下载辰思小说免费APP
AndSlonefoundhimselftremblingwithjoy。BeyondanydoubtthatlaughcouldnothavebeenLucy\'s。
Slonestolebackashehadcome，reachedtheshadowofthewall，anddrewawayuntilhefeltitsafetowalkquickly。WhenhereachedtheplacewhereheexpectedtofindWildfirehedidnotseehim。Slonelookedandlooked。Perhapshehadmisjudgeddistanceandplaceinthegloom。Still，henevermademistakesofthatnature。Hesearchedaroundtillhefoundthecedarstumptowhichhehadtiedthelasso。Inthegloomhecouldnotseeit，andwhenhereachedouthedidnotfeelit。Wildfirewasgone!Slonesankdown，overcome。
Hecursedwhatmusthavebeencarelessness，thoughheknewheneverwascarelesswithahorse。Whathadhappened？Hedidnotknow。ButWildfirewasgone——andthatmeantLucy\'sdoomandhis!Sloneshookwithcold。
Then，asheleanedagainstthestump，wetandshaking，familiarsoundmethisears。Itwasmadebytheteethofagrazinghorse——aslight，keen，tearingcut。Wildfirewascloseathand!WithasweepSlonecircledthestumpandhefoundtheknotofthelasso。Hehadmissedit。Hebegantogatherinthelongrope，andsoonfeltthehorse。IntheblackgloomagainstthewallSlonecouldnotdistinguishWild-fire。
"Whew!"hemuttered，wipingthesweatoffhisface。"GoodLord!Allfornothin\'。"
ItdidnottakeSlonelongtodecidetoleadthehorseandworkupthecanyonpastthecampers。Hemustgetaheadofthem，andoncetherehehadnofearofthem，eitherbynightorday。Hereallyhadnohopesofgettingbyundiscovered，andallhewishedforwastogetfarenoughsothathecouldnotbeintercepted。ThegrazinghorseswouldscentWildfireorhewouldscentthem。
ForawonderWildfireallowedhimselftobeledaswellasifhehadbeenold，faithfulNagger。Slonecouldnotkeepcloseintothewallforverylong，onaccountofthecedars，buthemanagedtostayintheouteredgeofshadowcastbythewall。Wildfirewindedthehorses，halted，threwuphishead。ButforsomereasonbeyondSlonethehorsedidnotsnortorwhistle。AsheknewWildfirehecouldhavebelievedhimintelligentenoughandhatefulenoughtobetrayhismaster。
Itwasoneoftheotherhorsesthatwhistledanalarm。Thiscameatapointalmostevenwiththecamp-fire。Slone，holdingWildfiredown，hadnotimetogetintoastirrup，butleapedtothesaddleandletthehorsego。Therewerehoarseyellsandthenstreaksoffireandshots。Sloneheardthewhizzofheavybullets，andhefearedforWildfire。Butthehorsedrewswiftlyawayintothedarkness。Slonecouldnotseewhetherthegroundwassmoothorbroken，andheleftthattoWildfire。Luckfavoredthem，andpresentlySlonepulledhimintoasafegait，andregrettedonlythathehadnothadachancetotakeashotatthatcamp。
Slonewalkedthehorseforanhour，andthendecidedthathecouldwellriskahaltforthenight。
Beforedawnhewasup，warminghischilledbodybyviolentmovements，andforcinghimselftoeat。
Therimofthewestwallchangedfromgraytopink。Amocking-birdburstintosong。Acoyotesneakedawayfromthelightofday。OutintheopenSlonefoundthetrailmadebyCreech\'smustangsandbythehorseofCordts\'sman。Thelattercouldnotbeveryfarahead。InlessthananhourSlonecametoaclumpofcedarswherethismanhadcamped。Anhourbehindhim!
Thiscanyonwasopen，withalevelandnarrowfloordividedbyadeepwash。
SloneputWildfiretoagallop。ThenarrowwashwasnoobstacletoWildfire；
hedidnothavetobeurgedorchecked。ItwasnotlongbeforeSlonesawahorsemanaquarterofamileahead，andhewasdiscoveredalmostatthesametime。Thisfellowshowedbothsurpriseandfear。Heranhishorse。ButincomparisonwithWildfirethathorseseemedsluggish。Slonewouldhavecaughtupwithhimverysoonbutforachangeinthelayoftheland。Thecanyonsplitupandallofitsgorgesandravinesandwashesheadeduponthepine-fringedplateau，nowonlyafewmilesdistant。Thegaitofthehorseshadtobereducedtoatrot，andthenawalk。ThemanSlonewasafterleftCreech\'strailandtooktoasidecleft。Slone，convincedhewouldsoonoverhaulhim，andthenreturntotakeupCreech\'strail，keptoninpursuit。
ThenSlonewascompelledtoclimb。Wildfirewassosuperiortotheother\'shorse，andSlonewassokeenatchoosinggroundandshortcuts，thathewouldhavebeenrightuponhimbutforasplitintherockwhichsuddenlyyawnedacrosshispath。Itwasimpassable。AfteraquickglanceSloneabandonedthedirectpursuit，and，turningalongthisgulch，hegainedapointwherethehorse-thiefwouldpassunderthebaseoftherim-wall，andhereSlonewouldhavehimwithineasyrifleshot。
Andtheman，intentongettingoutofthecanyon，rodeintothetrap，approachingtowithinahundredyardsofSlone，whosuddenlyshowedhimselfonfoot，rifleinhand。ThedeepgulchwasabarriertoSlone\'sfurtherprogress，buthisrifledominatedthesituation。
"Holdon!"hecalled，warningly。
"Holdonyerself!"yelledtheother，aghast，ashehaltedhishorse。Hegazeddownandevidentlywasquicktotakeinthefacts。
Slonehadmeanttokillthismanwithoutevenaword，yetnowwhenthemomenthadcomeafeelingalmostofsicknesscloudedhisresolve。Butheleveledtherifle。
"Igotitonyou，"hecalled。
"Reckonyouhev。Butseehyar——"
"Icanhityouanywhere。"
"Wal，I\'lltakeyerwordferthet。"
"Allright。Nowtalkfast。AreyouoneofCordts\'sgang？"
"Sure。"
"Whyareyoualone？"
"Wesplitdownhyar。"
"DidyouknowIwasonthistrail？"
"Nope。Ididn\'tsure，oryou\'dneverketchedme，redhossorno。"
"Whowereyoutrailin\'？"
"OleCreechan\'thegirlhekidnapped。"
Slonefelttheleapofhisbloodandthejerkitgavetherifleashistensefingertrembledonthetrigger。
"Girl。Whatgirl？"hecalled，hoarsely。
"Bostil\'sgirl。"
"WhydidCordtssplitonthetrail？"
"Hean\'Hutchwentroundfersomemoreofthegang，an\'toheadoffJoelCreechwhenhecomesinwithBostil\'shosses。"
Slonewasamazedtofindhowthehorsethieveshadcalculated；yet，onsecondthought，thesituation，oncetheCreecheshadbeenrecognized，appearedsimpleenough。
"Whatwasyourgame？"hedemanded。
"Iwasfollerin\'Creechjesttofindoutwherehe\'dholeupwiththegirl。"
"What\'sCordts\'sgame——AFTERheheadsJoelCreech？"
"Thenhe\'sgoin\'ferthegirl。"
Slonescarcelyneededtobetoldallthis，butthedeliberatewordsfromthelipsofoneofCordts\'sgangborearaw，brutalproofofLucy\'speril。AndyetSlonecouldnotbringhimselftokillthismanincoldblood。Hetried，butinvain。
"Haveyougotagun？"calledSlone，hoarsely。
"Sure。"
"Ridebacktheotherway!Ifyoudon\'tlosemeI\'llkillyou!"
Themanstared。Slonesawthecolorreturntohispaleface。Thenheturnedhishorseandrodebackoutofsight。Sloneheardhimrollingthestonesdownthelong，roughslope；andwhenhefeltsurethehorse-thiefhadgottenafairstarthewentbacktomountWildfireinpursuit。
ThistrailerofLucynevergotbacktoLucy\'strail——nevergotaway。
ButSlone，whenthatday\'shard，deadlypursuitended，foundhimselflostinthecanyons。Howbitterlyhecursedbothhisweaknessinnotshootingthemanatsight，andhisstrengthinfollowinghimwithimplacablepurpose!Fortobefair，togivethehorse-thiefachanceforhislife，SlonehadlostLucy\'strail。Thefactnearlydistractedhim。Hespentasleeplessnightoftorture。
Allnextday，likeawildman，herodeandclimbedanddescended，spurredbyonepurpose，pursuedbysuspenseanddread。ThatnighthetiedWildfirenearwaterandgrassandfellintothesleepofexhaustion。
Morningcame。Butwithitnohope。Hehadbeendesperate。Andnowhewasinafrightfulstate。Itseemedthatdaysanddayshadpassed，andnightsthatwerehideouswithfutilenightmares。
Herodedownintoacanyonwithslopingwalls，andbroken，likeallofthesecanyonsunderthegreatplateau。Everycanyonresembledanother。Theuplandwasonevastnetwork。Theworldseemedalabyrinthofcanyonsamongwhichhewashopelesslylost。Whatwould——whathadbecomeofLucy？Everythoughtinhiswhirlingbrainledbacktothat——anditwasterrible。
Then——hewasgazingtransfixeddownuponthefamiliartracksleftbyCreech\'smustangs。Daysold，butstillunfollowed!
CHAPTERXIX
Thattrackledupthenarrowingcanyontoitsheadatthebaseoftheplateau。
Slone，mindfulofhishorse，climbedonfoot，haltingatthezigzagturnstorest。Along，graduallyascendingtrailmountedthelastslope，whichwhencloseathandwasnotsoprecipitousasitappearedfrombelow。Uptherethewind，suckedoutofthecanyons，swoopedandtwistedhard。
AtlastSloneledWildfireovertherimandhaltedforanotherbreathing-spell。Beforehimwasabeautiful，gentlyslopingstretchofwavinggrassleadinguptothedarkpineforestfromwhichcamearoarofwind。
BeneathSlonethewildandwhorledcanyonbreaksextended，wonderfulinthousandsofdenudedsurfaces，goldandredandyellow，withthesmokydepthsbetween。
Wildfiresniffedthewindandsnorted。Sloneturned，instantlyalert。Thewildhorsehadgivenanalarm。LikeaflashSloneleapedintothesaddle。Afaintcry，awayfromthewind，startledSlone。Itwaslikeacryhehadheardindreams。Howoverstrainedhisperceptions!Hewasnotreallysureofanything，yetontheinstanthewastense。
StragglingcedarsonhisleftalmostwhollyobstructedSlone\'sview。
Wildfire\'searsandnosewerepointedthatway。Slonetrottedhimdowntowardtheedgeofthiscedarclumpsothathecouldseebeyond。Beforehereachedit，however，hesawsomethingblue，moving，waving，lifting。
"Smoke!"mutteredSlone。Andhethoughtmoreofthedangeroffireonthatwindyheightthanhedidofanotherperiltohimself。
Wildfirewashardtoholdasheroundedtheedgeofthecedars。
Slonesawalineofleapingflame，alineofsweepingsmoke，thegrassonfirehorses!——aman!
Wildfirewhistledhisringingblastofhateandmenace，hisdesertchallengetoanotherstallion。
Themanwhirledtolook。
SlonesawJoelCreech——andSageKing——andLucy，halfnaked，boundonhisback!
Joy，agony，terrorinlightning-swiftturns，paralyzedSlone。ButWildfirelungedoutontherun。
SageKingrearedinfright，cameclowntoplungeaway。andwithamagnificentleapclearedthelineoffire。
Slone，morefromhabitthanthought，satcloseinthesaddle。AfewofWildfire\'slengtheningstrides，quickenedSlone\'sblood。ThenCreechmoved，alsoawakingfromastupefyingsurprise，andhesnatchedupagunandfired。
Slonesawthespurtsofred，thepuffsofwhite。Butheheardnothing。Thetorrentofhischangedblood，burningandterrible，filledhisearswithhateanddeath。
Heguidedtherunningstallion。InafewtremendousstridesWildfirestruckCreech，andSlonehadoneglimpseofallawfulface。Theimpactwasterrific。
Creechwenthurtlingthroughtheair，limpandbroken，togodownuponarock，hisskullcrackinglikeamelon。
Thehorseleapedoverthebodyandthestone，andbeyondheleapedthelineofburninggrass。
SlonesawtheKingrunningintotheforest。HesawpoorLucy\'swhitebodyswingingwiththehorse\'smotion。Oneglanceshowedthegreatgraytoberunningwild。Thenthehateandpassionclearedaway，leavingsuspenseandterror。
Wildfirereachedthepines。Theredowntheopenaislesbetweentheblacktreesranthefleetgrayracer。Wildfiresawhimandsnorted。TheKingwasahundredyardstothefore。
"Wildfire——it\'scome——therace——therace!"calledSlone。Buthecouldnothearhisowncall。Therewasaroaroverhead，heavy，almostdeafening。Thewind!
thewind!Yetthatroardidnotdeadenastrange，shriekingcracksomewherebehind。Wildfireleapedinfright。Sloneturned。Firehadrunupapine-tree，whichexplodedasifthetrunkwerepowder!
"MYGOD!ARACEWITHFIRE!LUCY!LUCY!"
InthatpoignantcrySloneutteredhisrealizationofthestrangefatethathadwaitedfortheinevitableracebetweenWildfireandtheKing；heutteredhisdespairingloveforLucy，andhisacceptanceofdeathforherandhimself。
Nohorsecouldoutrunwind-drivenfireinadrypineforest。Slonehadnohopeofthat。Howperfectlyfateandtimeandplaceandhorses，himselfandhissweetheart，hadmet!SlonedamnedJoelCreech\'sinsanesoultoeverlastingtorment。Tothink——tothinkhisidioticandwildthreathadcometrue——andcometruewithagaleinthepine-tops!Slonegrewoldatthethought，andthefactseemedtobeadream。Butthedry，pine-scentedairmadebreathinghard；
thegrayracer，carryingthatslender，half-nakedform，whiteintheforestshade，lengthenedintohisfleetandbeautifulstride；themotionofWildfire，soeasy，sosmooth，soswift，andthefiercereachofhisheadshootingforward——alltheseprovedthatitwasnodream。
TensequestionspiercedthedarkchaosofSlone\'smind——whatcouldhedo？RuntheKingdown!Make\'himkillLucy!Saveherfromhorribledeathbyfire!
Theredhorsehadnotgainedayardonthegray。Slone，keentojudgedistance，sawthis，andforthefirsttimehedoubtedWildfire\'spowertorandowntheKing。Notwithsuchalead!Itwashopeless——sohopeless——
Heturnedtolookback。Hesawnofire，nosmoke——onlythedarktrunks，andthemassedgreenfoliageinviolentagitationagainstthebluesky。Thatrevivedafainthope。Ifhecouldgetafewmilesahead，beforethefirebegantoleapacrossthepine-crests，thenitmightbepossibletorunoutoftheforestifitwerenotwide。
Thenastrongerhopegrew。ItseemedthatfootbyfootWildfirewasgainingontheKing。Slonestudiedthelevelforestfloorslidingtowardhim。Helosthishope——thenregaineditagain，andthenhespurredthehorse。WildfirehatedthatashehatedSlone。Butapparentlyhedidnotquickenhisstrides。AndSlonecouldnottellifhelengthenedthem。Hewasnotrunningnearhislimitbut，afterthenatureofsuchahorse，lefttochoosehisgait，runningslowly，butrisingtowardhisswiftestandfiercest。
Slone\'srider\'sbloodneverthrilledtothatrace，forhisbloodhadcurdled。
Thesicknesswithinrosetohismind。AndthatflashedupwheneverhedaredtolookforwardatLucy\'swhiteform。Slonecouldnotbearthissight；italmostmadehimreel，yethewasdriventolook。HesawthattheKingcarriednosaddle，sowithLucyonhimhewaslight。Heoughttorunalldaywithonlythatweight。Wildfirecarriedaheavysaddle，apack，awaterbag，andarifle。Sloneuntiedthepackandletitdrop。Healmostthrewasidethewater-bag，butsomethingwithheldhishand，andalsohekepthisrifle。Whatwereafewmorepoundstothisdesertstallioninhislastrun？SloneknewitwasWildfire\'sgreatestandlastrace。
SuddenlySlone\'searsrangwithaterribleon-comingroar。Foraninstanttheunknownsoundstiffenedhim，robbedhimofstrength。Onlythehornofthesaddle，hookingintohim，heldhimon。Thentheyearsofhisdesertlifeansweredtoacallmorethanhuman。
Hehadtoraceagainstfire。Hemustbeattheflametothegirlheloved。
Thereweremilesofdryforest，likepowder。Firebackedbyaheavygalecouldragethroughdrypinefasterthananyhorsecouldrun。HemightfailtosaveLucy。Fatehadgivenhimabitterride。Buthesworeagrimoaththathewouldbeattheflame。Theintenseandabnormalrider\'spassioninhim，likeBostil\'s，dammedup，butneverfullycontrolled，burstwithinhim，andsuddenlyheawoketoawildandterribleviolenceofheartandsoul。Hehadaccepteddeath；hehadnofear。Allthathewantedtodo，thelastthinghewantedtodo，wastoridedowntheKingandkillLucymercifully。Howhewouldhavegloriedtoburnthereintheforest，andforamillionyearsinthedarkbeyond，tosavethegirl!
Hegoadedthehorse。Thenhelookedback。
Throughtheaislesoftheforesthesawastrange，streaky，murkysomethingmoving，alive，shiftingupanddown，neveraninstantthesame。Itmusthavebeenthewind——theheatbeforethefire。Heseemedtoseethroughit，buttherewasnothingbeyond，onlyopaque，dim，musteringclouds。Hotpuffsshotforwardintohisface。Hiseyessmartedandstung。Hisearshurtandweregrowingdeaf。Thetumultwastherearofavalanches，ofmaelstroms，ofrushingseas，ofthewreckoftheuplandsandtheruinoftheearth。Itgrewtobesogreataroarthathenolongerheard。Therewasonlysilence。
Andheturnedtofaceahead。Thestallionstretchedlowonadeadrun；thetipsofthepineswerebendingbeforethewind；andWildfire，theterriblethingforwhichhishorsewasnamed，wasleapingthroughtheforest。Buttherewasnosound。
AheadofSlone，downtheaisles，lowunderthetreesspreadingovertherunningKing，floatedswiftlysomemedium，likeatransparentveil。Itwasneithersmokenorair。Itcarriedfaintpinpointsoflight，sparks，thatresembledatomsofdustfloatinginsunlight。Itwasawaveofheatdrivenbeforethestormoffire。Slonedidnotfeelpain，butheseemedtobedryingup。parching。AndLucymustbesufferingnow。Hegoadedthestallion，rakinghisflanks。Wildfireansweredwithascreamandagreaterspeed。AllexceptLucyandSageKingandWildfireseemedsostrangeandunreal——theswiftrushbetweenthepines，nowgrowingghostlyinthedimminglight，thesenseofapursuing，overpoweringforce，andyetabsolutesilence。
Slonefoughtthedesiretolookback。Buthecouldnotresistit。Somehorriblefascinationcompelledhim。Allbehindhadchanged。Ahotwind，likeablastfromafurnace，blewlight，stingingparticlesintohisface。Thefirewasracinginthetree-tops，whilebelowallwasyetclear。Alashing，leapingflameengulfedthecanopyofpines。Itwaswhite，seething，inconceivablyswift，withathousandflashingtongues。Ittraveledaheadofsmoke。Itwassothinhecouldseethebranchesthroughit，andthefierycloudsbehind。Itsweptonward，asublimeandanappallingspectacle。Slonecouldnotthinkofwhatitlookedlike。Itwasfire，liberated，freedfromthebowelsoftheearth，tremendous，devouring。This，then，wasthemeaningoffire。This，then，wasthehorriblefatetobefallLucy。
Butno!Hethoughthemustbeinsanenottobeovercomeinspirit。Yethewasnot。HewouldbeattheflametoLucy。Hefeltthelossofsomething，somekindofasensationwhichheoughttohavehad。Stillherodethatracetokillhissweetheartbetterthananyracehehadeverbeforeridden。Hekepthisseat；
hedodgedthesnags；hepulledthemaddenedhorsetheshortestway，hekepttheKingrunningstraight。
Nohorsehadeverrunsomagnificentarace!Wildfirewasoutracingwindandfire，andhewasoverhaulingthemostnotedraceroftheuplandsagainstatremendoushandicap。ButnowhewasnolongerracingtokilltheKing；hewasrunninginterror。Formilesheheldthatlong，swift，wonderfulstridewithoutabreak。Hewasrunningtohisdeath，whetherornothedistancedthefire。Nothingcouldstophimnowbutaburstingheart。
Sloneuntiedhislassoandcoiledthenoose。AlmostwithinreachoftheKing!
Onethrow——onesuddenswerve——andtheKingwouldgodown。Lucywouldknowonlyastunningshock。Slone\'sheartbroke。Couldhekillher——crushthatdeargoldenhead？Hecouldnot，yethemust!Hesawalong，curved，redweltonLucy\'swhiteshoulders。Whatwasthat？Hadabranchlashedher？Slonecouldnotseeherface。Shecouldnothavebeendeadorinafaint，forshewasridingtheKing，boundasshewas!
CloserandcloserdrewWildfire。Heseemedtogofasterandfasterasthatwindofflamegaineduponthem。Theairwastoothicktobreathe。Ithadanirresistibleweight。Itpushedhorsesandridersonwardintheirflight——strawsonthecrestofacyclone。
AgainSlonelookedbackandagainthespectaclewasdifferent。Therewasawhiteandgoldenfuryofflameabove，beautifulandblinding；andbelow，fartherback，aninfernoofglowingfire，black-streaked，withtrembling，explodingpuffsandstreamsofyellowsmoke。Theaislesbetweentheburningpinesweresmoky，murkycaverns，movingandweird。Slonesawfireshootfromthetree-topsdownthetrunks，andhesawfireshootupthetrunks，liketrainsofpowder。Theyexplodedlikehugerockets。Andalongtheforestfloorleapedthelittleflames。Hiseyesburnedandblurredtillallmergedintoawide，pursuingstormtooawfulforthegazeofman。
WildfirewasrunningdowntheKing。Thegreatgrayhadnotlessenedhisspeed，buthewasbreaking。Slonefeltaghastlytriumphwhenhebegantowhirlthenooseofthelassoroundhishead。Alreadyhewaswithinrange。Butheheldbackhisthrowwhichmeanttheendofall。AndashehesitatedWildfiresuddenlywhistledoneshriekingblast。
Slonelooked。Aheadtherewaslightthroughtheforest!Slonesawawhite，openspaceofgrass。Apark？No——theendoftheforest!Wildfire，likeademon，hurtledonward，withhissmoothnessofactiongone，beginningtobreak，withinalengthoftheKing。
AcryescapedSlone——acryassilentasiftherehadbeennodeafeningroar——aswildastherace，andasterribleastheruthlessfire。Itwasthecryoflife——insteadofdeath。BothSageKingandWildfirewouldbeattheflame。
Then，withtheopenjustahead，Slonefeltawaveofhotwindrollingoverhim。Hesawthelashingtonguesofflameabovehiminthepines。Thestormhadcaughthim。Itforgedahead。Hewasridingunderacanopyoffire。Burningpinecones，liketorches，droppedallaroundhim。Hehadaterribleblanksenseofweight，ofsuffocation，oftheairturningtofire。
ThenWildfire，withhisnoseatSageKing\'sflank，flashedoutofthepinesintotheopen。Slonesawagrassywidereachinclininggentlytowardadarkbreakinthegroundwithcragsrisingsheeraboveit，andtotherightagreatopenspace。
Slonefeltthatclearairasthebreathofdeliverance。Hisreelingsenserighted。There——theKingran，blindlygoingtohisdeath。Wildfirewasbreakingfast。Hismomentumcarriedhim。Hewasalmostdone。
SloneropedtheKing，andholdinghard，waitedfortheend。Theyranon，breaking，breaking。SlonethoughthewouldhavetothrowtheKing，fortheywereperilouslynearthedeepcleftintherim。ButSageKingwenttohisknees。
SloneleapedoffjustasWildfirefell。HowthebladeflashedthatreleasedLucy!Shewaswetfromthehorse\'ssweatandfoam。SheslidoffintoSlone\'sarms，andhecalledhername。Couldshehearabovethatroarbackthereintheforest？ThepiecesofropehungtoherwristsandSlonesawdarkbruises，rawandbloody。Shefellagainsthim。Wasshedead？Hisheartcontracted。Howwhitetheface!No；hesawherbreastheaveagainsthis!Andhecriedaloud，incoherentlyinhisjoy。Shewasalive。Shewasnotbadlyhurt。Shestirred。
Shepluckedathimwithnervelesshands。Shepressedclosetohim。Heheardasmotheredvoice，yetsofull，sowonderful!
"Put——your——coat——onme!"camesomehowtohisears。
Slonestartedviolently。Abashed，shamedtorealizehehadforgottenshewashalfnude，heblindlytoreoffhiscoat，blindlyfoldeditaroundher。
"Lin!Lin!"shecried。
"Lucy——Oh!arey-you——"hereplied，huskily。
"I\'mnothurt。I\'mallright。"
"Butthatwretch，Joel。He——"
"He\'dkilledhisfather——justa——minute——beforeyoucame。Ifoughthim!Oh!。ButI\'mallright。Didyou——"
"Wildfireranhimdown——smashedhim。Lucy!thiscan\'tbetrue。YetIfeelyou!ThankGod!"
WithherfreehandLucyreturnedhisclasp。Sheseemedtobestrong。ItwasapreciousmomentforSlone，inwhichhewasupliftedbeyondalldreams。
"Letmeloose——asecond，"shesaid。"Iwantto——getinyourcoat。"
Shelaughedashereleasedher。Shelaughed!AndSlonethrilledwithunutterablesweetnessatthatlaugh。
Asheturnedawayhefeltaswiftwind，thenastrangeimpactfromaninvisibleforcethatstaggeredhim，thentherendofflesh。Afterthatcametheheavyreportofagun。
Slonefell。Heknewhehadbeenshot。Followingtherendingofhisfleshcameahotagony。Itwasinhisshoulder，highup，andthedark，swiftfearforhislifewaschecked。
Lucystoodstaringdownathim，unabletocomprehend，slowlypaling。Herhandsclaspedthecoatroundher。Slonesawher，sawtheedgeofstreamingcloudsofsmokeaboveher，sawonthecliffbeyondthegorgetwomen，onewithasmokinggunhalfleveled。
IfSlonehadbeeninattentivetohissurroundingsbefore，thesightofCordtselectrifiedhim。
"Lucy!dropdown!quick!"
"Oh，what\'shappened？You——you——"
"I\'vebeenshot。Dropdown，Itellyou。Getbehindthehorsean\'pullmyrifle。"
"Shot!"exclaimedLucy，blankly。
"Yes——Yes。MyGod!Lucy，he\'sgoin\'toshootagain!"
ItwasthenLucyBostilsawCordtsacrossthegulch。Hewasnotfiftyyardsdistant，plainlyrecognizable，tall，gaunt，sardonic。Heheldthehalf-leveledgunreadyasifwaiting。Hehadwaitedthereinambush。Thecloudsofsmokerolledupabovehim，hidingthecrags。
"CORDTS!"Bostil\'sbloodspokeinthegirl\'sthrillingcry。
"Hunchdown，Lucy!"criedSlone。"Pullmyrifle。I\'monlywinged——nothurt。Hurry!He\'sgoin\'——"
AnotherheavyreportinterruptedSlone。Thebulletmissed，butSlonemadeapretense，aconvulsiveflop，asifstruck。
"Gettherifle!Quick!"hecalled。
ButLucymisunderstoodhisrusetodeceiveCordts。Shethoughthehadbeenhitagain。SherantothefallenWildfireandjerkedtheriflefromitssheath。
Cordtshadbeguntoclimbroundaledge，evidentlyashortcuttogetdownandacross。HutchinsonsawtherifleandyelledtoCordts。Thehorse-thiefhalted，hisdarkfacegleamingtowardLucy。
WhenLucyrosethecoatfellfromhernudeshoulders。AndSlone，watching，suddenlylosthisagonyofterrorforherandutteredapealingcryofdefianceandofrapture。
Shesweptuptherifle。Itwavered。Hutchinsonwasabove，andCordts，reachingup，yelledforhelp。Hutchinsonwasreluctant。Butthestrongerforcedominated。Heleaneddown——claspedCordts\'soutstretchedhands，andpulled。
Hutchinsonbawledouthoarsely。Cordtsturnedwhatseemedapalerface。Hehaddifficultyontheslightfooting。Hewasslow。
SlonetriedtocalltoLucytoshootlow，buthislipshaddrawntightafterhisoneyell。Slonesawherwhite，roundedshouldersbent，withcold，whitefacepressedagainsttherifle，withslimarmsquiveringandgrowingtense，withthetangledgoldenhairblowingout。
Thensheshot。
Slone\'sglanceshifted。Hedidnotseethebulletstrikeupdust。Thefiguresofthemenremainedthesame——Hutchinsonstraining，Cordts。No，Cordtswasnotthesame!Astrangechangeseemedmanifestinhislongform。Itdidnotseeminstinctwitheffort。Yetitmoved。
Hutchinsonalsowasactingstrangely，yelling，heaving，wrestling。ButhecouldnothelpCordts。Heliftedviolently，raisedCordtsalittle，andthenappearedtobeinperiloflosinghisbalance。
Cordtsleanedagainstthecliff。ThenitdawneduponSlonethatLucyhadhitthehorse-thief。Hardhit!Hewouldnot——hecouldnotletgoofHutchinson。
Hiswasadeathclutch。TheburlyHutchinsonslippedfromhisknee-hold，andashemovedCordtsswayed，hisfeetlefttheledge，hehung，upheldonlybythetotteringcomrade。
WhataharshandterriblecryfromHutchinson!Hemadeonelastconvulsiveeffortanditdoomedhim。Slowlyhelosthisbalance。Cordts\'sdark，evil，hauntingfaceswunground。Bothmenbecamelaxandplunged，andseparated。Thedustrosefromtheroughsteps。Thenthedarkformsshotdown——Cordtsfallingsheerandstraight，Hutchinsonheadlong，withwavingarms——downanddown，vanishinginthedepths。Nosoundcameup。Alittlecolumnofyellowdustcurledfromthefatalledgeand，catchingthewindabove，streamedawayintothedriftingcloudsofsmoke。
CHAPTERXX
Adarkness，likethestreamingcloudsoverhead，seemedtoblotoutSlone\'ssight，andthenpassedaway，leavingitclearer。
Lucywasbendingoverhim，bindingascarfroundhisshoulderandunderhisarm。"Lin!It\'snothing!"shewassaying，earnestly。"Nevertouchedabone!"
Slonesatup。Thesmokewasclearingaway。Littlecurvesofburninggrasswereworkingdownalongtherim。HeputoutahandtograspLucy，rememberinginaflash。Hepointedtotheledgeacrossthechasm。
"They\'re——gone!"criedLucy，withastrangeanddeepnoteinhervoice。Sheshookviolently。ButshedidnotlookawayfromSlone。
"Wildfire!TheKing!"headded，hoarsely。
"Bothwheretheydropped。Oh，I\'mafraidto——tolook。And，Lin，IsawSarch，TwoFace，andBenandPlumegodownthere。"
Shehadherbacktothechasmwherethetrailleddown，andshepointedwithoutlooking。
Slonegotup，alittleunsteadyonhisfeetandconsciousofadullpain。
"Sarchwillgostraighthome，andtheotherswillfollowhim，"saidLucy。
"TheygotawayherewhereJoelcameupthetrail。Thefirechasedthemoutofthewoods。Sarchwillgohome。Andthat\'llfetchtheriders。"
"Wewon\'tneedthemifonlyWildfireandtheKing——"Slonebrokeoffandgrimly，withacatchinhisbreath，turnedtothehorses。
HowstrangethatSloneshouldruntowardtheKingwhileLucyrantoWildfire!
SageKingwasabeaten，brokenhorse，buthewouldlivetorunanotherrace。
LucywaskneelingbesideWildfire，sobbingandcrying:"Wildfire!Wildfire!"
AllofWildfirewaswhiteexceptwherehewasred，andthatredwasnotnowhisglossy，flamingskin。Aterriblemuscularconvulsionasofinternalcollapsegrewslowerandslower。Yetchoked，blinded，dying，killedonhisfeet，WildfireheardLucy\'svoice。
"Oh，Lin!Oh，Lin!"moanedLucy。
Whiletheyknelttheretheviolentconvulsionschangedtoslowheaves。
"HeruntheKingdown——carryin\'weight——withalongleadtoovercome!"Slonemuttered，andheputashakinghandonthehorse\'swetneck。
"Oh，hebeattheKing!"criedLucy。"Butyoumustn\'t——youCAN\'TtellDad!"
"WhatCANwetellhim？"
"Oh，Iknow。OldCreechtoldmewhattosay!"
Achange，bothofbodyandspirit，seemedtopassoverthegreatstallion。
"WILDFIRE!WILDFIRE!"
Againtheridercalledtohishorse，withalowandpiercingcry。ButWildfiredidnothear。
ThemorningsunglancedbrightlyovertheripplingsagewhichrolledawayfromtheFordlikeagraysea。
Bostilsatonhisporch，astrickenman。Hefacedthebluehazeofthenorth，wheredaysbeforeallthathehadlovedhadvanished。Everyday，fromsunrisetillsunset，hehadbeenthere，waitingandwatching。Hisridersweregroupednearhim，silent，awedbyhisagony，awaitingordersthatnevercame。
Frombehindaridgepuffedupathincloudofdust。Bostilsawitandgaveastart。Abovethesageappearedabobbing，blackobject——theheadofahorse。
Thenthebigblackbodyfollowed。
"Sarch!"exclaimedBostil。
Withspursclinkingtheridersranandtroopedbehindhim。
"Morehossesback，"saidHolley，quietly。
"Thar\'sPlume!"exclaimedFarlane。
"An\'TwoFace!"addedVan。
"DustyBen!"saidanother。
"RIDERLESS!"finishedBostil。
Thenallwereintenselyquiet，watchingtheracerscometrottinginsinglefiledowntheridge。Sarchedon\'sshrillneigh，likeawhistle-blast，pealedinfromthesage。From，fieldsandcorralsclamoredtheanswerattendedbytheclatteringofhundredsofhoofs。
Sarchedonandhisfollowersbrokefromtrottocanter——cantertogallop——andsoonwerecrackingtheirhardhoofsonthestonycourt。Likeaswarmofbeestheridersswoopeddownupontheracers，caughtthem，andledthemuptoBostil。
OnSarchedon\'sneckshowedadry，dust-cakedstainofreddishtinge。Holley，theoldhawk-eyedrider，hadprecedenceintheexamination。
"Wal，thet\'sabullet-mark，plainasday，"saidHolley。
"Whoshothim？"demandedBostil。
Holleyshookhisgrayhead。
"Hesmellsofsmoke，"putinFarlane，whohadkneltattheblack\'slegs。"He\'sbeenrunnin\'fire。Seethet!Fetlocksallsinged!"
Alltheriderslooked，andthenwithgrave，questioningeyesatoneanother。
"Reckonthar\'sbeenhell!"mutteredHolley，darkly。
Someoftheridersledthehorsesawaytowardthecorrals。Bostilwheeledtofacethenorthagain。Hisbrowwaslowering；hischeekwaspaleandsunken；
hisjawwasset。
Theriderscameandwent，butBostilkepthisvigil。Thehourspassed。
Afternooncameandworeon。Thesunlostitsbrightnessandburnedred。
Againdust-clouds，nowlikereddenedsmoke，puffedovertheridge。Ahorsecarryingadark，thickfigureappearedabovethesage。
Bostilleapedup。"Isthetagrayhoss——oram——Iblind？"hecalled，unsteadily。
Theridersdarednotanswer。Theymustbesure。Theygazedthroughnarrowslitsofeyelids；andthesilencegrewintense。
Holleyshadedthehawkeyeswithhishand。"Grayheis——Bostil——grayasthesage。AN\'SOHELPMEGODIFHEAIN\'TTHEKING!"
"Yes，it\'stheKing!"criedtheriders，excitedly。"Sure!Ireckon!Nomistakeaboutthet!It\'stheKing!"
Bostilshookhishugeframe，andherubbedhiseyesasiftheyhadbecomedim，andhestaredagain。
"Who\'sthetuponhim？"
"Slone。Ineverseenhislikeonahoss，"repliedHolley。
"An\'what\'s——hepackin\'？"queriedBostil，huskily。
PlaintoallkeeneyeswastheglintofLucyBostil\'sgoldenhair。ButonlyHolleyhadcouragetospeak。
"It\'sLucy!Iseenthetlongago。"
Astrange，fleetinglightofjoydiedoutofBostil\'sface。Thechangeoncemoresilencedhisriders。TheywatchedtheKingtrottinginfromthesage。Hisheaddrooped。Heseemedgrayerthaneverandhelimped。ButhewasSageKing，splendidasofold，allthemoregladdeningtotheriders\'eyesbecausehehadbeenlost。Hecameon，quickeningalittletotheclamoringwelcomefromthecorrals。
Holleyputoutaswifthand。"Bostil——thegirl\'salive——she\'ssmilin\'!"hecalled，andthecoolvoicewasstrangelydifferent。
TheriderswaitedforBostil。Slonerodeintothecourtyard。Hewaswhiteandweary，reelinginthesaddle。Abloodyscarfwasboundroundhisshoulder。HeheldLucyinhisarms。Shehadonhiscoat。Awansmilelightedherhaggardface。
Bostil，cursingdeep，likemutteringthunder，strodeout。"Lucy!Youain\'tbadhurt？"heimplored，inavoicenoonehadeverheardbefore。
"I\'m——allright——Dad，"shesaid，andslippeddownintohisarms。
Hekissedthepalefaceandheldheruplikeachild，andthen，carryinghertothedoorofthehouse，heroaredforAuntJane。
WhenhereappearedthecrowdofridersscatteredfromaroundSlone。ButitseemedthatBostilsawonlytheKing。Thehorsewascakedwithdustylather，scratchedanddisheveled，wearyandbroken，yethewasstillbeautiful。Heraisedhisdroopingheadandreachedforhismasterwithalookassoftanddarkandeloquentasawoman\'s。
NoridertherebutfeltBostil\'spassionofdoubtandhope。HadtheKingbeenbeaten？Bostil\'sgloryandpridewerebattlingwithlove。Mightyasthatwas，itdidnotatonceovercomehisfearofdefeat。
SlowlythegazeofBostilmovedawayfromSageKingandrovedouttothesageandback，asifheexpectedtoseeanotherhorse。Butnootherhorsewasinsight。Atlasthishardeyesresteduponthewhite-facedSlone。
"Beensome——hardridin\'？"hequeried，haltingly。Allthereknewthathadnotbeenthequestionuponhislips。
"Prettyhard——yes，"repliedSlone。Hewasweary，yettight-lipped，intense。
"Now——themCreeches？"slowlycontinuedBostil。
"Dead。"
Amurmurranthroughthelisteningriders，andtheydrewcloser。
"Bothofthem？"
"Yes。Joelkilledhisfather，fightin\'togetLucy。An\'Iran——WildfireoverJoel——smashedhim!"
"Wal，I\'msorryfortheoldman，"repliedBostil，gruffly。"Imeanttomakeuptohim。Butthetfoolboy!An\'Slone——you\'reallbloody。"
Hesteppedforwardandpulledthescarfaside。Hewascuriousandkindly，asifitwasbeyondhimtobeotherwise。Yetthatdarkcoldsomething，almostsullenclungroundhim。
"Beenbored，eh？Wal，itain\'tlow，an\'thet\'sgood。Whoshotyou？"
"Cordts。"
"CORDTS!"Bostilleanedforwardinsudden，fierceeagerness。
"Yes，Cordts。HisoutfitrunacrossCreech\'strailan\'webunched。I
can\'ttellnow。Butwehad——hell!An\'Cordtsisdead——so\'sHutch——an\'
thatotherpardofhis。Bostil，they\'llneverhauntyoursleepagain!"
Slonefinishedwithastrangesternnessthatseemedalmostbitter。
Bostilraisedbothhishugefists。Thebloodwasbulginghisthickneck。Itwasanotherkindofpassionthatobsessedhim。OnlysomeviolentchecktohisemotionpreventedhimfromembracingSlone。Thehugefistsunclenchedandthebigfingersworked。
"YoumeantotellmeyoudidferCordtsan\'HutchwhatyoudidferSears？"heboomedout。
"They\'redead——gone，Bostil——honesttoGod!"replied。Slone。
Holleythrustaquivering，brownhandintoBostil\'sface。"WhatdidItellyou？"heshouted。"Didn\'tIsaywait？"
Bostilthrewawayallthatdeepfuryofpassion，andthereseemedonlyaresistlessandspeechlessadmirationleft。Thenensuedamomentofsilence。
TheriderswatchedSlone\'swearyfaceasitdrooped，andBostil，asheloomedoverhim。
"Where\'stheredstallion？"queriedBostil。Thatwasthequestionhardtogetout。
Sloneraisedeyesdarkwithpain，yettheyflashedashelookedstraightupintoBostil\'sface。"Wildfire\'sdead!"
"DEAD!"ejaculatedBostil。
Anothermomentofstrainedexcitingsuspense。
"Shot？"hewenton。
"No。"
"Whatkilledhim？"
"TheKing，sir!Killedhimonhisfeet!"
Bostil\'sheavyjawbulgedandquivered。HishandshookashelaiditonSageKing\'smane——thefirsttouchsincethereturnofhisfavorite。
"Slone——what——isit？"hesaid，brokenly，withvoicestrangelysoftened。Hisfacebecametransfigured。
"SageKingkilledWildfireonhisfeet。Agrandrace，Bostil!ButWildfire\'sdead——an\'here\'stheKing!Askmenomore。Iwanttoforget。"
Bostilputhisarmaroundtheyoungman\'sshoulder。"Slone，ifIdon\'tknowwhatyoufeelferthelossofthetgrandhoss，norideronearthknows!
Gointhehouse。Boys，takehimin——allofyou——an\'lookafterhim。"
Bostilwantedtobealone，towelcometheKing，toleadhimbacktothehomecorral，perhapstohidefromalleyesthechangeandtheupliftthatwouldforeverkeephimfromwronginganotherman。
Thelaterainscameandlikemagic，inafewdays，thesagegrewgreenandlustrousandfresh，thegrayturningtopurple。
Everymorningthesunrosewhiteandhotinablueandcloudlesssky。Andthensoonthehorizonlineshowedcreamycloudsthatroseandspreadanddarkened。
Everyafternoonstormshungalongtherampartsandrainbowscurveddownbeautifulandethereal。Thedimblacknessofthestorm-cloudswassplittotheblindingzigzagoflightning，andthethunderrolledandboomed，liketheColoradoinflood。
Thewindwasfragrant，sage-laden，nolongerdryandhot，butcoolintheshade。
SloneandLucyneverrodedownsofarasthestatelymonuments，thoughtheseheldmemoriesashauntinglysweetasotherswerepoignantlybitter。LucyneverrodetheKingagain。ButSlonerodehim，learnedtolovehim。AndLucydidnotraceanymore。WhenSlonetriedtostirinhertheoldspiritalltheresponsehegotwasawistfulshakeofheadoralaughthathidthetruthoranexcusethatthestrainonheranklesfromJoelCreech\'slassohadnevermended。Thegirlwasunutterablyhappy，butitwaspossiblethatshewouldneverraceahorseagain。
SherodeSarchedon，andshelikedtotrotorlopealongbesideSlonewhiletheylinkedhandsandwatchedthedistance。Butherglanceshunnedthenorth，thatdistancewhichheldthewildcanyonsandthebrokenbattlementsandthelong，black，pine-fringedplateau。
"Won\'tyoueverridewithme，outtotheoldcamp，whereIusedtowaitforyou？"askedSlone。
"Someday，"shesaid，softly。
"When？"
"When——whenwecomebackfromDurango，"shereplied，withavertedeyesandscarletcheek。AndSlonewassilent，forthatplannedtriptoDurango，withitswonderfulgifttobe，madehisheartswell。
Andsoonthisrainbowday，withstormsallaroundthem，andblueskyabove，theyrodeonlyasfarasthevalley。Butfromthere，beforetheyturnedtogoback，themonumentsappearedclose，andtheyloomedgrandlywiththebackgroundofpurplebankandcreamycloudandshaftsofgoldenlightning。
Theyseemedlikesentinels——guardiansofagreatandbeautifullovebornundertheirloftyheights，inthelonelysilenceofday，inthestar-thrownshadowofnight。Theywerelikethatlove。AndtheyheldLucyandSlone，callingeveryday，givinganamelessandtranquilcontent，bindingthemtruetolove，truetothesageandtheopen，truetothatwilduplandhome。
