwhathemeanttosay。JoelCreechwassuddenlyseizedbyahorriblemadness。Itwasthen，perhaps，thatthefinalthreadwhichlinkedhismindtorationalitystretchedandsnapped。Hisfaceturnedgreen。Hisstrangeeyesprotruded。Hisjawworked。Hefrothedatthemouth。Heleaped，apparentlytogetnearhisfather，buthemissedhisdirection。Then，asifsighthadcomeback，hewheeledandmadestrangegestures，allthewhilecursingincoherently。Thefather\'sshockedfacebegantoshowdisgust。ThenpartofJoel\'srantingbecameintelligible。

"Shutup!"suddenlyroaredCreech。

"No，Iwon\'t!"shriekedJoel，wagginghisheadinspentpassion。"An\'youain\'ta-goin\'totakethetgirlhome。I\'lltakeherwithme。An\'

youtakethehosseshome!"

"You\'recrazy!"hoarselyshoutedCreech，hisfacegoingblack。"Theyallussaidso。ButIneverbelievedthet。"

"An\'ifI\'mcrazy，thetgirlmademe。YouknowwhatI\'ma-goin\'todo？。I\'llstriphernaked——an\'I\'ll——"

LucysawoldCreechlungeandstrike。Sheheardthesoddenblow。Joelwentdown。ButhescrambledupwithhiseyesandmouthresemblingthoseofamadhoundLucyoncehadseen。Thefactthathereachedtwiceforhisgunandcouldnotfinditprovedthebreakingconnectionofnerveandsense。CreechjumpedandgrappledwithJoel。Therewasawrestling，strainedstruggle。Creech\'shairstoodupandhisfacehadakindofsickfury，andhecontinuedtocurseandcommand。Theyfoughtforthepossessionofthegun。ButJoelseemedtohavesuperhumanstrength。Hisholdontheguncouldnotbebroken。Moreover，hekeptstrainingtopointthegunathisfather。Lucyscreamed。Creechyelledhoarsely。Buttheboywasbeyondreasonorhelp，andhewasbeyondoverpowering!Lucysawhimbendhisarminspiteofthedesperateholduponitandfirethegun。Creech\'shoarseentreatiesceasedashisholdonJoelbroke。Hestaggered。Hisarmswentupwithatragic，terriblegesture。Hefell。Joelstoodoverhim，shakingandlivid，butheshowedonlythevaguestrealizationofthedeed。Hisactionswereinstinctive。Hewastheanimalthathadclawedhimselffree。Furtherproofofhisaberrationstoodoutintheactionofsheathinghisgun；hemadethemotiontodoso，butheonlydroppeditinthegrass。

SightofthatdroppedgunbrokeLucy\'sspellofhorror，whichhadkepthersilentbutforonescream。Suddenlyherbloodleapedlikefireinherveins。

ShemeasuredthedistancetoSageKing。Joelwasturning。ThenLucydartedattheKing，reachedhim，and，leaping，washalfuponhimwhenhesnortedandjumped，notbreakingherhold，butkeepingherfromgettingup。Thenironhandsclutchedherandthrewher，likeanemptysack，tothegrass。

JoelCreechdidnotsayaword。Hisdistortedfacehadthederidingscornofasuperiorbeing。Lucylayflatonherback，watchinghim。Hermindworkedswiftly。Shewouldhavetofightforherbodyandherlife。Herterrorhadfledwithherhorror。Shewasnotnowafraidofthisdementedboy。Shemeanttofight，calculatinglikeacunningIndian，wildasatrappedwildcat。

Lucylayperfectlystill，forsheknewshehadbeenthrownnearthespotwherethegunlay。IfshegotherhandsonthatgunshewouldkillJoel。Itwouldbetheactionofaninstant。ShewatchedJoelwhilehewatchedher。AndshesawthathehadhisfootontheroperoundSageKing\'sneck。TheKingneverlikedarope。Hewasnervous。Hetossedhisheadtogetridofit。Creech，watchingLucyallthewhile，reachedfortherope，pulledtheKingcloserandcloser，anduntiedtheknot。TheKingstoodthen，bridledownandquiet。Insteadofasaddleheworeablanketstrappedroundhim。

ItseemedthatLucylocatedthegunwithoutturninghereyesawayfromJoel\'s。

Shegatheredallherforce——rolledoverswiftly——again——gotherhandsonthegunjustasCreechleapedlikeapantheruponher。Hisweightcrushedherflat——hisstrengthmadeherhand-holdlikethatofachild。Hethrewthegunaside。Lucylayfacedown，unabletomoveherbodywhilehestoodoverher。

Thenhestruckher，notastunningblow，butjustthehardrapacruelridergivestoahorsethatwantsitsownway。UnderthatblowLucy\'sspiritrosetoaheightofterriblepassion。Stillshedidnotlosehercunning；theblowincreasedit。ThatblowshowedJoeltobecrazy。Shemightoutwitacrazyman，whereamanmerelywickedmightmasterher。

Creechtriedtoturnher。Lucyresisted。Andshewasstrong。ResistanceinfuriatedCreech。Hecuffedhersharply。Thisactiononlymadehimworse。

Thenwithhandslikesteelclawshetoreawayherblouse。

TheshockofhishandsonherbarefleshmomentarilyweakenedLucy，andCreechdraggedatheruntilshelayseeminglyhelplessbeforehim。

AndLucysawthatatthesightofherlikethissomethinghadcomebetweenJoelCreech\'smadmotivesandtheirexecution。Oncehehadlovedher——desiredher。Helookedvague。Hestrokedhershoulder。Hisstrangeeyessoftened，thenblazedwithadifferentlight。Lucydivinedthatshewaslostunlessshecouldrecallhisinsanefury。Shemustbeginthatterriblefightinwhichnowthebestshecouldhopeforwastomakehimkillherquickly。

Swiftandviciousasacatshefastenedherteethinhisarm。Shebitdeepandheldon。Creechhowledlikeadog。Hebeather。Hejerkedandwrestled。Thenheliftedher，andtheswingofherbodytorethefleshloosefromhisarmandbrokeherhold。Lucyhalfrose，crawled，plungedforthegun。Shegotit，too，onlytohaveCreechkickitoutofherhand。Thepainofthatbrutalkickwassevere，butwhenhecutheracrossthebarebackwiththeropesheshriekedout。Suppleandquick，sheleapedupandran。Invain!Withafewboundshehadheragain，trippedherup。Lucyfelloverthedeadbodyofthefather。Yeteventhatdidnotshakeherdesperatenerve。Alltheferocityofadesert-bredsavageculminatedinher，fightingfordeath。

Creechleaneddown，swingingthecoiledrope。Hemeanttodomorethanlashherwithit。Lucy\'shandsflashedup，closedtightinhislonghair。Thenwithabellowhejerkedupandliftedhersheerofftheground。TherewasaninstantinwhichLucyfeltherselfswungandtorn；shesaweverythingasawhirlingblur；shefeltanagonyinherwristsatwhichCreechwasclawing。

WhenhebrokeherholdtherewerehandfulsofhairinLucy\'sfists。

Shefellagainandhadnotthestrengthtorise。ButCreechwasraging，andlittleofhisbrokenspeechwasintelligible。Hekneltwithasharpkneepressingherdown。Hecuttherope。Nimbly，likeariderinmomentsofneedfulswiftness，henoosedoneendoftheroperoundherankle，thentheendoftheotherpieceroundherwrist。Hemighthavebeentyingupanunbrokenmustang。

Rising，heretainedholdonbothropes。Hemovedback，slidingthemthroughhishands。ThenwithaquickmovehecaughtupSageKing\'sbridle。

Creechpausedamoment，darklytriumphant。Ahideoussuccessshowedinhisstrangeeyes。Along-cherishedmadvengeancehadreacheditsfruition。ThenheledthehorseneartoLucy。

Warilyhereacheddown。HedidnotknowLucy\'sstrengthwasspent。Hefearedshemightyetescape。Withhard，quickgrasphecaughther，liftedher，threwherovertheKing\'sback。Heforcedherdown。

Lucy\'sresistancewasheronlysalvation，becauseitkepthimonthetrackofhisoldthreat。Sheresistedallshecould。HepulledherarmsdownroundtheKing\'sneckandtiedthemclose。Thenhepulledhardontheropeonherankleandtiedthattoherotherankle。

Lucyrealizedthatshewasboundfast。Creechhadmadegoodmostofhisthreat。Andnowinhermindthehopeofthedeathshehadsoughtchangedtothehopeoflifethatwaspossible。WhateverpowershehadeverhadovertheKingwasinhervoice。IfonlyCreechwouldslipthebridleorcutthereins——ifonlySageKingcouldbefreetorun!

LucycouldturnherfacefarenoughtoseeCreech。Likeafiendhewasrevelinginhiswork。Suddenlyhepickedupthegun。

"Looka-hyar!"hecalled，hoarsely。

Witheyesonher，grinninghorribly，hewalkedafewpacestowherethelonggrasshadnotbeentrampledorpresseddown。Thewind，whippingupoutofthecanyon，wasstillblowinghard。Creechputthegundowninthegrassandfired。

SageKingplunged。Buthewasnotgun-shy。Hesteadieddownwithapoundingofheavyhoofs。ThenLucycouldseeagain。Athinstreakofyellowsmokerose——alittlesnakyflame——aslightcracklinghiss!Thenasthewindcaughttheblazetherecamearushing，lowroar。Fire，likemagic，racedandspreadbeforethewindtowardtheforest。

LucyhadforgottenthatCreechhadmeanttodriveherintofire。Thesuddenhorrorofitalmostcausedcollapse。Commotionwithin——coldandquakeandnauseaandagony——deadenedherhearinganddarkenedhersight。ButCreech\'shardhandsquickenedher。Shecouldseehimthen，thoughnotclearly。Hisfaceseemedinhuman，misshapen，gray。Hishandspulledatherarms——alastprecautiontoseethatshewastightlybound。ThenwiththedeftfingersofariderheslippedSageKing\'sbridle。

Lucycouldnottrusthersight。WhatmadetheKingstandsostill？Hisearswentup——stiff——pointed!

CreechsteppedbackandlaidaviolenthandonLucy\'sgarments。Shebent——twistedhernecktowatchhim。Buthersightgrewnoclearer。Stillshesawhemeanttostriphernaked。Hebracedhimselfforastrong，rippingpull。

Hisyellowteethshoweddeepinhislip。Hiscontrastingeyeswerealightwithinsanejoy。

Butheneverpulled。Somethingattractedhisattention。Helooked。Hesawsomething。Thebeastinhimbecamehuman——themadnesschangedtorationality——thedeviltoacraven!Hisashenlipsutteredalow，terriblecry。

LucyfelttheKingtremblingineverymuscle。Sheknewthatwasflight。Sheexpectedhisloudsnort，andwaspreparedforitwhenitrangout。Inasecondhewouldbolt。Sheknewthat。Shethrilled。Shetriedtocalltohim，butherlipswereweak。Creechseemedparalyzed。TheKingshiftedhisposition，andLucy\'slastglimpseofCreechwasoneshewouldneverforget。ItwasasifCreechfacedburninghell!

ThentheKingwhistledandreared。Lucyheardswift，dull，throbbingbeats。

Beatsofafasthorse\'shoofsontherun!Shefeltasurgingthrillofjoy。

Shecouldnotthink。Allofherbloodandboneandmuscleseemedtothrob。

Suddenlytheairsplittoahigh-pitched，wild，whistlingblast。ItpiercedtoLucy\'smind。Sheknewthatwhistle。

"Wildfire!"shescreamed，withburstingheart。

TheKinggaveamightyconvulsiveboundofterror。He，too，knewthatwhistle。

Andinthatonegreatboundhelaunchedoutintoarun。Straightacrossthelineofburninggrass!Lucyfeltthestingofflame。Smokeblindedandchokedher。Thenclear，dry，keenwindsunginherearsandwhippedherhair。Thelightaboutherdarkened。TheKinghadheadedintothepines。TheheavyroarofthegaleoverheadstruckLucywithnewandtorturingdread。SageKingonceinhislifewasrunningaway，bridleless，andbehindhimtherewasfireonthewingsofthewind。

CHAPTERXVII

ForthefirsttimeinhisexperienceBostilfoundthathorse-tradingpalleduponhim。ThistriptoDurangowasafailure。Somethingwaswrong。Therewasavoiceconstantlycallingintohisinnerear——avoicetowhichherefusedtolisten。Andduringthefivedaysofthereturntripthestrangemoodgrewuponhim。

ThelastdayheandhisriderscoveredoverfiftymilesandreachedtheFordlateatnight。Nooneexpectedthem，andonlythemenondutyatthecorralsknewofthereturn。Bostil，muchrelievedtogethome，wenttobedandatoncefellasleep。

Heawakenedatalatehourforhim。Whenhedressedandwentouttothekitchenhefoundthathissisterhadlearnedofhisreturnandhadbreakfastwaiting。

"Where\'sthegirl？"askedBostil。

"Notupyet，"repliedAuntJane。

"What!"

"LucyandIhadatifflastnightandshewenttoherroominatemper。"

"Nothin\'newaboutthet。"

"HolleyandIhavehadourtroublesholdingherin。Don\'tyouforgetthat。"

Bostillaughed。"Wal，callheran\'tellherI\'mhome。"

AuntJanedidasshewasbidden。Bostilfinishedhisbreakfast。ButLucydidnotcome。

Bostilbegantofeelsomethingstrange，and，goingtoLucy\'sdoor，heknocked。

Therewasnoreply。Bostilpushedopenthedoor。Lucywasnotinevidence，andherroomwasnotastidyasusual。Hesawherwhitedressthrownuponthebedshehadnotsleptin。Bostilgazedaroundwithaqueercontractionoftheheart。Thatsenseofsomethingamissgrewstronger。Thenhesawachairbeforetheopenwindow。Thatwindowwasratherhigh，andLucyhadplacedachairbeforeitsothatshecouldlookoutorgetout。Bostilstretchedhisneck，lookedout，andintheredearthbeneaththewindowhesawfreshtracksofLucy\'sboots。ThenheroaredforJane。

Shecamerunning，andbetweenBostil\'sfuriousquestionsandherownexcitedanswerstherewasnothingarrivedat。Butpresentlyshespiedthewhitedress，andthensherantoLucy\'scloset。FromtheresheturnedawhitefacetoBostil。

"Sheputonherriding-clothes!"gaspedAuntJane。

"Supposin\'shedid!Whereisshe？"demandedBostil。

"SHE\'SRUNOFFWITHSLONE!"

Bostilcouldnothavebeenshockedorhurtanymoreacutelybyaknife-thrust。

Heglaredathissister。

"A-huh!Sothet\'sthewayyouwatchher!"

"Watchher？Itwasn\'tpossible。She\'s——well，she\'sassmartasyouare。

Oh，Iknewshe\'ddoit!Shewaswildinlovewithhim!"

Bostilstrodeoutoftheroomandthehouse。HewentthroughthegroveanddirectlyupthepathtoSlone\'scabin。Itwasempty，justasBostilexpectedtofindit。

Thebarsofthecorralweredown。BothSlone\'shorsesweregone。PresentlyBostilsawtheblackhorseNaggerdowninBrackton\'spasture。

TherewereridersinfrontofBrackton\'s。AllspokeatoncetoBostil，andheonlyyelledforBrackton。Theoldmancamehurriedlyout，alarmed。

"Where\'sthisSlone？"demandedBostil。

"Slone!"ejaculatedBrackton。"I\'mblessedifIknow。Ain\'thehome？"

"No。An\'he\'slefthisblackhossinyourfield。"

"Wal，bygolly，thet\'snewstome。Bostil，there\'sbeenstrangedoin\'slately。"Bracktonseemedatalossforwords。"MebbeSlonegotoutbecauseofsomethin\'thetcomeofflastnight。Now，JoelCreechan\'——an\'——"

Bostilwaitedtohearnomore。WhatdidhecareabouttheidiotCreech？Hestrodedownthelanetothecorrals。Farlane，Van，andotherriderswerethere，leisurelyasusual。ThenHolleyappeared，comingoutofthebarn。He，too，waseasy，cool，natural，lazy。Noneoftheseridersknewwhatwasamiss。

Butinstantlyachangepassedoverthem。ItcamebecauseBostilpulledagun。

"Holley，I\'veamindtoboreyou!"

Theoldhawk-eyedriderdidnotflinchorturnashadeoffcolor。"Whatfer？"

hequeried。Buthiscustomarydrawlwaswanting。

"IleftyoutowatchLucy。An\'she\'sgone!"

Holleyshowedgenuinesurpriseanddistress。TheotherridersechoedBostil\'slastword。Bostilloweredthegun。

"Ireckonwhatsavesyouisyou\'retheonlytrackerthet\'dhaveashowtofindthiscussedSlone。"

Holleynowshowednosignofsurprise，buttheotherriderswereastounded。

"Lucy\'srunoffwithSlone，"addedBostil。

"Wal，ifshe\'sgone，an\'ifhe\'sgone，it\'sacinch，"repliedHolley，throwinguphishands。"Boss，shedouble-crossedmesameasyou!Shepromisedfaithfultostayinthehouse。"

"Promisesnothin\'!"roaredBostil。"She\'sinlovewiththiswild-hosswrangler!Shemethimlastnight!"

"Icouldn\'thelpthet，"retortedHolley。"An\'Itrustedthegirl。"

Bostiltossedhishands。Hestruggledwithhisrage。HehadnofearthatLucywouldnotsoonbefound。Buttheoppositiontohiswillmadehimfurious。

VanleftthegroupofridersandcameclosetoBostil。"Itain\'tanhourbackthetIseenSlonerideoffaloneonhisredhoss。"

"Whatofthet？"demandedBostil。"Sureshewaswaitin\'somewheres。They\'dhavetoomuchsensetogotogether。Saddleup，youboys，an\'we\'ll——"

"Say，Bostil，IhappentoknowSlonedidn\'tseeLucylastnight，"interruptedHolley。

"A-huh!Wal，you\'dbettertalkout。"

"ItrustedLucy，"saidHolley。"Butallthesame，knowin\'shewasinlove，I

jestwantedtoseeifanygirlinlovecouldkeepherword。SoaboutdarkIwentdownthegrovean\'watchedferSlone。PrettysoonIseenhim。Hesneakedalongtheupperendan\'Ifollered。Hewenttothetbenchupbythebiggestcottonwood。An\'hewaitedalongtime。ButLucydidn\'tcome。Hemusthavewaitedtillmidnight。Thenheleft。Iwatchedhimgoback——seenhimgouptohiscabin。"

"Wal，ifshedidn\'tmeethim，wherewasshe？Shewasn\'tinherroom。"

BostilgazedatHolleyandtheotherriders，thenbacktoHolley。Whatwasthematterwiththisoldrider？BostilhadneverseenHolleyseemsostrange。Thewholeaffairbegantoloomstrangely，darkly。SomeportentquickenedBostil\'slumberingpulse。ItseemedthatHolley\'smindmusthavefoundanobstacletothought。Suddenlytheoldrider\'sfacechanged——thebronzewasblottedout——agraynesscame，andthenadeadwhite。

"Bostil，mebbeyou\'ain\'tbeentoldyetthet——thetCreechrodeinyesterday……Helostallhisracers!HehadtoshootbothPegan\'Roan!"

Bostil\'sthoughtsufferedasudden，blankhalt。Then，withrealization，cametheshockforwhichhehadlongbeenprepared。

"A-huh!Isthetso？Wal，an\'whatdidhesay？"

Holleylaughedagrim，significantlaughthatcurdledBostil\'sblood。"Creechsaidalot!Butletthetgonow。Comewithme。"

Holleystartedwithrapidstridesdownthelane。Bostilfollowed。Andheheardtheriderscomingbehind。AdarkandgloomythoughtsettleduponBostil。Hecouldnotcheckthat，butheheldbackimpatienceandpassion。

HolleywentstraighttoLucy\'swindow。Hegotdownonhiskneestoscrutinizethetracks。

"Mademore\'ntwelvehoursago，"hesaid，swiftly。"Shehadonherboots，butnospurs。Nowlet\'sseewhereshewent。"

HolleybegantotrailLucy\'sprogressthroughthegrove，silentlypointingnowandthentoatrack。Hewentswifter，tillBostilhadtohurry。Theothermencamewhisperingafterthem。

Holleywasaskeenasahoundonscent。

"Shestoppedthere，"hesaid，"mebbetolisten。Lookslikeshewantedtocrossthelane，butshedidn\'t:hereshegottogoin\'faster。"

Holleyreachedanintersectingpathandsuddenlyhaltedstock-still，pointingatabigtrackinthedust。

"MyGod!Bostil，lookatthet!"

OnerivingpangtorethroughBostil——andthenhewassuddenlyhisoldself，facingthetruthofdangertooneheloved。HesawbesidethebigtrackafaintimprintofLucy\'ssmallfoot。Thatwasthelastsignofherprogressandittoldastory。

"Bostil，thetain\'tSlone\'strack，"saidHolley，ringingly。

"Sureitain\'t。Thet\'sthetrackofabigman，"repliedBostil。

Theotherriders，circlingroundwithbentheads，allsaidonewayoranotherthatSlonecouldnothavemadethetrail。

"An\'whoeverhewasgrabbedLucyup——madeoffwithher？"askedBostil。

"Plainasifweseenitdone!"exclaimedHolley。Therewasfireintheclear，hawkeyes。

"Cordts!"criedBostil，hoarsely。

"Mebbe——mebbe。Butthetain\'tmyidee。Comeon。"

Holleywentsofasthealmostran，andhegotaheadofBostil。Finallyseveralhundredyardsoutinthesagehehalted，andagaindroppedtohisknees。

Bostilandtheridershurriedon。

"Keepback；don\'tstamproundsoclose，"orderedHolley。Thenlikeamansearchingforlostgoldinsandandgrasshesearchedtheground。ToBostilitseemedalongtimebeforehegotthrough。Whenhearosetherewasadarkanddeadlycertaintyinhisface，bywhichBostilknewtheworsthadbefallenLucy。

"Fourmustangsan\'twomenlastnight，"saidHolley，rapidly。"Here\'swhereLucywassetdownonherfeet。Here\'swhereshemounted。An\'here\'sthetracksofathirdman——tracksmadethismornin\'。"

BostilstraightenedupandfacedHolleyasifreadytotakeadeath-blow。"I\'mreckonin\'themlastisSlone\'stracks。"

"Yes，Iknowthem，"repliedHolley。

"An\'——them——othertracks？Whomadethem？"

"CREECHAN\'HISSON!"

Bostilfeltsweptawaybyadark，whirlingflame。Andwhenitpassedhelayinhisbarn，intheshadeoftheloft，prostrateonthefragranthay。Hisstrengthwithhispassionwasspent。Adullacheremained。Thefightwasgonefromhim。Hisspiritwasbroken。Andhelookeddownintothatdarkabysswhichwashisownsoul。

Byandbytheriderscameforhim，gothimup，andledhimout。Heshookthemoffandstoodbreathingslowly。Theairfeltrefreshing；itcooledhishot，tiredbrain。ItdidnotsurprisehimtoseeJoelCreechthere，cringingbehindHolley。

Bostilliftedahandforsomeonetospeak。AndHolleycameastepforward。

Hisfacewashaggard，butitswhitetensenesswasgone。Heseemedasifhewerereluctanttospeak，toinflictmorepain。

"Bostil，"hebegan，huskily，"you\'retosendtheKing——an\'Sarch——an\'Benan\'

TwoFacean\'PlumetoransomLucy!Ifyouwon\'t——thenCreech\'llsellhertoCordts!"

Whatastrangelookcameintothefacesoftheriders!Did，theythinkhecaredmoreforhorsefleshthanforhisownfleshandblood？

"SendtheKing——an\'allhewants。An\'sendwordferCreechtocomebacktotheFord。TellhimIsaid——mysinfoundmeout!"

BostilwatchedJoelCreechridetheKingoutupontheslope，drivingtheothersahead。SageKingwantedtorun。Sarchedonwaswildandunruly。Theypassedoutofsight。ThenBostilturnedtohissilentriders。

"Boys，seein\'theKinggothetwaywasn\'tnothin\'。Butwhatcrucifiesmeis——WILLTHETFETCHHERBACK？"

"Godonlyknows!"repliedHolley。"Mebbenot——Ireckonnot!But，Bostil，youforgetSloneisoutthereonLucy\'strail。OutthereaheadofJoel!Slonehe\'sawild-hosshunter——thekeenestIeverseen。DoyouthinkCreechcanshakehimonatrail？He\'llkillCreech，an\'he\'lllayferJoelgoin\'

back——an\'he\'llkillhim。An\'I\'llbetmyallhe\'llrideinherewithLucyan\'theKing!"

"Holley，youain\'tfigurin\'onthetredhossofSlone\'sridin\'downtheKing？"

HolleylaughedasifBostil\'squerywasthestrangestthingofallthatpoignantday。"Naw。Slone\'lllayferJoelan\'ropehimlikeheropedDickSears。"

"Holley，Ireckonyousee——clearer\'nme，"saidBostil，plaintively。"\'PearsasifIneverhadahardknockbefore。Fermynerve\'sbroke。Ican\'thope……Lucy\'sgone!Ain\'tthereanythin\'todobutwait？"

"Thet\'sall。Jestwait。IfwewentoutonJoel\'strailwe\'dqueerthechanceofCreech\'sbein\'honest。An\'we\'dqueerSlone\'sgame。I\'dhatetohavehimtrailin\'me。"

CHAPTERXVIII

OnthedaythatoldCreechrepudiatedhisson，SlonewithimmeasurablereliefleftBrackton\'swithoutevenawordtotherejoicingHolley，andploddedupthepathtohiscabin。

Afterthefirstflushofelationhadpassedhefoundapeculiarmoodsettlingdownuponhim。Itwasasifallwasnotsowellashehadimpulsivelyconceived。Hebegantoponderoverthisstrangedepression，tothinkback。

Whathadhappenedtodashthecupfromhislips？Didheregretbeingfreedfromguiltinthesimplemindsofthevillagers——regretitbecausesuspicionwouldfalluponLucy\'sfather？No；hewassorryforthegirl，butnotforBostil。ItwasnotthisnewaspectofthesituationattheFordthatoppressedhim。

HetrailedhisvaguefeelingsbacktoasubtleshockhehadsustainedinalastlookatCreech\'sdark，somberface。IthadbeenthefaceofaNemesis。

AllaboutCreechbreathedsilent，revengefulforce。Sloneworkedoutinhisploddingthoughtwhythatfactshouldoppresshim；anditwasbecauseinstrikingBostiloldCreechmuststrikethroughBostil\'shorsesandhisdaughter。

Slonedivinedit——divineditbythesubtle，intuitivepowerofhisloveforLucy。HedidnotreconsiderwhathadbeenhissuppositionbeforeCreech\'sreturn——thatCreechwouldkillBostil。Deathwouldbenorevenge。CreechhaditinhimtostealtheKingandstarvehimortodothesameandworsewithLucy。SoSloneimagined，rememberingCreech\'sface。

BeforetwilightsetinSlonesawtheCreechesridingoutofthelaneintothesage，evidentlyleavingtheFord。ThisoccasionedSlonegreatrelief，butonlyforamoment。WhattheCreechesappearedtobedoingmightnotbesignificant。

AndheknewiftheyhadstayedinthevillagethathewouldhavewatchedthemascloselyasifhethoughttheyweretryingtostealWildfire。

Hegothiseveningmeal，caredforhishorses，andjustasdarknesscameonheslippeddownintothegroveforhisrendezvouswithLucy。Alwaysthismadehisheartbeatandhisnervesthrill，butto-nighthewasexcited。Thegroveseemedfullofmovingshadows，allofwhichhefanciedwereLucy。Reachingthebigcottonwood，hetriedtocomposehimselfonthebenchtowait。Butcomposureseemedunattainable。Thenightwasstill，onlythecricketsandthesoftrustleofleavesbreakingadeadsilence。Slonehadtheearsofawildhorseinthatheimaginedsoundshedidnotreallyhear。Manyalonelynightwhilehelaywatchingandwaitinginthedark，ambushingawater-holewherewildhorsesdrank，hehadheardsofttreadsthatwereonlythesubstanceofdreams。Thatwaswhy，onthisnightwhenhewasoverstrained，hefanciedhesawLucycoming，asilent，movingshadow，wheninrealityshedidnotcome。

Thatwaswhyhethoughtheheardverystealthysteps。

Hewaited。Lucydidnotcome。Shehadneverfailedbeforeandheknewshewouldcome。Waitingbecamehard。Hewantedtogobacktowardthehouse——tointerceptherontheway。Stillhekepttohispost，watchful，listening，hisheartfull。Andhetriedtoreasonawayhisstrangedread，hissenseofaneedofhurry。ForatimehesucceededbydreamingofLucy\'ssweetness，ofhercourage，ofwhatawonderfulgirlshewas。Hoursandhourshehadpassedinsuchdreams。Onedreaminparticularalwaysfascinatedhim，anditwasoneinwhichhesawthegirlridingWildfire，winningagreatraceforherlife。

Another，justasfascinating，butsohauntingthathealwaysdispelledit，wasadreamwhereLucy，aloneandinperil，foughtwithCordtsorJoelCreechformorethanherlife。ThesevaguedreamswereSlone\'sacceptanceofthebloodandspiritinLucy。ShewasBostil\'sdaughter。Shehadnosenseoffear。Shewouldfight。AndthoughSlonealwaysthrilledwithpride，healsotrembledwithdread。

AtlengthevenwilderdreamsofLucy\'sraremoments，whensheletherselfgo，likeadesertwhirlwind，toenvelophiminallhersweetness，couldnotavailtokeepSlonepatient。Hebegantopacetoandfrounderthebigtree。Hewaitedandwaited。Whatcouldhavedetainedher？SloneinwardlylaughedattheideathateitherHolleyorAuntJanecouldkeephisgirlindoorswhenshewantedtocomeouttomeethim。YetLucyhadalwayssaidsomethingmightprevent。TherewasnoreasonforSlonetobeconcerned。Hewasmistakinghisthrillsandexcitementandloveanddisappointmentforsomethinginwhichtherewasnoreality。Yethecouldnothelpit。Thelongerhewaitedthemoreshadowsglidedbeneaththecottonwoods，themorefaint，namelesssoundsheheard。

Hewaitedlongafterhebecameconvincedshewouldnotcome。Uponhisreturnthroughthegrovehereachedapointwheretheunrealandimaginativeperceptionsweresuddenlyandstunninglybroken。Hedidhearastep。Hekepton，asbefore，andinthedeepshadowheturned。Hesawamanjustfaintlyoutlined。Oneoftheridershadbeenwatchinghim——hadfollowedhim!Slonehadalwaysexpectedthis。SohadLucy。Andnowithadhappened。ButLucyhadbeentooclever。Shehadnotcome。Shehadfoundoutorsuspectedthespyandshehadoutwittedhim。SlonehadreasontobeprouderofLucy，andhewentbacktohiscabinfreefromfurtheranxiety。

Beforehewenttosleep，however，heheardtheclatterofanumberofhorsesinthelane。Hecouldtelltheyweretiredhorses。Ridersreturning，hethought，andinstantlycorrectedthat，forridersseldomcameinatnight。AndthenitoccurredtohimthatitmightbeBostil\'sreturn。ButthenitmightbetheCreeches。Slonehadanuneasyreturnofpuzzlingthoughts。These，however，didnothinderdrowsiness，and，decidingthatthefirstthinginthemorninghewouldtrailtheCreeches，justtoseewheretheyhadgone，hefellasleep。

Inthemorningthebright，broadday，withitsdispellingreality，madeSloneregardhimselfdifferently。Thingsthatoppressedhiminthedarkofnightvanishedinthelightofthesun。Still，hewascuriousabouttheCreeches，andafterhehaddonehismorning\'sworkhestrolledouttotakeuptheirtrail。Itwasnothardtofollowinthelane，fornootherhorseshadgoneinthatdirectionsincetheCreecheshadleft。

Onceuponthewide，windyslopethereachandcolorandfragranceseemedtocalltoSloneirresistibly，andhefelltotrailingthesetracksjustfortheloveofaskilllongunused。HalfamileouttheroadturnedtowardDurango。

ButtheCreechesdidnotcontinueonthatroad。Theyenteredthesage。

InstantlySlonebecamecurious。

HefollowedthetrackstoapileofrockswheretheCreecheshadmadeagreasewoodfireandhadcookedameal。Thiswasstrange——withinamileoftheFord，whereBracktonandotherswouldhavehousedthem。Whatwasstrangerwasthefactthatthetrailstartedsouthfromthereandswungroundtowardthevillage。

Slone\'sheartbegantothump。Butheforcedhimselftothinkonlyofthesetracksandnotanysignificancetheymighthave。Hetrailedthemendowntoabenchontheslope，afewhundredyardsfromBostil\'sgrove，andhereatrampledspacemarkedwhereahalthadbeenmadeandawait。

AndhereSlonecouldnolongerrestrainconjectureanddread。Hesearchedandsearched。Hegotonhisknees。Hecrawledthroughthesageallaroundthetrampledspace。Suddenlyhisheartseemedtoreceiveastab。HehadfoundprintsofLucy\'sbootsinthesoftearth!Andheleapedup，wildandfierce，needingtoknownomore。

Heranbacktohiscabin。HeneverthoughtofBostil，ofHolley，ofanythingexceptthestoryrevealedinthoselittleboot-tracks。Hepackedasaddle-bagwithmeatandbiscuits，filledacanvaswater-bottle，and，takingthemandhisrifle，hehurriedouttothecorral。FirsthetookNaggerdowntoBrackton\'spastureandlethimin。Thenreturning，hewentatthefierystallionashehadnotgoneinmanyaday，ropedhim，saddledhim，mountedhim，androdeoffwithahard，grimcertaintythatinWildfirewasLucy\'ssalvation。

FourhourslaterSlonehaltedonthecrestofaridge，inthecoverofsparsecedars，andsurveyedavast，gray，barrenbasinyawningandreachingouttoarugged，brokenplateau。

HeexpectedtofindJoelCreechreturningontheback-trail，andhehadtakentheprecautiontorideononesideofthetrackshewasfollowing。HedidnotwantJoeltocrosshistrail。SlonehadlongagosolvedthemeaningoftheCreeches\'flight。TheywoulduseLucytoransomBostil\'shorses，andmorethanlikelytheywouldnotlethergoback。ThattheyhadherwasenoughforSlone。

Hewasgrimandimplacable。

Theeyesofthewild-horsehunterhadnotsearchedthatbasinlongbeforetheypickedoutadotwhichwasnotarockoracedar，butahorse。Slonewatcheditgrow，and，hiddenhimself，heheldhispostuntilheknewtheriderwasJoelCreech。Slonedrewhisownhorsebackandtiedhimtoasage-bushamidstsomescantgrass。Thenhereturnedtowatch。ItappearedCreechwasclimbingtheridgebelowSlone，andsomedistanceaway。ItwasadesperatechanceJoelranthen，forSlonehadsetouttokillhim。ItwascertainthatifJoelhadhappenedtoridenearinsteadoffar，Slonecouldnothavehelpedbutkillhim。Asitwas，hedesistedbecauseherealizedthatJoelwouldacquaintBostilwiththeabductingofLucy，anditmightbethatthiswouldbewell。

SlonewasshakingwhenyoungCreechpassedupandoutofsightovertheridge——shakingwiththedeadlygripofpassionsuchashehadneverknown。Hewaited，slowlygainingcontrol，andatlengthwentbackforWildfire。

Thenherodeboldlyforthonthetrail。HecalculatedthatoldCreechwouldtakeLucytosomewildretreatinthecanyonsandtherewaitforJoelandthehorses。Creechhadalmostcertainlygoneonandwouldbeunawareofapursuersocloselyonhistrail。Slonetookthedirectionofthetrail，andhesawalow，darknotchintherockywallinthedistance。AfterthathepaidnomoreattentiontochoosinggoodgroundforWildfirethanhedidtothetrail。ThestallionwasmoretractablethanSlonehadeverfoundhim。Helovedtheopen。

Hesmelledthesageandthewild。Hesettleddownintohislong，easy，swinginglopewhichseemedtoeatupthemiles。SlonewasobsessedwiththoughtscenteringroundLucy，andtimeanddistancewerescarcelysignificant。

ThesunhaddippedfullredinagoldenwestwhenSlonereachedthewallofrocksandthecleftwhereCreech\'stracksandLucy\'s，too，markedthecamp。

Slonedidnotevendismount。Ridingonintothecleft，hewoundatlengthintoacanyonandoutofthatintoalargerone，wherehefoundthatLucyhadrememberedtoleaveatrail，anddownthistoabreakinahighwall，andthroughittoanotherwinding，canyon。Thesunset，butSlonekeptonaslongashecouldseethetrail，andafterthat，untilanintersectingcanyonmadeitwiseforhimtohalt。

Therewererichgrassandsweetwaterforhishorse。Hehimselfwasnothungry，butheate；hewasnotsleepy，butheslept。AnddaylightfoundhimurgingWildfireinpursuit。OntherockyplacesSlonefoundthecedarberriesLucyhaddropped。Hewelcomedsightofthem，buthedidnotneedthem。ThismanCreechcouldneverhideatrailfromhim，Slonethoughtgrimly，anditsuitedhimtofollowthattrailatarapidtrot。Ifhelostthetracksforadistancehewentrighton，andheknewwheretolookforthemahead。TherewasavastdifferencebetweenthecunningofCreechandthecunningofawildhorse。AndtherewasanequaldifferencebetweenthegoingandstayingpowersofCreech\'smustangsandWildfire。Yes，SlonedivinedthatLucy\'ssalvationwouldbeWildfire，herhorse。Thetrailgrewrougher，steeper，harder，butthestallionkepthiseagernessandhispace。OnmanyanopenlengthofcanyonorheightofwilduplandSlonegazedaheadhopingtoseeCreech\'smustangs。Hehopedforthatevenwhenheknewhewasstilltoofarbehind。Andthen，suddenly，intheopen，sandyflatofanintersectingcanyonhecameabruptlyonafreshtrailofthreehorses，oneofthemshod。

Thesurprisestunnedhim。Foramomenthegazedstupidlyatthesestrangetracks。Whohadmadethem？HadCreechmetallies？Wasthatlikelywhenthemanhadnofriends？Ponderingthething，Slonewentslowlyon，realizingthatanewanddisturbingfeatureconfrontedhim。ThenwhenthesenewtracksmetthetrailthatCreechhadleftSlonefoundthatthesestrangerswereasinterestedinCreech\'stracksashewas。Slonefoundtheirboot-marksinthesand——thehand-printswheresomeonehadknelttoscrutinizeCreech\'strail。

Sloneledhishorseandwalkedon，moreandmoredisturbedinmind。Whenhecametoalarger，bare，flatcanyonbottom，wheretherockhadbeenwashedclearofsand，hefoundnomorecedarberries。Theyhadbeenpickedup。Attheotherextremeedgeofthisstonygroundhefoundcrumpledbitsofcedarandcedarberriesscatteredinonespot，asifthrowntherebysomeonewhoreadtheirmeaning。

ThisdiscoveryunnervedSlone。Itmeantsomuch。AndifSlonehadanyhopeorreasontodoubtthatthesestrangershadtakenupthetrailforgood，thenextfewmilesdispelledit。TheyweretrailingCreech。

SuddenlySlonegaveawildstart，whichmadeWildfireplunge。

"CORDTS!"whisperedSloneandthecoldsweatoozedoutofeverypore。

Thesecanyonswerethehiding-placesofthehorse-thief。HeandtwoofhismenhadchanceduponCreech\'strail；andperhapstheirguessatitsmeaningwaslikeSlone\'s。Iftheyhadnotguessedtheywouldsoonlearn。ItmagnifiedSlone\'staskathousandfold。Hehadamomentofbitter，almosthopelessrealizationbeforeamoredesperatespiritawokeinhim。Hehadonlymorementokill——thatwasall。Theseuplandridersdidnotpackrifles，ofthatSlonewassure。AndthesoonerhecameupwithCordtsthebetter。ItwasthenheletWildfirechoosehisgaitandthetrail。Sunset，twilight，dusk，anddarknesscamewithSlonekeepingonandon。AslongastherewerenointersectingcanyonsorcleftsorslopesbywhichCreechmighthaveswervedfromhiscourse，justsolongSlonewouldtravel。Anditwaslateinthenightwhenhehadtohalt。

Earlynextdaythetrailledupoutoftheredandbrokengulchestothecedareduplands。Slonesawablack-rimmed，loomingplateauinthedistance。

Allthesewindingcanyons，andthenecksofthehighridgesbetween，mustrunuptothatgreattable-land。

Thatdayhelosttwoofthehorsetracks。HedidnotmarkthechangeforalongtimeaftertherehadbeenasplitinthepartythathadbeentrailingCreech。Thenitwastoolateforhimtogobacktoinvestigate，evenifthathadbeenwise。Hekepton，pondering，tryingtodecidewhetherornothehadbeendiscoveredandwasnowindangerofambushaheadandpursuitfrombehind。

HethoughtthatpossiblyCordtshadsplithisparty，onetotrailalongafterCreech，theotherstoworkaroundtoheadhimoff。UndoubtedlyCordtsknewthisbrokencanyoncountryandcouldtellwhereCreechwasgoing，andknewhowtointercepthim。

TheuncertaintyworeheavilyuponSlone。Hegrewdesperate。Hehadnotimetostealalongcautiously。HemustbethefirsttogettoCreech。Soheheldtothetrailandwentasrapidlyasthenatureofthegroundwouldpermit，expectingtobeshotatfromanyclumpofcedars。Thetrailleddownagainintoanarrowcanyonwithlowwalls。Sloneputallhiskeennessonwhatlaybeforehim。

Wildfire\'ssuddenbreakandupflingingofheadandhissnortprecededthecrackofarifle。Sloneknewhehadbeenshotat，althoughheneitherfeltnorheardthebullet。Hehadnochancetoseewheretheshotcamefrom，forWildfirebolted，andneededasmuchholdingandguidingasSlonecouldgive。

Heranamile。ThenSlonewasabletolookabouthim。Hadhebeenshotatfromaboveorbehind？Hecouldnottell。Itdidnotmatter，solongasthedangerwasnotinfront。Hekeptasharplookout，andpresentlyalongtherightcanyonrim，fivehundredfeetabovehim，hesawabayhorse，andariderwitharifle。Hehadbeenwrong，then，abouttheseridersandtheirweapons。Slonedidnotseeanywisdominhaltingtoshootupatthispursuer，andhespurredWildfirejustasasharpcracksoundedabove。Thebulletthuddedintotheearthafewfeetbehindhim。Andthenoverbadground，withthestallionalmostunmanageable，Sloneranagantletofshots。Evidentlythemanontherimhadsmoothgroundtorideover，forheeasilykeptabreastofSlone。Buthecouldnotgettherange。FortunatelyforSlone，brokenrampartsabovecheckedthetricksofthatpursuer，andSlonesawnomoreofhim。

ItaffordedhimgreatrelieftofindthatCreech\'strailturnedintoacanyonontheleft；andhere，withthesunalreadylow，Slonebegantowatchtheclumpsofcedarsandthejumblesofrock。Buthewasnotambushed。Darknesssetin，and，beingtiredout，hewasabouttohaltforthenightwhenhecaughttheflickerofacampfire。Thestallionsawit，too，butdidnotsnort。

Slonedismountedand，leadinghim，wentcautiouslyforwardonfoot，rifleinhand。

Thecanyonwidenedatapointwheretwobreaksoccurred，andtheless-restrictedspacewasthickwithcedarandpinyon。Slonecouldtellbythepresenceofthesetreesandalsobyakeeneratmospherethathewasslowlygettingtoahigherattitude。Thiscamp-firemustbelongtoCordtsortheonemanwhohadgoneonahead。AndSloneadvancedboldly。Hedidnothavetomakeuphismindwhattodo。

Buthewasamazedtoseeseveraldarkformsmovingtoandfrobeforethebrightcamp-fire，andhecheckedhimselfabruptly。Consideringamoment，Slonethoughthehadbetterhavealookatthesefellows。SohetiedWildfireand，takingtothedarkersideofthecanyon，hestolecautiouslyforward。

Thedistancewasconsiderable，ashehadcalculated。Soon，however，hemadeouttheshadowyoutlinesofhorsesfeedingintheopen。Hehuggedthecanyonwallforfeartheymightseehim。Asluckwouldhaveitthenightbreezewasinhisfavor。Stealthilyhestoleon，inthedeepshadowofthewall，andunderthecedars，untilhecametoapointoppositethecamp-fire，andthenheturnedtowardit。Hewentslowly，carefully，noiselessly，andatlasthecrawledthroughthenarrowaislesbetweenthicksage-brush。Anotherclumpofcedarsloomedup，andhesawtheflickeringoffirelightuponthepale-greenfoliage。

Heheardgruffvoicesbeforeheraisedhimselftolook，andbythishegaugedhisdistance。Hewascloseenough——almosttooclose。Butashecrouchedindarkshadeandtherewerenohorsesnear，hedidnotfeardiscovery。

Whenhepeeredoutfromhiscovertthefirstthingtostrikeandholdhisrapidglancewastheslightfigureofagirl。Slonestifledagaspinhisthroat。HethoughtherecognizedLucy。Stunned，hecroucheddownagainwithhishandsclenchedroundhisrifle。Andthereheremainedforalongmomentofagonybeforereasonasserteditselfoveremotion。HadhereallyseenLucy？Hehadheardofagirlnowandtheninthecampsofthesemen，especiallyCordts。

MaybeCreechhadfalleninwithcomrades。No，hecouldnothavehadanycomradestherebuthorse-thieves，andCreechwasabovethat。IfCreechwastherehehadbeenheldupbyCordts；ifLucyonlywaswiththegang，Creechhadbeenkilled。

Slonehadtoforcehimselftolookagain。Thegirlhadchangedherposition。

Butthelightshoneuponthemen。Creechwasnotoneofthethree，norCordts，noranymanSlonehadseenbefore。Theywerenothonestmen，judgingfromtheirhard，evillooks。Slonewasnonplussedandhewaslosingself-control。

Againheloweredhimselfandwaited。Hecaughttheword"Durango"and"hosses"

and"ferenoughin，"themeaningofwhichwas，vague。Thenthegirllaughed。