第5章

"He’dbetterhurrybackifhewantsanothershotatme，"Budgrinned。"It’llbesodarkdownhereinaminutehecouldn’tpickmeupwithhisfrontsightifIwas——asbigafoolasyouare。Howaboutit？I’lljustleadyouintocamp，I

think——butyousureashellcouldn’tgetajobropinggateposts，onthestrengthofthislittleexhibition。"

HewentovertoStopperanduntiedhisownrope，givinganapprovingpattothatbusiness—likeanimal。"Hopeyourlegisn’tbrokenoranything，"hesaidtothemanwhenhereturnedandpassedtheloopoverthefellow’sheadandshoulders，drawingitrathersnuglyaroundhisbodyandpinninghisarmsattheelbows。"Itwouldbekindofunpleasantiftheyhappentotakeanotiontomakeyouwalkallthewaytojail。"

HebeckonedStopper，whoimmediatelymovedup，slackeningtherope。Thethrownhorsedrewuphisknees，gaveapreliminaryheaveandscrambledtohisfeet，Budtakingcarethatthemanwaspulledfreeandsafe。Thefellowstoodupsulkilydefiant，unabletorestmuchofhisweightonhisleftleg。

Budhadtenbusyminutes，anditwasnotuntiltheywerebothmountedandheadedforLittleLost，thecaptivewithhisarmstiedbehindhim，hisfeettiedtogetherunderthehorse，whichBudled，thatBudhadtimetowonderwhatitwasallabout。ThenhebegantolookforHoney，whohaddisappeared。

Butinthesoftenedlightoftherisingmoonminglingwiththeafterglowofsunset，hesawthedeepimprintsofherhorse’shoofswherehehadgallopedhomeward。Buddidnotthinksheranawaybecauseshewasfrightened；shehadseemedtoosureofherselfforthat。Shehadprobablygoneforhelp。

AswiftsuspicionthattheattackmighthavebeenmadefromjealousydiedwhenBudlookedagainathisprisoner。Themanwasswarthy，lowofbrow——partIndian，bythelookofhim。

Honeywouldnevergivethefellowasecondthought。Sothatbroughthimtothesuppositionthatrobberyhadbeenintended，andtheinferencewasmademorelogicalwhenBudrememberedthatMarianhadwarnedhimagainstsomethingofthesort。ProbablyheandHoneyhadbeenfollowedintotheSinks，andeventhoughBudhadnotseenthismanattheraces，hispartnerupontheridgemighthavebeenthere。Itwasallverysimple，andBud，havingarrivedattheobviousconclusion，touchedStopperintoalopeandarrivedatLittleLostjustasDaveTrumanandthreeofhismenwereridingdownintoSunkCreekfordontheirwaytotheSinks。Theypulledup，staringhardatDaveandhiscaptive。Davespokefirst。

"Honeysaidyouwaswaylaidandrobbedorkilled——both，wetookit，fromheraccount。How’dyuhcometogetthebestofitsoquick？"

"Why，hishorsegottangledupintheropeandfelldown，andfellontopofhim，"Budexplainedcheerfully。"Iwasbringinghimin。He’sabadcitizen，Ishouldjudge，buthedidn’tdomeanydamage，asitturnedout，soIdon’tknowwhattodowithhim。I’lljustturnhimovertoyou，I

think。"

"Hell！Idon’twanthim，"Daveprotested。I’llpasshimalongtothesheriff——hemayknowsomethingabouthim。NelseandCharlie，youtakeandrunhimintoCraterandturnhimovertoKline。YoutellKlinewhathedone——ortriedtodo。Washealone，Bud？"

"Hehadapartnerupontheridge，sofaroffIcouldn’tsweartohimifIsawhimfacetoface。Itookashotathim，andIthinkInickedhim。Heducked，andthereweren’tanymoreriflebulletscomingmyway。"

"Younickedhimwithyoursix—shooter？Andhimsofaroffyoucouldn’trecognizehimagain？"DavelookedatBudsharply。

"That’spurtygoodshootin’，strikesme。"

"Well，hestoodupagainstthesky—line，andhewasn’tmorethanseventy—fiveyards，"Budexplained。"I’vedroppedantelopethatfar，plentyoftimes。Thelightwasbad，thisevening。"

"Antelope，"Daverepeatedmeditatively，andwinkedathismen。"Allright，Bud——we’llletitstandatantelope。Boys，youhitforCraterwiththisfellow。Yououghttomakeitthereandbackbytomorrownoon，allright。"

NelsetooktheleadropefromBudandthetwostartedoffupthecreek，meaningtostriketheroadfromLittleLosttoCrater，thecountyseatbeyondGoldGapmountains。Budrodeontotheranchwithhisboss，andtriedtoanswerDave’squestionssatisfactorilywithoutrelatinghisownprowessordivulgingtoomuchofStopper’sskill；whichwassomethingofaproblemforhiswits。

Honeyranouttomeethimandhadtobeassuredoverandoverthathewasnothurt，andthathehadlostnothingbuthistemperandtheridehomewithherinthemoonlight。Shewasplainlyupsetandanxiousthatheshouldnotthinkhercowardly，toleavehimthatway。

"Ilookedbackandsawamanthrowinghisrope，andyou——itlookedasifhehaddraggedyouoffthehorse。IwassureI

sawyoufalling。SoIranmyhorseallthewayhome，togetUncleDaveandtheboys，"shetoldhimtremulously。Andthensheadded，withhertantalizinghalfsmile，"IbelievethathorseofminecouldbeatSmokyorSkeeter，ifIwasscaredthatbadatthebeginningofarace。"

Bud，insheergratitudeforheranxietyoverhim，pattedHoney’shandandtoldhershemusthavebrokentherecord，allright，andthatshehaddoneexactlytherightthing。AndHoneywenttobedhappythatnight。

CHAPTERFOURTEEN：EVENMUSHROOMSHELP

BudwantedtohavealittleconfidentialtalkwithMarian。Hehopedthatshewouldbewillingtotellhimagreatdealmorethancouldbewrittenononesideofacigarettepaper，andhewascurioustohearwhatitwas。Ontheotherhand，hewantedsomehowtoletherknowthathewasanxioustohelpherinanywaypossible。Sheneededhelp，ofthathewassure。

LewreturnedonTuesday，withaviletemperandrheumatisminhisleftshouldersothathecouldnotwork，butstayedaroundthehouseandtooevidentlymadehiswifemiserablebyhispresence。OnWednesdaymorningMarianhadherhairdressedsolowoverherearsthatsheresembledaladyofoldColonialdays——butshedidnotquiteconcealfromBud’skeeneyestheuglybruiseonhertemple。Shewaspaleandherlipswerecompressedasifshewereafraidtorelaxlestsheburstoutintearsorinaviolentdenunciationofsomekind。Buddarednotlookather，noratLew，whosatgloweringatBud’srighthand。Hetriedtoeat，triedtoswallowhiscoffee，andfinallygaveuptheattemptandleftthetable。

IngettinguphetouchedLew’sshoulderwithhiselbow，andLewletoutabellowofpainandanoath，andleanedawayfromhim，hisrighthanduptowardoffanotherhurt。

"Pardonme。Iforgotyourrheumatism，"Budapologizedperfunctorily，hisfacegoingredattheepithet。Marian，comingtowardhimwithaplateofbiscuits，lookedhimfullintheeyesandturnedherglancetoherhusband’sbackwhileherlipscurledinthebitterest，themostscornfulsmileBudhadeverseenonawoman’sface。Shedidnotspeak——speechwasimpossiblebeforethattablefulofmen——butBudwentoutfeelingasthoughshehadtoldhimthathercontemptforLewwasbeyondwords，andthathisrheumatismbroughtnopitywhatever。

Wednesdaypassed，Thursdaycame，andstilltherewasnochancetospeakawordinprivate。Thekitchendrudgewashedgedaboutbyopenearsandcuriouseyes，andsaveatmeal—

timeshewasinvisibletothemenunlesstheyglimpsedherforamomentinthekitchendoor。

Thursdaybroughtathunderstormwithplentyofrain，andinthedrizzlethatheldoveruntilFridaynoonBudwentouttoanoldcalfshedwhichhehaddiscoveredintheedgeofthepasture，andgatheredhisneckerchieffullofmushrooms。Budhatedmushrooms，buthecarriedthemtothemachineshedandwaiteduntilhewassurethatHoneywasinthesittingroomplayingthepiano——andhittingwhatBudcalledabluenotenowandthen——andthatLewwasinthebunk—housewiththeothermen，andDaveandoldPopwereinPop’sshack。Then，andthenonly，Budtooklongstepstothekitchendoor，carryinghismushroomsastenderlyasthoughtheywereeggsforhatching。

Marianwasuptoherdimpledelbowsinbreaddoughwhenhewentin。HoneywasstillgropingherwaylumpilythroughtheBlueDanubeWaltz，andBudstoodsothathecouldlookoutthroughthewhite—curtainedwindowoverthekitchentableandmakesurethatnooneapproachedthehouseunseen。

"Herearesomemushrooms，"hesaidguardedly，lesthisvoiceshouldcarrytoHoney。"They’rejustanexcuse。FarasI’mconcernedyoucanfeedthemtothehogs。Ilikethingscleanandnaturalandwholesome，myself。Icametofindoutwhat’sthematter，Mrs。Morris。IsthereanythingIcando？Itookthehintyougavemeinthenote，Sunday，andIdiscoveredrightawayyouknewwhatyouweretalkingabout。ThatwasaholdupdownintheSinks。Itcouldn’thavebeenanythingelse。Buttheywouldn’thavegotanything。Ididn’thavemorethanadollarinmypocket。"

Marianturnedherhead，andlistenedtothepiano，andglancedupathim。

"Ialsolikethingscleanandnaturalandwholesome，"shesaidquietly。"That’swhyItriedtoputyouonyourguard。

Youdon’tseemtofitin，somehow，with——thesurroundings。I

happentoknowthattheracesheldhereeverySundayarejustthinlyveiledattemptstocheattheunwaryoutofeverycenttheyhave。Ishouldadviseyou，Mr。Birnie，tobeverycarefulhowyoubetonanyhorses。"

"Ishall，"Budsmiled。"Popgavemesomegoodadvice，too，aboutrunninghorses。Hesays，"It’severyfellowforhimself，andmercytowardnone。I’mplayingbytheirrule，andPopexpectstomakeafewdollars，too。Hesaidhe’dstandbyme。"

"Oh！Hedid？"Marian’svoicepuzzledBud。Shekneadedthebreadvigorouslyforaminute。"Don’tdependtoomuchonPop。

He’s——variable。Anddon’tgoaroundwithadollarinyourpocket——unlessyoudon’tmindlosingthatdollar。Therearemeninthiscountrywhowouldwillinglydispensewiththeformalityofracingahorseinordertogetyourmoney。"

"Yes——I’vediscoveredoneinformalmethodalready。IwishI

knewhowIcouldhelpYOU。"

"Helpme——inwhatway？"Marianglancedoutofthewindowagainasifthatwereahabitshehadformed。

"Idon’tknow。IwishIdid。Ithoughtperhapsyouhadsometroublethat——MymotherhadthesamelookinhereyeswhenwecamebacktotheranchaftersomeIndiantrouble，andfoundthehouseburnedandeverythingdestroyedbutthegrounditself。Shedidn’tsayanythingmuch。Shejustbeganhelpingfatherplanhowwe’dmanageuntilwecouldgetmaterialandbuildanothercabin，andmakeoursuppliesholdout。Shedidn’tcomplain。ButhereyeshadthesamelookI’veseeninyours，Mrs。Morris。SoIfeelasifIoughttohelpyou，justasI’dhelpmother。"Bud’sfacehadbeenredandembarrassedwhenhebegan，buthisearnestnessservedtoerasehisselfconsciousness。

"You’redifferent——justlikemother，"hewentonwhenMariandidnotanswer。"Youdon’tbelongheredrudginginthiskitchen。Ineversawawomandoingaman’sworkbefore。Theyoughttohaveamancookingforallthesehulkingmen。"

"Oh，thekitchen！"Marianexclaimedimpatiently。"Idon’tmindthecooking。That’stheleast——"

"Itisn’tright，justthesame。I——Idon’tsupposethat’sitaltogether。I’mnottryingtofindoutwhatthetroubleis——

butIwishyou’drememberthatI’mreadytodoanythingintheworldthatIcan。Youwon’tmisunderstandthat，I’msure。"

"No—o，"saidMarianslowly。"Butyousee，there’snothingthatyoucando——except，perhaps，makethingsworseforme。"

Then，tolightenthatstatement，shesmiledathim。"JustnowyoucanhelpmeverymuchifyouwillgoinandplaysomethingbesidestheBlueDanubeWaltz。I’vehadtolistentothateversinceHonorasentawayforthemusicwiththewinter’sgroceryorder，lastOctober。TellHonorayougothersomemushrooms。Anddon’ttrustanyone。Ifyoumustbetonthehorses，dosowithyoureyesopen。They’recheats——andworse，someofthem。"

Bud’sglancefollowedhersthroughthewindowthatoverlookedthecorralsandtheoutbuildings。Lewwascominguptothehousewithaslickeroverhisheadtokeepoffthedrizzle。

"Well，rememberI’ddoanythingforyouthatI’ddoformymotherormysisterDulcie。AndIwishyou’dcallonmejustastheywould，ifyougetinapinchandneedme。IfIknowyou’lldothatI’llfeelalotbettersatisfied。"

"IfIneedyoubesurethatIshallletyouknow。AndI’llsaythat"It’sacomforttohavemetonewhiteman，"Marianassuredhimhurriedly，heranxiouseyesonherapproachinghusband。

Sheneednothaveworriedoverhiscoming，sofarasBudwasconcerned。ForBudwasinthesitting—roomandhadpickedHoneyoffthepianostool，hadgivenheraplayfulshakeandwasplayingtheBlueDanubeasitscomposerintendedthatitshouldbeplayed，whenLewenteredthekitchenandkickedthedoorshutbehindhim。

BudspenttheforenoonconscientiouslytryingtoteachHoneythattherestsarequiteasimportanttothetempoofawaltzmeasureasarethenotes。Honey’stalentformusicdidnotmeasureuptohertalentforcoquetry；shereceivedaboutfivedollars’worthofinstructionandnoblandishmentswhatever，andalthoughshenodoubtprofitedthereby，atlastshebalkedandputherlazywhitehandsoverherearsandrefusedtolistentoBud’sinexorable"One，two，three，one，two，three—andone，two，three。"WhereuponBudlaughedandreturnedtothebunk—house。

HearrivedinthemiddleofaheatedargumentoverJeffHall’stacticsinracingSkeeter，andimmediatelywascalleduponforhisprivate，personalopinionofSunday’srace。

Bud’sprivate，personalopinionbeingexceedinglyprivateandpersonal，hethrewoutaskirmishlineofbanter。

SmokycouldruncirclesaroundthatSkeeterhorse，heboasted，andJeff’smannerofridingwasabsolutelyunimportant，non—essentialandimmaterial。Hewasmightygladthatholdupmanhadfallendown，lastSunday，beforehegothishandsonanymoney，becausethatmoneywasgoingtotalklongandloudtoJeffHallnextSunday。NowthatBudhadstartedrunninghishorseformoney，workingforwageslookedfoolishandunprofitable。HewasnowworkingmerelyforhealthfulexerciseandtopassthetimeawaybetweenSundays。

Hisrealmissioninlife，hehaddiscovered，wastoteachJeff’sbunchthatgamblingisasin。

Thetalkwascarriedenthusiasticallytothedinnertable，whereBudignoredthescowlingproximityofLewandrepeatedhisboastsinarevisedformasanindirectmeansoflettingMarianknowthathemeanttoplaytheBurrobackgameintheBurrobackway——orasnearlyashecould——andkeephishonestymoreorlessintact。Hedidnotthinkshewouldapprove，buthewantedhertoknow。

Once，whenBuddywasfifteen，fourthoroughbredcowsandfourcalvesdisappearedmysteriouslyfromthehomeranchjustbeforethecalveshadreachedbrandingage。Buddyrodethehillsandthevalleyseveryspareminutefortwoweeksinsearchofthem，andfinally，awayovertheridgewhereanundesirableneighborwasgettingastartincattle，Buddyfoundthecalvesinafencedfieldwitheightcalvesbelonging——perhaps——totheundesirableneighbor。

Buddydidnotridedowntotheranchandaccusetheneighborofstealingthecalves。Instead，hepainstakinglysoughtaweakplaceinthefence，madeaveryaccidentallookingholeanddroveoutthetwelvecalves，tookthemovertheridgetoTomahawkandlefttheminahigh，mountainmeadowprettywellsurroundedbymattedthickets。There，becausetherewasgoodgrassandrunningwater，thecalvesseemedquiteashappyasinthefield。

ThenBuddyhurriedhomeandbroughtabrandingironandafreshhorse，andbyworkingveryhardandfast，hesomehowmanagedtoplantadeeptomahawkbrandoneachoneofthetwelvecalves。Hereturnedhomeverylateandveryproudofhimself，andmethisfatherfacetofaceashewasputtingawaytheiron。ExplanationsandabrokenharnessstrapmingledpainfullyinBuddy’smemoryforalongtimeafterwards，butthefulleffectofthebeatingwaslostbecauseBuddyhappenedtohearBobBirnieconfidetomotherthattheladhadservedtheoldcattle—thiefright，andthatanymanwhocouldstartwithonethoroughbredcowandinfouryearshavesufficientincreasefromthatcowtoproduceeightcalvesaseason，oughttolosethemall。

Buddyhadnotneededhisfather’sopiniontostrengthenhisownconvictionthathehadperformedaworthydeedandoneofwhichnomanneedfeelashamed。Indeed，Buddyconsideredthepainfulincidentofthebuggystrapaparentaleffortatofficialdiscipline，andheldnoparticulargrudgeagainsthisfatheraftertheweltshaddisappearedfromhisperson。

WhereforeBud，theman，heldunswervinglytotheethicalstandardofBuddytheboy。IfBurrobackValleywasschemingtofleeceastrangerattheirracesandrobhimbyforceifhehappenedtowin，thenBudfeltjustifiedingettingeverydollarpossibleoutofthelotofthem。Atanyrate，hetoldhimself，hewoulddohisdarndest。ItwasplainenoughthatPopwastryingtomakeanopportunitytotalkconfidentially，butwithadozenmenontheplaceitwaseasyenoughtoavoidbeingalonewithoutarousingtheoldman’ssuspicions。Marianhadtoldhimtotrustnoone；andBud，withhisusualthoroughness，appliedthewarningliterally。

SundaymorninghecaughtupSmokyandrodehimtothecorral。

Smokyhadrecoveredfromhislameness，andwhileBudgroomedhimfortheafternoon’srunningthemenofLittleLostgatheredroundhimandofferedadviceandencouragement，andevenvolunteeredtolendhimmoneyifheneededit。ButBudtoldthemtoputuptheirownbets，andnevertoworryabouthim。Theiradviceandtheirencouragement，however，heacceptedascheerfullyastheyweregiven。

"ThinkyuhcanbeatSkeeter，youngfeller？"Popshambleduptoinquireanxiously，hisbeardbrushingBud’sshoulderwhileheleanedclose。"RememberwhatItoldye。Youstickbymean’I’llstickbyyou。Youshookonit，don’tforgitthat，youngfeller。"

Budhadforgotten，buthemadehastetoredeemhispromise。"

LastSunday，Pop，Ihadtoplayitalone。To—day—well，ifyouwanttomakeanhonestdollar，youknowwhattodo，don’tyou？"

"Sho！I’mbettin’onyorehorset’day，an’mindye，Iwanttoseemymoneydoubled！Butthattherelamenessinhislefthindankle——Idon’tseebutwhatthatkindachangesmyopinionalittlemite。Youshorehewon’tquitonyeintherace，now？Don’tlietoolePop，youngfeller！"

"Say！He’sthegamestlittlehorseinthestate，Pop。Heneverhasquit，andheneverwill。"Budstoodupandlaidafriendlyhandontheoldfellow’sshoulder。"Pop，I’mrunninghimto—daytowin。That’sthetruth。I’mgoingtoputallI’vegotonhim。Isthatgoodenough？"

"Shucksalmighty！That’sgoodenoughferme，——plentygoodferme，"Popcackled，andtrottedofftofindsomeonewhohadlittleenoughfaithinSmokytowageratwo—to—oneagainsthim。

ItseemedtoBudthatthecrowdwaslargerthanthatofaweekago，andtherewasnodoubtwhateverthatthebettingwasmorefeverish，andthatJeffmeantthatdaytoretrievehislosses。Budpassedupaverygoodchancetowinonotherraces，andcentredallhisbettingonSmoky。Hehadbeenthroughouttheweekboastfulandfullofconfidence，andnowheswaggeredandliftedhisvoiceinarrogantchallengetoallandsundry。Histhreehundreddollarswasontherace，andincidentally，heneverleftSmokyfromthetimeheledhimupfrompastureuntilthetimecamewhenheandJeffHallrodesidebysidedowntothequarterpost。

Theycameupinasmallwhirlwindofspeedanddust，andSmokywasunderthewiretohisearswhenSkeeter’snoseshowedbeyondit。LittleLostwasjubilant。JeffHallandhisbackerswerenot。

Bud’sthreehundreddollarshadinlessthanaminuteincreasedtoalittleoverninehundred，thoughallhisbetshadbeenmoderate。Bythetimehehadcollected，hispocketswerefullandhiscocksurenesshadincreasedtosuchanunbearablecrowingthatJeffHall’seyeswerevenomousasasnake’s。Jeffhadbeenrunningtowin，thatday，andhehadtakenoddsonSkeeterthathadseemedtohimperfectlysafe。

"I’llrunyuhhorseforhorse！"hebellowedandspatoutanepithetthatsentBudathimwhite—lipped。

"Damnyuh，ridedowntothequarterpostandI’llshowyousomerunning！"Budyelledback。"Andafteryou’veswalloweddustallthewayupthetrack，yougowithmetowherethewomencan’tseeandI’lllickthelivingtaroutayou！"

JeffsworeandwheeledSkeetertowardthestartingpost，beckoningBudtofollow。AndBud，hastilytuckinginaflappingbulgeofstripedshirt，wentafterhim。AtthatmomenthewasnotBud，butBuddyinoneofhisfightingmoods，withhisplansforgottenwhileheavengedaninsult。

Menlinedupatthewiretojudgeforthemselvesthefinish，andDaveTrumanrodealonetostartthem。Noonedoubtedbutthatthestartwouldbefair——JeffandBudwouldseetothat！

Forthefirsttimeinmonthstherein—endsstungSmoky’sflankswhenhewasinhisthirdjump。JustonceBudstruck，andwasashamedoftheblowasitfell。Smokydidnotneedthaturge，butheflattenedhisearsandcamedownthetrackafulllengthaheadofSkeeter，andheldthepacetothewireandbeyond，wherehestoppedinaswirlofsandandwentprancingback，readyforanotherraceiftheyaskeditofhim。

"GuessDave’llhavetobringoutBoiseandtaketheswellin’

outathatsingin’kid’spocket，"ahardfacedmanshoutedasJeffslidoffSkeeterandwentovertowherehiscroniesstoodbunchedandconferringearnestlytogether"Notto—day，heneedn’t。I’vehadalltheexcitementIwant；

andI’dliketohavetimetocountmymoneybeforeIloseit，"Budretorted。"NextSunday，ifit’sacleardayandthesignisright，ImightrunagainstBoiseifit’sworthmywhile。Say，Jeff，seeingyou’replayinghardluck，Iwon’tlickyouforwhatyoucalledme。Andjusttoshowmyheart’sright，I’lllendyouSkeetertoridehome。Orifyouwanttobuyhimback，youcanhavehimforsixtydollarsorsuchamatter。He’sanicelittlehorse，——ifyouaren’tinahurry！"

CHAPTERFIFTEEN：WHYBUDMISSEDADANCE

"Bud，you’refourteenkindsofadamnfoolandIcanproveit，"Jerryannouncedwithoutpreludeofanykindsave，perhaps，theviciousnesswithwhichhethrustapitchforkintoacockofhay。Thetwowereturningoverhay—cocksthathadbeendrenchedwithanotherunwelcomestorm，andtheyhadnotbeentalkingmuch。"Forking"soggyhaywhenthesunisblisteringhotandgreat，long—billedmosquitoesareboringindefatigablyintothebackofone’sneckisnotapastimeconducivetopoliteandanimatedconversation。

"Flyatit，"Budinvited，restinghisforkwhilehescratchedasmartingshoulder。"Butyoucanskipsomeoftheevidence。

Iknowsevenofthekinds，andIpleadguilty。Anyable—

bodiedmanwhowilldeliberatelymakeabarbecueofhimselfforagangofblood—thirstyinsectsoughttobehanged。

What’stherest？"

"Youcancallthatmild，"Jerrystatedseverely。"Bud，you’replayingtolosetheshirtoffyourback。You’vegotahundreddollarforfeituponnextSunday’srunningmatch，soyou’llrunifyouhavetoraceBoiseafoot。That’sallrightifyouwanttherisk——butdiditeveroccurtoyouthatifallthecoinintheneighborhoodiscollectedinoneman’spocket，there’llbeaboutasmanyfellowsastherearelosers，thatwilllayawaketillsun—upfiguringhowtoheelhimandrideoffwiththeroll？Iain’tover—stockedwithcourage，myself。I’dratherbebrokeinBurrobackValleythanownerofwealth。It’shealthier，"

Hethrusthisforkintoanothersettledheap，lifteditclearofthegroundwithoneheaveofhismuscularshoulders，andheardwithinastridentbuzzing。Heheldthehaypoiseduntilamottledgraysnakewrithedintoview，itsuglyjawsopenanditsfangsshowingmalevolently。

"Grabhimwithyourfork，Bud，"Jerrysaidcoolly。"A

rattler——thevalley’sfullof’em，——someof’em’shuman。"

Thesnakewasdispatchedandthetwowentontothenexthay—

cock。Budwasturningovermorethanthehay，andpresentlyhespokemoreseriouslythanwashishabitwithJerry。

"You’refullenoughofwarnings，Jerry。Whatdoyouwantmetodoaboutit？"

"Drift，"Jerryadvised。"There’smoraldiseasesjustascatchingassmallpox。Thispartofthecountryhasbeensettledupbymenthatcameherefirstbecausetheywantedtohideout。They’veslippedintodarncrookedways，andtheresthaseitherfollowedsuitorquit。Allthroughthisroughcountry"It’sthesame—overintheBlackRim，acrossThunderMountains，andbeyondthattotheSawtooth，amanthat’shonestisamanthat’soffhisrange。I’dliketoseeyoupullout——beforeyou’replanted。"

BudlookedatJerry，studiedhim，featurebyfeature。"Thenwhatareyoudoinghere？"hedemandedbluntly。"Whyhaven’tyoupulledout？"

"Me？"Jerrybithislip。"Bud，I’mgoingtotakeachanceandtellyoutheGod’s—truth。Idassent。I’mprotectedherebecauseIkeepmymouthshut，andbecausetheyknowI’vegottoortheycanhandmeover。Ihadsometrouble。I’monthedodge，andLittleLostisrighthandytotheSinksand——

CatrockCanyon。Thereain’tasheriffinIdahothatwouldhaveonechanceinathousandofgettingmehere。Butyou——

say！"HefacedBud。"Youain’tonthedodge，too，areyuh？"

"Nope，"Budgrinned。"OverattheMuleshoetheyseemedtothinkIwas。Ijuststruckoutformyself，andIwanttoshowupathomesomedaywithastakeImademyself。"It’sjustalittleargumentwithmydadthatIwanttosettle。And，"headdedfrankly，"Iseemtohavestrucktherightplacetomakemoneyquickly。Theveryfactthatthey’reabunchofcrooksmakesmyconscienceclearonthepointofrunningmyhorse。

I’mnotcheatingthemoutofacent。IfJeff’shorseisfasterthanSmoky，Jeffisprivilegedtolethimoutandwinifhecan。Itisn’tmyfaultifhe’splayingtoletmewinfromthewholebunchinthehopethathecanholdmeupafterwardsandgettheroll"It’sstraight’giveandtake’——

andsofarI’vebeentaking。"

Jerryworkedforawhile，moodilysilent。"WhatI’dlikeistoseeyoutakethetrail；whilethetakin’sgood，"hesaidlater。"I’vegottokeepmymouthshut。ButIlikeyuh，Bud。

Ihatelikehelltoseeyouwalkingstraightintoatrap。"

"Say，I’maseasilytrappedasamountainlion，"Budtoldhimconfidently。

WhereatJerrylookedathimpityingly。"YougoingtothatdanceupatMorgan’s？"

"Sure！I’mgoingtotakeHoneyand——IthinkMrs。Morrisifshedecidestogo。Honeymentioneditlastnight。Why？"

"Oh，nothing。"Jerryshoulderedhisforkandwentofftowhereajugofwaterwasburiedinthehaybesideacertainboulderwhichmarkedthespot。Hedranklong，stoppedforashortgossipwithCharley，whostrolledoverforadrink，andwenttoworkonanotherrow。

Budwatchedhim，andwonderedifJerryhadchangedrowstoavoidfurthertalkwithhim；andwhetherJerryhadmerelybeentryingtogetinformationfromhim，andhadeitherlearnedwhathewantedtoknow，orhadgivenuptheattempt。

Budreviewedmentallytheirdesultoryconversationanddecidedthathehadaccidentallybeenverydiscreet。TheonlyrealbitofinformationhehadgivenJerrywasthefactthathewasnot"onthedodge"——acriminalinfearofthelaw——andthatsurelycouldharmnoman。

ThatheintendedtorunagainstBoiseonSundaywascommonknowledge；alsothathehadahundreddollarforfeitupontherace。AndthathewasgoingtoadancewithHoneywasofnoconsequencethathecouldsee。

Budwasbeginningtodiscountthevaguewarningshehadreceived。UnlesssomethingdefinitecamewithinhisknowledgehewouldgoabouthisbusinessexactlyasifBurrobackValleywereachurch—goingcommunity。Hewouldnot"drift。"

ButafterallhedidnotgotothedancewithHoney，orwithanyone。Hecametothesupper—tablefreshlyshavedanddressedfortheoccasion，atehungrilyandstraightwaybecameaverysickyoungman。HedidnotcareiftherewerefortydancesintheValleythatnight。Hisheadwassplitting，hisstomachwasinaturmoil。HetoldJerrytogoaheadwithHoney，andifhefeltbetterafterawhilehewouldfollow。

Jerryatfirstwasinclinedtoscepticism，andaccusedBudofcrawfishingatthelastminute。ButwithintenminutesBudhadconvincedhimsocompletelythatJerryinsisteduponstayingwithhim。BythenBudwastoosicktocarewhatwasbeingdone，orwhodidit。SoJerrystayed。

Honeycametothebunk—houseinherdancefinery，wasmetinthedoorwaybyJerryandwastoldthatthiswasnoplaceforalady，andreluctantlyconsentedtogowithoutherescort。

Alightshonedimlyinthekitchenafterthedancershaddeparted，whereforeJerryguessedthatMarianhadnotgonewiththeothers，andthathecouldperhapsgetholdofmustardforanemeticoraplaster——Jerrywasnotsurewhichremedywouldbebest，andthepatient，wantingtodie，wouldnotbefinicky。HefoundMarianmeasuringsomethingdropbydropintohalfaglassofwater。Sheturned，sawwhohadentered，andcarefullycountedthreemoredrops，corkedthebottletightlyandsliditintoherapronpocket，andheldouttheglasstoJerry。

"Givehimthis，"shesaidinasoftundertone。"I’msorry，butIhadn’tachancetosayawordtotheboy，andsoI

couldn’tthinkofanyotherwayofmakingsurehewouldnotgouptoMorgan’s。Iputsomethingintohiscoffeetomakehimsick。Youmaytellhim，Jerry，ifyoulike。Ishould，ifIhadthechance。Thiswillcounteracttheeffectsoftheothersothathewillbeallrightinacoupleofhours。"

Jerrytooktheglassandstoodlookingathersteadily。"Thatsurewasonewaytodoit，"heobserved，withaquirkofthelips。"It’snoneofmybusiness，andIain’taskinganyquestions，but——"

"Verysensible，I’msure，"Marianinterruptedhim。"Iwishhe’dleavethecountry。Can’tyou——？"

"No。Itoldhimtopullout，andhejustlaughedatme。I

knowedtheywasfiguringongangingtogetherto—night——"

Marianclosedherhandstogetherwithagestureofimpatience。"Jerry，IwishIknewjusthowbadyouare！"sheexclaimed。"Doyoudarestandbyhim？Becausethisthingisonlybeginning。Icouldn’tbeartoseehimgoupthereto—

night，absolutelyunsuspecting——andsoImadehimsick。Tellthattoanyone，andyoucanmakeme——"

"Say，Iain’tadamnedskunk！"Jerrymuttered。"I’mbadenough，maybe。Atanyrateyouthinkso。"Then，asusuallyhappened，Jerrydecidedtoholdhistongue。Heturnedandliftedthelatchofthescreendoor。"Yousuremadeagoodjobofit，"hegrinned。"I’llgoan’pourthisintoBud’foreheloseshisboots！"

Hedidso，andsavedBud’sbootsandhalfanight’ssleepbesides。Moreover，whenBud，fullyrecovered，searchedhismemoryofthatsupperanddecidedthatitwastheslicedcucumbersthathaddisagreedwithhim，Jerrygravelyassuredhimthatitundoubtedlywasthecombinationofcucumberandcustardpie，andthatBudwasluckytobealiveaftersuchrecklesseating。

Havingmissedthedancealtogether，BudlookedforwardwithimpatiencetoSunday。Itisquitepossiblethatotherssharedwithhimthatimpatience，thoughwearegoingtoadhereforawhiletoBud’spointofviewanddonomorethanguessatthethoughtshiddenbehindthefairwordsofcertainmenintheValley。

Pop’sstateofmindweareprivilegedtoknow，forPopwasseenmakingdailypilgrimagetothepasturewherehecouldwatchSmokylimpingdesultorilyhereandtherewithStopperandSunfish。OnSaturdayafternoonBudsawPoptryingtogethishandsonSmoky，presumablytoexaminethelameankle。ButthreelegswereallSmokyneededtokeephimoutofPop’sreach。Popforgothisrheumatismandranprettyfastforamanhisage，andwhenBudarrivedPop’svocabularyhadlimbereduptoamoresurprisingactivitythanhislegs。

"Wanttobetonyourself，Pop？"BudcalledoutwhenPopwasrunningbackandforth，hopefullytryingtocornerSmokyinarockydraw。"I’mwillingtoriskadollaronyou，anyway。"

PopwhirleduponhimandhurledsentencesnotwritteninthebookofParlorEntertainment。ThegistofitwasthathehadbeentryingalltheweektohaveatalkwithBud，andBudhadplainlyavoidedhimafterpromisingtoactuponPop’sadviceandrunsoastomakesomemoney。

"Well，Imadesome，"Buddefended。"Ifyoudidn’t，it’sjustbecauseyoudidn’tbetstrongenough。"

"Iwanttolookatthathorse’shindfoot，"Popinsisted。

"Nouse。He’stoolametorunagainstBoise。Youcanseethatyourself。"

PopeyedBudsuspiciously，pullinghisbeard。"Areyoufixin’

todouble—crossme，youngfeller？"hewantedtoknow。"I

wentandmadesomepurtybigbetsonthisrace。Ifyouthinkyo’regoin’tofoololePop，you’llwishyouhadn’t。Yougotenemiesalreadyinthisvalley，lemmetellyuh。TheMuleshoeain’tanybunchtofoolwith，andI’mwillingtosay’tthey’relayingferyuh。Theythink，"headdedshrewdly，"’tyou’reaspotter，orsomething。Airyuh？"

"OfcourseIam，Pop！I’vespottedawaytomakemoneyandhavefunwhileIdoit。"Budlookedattheoldman，rememberedMarian’sdeclarationthatPopwasnotveryreliable，andgropedmentallyforawaytoheartentheoldmanwithoutrevealinganythingbetterkepttohimself，suchastheimmediateeffectofahorsehairtiedjustaboveahorse’shoof，alsotheimmediateresultofremovingthathair。Wherefore，hecouldnotthinkofmuchtosay，exceptthathewouldnotattempttorunalamehorseagainstBoise。

"AllIcansayis，to—morrowmorningyoukeepyoureyesopen，Pop，andyourtonguebetweenyourteeth。Andnomatterwhatcomesup，youuseyourownjudgment。"

To—morrowmorningPopshowedthathewastakingBud’sadvice。

Whenthecrowdbegantogather——muchearlierthanusual，bytheway，andmuchlargerthananycrowdBudhadseeninthevalley——Popwastrottinghereandthere，listeningandpullinghiswhiskersandeyeingBudsharplywheneverthatyoungmanappearedinhisvicinity。

BudledSmokyupatnoon——andSmokywasstilllame。DavelookedathimandatBud，andgrinned。"Iguessthatforfeitmoney’smine，"hesaidinhislaconicway。"Nouserunningthathorse。Icouldbeathimafoot。"

Thiswasbutthebeginning。OthersbegantobanterandjeerBud，Jeff’scrowdtauntinghimwithmaliciousglee。Thesingin’kidwasgoingtohavesomeoftheswellingtakenoutofhishead，theychortled。Hehadbeencrazyenoughtoputupaforfeitonto—day’srace，andnowhishorsehadjustthreelegstorunon。

"Gitoutafoot，kid！"JeffHallyelled。"Ifyoukinrunhalfasfastasyoukintalk，you’llbeatBoisefourlengthsinthefirstquarter！"

Budretortedinkind，andledSmokyaroundthecorralasifhehopedthatthehorsewouldrecovermiraculouslyjusttosavehismaster’spride。ThecrowdhootedtoseehowSmokyhobbledalong，barelytouchingthetoeofhislamefoottotheground。Budledhimbacktothemangerpiledwithnewhay，andfacedthejeeringcrowdbelligerently。BudnoticedseveraloftheMuleshoemeninthecrowd，nodoubtdrawntoLittleLostbythetalkofBud’sspectacularwinningsfortwoSundays。Henwasthere，andDayMastersandCub。Alsotherewerestrangerswhohadriddenalongway，judgingbytheirsweatyhorses。InthemidstofthetalkandlaughterDaveledoutBoisefreshlycurriedandbrushedandarchinghisneckproudly。

"Nouse，Bud，"hesaidtolerantly。"Iguessyou’resetbackthatforfeitmoney——unlessyouwanttogothroughthemotionsofrunningalamehorse。"

"No，sir，I’mnotgoingtohandoveranyforfeitmoneywithoutmakingafightforit！"Budtoldhim，angershowinginhisvoice。"I’mnosuchpikerasthat。Iwon’trunSmoky，lameasheis"——Budprobablynudgedhisownribswhenhesaidthat！——"butifyou’llmakeitamile，I’llcatchupmyoldbuckskinpackhorseandruntheracewithhim，bythunder！

He’snotthequickesthorseintheworld，buthesurecanrunalongwhile！"

Theyyelledandslappedoneanotherontheback，andotherwisecomportedthemselvesasthoughagreatjokehadbeentoldthem；neverdreaming，poorfools，thatacostlyjokewasbeingperpetrated。

"Goit，kid。Yourunyourpackhorse，andI’llriveyuhfivetooneonhim！"afriendofJeffHall’syelledderisively。

"I’lljusttakeyouuponthat，andI’llmakeitonehundreddollars，"Budshoutedback。"I’drunaturtleforaquarter，atthoseodds！"

ThecrowdwashavinghystericswhenBudstraddledaLittleLosthorseand，loudlydeclaringthathewouldbringbackSunfish，ledSmokylimpingbacktohepasture。Hereturnedsoon，leadingthebuckskin。Thecrowdsurgedcloser，gaveSunfishaglanceandwhoopedagain。Bud’sfacewasredwithapparentanger，hiseyessnapped。Hefacedthemdefiantly，hishandonSunfish’sthin，stragglingmane。

"You’resuchgoodsports，you’llsurelyappreciatemyfeelingswhenIsaythatthishorseismine，andI’mgoingtorunhimandbackhimtowin！"hecried。"Imaybeadarnfool，butI’mnopiker。IknowwhatthishorsecandowhenI

trytocatchhimuponafrostymorning——andI’mgoingtoseeifhecan’tgojustasfastandjustaslongwhenI’monhimashecanwhenI’mafterhim。"

"We’llgoyuh，kid！I’llbetyuhfivetoone，"amanshouted。"Younametheamountyourself。"

"Fifty，"saidBud，andthemannoddedandjotteddowntheamount。

"Bud，you’readamnfool。I’llbetyouahundredandmakeittentoone，"drawledDave，strokingBoise’sfaceaffectionatelywhilehelookedsuperciliouslyatSunfishstandinghalfasleepintheclamor，withhisheadsaggingattheendofhislong，eweneck。"Butifyou’lltakemyadvice，goturnthatfoolhorsebackinthepastureandrunthebayifyoumustrunsomething。"

"Thebay’saropehorse。Idon’twanttospoilhimbyrunninghim。Thatlittlehorsesavedmylife，downintheSinks。No，Sunfishhasruntimesenoughfromme——nowhe’sgottorunforme，bythunder。I’llbetonhim，too！"

JeffpushedhiswaythroughtoBud。Hewassmilingwiththatcraftylookinhiseyeswhichshouldhavewarnedachildthatthesmilewentnodeeperthanhislips。

"Bud，doggoneit，Ilikeyorenerve。Besides，youowemesomethingforthewayyoutrimmedmelastSunday。I’lljustgiveyoufifteentoone，andyouputupSkeeteratseventy—

five，andasmuchmoneyasyo’reamindto。Apileofitcomeoutofmypocket，so—"

"Well，don’tholleryourheadoff，Jeff。How’stwohundred？"

"Suitsme，kid。"Hewinkedattheothers，whoknewhowsureathinghehadtobackhiswager。"It’llbealotofmoneyifIshouldlose——"HeturnedsuddenlytoDave。"Howmuchwasthatyouputupaginthekid，Dave？"

"Onehundreddollars，andaten—to—oneshotIwin，"Davedrawled。"Thatoughttosatisfyyuhitain’taframe—up。Thekid’scrazy，that’sall。"

"Oh！AmI？"Budturnedhotly。"Well，I’vebethalfofallthemoneyIhaveintheworld。AndI’mgamefortheotherhalf——"

Hestoppedabruptly，castonelookatSunfishandanotheratBoise，steppingaboutuneasily，hisshinycoatrippling，beautiful。HeturnedandcombedSunfish’sscantymanewithhisglovedfingers。Thosenearestsawthathislipsweretremblingalittleandmistookhishiddenemotionforanger。

"Yougothimgoing，"amanwhisperedinJeff’sear。"Thekid’scrazymad。He’llbettheshirtoffhisbackifyuhegghimonalittlemore。"

Jeffmusthavedecidedto"egg"Budon。Bythetimethecrowdhadreachedthecourse，andthefirst，morecommonplaceraceswereover，theotherhalfofhismoneywasinthehandsofthestake—holder，whohappenedonthisdaytobeJerry。AndtheoddsvariedfromfourtooneuptoJeffHall’sscornfulfifteen。

"Betyuhfivehundreddollarsagainstyourbayhorse，"LewofferedwhenBudconfessedthathehadnotanotherdollartobet。——

"Allright，it’sagowithme，"Budansweredrecklessly。

"Gethishundred，Jerry，andputdownStopper。"

"What’sthatsaddleworth？"anotheraskedmeaningly。

"Onehundreddollars，"snappedBud。"Andifyouwanttogofurther，therearemychapsandspursandthissilver—mountedbridle—andmybootsandhat—andI’llthrowinSunfishforwhateveryousayhishide’sworth。Whowantstheoutfit？"

"I’lltake’em，"saidJeff，andpermittedJerryandDavetoappraisetheoutfit，whichBudpiledcontemptuouslyinaheap。

HemountedSunfishbarebackwitharopehalter。Budwasbareheadedandinhissockfeet。Hiseyeswereterriblyblueandbright，andhisfacewasflushedasadrunkenman’s。Heglancedovertothebankwherethewomenandchildrenwerewatching。Itseemedtohimthatonewomanflutteredherhandkerchief，andhisheartbeatunevenlyforaminute。

Thenhewasridingatawalkdownthecoursetothefarthestpost，andthecrowdwaslaughingatthecontrastbetweenthetwohorses。Boisesteppedspringily，tossinghishead，hiseyesablazewithardorfortherace。BesidehimSunfishwalkedsteadilyasifhewerecarryingapack。Hewasnotaprettyhorsetolookat。Hisneckwaslongandthin，hismaneandtailscantyanduneven，anondescriptsorrel。Hisheadlookedlarge，setontheendofthatneck，hisnosewasdishedinandhiseyeshadacertainveiledlook，asifhewerehidingabaddispositionunderthosedroopylids。

Withoutasaddlehebetrayedhishigh，thinwithers，theswayinhisback，hishighhipbones。Hisfrontlegswereflat，withlong，stringy—lookingmusclesunderhisunkemptbuckskinhide。EventhewomenlaughedatSunfish。

Besidethemtwomenrode，thestarterandanothertoseethatthestartwasfair。Sotheyrecededdowntheflat，yellowcourseanddwindledtomereminiaturefiguresagainstthesand，sothatonecouldnottellonehorsefromanother。

Thecrowdbunched，stilllaughingathowthesingin’kidwasgoingtofeelwhenherodeagaintomeetthem。Itwouldcurehimofracing，theysaid。Itwouldbeagoodlesson；servehimrightforcominginthereandthinking，becausehehadcleaneduponceortwice，thathecouldnotbebeaten。

"Heretheycome，"JeffHallannouncedsatisfiedly，andspatintothesandasatinybluepuffofsmokeshowedbesideoneofthedots，andtwootherdotsbegantogrowperceptiblylargerwithinayellowcloudwhichrolledalongtheearth。

Menreinedthiswayandthat，orstoodontheirtoesiftheywereafoot，thebettertoseethetworollingdots。Inamomentonedotseemedlargerthantheother。Onecouldglimpsetheupflingingofkneesastwohorsesleapedcloserandcloser。

"Well—l—he’skeepin’Daveinsight——that’smorethanwhatI

expectedhe’ddo，"Jeffobserved。

ItwasPopwhosuddenlygaveawhoopthatcrackedandshrilledintofalsetto。

"Shucksa’mighty！Dave，he’sa—whippin’uptokeeptheKIDinsight！"hequavered。"Shucks——a’MIGHTY，he’sa—comin’！"

Hewas。LyingforwardflattenedalongSunfish’shard—muscledshoulders，Budwasgainingandgaining——onelength，thentwolengthsasheshotunderthewire，slowedandrodebacktofindasilentcrowdwatchinghim。

Hewasclothedsafelyagaininchaps，boots，spurs，hat——

exceptthatIhavenamedthearticlesbackward；cowpuncherthathewas，Budputonhishatbeforeheevenreachedforhisboots——andwascollectinghiswagersrelentlesslyasShylockevertookhistoll，beforehepaidanyattentiontotheatmospherearoundhim。Then，becausesomeoneshoutedaquestionthreeinchesfromhisear，Budturnedandlaughedashefacedthem。

"Why，surehe’sfromrunningstock！Ineversaidhewasn’t——

becausenoneofyoumake—believehorsemenhadsenseenoughtoseethespeedinhimandgetcurious。Youbush—racersneversawarealrace—horsebefore，Iguess。Theyaren’talwaysprettytolookat，youknow。Sunfishhasalltheearmarksofspeedifyouknowhowtolookforthem。He’sthoroughbred；

siredbyTrump，outofKansasChippy——ifthatmeansanythingtoyoufellows。"Helookedthemover，eyesmeetingeyesuntilhisglancerestedonJeffHall。"I’vegothisregistrationpapersinmygrip，ifyouaren’tconvinced。And，"headdedbywayofrubbingitin，"IguessI’vegotaboutallthemoneythereisinthisvalley。"

"No，youain’t！"PopTrumancackled，teeteringbackwardandforwardwhilehecountedhiswinnings。"Ibetonye，youngfeller。Broughtmeinsomething，too。Itdidso！"

CHAPTERSIXTEEN：WHILETHEGOING’SGOOD

AtsupperBudnoticedthatMarian，standingathisrightside，setdownhiscupofcoffeewithherrighthand，andatthesameinstanthefeltherlefthandfumbleinhispocketandthentouchhiselbow。Shewenton，andBudinhishastetogetoutsidedrankhiscoffeesohotthatitscaldedhismouth。JerryroseupandsteppedbackwardoverthebenchasBudpassedhim，andwentoutathisheels。

"Goplaythepianoforhalfanhourandthenmeetmewhereyougotthemmushrooms。Andwhenyouquitplaying，duckquick。TellHoneyyou’llbebackinaminute。Haveherhuntformusicforyuhwhileyou’reout——orsomethinglikethat。

Don’tleton。"

BudmighthavequestionedJerry，butthatcautiousyoungmanwasalreadyturningbacktocallsomething——toDave，soBudwentaroundthecorner，glancingintothepantrywindowashepassed。Marianwasnotinsight，norwasHoneyatthemomentwhenhestoodbesidethestepofthepost—office。

Boldnesscarriesitsowntalismanagainstdanger。Budwentin——withoutslammingthedoorbehindhim，youmaybesure——

anddrewhissmallnotebookfromhisinsidepocket。Withthattoconsultfrequently，hesatdownbythewindowwherethefailinglightwasstrongest，andproceededtojotdownimaginaryfiguresonthepaperhepulledfromhiscoatpocketandunfoldedasifitwereofnovaluewhatevertohim。ThepianoplayingorderedbyJerrycouldwait。

WhatMarianhadtosayonthisoccasioncouldnotbewrittenuponacigarettepaper。IneffecthernotewasaprefacetoJerry’scommands。Budsawwhereshehadwrittenwordsanderasedthemsothoroughlythatthecheappaperwasalmostwornthrough。Shehadbeenafraid，poorlady，butherfearcouldnotpreventthewriting。

"Youmustleaveto—nightforCraterandcashthechecksgivenyoutopaythebets。GotoCrater。Ifyoudon’tknowtheway，keepduenorthafteryouhavecrossedGoldGap。There’sthestageroad，butthey’llwatchthat，I’mafraid。Theymeantostoppaymentonthechecks。Butfirsttheywillkillyouiftheycan。Theysayyoucheatedwiththatthoroughbredhorse。

Theytooktheirlossessocalmly——Iknewthattheymeanttorobyou。ToshowyouhowIknow，itwasLewyoushotontheridgethatnight。Hisrheumatismwascausedbyyourbulletthatnickedhisshoulder。Soyouseewhatsortweare——go。

Don’twait——gonow。"

Budlookedup，andtherewasHoneyleaningoverthecounter，smilingathim。

"Well，howmuchisit？"sheteasedwhenshesawhehaddiscoveredher。

Buddrewalineacrossthenoteandaddedimaginarycolumnsoffigures，hishat—brimhidinghisface。

"Overeleventhousanddollars，"heannounced，andtwistedthepaperinhisfingerswhilehewentovertoher。"Almostenoughtostarthousekeeping！"

HoneyblushedandleanedtolookforsomethingwhichshepretendedtohavedroppedandBudseizedtheopportunitytotuckthepaperoutofsight。"Ifeelprettymuchintoxicatedto—night，Honey，"hesaid。"IthinkIneedsoothing，orsomething——andyouknowwhatmusicdoestothesavagebreast。

Let’splay。"

"Allright。You’vebeenstayingawaylatelytillIthoughtyouweremad，"Honeyassentedrathereagerly，andopenedthelittlegateinthehalfpartitionjustasBudwasvaultingthecounter，whichgaveheragreatlaughandachanceforplayfulscuffling。Budkissedherandimmediatelyregrettedthecaress。

Jerryhadtoldhimtoplaythepiano，butBudtookhismandolinandplayedthatwhileHoneythumpedoutchordsforhim。Ashehadhalfexpected，mostofthemenstrayedinandperchedhereandtherelisteningjustasiftherehadnotbeenamostunusualhorseracetodiscussbeforetheyslept。

Indeed，BudhadneverseentheLittleLostboyssothoughtful，andthissilencestruckhimallatonceassomethingsinister，likeabeastofpreystalkingitskill。

Twowaltzesheplayed——andthen，inthemiddleofafavoritetwo—step，amandolinstringsnappedwithasharptwang，andBudcameasclosetoswearingasawell—behavedyoungmanmaycomeinthepresenceofalady。

"NowI’llhavetogogetanewEstring，"hecomplained。"YouplaytheDanubefortheboys——thewayItaughtyou——whileI

getthisfixed。I’veanextrastringdowninthebunk—house；

itwon’ttakefiveminutestogetit。"Helaidthemandolindownonhischair，boltedoutthroughthescreendoorwhichheslammedafterhimtoletJerryknowthathewascoming，andwalkedhalfwaytothebunk—housebeforeheveeredoffaroundthecornerofthemachineshedandran。

Jerrywaswaitingbytheoldshed，andwithoutawordheledBudbehinditwhereSunfishwasstandingsaddledandbridled。

"Yougottogo，Bud，whilethegoing’sgood。"I’dgowithyuhifIdared，"Jerrymumbledguardedly。"YouhitforCrater，Bud，andputthatmoneyinthebank。YoucancutintothestageroadwhereitcrossesOldmanCreek，ifyougostraightuptheracetracktothefarend，andfollowthetrailfromthere。Youcan’tmissit——thereain’tbutonewaytogo。I

gotyuhthishorsebecausehe’sworthmore’nwhattheothertwoare，andhe’sfaster。AndBud，ifanybodyridesuponyuh，shoot。Don’tmonkeyaroundaboutit。AndyouRIDE！"

"Allright，"Budmuttered。"ButI’llhavetogodowninthepastureandgetmymoney，first。I’vegotmyownprivatebankdownthere，andIhaven’tenoughinmypocketstoplaypennyantemorethanoneround。"

"Hell！"Jerry’shandliftedtoBud’sshoulderandgrippeditforaminute。"That’srightontheroadtotheSinks，man！"

Hestoodbitinghislips，thinkingdeeply，turninghisheadnowandthenaslittlesoundscamefromthehouse：thewaltzHoneywasplaying，thepost—officedoorslammingshut。

"Youtellmewherethatmoney’scached，Bud，andI’llgoafterit。Iguessyou’llhavetotrustme——Isurewouldn’tletyuhgodowntothepastureyourselfrightnow。Whereisit？"

"Lookunderthatflatrockrightbythegatepost，wherethetopbarshittheground。"It’swrappedupinahandkerchief，sojustbringthepackage。"It’sbeeneasytotuckthingsundertherockwhenIwasputtingupthebars。I’llwaithere。"

"Goodenough——I’dsurehavefelteasierifI’dknownyouwasn’tcarryingallthatmoney。"WhereuponJerrydisappeared，andhisgoingmadenosound。

BudstoodbesideSunfish，wonderingifhehadbeenafooltotrustJerry。ByhisownadmissionJerrywaslivingwithoutthelaw，andthismighteasilybeasmoothschemeofrobbery。

Heturnedandstrainedhiseyesintothedusk，listening，tryingtohearsomesoundthatwouldshowwhichwayJerryhadgone。Hewasonthepointoffollowinghim——suspiciongettingthebetterofhisfaith——whenSunfishmovedhisheadabruptlytooneside，bumpingBud’sheadwithhischeek。AtthesameinstantahandtouchedBud’sarm。

"Isawyoufromthekitchenwindow，"Marianwhisperedtensely。"Iwasafraidyouhadn’treadmynote，orperhapswouldn’tpayanyattentiontoit。IheardyouandJerry——ofcoursehewon’tdaregowithyouandshowyoutheshort—cut，evenifheknowsit。There’saquickerwaythanupthecreek—

bed。IhaveBoiseoutinthebushes，andasaddle。Iwasafraidtowaitatthebarnlongenoughtosaddlehim。Yougo——he’sbehindthatgreatpileofrocks，backofthecorrals。I’llwaitforJerry。"Shegavehimapush，andBudwassoastonishedthathemadenoreplywhatever，butdidexactlyasshehadtoldhimtodo。