Bostilsleptthatnight，buthissleepwastroubled，andastrange，dreadfulroarseemedtorunthroughit，likeamournfulwindoveradarkdesert。Hewasawakenedearlybyavoiceathiswindow。Helistened。Therecamearaponthewood。
\"Bostil!Bostil!\"ItwasHolley\'svoice。
Bostilrolledoffthebed。Hehadsleptwithoutremovinganyapparelexcepthisboots。
\"Wal，Hawk，whatd\'yemeanwakin\'amanatthisunholyhour？\"growledBostil。
Holley\'sfaceappearedabovetherudesill。Itwaspaleandgrave，withthehawkeyeslikeglass。\"Itain\'tsoawfulearly，\"hesaid。\"Listen，boss。\"
Bostilhaltedintheactofpullingonaboot。Helookedathismanwhilehelistened。Thestillairoutsideseemedfilledwithlowboom，likethunderatadistance。Bostiltriedtolookastounded。
\"Hell!It\'stheColorado!She\'sboomin\'!\"
\"Reckonit\'shellallright——forCreech，\"repliedHolley。\"Boss，whydidn\'tyoufetchthemhossesover？\"
Bostil\'sfacedarkened。Hewasabadmantooppose——toquestionattimes。
\"Holley，you\'resurepowerfulanxiousaboutCreech。Areyouhisfriend？\"
\"Naw!I\'velittleuseferCreech，\"repliedHolley。\"An\'youknowthet。ButI
holdforhishossesasIwouldanyman\'s。\"
\"A-huh!An\'what\'syourkick？\"
\"Nothin\'——exceptyoucouldhavefetchedthemoverbeforethefloodcomedown。
That\'sall。\"
Theoldhorse-traderendhisright-handriderlookedateachotherforamomentinsilence。Theyunderstoodeachother。ThenBostilreturnedtothetaskofpullingonwetbootsandHolleywentaway。
Bostilopenedhisdoorandsteppedoutside。Theeasternrampartsofthedesertwerebrightredwiththerisingsun。Withthenightbehindhimandthemorningcoolandbrightandbeautiful，Bostildidnotsufferapangnorfeelaregret。
Hewalkedaroundunderthecottonwoodswherethemocking-birdsweresinging。
Theshrill，screechingbrayofaburrosplitthemorningstillness，andwiththatthesoundsoftheawakeningvillagedrownedthatsullen，dreadfulboomoftheriver。Bostilwentintobreakfast。
HeencounteredLucyinthekitchen，andhedidnotavoidher。Hecouldtellfromhersmilinggreetingthatheseemedtoherhisoldselfagain。Lucyworeanapronandshehadhersleevesrolledup，showinground，strong，brownarms。
SomehowtoBostilsheseemeddifferent。Shehadbeenpretty，butnowshewasmorethanthat。Shewasradiant。Herblueeyesdanced。Shelookedexcited。Shehadbeentellingherauntsomething，andthatworthywomanappearedatonceshockedanddelighted。ButBostil\'sentrancehadcausedamysteriousbreakineverythingthathadbeengoingon，exceptthepreparationofthemorningmeal。
\"NowIrodeinonsomeconfaborother，that\'ssure，\"saidBostil，good-naturedly。
\"Yousuredid，Dad，\"repliedLucy，withabrightsmile。
\"Wal，letmesitinthegame，\"herejoined。
\"Dad，youcan\'tevenante，\"saidLucy。
\"Jane，what\'sthiskidupto？\"askedBostil，turningtohissister。
\"ThegoodLordonlyknows!\"repliedAuntJane，withasigh。
\"Kid？Seehere，Dad，I\'meighteenlongago。I\'mgrownup。IcandoasI
please，gowhereIlike，andanything。Why，Dad，Icouldget——married。\"
\"Haw!haw!\"laughedBostil。\"Jane，hearthegirl。\"
\"Ihearher，Bostil，\"sighedAuntJane。
\"Wal，Lucy，I\'djustliketoseeyoufetchsomefoollove-sickrideraroundwhenI\'mfeelin\'good，\"saidBostil。
Lucylaughed，buttherewasaroguish，daringflashinhereyes。\"Dad，youdoseemtohavealltheyoungfellowsscared。Somedaymaybeonewillridealong——ariderlikeyouusedtobe——thatnobodycouldbluff。Andhecanhaveme!\"
\"A-huh!Lucy，areyouinfun？\"
Lucytossedherbrighthead，butdidnotanswer。
\"Jane，what\'sgotintoher？\"askedBostil，appealingtohissister。
\"Bostil，she\'sinfun，ofcourse，\"declaredAuntJane。\"Still，atthat，there\'ssomesenseinwhatshesays。Cometoyourbreakfast，now。\"
Bostiltookhisseatatthetable，gladthathecouldoncemorebeamiablewithhiswomen-folk。\"Lucy，to-morrow\'llbethebiggestdayBostil\'sFordeverseen，\"hesaid。
\"Itsurewillbe，Dad。ThebiggestSURPRISINGdaytheFordeverhad，\"repliedLucy。
\"Surprisin\'？\"
\"Yes，Dad。\"
\"Who\'sgoin\'togetsurprised？\"
\"Everybody。\"
BostilsaidtohimselfthathehadbeenusedtoLucy\'sbanter，butduringhismoodyspellofdayspasthehadforgottenhowtotakeherorelseshewasdifferent。
\"Bracktontellsmeyou\'veenteredahossagainstthefield。\"
\"It\'sanopenrace，isn\'tit？\"
\"Openasthedesert，Lucy，\"hereplied。\"What\'sthishossWildfireyou\'veentered？\"
\"Wouldn\'tyouliketoknow？\"tauntedLucy。
\"Ifhe\'sasgoodashisnameyoumightbeinatthefinish。But，Lucy，mydear，talkin\'goodsensenow——youain\'ta-goin\'togouponsomeunbrokenmustanginthisbigrace？\"
\"Dad，I\'mgoingtorideahorse。\"
\"But，Lucy，ain\'titariskyou\'llbetakin\'——allforfun？\"
\"Fun!I\'mindeadearnest。\"
Bostillikedthelookofherthen。Shehadpaledalittle；hereyesblazed；
shewasintense。Hisquestionhadbroughtoutherearnestness，andstraightwayBostilbecamethoughtful。IfLucyhadbeenaboyshewouldhavebeenthegreatestriderontheuplands；andevengirlasshewas，superblymounted，shewouldhavebeendangerousinanyrace。
\"Wal，Iain\'tafraidofyourhandlin\'ofahoss，\"hesaid，soberly。\"An\'aslongasyou\'reinearnestIwon\'tstopyou。But，Lucy，nobettin\'。Iwon\'tletyougamble。\"
\"Notevenwithyou？\"shecoaxed。
Bostilstaredatthegirl。Whathadgottenintoher？\"What\'llyoubet？\"he，queried，withbluntcuriosity。
\"Dad，I\'llgoyouahundreddollarsingoldthatIfinishone——two——three。\"
Bostilthrewbackhisheadtolaughheartily。Whatachipoftheoldblockshewas!\"Child，there\'ssomefasthossesthat\'llbebackoftheKing。You\'dbethrowin\'awaymoney。\"
Bluefireshoneinhisdaughter\'seyes。Shemeantbusiness，allright，andBostilthrilledwithprideinher。
\"Dad，I\'llbetyoutwohundred，even，thatIbeattheKing!\"sheflashed。
\"Wal，ofallthenerve!\"ejaculatedBostil。\"No，Iwon\'ttakeyouup。ReckonI
neverbeforeturneddownanevenbet。Understand，Lucy，ridin\'intheraceisenoughforyou。\"
\"Allright，Dad，\"repliedLucy，obediently。
AtthatjunctureBostilsuddenlyshovedbackhisplateandturnedhisfacetotheopendoor。\"Don\'tIheararunnin\'hoss？\"
AuntJanestoppedthenoiseshewasmaking，andLucydartedtothedoor。ThenBostilheardthesharp，rhythmichoof-beatsherecognized。Theyshortenedtoclatterandpound——thenceasedsomewhereoutinfrontofthehouse。
\"It\'stheKingwithVanup，\"saidLucy，fromthedoor。\"Dad，Van\'sjumpedoff——he\'scominginhe\'srunning。Somethinghashappened。Thereareotherhorsescoming——riders——Indians。\"
Bostilknewwhatwascomingandpreparedhimself。Rapidfootstepssoundedwithout。
\"Hello，MissLucy!Where\'sBostil？\"
Alean，suppleriderappearedbeforethedoor。ItwasVan，greatlyexcited。
\"Comein，boy，\"saidBostil。\"What\'reyouflusteredabout？\"
Vanstrodein，spursjangling，capinhand。\"Boss，there\'s——asixty-footraise——intheriver!\"Vanpanted。
\"Oh!\"criedLucy，wheelingtowardherfather。
\"Wal，Van，IreckonIknowedthet，\"repliedBostil。\"MebbeI\'mgettin\'old，butIcanstillhear。Listen。\"
Lucytiptoedtothedoorandturnedherheadsidewiseandslowlybowedittillshestiffened。Outsidewere，soundsofbirdsandhorsesandmen，butwhenalullcameitquicklyfilledwithasullen，lowboom。
\"Highestfloodwe——everseen，\"saidVan。
\"You\'vebeendown？\"queriedBostil，sharply。
\"Nottotheriver，\"repliedVan。\"Iwentasfaras——wherethegulchopens——onthebluff。TherewasastringofNavajosgoin\'down。An\'somecomin\'up。I
stayedtherewatchin\'theflood，an\'prettysoonSomerscomeupthetrailwithBlakesleyan\'Brackan\'someriders。An\'Somersholleredout，\'Theboat\'sgone!\'\"
\"Gone!\"exclaimedBostil，hisloudcryshowingconsternation。
\"Oh，Dad!Oh，Van!\"criedLucy，witheyeswideandlipsparted。
\"Sureshe\'sgone。An\'thewholeplacedownthere——wherethewillowswasan\'
thesand-bar——itwasdeepunderwater。\"
\"WhatwillbecomeofCreech\'shorses？\"askedLucy，breathlessly。
\"MyGod!ain\'titashame!\"wentonBostil，andhecouldhavelaughedaloudathishypocrisy。HefeltLucy\'sblueeyesriveteduponhisface。
\"Thet\'swhatweallwassayin\'，\"wentonVan。\"Whilewewaswatchin\'theawfulfloodan\'listenin\'tothedeepbum——bum——bumofrollin\'rockssomeoneseenCreechan\'twoPiutesleadin\'thehossesupthettrailwheretheslidewas。Wecountedthehosses——nine。An\'wesawtheroanshineblueinthesunlight。\"
\"PiuteswithCreech!\"exclaimedBostil，thedeepgloominhiseyeslighting。
\"Byallthet\'slucky!MebbethemIndianscanclimbthehossesoutofthetholean\'findwateran\'grassenough。\"
\"Mebbe，\"repliedVan，doubtfully。\"SurethemPiutescouldifthere\'sachance。
Butthereain\'tanygrass。\"
\"Itwon\'ttakemuchgrasstravelin\'bynight。\"
\"Solotsoftheboyssay。ButtheNavajostheyshooktheirheads。An\'Farlanean\'Holley，why，theyjesthelduptheirhands。\"
\"WiththemIndiansCreechhasachancetogethishossesout，\"declaredBostil。Hewassureofhissincerity，buthewasnotcertainthathissinceritywasnotthebirthofastrange，suddenhope。Andthenhewasabletomeettheeyesofhisdaughter。Thatwashissupremetest。
\"Oh，Dad，why，whydidn\'tyouhurryCreech\'shorsesover？\"saidLucy，withhertearsfalling。
SomethingtightwithinBostil\'sbreastseemedtoeaseandlessen。\"Whydidn\'tI？Wal，Lucy，IreckonIwasn\'tinnohurrytoobligeCreech。I\'msorrynow。\"
\"Itwon\'tbesoterribleifhedoesn\'tlosethehorses，\"murmuredLucy。
\"Where\'syoungJoelCreech？\"askedBostil。
\"Hestayedonthissidelastnight，\"repliedVan。\"Factis，Joel\'stheonewhofirstknewthefloodwason。Someonesaidhesaidhesleptinthecanyonlastnight。Anyway，he\'sravin\'crazynow。An\'ifhedoesn\'tdoharmtosomeoneorhisselfI\'llmissmyguess。\"
\"A-huh!\"gruntedBostil。\"Rightyouare。\"
\"Dad，can\'tanythingbedonetohelpCreechnow？\"appealedLucy，goingclosetoherfather。
Bostilputhisarmaroundherandfeltimmeasurablyrelievedtohavethegoldenheadpressclosetohisshoulder。\"Child，wecan\'tflyacrosttheriver。Nowdon\'tyoucryaboutCreech\'shosses。Theyain\'tstarvedyet。It\'shardluck。Butmebbeit\'llturnoutsoCreech\'llloseonlytherace。An\'，Lucy，itwasadeadsurebethe\'dhavelostthetanyway。\"
Bostilfondledhisdaughteramoment，thefirsttimeinmanyaday，andthenheturnedtohisrideratthedoor。\"Van，how\'stheKing？\"
\"Wildtorun，Bostil，jestplumbwild。Therewon\'tbeanyhosswiththeghostofashowto-morrow。\"
Lucyraisedherdroopinghead。\"IsTHATso，VanSickle？Listenhere。IfyouandSageKingdon\'tgetmorewildrunningto-morrowthanyoueverhadI\'llneverrideagain!\"WiththisretortLucylefttheroom。
VanstaredatthedoorandthenatBostil。\"What\'dIsay，Bostil？\"heasked，plaintively。\"I\'malwaysr\'ilin\'her。\"
\"Cheerup，Van。Youdidn\'tsaymuch。Lucyisfierythesedays。She\'sgotahosssomewherean\'she\'sgoin\'toridehimintherace。Sheofferedtobetonhim——againsttheKing!Itcertainlybeatmeallhollow。Butseehere，Van。
I\'veahunchthere\'sadarkhossgoin\'toshowupinthisrace。Sodon\'tunderrateLucyan\'hermount，whateverheis。ShecallshimWildfire。Everseehim？\"
\"Isurehaven\'t。Factis，Ihaven\'tseenLucyfordaysan\'days。Asforthehunchyougave，I\'llsayIwasfigurin\'Lucyforsomerealrace。Bostil，shedoesn\'tMAKEahossrun。He\'llrunjesttopleaseher。An\'Lucy\'slighter\'nafeather。Why，Bostil，ifshehappenedtorideoutthereonBlueRoanorsomeotherhossasfastI\'d——I\'djestwilt。\"
Bostilutteredalaughfullofprideinhisdaughter。\"Wal，shewon\'tshowuponBlueRoan，\"hereplied，withgrimgruffness。\"Thet\'ssureasdeath。
Comeonoutnow。IwantalookattheKing。\"
Bostilwentintothevillage。Alldaylonghewassobusywithathousandandonethingsreferredtohim，putonhim，undertakenbyhim，thathehadnotimetothink。Backinhismind，however，therewasaburdenofwhichhewasvaguelyconsciousallthetime。Heworkedlateintothenightandsleptlatethenextmorning。
NeverinhislifehadBostilbeengloomyorretrospectiveonthedayofarace。InthepressofmattershehadonlyawordforLucy，butthatearnedasaucy，dauntlesslook。Hewasgladwhenhewasabletojointheprocessionofvillagers，visitors，andIndiansmovingouttowardthesage。
Theracecourselayatthefootoftheslope，andnowthegrayandpurplesagewasdottedwithmorehorsesandIndians，moremovingthingsandcolors，thanBostilhadeverseentherebefore。Itwasaspectaclethatstirredhim。ManyfiressentupbluecolumnsofsmokefrombeforethehastilybuiltbrushhutswheretheIndianscookedandate。Blanketsshonebrightinthesun；burrosgrazedandbrayed；horseswhistledpiercinglyacrosstheslope；Indianslolledbeforethehutsortalkedingroups，sittingandloungingontheirponies；
downinthevalley，hereandthere，wereIndiansracing，andotherswerechasingthewirymustangs。Beyondthisgayandcolorfulspectaclestretchedthevalley，mergingintothedesertmarkedsostrikinglyandbeautifullybythemonuments。
Bostilwasamongthelasttoridedowntothehighbenchthatoverlookedthehomeendoftheracecourse。HecalculatedthattherewereathousandIndiansandwhitescongregatedatthatpoint，whichwasthebestvantage-groundtoseethefinishofarace。Andtheoccasionofhisarrival，forallthegaiety，wasoneofdignityandimportance。IfBostilreveledinanythingitwasinanhourlikethis。Hisliberalitymadethiseventagreatrace-day。Thethoroughbredswereallthere，blanketed，inchargeofwatchfulriders。Inthecenterofthebrowofthislongbenchlayahuge，flatrockwhichhadbeenBostil\'sseatinthewatchingofmanyarace。Herewereassembledhisneighborsandvisitorsactivelyinterestedintheraces，andalsotheimportantIndiansofbothtribes，allwaitingforhim。
AsBostildismounted，throwingthebridletoarider，hesawafacethatsuddenlyfrozethethrillingdelightofthemoment。Atall，gauntmanwithcavernousblackeyesandhuge，droopingblackmustachefrontedhimandseemedwaiting。Cordts!Bostilhadforgotten。InstinctivelyBostilstoodonguard。
Foryearshehadpreparedhimselfforthemomentwhenhewouldcomefacetofacewiththisnotedhorse-thief。
\"Bostil，howareyou？\"saidCordts。Heappearedpleasant，andcertainlygratefulforbeingpermittedtocomethere。Fromhislefthandhungabeltcontainingtwoheavyguns。
\"Hello，Cordts，\"repliedBostil，slowlyunbending。Thenhemettheother\'sprofferedhand。
\"I\'vebetheavyontheKing，\"saidCordts。
ForthemomenttherecouldhavebeennootherwaytoBostil\'sgoodgraces，andthisremarkmadethegruffoldrider\'shardfacerelax。
\"Wal，Iwashopin\'you\'dbacksomeotherhoss，soIcouldtakeyourmoney，\"
repliedBostil。
CordtsheldoutthebeltandgunstoBostil。\"Iwanttoenjoythisrace，\"hesaid，withasmilethatsomehowhintedoftheyearshehadpackedthosegunsdayandnight。
\"Cordts，Idon\'twanttotakeyourguns，\"repliedBostil，bluntly。\"I\'vetakenyourwordan\'that\'senough。\"
\"Thanks，Bostil。Allthesame，asI\'myourguestIwon\'tpackthem，\"returnedCordts，andhehungthebeltonthehornofBostil\'ssaddle。\"Someofmymenarewithme。TheywereallrighttilltheygotoutsideofBrackton\'swhisky。
ButnowIwon\'tanswerforthem。\"
\"Wal，you\'resquaretosaythet，\"repliedBostil。\"An\'I\'llrunthisracean\'
answerforeverybody。\"
BostilrecognizedHutchinsonandDickSears，buttheothersofCordts\'sganghedidnotknow。Theywereahard-lookinglot。Hutchinsonwasaspare，stoop-shouldered，red-faced，squinty-eyedrider，brandedalloverwiththemarksofabadman。AndDickSearslookedhisnotoriety。Hewasalittleknotofmuscle，shortandbow-legged，roughinappearanceascactus。Heworearaggedslouch-hatpulledlowdown。Hisfaceandstubbybeardweredust-colored，andhiseyesseemedsullen，watchful。HemadeBostilthinkofadusty，scaly，hard，desertrattlesnake。Bostileyedthisright-handmanofCordts\'sandcertainlyfeltnofearofhim，thoughSearshadthefameofswiftanddeadlyskillwithagun。BostilfeltthathewasneitherafraidnorloathtofaceSearsingun-play，andhegazedatthelittlehorse-thiefinamannerthatnoonecouldmistake。Searswasnotdrunk，neitherwashewhollyfreefromtheunsteadinesscausedbythebottle。AssuredlyhehadnofearofBostilandeyedhiminsolently。Bostilturnedawaytothegroupofhisridersandfriends，andheaskedforhisdaughter。
\"Lucy\'soverthere，\"saidFarlane，pointingtoamerrycrowd。
Bostilwavedahandtoher，andLucy，evidentlymistakinghisaction，cameforward，leadingoneofherponies。Sheworeagrayblousewitharedscarf，andaskirtoveroverallsandboots。Shelookedpale，butshewassmiling，andtherewasadarkgleamofexcitementinherblueeyes。Shedidnothaveonhersombrero。Sheworeherhairinabraid，andhadaredbandtightaboveherforehead。Bostiltookherinallataglance。Shemeantbusinessandshelookeddangerous。Bostilknewoncesheslippedoutofthatskirtshecouldridewithanyriderthere。Hesawthatshehadbecomethecentertowardwhichalleyesshifted。Itpleasedhim。Shewashis，likehermother，andasbeautifulandthoroughbredasanyridercouldwishhisdaughter。
\"Lucy，where\'syourhoss？\"heasked，curiously。
\"Neveryoumind，Dad。I\'llbethereatthefinish，\"shereplied。
\"Red\'syourcolorforto-day，then？\"hequestioned，asheputabighandonthebright-bandedhead。
Shenoddedarchly。
\"Lucy，Ineverthoughtyou\'dflauntredinyouroldDad\'sface。Red，whenthecoloroftheKingislikethesageoutyonder。You\'vegonebackontheKing。\"
\"No，Dad，IneverwasforSageKing，elseIwouldn\'twearredto-day。\"
\"Child，yousuremeantoruninthisrace——thebigone？\"
\"Sureandcertain。\"
\"Wal，theonlybitterdropinmycupto-daywillbeseein\'yougetbeat。ButifyouransecondI\'llgiveyouapresentthet\'llmakethepurselooksick。\"
EventheIndianchiefsweresmiling。OldHorse，theNavajo，beamedbenignlyuponthisdaughterofthefriendoftheIndians。Silver，hisbrotherchieftain，noddedasifheunderstoodBostil\'sprideandregret。Someoftheyoungridersshowedtheirheartsintheireyes。Farlanetriedtolookmysterious，topretendhewasinLucy\'sconfidence。
\"Lucy，ifyouarereallygoin\'toraceI\'llwithdrawmyhosssoyoucanwin，\"
saidWetherby，gallantly。
Bostil\'ssonorouslaughrolleddowntheslope。
\"MissLucy，Isurehatetorunahossagainstyours，\"saidoldCalBlinn。ThenColson，Sticks，Burthwait，theotherprincipals，paidlaughingcomplimentstothebright-hairedgirl。
BostilenjoyedthishugelyuntilhecaughtthestrangeintensityofregardinthecavernouseyesofCordts。Thatgavehimashock。CordtshadlongwantedthisgirlasmuchprobablyashewantedSageKing。ThereweredarkandterriblestoriesthatstainedthenameofCordts。Bostilregrettedhisimpulseingrantingthehorse-thiefpermissiontoattendtheraces。SightofLucy\'sfair，sweetfacemightinflamethisCordts——thisKentuckianwhohadboastedofhisloveofhorsesandwomen。BehindCordtshungthelittledust-coloredSears，likeacoiledsnake，readytostrike。Bostilfeltstirinhimalong-dormantfire——astealingalonghisveins，apassionhehated。
\"Lucy，gobacktothewomentillyou\'rereadytocomeoutonyourhoss，\"hesaid。\"An\'mindyou，becarefulto-day!\"
Hegaveherameaningglance，whichsheunderstoodperfectly，hesaw，andthenheturnedtostarttheday\'ssport。
TheIndianracesrunintwosandthrees，andonuptoanumberthatcrowdedtheracecourse；thebettingandyellingandrunning；thewildandplungingmustangs；theheatanddustandpoundingofhoofs；theexcitedbetting；thesurprisesanddefeatsandvictories，thetrialtestsoftheprincipals，jealouslykeepingofftothemselvesinthesage；theendlessmoving，colorfulprocession，gaudyandswiftandthrilling——alltheseBostillovedtremendously。
Buttheywereasnothingtowhattheygraduallyworkedupto——theclimax——thegreatrace。
Itwasafternoonwhenallwasreadyforthisrace，andthesagewasbrightgrayinthewesteringsun。Everybodywasresting，waiting。Thetensequietoftheridersseemedtosettleuponthewholeassemblage。Onlythethoroughbredswererestless。Theyquiveredandstampedandtossedtheirsmall，fineheads。
Theyknewwhatwasgoingtohappen。Theywantedtorun。Blacks，bays，andwhiteswerethepredominatingcolors；andthehorsesandmustangswerealikeinthosepointsofraceandspeedandspiritthatproclaimedthemthoroughbreds。
Bostilhimselftookthecoveringoffhisfavorite。SageKingwasonedge。Hestoodoutstrikinglyincontrastwiththeotherhorses。Hissage-graybodywasassleekandshinyassatin。Hehadbeentrainedtothehour。Hetossedhisheadashechampedthebit，andeverymomenthismusclesrippledunderhisfineskin。Proud，mettlesome，beautiful!
SageKingwasthefavoriteinthebetting，theIndians，whowereardentgamblers，plungingheavilyonhim。
Bostilsaddledthehorseandwaslongatthetask。
Vanstoodwatching。Hewaspaleandnervous。Bostilsawthis。
\"Van，\"hesaid，\"it\'syourrace。\"
Theriderreachedaquickhandforbridleandhorn，andwhenhisfoottouchedthestirrupSageKingwasintheair。Hecamedown，springy-quick，graceful，andthenheprancedintolinewiththeotherhorses。
Bostilwavedhishand。Thenthetroopofridersandracersheadedforthestarting-point，twomilesupthevalley。MacomberandBlinn，withariderandaNavajo，wereupthereastheofficialstartersoftheday。
Bostil\'seyesglistened。Heputa，friendlyhandonCordts\'sshoulder，anactionwhichshowedthestressofthemoment。MostofthemencrowdedaroundBostil。SearsandHutchinsonhungclosetoCordts。AndHolley，keepingnearhisemployer，hadkeeneyesforotherthingsthanhorses。
SuddenlyhetouchedBostilandpointeddowntheslope。\"There\'sLucy，\"hesaid。\"She\'sridin\'outtojointhebunch。\"
\"Lucy!Where？I\'dforgottenmygirl!Where？\"
\"There，\"repeatedHolly，andhepointed。Othersofthegroupspokeup，havingseenLucyridingdown。
\"She\'sonaredhoss，\"saidone。
\"\'Pearsall-firedbigtome——herhoss，\"saidanother。\"Who\'sgotaglass？\"
Bostilhadtheonlyfield-glassthereandhewasusingit。Acrosstheround，magnifiedfieldofvisionmovedagiantredhorse，hismanewavinglikeaflame。Lucyrodehim。Theyweremovingfromajumbleofbrokenrocksamiledowntheslope。Shehadkeptherhorsehiddenthere。Bostilfeltanaddedstirinhispulse-beat。Certainlyhehadneverseenahorselikethisone。Butthedistancewaslong，theglassnotperfect；hecouldnottrusthissight。
Suddenlythatsightdimmed。
\"Holley，Ican\'tmakeoutnothin\'，\"hecomplained。\"Taketheglass。GivemealineonLucy\'smount。\"
\"Boss，Idon\'tneedtheglasstoseethatshe\'suponaHOSS，\"repliedHolley，ashetooktheglass。Heleveledit，adjustedittohiseyes，andthenlookedlong。Bostilgrewimpatient。Lucywasrapidlyoverhaulingthetroopofracersonherwaytothepost。NothingeverhurriedorexcitedHolley。
\"Wal，can\'tyouseeanybetter\'nme？\"queriedBostil，eagerly。
\"Comeon，Holl，giveusatipbeforeshegitstothepost，\"spokeuparider。
Cordtsshowedintenseeagerness，andallthegroupwereexcited。Lucy\'sadvent，onanunknownhorsethatevenherfathercouldnotdisparage，wasthelastandunexpectedadditiontothesuspense。TheyallknewthatifthehorsewasfastLucywouldbedangerous。
Holleyatlastspoke:\"She\'suponawildstallion。He\'sred，likefire。He\'smightybig——strong。Looksasifhedidn\'twanttogonearthebunch。Lord!
whataction!Bostil，I\'dsay——agreathoss!\"
Therewasamoment\'sintensesilenceinthegrouproundBostil。Holleywasneverknowntomistakeahorseortobeextravagantinjudgmentorpraise。
\"Awildstallion!\"echoedBostil。\"A-huh!An\'shecallshimWildfire。Where\'dshegethim？Gimmethetglass。\"
ButallBostilcouldmakeoutwasablur。Hiseyeswerewet。HerealizednowthathisfirstsightofLucyonthestrangehorsehadbeenclearandstrong，anditwasthatwhichhaddimmedhiseyes。
\"Holley，youusetheglass——an\'tellmewhatcomesoff，\"saidBostil，ashewipedhiseyeswithhisscarf。Hewasrelievedtofindthathissightwasclearing。\"MyGod!ifIcouldn\'tseethisfinish!\"
Theneverybodywatchedtheclose，darkmassofhorsesandridersdownthevalley。AndallwaitedforHolleytospeak。\"They\'relinin\'up，\"begantherider。\"Havin\'somemuss，too，it\'pears。Bostil，thetredhossisraisin\'hell!Hewantstofight。There!he\'supintheair。Boys，he\'sadevil——ahoss-killerlikeallthemwildstallions。He\'splungin\'attheKing——strikin\'!There!Lucy\'sgothimdown。She\'shandlin\'him。Nowthey\'vegottheKingontheotherside。Thet\'sbetter。ButLucy\'shosswon\'tstand。Anyway，it\'sarunnin\'start。Van\'sgotthebestposition。FoxyVan!He\'llbeleadin\'beforetherestknowtherace\'son……ThemIndianmustangsarebehavin\'scandalous。Guesstheredstallionscared\'em。
Nowthey\'realllinedupbackofthepost。Ah!gun-smoke!Theymove……Itlookslikeago。\"
ThenHolleywassilent，strained。inwatching。Sowereallthewatcherssilent。Bostilsawfardownthevalleyamoving，darklineofhorses。
\"THEY\'REOFF!THEY\'REOFF!\"calledHolley，thrillingly。
Bostilutteredadeepandboomingyell，whichroseabovetheshoutsofthemenroundhimandwasheardeveninthedinofIndiancries。Thenasquicklyastheyellshadrisentheyceased。
Holleystoodupontherockwithleveledglass。
\"Mac\'sdroppedtheflag。It\'sasurego。Now!Van\'souttherefront——inside。TheKing\'sgothisstride。Boss，theKing\'sstretchin\'out!。Look!Look!seethetredhossleap!Bostil，he\'srunnin\'downtheKing!Iknowedit。He\'slikelightnin\'。He\'spushin\'theKingover——offthecourse!Seehimplunge!Lord!Lucycan\'tpullhim!Shegoesup——down——tossed——butshestickslikeaburr。Good，Lucy!Hangon!MyGawd，Bostil，theKing\'sthrown!He\'sdown!Hecomesup，offthecourse。
Theothersflashby。Van\'soutoftherace!An\'，Bostil——an\'，gentlemen，thereain\'tanythin\'moretothisracebutaredhoss!\"
Bostil\'sheartgaveagreatleapandthenseemedtostandstill。Hewashalfcold，halfhot。
Whatahorrible，sickeningdisappointment。Bostilrolledoutacursingquery。
Holley\'sanswerwasshortandsharp。TheKingwasout!Bostilraved。Hecouldnotsee。Hecouldnotbelieve。Afteralltheweeksofpreparation，ofexcitement，ofsuspense——onlythis!Therewasnorace。TheKingwasout!Thethingdidnotseempossible。AthousandthoughtsflittedthroughBostil\'smind。Rage，impotentrage，possessedhim。HecursedVan，hesworehewouldkillthatredstallion。Andsomeoneshookhimhard。Someone\'sincisivewordscutintohisthick，throbbingears:\"Luckofthegame!TheKingain\'tbeat!
He\'sonlyout!\"
Thentherider\'shabitofmindasserteditselfandBostilbegantorecover。
FortheKingtofallwashardluck。Buthehadnotlosttherace!Anguishandpridebattledformasteryoverhim。EveniftheKingwereoutitwasaBostilwhowouldwinthegreatrace。
\"Heain\'tbeat!\"mutteredBostil。\"Itain\'tfair!He\'srunoffthetrackbyawildstallion!\"
Hisdimmedsightgrewclearandsharp。Andwithagasphesawthemoving，darklinetakeshapeashorses。Abrighthorsewasinthelead。Brighterandlargerhegrew。Swiftlyandmoreswiftlyhecameon。Thebrightcolorchangedtored。
BostilheardHolleycallingandCordtscalling——andothervoices，buthedidnotdistinguishwhatwassaid。Thelineofhorsesbegantobob，tobunch。Theracelookedclose，despitewhatHolleyhadsaid。TheIndianswerebeginningtoleanforward，hereandthereutteringashort，sharpyell。EverythingwithinBostilgrewtogetherinonegreat，throbbing，tinglingmass。Hisrider\'seye，keenoncemore，caughtagleamofgoldabovethered，andthatgoldwasLucy\'shair。BostilforgottheKing。
ThenHolleybawledintohisear，\"They\'rehalf-way!\"
Theracewasbeautiful。Bostilstrainedhiseyes。Hegloriedinwhathesaw——Lucylowovertheneckofthatredstallion。Hecouldseeplainernow。
Theywerecomingcloser。Howswiftly!Whatasplendidrace!Butitwastooswift——itwouldnotlast。TheIndiansbegantoyell，drowningthehoarseshoutsoftheriders。OutofthetailofhiseyeBostilsawCordtsandSearsandHutchinson。Theywereactinglikecrazymen。Strangethathorse-thievesshouldcare!ThemillionthrillswithinBostilcoalescedintoonegreatshudderofrapture。Hegrewwetwithsweat。HisstentorianvoicetookupthecallforLucytowin。
\"Three-quarters!\"bowledHolleyintoBostil\'sear。\"An\'Lucy\'sgivethetwildhossfreerein!Look，Bostil!Youneverinyourlifeseenahossranlikethet!\"
Bostilneverhad。Hisheartswelled。Somethingshookhim。Wasthathisgirl——thattightlittlegrayburrhalfhiddeninthehugestallion\'sflamingmane？ThedistancehadbeenclosebetweenLucyandthebunchedriders。
Butitlengthened。Howitwidened!Thatflameofahorsewasrunningawayfromtheothers。Andnowtheywereclose——comingintothehomestretch。Adeafeningroarfromtheonlookersengulfedallothersounds。Astraining，stamping，arm-flinginghordesurroundedBostil。
BostilsawLucy\'sgoldenhairwhippingoutfromtheflame-streakedmane。Andthenhecouldonlyseethatredbruteofahorse。Wildfirebeforethewind!
Bostilthoughtoftheleapingprairieflame，storm-driven。
Oncametheredstallion——on——on!Whatatremendousstride!Whatamarvelousrecovery!Whatease!Whatsavageaction!
Heflashedpast，low，pointed，long，goingfastereverymagnificentstride——winnerbyadozenlengths。
CHAPTERXIII
Wildfireranondownthevalleyfarbeyondtheyellingcrowdlinedalongtheslope。Bostilwasdeaftothethrong；hewatchedthestalliontillLucyforcedhimtostopandturn。
ThenBostilwhirledtoseewhereVanwaswiththeKing。Mostofthecrowdsurgeddowntosurroundtheracers，andtheyellsgavewaytothebuzzofmanyvoices。SomeoftheranchersandridersremainednearBostil，allapparentlytalkingatonce。BostilgatheredthatHolley\'sWhitefoothadransecond，andtheNavajo\'smustangthird。ItwasHolleyhimselfwhoverifiedwhatBostilhadheard。Theoldrider\'shawkeyeswerewarmwithdelight。
\"Boss，herunsecond!\"Holleykeptrepeating。
BostilhadthehearttoshakehandswithHolleyandsayhewasglad，whenitwasonhislipstoblurtouttherehadbeennorace。ThenBostil\'snervestingledatsightofVantrottingtheKingupthecoursetowardtheslope。
Bostilwatchedwithsearchingeyes。SageKingdidnotappeartobeinjured。
Vanrodestraightuptheslopeandleapedoff。Hewaswhiteandshaking。
TheKing\'sglossyhidewasdirtywithdustandbitsofcactusandbrush。Hewasnotevenhot。Theredidnotappeartobeabruiseormarkonhim。HewhinniedandrubbedhisfaceagainstBostil，andthen，flinching，hesweptuphishead，earshigh。Bothfearandfireshoneinhiseyes。
\"Wal，Van，getitoutofyoursystem，\"saidBostil，kindly。Hewasaharderloserbeforearacewasrunthanafterhehadlostit。
\"ThetredhossruninontheKingbeforethestartan\'scaredtheraceoutofhim，\"repliedVan，swiftly。\"Wehadahunch，youknow，butatthetLucy\'shosswasasurprise。I\'llsay，sir，thetLucyrodeherwildhossan\'handledhim。
TwiceshepulledhimofftheKing。HemeanttokilltheKing!Askanyoftheboys。Wegotstarted。Itookthelead，sir。TheKingwasinthelead。IneverlookedbacktillIheardLucyscream。Shecouldn\'tpullWildfire。Hewasrushin\'theKing——meanttokillhim。An\'SageKingwantedtofight。IfIcouldonlyhavekepthimrunnin\'!Thetwouldhavebeenarace!。ButWildfiregotincloseran\'closer。Hecrowdedus。HebitattheKing\'sflankan\'shoulderan\'neck。LucypulledtillIyelledshe\'dthrowthehossan\'killusboth。ThenWildfirejumpedforus。Runnin\'an\'strikin\'withbothfeetatonce!Bostil，thethoss\'shell!Thenhehitusan\'downwewent。Ihadabadspill。ButtheKing\'snothurtan\'thet\'sablessedwonder。\"
\"Norace，Van!Itwashardluck。Takehimhome，\"saidBostil。
Van\'sstoryoftheaccidentvindicatedBostil\'sdoubts。Anewhorsehadappearedonthescene，wildandswiftandgrand，butSageKingwasstillunbeateninafairrace。Therewouldcomeareckoning，Bostilgrimlymuttered。
WhoownedthisWildfire？
Holleymightaswellhavereadhismind。\"Reckonthisfellerridin\'upwilltakedowntheprizemoney，\"remarkedHolley，andhepointedtoamanwhorodeahuge，shaggy，blackhorseandwasleadingLucy\'spony。
\"A-huh!\"exclaimedBostil。\"Astrangerider。\"
\"An\'herecomesLucycoaxin\'thestallionback，\"addedHolley。
\"Awildstallionneverclearbroke!\"ejaculatedCordts。
AllthemenlookedandallhadsomeremarkofpraiseforLucyandhermount。
Bostilgazedwithastrange，irresistibleattraction。Neverhadheexpectedtolivetoseeawildstallionlikethisone，tosaynothingofhisdaughtermountedonhim，withtherecordofhavingputSageKingoutoftherace!
AthousandpairsofeyeswatchedWildfire。Heprancedouttherebeyondthecrowdofmenandhorses。Hedidnotwanttocomecloser。Yethedidnotseemtofighthisrider。Lucyhunglowoverhisneck，apparentlyexhausted，andshewaspattinghimandcaressinghim。TherewerehorsesandIndiansoneachsideoftheracetrack，andbetweentheselinesLucyappearedreluctanttocome。
Bostilstrodedownand，wavingandyellingforeverybodytomovebacktotheslope，heclearedthewayandthenstoodoutinfrontalone。
\"Rideup，now，\"hecalledtoLucy。
ItwasthenBostildiscoveredthatLucydidnotwearaspurandshehadneitherquirtnorwhip。SheturnedWildfireandhecameprancingon，headandmaneandtailerect。Hisactionwasbeautiful，springy，andeveryfewsteps，asLucytouchedhim，hejumpedwithmarvelouseaseandswiftness。
Bostilbecamealleyes。Hedidnotseehisdaughterassheparadedthewinnerbeforetheapplaudingthrong。AndBostilrecordedinhismindthatwhichhewouldneverforget——awildstallion，withunbrokenspirit；agiantofahorse，glisteningred，withmanelikedark-striped，wind-blownflame，allmuscle，allgrace，allpower；anecklongandslenderandarchingtothesmall，savagelybeautifulhead；thejawsopen，andthethin-skinned，pink-colorednostrilsthatprovedtheArabianblood；theslantingshouldersandthedeep，broadchest，thepowerfullegsandkneesnottoohighnortoolow，thesymmetricaldarkhoofsthatrangonthelittlestones——allthesemarkssosignificantofspeedandendurance。Astallionwithawonderfulphysicalperfectionthatmatchedthesavage，ruthlessspiritofthedesertkillerofhorses!
Lucywavedherhand，andthestrangeridertowhomHolleyhadcalledattentionstrodeoutofthecrowdtowardWildfire。
Bostil\'sgazetookinthesplendidbuildofthislitherider，theclean-cutface，thedarkeye。Thisfellowhadashiny，coiledlassoinhand。HeadvancedtowardWildfire。Thestallionsnortedandplunged。IfeverBostilrawhateexpressedbyahorsehesawitthen。Butheseemedtobetractabletothecontrolofthegirl。Bostilswiftlygraspedthestrangesituation。Lucyhadwontheloveofthesavagestallion。Thatalwayshadbeenthesecretofherpower。AndshehadhatedSageKingbecausehealonehadsomehowtakenadisliketoher。Horseswereasqueeraspeople，thoughtBostil。
TheriderwalkedstraightuptothetremblingWildfire。WhenWildfireplungedandrearedupanduptheriderleapedforthebridleandwithanironarmpulledthehorsedown。Wildfiretriedagain，almostliftingtherider，butastingingcutfromthelassomadehimcometoastand。Plainlytheriderheldthemastery。
\"Dad!\"calledLucy，faintly。
Bostilwentforward，close，whiletheriderheldWildfire。Lucywasaswan-facedasaflowerbymoonlight。Hereyesweredarkwithemotions，fearpredominating。ThenforBostilthehalfofhisheartthatwashumanreasserteditself。Lucywasonlyagirlnow，andweakening。Herfear，herpitifullittlesmile，asifshedarednothopeforherfather\'sapprovalyetcouldnothelpit，touchedBostiltothequick，andheopenedhisarms。Lucysliddownintothem。
\"Lucy，girl，you\'vewontheKing\'sracean\'double-crossedyourpoorolddad!\"
\"Oh，Dad，Ineverknew——IneverdreamedWildfire——wouldjumptheKing，\"Lucyfaltered。\"Icouldn\'tholdhim。Hewasterrible。Itmademesick。
Daddy，tellmeVanwasn\'thurt——ortheKing!\"
\"Thehoss\'sallrightan\'so\'sVan，\"repliedBostil。\"Don\'tcry，Lucy。Itwasafooltrickyoupulledoff，butyoudiditgreat。ByGad!yousurewasridin\'
thetreddevil。An\'say，it\'sallrightwithme!\"
Lucydidnotfaintthen，butshecamenearit。BostilputherdownandledherthroughthelinesofadmiringIndiansandapplaudingriders，andleftherwiththewomen。
WhenheturnedagainhewasintimetoseethestrangeridermountWildfire。
Itwasaswiftandhazardousmount，thestallionbeingintheair。Whenhecamedownhetoretheturfandsentitflying，andwhenheshotupagainhewasdoubledinaredknot，bristlingwithfieryhair，afuriouswildbeast，madtothrowtherider。Bostilneverheardaswildascreamutteredbyahorse。Likewisehehadneverseensoincomparableahorsemanasthisstranger。
Indiansandridersalikethrilledatasightwhichwasaftertheirownhearts。
Theriderhadhookedhislongspursunderthehorseandnowappearedapartofhim。Hecouldnotbedislodged。Thiswasnotabuckingmustang，butafierce，powerful，fightingstallion。Nodoubt，thoughtBostil，thisfighttookplaceeverytimetheridermountedhishorse。Itwasthesortofthingridersloved。
Mostofthemwouldnotownahorsethatwouldnotpitch。Bostilpresentlydecided，however，thatinthecaseofthisredstallionnoriderinhisrightsenseswouldcareforsuchafight，simplybecauseoftheextraordinarystrengths，activity，andferocityofthestallion。
Theriderswereallbettingthehorsewouldthrowthestranger。AndBostil，seeingthegatheringmightofWildfire\'smomentum，agreedwiththem。Nohorsemancouldstickonthathorse。SuddenlyWildfiretrippedinthesage，andwentsprawlinginthedust，throwinghisriderahead。Bothmanandbeastwerequicktorise，buttheriderhadafootinthestirrupbeforeWildfirewasunderway。Thenthehorseplunged，ranfree，camecirclingback，andslowlygavewaytotherider\'scontrol。Thosefewmomentsoffrenziedactivityhadbroughtoutthefoamandthesweat——Wildfirewaswet。ThemanpulledhiminbeforeBostilanddismounted。
\"SometimesIridehim。thensometimesIdon\'t，\"hesaid，withasmile。
Bostilheldouthishand。Helikedthisrider。Hewouldhavelikedthefrankface，lesshardthanthatofmostriders，andthefine，darkeyes，straightandsteady，eveniftheirpossessorhadnotcomewiththeopensesametoBostil\'sregard——agrand，wildhorse，andthenervetoridehim。
\"Wal，yourodehimlonger\'nanyofusfiggered\"saidBostil，heartilyshakingtheman\'shand。\"I\'mBostil。Gladtomeetyou。\"
\"Myname\'sSlone——LinSlone，\"repliedtherider，frankly。\"I\'mawild-horsehunteran\'hailfromUtah。\"
\"Utah？How\'dyouevergetover？Wal，you\'vegotagrandhoss——an\'youputagrandrideruponhimintherace。MygirlLucy——\"
Bostilhesitated。Hismindwasrunningswiftly。BackofhisthoughtsgatheredthedesireandthedeterminationtogetpossessionofthishorseWildfire。Hehadforgottenwhathemighthavesaidtothisstrangerunderdifferentcircumstances。HelookedkeenlyintoSlone\'sfaceandsawnofear，nosubterfuge。Theyoungmanwashonest。
\"Bostil，Ichasedthiswildhorsedaysan\'weeksan\'months，hundredsofmiles——acrossthecanyonan\'theriver——\"
\"No!\"interruptedBostil，blankly。
\"Yes。I\'lltellyouhowlater。OutheresomewhereIcaughtWildfire，brokehimasmuchashe\'lleverbebroken。Heplayedmeoutan\'gotaway。Yourgirlrodealong——savedmyhorse——an\'savedmylife，too。Iwasinbadshapefordays。ButIgotwell——an\'——an\'thenshewantedmetoletherrunWildfireinthebigrace。Icouldn\'trefuse。An\'itwouldhavebeenagreatracebutfortheunluckyaccidenttoSageKing。I\'msorry，sir。\"
\"Slone，itjarredmesome，thetdisappointment。Butit\'sover，\"repliedBostil。\"An\'sothet\'showLucyfoundherhoss。Shesurewasmysterious。
Wal，wal。\"Bostilbecameawareofothersbehindhim。\"Holley，shakehandswithSlone，hoss-wrangleroutofUtah。You，too，CalBlinn。An\'