Threewild-horsehuntersmadecamponenightbesidealittlestreamintheSevierValley，fivehundredmiles，asacrowflies，fromBostil\'sFord。
Thesehuntershadapooroutfit，excepting，ofcourse，theirhorses。Theywereyoungmen，rangyinbuild，leanandhardfromlifeinthesaddle，bronzedlikeIndians，still-faced，andkeen-eyed。Twoofthemappearedtobetiredout，andlaggedatthecamp-fireduties。Whenthemeagermealwaspreparedtheysat，cross-legged，beforearaggedtarpaulin，eatinganddrinkinginsilence。
Theskyinthewestwasrosy，slowlydarkening。Thevalleyfloorbillowedaway，ridgedandcut，growinggrayandpurpleanddark。Wallsofstone，pinkwiththelastraysofthesettingsun，inclosedthevalley，stretchingawaytowardalong，low，blackmountainrange。
Theplacewaswild，beautiful，open，withsomethingnamelessthatmadethedesertdifferentfromanyothercountry。Itwas，perhaps，alonelinessofvaststretchesofvalleyandstone，cleartotheeye，evenaftersunset。Thatblackmountainrange，whichlookedcloseenoughtoridetobeforedark，wasahundredmilesdistant。
Theshadesofnightfellswiftly，anditwasdarkbythetimethehuntersfinishedthemeal。Thenthecampfirehadburnedlow。Oneofthethreedraggedbranchesofdeadcedarsandreplenishedthefire。Quicklyitflaredup，withthewhiteflameandcracklecharacteristicofdrycedar。Thenightwindhadrisen，moaningthroughthegnarled，stuntedcedarsnearby，anditblewthefragrantwood-smokeintothefacesofthetwohunters，whoseemedtootiredtomove。
\"Ireckonapipewouldhelpmemakeupmymind，\"saidone。
\"Wal，Bill，\"repliedtheother，dryly，\"yourmind\'smadeup，elseyou\'dnotsaysmoke。\"
\"Why？\"
\"Becausethereain\'tthreepipefulsofthetprecioustobaccoleft。\"
\"Thet\'soneapiece，then。Lin，comean\'smokethelastpipewithus。\"
Thetallestofthethree，hewhohadbroughtthefirewood，stoodinthebrightlightoftheblaze。Helookedthebornrider，light，lithe，powerful。
\"Sure，I\'llsmoke，\"hereplied。
Then，presently，heacceptedthepipetenderedhim，and，sittingdownbesidethefire，hecomposedhimselftotheenjoymentwhichhiscompanionsevidentlyconsideredworthyofadecisiontheyhadreached。
\"Sothissmokin\'meansyoubothwanttoturnback？\"queriedLin，hissharpgazeglancingdarklybrightintheglowofthefire。
\"Yep，we\'llturnback。An\'，Lordy!thereliefIfeel!\"repliedone。
\"We\'vebeenlongcomin\'toit，Lin，an\'thetwasforyoursake，\"repliedtheother。
Linslowlypulledathispipeandblewoutthesmokeasifreluctanttopartwithit。\"Let\'sgoon，\"hesaid，quietly。
\"No。I\'vehadallIwantofchasin\'thetdamnwildstallion，\"returnedBill，shortly。
TheotherspreadwidehishandsandbentanexpostulatinglookupontheonecalledLin。\"We\'retwohundredmilesout，\"hesaid。\"There\'sonlyalittleflourleftinthebag。Nocoffee!Onlyalittlesalt!AllthehossesexceptyourbigNaggerareplayedout。We\'realreadyinstrangecountry。An\'youknowwhatwe\'veheerdofthisan\'alltothesouth。It\'sallcanyons，an\'
somewheresdownthereisthetawfulcanyonnoneofourpeopleeverseen。Butwe\'veheerdofit。Anawfulcut-upcountry。\"
Hefinishedwithaconvictionthatnoonecouldsayawordagainstthecommonsenseofhisargument。Linwassilent，asifimpressed。
Billraisedastrong，lean，brownhandinaforciblegesture。\"Wecan\'tketchWildfire!\"
Thatseemedtohim，evidently，amoreconvincingargumentthanhiscomrade\'s。
\"Billissureright，ifI\'mwrong，whichIain\'t，\"wentontheother。\"Lin，we\'vetrailedthetwildstallionforsixweeks。Thet\'sthelongestchaseheeverhad。He\'slefthisoldrange。He\'scutouthisband，an\'leftthem，onebyone。We\'vetriedeverytrickweknowonhim。An\'he\'stoosmartforus。
There\'sahoss!Why，Lin，we\'reallbutgonetothedogschasin\'Wildfire。An\'
nowI\'mdone，an\'I\'mgladofit。\"
Therewasanothershortsilence，whichpresentlyBillopenedhislipstobreak。
\"Lin，itmakesmesicktoquit。Iain\'tdenyin\'thetforalongtimeI\'vehadhopesofketchin\'Wildfire。He\'sthegrandesthossIeverlaideyeson。I
reckonnoman，onlesshewasanArab，everseenasgoodaone。Butnow，thet\'sneitherherenorthere。We\'vegottohitthebacktrail。\"
\"Boys，IreckonI\'llsticktoWildfire\'stracks，\"saidLin，inthesamequiettone。
Billsworeathim，andtheotherhuntergrewexcitedandconcerned。
\"LinSlone，areyougoneplumbcrazyoverthetredhoss？\"
\"I——reckon，\"repliedSlone。Theworkingofhisthroatasheswallowedcouldbeplainlyseenbyhiscompanions。
Billlookedathisallyasiftoconfirmsomesuddenunderstandingbetweenthem。TheytookSlone\'sattitudegravelyandtheywaggedtheirheadsdoubtfully，astheymighthavedonehadSlonejustacquaintedthemwithahopelessanddeathlesspassionforawoman。Itwassignificantofthenatureofridersthattheyacceptedhisattitudeandhadconsiderationforhisfeelings。Forthemthesituationsubtlychanged。Forweekstheyhadbeenthreewild-horsewranglersonahardchaseafteravaluablestallion。Theyhadfailedtogetevenclosetohim。Theyhadgonetothelimitoftheirenduranceandoftheoutfit，anditwastimetoturnback。ButSlonehadconceivedthatstrangeandrarelongingforahorse——apassionunderstood，ifnotshared，byallriders。AndtheyknewthathewouldcatchWildfireordieintheattempt。
FromthatmomenttheirattitudetowardSlonechangedassubtlyashadcometheknowledgeofhisfeeling。Thegravityandgloomlefttheirfaces。ItseemedtheymighthaveregrettedwhattheyhadsaidaboutthefutilityofcatchingWildfire。TheydidnotwantSlonetoseeorfeelthehopelessnessofhistask。
\"Itellyou，Lin，\"saidBill，\"yourhossNagger\'sasgoodaswhenwestarted。\"
\"Aw，he\'sbetter，\"vouchsafedtheotherrider。\"Naggerneededtolosesomeweight。Lin，haveyougotanextrasetofshoesforhim？\"
\"Nofullset。Onlythreeleft，\"repliedLin，soberly。
\"Wal，thet\'senough。YoucankeepNaggershod。An\'MEBBEthetredstallionwillgetsorefeetan\'golame。Thenyou\'dstandachance。\"
\"ButWildfirekeepstravelin\'thevalleys——thesoftground，\"saidSlone。
\"Nomatter。He\'sleavin\'thecountry，an\'he\'sboundtostrikesandstonesoonerorlater。Then，bygosh!mebbehe\'llwearoffthemhoofs。\"
\"Say，can\'theringbellsoffentherocks？\"exclaimedBill。\"Oh，Lordy!whatahoss!\"
\"Boys，doyouthinkhe\'sleavin\'thecountry？\"inquiredSlone，anxiously。
\"Sureheis，\"repliedBill。\"Heain\'tthefirststallionI\'vechasedofftheSevierrange。An\'Iknow。It\'sastallionthetmakesfornewcountry，whenyoupushhimhard。\"
\"Yep，Lin，he\'ssureleavin\'，\"addedtheothercomrade。\"Why，he\'straveledabee-linefordays!I\'llbethe\'sseenusmanyatime。Wildfire\'saboutassmartasanyman。Hewasbornwild，an\'hisdamwasbornwild，an\'thereyouhaveit。Thewildestofallwildcreatures——awildstallion，withtheintelligenceofaman!Agrandhoss，Lin，butonethet\'llbehell，ifyoueverketchhim。HehaskilledstallionsallovertheSevierrange。Awildstallionthet\'sakiller!Ineverlikedhimforthet。Couldhebebroke？\"
\"I\'llbreakhim，\"saidLinSlone，grimly。\"It\'sgettin\'himthet\'sthejob。
I\'vegotpatiencetobreakahoss。Butpatiencecan\'tcatchastreakoflightnin\'。\"
\"Nope；you\'reright，\"repliedBill。\"Ifyouhavesomeluckyou\'llgethim——mebbe。Ifhewearsouthisfeet，orifyoucrowdhimintoanarrowcanyon，orranhimintoabadplacewherehecan\'tgetbyyou。Thetmighthappen。An\'then，withNagger，youstandachance。Didyouevertirethethoss？\"
\"Notyet。\"
\"An\'howfurdidyoueverrunhimwithoutabreak？Why，whenweketchedthetsorrellastyearIrodeNaggermyself——thirtymiles，mostatahardgallop。
An\'heneverturnedahair!\"
\"I\'vebeatthet，\"repliedLin。\"Hecouldrunhardfiftymiles——mebbemore。
Honestly，Ineverseenhimtiredyet。Ifonlyhewasfast!\"
\"Wal，Naggerain\'tsodurnedslow，cometothinkofthet，\"repliedBill，withagrunt。\"He\'sgoodenoughforyounottowantanotherhoss。\"
\"Lin，you\'regoin\'towearoutWildfire，an\'thentraphimsomehow——isthettheplan？\"askedtheothercomrade。
\"Ihaven\'tanyplan。I\'lljusttrailhim，likeacougartrailsadeer。\"
\"Lin，ifWildfiregivesyouthesliphe\'llhavetofly。You\'vegotthebesteyesfortracksofanywranglerinUtah。\"
Sloneacceptedthecomplimentwithafleeting，doubtfulsmileonhisdarkface。Hedidnotreply，andnomorewassaidbyhiscomrades。Theyrolledwithbackstothefire。Sloneputonmorewood，forthekeenwindwascoldandcutting；andthenhelaydown，hisheadinhissaddle，withagoatskinunderhimandasaddle-blanketoverhim。
Allthreeweresoonasleep。Thewindwhippedthesandandashesandsmokeoverthesleepers。Coyotesbarkedfromnearindarkness，andfromthevalleyridgecamethefaintmournofahuntingwolf。Thedesertnightgrewdarkerandcolder。
TheStewartbrotherswerewild-horsehuntersforthesakeoftradesandoccasionalsales。ButLinSlonenevertradednorsoldahorsehehadcaptured。
Theexcitementofthegame，andthelureofthedesert，andtheloveofahorsewerewhatkepthimattheprofitlesswork。Histypewasrareintheuplands。
TheseweretheearlydaysofthesettlementofUtah，andonlyafewofthehardiestandmostadventurouspioneershadpenetratedthedesertinthesouthernpartofthatvastupland。AndwiththemcamesomeofthatwildbreedofriderstowhichSloneandtheStewartsbelonged。Horseswerereallymoreimportantandnecessarythanmen；andthissingularfactgavetheselonelyridersacalling。
BeforetheSpaniardscametherewerenohorsesintheWest。Thoseexplorersleftorlosthorsesalloverthesouthwest。ManyofthemwereArabianhorsesofpurestblood。Americanexplorersandtravelers，attheoutsetofthenineteenthcentury，encounteredcountlessdrovesofwildhorsesallovertheplains。AcrosstheGrandCanyon，however，wildhorseswerecomparativelyfewinnumberintheearlydays；andthesehadprobablycomeinbywayofCalifornia。
TheStewartsandSlonehadnoestablishedmodeofcatchingwildhorses。Thegamehadnotdevelopedfastenoughforthat。Everychaseofhorseordrovewasdifferent；andonceinmanyattemptstheymetwithsuccess。
AfavoritemethodoriginatedbytheStewartswastofindawater-holefrequentedbythebandofhorsesorthestallionwanted，andtobuildroundthisholeacorralwithanopeningforthehorsestogetin。Thenthehunterswouldwatchthetrapatnight，andifthehorseswentintodrink，agatewasclosedacrosstheopening。AnothermethodoftheStewartswastotrailacovetedhorseuponamesaorhighland，placeswhichseldomhadmorethanonetrailofascentanddescent，andthereblocktheescape，andcutlinesofcedars，intowhichthequarrywasrantillcaptured。Stillanothermethod，discoveredbyaccident，wastoshootahorselightlyintheneckandstinghim。Thislast，calledcreasing，wasseldomsuccessful，andforthatmatterinanymethodtentimesasmanyhorseswerekilledascaptured。
LinSlonehelpedtheStewartsintheirownway，buthehadnoespeciallikingfortheirtricks。PerhapsafewremarkablecapturesofremarkablehorseshadspoiledSlone。Hewasalwaystryingwhatthebrothersclaimedtobeimpossible。Hewasafearlessrider，buthehadthefaultofsavinghismount，andtokillawildhorsewasatragedyforhim。Hewouldmuchratherhavehuntedalone，andhehadbeenaloneonthetrailofthestallionWildfirewhentheStewartshadjoinedhim。
LinSloneawokenextmorningandrolledoutofhisblanketathisusualearlyhour。Buthewasnotearlyenoughtosaygood-bytotheStewarts。Theyweregone。
Thefactsurprisedhimandsomehowrelievedhim。Theyhadlefthimmorethanhisshareoftheoutfit，andperhapsthatwaswhytheyhadslippedoffbeforedawn。Theyknewhimwellenoughtoknowthathewouldnothaveacceptedit。
Besides，perhapstheyfeltalittlehumiliationatabandoningachasewhichhechosetokeepup。Anyway，theyweregone，apparentlywithoutbreakfast。
Themorningwasclear，cool，withtheairdarklikethatbeforeastorm，andintheeast，overthesteelywallofstone，shonearednessgrowingbrighter。
Slonelookedawaytothewest，downthetrailtakenbyhiscomrades，buthesawnothingmovingagainstthatcedar-dottedwaste。
\"Good-by，\"hesaid，andhespokeasifhewassayinggood-bytomorethancomrades。
\"IreckonIwon\'tseeSevierVillagesoonagain——an\'maybenever，\"hesoliloquized。
Therewasnoonetoregrethim，unlessitwasoldMotherHall，whohadbeenkindtohimonthoserareoccasionswhenhegotoutofthewilderness。Still，itwaswithregretthathegazedawayacrosstheredvalleytothewest。Slonehadnohome。Hisfatherandmotherhadbeenlostinthemassacreofawagon-trainbyIndians，andhehadbeenoneofthefewsavedandbroughttoSaltLake。Thathadhappenedwhenhewastenyearsold。Hislifethereafterhadbeenhard，andbutforhissturdyTexastraininghemightnothavesurvived。Thelastfiveyearshehadbeenahorse-hunterinthewilduplandsofNevadaandUtah。
Sloneturnedhisattentiontothepackofsupplies。TheStewartshaddividedtheflourandtheparchedcornequally，andunlesshewasgreatlymistakentheyhadlefthimmostofthecoffeeandallofthesalt。
\"NowIholdthatdecentofBillan\'Abe，\"saidSlone，regretfully。\"ButI
couldhavegotalongwithoutitbetter\'ntheycould。\"
Thenheswiftlysetaboutkindlingafireandgettingameal。Inthemidstofhistaskasuddenruddybrightnessfellaroundhim。LinSlonepausedinhisworktolookup。
Thesunhadrisenovertheeasternwall。
\"Ah!\"hesaid，anddrewadeepbreath。
Thecold，steely，darklingsweepofdeserthadbeentransformed。Itwasnowaworldofredearthandgoldrocksandpurplesage，witheverywheretheendlessstragglinggreencedars。Abreezewhippedin，makingthefireroarsoftly。Thesunfeltwarmonhischeek。Andatthemomentheheardthewhistleofhishorse。
\"GoodoldNagger!\"hesaid。\"Ishorewon\'thavetotrackyouthismornin\'。\"
PresentlyhewentoffintothecedarstofindNaggerandthemustangthatheusedtocarryapack。Naggerwasgrazinginalittleopenpatchamongthetrees，butthepack-horsewasmissing。Sloneseemedtoknowinwhatdirectiontogotofindthetrail，forhecameuponitverysoon。Thepack-horseworehobbles，buthebelongedtotheclassthatcouldcoveragreatdealofgroundwhenhobbled。Slonedidnotexpectthehorsetogofar，consideringthatthegrassthereaboutswasgood。Butinawild-horsecountryitwasnotsafetogiveanyhorseachance。Thecallofhiswildbrethrenwasirresistible。
Slone，however，foundthemustangstandingquietlyinaclumpofcedars，and，removingthehobbles，hemountedandrodebacktocamp。Naggercaughtsightofhimandcameathiscall。
ThishorseNaggerappearedasuniqueinhisclassasSlonewasrareamongriders。Naggerseemedofseveralcolors，thoughblackpredominated。Hiscoatwasshaggy，almostwoolly，likethatofasheep。Hewashuge，raw-boned，knotty，longofbodyandlongofleg，withtheheadofawarcharger。Hisbuilddidnotsuggestspeed。Thereappearedtobesomethingslowandponderousabouthim，similartoanelephant，withthesamesuggestionofpowerandendurance。Slonediscardedthepack-saddleandbags。Thelatterwerealmostempty。Heropedthetarpaulinonthebackofthemustang，and，makingasmallbundleofhisfewsupplies，hetiedthattothetarpaulin。Hisblanketheusedforasaddle-blanketonNagger。OftheutensilsleftbytheStewartshechoseacoupleofsmallironpans，withlonghandles。Therestheleft。Inhissaddle-bagshehadafewextraahorseshoes，somenails，bulletsforhisrifle，andaknifewithaheavyblade。
\"Notarichoutfitforafarcountry，\"hemused。Slonenottalkverymuch，andwhenhedidheaddressedNaggerandhimselfsimultaneously。Evidentlyheexpectedalongchase，onefromwhichhewouldnotreturn，andlightashisoutfitwasitwouldgrowtooheavy。
Thenhemountedandrodedownthegradualslope，facingthevalleyandtheblack，bold，flatmountaintothesoutheast。SomefewhundredyardsfromcamphehaltedNaggerandbentoverinthesaddletoscrutinizetheground。
Theclean-cuttrackofahorseshowedinthebare，hardsand。Thehoof-markswerelarge，almostoval，perfectinshape，andmanifestlytheywerebeautifultoLinSlone。Hegazedatthemforalongtime，andthenhelookedacrossthedottedredvalleyupthevastridgysteps，towardtheblackplateauandbeyond。ItwasthelookthatanIndiangivestoastrangecountry。ThenSloneslippedoffthesaddleandknelttoscrutinizethehorsetracks。Alittlesandhadblownintothedepressions，andsomeofitwaswetandsomeofitwasdry。
Hetookhistimeaboutexaminingit，andheeventriedgentlyblowingothersandintothetracks，tocomparethatwithwhatwasalreadythere。FinallyhestoodupandaddressedNagger。
\"Reckonwewon\'thavetoarguewithAbean\'Billthismornin\'，\"hesaid，withsatisfaction。\"Wildfiremadethattrackyesterday，beforesun-up。
ThereuponSloneremountedandputNaggertoatrot。Thepack-horsefollowedwithanalacritythatshowedhehadnodesireforloneliness。
Asstraightasabee-lineWildfirehadleftatraildownintothefloorofthevalley。Hehadnotstoppedtograze，andhehadnotlookedforwater。Slonehadhopedtofindawater-holeinoneofthedeepwashesintheredearth，butiftherehadbeenanywaterthereWildfirewouldhavescentedit。HehadnothadadrinkforthreedaysthatSloneknewof。AndNaggerhadnotdrunkforfortyhours。Slonehadacanvaswater-baghangingoverthepommel，butitwasahabitofhistodenyhimself，asfaraspossible，tillhishorsecoulddrinkalso。LikeanIndian，Sloneateanddrankbutlittle。
Ittookfourhoursofsteadytrottingtoreachthemiddleandbottomofthatwide，flatvalley。Anetworkofwashescutupthewholecenterofit，andtheywereallasdryasbleachedbone。TocrosstheseSlonehadonlytokeepWildfire\'strail。AnditwasproofofNagger\'squalitythathedidnothavetoveerfromthestallion\'scourse。
Itwashotdowninthelowland。Theheatstruckup，reflectedfromthesand。
ButitwasaMarchsun，andnomorethanpleasanttoSlone。Thewindrose，however，andblewdustandsandinthefacesofhorseandrider。Exceptlizards，Slonedidnotseeanylivingthings。
Milesoflowgreasewoodandsparseyellowsageledtothefirstalmostimperceptibleriseofthevalleyflooronthatside。ThedistantcedarsbeckonedtoSlone。Hewasnotpatient，becausehewasonthetrailofWildfire；but，nevertheless。thehoursseemedshort。
Slonehadnopasttothinkabout，andthefutureheldnothingexceptahorse，andsohisthoughtsrevolvedthepossibilitiesconnectedwiththischaseofWildfire。Thechasewashopelessinsuchcountryashewastraversing，andifWildfirechosetoroamaroundvalleyslikethisoneSlonewouldfailutterly。
Butthestallionhadlongagolefthisbandofhorses，andthen，onebyonehisfavoriteconsorts，andnowhewasalone，headedwithunerringinstinctforwild，untrammeledranges。Hehadbeenusedtothepure，coldwaterandthesucculentgrassofthecolddesertuplands。Assuredlyhewouldnottarryinsuchbarrenlandsasthese。
ForSloneanever-presentandgrowingfascinationlayinWildfire\'sclear，sharplydefinedtracks。Itwasasifeveryhoof-marktoldhimsomething。Once，faruptheinterminableascent，hefoundonaridge-toptracksshowingwhereWildfirehadhaltedandturned。
\"Ha，Nagger!\"criedSlone，exultingly。\"Lookthere!He\'sbegunfacin\'about。
He\'swonderin\'ifwe\'restillafterhim。He\'sworried。Butwe\'llkeepoutofsight——adaybehind。\"
WhenSlonereachedthecedarsthesunwaslowdowninthewest。Helookedbackacrossthefiftymilesofvalleytothecoloredcliffsandwalls。Heseemedtobeabovethemnow，andthecoolair，withtangofcedarandjuniper，strengthenedtheimpressionthathehadclimbedhigh。
Amileormoreaheadofhimroseagraycliffwithbreaksinitandalineofdarkcedarsorpinyonsonthelevelrims。Hebelievedthesebreakstobethemouthsofcanyons，andsoitturnedout。Wildfire\'strailledintothemouthofanarrowcanyonwithverysteepandhighwalls。Naggersnortedhisperceptionofwater，andthemustangwhistled。Wildfire\'stracksledtoapointunderthewallwhereaspringgushedforth。Thereweremountain-lionanddeertracksalso，aswellasthoseofsmallergame。
Slonemadecamphere。Themustangwastired。ButNagger，upontakingalongdrink，rolledinthegrassasifhehadjustbegunthetrip。Aftereating，Slonetookhisrifleandwentouttolookfordeer。Butthereappearedtobenoneathand。Hecameacrossmanyliontracksandsaw，withapprehension，whereonehadtakenWildfire\'strail。Wildfirehadgrazedupthecanyon，keepingonandon，andhewaslikelytogomilesinanight。SlonereflectedthatassmallaswerehisownchancesofgettingWildfire，theywerestillbetterthanthoseofamountain-lion。Wildfirewasthemostcunningofallanimals——awildstallion；hisspeedandendurancewereincomparable；hisscentaskeenasthoseanimalsthatreliedwhollyuponscenttowarnthemofdanger，andasforsight，itwasSlone\'sbeliefthatnohoofedcreature，exceptthemountain-sheepusedtohighaltitudes，couldseeasfarasawildhorse。
ItbotheredSlonealittlethathewasgettingintoalioncountry。Naggershowednervousness，somethingunusualforhim。Slonetiedbothhorseswithlonghaltersandstationedthemonpatchesofthickgrass。Thenheputacedarstumponthefireandwenttosleep。Uponawakeningandgoingtothespringhewassomewhatchagrinedtoseethatdeerhadcomedowntodrinkearly。
Evidentlytheywerenumerous。Alioncountrywasalwaysadeercountry，forthelionsfollowedthedeer。
Slonewaspackedandsaddledandonhiswaybeforethesunreddenedthecanyonwall。Hewalkedthehorses。FromtimetotimehesawsignsofWildfire\'sconsistentprogress。Thecanyonnarrowedandthewallsgrewlowerandthegrassincreased。Therewasadecidedascentallthetime。SlonecouldfindnoevidencethatthecanyonhadeverbeentraveledbyhuntersorIndians。Thedaywaspleasantandwarmandstill。Everyonceinawhilealittlebreathofwindwouldbringafragranceofcedarandpinyon，andasweethintofpineandsage。Ateveryturnhelookedahead，expectingtoseethegreenofpineandthegrayofsage。Towardthemiddleoftheafternoon，comingtoaplacewhereWildfirehadtakentoatrot，heputNaggertothatgait，andbysundownhadworkeduptowherethecanyonwasonlyashallowravine。Andfinallyitturnedoncemore，toloseitselfinalevelwherestragglingpinesstoodhighabovethecedars，andgreat，dark-greensilversprucesstoodabovethepines。Andherewerepatchesofsage，freshandpungent，andlongreachesofbleachedgrass。Itwastheedgeofaforest。Wildfire\'strailwenton。Slonecameatlengthtoagroupofpines，andherehefoundtheremainsofacamp-fire，andsomeflintarrow-heads。Indianshadbeeninthere，probablyhavingcomefromtheoppositedirectiontoSlone\'s。Thisencouragedhim，forwhereIndianscouldhuntsocouldhe。Soonhewasenteringaforestwherecedarsandpinyonsandpinesbegantogrowthickly。Presentlyhecameuponafaintlydefinedtrail，justadim，darklineeventoanexperiencedeye。Butitwasatrail，andWildfirehadtakenit。
Slonehaltedforthenight。Theairwascold。Andthedampnessofitgavehimanideathereweresnow-bankssomewherenotfardistant。Thedewwasalreadyheavyonthegrass。HehobbledthehorsesandputabellonNagger。Abellmightfrightenlionsthathadneverheardone。Thenhebuiltafireandcookedhismeal。
Ithadbeenlongsincehehadcampedhighupamongthepines。Thesoughofthewindpleasedhim，likemusic。TherehadbeguntobeprospectsofpleasantexperiencealongwiththetoilofchasingWildfire。Hewasenteringnewandstrangeandbeautifulcountry。Howfarmightthechasetakehim？Hedidnotcare。Hewasnotsleepy，butevenifhehadbeenitdevelopedthathemustwaittillthecoyotesceasedtheirbarkingroundhiscamp-fire。Theycamesoclosethathesawtheirgrayshadowsinthegloom。Butpresentlytheyweariedofyelpingathimandwentaway。Afterthatthesilence，brokenonlybythewindasitroaredandlulled，seemedbeautifultoSlone。Helostcompletelythatsenseofvagueregretwhichhadremainedwithhim，andheforgottheStewarts。Andsuddenlyhefeltabsolutelyfree，alone，withnothingbehindtoremember，withwild，thrilling，namelesslifebeforehim。Justthenthelongmournofatimberwolfwailedinwiththewind。Seldomhadheheardthecryofoneofthosenightwanderers。Therewasnothinglikeit——nosoundlikeittofixinthelonecamper\'sheartthegreatsolitudeandthewild。
CHAPTERV
Intheearlymorningwhenallwasgrayandthebig，darkpineswereshadowyspecters，Slonewasawakenedbythecold。Hishandsweresonumbthathehaddifficultystartingafire。Hestoodovertheblaze，warmingthem。Theairwasnipping，clearandthin，andsweetwithfrostyfragrance。
Daylightcamewhilehewasinthemidstofhismorningmeal。Awhitefrostcoveredthegroundandcrackledunderhisfeetashewentouttobringinthehorses。Hesawfreshdeertracks。Thenhewentbacktocampforhisrifle。
Keepingasharplookoutforgame，hecontinuedhissearchforthehorses。
Theforestwasopenandpark-like。Therewerenofallentreesorevidencesoffire。PresentlyhecametoawidegladeinthemidstofwhichNaggerandthepack-mustangweregrazingwithaherdofdeer。ThesizeofthelatteramazedSlone。ThedeerhehadhuntedbackontheSevierrangeweremuchsmallerthanthese。Evidentlytheseweremuledeer，closelyalliedtotheelk。Theyweresotametheystoodfacinghimcuriously，withlongearserect。Itwassheermurdertokilladeerstandingandwatchinglikethat，butSlonewasoutofmeatandhungryandfacingalong，hardtrip。Heshotabuck，whichleapedspasmodicallyaway，tryingtofollowtheherd，andfellattheedgeoftheglade。Slonecutoutahaunch，andthen，catchingthehorses，hereturnedtocamp，wherehepackedandsaddled，andatoncerodeoutonthedimtrail。
Thewildnessofthecountryhewasenteringwasevidentinthefactthatashepassedthegladewherehehadshotthedeerafewminutesbefore，therewerecoyotesquarrelingoverthecarcass。
Stonecouldseeaheadandoneachsideseveralhundredyards，andpresentlyheascertainedthattheforestfloorwasnotsolevelashehadsupposed。Hehadenteredavalleyorwastraversingawide，gentlyslopingpass。Hewentthroughthicketsofjuniper，andhadtogoaroundclumpsofquakingaspen。Thepinesgrewlargerandfartherapart。Cedarsandpinyonshadbeenleftbehind，andhehadmetwithnosilversprucesafterleavingcamp。Probablythatpointwastheheightofadivide。Therewerebanksofsnowinsomeofthehollowsonthenorthside。Evidentlythesnowhadveryrecentlymelted，anditwasevidentalsothatthedepthofsnowthroughherehadbeenfullytenfeet，judgingfromthemutilationofthejuniper-treeswherethedeer，standingonthehard，frozencrust，hadbrowseduponthebranches。
ThequietoftheforestthrilledSlone。Andtheonlymovementwastheoccasionalgrayflashofadeerorcoyoteacrossaglade。NobirdsofanyspeciescrossedStone\'ssight。Hecame，presently，uponaliontrackinthetrail，madeprobablyadaybefore。Slonegrewcuriousaboutit，seeinghowitheld，ashewasholding，toWildfire\'stracks。Afteramileorsohemadesurethelionhadbeentrailingthestallion，andforasecondhefeltacoldcontractionofhisheart。AlreadyhelovedWildfire，andbyvirtueofallthistoiloftravelconsideredthewildhorsehisproperty。
\"NolioncouldevergetclosetoWildfire，\"hesoliloquized，withashortlaugh。Ofthathewasabsolutelycertain。
Thesunrose，meltingthefrost，andabreathofwarmair，ladenwiththescentofpine，movedheavilyunderthehuge，yellowtrees。Slonepassedapointwheretheremainsofanoldcamp-fireandapileofdeerantlerswerefurtherproofthatIndiansvisitedthisplateautohunt。Fromthiscampbroader，moredeeplydefinedtrailsledawaytothesouthandeast。Slonekepttotheeasttrail，inwhichWildfire\'stracksandthoseofthelionshowedclearly。Itwasaboutthemiddleoftheforenoonwhenthetracksofthestallionandlionleftthetrailtoleadupalittledrawwheregrassgrewthick。Slonefollowed，readingthesignsofWildfire\'sprogress，andtheactionofhispursuer，aswellasifhehadseenthem。Herethestallionhadplowedintoasnow-bank，eatingaholetwofeetdeep；thenhehadgrazedaroundalittle；thenonandon；therehissplendidtracksweredeepinthesoftearth。Sloneknewwhattoexpectwhenthetrackofthelionveeredfromthoseofthehorse，andhefollowedtheliontracks。Thegroundwassoftfromthelatemeltingofsnow，andNaggersunkdeep。Thelionleftaplaintrack。
Herehestolesteadilyalong；thereheleftmanytracksatapointwherehemighthavehaltedtomakesureofhisscent。Hewascirclingonthetrailofthestallion，withcunningintentofambush。Theendofthisslow，carefulstalkofthelion，astoldinhistracks，cameupontheedgeofaknollwherehehadcrouchedtowatchandwait。
Fromthisperchhehadmadeamagnificentspring——Sloneestimatingittobefortyfeet-buthehadmissedthestallion。TherewereWildfire\'stracksagain，slowandshort，andthendeepandsharpwhereintheimpetusoffrighthehadsprungoutofreach。Asecondleapofthelion，andthenlesseningbounds，andfinallyanabruptturnfromWildfire\'strailtoldthefutilityofthatstalk。
SlonemadecertainthatWildfirewassokeenthatashegrazedalonghehadkepttoopenground。
Wildfirehadrunforamile，thensloweddowntoatrot，andhehadcircledtogetbacktothetrailhehadleft。Slonebelievedthehorsewasjustsointelligent。Atanyrate，Wildfirestruckthetrailagain，andturnedatrightanglestofollowit。
Heretheforestfloorappearedperfectlylevel。Patchesofsnowbecamefrequent，andlargerasSlonewenton。Atlengththepatchesclosedup，andsoonextendedasfarashecouldsee。Itwassoft，affordingdifficulttravel。
Slonecrossedhundredsofdeertracks，andthetrailhewasoneventuallybecameadeerrunway。
Presently，fardownoneoftheaislesbetweenthegreatpinesSlonesawwhatappearedtobeayellowcliff，faraway。Itpuzzledhim。Andashewentonhereceivedtheimpressionthattheforestdroppedoutofsightahead。Thenthetreesgrewthicker，obstructinghisview。Presentlythetrailbecamesoggyandhehadtohelphishorse。Themustangflounderedinthesoftsnowandearth。
Cedarsandpinyonsappearedagain，makingtravelstillmorelaborious。
AllatoncetherecametoSloneastrangeconsciousnessoflightandwindandspaceandvoid。Ontheinstanthishorsehaltedwithasnort。Slonequicklylookedup。Hadhecometotheendoftheworld？Anabyss，acanyon，yawnedbeneathhim，beyondallcomparisoninitsgreatness。Hiskeeneye，educatedtodesertdistanceanddimension，sweptdownandacross，takinginthetremendoustruth，beforeitstaggeredhiscomprehension。Butasecondsweepingglance，slower，becomingintoxicatedwithwhatitbeheld，sawgiganticcliff-stepsandyellowslopesdottedwithcedars，leadingdowntocleftsfilledwithpurplesmoke，andtheseledonandontoaraggedredworldofrock，bare，shining，bold，upliftedinmesa，dome，peak，andcrag，clearandstrangeinthemorninglight，stillandsleepinglikedeath。
This，then，wasthegreatcanyon，whichhadseemedlikeahunter\'sfableratherthantruth。Slone\'ssightdimmed，blurringthespectacle，andhefoundthathiseyeshadfilledwithtears。Hewipedthemawayandlookedagainandagain，untilhewasconfoundedbythevastnessandthegrandeurandthevaguesadnessofthescene。Nothinghehadeverlookedathadaffectedhimlikethiscanyon，althoughtheStewartshadtriedtopreparehimforit。
Itwasthehorse-hunter\'spassionthatremindedhimofhispursuit。Thedeertrailleddownthroughabreakinthewall。Onlyafewrodsofitcouldbeseen。Thistrailwaspassable，eventhoughchokedwithsnow。ButthedepthbeyondthiswallseemedtofascinateSloneandholdhimback，usedashewastodeserttrails。ThenthecleanmarkofWildfire\'shoofbroughtbacktheoldthrill。
\"Thisplacefitsyou，Wildfire，\"mutteredSlone，dismounting。
Hestarteddown，leadingNagger。Themustangfollowed。Slonekepttothewallsideofthetrail，fearingthehorsesmightslip。ThesnowheldfirmlyatfirstandSlonehadnotrouble。Thegapintherim-rockwidenedtoaslopethicklygrownoverwithcedarsandpinyonsandmanzanita。Thisgrowthmadethedescentmorelaborious，yetaffordedmeansatleastforSlonetogodownwithlessdanger。Therewasnostopping。Oncestarted，thehorseshadtokeepon。
Slonesawtheimpossibilityofeverclimbingoutwhilethatsnowwasthere。
Thetrailzigzaggeddownanddown。Verysoontheyellowwallhungtremendouslyoverhim，straightup。Thesnowbecamethinnerandsofter。Thehorsesbegantoslip。Theyslidontheirhaunches。Fortunatelytheslopegrewlesssteep，andSlonecouldseebelowwhereitreachedouttocomparativelylevelground。
Still，amishapmightyetoccur。SlonekeptasclosetoNaggeraspossible，helpinghimwheneverhecoulddoit。Themustangslipped，rolledover，andthenslippedpastSlone，wentdowntheslopetobringupinacedar。Sloneworkeddowntohimandextricatedhim。ThenthehugeNaggerbegantoslide。
Snowandlooserockslidwithhim，andsodidSlone。Thelittleavalanchestoppedofitsownaccord，andthenSlonedraggedNaggerondownanddown，presentlytocometotheendofthesteepdescent。Slonelookeduptoseethathehadmadeshortworkofathousand-footslope。Herecedarsandpinyonsgrewthicklyenoughtomakeaforest。Thesnowthinnedouttopatches，andthenfailed。Butthegoingremainedbadforawhileasthehorsessankdeepinasoftredearth。Thiseventuallygrewmoresolidandfinallydry。Sloneworkedoutofthecedarstowhatappearedagrassyplateauinclosedbythegreatgreen-and-whiteslopewithitsyellowwalloverhanging，anddistantmesasandcliffs。Herehisviewwasrestricted。Hewasdownonthefirstbenchofthegreatcanyon。Andtherewasthedeertrail，awell-wornpathkeepingtotheedgeoftheslope。Slonecametoadeepcutintheearth，andthetrailheadedit，whereitbeganatthelastdescentoftheslope。Itwasthesourceofacanyon。Hecouldlookdowntoseethebare，wornrock，andahundredyardsfromwherehestoodtheearthwaswashedfromitsrimsanditbegantoshowdepthandsomethingofthatraggedoutlinewhichtoldofviolenceofflood。
Thetrailheadedmanycanyonslikethis，allrunningdownacrossthisbench，disappearing，droppinginvisibly。Thetrailswungtotheleftunderthegreatslope，andthenpresentlyitclimbedtoahigherbench。Herewerebrushandgrassandhugepatchesofsage，sopungentthatitstungSlone\'snostrils。
Thenhewentdownagain，thistimetocometoaclearbrooklinedbywillows。
HerethehorsesdranklongandSlonerefreshedhimself。Thesunhadgrownhot。
Therewasfragranceofflowershecouldnotseeandalowmurmurofawaterfallthatwaslikewiseinvisible。Formostofthetimehisviewwasshutoff，butoccasionallyhereachedapointwherethroughsomebreakhesawtowersgleamingredinthesun。Astrangeplace，aplaceofsilence，andsmokyveilsinthedistance。Timepassedswiftly。Towardthewaningoftheafternoonhebegantoclimbtowhatappearedtobeasaddleofland，connectingthecanyonwallontheleftwithagreatplateau，gold-rimmedandpine-fringed，risingmoreandmoreinhiswayasheadvanced。AtsunsetSlonewasmoreshutinthanforseveralhours。Hecouldtellthetimewassunsetbythegoldenlightonthecliffwallagainoverhanginghim。Theslopewasgradualuptothispasstothesaddle，anduponcomingtoaspring，andthefirstpine-trees，hedecidedtohaltforacamp。Themustangwasalmostexhausted。
Thereuponhehobbledthehorsesintheluxuriantgrassroundthespring，andthenunrolledhispack。Onceasduskcamestealingdown，whilehewaseatinghismeal，Naggerwhistledinfright。Slonesawagray，pantherishformglidingawayintotheshadows。Hetookaquickshotatit，butmissed。
\"It\'salioncountry，allright，\"hesaid。Andthenhesetaboutbuildingabigfireontheothersideofthegrassyplot，sotohavethehorsesbetweenfires。Hecutallthevenisonintothinstrips，andspentanhourroastingthem。Thenhelaydowntorest，andhesaid:\"WonderwhereWildfireisto-night？AmIclosertohim？Where\'sheheadin\'for？\"
Thenightwaswarmandstill。Itwasblacknearthehugecliff，andoverheadvelvetyblue，withstarsofwhitefire。Itseemedtohimthathehadbecomemorethoughtfulandobservingoftheaspectsofhiswildenvironment，andhefeltawelcomeconsciousnessofloneliness。Thensleepcametohimandthenightseemedshort。Inthegraydawnhearoserefreshed。
Thehorseswererestive。Naggersnortedawelcome。Evidentlytheyhadpassedanuneasynight。Slonefoundliontracksatthespringandinsandyplaces。
Presentlyhewasonhiswayuptothenotchbetweenthegreatwallandtheplateau。Agrowthofthickscrub-oakmadetraveldifficult。Ithadnotappearedfaruptothatsaddle，butitwasfar。Therewerestragglingpine-treesandhugerocksthatobstructedhisgaze。Butonceuphesawthatthesaddlewasonlyanarrowridge，curvedtoslopeuponbothsides。
StraightbeforeSloneandunderhimopenedthecanyon，blazingandgloriousalongthepeaksandramparts，wheretherisingsunstruck，mistyandsmokyandshadowydowninthosemysteriousdepths。
Ittookaneffortnottokeepongazing。ButSloneturnedtothegrimbusinessofhispursuit。ThetrailhesawleadingdownhadbeenmadebyIndians。Itwasusedprobablyonceayearbythem；andalsobywildanimals，anditwasexceedinglysteepandrough。Wildfirehadpacedtoandfroalongthenarrowridgeofthatsaddle，makingmanytracks，beforehehadheadeddownagain。
Sloneimaginedthatthegreatstallionhadbeendauntedbythetremendouschasm，buthadfinallyfacedit，meaningtoputthisobstaclebetweenhimandhispursuers。ItneveroccurredtoSlonetoattributelessintelligencetoWildfirethanthat。So，dismounting，SlonetookNagger\'sbridleandstarteddown。Themustangwiththepackwasreluctant。Hesnortedandwhistledandpawedtheearth。Buthewouldnotbeleftalone，sohefollowed。
Thetrailleddownundercedarsthatfringedaprecipice。Slonewasawareofthiswithoutlooking。Heattendedonlytothetrailandtohishorse。OnlyanIndiancouldhavepickedoutthatcourse，anditwascrueltoputahorsetoit。ButNaggerwaspowerful，sure-footed，andhewouldgoanywherethatSloneledhim。GraduallySloneworkeddownandawayfromthebulgingrim-wall。Itwashard，roughwork，andriskybecauseitcouldnotbeaccomplishedslowly。
Brushandrocks，looseshaleandweatheredslope，long，dustyinclinesofyellowearth，andjumblesofstone——thesemadebadgoingformilesofslow，zigzagtraildownoutofthecedars。Thenthetrailenteredwhatappearedtobearavine。
Thatravinebecameacanyon。Atitsheaditwasadrywash，fullofgravelandrocks。Itbegantocutdeepintothebowelsoftheearth。Itshutoutsightofthesurroundingwallsandpeaks。Waterappearedfromunderacliffand，augmentedbyothersprings，becameabrook。Hot，dry，andbarrenatitsbeginning，thiscleftbecamecoolandshadyandluxuriantwithgrassandflowersandambermosswithsilverblossoms。Therockshadchangedcolorfromyellowtodeepred。Fourhoursofturningandtwisting，endlesslydownanddown，overbouldersandbanksandeveryconceivableroughnessofearthandrock，finishedthepack-mustang；andSlonemercifullylefthiminalongreachofcanyonwheregrassandwaterneverfailed。InthisplaceSlonehaltedforthenoonhour，lettingNaggerhavehisfilloftherichgrazing。Nagger\'sthreedaysingrassyupland，despitethecontinuoustravelbyday，hadimprovedhim。Helookedfat，andSlonehadnotyetcaughtthehorseresting。
Naggerwasirontoendure。HereSloneleftalltheoutfitexceptwhatwasonhissaddle，andthesackcontainingthefewpoundsofmeatandsupplies，andthetwoutensils。Thissackhetiedonthebackofhissaddle，andresumedhisjourney。
PresentlyhecametoaplacewhereWildfirehaddoubledonhistrailandhadturnedupasidecanyon。TheclimboutwashardonSlone，ifnotonNagger。
