Macomber——an\'Wetherby，meetmyfriendhere——youngSlone。An\'，Cordts，shakehandswithafellerthetownsagrandhoss!\"
Bostillaughedasheintroducedthehorse-thieftoSlone。Theotherslaughed，too，evenCordtsjoiningin。TherewasmuchoftheoldriderdaredevilspiritleftinBostil，anditinterestedandamusedhimtoseeCordtsandSlonemeet。
AssuredlySlonehadheardofthenotedstealerofhorses。TheadvantagewascertainlyonCordts\'sside，forhewasgood-naturedandpleasantwhileSlonestiffened，palingslightlyashefacedabouttoacknowledgetheintroduction。
\"Howdy，Slone，\"drawledCordts，withhandoutstretched。\"Isureamgladtomeetyuh。I\'dliketotradetheSageKingforthisredstallion!\"
Aroaroflaughtergreetedthissally，allbutBostilandSlonejoiningin。
ThejokewasonBostil，andheshowedit。Slonedidnotevensmile。
\"Howdy，Cordts，\"hereplied。\"I\'mgladtomeetyou——soI\'llknowyouwhenI
seeyouagain。\"
\"Wal，we\'reallgoodfellersto-day，\"interposedBostil。\"An\'nowlet\'sridehomean\'eat。Slone，youcomewithme。\"
Thegroupslowlymountedtheslopewherethehorseswaited。Macomber，Wetherby，Burthwait，Blinn——allBostil\'sfriendsprofferedtheirfelicitationstotheyoungrider，andallwereevidentlyprepossessedwithhim。
Thesunwaslowinthewest；purpleshadeswereblottingoutthegoldlightsdownthevalley；thedayofthegreatraceswasalmostdone。Indianswerestillscatteredhereandthereingroups；otherswereturningoutthemustangs；andthemajoritywereridingandwalkingwiththecrowdtowardthevillage。
BostilobservedthatCordtshadhurriedaheadofthegroupandnowappearedtobesayingsomethingemphatictoDickSearsandHutchinson。BostilheardCordtscurse。ProbablyhewasarraigningthesullenSears。Cordtshadactedfirstrate——hadliveduptohisword，asBostilthoughthewoulddo。CordtsandHutchinsonmountedtheirhorsesandrodeoff，somewhattotheleftofthescatteredcrowd。ButSearsremainedbehind。Bostilthoughtthisstrangeandputitdowntothesurlinessofthefellow，whohadlostontheraces。Bostil，wishingSearswouldgetoutofhissight，resolvednevertomakeanotherblunderlikeinvitinghorse-thievestoarace。
AllthehorsesexceptWildfirestoodinabunchbackonthebench。Searsappearedtobefussingwiththestrapsonhissaddle。AndBostilcouldnotkeephisglancefromwanderingbacktogloatoverWildfire\'ssavagegraceandstrikingsize。
Suddenlytherecameahaltintheconversationofthemen，acurseinHolley\'sdeepvoice，aviolentsplitinthegroup。BostilwheeledtoseeSearsinamenacingpositionwithtwogunsleveledlow。
\"Don\'tholler!\"hecalled。\"An\'don\'tmove!\"
\"What\'ntheh——lnow，Sears？\"demandedBostil。
\"I\'llboreyouifyoumove——thet\'swhat!\"repliedSears。Hiseyes，bold，steely，withaglintthatBostilknew，vibratedasheheldinsightallpointsbeforehim。Aviciouslittlesand-rattlesnakeabouttostrike!
\"Holley，turnyerback!\"orderedSears。
Theoldrider，whostoodforemostofthegroup\'instantlyobeyed，withhandsup。Hetooknochanceshere，forhealonepackedagun。WithswiftstepsSearsmoved，pulledHolley\'sgun，flungitasideintothesage。
\"Sears，itain\'tahold-up!\"expostulatedBostil。Theactseemedtoobold，toowildevenforDickSears。
\"Ain\'tit？\"scoffedSears，malignantly。\"Bostil，IwasaftertheKing。ButI
reckonI\'llgitthehossthetbeathim!\"
Bostil\'sfaceturneddark-bloodcolorandhisneckswelled。\"ByGawd，Sears!
Youain\'ta-goin\'tostealthisboy\'shoss!\"
\"Shutup!\"hissedthehorse-thief。HepushedagunclosetoBostil。\"I\'vealwayslaidferyou!I\'machin\'toboreyounow。Iwouldbutferscarin\'thishoss。IfyouyapagainI\'llKILLYOU，anyhow，an\'takeachance!\"
Alltheterriblehateandevilandcrueltyanddeadlinessofhiskindburnedinhiseyesandstunginhisvoice。
\"Sears，ifit\'smyhorseyouwantyouneedn\'tkillBostil，\"spokeupSlone。
Thecontrastofhiscool，quietvoiceeasedtheterriblestrain。
\"Leadhimroundhyar!\"snappedSears。
Wildfireappearedmoreshyofthehorsesbackofhimthanofthemen。Slonewasabletoleadhim，however，towithinseveralpacesofSears。ThenSlonedroppedthereins。Hestillheldalassowhichwaslooselycoiled，andtheloopdroppedinfrontofhimashebackedaway。
Searssheathedtheleft-handgun。Keepingthegroupcoveredwiththeother，hemovedbackward，reachingforthehangingreins。Wildfiresnorted，appearedabouttojump。ButSearsgotthereins。Bostil，standinglikeastone，hiscompanionsalsomotionless，couldnothelpbutadmirethedaringofthisuplandhorse-thief。Howwashetomountthatwildstallion？Searswasnotedfortwoqualities——hisnervebeforemenandhisskillwithhorses。Assuredlyhewouldnotriskanordinarymount。WildfirebegantosuspectSears——tolookathiminsteadoftheotherhorses。ThenquickasacatSearsvaultedintothesaddle。Wildfiresnortedandliftedhisforefeetinalungethatmeanthewouldbolt。
Searsinvaultinguphadswungthegunaloft。Hesweptitdown，butwaveringly，forWildfirehadbeguntorear。
BostilsawhowfatalthatsingleinstantwouldhavebeenforSearsifheorHolleyhadagun。
Somethingwhistled。BostilsawtheleapofSlone\'slasso——thecurling，snakydartofthenoosewhichflewuptosnaparoundSears。Theropesungtaut。
Searswassweptbodilycleanfromthesaddle，tohitthegroundinsoddenimpact。
AlmostswifterthanBostil\'ssightwastheactionofSlone——flashingby——intheair——himselfontheplunginghorse。Searsshotonce，twice。ThenWildfireboltedashisriderwhippedthelassoroundthehorn。Sears，halfrising，wasjerkedtenfeet。Anawfulshriekwasthrottledinhisthroat。
Astreakofdustontheslope——atearing，partinglineinthesage!
Bostilstoodamazed。Theredstallionmadeshortplunges。Slonereachedlowforthetrippingreins。WhenhestraightenedupinthesaddleWildfirebrokewildlyintoarun。
ItwascharacteristicofHolleythatatthisthrilling，tragicinstanthewalkedoverintothesagetopickuphisgun。
\"Throwedagunonme，gotthedrop，an\'pitchedmineaway!\"mutteredHolley，indisgust。Thewayhespokemeantthathewasdisgraced。
\"MyGawd!IwasscaredthetSearswouldgetthehoss!\"rolledoutBostil。
Holleythoughtofhisgun；Bostilthoughtofthesplendidhorse。Thethoughtswerecharacteristicoftheseriders。Theothermen，however，recoveringfromahorror-brokensilence，burstoutinacclaimofSlone\'sfeat。
\"DickSears\'sfinish!Ropedbyaboyrider!\"exclaimedCalBlinn，fervidly。
\"Bostil，thatriderisworthyofhishorse，\"saidWetherby。\"IthinkSearswouldhaveboredyou。Isawhisfingerpressing——pressingonthetrigger。MenlikeSearscan\'thelpbutpullatthatstage。\"
\"ThetwasthequickesttrickIeverseen，\"declaredMacomber。
TheywatchedWildfirerundowntheslope，outintothevalley，withastreakofrisingdustoutbehind。Theyallsawwhenthereceasedtobethatpeculiarrisingofdust。Wildfireappearedtoshootaheadatgreaterspeed。Thenheslowedup。Theriderturnedhimandfacedbacktowardthegroup，comingatastiffgallop。SoonWildfirebreastedtheslope，andhalted，snorting，shakingbeforethemen。Thelassowasstilltrailingoutbehind，limpandsagging。
Therewasnoweightuponitnow。
Bostilstrodeslowlyahead。HesympathizedwiththetensionthatheldSlone；
heknewwhytherider\'sfacewasgray，whyhislipsonlymovedmutely，whytherewashorrorinthedark，strainedeyes，whythelean，stronghands，slowlytakingupthelasso，nowshooklikeleavesinthewind。
Therewasonlydustonthelasso。ButBostilknew——theyallknewthatnonethelessithaddealtaterribledeathtothehorse-thief。
SomehowBostilcouldnotfindwordsforwhathewantedtosay。Heputahandontheredstallion——pattedhisshoulder。ThenhegrippedSlonecloseandhard。Hewasthinkinghowhewouldhavegloriedinasonlikethisyoung，wildrider。Thenheagainfacedhiscomrades。
\"Fellers，doyouthinkCordtswasinonthettrick？\"hequeried。
\"Nope。Cordtswasonthesquare，\"repliedHolley。\"Buthemusthaveseenitcomin\'an\'leftSearstohisfate。Itsurewasafittin\'lastrideforahoss-thief。\"
BostilsentHolleyandFarlaneonaheadtofindCordtsandHutchinson，withtheircomrades，totellthemthefateofSears，andtowarnthemtoleavebeforethenewsgottotheriders。
Thesunwassettinggoldenandredoverthebrokenbattlementsofthecanyonstothewest。Theheatofthedayblewawayonabreezethatbentthetipsofthesage-brush。Awildsongdriftedbackfromtheriderstothefore。AndtheprocessionofIndiansmovedalong，theirgaytrappingsandbrightcolorsbeautifulinthefadingsunsetlight。
WhenBostiland，hisguestsarrivedatthecorrals，Holley，withFarlaneandotherriders，werewaiting。
\"Boss，\"saidHolley，\"Cordtsan\'hisoutfitneverridin。TheywaslastseenbysomeNavajosheadin\'forthecanyon。\"
\"Thet\'sgood!\"ejaculatedBostil，inrelief。\"Walboys，lookafterthehosses……Slone，justturnWildfireovertotheboyswithinstructions，an\'feelsafe。\"
Farlanescratchedhisheadandlookeddubious。\"I\'mwonderin\'howsafeit\'llbeferus。\"
\"I\'lllookafterhim，\"saidSlone。
BostilnoddedasifhehadexpectedSlonetorefusetoletanyriderputthestallionawayforthenight。Wildfirewouldnotgointothebarn，andSloneledhimintooneofthehigh-barredcorrals。Bostilwaited，talkingwithhisfriends，untilSlonereturned，andthentheywenttowardthehouse。
\"Ireckonwecouldn\'tgetinsideBrack\'splacenow，\"remarkedBostil。\"ButinacaselikethisIcanscareupadrink。\"Lightsfromthewindowsshonebrightthroughthedarknessunderthecottonwoods。Bostilhaltedatthedoor，asifsuddenlyremembering，andhewhispered，huskily:\"Let\'skeepthewomenfromlearnin\'aboutSears——to-night，anyway。\"
Thenheledthewaythroughthebigdoorintothehugeliving-room。Therewerehanging-lightsonthewallsandblazingsticksonthehearth。Lucycamerunningintomeetthem。ItdidnotescapeBostil\'skeeneyesthatshewasdressedinherbestwhitedress。Hehadneverseenherlooksosweetandpretty，and，forthatmatter，sostrange。Theflush，thedarknessofhereyes，theaddedsomethinginherface，tender，thoughtful，strong——thesewerenew。
Bostilponderedwhileshewelcomedhisguests。Slone，whohadhungback，waslastinturn。Lucygreetedhimasshehadtheothers。Slonemetherwithawkwardconstraint。Thegrayhadnotlefthisface。Lucylookedupathimagain，anddifferently。
\"What——whathashappened？\"sheasked。
ItannoyedBostilthatSloneandallthemensuddenlylookedblank。
\"Why，nothin\'，\"repliedSlone，slowly，\"\'ceptI\'mfaggedout。\"
Lucy，oranyothergirl，couldhaveseenthathe，wasevadingthetruth。SheflashedalookfromSlonetoherfather。
\"Untilto-dayweneverhadabigracethatsomethingdreadfuldidn\'thappen，\"
saidLucy。\"Thiswasmyday——myrace。And，oh!Iwantedittopasswithout——without——\"
\"Wal，Lucydear，\"repliedBostil，asshefaltered。\"Nothin\'cameoffthet\'dmakeyoufeelbad。YoungSlonehadascareabouthishoss。Wildfire\'ssafeoutthereinthecorral，an\'he\'llbeguardedliketheKingan\'Sarch。Sloneneedsadrinkan\'somethin\'toeat，sameasallofus。\"
Lucy\'scolorreturnedandhersmile，butBostilnotedthat，whileshewasservingthemandbrightlyresponsivetocompliments，shegavemorethanonesteadyglanceatSlone。Shewasdeep，thoughtBostil，anditangeredhimalittlethatsheshowedinterestinwhatconcernedthisstrangerider。
Thentheyhaddinner，withtwelveattable。ThewivesofBostil\'sthreefriendshadbeenhelpingAuntJanepreparethefeast，andtheyaddedtothemerriment。Bostilwasnotmuchgiventosocialintercourse——hewouldhavepreferredtobewithhishorsesandriders——butthisnightheoutdidhimselfashost，amazedhissisterJane，whoevidentlythoughthedranktoomuch，anddelightedLucy。Bostil\'soutwardappearanceandhisspeechandactionneverreflectedalltheworkingsofhismind。Noonewouldeverknowthedepthofhisbitterdisappointmentattheoutcomeoftherace。WithCreech\'sBlueRoanoutoftheway，anotherhorse，swifterandmoredangerous，hadcomealongtospoiltheKing\'schance。BostilfeltasubtlyincreasingcovetousnessinregardtoWildfire，andthiscoloredallhistalkandaction。Theuplandcountry，vastandrangy，wasforBostiltoosmalltoholdSageKingandWildfireunlesstheybothbelongedtohim。AndwhenoldCalBlinngavearingingtoasttoLucy，hopingtolivetoseeheruponWildfireinthegrandracethatmustberunwiththeKing，Bostilfeltstirinhimthebirthofasubtle，bitterfear。Atfirsthemockedit。He——Bostil——afraidtorace!Itwasalieoftheexcitedmind。Herepudiatedit。Insidiouslyitreturned。Hedrowneditdown——smothereditwithpassion。Thentheghostofitremained，hauntingly。
AfterdinnerBostilwiththemenwentdowntoBrackton\'s，whereSloneandthewinnersofthedayreceivedtheirprizes。
\"Why，it\'smoremoneythanIeverhadinmywholelife!\"exclaimedSlone，gazingincredulouslyatthegold。
Bostilwasamusedandpleased，andbackofbothamusementandpleasurewastheoldinventive，drivingpassiontogainhisownends。
Bostilwasabnormallygenerousinmanyways；monstrouslyselfishinoneway。
\"Slone，Iseenyoudidn\'tdrinknone，\"hesaid，curiously。
\"No；Idon\'tlikeliquor。\"
\"Doyougamble？\"
\"Ilikealittlebet——onarace，\"repliedSlone，frankly。
\"Wal，thetain\'tgamblin\'。Thesefoolridersofminewillbetontheswitchin\'
ofahoss\'stail。\"HedrewSlonealittleasidefromtheothers，whowereinterestedinBrackton\'sdeliveryofthedifferentprizes。\"Slone，how\'dyouliketorideforme？\"
Sloneappearedsurprised。\"Why，Ineverrodeforanyone，\"hereplied，slowly。
\"Ican\'tstandtobetieddown。I\'mahorse-hunter，youknow。\"
Bostileyedtheyoungman，wonderingwhatheknewaboutthedifficultiesofthejoboffered。ItwasnonewstoBostilthathewasatoncethebestandtheworstmantorideforinalltheuplands。
\"Sure，Iknow。Butthetdoesn\'tmakenodifference，\"wentonBostil，persuasively。\"Ifwegotalong——wal，you\'dsavesomeofthetyellowcoinyou\'rejinglin\'。Aroamin\'riderneverbuildsnocorral!\"
\"Thankyou，Bostil，\"repliedSlone，earnestly。\"I\'llthinkitover。Itwouldseemkindoftamenowtogobacktowild-horsewranglin\'，afterI\'vecaughtWildfire。I\'llthinkitover。MaybeI\'lldoit，ifyou\'resureI\'mgoodenoughwithropean\'horse。\"
\"Wal，byGawd!\"blurtedoutBostil。\"Holleysayshe\'dratheryouthrowedagunonhimthanarope!SowouldI。An\'asforyourhandlin\'ahoss，Ineverseennobetter。\"
Sloneappearedembarrassedandkeptstudyingthegoldcoinsinhispalm。SomeonetouchedBostil，who，turning，sawBracktonathiselbow。TheothermenwerenowbanteringwiththeIndians。
\"ComenowwhileI\'vegotaminnit，\"saidBrackton，takingupalantern。\"I\'vesomethin\'toshowyou。\"
BostilfollowedBrackton，andSlonecamealong。Theoldmanopenedadoorintoasmallroom，halffullofstoresandtrack。Thelanternonlydimlylightedtheplace。
\"Lookthar!\"AndBracktonflashedthelightuponamanlyingprostrate。
BostilrecognizedthepalefaceofJoelCreech。\"Brack!What\'sthis？Ishedead？\"Bostilsustainedastrange，incomprehensibleshock。Sightofadeadmanhadneverbeforeshockedhim。
\"Nope，heain\'tdead，whichifhewasmightbegoodforthiscommunity，\"
repliedBrackton。\"He\'sonlyfalleninafit。FustoffIreckonedhewasdrunk。Butitain\'tthet。\"
\"Wal，whatdoyouwanttoshowhimtomefor？\"demandedBostil，gruffly。
\"Ireckonedyououghterseehim。\"
\"An\'why，Brackton？\"
Bracktonsetdownthelanternand，pushingSloneoutside，said:\"Jestaminnit，son，\"andthenheclosedthedoor。\"Joel\'sbeenonmyhandssincethefloodcuthimofffromhome，\"saidBrackton。\"An\'he\'sbeensometrial。Butnobodyelsewouldhavedonenothin\'forhim，soIhadto。IreckonIfeltsorryforhim。Hecriedlikeababythethadlostitsmother。Thenhegetswild-lookin\'an\'ravedaround。WhenIwasn\'tbusyIkeptaneyeonhim。ButsomeofthetimeIcouldn\'t，an\'hestoledrinks，whichmadehimwuss。An\'
whenIseenhewastryin\'tosneakoneofmyguns，Iupan\'getssuspicious。
Oncehesaid，\'Mydad\'shossesaregoin\'tostarve，an\'I\'mgoin\'tokillsomebody!\'Hewasoutofhisheadan\'dangerous。Wal，Iwasworriedsome，butallIcoulddowaslockupmyguns。LastnightIcaughthimconfabin\'withsomemenoutinthedark，behindthestore。TheyallskedaddledexceptJoel，butIrecognizedCordts。Ididn\'tlikethis，nuther。Joelwassurlyan\'ugly。
An\'whenoneoftheriderscalledhimhesaid:\'ThetboatNEVERDRIFTEDOFF。
FerthenightofthefloodIwentdowntheremyselfan\'tiedtheropes。Theynevercomeuntied。Somebodycutthem——jestbeforetheflood——tomakesuremydad\'shossescouldn\'tbecrossed。Somebodyfiggeredtheriveran\'theflood。
An\'ifmydad\'shossesstarveI\'mgoin\'tokillsomebody!\'\"
Bracktontookupthelanternandplacedahandonthedoorreadytogoout。
\"ThenariderpunchedJoel——Ineverseenwho——an\'Joelhadafit。Idraggedhiminhere。An\'asyousee，heain\'tcometoyet。\"
\"Wal，Brackton，theboy\'scrazy，\"saidBostil。
\"SoIreckon。An\'I\'mafearedhe\'llburnusout——he\'scrazyonfires，anyway——ordosomethin\'like。\"
\"He\'ssureaproblem。Wal，we\'llsee，\"repliedBostil，soberly。
AndtheywentouttofindSlonewaiting。ThenBostilcalledhisguests，andwithSlonealsoaccompanyinghim，wenthome。
Bostilthrewofftherecurringgloom，andhewasgood-naturedwhenLucycametohisroomtosaygoodnight。Heknewshehadcometosaymorethanthat。
\"Hello，daughter!\"hesaid。\"Aren\'tyouashamedtocomefacin\'yourpoorolddad？\"
Lucyeyedhimdubiously。\"No，I\'mnotashamed。ButI\'mstillalittle——afraid。\"
\"I\'mharmless，child。I\'mabrokenman。WhenyouputSageKingoutoftheraceyoubrokeme。\"
\"Dad，thatisn\'tfunny。Youmakemean——angrywhenyouhintIdidsomethingunderhand。\"
\"Wal，youdidn\'tconsultME。\"
\"Ithoughtitwouldbefuntosurpriseyouall。Why，you\'realwaysdelightedwithasurpriseinarace，unlessitbeatsyou。Then，itwasmygreatandonlychancetogetoutinfrontoftheKing。Oh，howgrandit\'dhavebeen!
Dad，I\'dhaverunawayfromhimthesameastheothers!\"
\"No，youwouldn\'t，\"declaredBostil。
\"Dad，WildfirecanbeattheKing!\"
\"Never，girl!Knockin\'agood-temperedhossoffhispinsain\'tbeatin\'himinarunnin\'-race。\"
Thenfatheranddaughterfoughtovertheoldscore，theonedoggedly，imperturbably，theotherspiritedly，withflashingeyes。Itwasdifferentthistime，however，foritendedinLucysayingBostilwouldneverriskanotherrace。ThatstungBostil，anditcosthimanefforttocontrolhistemper。
\"Letthetgonow。TellmeallabouthowyousavedWildfire，an\'Slone，too。\"
Lucyreadilybeganthenarrative，andshehadscarcelystartedbeforeBostilfoundhimselfintenselyinterested。Soonhebecameabsorbed。Thatwasthemostthrillingandmovingkindofromancetohim，likehisrider\'sdreams。
\"Lucy，you\'resureagamekid，\"hesaid，fervidly，whenshehadended。\"I
reckonIdon\'tblameSloneforfallin\'inlovewithyou。\"
\"WhosaidTHAT!\"inquiredLucy。
\"Nobody。Butit\'strue——ain\'tit？\"
Shelookedupwitheyesastrueasevertheywere，yetalittlesad，hethought，alittlewistfulandwondering，asifastrangeandgravethingconfrontedher。
\"Yes，Dad——it\'s——it\'strue，\"sheanswered，haltingly。
\"Wal，youdidn\'tneedtotellme，butI\'mgladyoudid。\"
Bostilmeanttoaskherthenifsheinanysensereturnedtherider\'slove，butunaccountablyhecouldnotputthequestion。Thegirlwasastrueasever——asgoodasgold。Bostilfearedasecretthatmighthurthim。justassureaslifewasthereanddeathbutastepaway，somerider，soonerorlater，wouldwinthisgirl\'slove。Bostilknewthat，hatedit，fearedit。Yethewouldnevergivehisgirltoabeggarlyrider。SuchamanasWetherbyoughttowinLucy\'shand。AndBostildidnotwanttoknowtoomuchatpresent；hedidnotwanthisswift-mountinganimosityrousedsosoon。Stillhewascurious，and，wantingtogetthedriftofLucy\'smind，hetooktohisoldhabitofteasing。
\"Anothermoonstruckrider!\"hesaid。\"Youreyesaresurefullmoons，Lucy。I\'dbeashamedtotriflewiththesepoorfellers。\"
\"Dad!\"
\"You\'reaheartlessflirt——sameasyourmotherwasbeforeshemetME。\"
\"I\'mnot。AndIdon\'tbelievemotherwas，either，\"repliedLucy。Itwaseasytostrikefirefromher。
\"Wal，youdiddeadwrongtorideouttheredayafterdaymeetin\'Slone，because——youngwoman——ifheeverhasthenervetoaskmeforyouI\'llbeathimupbad。\"
\"Thenyou\'dbeabrute!\"retortedLucy。
\"Wal，mebbe，\"returnedBostil，secretlydelightedandsurprisedatLucy\'sfailuretoseethroughhim。Butshewaslookinginward。Hewonderedwhathidtheredeepinher。\"ButIcan\'tstandforthenerveofthet。\"
\"He——hemeansto——toaskyou。\"
\"Theh。A-huh!\"
Lucydidnotcatchtheslipoftongue。Shewasflushingnow。\"Hesaidhe\'dneverhaveletmemeethimouttherealone——unless——he——helovedme——andasourneighborsandtheriderswouldlearnofit——andtalk——hewantedyouandthemtoknowhe\'daskedto——tomarryme。\"
\"Wal，he\'sasquareyoungman!\"ejaculatedBostil，involuntarily。ItwashardforBostiltohidehissincerityandimpulsiveness；muchharderthantohideunworthyattributes。Thenhegotbackontheothertrack。\"That\'llmakemetreathimdecent，sowhenheridesuptoaskforyouI\'lllethimoffwith，\'No!\"
Lucydroppedherhead。Bostilwouldhavegivenallhehad，excepthishorses，tofeelsureshedidnotcareforSlone。
\"Dad——Isaid——\'No\'——formyself，\"shemurmured。
ThistimeBostildidnotwithholdtheprofanewordofsurprise。\"。Sohe\'saskedyou，then？Wal，wal!When？\"
\"To-day——outthereintherockswherehewaitedwithWildfireforme。
He——he——\"
Lucyslippedintoherfather\'sarms，andherslenderformshook。Bostilinstinctivelyfeltwhatshethenneededwashermother。Hermotherwasdead，andhewasonlyarough，old，hardrider。Hedidnotknowwhattodo——tosay。
Hisheartsoftenedandheclaspedherclose。Ithurthimkeenlytorealizethathemighthavebeenabetter，kinderfatherifitwerenotforthefearthatshewouldfindhimout。Butthatprovedhelovedher，cravedherrespectandaffection。
\"Wal，littlegirl，tellme，\"hesaid。
\"He——hebrokehiswordtome。\"
\"A-huh!Thet\'stoobad。An\'howdidhe？\"
\"He——he——\"Lucyseemedtocatchhertongue。
Bostilwaspositiveshehadmeanttotellhimsomethingandsuddenlychangedhermind。Subtlythechildvanished——awomanremained。Lucysatupself-possessedoncemore。Somepowerfullyimpellingthoughthadtransformedher。Bostil\'skeensensegatheredthatwhatshewouldnottellwasnotherstoreveal。Forherself，shewasthesoulofsimplicityandfrankness。
\"DaysagoItoldhimIcaredforhim，shewenton。\"ButIforbadehimtospeakofittome。Hepromised。Iwantedtowaittillaftertherace——tillafterI
hadfoundcouragetoconfesstoyou。Hebrokehisword。TodaywhenheputmeuponWildfirehe——hesuddenlylosthishead。\"
TheslowscarletwelledintoLucy\'sfaceandhereyesgrewshamed，butbravelyshekeptfacingherfather。
\"He——hepulledmeoff——hehuggedme——hek-kissedme。Oh，itwasdreadful-shameful!ThenIgavehimback——some——somethinghehadgivenme。AndItoldhimI——Ihatedhim——andItoldhim，\'No!\'\"
\"Butyourodehishossintherace，\"saidBostil。
Lucybowedherheadatthat。\"I——Icouldn\'tresist!\"
Bostilstrokedthebrighthead。Whataquandaryforathick-skulledoldhorseman!\"Wal，itseemstomeSlonedidn\'tactsobad，considerin\'。You\'dtoldhimyoucaredforhim。Ifitwasn\'tforthet!IrememberIdidmuchthesametoyourmother。Sheraisedthedevil，butIneverseenasshecaredanylessforme。\"
\"I\'llneverforgivehim，\"Lucycried，passionately。\"Ihatehim。Amanwhobreakshiswordinonethingwilldoitinanother。\"
Bostilsadlyrealizedthathislittlegirlhadreachedwomanhoodandlove，andwiththemthesweet，bitterpangsoflife。Herealizedalsothatherewasacrisiswhenaword——anunjustorlyingwordfromhimwouldforeverruinanyhopethatmightstillexistforSlone。Bostilrealizedthisacutely，buttherealizationwasnotevenatemptation。
\"Wal，listen。I\'mboundtoconfessyournewriderissureswift。An\'，Lucy，to-dayifhehadn\'tbeenasswiftwitharopeasheisinlove——wal，yourolddaddymightbedead!\"
Shegrewaswhiteasherdress。\"Oh，Dad!IKNEWsomethinghadhappened，\"shecried，reachingforhim。
ThenBostiltoldherhowDickSearshadmenacedhim——howSlonehadfoiledthehorse-thief。Hetoldthestorybluntly，buteloquently，withallarider\'spraise。Lucyrosewithhandspressedagainstherbreast。WhenhadBostilseeneyeslikethose——dark，shining，wonderful？Ah!herememberedhermother\'sonce——onlyonce，asagirl。
ThenLucykissedhimandwithoutawordfledfromtheroom。
Bostilstaredafterher。\"D——nme!\"heswore，ashethrewabootagainstthewall。\"IreckonI\'llneverlethermarrySlone，butIjusthadtotellherwhatIthinkofhim!\"
CHAPTERXIV
Slonelaywideawakeunderanopenwindow，watchingthestarsglimmerthroughtherustlingfoliageofthecottonwoods。Somewherealonesomehoundbayed。
Veryfaintlycamethesilverytinkleofrunningwater。
ForfivedaysSlonehadbeenaguestofBostil\'s，andthewholefivedayshadbeentorment。
OnthemorningofthedayaftertheracesLucyhadconfrontedhim。Wouldheeverforgethereyes——hervoice？\"Blessyouforsavingmydad!\"shehadsaid。
\"Itwasbrave。Butdon\'tletdadfoolyou。Don\'tbelieveinhiskindness。Aboveall，don\'trideforhim!HeonlywantsWildfire，andifhedoesn\'tgethimhe\'llhateyou!\"
ThatspeechofLucy\'shadmadethesucceedingdayshardforSlone。Bostilloadedhimwithgiftsandkindnesses，andneverceasedimportuninghimtoaccepthisoffers。ButforLucy，Slonewouldhaveaccepted。ItwasshewhocastthefirstdoubtofBostilintohismind。Lucyaverredthatherfatherwassplendidandgoodineverywayexceptinwhatpertainedtofasthorses；therehewasimpossible。
ThegreatstallionthatSlonehadnearlysacrificedhislifetocatchwaslikeathornintherider\'sflesh。Slonelaythereinthedarkness，restless，hot，rollingfromsidetoside，orstaringoutatthestar-studdedsky——miserablyunhappyallonaccountofthathorse。Almosthehatedhim。WhatpridehehadfeltinWildfire!HowhehadgloriedinthegiftofthestalliontoLucy!
Then，onthemorningoftheracehadcomethatunexpected，incomprehensibleandwildactofwhichhehadbeenguilty。Yetnottosavehislife，hissoul，couldheregretit!Wasithewhohadbeenresponsible，oranunknownsavagewithinhim？HehadkepthiswordtoLucy，whendayafterdayhehadburnedwithloveuntilthatfatalmomentwhenthetouchofher，asheliftedhertoWildfire\'ssaddle，hadmadeamadmanoutofhim。Hehadsweptherintohisarmsandheldherbreasttohis，herfacebeforehim，andhehadkissedthesweet，partinglipstillhewasblind。
Thenhehadlearnedwhatalittlefuryshewas。Thenhelearnedhowhehadfallen，whathehadforfeited。Inhisamazeathimself，inhishumilityandshame，hehadnotbeenabletosayawordinhisowndefense。Shedidnotknowyetthathisacthadbeenungovernableandthathehadnotknownwhathewasdoingtilltoolate。Andshehadfinishedwith:\"I\'llrideWildfireintherace——butIwon\'thavehim——andIwon\'thaveYOU!NO!\"
Shehadthesteelandhardnessofherfather。
ForSlone，thewatchingofthatracewasablendofraptureanddespair。Helivedoverinmindallthetimebetweentheraceandthishourwhenhelaytheresleeplessandfullofremorse。Hismindwaslikearacecoursewithmanyraces；andpredominatinginitwasthatswift，strange，stingingraceofhismemoryofLucyBostil\'slooksandactions。
Whatanutterfoolhewastobelieveshehadmeantthosetenderwordswhen，outthereundertheloomingmonuments，shehadacceptedWildfire!Shehadbeenanimpulsivechild。Herscornandfurythatmorningoftheracehadleftnothingforhimexceptfootlessfancies。ShehadmistakenloveofWildfireforloveofhim。No，hiscasewashopelesswithLucy，andifithadnotbeensoBostilwouldhavemadeithopeless。YettherewerethingsSlonecouldnotfathom——thewilful，contradictory，proudandcoldandunaccountablysweetlooksandactionsofthegirl。TheyhauntedSlone。Theymadehimconscioushehadamindandtorturedhimwithhisdevelopment。Buthehadnoexperiencewithgirlstocomparewithwhatwashappeningnow。Itseemedthatacceptedfactandrememberedscornandcoldcertaintyweresomehowatvariancewithhithertounknownintuitionsandinstincts。Lucyavoidedhim，ifbychancesheencounteredhimalone。
WhenBostilorAuntJaneoranyoneelsewaspresentLucywaskind，pleasant，agreeable。Whatmadeherflushredatsightofhimandthen，pale？Whydidsheoftenattableorinthebigliving-roomsoftlybrushagainsthimwhenitseemedshecouldhaveavoidedthat？Manytimeshehadfeltsomeinconceivabledrawingpower，andlookeduptofindhereyesuponhim，strangeeyesfullofmystery，thatweresuddenlyaverted。Wasthereanymeaningattachabletothefactthathisroomwaskeptsotidyandneat，thateverydaysomethingwasaddedtoitscomfortorcolor，thathefoundfreshflowerswheneverhereturned，orabook，orfruit，oradaintymorseltoeat，andonceabunchofIndianpaint-brush，wildflowersofthedesertthatLucyknewheloved？Mostofall，itwasLucy\'seyeswhichhauntedSlone——eyesthathadchanged，darkened，losttheiraudaciousflash，andyetseemedallthesweeter。Theglanceshecaught，whichhefanciedwerestolen——andthenderidedhisfancy——thrilledhimtohisheart。ThusSlonehadspentwakinghoursbydayandnight，madwithloveandremorse，tormentedonehourbyimaginedgroundsforhopeandresignedtodespairthenext。
UponthesixthmorningofhisstayatBostil\'sSlonerosewithsomethingofhisformerwillreassertingitself。HecouldnotremaininBostil\'shomeanylongerunlessheacceptedBostil\'soffer，andthiswasnottobethoughtof。
WithawrenchSlonethrewoffthesofteningindecisionandhurriedouttofindBostilwhilethedeterminationwashot。
BostilwasinthecorralwithWildfire。ThiswasthesecondtimeSlonehadfoundhimthere。WildfireappearedtoregardBostilwithamuchbetterfavorthanhedidhismaster。AsSlonenotedthisalittleheatstolealonghisveins。Thatwasgalltoarider。
\"Ilikeyourhoss，\"saidBostil，withgrufffrankness。Butatingeofredshowedunderhisbeard。
\"Bostil，I\'msorryIcan\'ttakeyouuponthejob，\"rejoinedSlone，swiftly。
\"It\'sbeenhardformetodecide。You\'vebeengoodtome。I\'mgrateful。Butit\'stimeIwastellin\'you。\"
\"Whycan\'tyou？\"demandedBostil，straighteningupwithaglintinhisbigeyes。ItwasthefirsttimehehadaskedSlonethat。
\"Ican\'trideforyou，\"repliedSlone，briefly。
\"Anythin\'todowithLucy？\"queriedBostil。
\"Howso？\"returnedSlone，consciousofmoreheat。
\"Wal，youwassweetonheran\'shewouldn\'thaveyou，\"repliedBostil。
Slonefeltthebloodswellandboilinhisveins。ThisBostilcouldsayasharshandhardthingsasreputegavehimcreditfor。
\"Yes，IAMsweetonLucy，an\'shewon\'thaveme，\"saidSlone，steadily。\"I
askedhertoletmecometoyouan\'tellyouIwantedtomarryher。Butshewouldn\'t。\"
\"Wal，it\'sjustasgoodyoudidn\'tcome，becauseImight。\"Bostilbrokeoffhisspeechandbeganagain。\"Youdon\'tlacknerve，Slone。What\'dyouhavetoofferLucy？\"
\"Nothin\'except——Butthatdoesn\'tmatter，\"repliedSlone，cuttothequickbyBostil\'sscorn。\"I\'mgladyouknow，an\'somuchforthat。\"
BostilturnedtolookatWildfireoncemore，andhelookedlong。Whenhefacedaroundagainhewasanotherman。Slonefeltthepowerfuldrivingpassionofthisoldhorse-trader。
\"Slone，I\'llgiveyoupickofahundredmustangsan\'athousanddollarsforWildfire!\"
Soheunmaskedhispowerinthefaceofabeggarlyrider!ThoughitstruckSlonelikeathunderbolt，hefeltamused。Buthedidnotshowthat。Bostilhadonlyonepossession，amongallhisuncountedwealth，thatcouldwinWildfirefromhisowner。
\"No，\"saidSlone，briefly。
\"I\'lldoubleit，\"returnedBostil，justasbriefly。
\"No!\"
\"I\'ll——\"
\"Saveyourbreath，Bostil，\"flashedSlone。\"Youdon\'tknowme。Butletmetellyou——youCAN\'TBUYmyhorse!\"
ThegreatveinsswelledandchurnedinBostil\'sbullneck；athickanduglycontortionworkedinhisface；hiseyesreflectedasickrage。
SlonesawthattwopassionsshookBostil——one，abitter，terribledisappointment，andtheother，thepassionofamanwhocouldnotbrookbeingcrossed。ItappearedtoSlonethatthebestthinghecoulddowastogetawayquickly，andtothisendheledWildfireoutofthecorraltothestablecourtyard，andtherequicklysaddledhim。Thenhewentintoanothercorralforhisotherhorse，Nagger，and，bringinghimout，returnedtofindBostilhadfollowedasfarasthecourt。Theoldman\'srageapparentlyhadpassedorhadbeensmothered。
\"Seehere，\"hebegan，inthickvoice，\"don\'tbead——foolan\'ruinyourchanceinlife。I\'ll——\"
\"Bostil，myonechancewasruined——an\'youknowwhodidit，\"repliedSlone，ashegatheredNagger\'sropeandWildfire\'sbridletogether。\"I\'venohardfeelin\'s。ButIcan\'tsellyoumyhorse。An\'Ican\'trideforyou——because——well，becauseitwouldbreedtrouble。\"
\"An\'whatkind？\"queriedBostil。
HolleyandFarlaneandVan，withseveralotherriders，hadcomeupandwerestandingopen-mouthed。SlonegatheredfromtheirmannerandexpressionthatanythingmighthappenwithBostilinsuchamood。
\"We\'dberacin\'theKingan\'Wildfire，wouldn\'twe？\"repliedSlone。
\"An\'supposin\'wewould？\"returnedBostil，ominously。Hishugeframevibratedwithaslightstart。
\"Wildfirewouldrunoffwithyourfavorite——an\'youwouldn\'tlikethat，\"
answeredSlone。Itwashisrider\'shotbloodthatpromptedhimtolaunchthistaunt。Hecouldnothelpit。
\"Youwild-hosschaser，\"roaredBostil，\"yourWildfiremaybeabloodykiller，buthecan\'tbeattheKinginarace!\"
\"ExcuseME，Bostil，butWildfiredidbeattheKing!\"
Thiswasonlyaddingfueltothefire。SlonesawHolleymakingsignsthatmusthavemeantsilencewouldbebest。ButSlone\'sbloodwasup。Bostilhadrubbedhimthewrongway。
\"You\'realair!\"declaredBostil，withatremendousstrideforward。Slonesawthenhowdangerousthemanreallywas。\"Itwasnorace。YourwildhossknockedtheKingoffthetrack。\"
\"SageKinghadthelead，didn\'the？Whydidn\'thekeepit？\"
Bostilwaslikeafurious，intractablechildwhosefavoriteprecioustreasurehadbeenbroken；andheburstoutintoatorrentofincoherentspeech，apparentlyreasonswhythisandthatwereso。SlonedidnotmakeoutwhatBostilmeantandhedidnotcare。WhenBostilgotoutofbreathSlonesaid:
\"We\'rebothwastin\'talk。An\'I\'mnotwantin\'youtocallmealiartwice……PutyourriderupontheKingan\'comeon，rightnow。I\'ll——\"
\"Slone，shutupan\'chaseyourself，\"interruptedHolley\"Yougotoh——l!\"returnedSlone，coolly。
Therewasamoment\'ssilence，inwhichSlonetookHolley\'smeasure。Thehawk-eyedoldridermayhavebeensquare，buthewasthenthinkingonlyofBostil。
\"WhatamIup，againsthere？\"demandedSlone。\"AmIgoin\'tobeshotbecauseI\'mtakin\'myownpart？Holley，youan\'therestofyourpardsareallafraidofthisolddevil。ButI\'mnot——an\'youstayoutofthis。\"
\"Wal，son，youneedn\'tgitriled，\"repliedHolley，placatingly。\"Iwasonlytryin\'tostaveofftalkyoumightbesorryfor。\"
\"Sorryfornothin\'!I\'mgoin\'tomakethisgreathorse-trader，thisrichan\'
mightyrancher，thisjudgeofgrandhorses，thisBOSTIL!I\'mgoin\'tomakehimracetheKingortakewater!\"ThenSloneturnedtoBostil。Thatworthyevidentlyhadbeenstunnedbytheriderwhodaredcallhimtohisface。
\"Comeon!FetchtheKing!Letyourownridersjudgetherace!\"
Bostilstruggledbothtocontrolhimselfandtospeak。\"Naw!Iain\'tgoin\'toseethetredhoss-killerjumptheKingagain!\"
\"Bah!you\'reafraid。Youknowthere\'dbenogirlonhisback。YouknowhecanoutruntheKingan\'that\'swhyyouwanttobuyhim。\"
Slonecaughthisbreaththen。Herealizedsuddenly，atBostil\'spalingface，thatperhapshehaddaredtoomuch。Yet，maybethetruthflungintothishardoldrider\'steethwaswhatheneededmorethananythingelse。Slonedivined，ratherthansaw，thathehaddoneanunprecedentedthing。
\"I\'llgonow，Bostil。\"
Slonenoddedagood-bytotheriders，and，turningaway，heledthetwohorsesdownthelanetowardthehouse。ItscarcelyneededsightofLucyunderthecottonwoodstostillhisangerandrousehisregret。Lucysawhimcoming，and，asusual，startedtoavoidmeetinghim，whensightofthehorses，orsomethingelse，causedhertocometowardhiminstead。
Slonehalted。BothWildfireandNaggerwhinniedatsightofthegirl。Lucytookoneflashingglanceatthem，atSlone，andthensheevidentlyguessedwhatwasamiss。
\"Lucy，I\'vedoneitnow——playedhob，sure，\"saidSlone。
\"What？\"shecried。
\"Icalledyourdad——calledhimgoodan\'hard——an\'he——he——\"
\"Lin!Oh，don\'tsayDad。\"Lucy\'sfacewhitenedandsheputaswifthanduponhisarm——atouchthatthrilledhim。\"Lin!there\'sblood——onyourface。
Don\'t——don\'ttellmeDadhityou？\"
\"Ishouldsaynot，\"declaredSlone，quicklyliftinghishandtohisface。
\"Mustbefrommycut，thatblood。Ibarkedmyhandholdin\'Wildfire。\"
\"Oh!I——Iwassickwith——with——\"Lucyfalteredandbrokeoff，andthendrewbackquickly，asifsuddenlyconsciousofheractionsandwords。
ThenSlonebegantorelateeverythingthathadbeensaid，andbeforeheconcludedhisstoryhisheartgaveawildthrobatthetelltalefaceandeyesofthegirl。
\"YousaidthattoDad!\"shecried，inamazeandfearandadmiration。\"Oh，Dadrichlydeservedit!ButIwishyouhadn\'t。Oh，Iwishyouhadn\'t!\"
\"Why？\"askedSlone。
Butshedidnotanswerthat。\"Whereareyougoing？\"shequestioned。
\"Cometothinkofthat，Idon\'tknow，\"repliedSlone，blankly。\"Istartedbacktofetchmythingsoutofmyroom。That\'sasfarasmymuddledthoughtsgot。\"
\"Yourthings？Oh!\"Suddenlyshegrewintenselywhite。Thelittlefrecklesthathadbeensoindistinctstoodoutmarkedly，anditwasasifshehadneverhadanytan。Onebrownhandwenttoherbreast，theotherflutteredtohisarmagain。\"Youmeanto——togoaway——forgood。\"
\"Sure。WhatelsecanIdo？\"
\"Lin!Oh，therecomesDad!Hemustn\'tseeme。Imustrun。Lin，don\'tleaveBostil\'sFord——don\'tgo——DON\'T!\"
Thensheflewroundthecomerofthehouse，todisappear。Slonestoodtheretransfixedandthrilling。EvenBostil\'sheavytreaddidnotbreakthetrance，andameetingwouldhavebeenunavoidablehadnotBostilturneddownthepaththatledtothebackofthehouse。Slone，withastartcollectinghisthoughts，hurriedintothelittleroomthathadbeenhisandgathereduphisfewbelongings。Hewascarefultoleavebehindthegiftsofguns，blankets，gloves，andotherrider\'sbelongingswhichBostilhadpresentedtohim。Thusladen，hewentoutsideand，tinglingwithemotionsutterlysweetandbewildering，heledthehorsesdownintothevillage。
SlonewentdowntoBrackton\'s，andputthehorsesintoalarge，high-fencedpastureadjoiningBrackton\'shouse。Slonefeltreasonablysurehishorseswouldbesafethere，buthemeanttokeepamightyclosewatchonthem。AndoldBrackton，asifhereadSlone\'smind，saidthis:\"Keepyoureyeonthetdaffyboy，JoelCreech。Hehangsroundmyplace，sleepsoutsomewheres，an\'
he\'scrazyabouthosses。\"
Slonedidnotneedanywarninglikethat，noranyinformationtomakehimcuriousregardingyoungCreech。Lucyhadseentothat，and，infact，Slonewasanxioustomeetthishalf-wittedfellowwhohadsogrievouslyoffendedandthreatenedLucy。Thatmorning，however，Creechdidnotputinanappearance。
Thevillagehadnearlyreturnedtoitsnormalstatenow，andthesleepytenorofitsway。TheIndians，hadbeenthelasttogo，butnownoneremained。Thedayswerehotwhilethesunstayedhigh，andonlytheridersbraveditsheat。
Themorning，however，didnotpasswithoutaninterestingincident。BracktonapproachedSlonewithanofferthathetakechargeofthefreightingbetweentheFordandDurango。\"WhatwouldIdowithWildfire？\"wasSlone\'squestioningreply，andBracktonhelduphishands。AlaterincidentearnedmoreofSlone\'sattention。HehadobservedamaninBrackton\'sstore，anditchancedthatthismanheardSlone\'sreplytoBrackton\'soffer，andhesaid:\"You\'llsureneedtocorralthetredstallion。GrandesthossIeverseen!\"