ForsomereasonthedesertscenebeforeLucyBostilawokevaryingemotions——asweetgratitudeforthefullnessofherlifethereattheFord，yetahauntingremorsethatshecouldnotbewhollycontent——avaguelonelinessofsoul——athrillandafearforthestrangelycallingfuture，glorious，unknown。
Shelongedforsomethingtohappen。Itmightbeterrible，solongasitwaswonderful。Thisday，whenLucyhadstolenawayonaforbiddenhorse，shewaseighteenyearsold。Thethoughtofhermother，whohaddiedlongagoontheirwayintothiswilderness，wastheonedropofsadnessinherjoy。LucylovedeverybodyatBostil\'sFordandeverybodylovedher。Shelovedallthehorsesexceptherfather\'sfavoriteracer，thatperversedevilofahorse，thegreatSageKing。
Lucywasglowingandraptwithloveforallshebeheldfromherloftyperch:
thegreen-and-pinkblossominghamletbeneathher，setbetweenthebeautyofthegraysageexpanseandtheghastlinessofthebarrenheights；theswiftColoradosullenlythunderingbelowintheabyss；theIndiansintheirbrightcolors，ridinguptherivertrail；theeaglepoisedlikeafeatherontheair，andabeneathhimthegrazingcattlemakingblackdotsonthesage；thedeepvelvetazureofthesky；thegoldenlightsonthebarepeaksandthelilacveilsinthefarravines；thesilkyrustleofacanyonswallowasheshotdownwardinthesweepofthewind；thefragranceofcedar，theflowersofthespear-pointedmescal；thebroodingsilence，thebeckoningrange，thepurpledistance。
WhateveritwasLucylongedfor，whateverwaswhisperedbythewindandwritteninthemysteryofthewasteofsageandstone，shewantedittohappenthereatBostil\'sFord。Shehadnodesireforcivilization，shefloutedtheideaofmarryingtherichrancherofDurango。Bostil\'ssister，thatsternbutlovablewomanwhohadbroughtherupandtaughther，wouldneverpersuadehertomarryagainstherwill。Lucyimaginedherselflikeawildhorse——free，proud，untamed，meantforthedesert；andhereshewouldliveherlife。Thedesertandherlifeseemedasone，yetinwhatdidtheyresembleeachother——inwhatofthisscenecouldshereadthenatureofherfuture？
Shudderinglysherejectedthered，sullen，thunderingriver，withitsswift，changeful，endless，contendingstrife——forthatwastragic。Andsherejectedthefrowningmassofredrock，upreared，rivenandsplitandcanyoned，sogrimandaloof——forthatwasbarren。Butsheacceptedthevastslopingvalleyofsage，rollinggrayandsoftandbeautiful，downtothedimmountainsandpurplerampartsofthehorizon。Lucydidnotknowwhatsheyearnedfor，shedidnotknowwhythedesertcalledtoher，shedidnotknowinwhatitresembledherspirit，butshedidknowthatthesethreefeelingswereasone，deepinherheart。Fortenyears，everydayofherlife，shehadwatchedthisdesertscene，andneverhadtherebeenanhourthatitwasnotdifferent，yetthesame。Tenyears——andshegrewupwatching，feeling——tillfromthedesert\'sthousandmoodssheassimilateditsnature，lovedherbonds，andcouldneverhavebeenhappyawayfromtheopen，thecolor，thefreedom，thewildness。Onthisbirthday，whenthosewholovedhersaidshehadbecomeherownmistress，sheacknowledgedtheclaimofthedesertforever。Andsheexperiencedadeep，rich，strangehappiness。
Hersalwaysthenthemutableandimmutabledesert，theleaguesandleaguesofslopeandsageandrollingridge，thegreatcanyonsandthegiantcliffs，thedarkriverwithitsmysticthunderofwaters，thepine-fringedplateaus，theendlessstretchofhorizon，withitslofty，isolated，noblemonuments，andtheboldrampartswiththeirbeckoningbeyond!Hersalwaysthedesertseasons:theshrill，icyblast，theintensecold，thesteelyskies，thefadingsnows；thegrayoldsageandthebleachedgrassunderthepallofthespringsand-storms；
thehotfurnacebreathofsummer，withitsmagnificentcloudpageantsinthesky，withtheblacktempestshanginghereandthereoverthepeaks，darkveilsfloatingdownandrainbowseverywhere，andthelacywaterfallsupontheglisteningcliffsandthethunderoftheredfloods；andthegloriousgoldenautumnwhenitwasalwaysafternoonandtimestoodstill!Hersalwaystheridesintheopen，withthesunatherbackandthewindinherface!Andherssurely，soonerorlater，thenamelessadventurewhichhaditsinceptioninthestrangeyearningofherheartandpresageditsfulfilmentsomewheredownthattraillesssage-slopeshelovedsowell!
Bostil\'shousewasacrudebutpicturesquestructureofredstoneandwhiteclayandbleachedcottonwoods，anditstoodattheoutskirtsoftheclusterofgreen-inclosedcabinswhichcomposedthehamlet。Bostilwaswonttosaythatinalltheworldtherecouldhardlybeagranderviewthantheoutlookdownthatgrayseaofrollingsage，downtotheblack-fringedplateausandthewild，blue-rimmedandgold-spiredhorizon。
Onemorninginearlyspring，aswasBostil\'scustom，heorderedtheracerstobebroughtfromthecorralsandturnedlooseontheslope。Helovedtositthereandwatchhishorsesgraze，buteverhesawthattheriderswerecloseathand，andthatthehorsesdidnotgetoutontheslopeofsage。Hesatbackandgloriedinthesight。Heownedbandsofmustangs；nearbywasafieldofthem，fineandmettlesomeandracy；yetBostilhadeyesonlyforthebloodedfavorites。Strangeitwasthatnotoneofthesewasamustangorabrokenwildhorse，formanyoftheriders\'bestmountshadbeencapturedbythemortheIndians。AnditwasBostil\'ssupremeambitiontoownagreatwildstallion。
TherewasPlume，asuperbmarethatgothernamefromthewayhermanesweptinthewindwhenshewasontheran；andtherewasTwoFace，likeacoquette，sleekandglossyandrunningandthehuge，rangybay，DustyBen；andtheblackstallionSarchedon；andlastlySageKing，thecoloroftheuplandsage，aracerinbuild，ahorsesplendidandproudandbeautiful。
\"Where\'sLucy？\"presentlyaskedBostil。
Ashedividedhislove，sohedividedhisanxiety。
SomeriderhadseenLucyridingoff，withhergoldenhairflyinginthewind。
Thiswasanoldstory。
\"She\'suponBuckles？\"Bostilqueried，turningsharplythespeaker。
\"Reckonso，\"wasthecalmreply。
Bostilswore。Hedidnothaveariderwhocouldequalhiminprofanity。
\"Farlane，you\'dorders。Lucy\'snottoridethemhosses，leastofallBuckles。
Heain\'tsafeevenforaman。\"
\"Wal，he\'ssafeferLucy。\"
\"Butdidn\'tIsayno？\"
\"Boss，it\'slikelyyoudid，feryoutalkalot，\"repliedFarlane。\"Lucypulledmyhatdownovermyeyes——toldmetogotothunder——an\'then，zip!shean\'
Bucklesweredustin\'itferthesage。\"
\"She\'sgottokeepoutofthesage，\"growledBostil。\"Itain\'tsafeforheroutthere。Where\'smyglass？Iwanttotakealookattheslope。Where\'smyglass？\"
Theglasscouldnotbefound。
\"What\'smakin\'themdust-cloudsonthesage？Antelope？Holley，youusedtohaveeyesbetter\'nme。Usethem，willyou？\"
Agray-haired，hawk-eyedrider，leanandworn，approachedwithclinkingspurs。
\"Downinthere，\"saidBostil，pointing。
\"Thet\'sabunchofhosses，\"repliedHolley。
\"Wildhosses？\"
\"Itake\'emso，seein\'howtheythrowthetdust。\"
\"Huh!Idon\'tlikeit。Lucyoughtn\'tberidin\'roundalone。\"
\"Wal，boss，whocouldcatchheruponBuckles？Lucycanride。An\'there\'stheKingan\'Sarchrightunderyournose——theonlyhossesonthesagethetcouldoutrunBuckles。\"
Farlaneknewhowtomollifyhismasterandlonghabithadmadehimproficient。
Bostil\'seyesflashed。HewasproudofLucy\'spoweroverahorse。ThestoryBostilfirsttoldtoanystrangerhappeningbytheFordwashowLucyhadbeenbornduringawildride——almost，asitwere，onthebackofahorse。That，atleast，washerfame，andtheriderssworeshewasaworthydaughterofsuchamother。Then，asFarlanewellknew，aquickroadtoBostil\'sgoodwillwastopraiseoneofhisfavorites。
\"Reckonyouspokesenseforonce，Farlane，\"repliedBostil，withrelief。\"I
wasn\'tthinkin\'somuchofdangerforLucy。Butsheletsthethalf-wittedCreechgowithher。\"
\"No，boss，you\'rewrong，\"putinHolley，earnestly。\"Iknowthegirl。ShehasnouseferJoel。Buthejestrunsafterher。\"
\"An\'he\'sharmless，\"addedFarlane。
\"Weain\'tagreed，\"rejoinedBostil，quickly。\"Whatdoyousay，Holley？\"
Theoldriderlookedthoughtfulanddidnotspeakforlong。
\"Wal，Yesan\'no，\"heanswered，finally。\"IreckonLucycouldmakeamanoutofJoel。Butshedoesn\'tcareferhim，an\'thetsettlesthet。An\'maybeJoel\'sleanin\'towardthebad。\"
\"IfshemeetshimagainI\'llropeherinthehouse，\"declaredBostil。
Anotherclear-eyedriderdrewBostil\'sattentionfromthegraywasteofrollingsage。
\"Bostil，look!LookattheKing!He\'swatchin\'fersomethin\'。An\'so\'sSarch。\"
Thetwohorsesnamedwerefacingaridgesomefewhundredyardsdistant，andtheirheadswerealoftandearsstraightforward。SageKingwhistledshrillyandSarchedonbegantoprance。
\"Boys，you\'dbetterdrivethemin，\"saidBostil。\"They\'dlikenothin\'sowellasgettin\'outonthesage。Hullo!what\'sthetshootin\'upbehindtheridge？\"
Nomore\'nBuckleswithLucymakin\'himrunsome，\"repliedHolley，withadrylaugh。
\"Ifitain\'t!Lord!lookathimcome!\"
Bostil\'sangerandanxietymightneverhavebeen。Thelightoftheuplandrider\'sjoyshoneinhiskeengaze。Theslopebeforehimwasopen，andalmostlevel，downtotheridgethathadhiddenthemissinggirlandhorse。Buckleswasrunningfortheloveofrunning，asthegirllowdownoverhisneckwasridingfortheloveofriding。TheSageKingwhistledagain，andshotoffwithgracefulsweeptomeetthem；Sarchedonplungedafterhim；TwoFaceandPlumejealouslytroopeddown，too，butDustyBen，afteratossofhishead，wentongrazing。ThegrayandtheblackmetBucklesandcouldnotturnintimetostaywithhim。Agirl\'sgayscreampealeduptheslope，andBuckleswentlowerandfaster。Sarchedonwasleftbehind。ThenthegrayKingbegantorunasifbeforehehadbeenloping。Hewasbeautifulinaction。Thiswasplay——agame——arace——plainlydominatedbythespiritofthegirl。Lucy\'shairwasabrightstreamofgoldinthewind。Sherodebareback。ItseemedthatshewashunchedlowoverBuckleswithherkneeshighonhisback——scarcelyastridehimatall。Yethermotionwasonewiththehorse。Againthatwild，gayscreampealedout——callorlaughorchallenge。SageKing，withafleetnessthatmadetheeyesofBostilandhisridersglisten，tookthelead，andthensheeredofftoslowdown，whileBucklesthunderedpast。Lucywaspullinghimhard，andhadhimplungingtoahalt，whentheriderHolleyranouttograsphisbridle。
Buckleswassnortingandhisearswerelaidback。Hepoundedthegroundandscatteredthepebbles。
\"Nouse，Lucy，\"saidBostil。\"Youcan\'tbeattheKingatyourowngame，evenwitharunnin\'start。\"
LucyBostil\'seyeswereblue，askeenasherfather\'s，andnowtheyflashedlikehis。Shehadahandtwistedinthehorse\'slongmane，andas，litheandsupple，sheslippedakneeacrosshisbroadbacksheshookalittlegantletedfistatBostil\'sgrayracer。
\"SageKing，Ihateyou!\"shecalled，asifthehorsewerehuman。\"AndI\'llbeatyousomeday!\"
BostilsworebythegodshisSageKingwastheswiftesthorseinallthatwilduplandcountryofwonderfulhorses。Hesworethegreatgraycouldlookbackoverhisshoulderandrunawayfromanybrokenhorseknowntotheriders。
Bostilhimselfwashalfhorse，andthehalfofhimthatwashumanhedividedbetweenloveofhisfleetracersandhisdaughterLucy。HehadseenyearsofhardridingonthatwildUtahborderwhere，inthosedays，ahorsemeantalltheworldtoaman。AluckystrikeofgrassyuplandandgoodwatersouthoftheRioColoradomadehimrichinallthathecaredtoown。TheIndians，yetunspoiledbywhitemen，werefriendly。BostilbuiltaboatattheIndiancrossingoftheColoradoandtheplacebecameknownasBostil\'sFord。Fromtimetotimehispersonalityandhisreputationandhisneedbroughthorse-hunters，riders，sheep-herders，andmenofpioneerspirit，aswellaswanderingdeserttravelers，totheFord，andthelonely，isolatedhamletslowlygrew。Northoftheriveritwasmorethantwohundredmilestothenearestlittlesettlement，withonlyafewlonelyranchesontheroad；tothewestwereseveralvillages，equallydistant，butcutofffortwomonthsatatimebytheragingColorado，floodedbymeltingsnowupinthemountains。
EastwardfromtheFordstretchedaghastly，broken，unknowndesertofcanyons。
Southwardrolledthebeautifuluplands，withvalleysofsageandgrass，andplateausofpineandcedar，untilthisrichrollinggrayandgreenrangebrokesharplyonapurplehorizonlineofupflungrockyrampartsandwallsandmonuments，wild，dim，andmysterious。
Bostil\'scattleandhorseswerenumberless，andmanyaswerehisriders，healwayscouldusemore。ButmostridersdidnotabidelongwithBostil，firstbecausesomeofthemwereofawanderingbreed，wild-horsehuntersthemselves；
andsecondly，Bostilhadtwogreatfaults:heseldompaidariderinmoney，andheneverpermittedonetoownafleethorse。Hewantedtoownallthefasthorseshimself。Andinthosedayseveryrider，especiallyawild-horsehunter，lovedhissteedaspartofhimself。IftherewasadifferencebetweenBostilandanyriderofthesage，itwasthat，ashehadmorehorses，sohehadmorelove。
WheneverBostilcouldnotgetpossessionofahorsehecoveted，eitherbypurchaseortrade，heinvariablyacquiredagrievancetowardtheowner。Thishappenedoften，forriderswereloathtopartwiththeirfavorites。Andhehadmademorethanoneenemybyhispersistentnagging。Itcouldnotbesaid，however，thathesoughttodrivehardbargains。Bostilwouldpayanypriceaskedforahorse。
AcrosstheColorado，inahigh，red-walledcanyonopeningupontheriver，livedapoorsheep-herderandhorse-tradernamedCreech。Thismanownedanumberofthoroughbreds，twoofwhichhewouldnotpartwithforallthegoldintheuplands。Theseracers，BlueRoanandPeg，hadbeencapturedwildontherangesbyUteIndiansandbrokentoracing。Theywerestillyoungandgettingfastereveryyear。Bostilwantedthembecausehecovetedthemandbecausehefearedthem。Itwouldhavebeenaterribleblowtohimifanyhorseeverbeatthegray。ButCreechlaughedatalloffersandtauntedBostilwithaboastthatinanothersummerhewouldseeahorseoutinfrontoftheKing。
TocomplicatemattersandleadrivalryintohatredyoungJoelCreech，agreathorseman，butworthlessintheeyesofallsavehisfather，hadbeenheardtosaythatsomedayhewouldforcearacebetweentheKingandBlueRoan。Andthatthreathadbeentakeninvariousways。ItalienatedBostilbeyondallhopeofreconciliation。ItmadeLucyBostillaughandlooksweetlymysterious。
Shehadnoenemiesandshelikedeverybody。ItwasevengossipedbythewomenofBostil\'sFordthatshehadmorethanlikingfortheidleJoel。ButthehusbandsofthesegossipssaidLucywasonlytender-hearted。Amongtheriders，whentheysataroundtheirlonelycamp-fires，orloungedatthecorralsoftheFord，therewasspeculationinregardtothisracehintedbyJoelCreech。
ThereneverhadbeenaracebetweentheKingandBlueRoan，andthereneverwouldbe，unlessJoelweretorideoffwithLucy。Inthatcasetherewouldbethegrandestraceeverrunontheuplands，withtheoddsagainstBlueRoanonlyifhecarrieddouble。IfJoelputLucyupontheRoanandherodePegtherewouldbeanotherstory。LucyBostilwasaslipofagirl，bornonahorse，asstrongandsuppleasanIndian，andshecouldridelikeaburrstickinginahorse\'smane。WithBlueRoancarryingherlightweightshemightrunawayfromanyoneupontheKing——whichforBostilwouldbeadoubletragedy，equallyinthelossofhisdaughterandthebeatingofhisbest-belovedracer。ButwithJoelonPeg，sucharacewouldendinheartbreakforallconcerned，fortheKingwouldoutrunPeg，andthatwouldbringriderswithingunshot。
Ithadalwaysbeenafascinatingsubject，thislong-looked-forrace。ItgrewmoresowhenJoel\'sinfatuationforLucybecameknown。TherewerefewerriderswhobelievedLucymightelopewithJoelthantherewerewhobelievedJoelmightstealhisfather\'shorses。Butalltheriderswholovedhorsesandallthewomenwholovedgossipwereunitedinatleastonething，andthatwasthatsomethinglikearaceoraromancewouldsoondisruptthepeaceful，sleepytenorofBostil\'sFord。
InadditiontoBostil\'sgrowinghatredfortheCreeches，hehadagreatfearofCordts，thehorse-thief。Afeareverrestless，everwatchful。Cordtshidbackintheuntroddenways。Hehadsecretfriendsamongtheridersoftheranges，faithfulfollowersbackinthecanyoncamps，goldforthedigging，cattlebythethousand，andfasthorses。Hehadalwaysgottenwhathewanted——exceptonething。Thatwasacertainhorse。AndthehorsewasSageKing。
Cordtswasabadman，aproductoftheearlygold-fieldsofCaliforniaandIdaho，anoutcastfromthatevilwaveofwanderersretreatingbackoverthetrailssomadlytraveledwestward。Hebecamealordoverthefreeranges。Butmorethanallelsehewasarider。Heknewahorse。HewasasmuchhorseasBostil。Cordtsrodeintothiswildfree-rangecountry，wherehehadbeen，heardtosaythatahorse-thiefwasmeanerthanapoisonedcoyote。
Nevertheless，hebecameahorse-thief。ThepassionhehadconceivedfortheSageKingwasthepassionofamanforanunattainablewoman。Cordtssworethathewouldneverrest，thathewouldnotdie，tillheownedtheKing。SotherewasreasonforBostil\'sgreatfear。
CHAPTERII
Bostilwenttowardthehousewithhisdaughter，turningatthedoortocallalastwordtohisridersaboutthecareofhishorses。
Thehousewasalow，flat，widestructure，withacorridorrunningthroughthemiddle，fromwhichdoorsledintotheadobe-walledrooms。Thewindowsweresmallopeningshighup，evidentlyintendedfordefenseaswellaslight，andtheyhadrudewoodenshutters。Thefloorwasclay，coveredeverywherebyIndianblankets。Apioneer\'shomeitwas，simpleandcrude，yetcomfortable，andhavingtherarequalitypeculiartodeserthomesitwascoolinsummerandwarminwinter。
AsBostilenteredwithhisarmroundLucyabighoundrosefromthehearth。
Thisroomwasimmense，runningthelengthofthehouse，anditcontainedahugestonefireplace，whereakettlesmokedfragrantly，andrudehome-madechairswithblanketcoverings，andtablestomatch，andwallscoveredwithbridles，guns，pistols，Indianweaponsandornaments，andtrophiesofthechase。Inafarcornerstoodawork-bench，withtoolsuponitandhorsetrappingsunderit。Intheoppositecomeradoorledintothekitchen。ThisroomwasBostil\'sfamousliving-room，inwhichmanythingshadhappened，someofwhichhadhelpedmakedeserthistoryandwerenevermentionedbyBostil。
Bostil\'ssistercameinfromthekitchen。Shewasahugepersonwithasevereyetmotherlyface。Shehadherhandsonherhips，andshecastaratherdisapprovingglanceatfatheranddaughter。
\"Soyou\'rebackagain？\"shequeried，severely。
\"Sure，Auntie，\"repliedthegirl，complacently。
\"YouranofftogetoutofseeingWetherby，didn\'tyou？\"
Lucystaredsweetlyatheraunt。
\"Hewaswaitingforhours，\"wentontheworthywoman。\"Ineversawamaninsuchastew。Nowonder，playingfastandloosewithhimthewayyoudo。\"
\"ItoldhimNo!\"flashedLucy。
\"ButWetherby\'snotthekindtotakeno。AndI\'mnotsatisfiedtoletyoumeanit。LucyBostil，youdon\'tknowyourmindanhourstraightrunning。You\'vefooledenoughwiththeseridersofyourDad\'s。Ifyou\'renotcarefulyou\'llmarryoneofthem。Oneofthesewildriders!AsbadasaUteIndian!。Wetherbyisyoungandheidolizesyou。Inallcommonsensewhydon\'tyoutakehim？\"
\"Idon\'tcareforhim，\"repliedLucy。
\"Youlikehimaswellasanybody。JohnBostil，whatdoyousay？YouapprovedofWetherby。IheardyoutellhimLucywaslikeanunbrokencoltandthatyou\'d——\"
\"Sure，IlikeJim，\"interruptedBostil；andheavoidedLucy\'sswiftlook。
\"Well？\"demandedhissister。
EvidentlyBostilfoundhimselfinacornerbetweentwofires。Helookedsheepish，thendisgusted。
\"Dad!\"exclaimedLucy，reproachfully。
\"Seehere，Jane，\"saidBostil，withanairoffinality，\"thegirlisofageto-day——an\'shecandowhatshedamnpleases!\"
\"That\'safinethingforyoutosay，\"retortedAuntJane。\"Likeasnotshe\'llbefetchingthathang-dogJoelCreechuphereforyoutosupport。\"
\"Auntie!\"criedLucy，hereyesblazing。
\"Oh，child，youtormentme——worrymeso，\"saidthedisappointedwoman。\"It\'sallforyoursake。Lookatyou，LucyBostil!Agirlofeighteenwhocomesofafamily!Andyouridingaroundandgoingaroundasyouarenow——inaman\'sclothes!\"
\"But，youdearoldgoose，Ican\'trideinawoman\'sskirt，\"expostulatedLucy。
\"Mindyou，Auntie，IcanRIDE!\"
\"Lucy，ifIlivehereforeverI\'dnevergetreconciledtoaBostilwomaninleatherpants。WeBostilsweresomebodyonce，backinMissouri。\"
Bostillaughed。\"Yes，an\'ifIhadn\'thitthetrailwestwe\'dbestarvin\'yet。
Jane，you\'reasentimentaloldfool。Letthegirlalonean\'reconcileyourselftothiswilderness。\"
AuntJane\'seyeswerewetwithtears。Lucy，seeingthem，rantoherandhuggedandkissedher。
\"Auntie，Iwillpromise——fromto-day——tohavesomedignity。I\'vebeenfreeasaboyintheseriderclothes。AsIamnowthemenneverseemtoregardmeasagirl。Somehowthat\'sbetter。Ican\'texplain，butIlikeit。Mydressesarewhathavecausedallthetrouble。Iknowthat。ButifI\'mgrownup——ifit\'ssotremendous——thenI\'llwearadressallthetime，exceptjustWHENIride。
Willthatdo，Auntie？\"
\"Maybeyouwillgrowup，afterall，\"repliedAuntJane，evidentlysurprisedandpleased。
ThenLucywithclinkingspursranawaytoherroom。
\"Jane，what\'sthisnonsenseaboutyoungJoelCreech？\"askedBostil，gruffly。
\"Idon\'tknowanymorethanisgossiped。ThatItoldyou。HaveyoueveraskedLucyabouthim？\"
\"Isurehaven\'t，\"saidBostil，bluntly。
\"Well，askher。Ifshetellsyouatallshe\'lltellthetruth。Lucy\'dneversleepatnightifshelied。\"
AuntJanereturnedtoherhousewifelytasks，leavingBostilthoughtfullystrokingthehoundandwatchingthefire。PresentlyLucyreturned——adifferentLucy——onethatdidnotrousehisrider\'spride，butthrilledhisfather\'sheart。Shehadbeenaslim，lithe，supple，disheveledboy，breathingthewildspiritoftheopenandthehorsesherode。Shewasnowagirlinthegracefulroundnessofherslenderform，withhairthegoldofthesageatsunset，andeyestheblueofthedeephazeofdistance，andlipsthesweetredoftheuplandrose。Andallaboutherseemeddifferent。
\"Lucy——youlook——like——likesheusedtobe，\"saidBostil，unsteadily。
\"Mymother!\"murmuredLucy。
Butthesetwo，sokeen，sostrong，soalive，didnotabidelongwithsadmemories。
\"Lucy，Iwanttoaskyousomethin\'，\"saidBostil，presently。\"WhataboutthisyoungJoelCreech？\"
Lucystartedasifsuddenlyrecalled，thenshelaughedmerrily。\"Dad，youoldfox，didyouseehimrideoutafterme？\"
\"No。Iwasjustaskin\'on——ongeneralprinciples。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"
\"Lucy，isthereanythin\'betweenyouan\'Joel？\"heasked，gravely。
\"No，\"shereplied，withhercleareyesuptohis。
Bostilthoughtofabluebell。\"I\'mbeggin\'yourpardon，\"hesaid，hastily。
\"Dad，youknowhowJoelrunsafterme。I\'vetoldyou。Ilethimtilllately。I
likedhim。Butthatwasn\'twhy。Ifeltsorryforhim——pitiedhim。\"
\"Youdid？Seemsanawfulwaste，\"repliedBostil。
\"Dad，Idon\'tbelieveJoelis——perfectlyrightinhismind，\"Lucysaid，solemnly。
\"Haw!haw!Finecomplimentsyou\'repayin\'yourself。\"
\"Listen。I\'mserious。ImeanI\'vegrowntosee——lookingback——thataslow，gradualchangehascomeoverJoelsincehewaskickedintheheadbyamustang。I\'msurenooneelsehasnoticedit。\"
\"Goin\'battyoveryou。That\'snounusualsignroundthisherecamp。Lookat——\"
\"We\'retalkingaboutJoelCreech。Latelyhehasdonesomequeerthings。
To-day，forinstance。IthoughtIgavehimtheslip。Buthemusthavebeenwatching。Anyway，tomysurpriseheshoweduponPeg。Hedoesn\'toftengetPegacrosstheriver。Hesaidthefeedwasgettingscarceoverthere。IwasdyingtoraceBucklesagainstPeg，butIrememberedyouwouldn\'tlikethat。\"
\"Ishouldsaynot，\"saidBostil，darkly。
\"Well，Joelcaughtuptome——andhewasn\'tniceatall。Hewasworseto-day。
Wequarreled。IsaidI\'dbethe\'dneverfollowmeagainandhesaidhe\'dbethewould。Thenhegotsulkyandhungback。Irodeaway，gladtoberidofhim，andIclimbedtoafavoriteplaceofmine。OnmywayhomeIsawPeggrazingontherimofthecreek，nearthatbigspring-holewherethewater\'ssodeepandclear。Andwhatdoyouthink？TherewasJoel\'sheadabovethewater。I
rememberedinourquarrelIhadtoldhimtogowashhisdirtyface。Hewasdoingit。Ihadtolaugh。Whenhesawme——he——then——thenhe——\"Lucyfaltered，blushingwithangerandshame。
\"Well，whatthen？\"demandedBostil，quietly。
\"Hecalled，\'Hey，Luce——takeoffyourclothesandcomeinforaswim!\'\"
Bostilswore。
\"ItellyouIwasmad，\"continuedLucy，\"andjustassurprised。Thatwasoneofthequeerthings。Butneverbeforehadhedaredto——to-\"
\"Insultyou。Thenwhat\'dyoudo？\"interruptedBostil，curiously。
\"Iyelled，\'I\'llfixyou，JoelCreech!\'。Hisclotheswereinapileonthebank。AtfirstIthoughtI\'dthrowtheminthewater，butwhenIgottothemI
thoughtofsomethingbetter。Itookupallbuthisshoes，forIrememberedthetenmilesofrockandcactusbetweenhimandhome，andIclimbeduponBuckles。Joelscreamedandsworesomethingfearful。ButIdidn\'tlookback。
AndPeg，youknow——maybeyoudon\'tknow——butPegisfondofme，andhefollowedme，straddlinghisbridleallthewayin。IdroppedJoel\'sclothesdowntheridgeaways，rightinthetrail，sohecan\'tmissthem。Andthat\'sall。Dad，wasit——wasitverybad？\"
\"Bad!Why，yououghttohavethrownyourgunonhim。Atleastbouncedarockoffhishead!Butsay，Lucy，afterall，maybeyou\'vedoneenough。Iguessyouneverthoughtofit。\"
\"What？\"
\"Thesunishotto-day。Hot!An\'ifJoel\'sascrazyan\'madasyousayhe\'llnothavesenseenoughtostayinthewaterorshadetillthesun\'sgonedown。
An\'ifhetacklesthattenmilesbeforehe\'llsunburnhimselfwithinaninchofhislife。\"
\"Sunburn？Oh，Dad!I\'msorry，\"burstoutLucy，contritely。\"Ineverthoughtofthat。I\'llridebackwithhisclothes。\"
\"Youwillnot，\"saidBostil。
\"Letmesendsomeone，then，\"sheentreated。
\"Girl，haven\'tyouthenervetoplayyourowngame？LetCreechgethislesson。
Hedeservesit。An\'now，Lucy，I\'vetwomorequestionstoask。\"
\"Onlytwo？\"shequeried，archly。\"Dad，don\'tscoldmewithquestions。\"
\"WhatshallIsaytoWetherbyforgoodan\'all？\"
Lucy\'seyesshadeddreamily，andsheseemedtolookbeyondtheroom，outovertheranges。
\"TellhimtogobacktoDurangoandforgetthefoolishgirlwhocancareonlyforthedesertandahorse。\"
\"Allright。Thatisstraighttalk，likeanIndian\'s。An\'nowthelastquestion——whatdoyouwantforabirthdaypresent？\"
\"Oh，ofcourse，\"shecried，gleefullyclappingherhands。I\'dforgottenthat。
I\'meighteen!\"
\"Yougetthatoldchestofyourmother\'s。Butwhatfromme？\"
\"Dad，willyougivemeanythingIaskfor？\"
\"Yes，mygirl。\"
\"Anything——anyHORSE？\"
Lucyknewhisweakness，forshehadinheritedit。
\"Sure；anyhorsebuttheKing。\"
\"HowaboutSarchedon？\"
\"Why，Lucy，what\'dyoudowiththatbigblackdevil？He\'stoohigh。Seventeenhandshigh!Youcouldn\'tmounthim。\"
\"Pooh!SarchKNEELSforme。\"
\"Child，listentoreason。Sarchwouldpullyourarmsoutoftheirsockets。\"
\"Hehasgotanironjaw，\"agreedLucy。\"Well，then——howaboutDustyBen？\"Shewastormentingherfatherandshediditwithglee。
\"No——notBen。He\'sthefaithfulesthossIeverowned。Itwouldn\'tbefairtopartwithhim，eventoyou。Oldassociationsarider\'sloyalty
now，Lucy，youknow——\"
\"Dad，you\'reafraidI\'dtrainandloveBenintobeatingtheKing。SomedayI\'llridesomehorseoutinfrontofthegray。Remember，Dad!ThengivemeTwoFace。\"
\"Surenother，Lucy。Thetmarecan\'tbetrusted。LookwhywenamedherTwoFace。\"
\"Buckles，then，deargenerousDaddywholongstogivehisgrown-upgirlANYTHING!\"
\"Lucy，can\'tyoubesatisfiedan\'happywithyourmustangs？You\'vegotadozen。Youcanhaveanyothersontherange。Bucklesain\'tsafeforyoutoride。\"
Bostilwasnotablythemostgenerousofmen，thekindestoffathers。Itwasanindicationofhisstrangeobsession，inregardtohorses，thatheneverwouldseethatLucywasteasinghim。Asfarashorseswereconcernedhelackedasenseofhumor。Anythingconnectedwithhishorseswasofintenseinterest。
\"I\'ddearlylovetoownPlume，\"saidLucy，demurely。
Bostilhadgrownredinthefaceandnowhewasontherack。Themonstrousselfishnessofariderwhohadbeensupremeinhisdaycouldnotbechanged。
\"Girl，I——Ithoughtyouhadn\'tnouseforPlume，\"hestammered。
\"Ihaven\'t——thejade!Shethrewmeonce。I\'veneverforgivenherDad，I\'monlyteasingyou。Don\'tIknowyoucouldn\'tgiveoneofthoseracersaway？
Youcouldn\'t!\"
\"Lucy，Ireckonyou\'reright，\"Bostilburstoutinimmenserelief。
\"Dad，I\'llbetifCordtsgetsmeandholdsmeasransomfortheKing——ashe\'sthreatened——you\'lllethimhaveme!\"
\"Lucy，nowthetain\'tfunny!\"complainedthefather。
\"DearDad，keepyouroldracers!But，remember，I\'mmyfather\'sdaughter。I
canloveahorse，too。Oh，ifIevergettheoneIwanttolove!Awildhorse——adesertstallion——pureArabian——brokenrightbyanIndian!IfIevergethim，Dad，youlookout!ForI\'llrunawayfromSarchandBen——andI\'llbeattheKing!\"
ThehamletofBostil\'sFordhadasingularsituation，though，consideringthewonderfulnatureofthatdesertcountry，itwasnotexceptional。ItlayundertheprotectingredbluffthatonlyLucyBostilcaredtoclimb。Ahard-troddenroadwounddownthroughroughbreaksinthecanyonwalltotheriver。Bostil\'shouse，attheheadofthevillage，lookedintheoppositedirection，downthesageslopethatwidenedlikeacolossalfan。Therewasonewidestreetborderedbycottonwoodsandcabins，andanumberofgardensandorchards，beginningtoburstintogreenandpinkandwhite。Abrookranoutofaravineinthehugebluff，andfromthisledirrigationditches。Theredearthseemedtoblossomatthetouchofwater。
TheplaceresembledanIndianencampment——quiet，sleepy，colorful，withthetiny-streamsofwaterrunningeverywhere，andlazycolumnsofbluewood-smokerising。Bostil\'sFordwastheoppositeofabusyvillage，yetitsfewinhabitants，asawhole，wereprosperous。Thewantsofpioneerswerefew。
Perhapsonceamonththebig，clumsyflatboatwasrowedacrosstheriverwithhorsesorcattleorsheep。Andtheseasonwasnowcloseathandwhenforweeks，sometimesmonths，theriverwasunfordable。Therewereascoreofpermanentfamilies，ahostofmerry，sturdychildren，anumberofidleyoungmen，andonlyonegirl——LucyBostil。Butthevillagealwayshadtransientinhabitants——friendlyUtesandNavajosintotrade，andsheep-herderswithascraggy，woollyflock，andtravelersofthestrangereligioussectidentifiedwithUtahgoingonintothewilderness。Thentherewerealwaysriderspassingtoandfro，andsometimesunknownonesregardedwithcaution。Horse-thievessometimesboldlyrodein，andsometimeswereabletosellortrade。Inthematterofhorse-dealingBostil\'sFordwasasboldasthethieves。
OldBrackton，amanofvariedWesternexperience，kepttheonestore，whichwastavern，trading-post，freighter\'sheadquarters，blacksmith\'sshop，andanythingelseneedful。Bracktonemployedriders，teamsters，sometimesIndians，tofreightsuppliesinonceamonthfromDurango。Andthatwasovertwohundredmilesaway。Sometimesthesuppliesdidnotarriveontime——occasionallynotatall。Newsfromtheoutsideworld，exceptthatelicitedfromthetaciturntravelersmarchingintoUtah，driftedinatintervals。Butitwasnotmissed。
Thesewildernessspiritsweretheforerunnersofagreat，movement，andassuchwerebig，strong，stern，sufficientuntothemselves。Lifetherewasmadepossiblebyhorses。Thedistantfuture，thatlookedbrighttofar-seeingmen，mustbeandcouldonlybefulfilledthroughtheenduranceandfaithfulnessofhorses。Andthen，fromthesemen，horsesreceivedthemeedduethem，andthelovetheyweretrulyworth。TheNavajowasanomadhorseman，anArabofthePaintedDesert，andtheUteIndianwasclosetohim。Itwastheywhodevelopedthewhiteridersoftheuplandsaswellasthewild-horsewranglerorhunter。
Brackton\'sramshackleestablishmentstooddownattheendofthevillagestreet。Therewasnotasawedboardinallthatstructure，andsomeofthepinelogsshowedhowtheyhadbeendroppedfromthebluff。Brackton，alittleoldgrayman，withscantbeard，andeyeslikethoseofabird，camebrisklyouttomeetanincomingfreighter。Thewagonwasminusahindwheel，buttheteamsterhadcomeinonthreewheelsandapole。Thesweaty，dust-caked，weary，thin-ribbedmustangs，andthegray-and-red-stainedwagon，andthehugejumbleofdustypacks，showedsomethingofwhatthejourneyhadbeen。
\"Hithar，RedWilson，youairsomelategettin\'in，\"greetedoldBrackton。
RedWilsonhadredeyesfromfightingtheflyingsand，andreddustpastedinhisscraggybeard，andashegavehisbeltanupwardhitchlittleredcloudsflewfromhisgun-sheath。
\"Yep。An\'Ileftawheelan\'partoftheloadonthetrail，\"hesaid。
WithhimwereIndianswhobegantounhitchtheteams。RidersloungingintheshadegreetedWilsonandinquiredfornews。Theteamsterrepliedthattravelwasdry，thewater-holesweredry，andhewasdry。Andhisreplygavebothconcernandamusement。
\"Onemoretripoutan\'back——thet\'sall，tillitrains，\"concludedWilson。
Bracktonledhiminside，evidentlytoalleviatepartofthatdryness。
Waterandgrass，nexttohorses，werethestocksubjectofallriders。
\"It\'sgotoncommonhotearly，\"saidone。
\"Yes，an\'themnortheastwinds——hardthisspring，\"saidanother。
\"Nosnowontheuplands。\"
\"Holleyseenadryspellcomin\'。Wal，wecandriftalongwithoutfreighters。
There\'sgrassan\'waterenoughhere，evenifitdoesn\'train。\"
\"Sure，butthereain\'tnoneacrosstheriver。\"
\"Neverwas，inearlyseason。An\'iftherewasit\'dbesheepedoff。\"
\"Creech\'llbefetchin\'hishossesacrosssoon，Ireckon。\"
\"Youbethewill。He\'strainin\'fortheracesnextmonth。\"
\"An\'whenairtheycomin\'off？\"
\"Yougotme。MebbeVanknows。\"
Someoneproddedasleepyriderwholayallhissplendidlithelength，hatoverhiseyes。Thenhesatupandblinked，alean-faced，gray-eyedfellow，halfgood-naturedandhalfresentful。
\"Didsomebodypunchme？\"
\"Naw，yougotnightmare!Say，Van，whenwilltheracescomeoff？\"
\"Huh!An，youwokemeforthet？Bostilsaysinafewweeks，soonashehearsfromtheIndians。PlanstohaveeighthundredIndianshere，an\'thebiggestpursesan\'bestraceseverhadattheFord。\"
\"You\'llridetheKingagain？\"
\"Reckonso。ButBostiliskickin\'becauseI\'mheavierthanIwas，\"repliedtherider。
\"You\'reskinan\'bonesatthet。\"
\"Mebbeyou\'llneedtoworkalittleoff，Van。SomeonesaidCreech\'sBlueRoanwascomin\'fastthisyear。\"
\"Bill，yourmindain\'toperatin\'，\"repliedVan，scornfully。\"Didn\'tIbeatCreech\'shosseslastyearwithouttheKingturnin\'ahair？\"
\"NotifIrecollect，youdidn\'t。TheBlueRoanwasn\'trunnin\'。\"
Thentheyargued，afterthemanneroffriendlyriders，butallearnest，aneloquentintheirconvictions。TheprevailingopinionwasthatCreech\'shorsehadachance，dependinguponconditionandluck。
Theargumentshifteduponthearrivaloftwonew-comers，leadingmustangsandapparentlytalkingtrade。Itwasmanifestthatthesearrivalswerenotloathtogettheopinionsofothers。
\"Van，there\'sahoss!\"exclaimedone。
\"No，heain\'t，\"repliedVan。
Andthatdiversejudgmentappearedtobecharacteristicthroughout。ThestrangethingwasthatMacomber，therancher，hadalreadytradedhismustangandmoneytobootforthesorrel。Thedeal，whetherwiseornot，hadbeenconsummated。BracktoncameoutwithRedWilson，andtheyhadtohavetheirsay。
\"Wal，durnedifsomeofyoufellersain\'tkindan\'complimentary，\"remarkedMacomber，scratchinghishead。\"Buttheneveryfellercan\'thavehosssense。\"