\"Brandynow，Perault，\"saidShock。\"Therenow，laddie。ThankGod，heiscomingto！\"
\"Dad，dad，where’sdad？\"saidlittlePatsyfaintly，openinghiseyes。\"Iwantdad。\"
\"Here！Here！Patsymannie，\"criedhisfatherquickly，comingfrombehindthecrowdwherehehadbeenstandingdazedandstupid。\"Standbackthere！Letmehavemyboy，\"headdedsavagely。
HesweptbothPeraultandShockangrilyaside，gatheredthelittleladtenderlyinhisarmsandstrodeoffintothehouse，thewhitefaceofthechildrestingonhisfather’sshoulderandhisgoldencurlsminglingwiththeblack，coarsemassesofhisfather’shairandbeard。
\"Well，I’llbeblanked！\"saidoneofthemen。\"Wouldn’tthatpallyou！\"
\"Blankcantankerouscuss！\"saidthecowboy。\"Nevera`thankyou’forgittin’halfkilledinplaceofhiskid。\"
PeraultwalkeduptoShock，andofferinghishand，saidinavoicehuskyandbroken，\"Dat’stwoforyoudiseven’——mean’datleelefeller。Forme——Ican’tspikmyheart，\"smitinghimselfonthebreast，\"butmyheart——dat’syourownnow，bygar！\"HewrungShock’shandinbothofhisandturnedquicklyaway。Butbeforehehadtakenmanystepshereturned，saying，\"Comeonwitme！Ifeexupyourhead。\"AndwithoutfurtherwordsShockandPeraultpassedintotheStoppingPlace。
Themenlookedateachotherinsilenceforatime，thenthecowboysaidwithunusualemphasis，\"Boys，he’swhite！He’sblankedwhite！\"
X
THETURFMEET
ThegreatbrownshadowsoftherollinghillshadquitefilledthehollowsbetweenandwereslowlyclimbingupthewesternslopeofeveryundulationwhenShockreachedthelipofthebroadriverbedinwhichlay，thelittleforttown。
ThewhiteclumpofbuildingsstandingbythemselvesheknewtobethebarracksoftheNorth—WestMountedPolice。Theflagfloatingaboveshowedthat，aswellastheairofmilitaryneatnessaboutthem。
Thetownstraggledalongtwointersectingstreets，andthenfrayedoutovertheflatsinisolatedanddejected—lookingshacks。ThemoreimposingbuildingonthemainstreetShockguessedwerethehotelsandstores。OneofthelatterherecognisedfromitsflagasthatoftheancientandhonourableHudson’sBayCompany。Onabackstreethereandtherestoodahousesurroundedbyagardenandscrubbytrees，apatheticattempttoreproduceinthistreelesscountrywhatinotherlandshadbeenfondlycalledhome。
Awayoneverysidestretchedthevastsweepofrollingprairietowheretheamberofthesky—linemingledwiththegreyblueoftheearth。
Howinsignificant，howmiserableandwretchedinthemidstofthisexpanseofskyandearth，seemedthehuddlingbunchofdejectedbuildings，andyetthewholeinterestofheavenaboveandeartharoundcentredinthosestragglingshacks，fortheyweretheabodesofmen。
Fromfeastinghisheartuponthemarvellousbeautyoftheexpanseofroundedhills，withtheirvariegationofsunlightandshadow，andtheexpanseofcloudlesssky，deepblueoverheadandshadingbyindefinabletransitionsthroughbluesandpurplesintopearlgreysandrosetints，andatlastintogloriousyellowgoldatthehorizon，Shock，withalmostashudder，turnedhiseyestothelittleraggedtownbeneathhim。HowmarvelloustheworksofGod！Howuglythethingsmanmakes！
ItwaspartlytheinfinitudeofthiscontrastthatwroughtinShockafeelingofdepressionashefollowedthetrailwindingdownthelongslopetowardthetown。Ashebecameawareofthisdepression，hetookhimselfseverelytotask。
\"What’sthematterwithme，anyway？\"heaskedhimselfimpatiently。
\"I’mnotafraidofthem。\"Andyethehadasuspicionthatitwasjustthisthattroubledhim。Hewasafraid。Thefeelingwasnotonewithwhichhewasunfamiliar。Oftenbeforeabigmatchhehadbeenshamefullyconsciousofthissamenervousfear。Herememberedhowhishearthadseemedtoobigforhisbody，tillhefeltitinhisthroat。Butherememberednow，withnosmallcomfort，thatoncetheballwaskickedhishearthadalwaysgonebacktoitsplaceanditsworkandgavehimnofurtherconcern，andto—dayhehopedthismightbehisexperienceagain。
ItwasagreatdayattheFort，nothinglessthantheSpringMeetingoftheSouthAlbertaTurfAssociation;andinthathorsecountry，wheremenwereknownbytheirhorsesratherthanbypersonalcharacteristics，themeetingoftheTurfAssociationeasilytookprecedenceoverallotherevents，socialorpolitical。
Thisspring，totheinterestnaturallycentringintheraces，therewasaddedaspecialinterest，inthat，behindthehorsesenteredfortheAssociationCup，theregatheredintenselocalfeeling。Thethreefavouriteswererepresentativehorses。ThemoneyofthepoliceandalltheFortcontingentinthecommunityhadbeenplacedonthelong，rangeythoroughbred，Foxhall，animportedracerwhohadbeenfastenoughtolosemoneyinthegreatracingcircuitsoftheEast，butwhowasbelievedtobefastenoughtowinmoneyhereintheWest。
Thedistrictabouttheforttownwasdividedintotwosections，theeastandthewest。Intheeasternsectionthefarmingindustrywascarriedontoanalmostequalextentwithranching;inthewest，upamongthehills，therewasranchingpureandsimple。Betweenthetwosectionsastrongrivalryexisted。Inthiscontesttheeasthad\"banked\"onCaptainHalHarricomb，rancherandgentlemanfarmer，andhisblackDemon。Thewesternmen，allranchers，whodespisedandhatedfarmersandeverythingpertainingtothem，wereallrangedbehindtheSwallow，adaintylittlebaymare，bred，owned，andriddenbyayoungEnglishman，VictorStanton，knownthroughouttheAlbertas，southandnorth，as\"TheKid，\"or，affectionately，\"TheKiddie，\"admiredforhissuperbriding，hisrecklessgenerosity，hiscoolcourage，andlovedforhisgentle，generousheart。
Alreadytwoheatshadbeenrun，onegoingtotheDemonandonetotheSwallow，FoxhallsustaininghisEasternreputationasamoney—
loser。
Theexcitementofthedayhadgraduallygrowninintensity，andnowwasconcentratedinthefinalheatoftheAssociationCuprace。
Allunconsciousofthisexcitementandofthetremendousissuesatstake，Shocksenthislittlecayusepeacefullytrottingalongthetrailtowhereitmetthemainstreet。Thestreetwaslinedoneithersidewithmenandhorses。Somethingwasevidentlygoingon，butwhatShockcouldnotsee。
Butnosoonerhadheturnedupthestreetthantherewasafierceoutburstofyells，oaths，andexecrations，andatthesamemomentheheardbehindhimthepoundingofhoofs。
Hastilyglancingoverhisshoulder，hesawthunderingdownuponhimhalfadozenormoremountedmen。Invainhetuggedathiscayuse。
Thelittlebruteallowedhisstubbornheadtobehauledroundclosetotheshaft，butdeclinedtoremovehisbody;and，indeed，hadhebeeneversoeager，therewouldhardlyhavebeentime。Abigblackhorsewasplungingwildlynotmorethantenfeetbehindhim。A
fierceoath，ashowerofdustandgravelinhisface，aflashoflegsandhoofs，andthebigblackwasliftedclearoverShockandhiscayuse，andwasoffagaindownthestreetbetweenthelinesofyellingmen。
\"Here，blankyourblankhead！Gitoffthecourse！Don’tyouknownothin’？\"
WhenShockcametohimself，hewasawarethatatall，lankycowboyinchaps，woollenshirt，andstiff，broad—brimmedhatwaspoundinghiscayuseovertheheadwithhisheavywhip。
Shockneverknewhowithappened。Allherememberedwasaquickrushofbloodtohisbrain，amaddesiretopunishthemanwhowasbrutallybeatinghispony，andthenstandingbytheshaftofhisbuck—boardwaitingforthemantogetup。
\"Gad，sir！\"exclaimedavoiceoverhisshoulder，\"thatwasacleverthrow！\"Therewasgenuineadmirationinthevoice。
Shocklookedupandsawanoldgentleman，withwhite，close—croppedhairandmoustacheanderectmilitaryform，regardinghimwithadmiration。Hewasridingastouthunter，dockedinEnglishstyle。
\"Andservedyouperfectlyright，Ike，\"continuedtheoldgentleman。
\"Whatbusinesshaveyoutostrikeanyman’shorse？\"
\"Whattheblankblankishedoingonthecourse？\"saidIkewrathfully，asheslowlyrosefromthegroundandcametowardShock。
\"Isay，stranger，\"hesaid，comingoverneartoShockandlookinghimcarefullyintheeye，\"I’llgiveyoutwenty—fivedollarsifyoudothatagin。Youtookmeunbeknownst。Now，gittowork。\"
Shock’shearthadgotbacktoitsrightplaceandwasbeatingitssteadybeat。Theoldscrimmagesmilewasonhisface。
\"ButIdonotwanttodoitagain，andIdidtakeyouunawares。\"
\"Look—a—here，\"saidIke，touchingShockwithhisforefingeronthebreast，\"doyouthinkyoukindoitagin？\"
\"Don’tknowthatIcould，\"saidShockquietly。\"ButIdoknowthatI
donotintendtotry。And，infact，Idonotknowhowitwasdone。\"
\"Ikeydoes，\"drawledavoice。
Therewasadelightedroarfromthecrowdthathadgatheredround。
Ikelookedroundthecircleofgrinningmenforasecondortwo。
\"Say，\"hesaidslowly，\"ifanyblank，blanksonofashe—apethinksheknowshowtodothattrickwhenI’ma—watchin’，here’shisopportunityrightnaouw——ferfun，orfermoney，or，\"loweringhisvoiceandthrustingforwardhisfacealittle，\"ferblood。\"
Thelaughdiedoutfromthecrowd。Therewasasilenceforamomentortwo，andthenthesamevoicedrawled，\"Nobody’shungry，Iguess，Ikey，\"andIketurnedfromthemwithagruntofcontempt。
\"Now，\"hesaid，comingbacktoShock，\"I’dliketohearyoutalk。\"
Ikethrewhimselfintoanattitudeofdefence，butShock’spositionneverchanged，nordidthesmilefadefromhisface。
\"IhavenothingtosayexceptthatIdonotknowhowithappened。I
sawmyhorsebeingabused，and——well，Iactedalittlehastily，I
fear。\"
\"Hastily！\"exclaimedtheoldgentleman，whohadremainedinthecrowd。\"Nonsense！Perfectlyright，Isay，andIkeknowsit。Whatwouldyoudo，Ike，ifyousawafellowpoundingSlipperovertheears？\"
\"Poundin’Slipper？\"saidIkeslowly，pausingtoturnhisquidoftobaccoinhischeek。\"Poundin’Slipper，\"herepeatedwithevengreaterdeliberation。\"Knockhisblankfaceintothebackofhishead。\"
\"Thenitseemstome，Ike，youwereletoffeasy。\"Theoldgentlemansmiledgrimlydownuponthecowboy，whowasstillwrathful，butmorepuzzledthanwrathful。Thesmilingmanatthepony’sheadlookedsothoroughlygood—naturedthatitwashardtopushaquarrel，butstillIke’sdignityhadbeeninjured。
\"WhatIbegtoremarkis，\"hecontinued，returningtotheattack，\"kinhedoitagin？Doeshehaveanylingerin’suspicionthatheiscapableofthatact？\"IkereservedhisbestEnglishforseriousoccasions。\"Ifhedoes，I’mwillin’heshouldextemporiseatit。\"
\"Goodman，Ikey！\"drawledthevoiceagainfromthecrowd。\"I’llbackIkeytohislastpant’sbutton。\"
Shockstoodsilentandsmiling，whileIkestoodfacinghim，moreandmorepuzzled。Shockwasanentirelynewexperience。Hewouldnotfight，hewouldnotrunaway，hewouldnotevengetangry。
Atthispointtheoldgentlemaninterfered。
\"Now，Ikey，\"hesaid，\"itistimeyouwerelearningsomemanners。
Thisgentlemanisnopugilist。Hehasneitherthedesirenortheintentionoffightingyou，whichisperhapsallthebetterforyou。
Thatisapoorwaytotreatastrangerthefirstdayhearrivesinourtown。Perhapsyouwillallowmetobeofsomeservicetoyou，\"
hesaid，turningtoShock。
\"Thankyou，\"saidShocksimply。\"Iaminneedofadoctorfirstofall。TwoofmyfriendsatLoonLakeareveryill。Isthereadoctorinthistown？\"
\"Thereis，\"repliedtheoldgentleman。\"Dr。Burton。ButIverymuchfearthathewillhardlybefitforserviceto—day。Unfortunately，ourdoctor，thougharemarkablycleverpractitioner，isnotalways——
well，tobequitefrank，heisveryfrequentlydrunk。Gethimsoberandhewilldoyougoodservice。\"
\"HowshallIaccomplishthat？\"askedShock，withafeelingofdespairinhisheart，thinkingoftheOldProspectorinhispainandoflittlePatsylyinginsemi—unconsciousnessinthebackroomoftheLoonCreekStoppingPlace。\"Imusthaveadoctor。Icannotgobackwithoutone。\"
\"Then，\"saidtheoldgentleman，\"youwillneedtokidnaphimandwaittillhesobersoff。\"
\"Ishalltry，\"saidShockquietly。
Theoldgentlemanstaredathim。
\"ByJove！\"hesaid，\"Ibelieveyoumeanto。Andifyoudo，you’llsucceed。\"
\"CanyoudirectmetothehouseofMr。Macfarren？\"inquiredShock。
\"Certainly。Thatishishouseamongthetrees，\"pointingtoacottagewithaverandahaboutit，whichstoodbacksomedistancefromthemainstreet。\"ButifyouwishtoseeMr。Macfarren，youwillfindhimdownattheotherendofthestreetatthefinishingpost。Hewillbeverybusilyengagedatthepresent，however，beingoneofthejudgesinthisrace，andifitisnotofimmediateimportanceIwouldadviseyourwaitingtilltheraceisover。Butstay，herehecomes。ThemaninthecentreisMr。Macfarren。\"
Ashespokehepointedtoatallman，withalong，grizzledbeard，ridingapony，followedbytwoyoungermensplendidlymounted。Theelderofthesewasamanstronglybuilt，faceopenandhonest，butshowingsignsofhardliving。Herodeapowerfulblackhorse，whosetempershowedinhisfiercesnatchingatthebit。Justnowthehorsewascoveredwithfoam，reddenedattheflanksandmouthwithblood。
Hiscompanionwasmuchyounger，amereboy，indeed。Hisfairhair，blueeyes，andsmoothfaceaccentuatedhisyouthfulappearance。Itwashisyouthfulfaceandboyishmannerthatgavehimhisnameamongthecattlemen，andhisplaceintheirhearts。Butthoughtheycalledhim\"TheKid，\"andoften\"TheKiddie，\"andthoughtofhimwithadmiringandcaressingtenderness，nomanofthemfailedtogivehimfullrespect;forboyashewas，hehadaman’snerve，aman’sgrip，hismuscleswereallsteel，andwithallhissmilinggentlenessnoneofthemwouldthinkoftakingalibertywithhim。
Earlierinthedayhehadwonfromadozencompetitorsthatmostcovetedofallhonoursintheranchingcountry，TheBuckingBelt，forhehadriddenforthefullhundredyardswithout\"touchingleather，\"theOUTLAWspeciallyimportedfromtheotherside。
Asthethreemenrodeuptherideroftheblackhorsewasheardtosay，\"That’sthefellowthatnearlyspilledme。AndifDemonhadn’tbeenmightyquickinrecovering，itwouldhavebeenablanknastymess。\"
\"Isay，\"saidMacfarren，inaloud，blusteringtone，\"don’tyouknowenoughtokeepoffarace—coursewhenaraceisbeingrun？\"
Shockwasmuchtakenabackatthisgreeting。
\"Ibegyourpardon，butIdidn’tknowthiswasarace—course，nordidIknowthataracewason。\"
\"Thedeuceyoudidn’t！Hadn’tyoueyestosee？\"
TothisShockmadenoreply，buttakingaletterfromhispocketsaidquietly，\"YouareMr。Macfarren，Ibelieve。IhavealetterforyoufromMr。McIntyre。\"
Atthistheothertworodeaway。Mr。Macfarrenopenedtheletterwithascowl。Ashereadtheflushonhisfacedeepened。
\"Whatthedeucedoesthismean？\"heburstout，inanangrytone。\"I
wroteboththeSuperintendentandMcIntyrelastweekthatitwasapieceoffollytoplantamanhere，thatwedidn’trequireanddidn’twantaman。Thecommunityiswellsuppliedalreadywithchurchservices，andasfarasthePresbyteriansareconcerned，theywouldfindthesupportofaministeranintolerableburden。\"
ForamomentortwoShockstoodinspeechlessamazement。Itwasdisconcertingintheextremetobetoldbythemanuponwhomhehadchieflydependedforsupportandcounselthathewasnotwanted。
\"Yourletterswouldnothavereachedthemintime，Isuppose，\"hesaidatlast。
\"Well，that’sthefact，atanyrate，\"repliedMacfarrenroughly。\"Wewon’twantaminister。Wearethoroughlywellsupplied。Wedon’tneedone，andwecannotsupportone。\"
Hewasturningawaywithoutfurtherwordswhenhewasarrestedbythesharpandperemptoryvoiceoftheoldgentleman，whohadremainedbehindShockduringtheconversation。
\"Macfarren，thisgentlemanisastranger，Ipresume。Willyoukindlypresentme？\"
\"Oh——ah——certainly，\"saidMacfarren，wheelinghisponyandlookingratherashamed。\"Mr。\"lookingattheletter。
\"Macgregor，\"saidShockquietly。
\"Mr。Macgregor，thisisGeneralBrady，oneofourleadingranchers。\"
\"Iamdelightedtomakeyouracquaintance，sir，\"saidGeneralBrady，shakingShockwarmlybythehand。\"Youwillfindusroughandwild，but，sir，Iamgladtosaywearenotallablanklotofboors。\"
\"Thankyou，sir，\"saidShock，withasuddenflushonhisface。
\"Oh——ah——certainlywearegladtohaveyouvisitourtown，\"saidMacfarren，asiftryingtoatoneforhisformerrudeness。\"And，ofcourse，itisnofaultofyours，Mr。——ah——\"
\"Macgregor，\"saidtheGeneralshortly。
\"Yes，Mr。Macgregor。There’sadeuceofamistakebeenmade，butI
takeityouwillnotsuffer。Thereareplentyof——ah——positions——
places，Ibelieve，whereyouwillfind——ah——opportunity。Butifyouwillexcuseme，Iambusyforthemoment。Ishalldoubtlessseeyouagainbeforeyouleave。\"
Shockbowedinsilence。
\"Blankcad！\"mutteredtheGeneral。ThenturningtoShockhesaid，withheartyinterestshowinginhistone，\"Wheredoyouputup，Mr。
Macgregor？\"
\"Idonotknowthetownatall。Ishallhavetolookaboutforaboardingplaceofsomekind，Isuppose。\"Shock’ssmilewasratheruncertain。
TheGeneralwasevidentlyinterestedinthisstranger，andtouchedbyhisforlorncondition。
\"TheRoyalthere，\"pointingdownthestreet，\"isthebesthotel。
Theydoyoutherenotsobadly。Theymaygiveyouaccommodationforanight，butIfancyitwillberatherdifficulttofindaboardinghouse。But，\"headdedheartily，\"whynotcometomeinthemeantime？
Mrs。Bradyandmyselfwillbemosthappytohaveyouvisitusforafewweeks，tillyoufindquarters。Ihave，unfortunately，anengagementthatwillkeepmelateintownto—night，elseIshouldinsistonyouraccompanyingmeatonce——anengagementwhichIcannotwellbreak。Inshort，thisisourannualspringmeetingoftheTurfAssociation，andthereisinconnectionwithitsomesortofsocialfunctiontowindthethingupto—night，andMrs。Brady，beingoneofthepatronesses，andImyselfbeingmoreorlessinterested——thepresidentoftheAssociation，indeed——wecannotavoidputtinginanappearance。Andindeed，weenjoyit，sir。Wethoroughlyenjoyit。Itbringstoourpresentcrudeandsomewhatlimitedlifealittlebitofthepast。Butto—morrowIshallbegladtoridedownforyou，sir，andbringyouuptomylittleplace。\"
Thecordialkindnessofthisstranger，uponwhomhehadnoclaim，touchedShockgreatly。
\"Thankyouagain，\"hesaid。\"IcannottellyouhowmuchIfeelyourkindness。Butifyouwillallowme，Iwouldratheracceptyourinvitationlater。IfeelImustgetsettledtomyworkatonce。I
havebeenlongontheway，andmyworkiswaitingme。\"Then，afterapause，headdedsimply，\"ButyourkindnessmakesmethinkofawordIhaveread，’Iwasastranger，andyetookmein。’\"
TheGeneralbowedinsilence，andseeingthatShockwasnottobepersuaded，shookhandswithhimoncemore。\"Comewhenyouwill，sir，andstayaslongasyoucan。Thesooneryoucomeandthelongeryoustay，thebetterweshallbepleased。\"AndwithanothercourteousbowtheGeneralrodeofftoattendtohisdutiesasPresidentoftheTurfAssociation。
AsShockturnedbacktohisbuckboardhefoundIkewaitinghim。Ikehadbeenaninterestedwitnessofallthathadtakenplace，andwhilehissympathyhadgonecompletelywithShockandagainstMacfarren，hehadnotbeenquiteabletoshakeoffthefeelingofhumiliationunderwhichhesuffered。
\"Say，stranger，\"hesaid，touchingShockontheshoulder，andspeakinginalowandalmostrespectfultone，\"thereaintamanintheTerritorieshaseverputthedustontoIkeIveson’spants。
Here’stwenty—fivedollars，\"divingdeepintohishippocketandpullingoutaplugoftobacco，aknife，andarollofbills，\"whichisastandin’offertoanymanwhocancircumventthattheretrick。
AndIwanttosay，\"hecontinued，withasubduedeagernessinhistone，\"I’llmakeitfiftyifyoudoitagin。\"
Ike’stonewaspersuasive。Therewasnothingofresentmentinit。Itwasthetoneofamanwhohadcomeuponaninterestingandpuzzlingexperience，andwasanxioustoinvestigate。
\"No，\"saidShock，backingawayfromIke，\"Icannottakethat。
Besides，itwasnotafairthrow。\"
\"Well，\"saidIke，muchmollified，\"that’sso，that’sso。AndI
consideritsomethinghandsomeinyousayin’so。Butthatofferstands。\"
\"Allright，\"saidShock，smilingalittlemorebroadly。\"I’llremember。AndwhenIwantfiftydollarsverybadlyImaycometoyou。But，\"headded，lookingIkeupanddown，\"I’llhavetobeprettyhardpushedbeforeItry。\"
\"It’sabargain，stranger，\"saidIkey，offeringalanguidhand。
Shockgraspeditwarmly。AslighttremourranoverIke’slankyframeasShock’shandclosedonhis。
\"Je——roo——sa——lem！\"heejaculated，drawinginhisbreath，asShockturnedaway。\"I’llbereadyferyounexttime。Ipreferagrizzlymyself。\"Helookeddownathisfingernails。\"Didn’texpecttosee’emon，\"heobserved。\"Andsay，boys，\"turningtothecrowd，\"I
surmisehe’sapreacher，ablankfire—escape。\"
AtonceIkebecametheobjectofvariouscomments。\"——Apreacher，Ike？Say，you’llhavetochangeyourwaysandgotomeetin’。\"
\"What’sIkey’schurch，anyway？\"
\"Don’tknowasIeverheard。\"
\"Oh，Ikeyaintmean，hetreats’emallthesame。\"
\"Well，IguessIkey’llhavetodusttowardtheskyline。\"
Ikelistenedforatimeunmoved，andthendrawledoutquietly，\"WhatIwanttoremarktoyoujaybirdsis，thatifeveryouhaveanymisunderstandin’withthatthereascensionladder，he’llmakeyousaymoreprayersinaminutethanyou’vesaidforthelasttenyearsofyourmortallife。Andifeverhegitsafteryoutheonlythingthat’llsaveyouwillbeyourdust。\"
SosayingIkeslouchedoffdownthestreet，keepinghiseyeonShock’sbuckboard。HewatchedhimgointotheRoyalandinafewminutescomeoutagain，followedhimtotheInternational，andsoonaftertotheRanchers’Roost。
\"Guesshe’spurtynightangledupnow，\"saidIkey，withconsiderablesatisfaction。Hehadaschemeofhisowninmind。\"Thereaintasix—
footholeinthishulltown，andhe’dtakepurtynighseven。Now，what’shisnextmove？\"
Shockappearedundecided。Therewasevidentlynoplaceforhiminthetown。Hehadadeepeningsenseofbeingnotwanted。Thetownwashummingwithlife，butinthatlifetherewasnoplaceforhim。
Awakeningastrangesenseoffellowshipthewordcametohim，\"Hewasrejectedofmen。\"
XI
\"IWASASTRANGER，ANDYETOOKMEIN\"
AsShockstood，uncertainastohisnextmove，henoticedthatoutoftheconfusedminglingofmenandhorsesorderbegantoappear。
Thecoursewasoncemorebeingcleared。Thefinalheat，whichtheSwallowhadwon，andwhichhadbeenprotestedbytheowneroftheDemon，onthegroundthathiscoursehadbeenblockedbyShockandhiscayuse，wastoberunagain。Shockwastoomuchoccupiedwithhisowndisappointmentanduncertaintytotakemuchinterestinthecontestthatwastheoccasionofsuchintenseexcitementtothethrongsonthestreet。Withlanguidindifferencehewatchedthecoursebeingclearedandthecompetitorscanterbacktothestartingpoint。Behindthemfollowedacavalcadeofhorsemenonallsortsofmounts，fromtheshaggylittlecayuse，withdiminishingrump，tothemagnificentthoroughbredstallion，stall—fedandshining。Inthefinalheatitwasthecustomforallthehorsemeninthecrowdtojoinatasafedistancebehindthecontestants，inawildandtumultuousscramble。
Shock’sattentionwasarrestedandhisinterestquickenedbytheappearanceofIkeinthecrowd，ridingahard—looking，bony，buckskinbroncho，whichheguessedtobeSlipper。
InashorttimetheDemonandtheSwallowwereintheirplaces。Farbehindthembunchedthemotleycrowdofhorsemen。
Thestartwastobebythepistolshot，andfromthescratch。Sointensewasthestillnessoftheexcitedcrowdthat，althoughthestartingpointwasmorethanhalfamileoutontheprairie，thecrackofthepistolwasclearlyheard。