\"ByG——d——I——got——arope-onhim!\"criedSlone，inhoarsepants。
Hestared，unbelieving。Itwasunreal，thatsight——unrealliketheslow，grindingmovementoftheavalancheunderhim。Wildfire\'sheadseemedademonheadofhate。Itreachedout，mouthagape，tobite，torend。Thathorriblescreamcouldnotbethescreamofahorse。
Slonewasawild-horsehunter，arider，andwhenthatsecondofincredulityflashedby，thencamethemomentoftriumph。Nomomentcouldeverequalthatone，whenherealizedhestoodtherewitharopearoundthatgrandstallion\'sneck。Allthedaysandthemilesandthetoilandtheenduranceandthehopelessnessandthehungerwerepaidforinthatmoment。Hisheartseemedtoolargeforhisbreast。
\"Itracked——you!\"hecried，savagely。\"Istayed——withyou!An\'Igotarope——onyou!An\'——I\'llrideyou——youreddevil!\"
Thepassionofthemanwasintense。Thatendless，rackingpursuithadbroughtoutallthehardnessthedeserthadengenderedinhim。Almosthate，insteadoflove，spokeinSlone\'swords。Hehauledonthelasso，pullingthestallion\'sheaddownanddown。Theactionwasthelustofcaptureaswellastherider\'sinstinctivemotivetomakethehorsefearhim。Lifewasunquenchablywildandstronginthatstallion；itshowedintheterrorwhichmadehimhideous。Andmanandbeastsomehowresembledeachotherinthatmomentwhichwasinimicaltonoblelife。
Theavalancheslippedwithlittlejerks，asiftreacherouslyloosingitsholdforalongplunge。Thelineoffirebelowateatthebleachedgrassandthelongcolumnofsmokecurledawayonthewind。
Sloneheldthetautlassowithhislefthand，andwiththerightheswungtheotherrope，catchingthenooseroundWildfire\'snose。Thenlettinggoofthefirstropehehauledontheother，pullingtheheadofthestallionfardown。
HandoverhandSloneclosedinonthehorse。HeleapedonWildfire\'shead，presseditdown，and，holdingitdownonthesandwithhisknees，withswiftfingershetiedthenooseinahackamore——animprovisedhalter。Then，justasswiftly，heboundhisscarftightroundWildfire\'shead，blindfoldinghim。
\"Allsoeasy!\"exclaimedSlone，underhisbreath。\"Lord!whowouldbelieveit!。Isitadream？\"
Heroseandletthestallionhaveafreehead。
\"Wildfire，Igotaropeonyou——an\'ahackamore——an\'ablinder，\"saidSlone。
\"An\'ifIhadabridleI\'dputthatonyou。Who\'deverbelieveyou\'dcatchyourself，draggin\'inthesand？\"
Slone，findinghimselffailingonthesand，grewalivetotheaugmentedmovementoftheavalanche。Ithadbeguntoslide，toheaveandbulgeandcrack。Dustroseincloudsfromallaround。Thesandappearedtoopenandlethimsinktohisknees。Therattleofgravelwasdrownedinasoftroar。Thenheshotdownswiftly，holdingthelassoes，keepinghimselferect，andridingasifinaboat。Hefeltthesuccessivestepsoftheslope，andthenthelonginclinebelow，andthenthecheckingandrisingandspreadingoftheavalancheasitsloweddownonthelevel。Allmovementthenwascheckedviolently。Heappearedtobehalfburiedinsand。Whilehestruggledtoextricatehimselfthethickdustblewawayandsettledsothathecouldsee。Wildfirelaybeforehim，attheedgeoftheslide，andnowhewasnotsodeeplyembeddedashehadbeenupontheslope。Hewasstrugglingandprobablysoonwouldhavebeenabletogetout。Thelineoffirewasclosenow，butSlonedidnotfearthat。
AthisshrillwhistleNaggerboundedtowardhim，obedient，butsnorting，withearslaidback。Hehalted。Asecondwhistlestartedhimagain。Slonefinallydughimselfoutofthesand，pulledthelassoesout，andranthelengthofthemtowardNagger。Theblackshowedbothfearandfight。Hiseyesroiledandhehalfshiedaway。
\"Comeon!\"calledSlone，harshly。
Hegotahandonthehorse，pulledhimround，and，mountinginaflash，woundbothlassoesroundthepommelofthesaddle。
\"Haulhimout，Nagger，oldboy!\"criedSlone，andhedugspursintotheblack。
OneplungeofNagger\'sslidthestallionoutofthesand。Snorting，wild，blinded，Wildfiregotup，shakingineverylimb。Hecouldnotseehisenemies。
Theblowingsmoke，rightinhisnose，madescentimpossible。Butinthetautlassoeshesensedthedirectionofhiscaptors。Heplunged，rearingattheendoftheplunge，andstruckoutviciouslywithhishoofs。Slone，quickwithspurandbridle，swervedNaggerasideandWildfire，offhisbalance，wentdownwithacrash。Slonedraggedhim，stretchedhimout，pulledhimovertwicebeforehegotforefeetplanted。Onceup，herearedagain，screechinghisrage，strikingwildlywithhishoofs。Slonewheeledasideandtoppledhimoveragain。
\"Wildfire，it\'snofairfight，\"hecalled，grimly。\"Butyouledmeachase……An\'youlearnrightnowI\'mboss!\"
Againhedraggedthestallion。Hewasruthless。Hewouldhavetobeso，stoppingjustshortofmaimingorkillingthehorse，elsehewouldneverbreakhim。ButWildfirewasnimble。Hegottohisfeetandthistimehelungedout。
Nagger，powerfulashewas，couldnotsustainthetremendousshock，andwentdown。Slonesavedhimselfwitharider\'ssuppleskill，fallingclearofthehorse，andheleapedagainintothesaddleasNaggerpoundedup。Naggerbracedhishugeframeandheldtheplungingstallion。Butthesaddleslippedalittle，thecinchescracked。SloneeasedthestrainbywheelingafterWildfire。
Thehorseshadworkedawayfromthefire，andWildfire，freeofthestiflingsmoke，begantobreakandlungeandpitch，plungingroundNaggerinacircle，runningblindly，butwithunerringscent。Slone，bymasterlyhorsemanship，easilyavoidedtherushes，andmadeapivotofNagger，roundwhichthewildhorsedashedinhisfrenzy。Itseemedthathenolongertriedtofreehimself。
Helungedtokill。
\"Steady，Nagger，oldboy!\"Slonekeptcalling。\"He\'llnevergetatyou。
IfheslipsthatblinderI\'llkillhim!\"
Thestallionwasafiendinhisfury，quickerthanapanther，wonderfulonhisfeet，andpowerfulasanox。Buthewasatadisadvantage。Hecouldnotsee。
AndSlone，inhisspokenintentiontokillWildfireshouldthescarfslip，acknowledgedthatheneverwouldhaveachancetomasterthestallion。
Wildfirewasbigger，faster，strongerthanSlonehadbelieved，andasforspirit，thatwasagrandandfearfulthingtosee。
ThesoftsandinthepasswasploweddeepbeforeWildfirepausedinhismadplunges。Hewaswetandheaving。Hisredcoatseemedtoblaze。Hismanestoodupandhisearslayflat。
Sloneuncoiledthelassoesfromthepommelandslackedthemalittle。Wildfirestoodup，strikingattheair，snortingfiercely。SlonetriedtowheelNaggerinclosebehindthestallion。Bothhorseandmannarrowlyescapedthevicioushoofs。ButSlonehadclosedin。HetookadesperatechanceandspurredNaggerinasingleleapasWildfirerearedagain。Thehorsescollided。Slonehauledthelassoestight。TheimpactthrewWildfireoffhisbalance，justasSlonehadcalculated，andasthestallionplungeddownonfourfeetSlonespurredNaggercloseagainsthim。Wildfirewasalittleinthelead。Hecouldonlyhalfrearnow，fortheheaving，movingNagger，alwaysagainsthim，jostledhimdown，andSlone\'sironarmhauledontheshortropes。WhenWildfireturnedtobite，Sloneknockedtheviciousnosebackwithalongswingofhisfist。
Upthepassthehorsesplunged。Witharider\'swildjoySlonesawthelonggreen-and-grayvalley，andtheisolatedmonumentsinthedistance。There，onthatwidestretch，hewouldbreakWildfire。Howmarvelouslyluckhadfavoredhimatthelast!
\"Run，youreddevil!\"Slonecalled。\"Dragusaroundnowtillyou\'redone!\"
Theyleftthepassandsweptoutuponthewasteofsage。Slonerealized，fromthestingingofthesweetwindinhisface，thatNaggerwasbeingpulledalongatatremendouspace。Thefaithfulblackcouldneverhavemadethewindcutso。Lowerthewildstallionstretchedandswifterheran，tillitseemedtoSlonethatdeathmustendthatthunderboltrace。
CHAPTERVIII
LucyBostilhadcalledtwicetoherfatherandhehadnotanswered。Hewasoutatthehitching-rail，withHolley，therider，andtwoothermen。IfheheardLucyhegavenosignofit。Shehadonherchapsanddidnotcaretogoanyfartherthanthedoorwhereshestood。
\"SomershasgonetoDurangoan\'Shugrueisouthuntin\'hosses，\"LucyheardBostilsay，gruffly。
\"Walnow，IreckonIcouldhandletheboatan\'fetchCreech\'shossesover，\"
saidHolley。
Bostilraisedanimpatienthand，asiftowaveasideHolley\'sassumption。
Thenoneoftheothertwomenspokeup。Lucyhadseenhimbefore，butdidnotknowhisname。
\"Surethereain\'tanyneedtorustlethejob。Theriverhain\'tshowedanysignsofrisin\'yet。ButCreechisworryin\'。Heallusisworryin\'overthemhosses。Nowonder!ThetBlueRoanissureahoss。YesterdayattwomilesheshowedCreechhewasasightfasterthanlastyear。Thegrassisgoneoverthere。Creechisgrainin\'hisstocktheselastfewdays。An\'thet\'sexpensive。\"
\"Howabouttheflatupthecanyon？\"queriedBostil。\"Ain\'tthereanygrassthere？\"
\"Reckonnot。It\'sthedryestspellCreecheverhad，\"repliedtheother。\"An\'
iftherewasgrassitwouldn\'tdohimnogood。Alandslideblockedtheonlytrailup。\"
\"Bostil，themhosses，theracersspecial，oughttobebroughtacrosttheriver，\"saidHolley，earnestly。Helovedhorsesandwasthinkingofthem。
\"Theboat\'sgottobepatchedup，\"repliedBostil，shortly。
ItoccurredtoLucythatherfatherwasalsothinkingofCreech\'sthoroughbreds，butnotlikeHolley。Shegrewgraveandlistenedintently。
Therewasanawkwardpause。Creech\'srider，whoeverhewas，evidentlytriedtoconcealhisanxiety。Heflickedhisbootswithaquirt。Thebootswerecoveredwithwetmud。Probablyhehadcrossedtheriververyrecently。
\"Wal，whenwillyouhavethehossesfetchedover？\"heasked，deliberately。
\"Creech\'llwanttoknow。\"
\"Justassoonastheboat\'smended，\"repliedBostil。\"I\'llputShugrueonthejobto-morrow。\"
\"Thanks，Bostil。Sure，thet\'llbeallright。Creech\'llbesatisfied，\"saidtherider，asifrelieved。Thenhemounted，andwithhiscompaniontrotteddownthelane。
Thelean，grayHolleybentakeengazeuponBostil。ButBostildidnotnoticethat；heappearedpreoccupiedinthought。
\"Bostil，thedrywinteran\'springhereain\'tanyguaranteethettherewasn\'talotofsnowupinthemountains。\"Holley\'sremarkstartledBostil。
\"No——itain\'t——sure，\"hereplied。
\"An\'anymornin\'alongnowwemightwakeuptoheartheColoradoboomin\'，\"
wentonHolley，significantly。
Bostildidnotreplytothat。
\"Creechhain\'tlivedovertheresomanyyears。What\'sheknowabouttheriver？
An\'ferthatmatter，whoknowsanythin\'sureaboutthethell-bentriver？\"
\"Itain\'tmybusinessthetCreechlivesoverthereriskin\'hisstockeveryspring，\"repliedBostil，darkly。
Holleyopenedhislipstospeak，hesitated，lookedawayfromBostil，andfinallysaid，\"No，itsureain\'t。\"Thenheturnedandwalkedaway，headbentinsoberthought。BostilcametowardtheopendoorwhereLucystood。Helookedsomber。Athergreetingheseemedstartled。
\"What？\"hesaid。
\"Ijustsaid，\'Hello，Dad，\'\"shereplied，demurely。Yetshethoughtfullystudiedherfather\'sdarkface。
\"Helloyourself。DidyouknowVangotthrowedan\'hurt？\"
\"Yes。\"
Bostilsworeunderhisbreath。\"Thereain\'tanyridersontherangethetcanbetrusted，\"hesaid，disgustedly。\"They\'reallthesame。Theyliketogetinabunchan\'jeereachotheran\'bet。TheywantMEANhosses。Theymakegoodhossesbuck。Theyhaven\'tanyuseforahossthetwon\'tbuck。Theyallwanttogiveahossarakin\'over。ThinkofthetfoolVangettin\'throwedbyatwo-dollarUtemustang。An\'hurtsohecan\'tridefordays!Withthemracescomin\'soon!Itmakesmesick。\"
\"Dad，weren\'tyouarideronce？\"askedLucy。
\"Ineverwasthetkind。\"
\"Vanwillbeallrightinafewdays。\"
\"Nomatter。It\'sbadbusiness。IfIhadanyotherriderwhocouldhandletheKingI\'dletVango。\"
\"IcangetjustasmuchoutoftheKingasVancan，\"saidLucy，spiritedly。
\"You!\"exclaimedBostil。Buttherewasprideinhisglance。
\"IknowIcan。\"
\"YouneverhadanyuseforSageKing，\"saidBostil，asifhehadbeenwronged。
\"IlovetheKingalittle，andhatehimalot，\"laughedLucy。
\"Wal，Imightletyourideatthet，ifVanain\'tinshape，\"rejoinedherfather。
\"Iwouldn\'tridehimintherace。ButI\'llkeephiminfinefettle。\"
\"I\'llbetyou\'dliketoseeSarchbeathim，\"saidBostil，jealously。
\"SureIwould，\"repliedLucy，teasingly。\"But，Dad，I\'mafraidSarchneverwillbeathim。\"
Bostilgrunted。\"Seehere。Idon\'twantanyweightupontheKing。Youtakehimoutforafewdays。An\'ridehim!Savvythet？\"
\"Yes，Dad。\"
\"Givehimmilesan\'miles——an\'thencomin\'home，ongoodtrails，ridehimforallyourworth。Now，Lucy，keepyoureyeopen。Don\'tletanyonegetnearyouonthesage。\"
\"Iwon\'t。Dad，doyoustillworryaboutpoorJoelCreech？\"
\"NotJoel。ButI\'dratherloseallmystockthenhaveCordtsorDickSearsgetwithinamileofyou。\"
\"Amile!\"exclaimedLucy，lightly，thoughafleetingshadecrossedherface。
\"Why，I\'drunawayfromhim，ifIwasontheKing，evenifhegotwithintenyardsofme。\"
\"Amileiscloseenough，mydaughter，\"repliedBostil。\"Don\'teverforgettokeepyoureyeopen。Cordtshasswornthetifhecan\'tstealtheKinghe\'llgetyou。
\"Oh!heprefersthehorsetome。\"
\"Wal，Lucy，I\'veasneakin\'ideathetCordtswillneverleavetheuplandsunlesshegetsyouan\'theKingboth。\"
\"And，Dad——youconsentedtoletthathorse-thiefcometoourraces？\"exclaimedLucy，withheat。
\"Whynot？Hecan\'tdoanyharm。Ifheorhismengetuppish，theworseforthem。Cordtsgavehiswordnottoturnatricktillaftertheraces。\"
\"Doyoutrusthim？\"
\"Yes。Buthismenmightbreakloose，awayfromhissight。EspeciallythetDickSears。He\'sabadman。Sobewatchfulwheneveryourideout。\"
AsLucywentdowntowardthecorralsshewasthinkingdeeply。Shecouldalwaystell，woman-like。whenherfatherwasexcitedoragitated。SherememberedtheconversationbetweenhimandCreech\'srider。SherememberedthekeenglanceoldHolleyhadbentuponhim。Andmostlysherememberedthesomberlookuponhisface。Shedidnotlikethat。Once，whenalittlegirl，shehadseenitandneverforgottenit，northethingthatitwasassociatedwith——somethingtragicalwhichhadhappenedinthebigroom。Therehadbeenloud，angryvoicesofmen——andshots——andthenthemencarriedoutalongformcoveredwithablanket。Shelovedherfather，buttherewasasidetohimshefeared。AndsomehowrelatedtothatsidewashishardnesstowardCreechandhisintoleranceofanyriderowningafasthorseandhisobsessioninregardtohisownracers。Lucyhadoftentantalizedherfatherwiththejokethatifitevercametoachoicebetweenherandhisfavoritestheywouldcomefirst。Butwasitanylongerajoke？Lucyfeltthatshehadleftchildhoodbehindwithitsfunandfancies，andshehadbeguntolookatlifethoughtfully。
Sightofthecorrals，however，andoftheKingprancingaround，droveseriousthoughtsaway。Therewereridersthere，amongthemFarlane，andtheyallhadpleasantgreetingsforher。
\"Farlane，DadsaysI\'mtotakeoutSageKing，\"announcedLucy。
\"No!\"ejaculatedFarlane，ashepocketedhispipe。
\"Sure。AndI\'mtoRIDEhim。YouknowhowDadmeansthat。\"
\"Wal，now，I\'mdoggoned!\"addedFarlane，lookingworriedandpleasedatonce。
\"Ireckon，MissLucy，you——youwouldn\'tfoolme？\"
\"Why，Farlane!\"returnedLucy，reproachfully。\"DidIeverdoasinglethingaroundhorsesthatyoudidn\'twantmeto？\"
Farlanerubbedhischinbeardsomewhatdubiously。\"Wal，MissLucy，notexactlywhileyouwasaroundthehosses。ButIreckonwhenyouonctgotup，you\'vesortaforgotafewtimes。\"
Alltheriderslaughed，andLucyjoinedthem。
\"I\'msafewhenI\'mup，youknowthat，\"shereplied。
Theybroughtoutthegray，andafterthemannerofriderswhohadthecareofagreathorseandlovedhim，theycurriedandcombedandrubbedhimbeforesaddlinghim。
\"Reckonyou\'dbetterrideVan\'ssaddle，\"suggestedFarlane。\"Themracesisclosenow，an\'astrangesaddle——\"
\"Ofcourse。Don\'tchangeanythinghe\'susedto，exceptthestirrups，\"repliedLucy。
DespiteherantipathytowardSageKing，Lucycouldnotgazeathimwithoutallarider\'sgloryinahorse。Hewassleek，sograceful，soracy，sonearthesoftgrayofthesage，sobeautifulinbuildandaction。Thenhewasthekindofahorsethatdidnothavetobeeternallywatched。Hewasspiritedandfulloflife，eagertorun，butwhenFarlanecalledforhimtostandstillheobeyed。Hewasthekindofahorsethatachildcouldhaveplayedaroundinsafety。Heneverkicked。Heneverbit。Heneverbolted。ItwassplendidtoseehimwithFarlaneorwithBostil。HedidnotlikeLucyverywell，afactthatperhapsaccountedforLucy\'santipathy。Forthatmatter，hedidnotlikeanywoman。Ifhehadabadtrait，itcameoutwhenVanrodehim，butalltheriders，andBostil，too，claimedthatVanwastoblameforthat。
\"Thar，Ireckonthemstirrupsisright，\"declaredFarlane。\"Now，MissLucy，holdhimtighttillhewearsoffthetedge。Heneedswork。\"
SageKingwouldnotkneelforLucyasSarchedondid，andhewastoohighforhertomountfromtheground，soshemountedfromarock。Shetooktotheroad，andthenthefirsttrailintothesage，intendingtotrothimtenorfifteenmilesdownintothevalley，andgivehimsomefast，warmworkonthereturn。
ThedaywasearlyinMayandpromisedtogrowhot。Therewasnotacloudinthebluesky。Thewind，ladenwiththebreathofsage，blewbrisklyfromthewest。AllbeforeLucylaythevastvalley，grayandduskygray，thenblue，thenpurplewherethemonumentsstood，and，fartherstill，darkrampartsofrock。Lucyhadahabitofdreamingwhileonhorseback，ahabitalltheridershadtriedtobreak，butshedidnotgiveitreinwhilesherodeSarchedon，andassuredlynow，upontheKing，sheneverforgothimforaninstant。Heshiedatmockingbirdsandpack-ratsandblowingblossomsandevenatbutterflies；
andhedidit，Lucythought，justbecausehewasfullofmischief。SageKinghadbeenknowntogosteadywhentherehadbeenreasontoshy。HedidnotlikeLucyandhechosetotormenther。Finallyheearnedagooddigfromaspur，andthen，withswiftpoundingofhoofs，heplungedandveeredanddancedinthesage。Lucykepthertemper，whichwaswhatmostridersdidnotdo，andbypatienceandfirmnesspulledSageKingoutofhisprancingbackintothetrail。Hewasnottheleastcross-grained，and，havinghadhislittlespurt，hesettleddownintoeasygoing。
InanhourLucywastenmilesormorefromhome，andfartherdowninthevalleythanshehadeverbeen。Infact，shehadneverbeforebeendownthelongslopetothevalleyfloor。Howchangedthehorizonbecame!Themonumentsloomedupnow，dark，sentinel-like，andstrange。Thefirstone，agreatredrock，seemedtohersomefivemilesaway。Itwaslofty，straight-sided，withagreenslopeatitsbase。Andbeyondthattheothermonumentsstretchedoutdownthevalley。Lucydecidedtorideasfarasthefirstonebeforeturningback。Alwaysthesemonumentshadfascinatedher，andthiswasheropportunitytoridenearone。Howloftytheywere，howwonderfullycolored，andhowcomely!
Presently，overtheleft，wherethemonumentswerethicker，andgraduallymergedtheirslopesandlinesandbulkintotheyellowwalls，shesawlow，driftingcloudsofsmoke。
\"Well，what\'sthat，Iwonder？\"shemused。Toseesmokeonthehorizoninthatdirectionwasunusual，thoughouttowardDurangothegrassybencheswouldoftenburnover。Andtheselowcloudsofsmokeresembledthoseshehadseenbefore。
\"It\'salongwayoff，\"sheadded。
Soshekepton，nowandthengazingatthesmoke。Asshegrewnearertothefirstmonumentshewassurprised，thenamazed，atitsheightandsurpassingsize。Itwasmountain-high——agrandtower——smooth，worn，glistening，yellowandred。Thetrailshehadfollowedpeteredoutinadeepwash，andbeyondthatshecrossednomoretrails。Thesagehadgrownmeagerandthegreasewoodsstuntedanddead；andcactiappearedonbarrenplaces。Thegrasshadnotfailed，butitwasnotrichgrasssuchasthehorsesandcattlegrazeduponmilesbackontheslope。Theairwashotdownhere。Thebreezewasheavyandsmelledoffire，andthesandwasblowinghereandthere。Shehadasenseofthebigness，theopennessofthisvalley，andthensherealizeditswildnessandstrangeness。Theselonely，isolatedmonumentsmadetheplacedifferentfromanyshehadvisited。Theydidnotseemmerestandingrocks。Theyseemedtoretreatallthetimeassheapproached，andtheywatchedher。Theyinterestedher，madehercurious。Whathadformedallthesestrangemonuments？
Herethegroundwaslevelformilesandmiles，toslopegentlyuptothebasesofthesehugerocks。InanoldbookshehadseenpicturesoftheEgyptianpyramids，buttheseappearedvaster，higher，andstranger，andtheyweresheerlyperpendicular。
SuddenlySageKinghaltedsharply，shotuphisears，andwhistled。Lucywasstartled。ThatfromtheKingmeantsomething。Hastily，withkeenglancesheswepttheforeground。Amileon，nearthemonument，wasasmallblackspot。Itseemedmotionless。ButtheKing\'swhistlehadprovedittobeahorse。WhenLucyhadcoveredaquarteroftheinterveningdistanceshecoulddistinguishthehorseandthatthereappearedsomethingstrangeabouthisposition。LucyurgedSageKingintoalopeandsoondrewnearer。Theblackhorsehadhisheaddown，yethedidnotappeartobegrazing。Hewasasstillasastatue。Hestoodjustoutsideaclumpofgreasewoodandcactus。
Suddenlyasoundpiercedthestillness。TheKingjumpedandsnortedinfright。
ForaninstantLucy\'sbloodrancold，foritwasahorriblecry。Thensherecognizeditastheneighofahorseinagony。Shehadheardcrippledanddyinghorsesutterthatlong-drawnandblood-curdlingneigh。Theblackhorsehadnotmoved，sothesoundcouldnothavecomefromhim。LucythoughtSageKingactedmoreexcitedthantheoccasioncalledfor。Thenrememberingherfather\'swarning，shereinedinontopofalittleknoll，perhapsahundredyardsfromwheretheblackhorsestood，andshebentherkeengazeforward。
Itwasahuge，gaunt，shaggyblackhorseshesaw，withthesaddlefartheruponhisshouldersthanitshouldhavebeen。Hestoodmotionless，asifutterlyexhausted。Hisforelegswerebraced，sothatheleanedslightlyback。ThenLucysawarope。Itwasfasttothesaddleandstretcheddownintothecactus。
Therewasnootherhorseinsight，noranylivingthing。Theimmensemonumentdominatedthescene。ItseemedstupendoustoLucy，sublime，almostfrightful。
Shehesitated。Sheknewtherewasanotherhorse，verylikelyattheotherendofthatlasso。Probablyariderhadbeenthrown，perhapskilled。Certainlyahorsehadbeenhurt。Thenonthemomentrangoutthesameneighofagony，onlyweakerandshorter。Lucynolongerfearedanambush。Thatwasacrywhichcouldnotbeimitatedbyamanorforcedfromahorse。Therewasprobablydeath，certainlysuffering，nearathand。ShespurredtheKingon。
Therewasalittleslopetodescend，awashtocross，abenchtoclimb——andthensherodeuptotheblackhorse。SageKingneededhardertreatmentthanLucyhadevergivenhim。
\"What\'swrongwithyou？\"shedemanded，pullinghimdown。Suddenly，asshefelthimtremble，sherealizedthathewasfrightened。\"That\'sfunny!\"Thenwhenshegothimquietshelookedaround。
Theblackhorsewasindeedhuge。Hismane，hisshaggyflanks，werelatheredasifhehadbeensmearedwithheavysoap-suds。Heraisedhisheadtolookather。Lucy，accustomedtohorsesallherlife，sawthatthisonewelcomedherarrival。Buthewasalmostreadytodrop。
Twotautlassoesstretchedfromthepommelofhissaddledownalittleintoadepressionfullofbrushandcactusandrocks。ThenLucysawaredhorse。Hewasdowninabadposition。Sheheardhislow，chokingheaves。Probablyhehadbrokenlegsorback。Shecouldnotbeartoseeahorseinpain。Shewoulddowhatwaspossible，eventotheextentofputtinghimoutofhismisery，ifnothingelsecouldbedone。Yetshescannedthesurroundingsclosely，andpeeredintothebushesandbehindtherocksbeforeshetriedtourgeSageKingcloser。Herefusedtogonearer，andLucydismounted。
Theredhorsewaspartlyhiddenbyoverbendingbrush。Hehadplungedintoaholefullofcactus。Therewasahackamoreroundhisnoseandatightnooseroundhisneck。Theoneroundhisneckwasalsoroundhisforelegs。Andbothlassoeswereheldtautbytheblackhorse。Atornandsoiledrider\'sscarfhunglimproundtheredhorse\'snose，keptfromfallingoffbythehackamore。
\"Awildhorse，astallion，beingbroken!\"exclaimedLucy，instantlygraspingthesituation。\"Oh!where\'stherider？\"
Shegazedaround，rantoandfro，glanceddownthelittleslope，andbeyond，butshedidnotseeanythingresemblingtheformofaman。Thensheranback。
Lucytookanotherquicklookattheredstallion。Shedidnotbelieveeitherhislegsorbackwerehurt。Hewasjustplayedoutandtangledandtiedintheropes，andcouldnotgetup。Theshaggyblackhorsestoodtherebracedandindomitable。Buthe，likewise，wasalmostreadytodrop。Lookingattheconditionofbothhorsesandthesaddleandropes，Lucysawwhatafighttherehadbeen，andarace!Wherewastherider？Thrown，surely，andbackonthetrail，perhapsdeadormaimed。
Lucywentclosertothestallionsothatshecouldalmosttouchhim。Hesawher。Hewasnearlychoked。Foamandbloodwheezedoutwithhisheaves。Shemustdosomethingquickly。Andinherhastesheprickedherarmsandshouldersonthecactus。
Sheledtheblackhorsecloserin，lettingtheropesgo，slack。Theblackseemedasgladofthatreleaseasshewas。Whatafaithfulbrutehelooked!
Lucylikedhiseyes。
Thensheedgeddowninamongthecactusandbrush。Theredhorsenolongerlayinastrainedposition。Hecouldlifthishead。Lucysawthatthenoosestillheldtightroundhisneck。Fearlesslyshejerkeditloose。Thenshebackedaway，butnotquiteoutofhisreach。Hecoughedandbreathedslowly，withgreatheaves。Thenhesnorted。
\"You\'reallrightnow，\"saidLucy，soothingly。Slowlyshereachedahandtowardhishead。Hedrewitbackasfarashecould。Shesteppedaround，closer，andmorebackofhim，andputahandonhim，gently，foraninstant。
Thensheslippedoutofthebrushand，untyingonelassofromthepommel，shereturnedtothehorseandpulleditfromroundhislegs。Hewasfreenow，exceptthehackamore，andthatropewasslack。Lucystoodnearhim，watchinghim，talkingtohim，waitingforhimtogetup。Shecouldnotbesurehewasnotbadlyhurttillhestoodup。Atfirsthemadenoeffortstorise。HewatchedLucy，lessfearfully，sheimagined。Andshenevermadeamove。Shewantedhimtosee，tounderstandthatshehadnothurthimandwouldnothurthim。Itbegantodawnuponherthathewasmagnificent。
Finally，withalong，slowheavehegottohisfeet。Lucyledhimoutoftheholetoopenground。Sheseemedsomehowconfident。Thereoccurredtoheronlyonewaytoact。
\"Alittlehorsesense，asDadwouldsay，\"shesoliloquized，andthen，whenshegothimoutofthebrush，shestoodthrilledandamazed。
\"Oh，whatawild，beautifulhorse!Whatagiant!He\'sbiggerthantheKing。
Oh，ifDadcouldseehim!\"
Theredstalliondidnotappeartobehurt。Thetwitchingofhismusclesmusthavebeencausedbythecactusspikesembeddedinhim。Thereweredropsofbloodalloveroneside。Lucythoughtshedaredtotrytopullthesethornsout。Shehadneverinherlifebeenafraidofanyhorse。Farlane，Holley，alltheriders，andherfather，too，hadtriedtomakeherrealizethedangerinahorse，soonerorlater。ButLucycouldnothelpit；shewasnotafraid；shebelievedthatthemeanesthorsewasactuatedbynaturalfearofaman；shewasnotamanandshehadneverhandledahorselikeaman。Thisredstallionshowedhateoftheblackhorseandtheropethatconnectedthem；heshowedsomespiritattherepeatedblastsofSageKing。Butheshowedlessfearofher。
\"Hehasbeenaproud，wildstallion，\"musedLucy。\"Andhe\'snowbroken——terriblybroken——allbutruined。\"
Thenshewalkeduptohimnaturallyandspokesoftly，andreachedahandforhisshoulder。
\"Whoa，Reddy。Whoanow。There。That\'sagoodfellow。Why，Iwouldn\'tropeyouorhityou。I\'monlyagirl。\"
Hedrewup，madeasingleefforttojump，whichsheprevented，andthenhestoodquivering，eyingher，whileshetalkedsoothingly，andpattedhimandlookedathiminthewayshehadfoundinfalliblewithmosthorses。Lucybelievedhorseswerelikepeople，oreasiertogetalongwith。Presentlyshegentlypulledoutoneofthecactusspikes。Thehorseflinched，buthestood。
Lucywasslow，careful，patient，anddexterous。Thecactusneedleswerelooseandeasilyremovedorbrushedoff。Atlengthshegothimfreeofthem，andwasalmostasproudasshewasglad。Thehorsehadgraduallydroppedhishead；hewastiredandhisspiritwasbroken。
\"Now，whatshallIdo？\"shequeried。\"I\'lltakethebacktrailofthesehorses。Theycertainlyhadn\'tbeenherelongbeforeIsawthem。Andtheridermaybeclose。IfnotI\'lltakethehorseshome。\"
Sheslippedthenoosefromthestallion\'shead，leavingthehackamore，and，coilingthelooselasso，shehungitoverthepommeloftheblack\'ssaddle。
Thenshetookuphisbridle。
\"Comeon，\"shecalled。
Theblackfollowedher，andthestallion，stillfasttohimbythelassoLucyhadlefttied，troopedbehindwithbowedhead。Lucywaselated。ButSageKingdidnotlikethematteratall。Lucyhadtodroptheblack\'sbridleandcatchtheKing，andthenridebacktoleadtheotheragain。
Abroadtrailmarkedthewaythetwohorseshadcome，anditledofftotheleft，towardwherethemonumentswerethickest，andwherethegreatsectionsofwallstood，brokenandbattlemented。LucywashardputtoittoholdSageKing，butthehorsesbehindploddedalong。TheblackhorsestruckLucyasbeinganugly，butafaithfulandwonderfulanimal。Heunderstoodeverything。
Presentlyshetiedthebridleshewasleadinghimbytotheendofherownlasso，andthuslethimdropbackafewyards，whichlessenedtheKing\'sfretting。
Intentonthetrail，Lucyfailedtonotetimeordistancetilltheloomingandfrowningmonumentsstoodaloftbeforeher。Whatweirdeffecttheyhad!Eachmighthavebeenacolossalstatuelefttheretomarktheworkoftheages。
Lucyrealizedthatthewholevastvalleyhadoncebeensolidrock，justlikethemonuments，andthroughthemillionsofyearsthesofterpartshaderodedandweatheredandblownaway——gonewiththegreatseathathadoncebeenthere。Butthebeauty，thesolemnity，themajestyofthesemonumentsfascinatedhermost。Shepassedthefirstone，ahugesquarebutte，andthenthesecond，aragged，thin，doubleshaft，andthenwentbetweentwomuchalike，reachingskywardintheshapeofmonstrousmittens。Shewatchedandwatchedthem，sparingamomentnowandthentoattendtothetrail。Shenoticedthatshewascomingintoaregionofgrass，andfaintsignsofwaterinthedraws。Shewasgettinghighagain，notmanymilesnowfromthewallofrock。
AllatonceSageKingshied，andLucylookeddowntoseeamanlyingontheground。Helayinert。Buthiseyeswereopen——dark，staringeyes。Theymoved。
Andhecalled。ButLucycouldnotunderstandhim。
InaflashsheleapedofftheKing。Sherantotheprostrateman——droppedtoherknees。
\"Oh!\"shecried。Hisfacewasghastly。\"Oh!areyou——youbadlyhurt？\"
\"Liftme——myhead，\"hesaid，faintly。
Sheraisedhishead。Whatastrained，passionate，terriblegazehebentuponthehorses。
\"Boy，they\'remine——theblackan\'thered!\"hecried。
\"Theysurelymustbe，\"repliedLucy。\"Oh!tellme。Areyouhurt？\"
\"Boy!didyoucatchthem——fetchthemback——lookin\'forme？\"
\"Isuredid。\"
\"Youcaught-thatreddevil——an\'fetchedhim——backtome？\"wentonthewondering，faintvoice。\"Boy——oh——boy!\"
Heliftedalong，raggedarmandpulledLucydown。Theactionamazedherequallyashispassionofgratitude。Hemighthavebeeninjured，buthehadanarmofiron。Lucywaspowerless。Shefeltherfaceagainsthis——andherbreastagainsthis。Thepoundingofhisheartwaslikeblows。Thefirstinstantshewantedtolaugh，despiteherpity。Thenthepowerfularm——thecontactaffectedherasnothingeverbefore。Supposethiscrippledriderhadtakenherforaboy——Shewasnotaboy!Shecouldnothelpbeingherself。Andnomanhadeverputahandonher。Consciousnessofthisbroughtshameandanger。Shestruggledsoviolentlythatshefreedherself。Andhelayback。
\"Seehere——that\'snowaytoact——tohug——aperson，\"shecried，withflamingcheeks。
\"Boy，I——\"
\"I\'mNOTaboy。I\'magirl。\"
\"What!\"
Lucytoreoffhersombrero，whichhadbeenpulledfarforward，andthisrevealedherfacefully，andherhaircametumblingdown。Theridergazed，stupefied。Thenafainttingeofredcoloredhisghastlycheeks。
\"Agirl!Why——why\'scuseme，miss。I——Itookyou——foraboy。\"
Heseemedsoastounded，helookedsoashamed，soscared，andwithal，sohaggardandweak，thatLucyimmediatelyrecoveredherequanimity。
\"SureI\'magirl。Butthat\'snomatter。You\'vebeenthrown。Areyouhurt？\"
Hesmiledaweakassent。
\"Badly？\"shequeried。Shedidnotlikethewayhelay——solimp，somotionless。
\"I\'mafraidso。Ican\'tmove。\"
\"Oh!WhatshallIdo？\"
\"Canyou——getmewater？\"hewhispered，withdrylips。
Lucyflewtoherhorsetogetthesmallcanteenshealwayscarried。Butthathadbeenleftonhersaddle，andshehadriddenVan\'s。Thenshegazedaround。
Thewashshehadcrossedseveraltimesrannearwheretheriderlay。Greengrassandwillowsborderedit。Sherandownand，hurryingalong，searchedforwater。Therewaswaterinplaces，yetshehadtogoalongwaybeforeshefoundwaterthatwasdrinkable。Fillinghersombrero，shehurriedbacktothesideoftherider。Itwasdifficulttogivehimadrink。
\"Thanks，miss，\"hesaid，gratefully。Hisvoicewasstrongerandlesshoarse。
\"Haveyouanybrokenbones？\"askedLucy。
\"Idon\'tknow。Ican\'tfeelmuch。\"
\"Areyouinpain？\"
\"Hardly。Ifeelsortofthick。\"
Lucy，beinganintelligentgirl，borninthedesertandusedtoitsneeds，hadnotoftenencounteredasituationwithwhichshewasunabletocope。
\"Letmefeelifyouhaveanybrokenbones。THATarmisn\'tbroken，I\'mpositive。\"
Theridersmiledfaintlyagain。Howhestaredwithhisstrained，darkeyes!
Hisfaceshowedghastlythroughthethin，softbeardandthetan。Lucyfoundhisrightarmbadlybruised，butnotbroken。Shemadesurehiscollar-bonesandshoulder-bladeswereintact。Brokenribswerehardertolocate；still，ashedidnotfeelpainfrompressure，sheconcludedtherewerenofracturesthere。Withherassistancehemovedhislegs，provingnobrokenbonesthere。
\"I\'mafraidit\'smy——spine，\"hesaid。
\"Butyouraisedyourheadonce，\"shereplied。\"Ifyourbackwas——wasbrokenorinjuredyoucouldn\'traiseyourhead。\"
\"SoIcouldn\'t。IguessI\'mjustknockedout。Iwas——prettyweakbeforeWildfireknockedme——offNagger。\"
\"Wildfire？\"
\"That\'stheredstallion\'sname。\"
\"Oh，he\'snamedalready？\"
\"Inamedhim——longago。He\'sknownonmanyarange。\"
\"Where？\"
\"Ithinkfarnorthofhere。I——trailedhim——days——weeks——months。Wecrossedthegreatcanyon——\"
\"TheGrandCanyon？\"
\"Itmustbethat。\"
\"TheGrandCanyonisdownthere，\"saidLucy，pointing。\"Iliveonit。
You\'vecomealongway。\"
\"Hundredsofmiles!Oh，thegroundIcoveredthatawfulcanyoncountry!。ButIstayedwithWildfire。An\'Iputaropeonhim。An\'hegotaway……An\'itwasaboy——no——aGIRLwho——savedhimforme——an\'maybesavedmylife，too!\"
Lucylookedawayfromthedark，staringeyes。Alightinthemconfusedher。
\"Nevermindme。Yousayyouwereweak？Haveyoubeenill？\"
\"No，miss。juststarved。IstarvedonWildfire\'strail。\"
Lucyrantohersaddleandgotthebiscuitsoutofthepocketsofhercoat，andsheranbacktotherider。
\"Here。Ineverthought。Oh，you\'vehadahardtimeofit!Iunderstand。Thatwonderfulflameofahorse!I\'dhavestayed，too。Myfatherwasarideronce。
Bostil。Didyoueverhearofhim？\"
\"Bostil。Thename——I\'veheard。\"Thentheriderlaythinking，ashemunchedabiscuit。\"Yes，Iremember，butitwaslongago。Ispentanightwithawagon-train，acampofmanymenandwomen，religiouspeople，workingintoUtah。BostilhadaboatatthecrossingoftheFathers。\"
\"Yes，theycalledtheFerrythat。\"
\"Irememberwellnow。TheysaidBostilcouldn\'tcounthishorses——thathewasarichman，hardonriders——an\'he\'dusedagunmorethanonce。\"
Lucybowedherhead。\"Yes，that\'smydad。\"
Theriderdidnotseemtoseehowhehadhurther。
\"Herewearetalking——wastingtime，\"shesaid。\"Imuststarthome。Youcan\'tbemoved。WhatshallIdo？\"
\"That\'sforyoutosay，Bostil\'sdaughter。\"
\"Myname\'sLucy，\"repliedthegirl，blushingpainfully，\"ImeanI\'llbegladtodoanythingyouthinkbest。\"
\"You\'reverygood。\"
Thenheturnedhisfaceaway。Lucylookedcloselyathim。Hewasindeedabeggaredrider。Hisclothesandhisbootshungintatters。Hehadnohat，nocoat，novest。Hisgauntfaceboretracesofwhatmighthavebeenafine，strongcomeliness，butnowitwasonlythin，worn，wan，pitiful，withthatlookwhichalwayswenttoawoman\'sheart。Hehadthelookofahomelessrider。Lucyhadseenafewofhiswanderingtype，andhisstorywassoplain。
Butheseemedtohaveatouchofpride，andthisquickenedherinterest。
\"ThenI\'lldowhatIthinkbestforyou，\"saidLucy。
FirstsheunsaddledtheblackNagger。Withthesaddleshemadeapillowfortherider\'shead，andshecoveredhimwiththesaddleblanket。Beforeshehadfinishedthistaskheturnedhiseyesuponher。AndLucyfeltshewouldbehaunted。Washebadlyhurt，afterall？Itseemedprobable。Howstrangehewas!
\"I\'llwaterthehorses——thentieWildfirehereonadoublerope。There\'sgrass。\"
\"Butyoucan\'tleadhim，\"repliedtherider。
\"He\'llfollowme。\"
\"Thatreddevil!\"Theridershudderedashespoke。
Lucyhadsomefaintinklingofwhataterriblefightthathadbeenbetweenmanandhorse。\"Yes；whenIfoundhimhewasbroken。Lookathimnow。\"
Buttheriderdidnotappeartowanttoseethestallion。HegazedupatLucy，andshesawsomethinginhiseyesthatmadeherthinkofachild。Shelefthim，hadnotroubleinwateringthehorses，andhalteredWildfireamongthewillowsonapatchofgrass。Thenshereturned。
\"I\'llgonow，\"shesaidtotherider。
\"Where？\"
\"Home。I\'llcomebackto-morrow，early，andbringsomeonetohelpyou——\"
\"Girl，ifYOUwanttohelpmemore——bringmesomebreadan\'meat。Don\'ttellanyone。LookwhataragamuffinIam。An\'there\'sWildfire。Idon\'twanthimseentillI\'m——onmyfeetagain。Iknowriders。That\'sall。Ifyouwanttobesogood——come。\"
\"I\'llcome，\"repliedLucy，simply。
\"Thankyou。Ioweyou——alot。Whatdidyousayyournamewas？\"
\"Lucy——LucyBostil。\"
\"Oh，Iforgot。AreyousureyoutiedWildfiregoodan\'tight？\"
\"Yes，I\'msure。I\'llgonow。Ihopeyou\'llbebetterto-morrow。\"
Lucyhesitated，withherhandontheKing\'sbridle。Shedidnotliketoleavethisyoungmanlyingtherehelplessonthedesert。Butwhatelsecouldshedo？
Whatastrangeadventurehadbefallenher!Atthefollowingthoughtthatitwasnotyetconcludedshefeltalittlestirofexcitementatherpulses。ShewassostrangelypreoccupiedthatsheforgotitwasnecessaryforhertohaveasteptomountSageKing。Sherealizeditquicklyenoughwhensheattemptedit。Thensheledhimoffinthesagetillshefoundarock。Mounting，sheturnedhimstraightacrosscountry，meaningtocutoutmilesoftravelthatwouldhavebeennecessaryalongherback-trail。Onceshelookedback。Theriderwasnotvisible；theblackhorse，Nagger，wasoutofsight，butWildfire，blazinginthesun，watchedherdepart。