第9章

"Brandynow，Perault，"saidShock。"Therenow，laddie。ThankGod，heiscomingto！"

"Dad，dad，where’sdad？"saidlittlePatsyfaintly，openinghiseyes。"Iwantdad。"

"Here！Here！Patsymannie，"criedhisfatherquickly，comingfrombehindthecrowdwherehehadbeenstandingdazedandstupid。"Standbackthere！Letmehavemyboy，"headdedsavagely。

HesweptbothPeraultandShockangrilyaside，gatheredthelittleladtenderlyinhisarmsandstrodeoffintothehouse，thewhitefaceofthechildrestingonhisfather’sshoulderandhisgoldencurlsminglingwiththeblack，coarsemassesofhisfather’shairandbeard。

"Well，I’llbeblanked！"saidoneofthemen。"Wouldn’tthatpallyou！"

"Blankcantankerouscuss！"saidthecowboy。"Nevera`thankyou’forgittin’halfkilledinplaceofhiskid。"

PeraultwalkeduptoShock，andofferinghishand，saidinavoicehuskyandbroken，"Dat’stwoforyoudiseven’——mean’datleelefeller。Forme——Ican’tspikmyheart，"smitinghimselfonthebreast，"butmyheart——dat’syourownnow，bygar！"HewrungShock’shandinbothofhisandturnedquicklyaway。Butbeforehehadtakenmanystepshereturned，saying，"Comeonwitme！Ifeexupyourhead。"AndwithoutfurtherwordsShockandPeraultpassedintotheStoppingPlace。

Themenlookedateachotherinsilenceforatime，thenthecowboysaidwithunusualemphasis，"Boys，he’swhite！He’sblankedwhite！"

X

THETURFMEET

ThegreatbrownshadowsoftherollinghillshadquitefilledthehollowsbetweenandwereslowlyclimbingupthewesternslopeofeveryundulationwhenShockreachedthelipofthebroadriverbedinwhichlay，thelittleforttown。

ThewhiteclumpofbuildingsstandingbythemselvesheknewtobethebarracksoftheNorth—WestMountedPolice。Theflagfloatingaboveshowedthat，aswellastheairofmilitaryneatnessaboutthem。

Thetownstraggledalongtwointersectingstreets，andthenfrayedoutovertheflatsinisolatedanddejected—lookingshacks。ThemoreimposingbuildingonthemainstreetShockguessedwerethehotelsandstores。OneofthelatterherecognisedfromitsflagasthatoftheancientandhonourableHudson’sBayCompany。Onabackstreethereandtherestoodahousesurroundedbyagardenandscrubbytrees，apatheticattempttoreproduceinthistreelesscountrywhatinotherlandshadbeenfondlycalledhome。

Awayoneverysidestretchedthevastsweepofrollingprairietowheretheamberofthesky—linemingledwiththegreyblueoftheearth。

Howinsignificant，howmiserableandwretchedinthemidstofthisexpanseofskyandearth，seemedthehuddlingbunchofdejectedbuildings，andyetthewholeinterestofheavenaboveandeartharoundcentredinthosestragglingshacks，fortheyweretheabodesofmen。

Fromfeastinghisheartuponthemarvellousbeautyoftheexpanseofroundedhills，withtheirvariegationofsunlightandshadow，andtheexpanseofcloudlesssky，deepblueoverheadandshadingbyindefinabletransitionsthroughbluesandpurplesintopearlgreysandrosetints，andatlastintogloriousyellowgoldatthehorizon，Shock，withalmostashudder，turnedhiseyestothelittleraggedtownbeneathhim。HowmarvelloustheworksofGod！Howuglythethingsmanmakes！

ItwaspartlytheinfinitudeofthiscontrastthatwroughtinShockafeelingofdepressionashefollowedthetrailwindingdownthelongslopetowardthetown。Ashebecameawareofthisdepression，hetookhimselfseverelytotask。

"What’sthematterwithme，anyway？"heaskedhimselfimpatiently。

"I’mnotafraidofthem。"Andyethehadasuspicionthatitwasjustthisthattroubledhim。Hewasafraid。Thefeelingwasnotonewithwhichhewasunfamiliar。Oftenbeforeabigmatchhehadbeenshamefullyconsciousofthissamenervousfear。Herememberedhowhishearthadseemedtoobigforhisbody，tillhefeltitinhisthroat。Butherememberednow，withnosmallcomfort，thatoncetheballwaskickedhishearthadalwaysgonebacktoitsplaceanditsworkandgavehimnofurtherconcern，andto—dayhehopedthismightbehisexperienceagain。

ItwasagreatdayattheFort，nothinglessthantheSpringMeetingoftheSouthAlbertaTurfAssociation;andinthathorsecountry，wheremenwereknownbytheirhorsesratherthanbypersonalcharacteristics，themeetingoftheTurfAssociationeasilytookprecedenceoverallotherevents，socialorpolitical。

Thisspring，totheinterestnaturallycentringintheraces，therewasaddedaspecialinterest，inthat，behindthehorsesenteredfortheAssociationCup，theregatheredintenselocalfeeling。Thethreefavouriteswererepresentativehorses。ThemoneyofthepoliceandalltheFortcontingentinthecommunityhadbeenplacedonthelong，rangeythoroughbred，Foxhall，animportedracerwhohadbeenfastenoughtolosemoneyinthegreatracingcircuitsoftheEast，butwhowasbelievedtobefastenoughtowinmoneyhereintheWest。

Thedistrictabouttheforttownwasdividedintotwosections，theeastandthewest。Intheeasternsectionthefarmingindustrywascarriedontoanalmostequalextentwithranching;inthewest，upamongthehills，therewasranchingpureandsimple。Betweenthetwosectionsastrongrivalryexisted。Inthiscontesttheeasthad"banked"onCaptainHalHarricomb，rancherandgentlemanfarmer，andhisblackDemon。Thewesternmen，allranchers，whodespisedandhatedfarmersandeverythingpertainingtothem，wereallrangedbehindtheSwallow，adaintylittlebaymare，bred，owned，andriddenbyayoungEnglishman，VictorStanton，knownthroughouttheAlbertas，southandnorth，as"TheKid，"or，affectionately，"TheKiddie，"admiredforhissuperbriding，hisrecklessgenerosity，hiscoolcourage，andlovedforhisgentle，generousheart。

Alreadytwoheatshadbeenrun，onegoingtotheDemonandonetotheSwallow，FoxhallsustaininghisEasternreputationasamoney—

loser。

Theexcitementofthedayhadgraduallygrowninintensity，andnowwasconcentratedinthefinalheatoftheAssociationCuprace。

Allunconsciousofthisexcitementandofthetremendousissuesatstake，Shocksenthislittlecayusepeacefullytrottingalongthetrailtowhereitmetthemainstreet。Thestreetwaslinedoneithersidewithmenandhorses。Somethingwasevidentlygoingon，butwhatShockcouldnotsee。

Butnosoonerhadheturnedupthestreetthantherewasafierceoutburstofyells，oaths，andexecrations，andatthesamemomentheheardbehindhimthepoundingofhoofs。

Hastilyglancingoverhisshoulder，hesawthunderingdownuponhimhalfadozenormoremountedmen。Invainhetuggedathiscayuse。

Thelittlebruteallowedhisstubbornheadtobehauledroundclosetotheshaft，butdeclinedtoremovehisbody;and，indeed，hadhebeeneversoeager，therewouldhardlyhavebeentime。Abigblackhorsewasplungingwildlynotmorethantenfeetbehindhim。A

fierceoath，ashowerofdustandgravelinhisface，aflashoflegsandhoofs，andthebigblackwasliftedclearoverShockandhiscayuse，andwasoffagaindownthestreetbetweenthelinesofyellingmen。

"Here，blankyourblankhead！Gitoffthecourse！Don’tyouknownothin’？"

WhenShockcametohimself，hewasawarethatatall，lankycowboyinchaps，woollenshirt，andstiff，broad—brimmedhatwaspoundinghiscayuseovertheheadwithhisheavywhip。

Shockneverknewhowithappened。Allherememberedwasaquickrushofbloodtohisbrain，amaddesiretopunishthemanwhowasbrutallybeatinghispony，andthenstandingbytheshaftofhisbuck—boardwaitingforthemantogetup。

"Gad，sir！"exclaimedavoiceoverhisshoulder，"thatwasacleverthrow！"Therewasgenuineadmirationinthevoice。

Shocklookedupandsawanoldgentleman，withwhite，close—croppedhairandmoustacheanderectmilitaryform，regardinghimwithadmiration。Hewasridingastouthunter，dockedinEnglishstyle。

"Andservedyouperfectlyright，Ike，"continuedtheoldgentleman。

"Whatbusinesshaveyoutostrikeanyman’shorse？"

"Whattheblankblankishedoingonthecourse？"saidIkewrathfully，asheslowlyrosefromthegroundandcametowardShock。

"Isay，stranger，"hesaid，comingoverneartoShockandlookinghimcarefullyintheeye，"I’llgiveyoutwenty—fivedollarsifyoudothatagin。Youtookmeunbeknownst。Now，gittowork。"

Shock’shearthadgotbacktoitsrightplaceandwasbeatingitssteadybeat。Theoldscrimmagesmilewasonhisface。

"ButIdonotwanttodoitagain，andIdidtakeyouunawares。"

"Look—a—here，"saidIke，touchingShockwithhisforefingeronthebreast，"doyouthinkyoukindoitagin？"

"Don’tknowthatIcould，"saidShockquietly。"ButIdoknowthatI

donotintendtotry。And，infact，Idonotknowhowitwasdone。"

"Ikeydoes，"drawledavoice。

Therewasadelightedroarfromthecrowdthathadgatheredround。

Ikelookedroundthecircleofgrinningmenforasecondortwo。

"Say，"hesaidslowly，"ifanyblank，blanksonofashe—apethinksheknowshowtodothattrickwhenI’ma—watchin’，here’shisopportunityrightnaouw——ferfun，orfermoney，or，"loweringhisvoiceandthrustingforwardhisfacealittle，"ferblood。"

Thelaughdiedoutfromthecrowd。Therewasasilenceforamomentortwo，andthenthesamevoicedrawled，"Nobody’shungry，Iguess，Ikey，"andIketurnedfromthemwithagruntofcontempt。

"Now，"hesaid，comingbacktoShock，"I’dliketohearyoutalk。"

Ikethrewhimselfintoanattitudeofdefence，butShock’spositionneverchanged，nordidthesmilefadefromhisface。

"IhavenothingtosayexceptthatIdonotknowhowithappened。I

sawmyhorsebeingabused，and——well，Iactedalittlehastily，I

fear。"

"Hastily！"exclaimedtheoldgentleman，whohadremainedinthecrowd。"Nonsense！Perfectlyright，Isay，andIkeknowsit。Whatwouldyoudo，Ike，ifyousawafellowpoundingSlipperovertheears？"

"Poundin’Slipper？"saidIkeslowly，pausingtoturnhisquidoftobaccoinhischeek。"Poundin’Slipper，"herepeatedwithevengreaterdeliberation。"Knockhisblankfaceintothebackofhishead。"

"Thenitseemstome，Ike，youwereletoffeasy。"Theoldgentlemansmiledgrimlydownuponthecowboy，whowasstillwrathful，butmorepuzzledthanwrathful。Thesmilingmanatthepony’sheadlookedsothoroughlygood—naturedthatitwashardtopushaquarrel，butstillIke’sdignityhadbeeninjured。

"WhatIbegtoremarkis，"hecontinued，returningtotheattack，"kinhedoitagin？Doeshehaveanylingerin’suspicionthatheiscapableofthatact？"IkereservedhisbestEnglishforseriousoccasions。"Ifhedoes，I’mwillin’heshouldextemporiseatit。"

"Goodman，Ikey！"drawledthevoiceagainfromthecrowd。"I’llbackIkeytohislastpant’sbutton。"

Shockstoodsilentandsmiling，whileIkestoodfacinghim，moreandmorepuzzled。Shockwasanentirelynewexperience。Hewouldnotfight，hewouldnotrunaway，hewouldnotevengetangry。

Atthispointtheoldgentlemaninterfered。

"Now，Ikey，"hesaid，"itistimeyouwerelearningsomemanners。

Thisgentlemanisnopugilist。Hehasneitherthedesirenortheintentionoffightingyou，whichisperhapsallthebetterforyou。

Thatisapoorwaytotreatastrangerthefirstdayhearrivesinourtown。Perhapsyouwillallowmetobeofsomeservicetoyou，"

hesaid，turningtoShock。

"Thankyou，"saidShocksimply。"Iaminneedofadoctorfirstofall。TwoofmyfriendsatLoonLakeareveryill。Isthereadoctorinthistown？"

"Thereis，"repliedtheoldgentleman。"Dr。Burton。ButIverymuchfearthathewillhardlybefitforserviceto—day。Unfortunately，ourdoctor，thougharemarkablycleverpractitioner，isnotalways——

well，tobequitefrank，heisveryfrequentlydrunk。Gethimsoberandhewilldoyougoodservice。"

"HowshallIaccomplishthat？"askedShock，withafeelingofdespairinhisheart，thinkingoftheOldProspectorinhispainandoflittlePatsylyinginsemi—unconsciousnessinthebackroomoftheLoonCreekStoppingPlace。"Imusthaveadoctor。Icannotgobackwithoutone。"

"Then，"saidtheoldgentleman，"youwillneedtokidnaphimandwaittillhesobersoff。"

"Ishalltry，"saidShockquietly。

Theoldgentlemanstaredathim。

"ByJove！"hesaid，"Ibelieveyoumeanto。Andifyoudo，you’llsucceed。"

"CanyoudirectmetothehouseofMr。Macfarren？"inquiredShock。

"Certainly。Thatishishouseamongthetrees，"pointingtoacottagewithaverandahaboutit，whichstoodbacksomedistancefromthemainstreet。"ButifyouwishtoseeMr。Macfarren，youwillfindhimdownattheotherendofthestreetatthefinishingpost。Hewillbeverybusilyengagedatthepresent，however，beingoneofthejudgesinthisrace，andifitisnotofimmediateimportanceIwouldadviseyourwaitingtilltheraceisover。Butstay，herehecomes。ThemaninthecentreisMr。Macfarren。"

Ashespokehepointedtoatallman，withalong，grizzledbeard，ridingapony，followedbytwoyoungermensplendidlymounted。Theelderofthesewasamanstronglybuilt，faceopenandhonest，butshowingsignsofhardliving。Herodeapowerfulblackhorse，whosetempershowedinhisfiercesnatchingatthebit。Justnowthehorsewascoveredwithfoam，reddenedattheflanksandmouthwithblood。

Hiscompanionwasmuchyounger，amereboy，indeed。Hisfairhair，blueeyes，andsmoothfaceaccentuatedhisyouthfulappearance。Itwashisyouthfulfaceandboyishmannerthatgavehimhisnameamongthecattlemen，andhisplaceintheirhearts。Butthoughtheycalledhim"TheKid，"andoften"TheKiddie，"andthoughtofhimwithadmiringandcaressingtenderness，nomanofthemfailedtogivehimfullrespect;forboyashewas，hehadaman’snerve，aman’sgrip，hismuscleswereallsteel，andwithallhissmilinggentlenessnoneofthemwouldthinkoftakingalibertywithhim。

Earlierinthedayhehadwonfromadozencompetitorsthatmostcovetedofallhonoursintheranchingcountry，TheBuckingBelt，forhehadriddenforthefullhundredyardswithout"touchingleather，"theOUTLAWspeciallyimportedfromtheotherside。

Asthethreemenrodeuptherideroftheblackhorsewasheardtosay，"That’sthefellowthatnearlyspilledme。AndifDemonhadn’tbeenmightyquickinrecovering，itwouldhavebeenablanknastymess。"

"Isay，"saidMacfarren，inaloud，blusteringtone，"don’tyouknowenoughtokeepoffarace—coursewhenaraceisbeingrun？"

Shockwasmuchtakenabackatthisgreeting。

"Ibegyourpardon，butIdidn’tknowthiswasarace—course，nordidIknowthataracewason。"

"Thedeuceyoudidn’t！Hadn’tyoueyestosee？"

TothisShockmadenoreply，buttakingaletterfromhispocketsaidquietly，"YouareMr。Macfarren，Ibelieve。IhavealetterforyoufromMr。McIntyre。"

Atthistheothertworodeaway。Mr。Macfarrenopenedtheletterwithascowl。Ashereadtheflushonhisfacedeepened。

"Whatthedeucedoesthismean？"heburstout，inanangrytone。"I

wroteboththeSuperintendentandMcIntyrelastweekthatitwasapieceoffollytoplantamanhere，thatwedidn’trequireanddidn’twantaman。Thecommunityiswellsuppliedalreadywithchurchservices，andasfarasthePresbyteriansareconcerned，theywouldfindthesupportofaministeranintolerableburden。"

ForamomentortwoShockstoodinspeechlessamazement。Itwasdisconcertingintheextremetobetoldbythemanuponwhomhehadchieflydependedforsupportandcounselthathewasnotwanted。

"Yourletterswouldnothavereachedthemintime，Isuppose，"hesaidatlast。

"Well，that’sthefact，atanyrate，"repliedMacfarrenroughly。"Wewon’twantaminister。Wearethoroughlywellsupplied。Wedon’tneedone，andwecannotsupportone。"

Hewasturningawaywithoutfurtherwordswhenhewasarrestedbythesharpandperemptoryvoiceoftheoldgentleman，whohadremainedbehindShockduringtheconversation。

"Macfarren，thisgentlemanisastranger，Ipresume。Willyoukindlypresentme？"

"Oh——ah——certainly，"saidMacfarren，wheelinghisponyandlookingratherashamed。"Mr。"lookingattheletter。

"Macgregor，"saidShockquietly。

"Mr。Macgregor，thisisGeneralBrady，oneofourleadingranchers。"

"Iamdelightedtomakeyouracquaintance，sir，"saidGeneralBrady，shakingShockwarmlybythehand。"Youwillfindusroughandwild，but，sir，Iamgladtosaywearenotallablanklotofboors。"

"Thankyou，sir，"saidShock，withasuddenflushonhisface。

"Oh——ah——certainlywearegladtohaveyouvisitourtown，"saidMacfarren，asiftryingtoatoneforhisformerrudeness。"And，ofcourse，itisnofaultofyours，Mr。——ah——"

"Macgregor，"saidtheGeneralshortly。

"Yes，Mr。Macgregor。There’sadeuceofamistakebeenmade，butI

takeityouwillnotsuffer。Thereareplentyof——ah——positions——

places，Ibelieve，whereyouwillfind——ah——opportunity。Butifyouwillexcuseme，Iambusyforthemoment。Ishalldoubtlessseeyouagainbeforeyouleave。"

Shockbowedinsilence。

"Blankcad！"mutteredtheGeneral。ThenturningtoShockhesaid，withheartyinterestshowinginhistone，"Wheredoyouputup，Mr。

Macgregor？"

"Idonotknowthetownatall。Ishallhavetolookaboutforaboardingplaceofsomekind，Isuppose。"Shock’ssmilewasratheruncertain。

TheGeneralwasevidentlyinterestedinthisstranger，andtouchedbyhisforlorncondition。

"TheRoyalthere，"pointingdownthestreet，"isthebesthotel。

Theydoyoutherenotsobadly。Theymaygiveyouaccommodationforanight，butIfancyitwillberatherdifficulttofindaboardinghouse。But，"headdedheartily，"whynotcometomeinthemeantime？

Mrs。Bradyandmyselfwillbemosthappytohaveyouvisitusforafewweeks，tillyoufindquarters。Ihave，unfortunately，anengagementthatwillkeepmelateintownto—night，elseIshouldinsistonyouraccompanyingmeatonce——anengagementwhichIcannotwellbreak。Inshort，thisisourannualspringmeetingoftheTurfAssociation，andthereisinconnectionwithitsomesortofsocialfunctiontowindthethingupto—night，andMrs。Brady，beingoneofthepatronesses，andImyselfbeingmoreorlessinterested——thepresidentoftheAssociation，indeed——wecannotavoidputtinginanappearance。Andindeed，weenjoyit，sir。Wethoroughlyenjoyit。Itbringstoourpresentcrudeandsomewhatlimitedlifealittlebitofthepast。Butto—morrowIshallbegladtoridedownforyou，sir，andbringyouuptomylittleplace。"

Thecordialkindnessofthisstranger，uponwhomhehadnoclaim，touchedShockgreatly。

"Thankyouagain，"hesaid。"IcannottellyouhowmuchIfeelyourkindness。Butifyouwillallowme，Iwouldratheracceptyourinvitationlater。IfeelImustgetsettledtomyworkatonce。I

havebeenlongontheway，andmyworkiswaitingme。"Then，afterapause，headdedsimply，"ButyourkindnessmakesmethinkofawordIhaveread，’Iwasastranger，andyetookmein。’"

TheGeneralbowedinsilence，andseeingthatShockwasnottobepersuaded，shookhandswithhimoncemore。"Comewhenyouwill，sir，andstayaslongasyoucan。Thesooneryoucomeandthelongeryoustay，thebetterweshallbepleased。"AndwithanothercourteousbowtheGeneralrodeofftoattendtohisdutiesasPresidentoftheTurfAssociation。

AsShockturnedbacktohisbuckboardhefoundIkewaitinghim。Ikehadbeenaninterestedwitnessofallthathadtakenplace，andwhilehissympathyhadgonecompletelywithShockandagainstMacfarren，hehadnotbeenquiteabletoshakeoffthefeelingofhumiliationunderwhichhesuffered。

"Say，stranger，"hesaid，touchingShockontheshoulder，andspeakinginalowandalmostrespectfultone，"thereaintamanintheTerritorieshaseverputthedustontoIkeIveson’spants。

Here’stwenty—fivedollars，"divingdeepintohishippocketandpullingoutaplugoftobacco，aknife，andarollofbills，"whichisastandin’offertoanymanwhocancircumventthattheretrick。

AndIwanttosay，"hecontinued，withasubduedeagernessinhistone，"I’llmakeitfiftyifyoudoitagin。"

Ike’stonewaspersuasive。Therewasnothingofresentmentinit。Itwasthetoneofamanwhohadcomeuponaninterestingandpuzzlingexperience，andwasanxioustoinvestigate。

"No，"saidShock，backingawayfromIke，"Icannottakethat。

Besides，itwasnotafairthrow。"

"Well，"saidIke，muchmollified，"that’sso，that’sso。AndI

consideritsomethinghandsomeinyousayin’so。Butthatofferstands。"

"Allright，"saidShock，smilingalittlemorebroadly。"I’llremember。AndwhenIwantfiftydollarsverybadlyImaycometoyou。But，"headded，lookingIkeupanddown，"I’llhavetobeprettyhardpushedbeforeItry。"

"It’sabargain，stranger，"saidIkey，offeringalanguidhand。

Shockgraspeditwarmly。AslighttremourranoverIke’slankyframeasShock’shandclosedonhis。

"Je——roo——sa——lem！"heejaculated，drawinginhisbreath，asShockturnedaway。"I’llbereadyferyounexttime。Ipreferagrizzlymyself。"Helookeddownathisfingernails。"Didn’texpecttosee’emon，"heobserved。"Andsay，boys，"turningtothecrowd，"I

surmisehe’sapreacher，ablankfire—escape。"

AtonceIkebecametheobjectofvariouscomments。"——Apreacher，Ike？Say，you’llhavetochangeyourwaysandgotomeetin’。"

"What’sIkey’schurch，anyway？"

"Don’tknowasIeverheard。"

"Oh，Ikeyaintmean，hetreats’emallthesame。"

"Well，IguessIkey’llhavetodusttowardtheskyline。"

Ikelistenedforatimeunmoved，andthendrawledoutquietly，"WhatIwanttoremarktoyoujaybirdsis，thatifeveryouhaveanymisunderstandin’withthatthereascensionladder，he’llmakeyousaymoreprayersinaminutethanyou’vesaidforthelasttenyearsofyourmortallife。Andifeverhegitsafteryoutheonlythingthat’llsaveyouwillbeyourdust。"

SosayingIkeslouchedoffdownthestreet，keepinghiseyeonShock’sbuckboard。HewatchedhimgointotheRoyalandinafewminutescomeoutagain，followedhimtotheInternational，andsoonaftertotheRanchers’Roost。

"Guesshe’spurtynightangledupnow，"saidIkey，withconsiderablesatisfaction。Hehadaschemeofhisowninmind。"Thereaintasix—

footholeinthishulltown，andhe’dtakepurtynighseven。Now，what’shisnextmove？"

Shockappearedundecided。Therewasevidentlynoplaceforhiminthetown。Hehadadeepeningsenseofbeingnotwanted。Thetownwashummingwithlife，butinthatlifetherewasnoplaceforhim。

Awakeningastrangesenseoffellowshipthewordcametohim，"Hewasrejectedofmen。"

XI

"IWASASTRANGER，ANDYETOOKMEIN"

AsShockstood，uncertainastohisnextmove，henoticedthatoutoftheconfusedminglingofmenandhorsesorderbegantoappear。

Thecoursewasoncemorebeingcleared。Thefinalheat，whichtheSwallowhadwon，andwhichhadbeenprotestedbytheowneroftheDemon，onthegroundthathiscoursehadbeenblockedbyShockandhiscayuse，wastoberunagain。Shockwastoomuchoccupiedwithhisowndisappointmentanduncertaintytotakemuchinterestinthecontestthatwastheoccasionofsuchintenseexcitementtothethrongsonthestreet。Withlanguidindifferencehewatchedthecoursebeingclearedandthecompetitorscanterbacktothestartingpoint。Behindthemfollowedacavalcadeofhorsemenonallsortsofmounts，fromtheshaggylittlecayuse，withdiminishingrump，tothemagnificentthoroughbredstallion，stall—fedandshining。Inthefinalheatitwasthecustomforallthehorsemeninthecrowdtojoinatasafedistancebehindthecontestants，inawildandtumultuousscramble。

Shock’sattentionwasarrestedandhisinterestquickenedbytheappearanceofIkeinthecrowd，ridingahard—looking，bony，buckskinbroncho，whichheguessedtobeSlipper。

InashorttimetheDemonandtheSwallowwereintheirplaces。Farbehindthembunchedthemotleycrowdofhorsemen。

Thestartwastobebythepistolshot，andfromthescratch。Sointensewasthestillnessoftheexcitedcrowdthat，althoughthestartingpointwasmorethanhalfamileoutontheprairie，thecrackofthepistolwasclearlyheard。