LucyBostilcouldnotcontroltheglowofstrangeexcitementunderwhichshelabored，butshecouldputhermindontheridingofSageKing。Shedidnotrealize，however，thatshewasridinghimunderthestressandspellofthatexcitement。
Shehadheadedouttomakeashortcut，fairlysureofherdirection，yetshewasnotunawareofthefactthatshewouldbelosttillsheranacrosshertrail。Thatmightbeeasytomissandtimewasflying。SheputtheKingtoabrisktrot，windingthroughtheaislesofthesage。
Soonshehadleftthemonumentregionandwasdownonthevalleyflooragain。
Fromtimetotimesheconqueredadesiretolookback。Presentlyshewassurprisedandverygladtorideintoatrailwhereshesawthetracksshehadmadecomingout。WithmuchreliefsheturnedSageKingintothistrail，andthenanyanxietyshehadfeltleftherentirely。Butthatdidnotmitigateherexcitement。SheeasedtheKingintoalong，swinginglope。Andashewarmedtotheworkshewasarousedalso。Itwashardtoholdhimin，oncehegotoutofatrot，andaftermilesandmilesofthis，Whenshethoughtbesttoslowdownhenearlypulledherarmsoff。Stillshefinallygothiminhand。Thenfollowedmilesofsoftandroughgoing，whichseemedlongandtedious。Beyondthatwasthehomestretchupthevalley，whosegradualslopecouldbeseenonlyatadistance。Herewasastraight，broadtrail，nottoosoftnortoohard，andforalltheyearsshecouldrememberridershadtriedoutandtrainedtheirfavoritesonthatcourse。
Lucyreacheddowntoassureherselfthatthecinchwastight，thenshepulledhersombrerodownhard，slackenedthebridle，andlettheKinggo。Hesimplybrokehisgait，hewassosurprised。Lucysawhimtryingtolookbackather，asifhecouldnotrealizethatthisyoungwomanriderhadgivenhimafreerein。Perhapsonereasonhedislikedherhadbeenalwaysandeverlastinglythattightrein。Likethewaryhorsehewashetooktoacanter，totryoutwhathisnewfreedommeant。
\"Say，what\'sthematterwithyou？\"calledLucy，disdainfully。\"Areyoulazy？
Ordon\'tyoubelieveIcanrideyou？\"
Whereuponshedughimwithherspurs。SageKingsnorted。Hisactionshiftedmarvelously。Thunderrolledfromunderhishoofs。Andhebrokeoutofthatclatteringroarintohisfleetstride，wherehishoof-beatswereswift，regular，rhythmic。
Lucyrodehimwithteethandfistsclenched，bendinglow。Afterall，shethought，itwasnotricktoridehim。Inthatgaithewasdangerous，forafallmeantdeath；butheransosmoothlythatridinghimwaseasyandcertainlyglorious。Hewentsofastthatthewindblindedher。Thetrailwasonlyawhitestreakinblurredgray。Shecouldnotgetherbreath；thewindseemedtowhiptheairawayfromher。Andthenshefeltthelesseningofthetremendouspace。SageKinghadrunhimselfoutandthemileswerebehindher。
Graduallyhersightbecameclear，andasthehotandwethorsesloweddown，satisfiedwithhiswildrun，Lucyrealizedthatshewasupontheslopeonlyafewmilesfromhome。Suddenlyshethoughtshesawsomethingdarkstirbehindasage-bushjustahead。BeforeshecouldmoveahandatthebridleSageKingleapedwithafranticsnort。Itwasaswerving，nimble，tremendousbound。Hewenthigh。Lucywasunseated，butsomehowclungon，andcamedownwithhim，findingthesaddle。Anditseemed，whileintheair，shesawalong，snaky，whippingloopofropeshootoutandclosejustwhereSageKing\'slegshadbeen。
Shescreamed。Thehorsebrokeandran。Lucy，rightingherself，lookedbacktoseeJoelCreechholdingalimplasso。HehadtriedtoropetheKing。
ThebloodofherfatherwasarousedinLucy。Shethoughtofthehorse——notherself。IftheKinghadnotbeensokeen-sighted，soswift，hewouldhavegonedownwithabrokenleg。Lucyneverinherlifehadbeensofurious。
Joelshookhisfistatherandyelled，\"I\'d\'a\'gotyou——onanyotherhoss!\"
Shedidnotreply，thoughshehadtofightherselftokeepfrompullinghergunandshootingathim。Sheguidedtherunninghorsebackintothetrail，rapidlyleavingCreechoutofsight。
\"He\'sgonecrazy，that\'ssure，\"saidLucy。\"Andhemeansmeharm!\"
SherantheKingclearuptothecorrals，andhewasstillgoinghardwhensheturneddownthelanetothebarns。Thenshepulledhimin。
Farlanewastheretomeether。Shesawnootherridersandwasglad。
\"Wal，MissLucy，theKingsurelooksgood，\"saidFarlane，asshejumpedoffandflunghimthebridle。\"He\'sjusthadaboutright，judgin\'。Say，girl，you\'reallpale!Oh，say，youwasn\'tscaredoftheKing，now？\"
\"No，\"repliedLucy，panting。
\"Wal，what\'sup，then？\"Theriderspokeinanentirelydifferentvoice，andintohisclear，hazeleyesalittledarkgleamshot。
\"JoelCreechwaylaidmeoutinthesage——and——andtriedtocatchme。\"Lucycheckedherself。ItmightnotdototellhowJoelhadtriedtocatchher。
\"Hedid？An\'youontheKing!\"Farlanelaughed，asifrelieved。\"Wal，he\'striedthetbefore。MissLucy。Butwhenyouwasuponthegray——thetshowsJoel\'scrazy，sure。\"
\"Hesureis。Farlane，I——Iammad!\"
\"Wal，cooloff，MissLucy。Itain\'tnothin\'togitsetupabout。An\'don\'ttelltheoldman。\"
\"Whynot？\"demandedLucy。
\"Wal，becausehe\'sinaqueersortofbadmoodlately。Itwouldn\'tbesafe。HehatesthemCreeches。Sodon\'ttellhim。\"
\"Allright，Farlane，Iwon\'t。Don\'tyoutell，either，\"repliedLucy，soberly。
\"SureI\'llkeepmum。ButifJoeldoesn\'twatchoutI\'llputacrimpinhimmyself。\"
Lucyhurriedawaydownthelaneandenteredthehousewithoutmeetinganyone。
Inherroomshechangedherclothesandlaydowntorestandthink。
Strangelyenough，LucymightneverhaveencounteredJoelCreechoutinthesage，forallthethoughtshegavehim。Hermindwasbusywiththecrippledrider。Whowashe？Wherewashefrom？Whatstrangepassionhehadshownovertherecoveryofthatwonderfulredhorse!Lucycouldnotforgetthefeelingofhisironarmwhenheheldherinakindoffrenziedgratitude。Awilduplandrider，livingonlyforawildhorse!HowlikeIndianssomeoftheseriders!
Yetthisfellowhadseemeddifferentfrommostoftheuncouthridersshehadknown。Hespokebetter。Heappearedtohavehadsomelittleschooling。Lucydidnotrealizethatshewasinterestedinhim。Shethoughtshewassorryforhimandinterestedinthestallion。ShebegantocompareWildfirewithSageKing，andifsherememberedrightlyWildfire，eveninhisdisheveledstate，hadappearedaworthyrivaloftheKing。WhatwouldBostilsayatsightofthatflame-coloredstallion？Lucythrilled。
Latersheleftherroomtoseeifthehourwasopportuneforherplantomakeupapackofsuppliesfortherider。Herauntwasbusyinthekitchen，andBostilhadnotcomein。Lucytookadvantageofthemomenttotieupapackandcarryittoherroom。Somehowthetaskpleasedher。Sherecalledtheleanfaceoftherider。Andthatrecalledhisraggedappearance。Whynotpackupanoutfitofclothes？Bostilhadastock-roomfullofsuchaccessoriesforhismen。ThenLucy，glowingwiththethought，hurriedtoBostil\'sstock-room，andwithdefthandsandswiftjudgmentselectedanoutfitfortherider，evendowntoacombandrazor。Allthisshecarriedquicklytoherroom，whereinherthoughtfulnesssheaddedabitofglassfromabrokenmirror，andsoapandatowel。Thenshetiedupasecondpack。
Bostildidnotcomehometosupper，acircumstancethatmadeLucy\'sauntcross。Theyatealone，and，waitingawhile，wereratherlateinclearingawaythetable。AfterthisLucyhadherchanceintheduskofearlyevening，andshecarriedbothpackswayoutintothesageandleftthemnearthetrail。
\"Hopeacoyotedoesn\'tcomealong，\"shesaid。Thatpossibility，however，didnotworryherasmuchasgettingthosepacksupontheKing。Howintheworldwouldsheeverdoit？
Shehurriedbacktothehouse，stealthilykeepingtotheshadowofthecottonwoods，forshewouldhavefacedanembarrassingsituationifshehadmetherfather，evenhadhebeeninagoodhumor。Andshereachedthesitting-roomunobserved。Thelampshadbeenlightedandalogblazedonthehearth。ShewasreadingwhenBostilentered。
\"Hello，Lucy!\"hesaid。
Helookedtired，andLucyknewhehadbeendrinking，becausewhenhehadbeenheneverofferedtokissher。Thestrange，sombershadewasstillonhisface，butitbrightenedsomewhatatsightofher。Lucygreetedhimasalways。
\"FarlanetellsmeyouhandledtheKinggreat——better\'nVanhasworkedhimlately，\"saidBostil。\"Butdon\'ttellhimItoldyou。\"
ThatwassweetpraisefromFarlane。\"Oh，Dad，itcouldhardlybetrue，\"
expostulatedLucy。\"BothyouandFarlanearealittlesoreatVannow。\"
\"I\'malotsore，\"repliedBostil，gruffly。
\"Anyway，howdidFarlaneknowhowIhandledSageKing？\"queriedLucy。
\"Wal，everyhaironahosstalkstoFarlane，soHolleysays。Lucy，youtaketheKingouteverydayforawhile。Ridehimnowan\'watchout!JoelCreechwasinthevillageto-day。Hesuresneakedwhenheseenme。He\'suptosomemischief。\"
Lucydidnotwanttolieandshedidnotknowwhattosay。PresentlyBostilbadehergoodnight。Lucyendeavoredtoread，buthermindcontinuallywanderedbacktotheadventureoftheday。
Nextmorningshehaddifficultyinconcealingherimpatience，butluckfavoredher。Bostilwasnotinevidence，andFarlane，foronce，couldsparenomoretimethanittooktosaddleSageKing。Lucyrodeoutintothesage，prettysurethatnoonewatchedher。
Shehadhiddenthepacksnearthetallestbunchofgreasewoodalongthetrail；
andwhenshehaltedbehinditshehadnofearofbeingseenfromthecorrals。
Shegotthepacks。Thelightonewasnothardtotiebackofthesaddle，butthelargeonewasaverydifferentmatter。Shedecidedtocarryitinfront。
Therewasagood-sizedrocknear，uponwhichshestepped，leadingSageKingalongside；andafteranexceedinglytryingmomentshegotup，holdingthepack。ForawonderSageKingbehavedwell。
Thenshestartedoff，holdingthepackacrossherlap，andshetriedtheKing\'sseveralgaitstoseewhichonewouldlenditselfmorecomfortablytothetaskbeforeher。ThetroublewasthatSageKinghadnoslowgait，evenhiswalkwasfast。AndLucywascompelledtoholdhimintothat。Shewantedtohurry，butthatseemedoutofthequestion。Shetriedtokeepfromgazingouttowardthemonuments，becausetheyweresofaraway。
Howwouldshefindthecrippledrider？Itflashedintohermindthatshemightfindhimdead，andthisseemedhorrible。Buthercommonsensepersuadedherthatshewouldfindhimaliveandbetter。Thepackwashardtohold，andSageKingfrettedatthemonotonouswalk。Thehoursdragged。Thesungrewhot。Anditwasnoon，almost，whenshereachedthepointwhereshecutoffthetrailtotheleft。Thereafter，withthemonumentsstandingeverhigher，andthedistanceperceptiblylessening，theminutespassedlesstediously。
Atlengthshereachedthezoneofloftyrocks，andfoundthemdifferent，how，shecouldnottell。Sherodedownamongthem，andwasgladwhenshesawthehugemittens——herlandmarks。Atlastsheespiedthegreen-borderedwashandthefewcedar-trees。Thenahorseblazedredagainstthesageandanothershoneblack。ThatsightmadeLucythrill。Sherodeon，eagernow，butmovedbythestrangenessoftheexperience。
Beforeshegotquiteclosetothecedarsshesawaman。Hetookafewslowstepsoutoftheshade。Hisbackwasbent。Lucyrecognizedtherider，andinhergladnesstoseehimonhisfeetshecriedout。Then，whenSageKingreachedthespot，Lucyrolledthepackofftotheground。
\"Oh，thatwasajob!\"shecried。
Theriderlookedupwitheyesthatseemedkeener，lessstaringthansheremembered。\"Youcame？Iwasafraidyouwouldn\'t，\"hesaid。
\"SureIcame。You\'rebetter——notbadlyhurt？\"shesaid，gravely，\"I——I\'msoglad。\"
\"I\'vegotacrimpinmyback，that\'sall。\"
LucywasquicktoseethatafterthefirstglanceatherhewasalleyesforSageKing。Shelaughed。Howlikearider!Shewatchedhim，knowingthatpresentlyhewouldrealizewhatahorseshewasriding。Sheslippedoffandthrewthebridle，andthen，swiftlyuntyingthesecondpack，shelaiditdown。
Therider，withslow，painfulstepsandbentback，approachedSageKingandputalean，strong，brownhandonhim，andtouchedhimasifhewishedtofeelifhewerereal。Thenhewhistledsoftly。WhenheturnedtoLucyhiseyesshonewithabeautifullight。
\"It\'sSageKing，Bostil\'sfavorite，\"saidLucy。
\"SageKing!Helooksit。Butneverawildhorse？\"
\"No。\"
\"Afinehorse，\"repliedtherider。\"Ofcoursehecanrun？\"Thislastheldanoteofarider\'sjealousy。
Lucylaughed。\"Run!TheKingisBostil\'sfavorite。Hecanrunawayfromanyhorseintheuplands。\"
\"I\'llbetyouWildfirecanbeathim，\"repliedtherider，withadarkglance。
\"Comeon!\"criedLucy，daringly。
Thentheriderandgirllookedmoreearnestlyateachother。Hesmiledinawaythatchangedhisface——brightenedoutthesethardness。
\"IreckonI\'llhavetocrawl，\"hesaid，ruefully。\"ButmaybeIcanrideinafewdays——ifyou\'llcomebackagain。\"
HisremarkbroughttoLucytheideathatofcourseshewouldhardlyseethisrideragainafterto-day。EvenifhewenttotheFord，whicheventwasunlikely，hewouldnotremaintherelong。Thesensationofblanknesspuzzledher，andshefeltanunfamiliarconfusion。
\"I——I\'vebroughtyou——somethings，\"shesaid，pointingtothelargerpack。
\"Grub，youmean？\"
\"No。\"
\"ThatwasallIaskedyoufor，miss，\"hesaid，somewhatstiffly。
\"Yes，but——I——Ithought——\"Lucybecameunaccountablyembarrassed。Supposethisstrangeriderwouldbeoffended。\"Yourclotheswere——sotorn。Andnowonderyouwerethrown——inthoseboots!SoIthoughtI\'d——\"
\"YouthoughtIneededclothesasbadasgrub，\"hesaid，bitterly。\"Ireckonthat\'sso。\"
Hislook，morethanhistone，cutLucy；andinvoluntarilyshetouchedhisarm。
\"Oh，youwon\'trefusetotakethem!Pleasedon\'t!\"
Athertouchawarmthcameintohisface。\"Takethem？IshouldsmileIwill。\"
Hetriedtoreachdowntoliftthepack，butasitwasobviouslypainfulforhimtobend，Lucyinterceptedhim。
\"Butyou\'vehadnobreakfast，\"sheprotested。\"Whynoteatbeforeyouopenthatpack？\"
\"Nope。I\'mnothungry。MaybeI\'lleatalittle，afterIdressup。\"Hestartedtowalkaway，thenturned。\"MissBostil，haveyoubeensogoodtoeverywanderin\'rideryouhappenedtorunacross？\"
\"Good!\"sheexclaimed，flushing。Shedroppedhereyesbeforehis。\"Nonsense……Anyway，you\'rethefirstwanderingriderIevermet——likethis。\"
\"Well，you\'regood，\"hereplied，withemotion。Thenhewalkedawaywithslow，stiffstepsanddisappearedbehindthewillowsinthelittlehollow。
LucyuncoiledtheropeonhersaddleandhalteredSageKingonthebestgrassnearathand。Thensheopenedthepackofsupplies，thinkingthewhilethatshemustnottarryherelong。
\"ButontheKingIcanrunbacklikethewind，\"shemused。
Thepackcontaineddriedfruitsandmeatandstaples，alsoanassortmentofgoodthingstoeatthatwereofaperishablenature，alreadymuchtheworseforthelongride。Shespreadallthisoutintheshadeofacedar。Theutensilswerefew——twocups，twopans，andatinypot。Shegatheredwood，andarrangeditforafire，sothattheridercouldstartassoonashecameback。
Heseemedlongincoming。Lucywaited，yetstillhedidnotreturn。Finallyshethoughtoftheredstallion，andstartedoffdownthewashtotakealookathim。Hewasgrazing。Hehadlostsomeofthedirtanddustandthebedraggledappearance。Whenhecaughtsightofherheliftedhisheadhighandwhistled。Howwildhelooked!Andhiswhistlewasshrill，clear，strong。Boththeotherhorsesansweredit。LucywentonclosertoWildfire。Shewasfascinatednow。
\"Ifhedoesn\'tknowme!\"shecried。Neverhadshebeensopleased。Shehadexpectedeverysignofsavagenessonhispart，andcertainlyhadnotintendedtogonearhim。ButWildfiredidnotshowfearorhateinhisrecognition。
Lucywentdirectlytohimandgotahandonhim。Wildfirerearedalittleandshookalittle，butthisdisappearedpresentlyunderhertouch。Heheldhisheadveryhighandwatchedherwithwonderfuleyes。Graduallyshedrewhisheaddown。Standingbeforehim，shecarefullyandslowlychangedthesetofthehackamore，whichhadmadeaweltonhisnose。Itseemedtohavebeenhergoodfortunethateverysignificantmoveshehadmadearoundthisstallionhadbeentomitigatehispain。Lucybelievedheknewthisaswellassheknewit。
Hertheory，anoftendisputedone，wasthathorseswereasintelligentashumanbeingsandhadjustthesamefears，likes，anddislikes。Lucyknewshewassafewhensheuntiedthelassofromthestrongrootwhereshehadfastenedit，andledthestalliondownthewashtoapoolofwater。Andshestoodbesidehimwithahandonhisshoulderwhilehebenthisheadtosniffatthewater。Hetastedit，plainlywithdisgust。Itwasstagnantwater，fullofvermin。Butfinallyhedrank。Lucyledhimupthewashtoanotherlikelyplace，andtiedhimsecurely。
Whenshegotbacktothecampinthecedarstheriderwasthere，onhisknees，kindlingthefire。Hisclean-shavedfaceandnewapparelmadehimvastlydifferent。Hewasyoung，and，hadhenotbeensogaunt。hewouldhavebeenfine-looking，Lucythought。
\"Wildfirerememberedme，\"Lucyburstout。\"Hewasn\'tabitscary。Letmehandlehim。Followedmetowater。\"
\"He\'stakentoyou，\"repliedtherider，seriously。\"I\'veheardofthelike，butnotsoquick。Washeinabadfixwhenyougottohimyesterday？\"
Lucyexplainedbriefly。
\"Aha!IfthatreddevilhasanyloveinhimI\'llnevergetit。IwishI
couldhavedonesomuchforhim。Butalwayswhenheseesmehe\'llremember。\"
Lucysawthattheriderwasindifficulties。Hecouldnotbendhisback，andevidentlyitpainedhimtotry。Hisbrowwasmoist。
\"Letmedothat，\"shesaid。
\"Thanks。Ittookaboutallmystrengthtogetintothisnewoutfit，\"hesaid，relinquishing，hisplacetoLucy。
Whenshelookedupfromhertask，presently，hewassittingintheshadeofthecedar，watchingher。Hehadtheexpressionofamanwhohardlybelievedwhathesaw。
\"Didyouhaveanytroublegettin\'away，withouttellin\'——aboutme？\"heasked。
\"No。ButIsurehadajobwiththosepacks，\"shereplied。
\"Youmustbeawonderwithahorse。\"
AsfarasvanitywasconcernedLucyhadonlyoneweakness——andhehadtoucheduponit。
\"Well，DadandHolleyandFarlanearguemuchaboutme。Still，IguesstheyallagreeIcanride。\"
\"Holleyan\'Farlaneareriders？\"hequestioned。
\"Yes，Dad\'sright-handmen。\"
\"Yourdadhiresmanyriders，Isupposed？\"
\"SureIneverheardofhimturninganyriderdown，atleastnotwithoutatry。\"
\"Iwonderifhewouldgivemeajob？\"
Lucyglancedupquickly。Theideasurprisedher——pleasedher。\"Inaminute，\"
shereplied。\"Andhe\'dbegrandtoyou。Yousee，he\'dhaveaneyeforWildfire。\"
Theridernoddedhisheadasifheunderstoodhowthatwouldbe。
\"Andofcourseyou\'dneversellnortradeWildfire？\"wentonLucy。
Therider\'ssmilewassad，butitwasconclusive。
\"Thenyou\'dbetterstayawayfromBostil，\"returnedLucy，shortly。
Heremainedsilent，andLucy，busyaboutthecampfire，didnotspeakagaintillthesimplefarewasready。Thenshespreadatarpaulinintheshade。
\"I\'mprettyhungrymyself，\"shesaid。\"ButIdon\'tsupposeIknowwhathungeris。\"
\"Afterawhileafellowlosesthefeelin\'ofhunger，\"hereplied。\"Ireckonit\'llcomebackquick。Thisalllooksgood。\"
Sotheybegantoeat。Lucy\'sexcitement，hersenseoftheunrealityofthisadventure，innowiseimpairedherappetite。Sheseemedacutelysensitivetotheperceptionsofthemoment。Theshadeofthecedarswascool。Andoutonthedesertshecouldseethedarksmokyveilsofheatlifting。Thebreezecarriedadryodorofsandandgrass。Sheheardbeeshummingby。Andallaroundthegreatisolatedmonumentsstoodup，redtopsagainstthebluesky。
Itwasasilent，dreaming，impressiveplace，whereshefeltunlikeherself。
\"Imustn\'tstaylong，\"shesaid，suddenlyremembering。
\"Willyoucomeback——again？\"heasked。
ThequestionstartledLucy。\"Why——I——Idon\'tknow。Won\'tyourideintotheFordjustassoonasyou\'reable？\"
\"Ireckonnot。\"
\"Butit\'stheonlyplacewherethere\'speopleinhundredsofmiles。Surelyyouwon\'ttrytogobackthewayyoucame？\"
\"WhenWildfireleftthatcountryIleftit。Wecan\'tback。\"
\"Thenyou\'venopeople——nooneyoucarefor？\"sheasked，insweetseriousness。
\"There\'snoone。I\'manorphan。MypeoplewerelostinanIndianmassacre——withawagon-traincrossin\'Wyomin\'。Afewescaped，an\'Iwasoneoftheyoungsters。Ihadatoughtime，likeastraydog，tillIgrewup。An\'thenItooktothedesert。\"
\"Oh，Isee。I——I\'msorry，\"repliedLucy。\"Butthat\'snotverydifferentfrommydad\'sstory，ofhisearlyyears。Whatwillyoudonow？\"
\"I\'llstayheretillmybackstraightensout。Willyourideoutagain？\"
\"Yes，\"repliedLucy，withoutlookingathim；andshewonderedifitwerereallyshewhowasspeaking。
ThenheaskedherabouttheFord，andBostil，andtheranchesandvillagesnorth，andtheridersandhorses。Lucytoldhimeverythingsheknewandcouldthinkof，and，lastly，afterwaxingeloquentonthehorsesoftheuplands，particularlyBostil\'s，shegavehimagraphicaccountofCordtsandDickSears。
\"Horse-thieves!\"exclaimedtherider，darkly。Therewasagrimnessaswellasfearinhistone。\"I\'veheardofSears，butnotCordts。Wheredoesthisbandhangout？\"
\"Nooneknows。Holleysaystheyhideupinthecanyoncountry。Noneoftheridershaveevertriedtotrackthemfar。Itwouldbeuseless。Holleysaysthereareplateausofrichgrassandgreatforests。TheUteIndianssaythatmuch，too。Butweknowlittleaboutthewildcountry。\"
\"Aren\'tthereanyhuntersatBostil\'sFord？\"
\"Wild-horsehunters，youmean？\"
\"No。Bearan\'deerhunters。\"
\"There\'snone。AndIsupposethat\'swhywe\'renotfamiliarwiththewildcanyoncountry。I\'dliketorideintheresometimeandcamp。Butourpeopledon\'tgoinforthat。Theylovetheopenranges。NooneIknow，exceptahalf-wittedboy，everrodedownamongthesemonuments。Andhowwonderfulaplace!Itcan\'tbemorethantwentymilesfromhome。Imustbegoingsoon。I\'mforgettingSageKing。DidItellyouIwastraininghimfortheraces？\"
\"No，youdidn\'t。Whatraces？Tellme，\"hereplied，withkeeninterest。
ThenLucytoldhimaboutthegreatpassionofherfather——aboutthelong，time-honoredcustomoffree-for-allraces，andthegreatracesthathadbeenruninthepast；abouttheCreechesandtheirswifthorses；abouttherivalryandspeculationandbetting；andlastlyabouttheracestoberuninafewweeks——racessowonderfulinprospectthateventhehorse-thief，Cordts，hadbeggedtobeallowedtoattend。
\"I\'mgoingtoseetheKingbeatCreech\'sroan，\"shoutedtherider，withredinhischeeksandaflashinhiseye。
HisenthusiasmwarmedLucy\'sinterest，yetitmadeherthoughtful。Ideasflashedintohermind。Iftheriderattendedtheraceshewouldhavethatfleetstallionwithhim。Hecouldnotbeseparatedfromthehorsethathadcosthimsodearly。WhatwouldBostilandHolleyandFarlanesayatsightofWildfire？SupposeWildfirewastoentertheraces!Itwasprobablethathecouldrunawayfromthewholefield——evenbeattheKing。Lucythrilledandthrilled。Whatasurpriseitwouldbe!Shehadtherider\'strueloveofseeingtheunheraldedhorsewinoverthefavorite。Shehadforyearswantedtoseeahorse——andrideahorse——outinfrontofSageKing。Thensuddenlyalltheseflashingideascoruscatedseeminglyintoagleam——aleaping，radiant，wonderfulthought。Irresistiblyitburstfromher。
\"LetMErideyourWildfireinthegreatrace？\"shecried，breathlessly。
Hisresponsewasinstantaneous——asmilethatwaskeenandsweetandstrong，andaprofferedhand。ImpulsivelyLucyclaspedthathandwithbothhers。
\"Youdon\'tmeanit，\"shesaid。\"Oh，it\'swhatAuntiewouldcalloneofmywilddreams!AndI\'mgrowingup——theysay。But——Oh，ifIcouldrideWildfireagainstthefieldinthatrace。IfIONLYCOULD!\"
Shewasonfirewiththehope，flushing，tingling。Shewasunconsciousofhereffectupontherider，whogazedatherwithanew-bornlightinhiseyes。
\"Youcanridehim。IreckonI\'dliketoseethatracejustasmuchasBostilorCordtsoranyman。An\'seehere，girl，Wildfirecanbeatthisgrayracerofyourfather\'s。\"
\"Oh!\"criedLucy。
\"WildfirecanbeattheKing，\"repeatedtherider，intensely。\"Thetamehorsedoesn\'tsteponthisearththatcanrunwithWildfire。He\'sastallion。Hehasbeenakillerofhorses。It\'sinhimtoKILL。Ifheranaraceitwouldbethatinstinctinhim。\"
\"Howcanweplanit？\"wentonLucy，impulsively。Shehadforgottentowithdrawherhandsfromhis。\"Itmustbeasurprise——acompletesurprise。IfyoucametotheFordwecouldn\'tkeepitsecret。AndDadorFarlanewouldpreventme，somehow。\"
\"It\'seasy。Rideouthereasoftenasyoucan。Bringalightsaddlean\'letmeputyouuponWildfire。You\'llrunhim，trainhim，gethiminshape。ThenthedayoftheracesorthenightbeforeI\'llgoinan\'hideoutinthesagetillyoucomeorsendforWildfire。\"
\"Oh，it\'llbeglorious，\"shecried，witheyeslikestars。\"Iknowjustwheretohaveyouhide。Apileofrocksneartheracecourse。There\'saspringandgoodgrass。Icouldrideouttoyoujustbeforethebigrace，andwe\'dcomeback，withmeonWildfire。Thecrowdalwaysstaysdownattheendoftheracecourse。Onlythestartersstayoutthere。Oh，IcanseeBostilwhenthatredstallionrunsintosight!\"
\"Well，isitsettled？\"queriedtherider，strangely。
Lucywasstartledintoself-consciousnessbyhistone。
Howstrangelyhemusthavefelt。Andhiseyeswerepiercing。
\"Youmean——thatIrideWildfire？\"shereplied，shyly。\"Yes，ifyou\'llletme。\"
\"I\'llbeproud。\"
\"You\'reverygood。AnddoyouthinkWildfirecanbeattheKing？\"
\"Iknowit。\"
\"Howdoyou？\"
\"I\'veseenbothhorses。\"
\"Butitwillbeagrandrace。\"
\"Ireckonso。It\'slikelytobethegrandesteverseen。ButWildfirewillwinbecausehe\'srunwildallhislife——an\'runtokillotherhorses。Theonlyquestionis——CANyouridehim？\"
\"Yes。IneversawthehorseIcouldn\'tride。BostilsaystherearesomeI
can\'tride。Farlanesaysnot。Onlytwohorseshavethrownme，theKingandSarchedon。Butthatwasbeforetheyknewme。AndIwassortofwild。IcanmakeyourWildfireloveme。\"
\"THAT\'SthelastpartofitI\'deverdoubt，\"repliedtherider。\"It\'ssettled，then。I\'llcamphere。I\'llbewellinafewdays。ThenI\'lltakeWildfireinhand。Youwillrideoutwheneveryouhaveachance，withoutbein\'seen。An\'
thetwoofuswilltrainthestalliontoupsetthatrace。\"
\"Yes——then——it\'ssettled。\"
Lucy\'sgazewasimpelledandheldbytherider\'s。Whywashesopale？Butthenhehadbeeninjured——weakened。Thiscompactbetweenthemhadsomehowchangedtheirrelation。Sheseemedtohaveknownhimlong。
\"What\'syourname？\"sheasked。
\"LinSlone，\"repliedtherider。
Thenshereleasedherhands。\"Imustrideinnow。Ifthisisn\'tadreamI\'llcomebacksoon。\"SheledSageKingtoarockandmountedhim。
\"It\'sgoodtoseeyouupthere，\"saidSlone。\"An\'thatsplendidhorse!
Heknowswhatheis。It\'llbreakBostil\'shearttoseethathorsebeat。\"
\"Dad\'llfeelbad，butit\'lldohimgood，\"repliedLucy。
Thatwastheoldrider\'sruthlessspiritspeakingoutofhisdaughter\'slips。
SlonewentclosetotheKingand，puttingahandonthepommel，helookedupatLucy。\"Maybe——itis——adream——an\'youwon\'tcomeback，\"hesaid，withunsteadyvoice。
\"ThenI\'llcomeindreams，\"sheflashed。\"Becarefulofyourself。
Good-by。\"
AndatatouchtheimpatientKingwasoff。FromfaruptheslopenearamonumentLucylookedback。Slonewaswatchingher。Shewavedagauntletedhand——andthenlookedbacknomore。
CHAPTERX
Twoweeksslippedbyonthewingsoftimeandopportunityandachievement，allcoloredsowonderfullyforLucy，allspellingthatadventureforwhichshehadyearned。
Lucywasridingdownintothesagetowardthemonumentswithawholedaybeforeher。Bostilkeptmoreandmoretohimself，acircumstancethatworriedher，thoughshethoughtlittleaboutit。VanhadtakenupthetrainingoftheKing；andLucyhaddeliberatelyquarreledwithhimsothatshewouldbefreetoridewhereshelisted。Farlanenaggedheroccasionallyaboutherridesintothesage，insistingthatshemustnotgosofarandstaysolong。AndafterVan\'sreturntoworkhemadeherrideSarchedon。
ThingshadhappenedattheFordwhichwouldhaveconcernedLucygreatlyhadshenotbeenover-excitedaboutherownaffairs。SomeonehadambushedBostilinthecottonwoodsnearhishouseandhadshotathim，narrowlymissinghim。
Bostilhadswornherecognizedtheshotashavingcomefromarifle，andthatheknewtowhomitbelonged。Theridersdidnotbelievethis，andsaidsomeboy，shootingatarabbitorcoyote，hadbeenafraidtoconfesshehadnearlyhitBostil。TheridersallsaidBostilwasnotwhollyhimselfoflate。Theriverwasstilllow。Theboathadnotbeenrepaired。AndCreech\'shorseswerestillontheotherside。
ThesethingsconcernedLucy，yettheyonlycameandwentswiftlythroughhermind。Shewasobsessedbythingsintimatelyconcerningherself。
\"Oh，Ioughtn\'ttogo，\"shesaid，aloud。ButshedidnotevencheckSarchedon\'slongswing，hisrocking-chairlope。Shehadsaidahundredtimesthatsheoughtnotgoagainouttothemonuments。ForLinSlonehadfallendespairingly，terriblyinlovewithher。
Itwasnotthis，sheaverred，butthemonumentsandthebeautifulWildfirethathadwovenaspellroundhershecouldnotbreak。ShehadriddenWildfireallthroughthatstrangeregionofmonumentsandnowtheyclaimedsomethingofher。JustaswonderfulwasWildfire\'sloveforher。ThegreatstallionhatedSloneandlovedLucy。Ofalltheremarkablecircumstancesshehadseenorheardaboutahorse，thisfactwasthemoststriking。Shecoulddoanythingwithhim。Allthatsavagenessandwildnessdisappearedwhensheapproachedhim。Hecameathercall。Hewhistledatsightofher。Hesentoutaringingblastofdisapprovalwhensherodeaway。EverydayhetriedtobiteorkickSlone，buthewasmeekunderLucy\'stouch。
ButthismorningtherecametoLucythefirstvaguedoubtofherself。Onceenteringhermind，thatdoubtbecameclear。AndthenshevowedshelikedSloneasshemightabrother。Andsomethingwithinheraccusedherownconviction。
Theconvictionwasherrealself，andtheaccusationwassomeothergirllatelyborninher。Lucydidnotlikethisnewperson。Shewasafraidofher。
Shewouldnotthinkofherunlessshehadto。
\"Inevercaredforhim——thatway，\"shesaid，aloud。\"Idon\'t——I
couldn\'t——ever——I——I——loveLinSlone!\"
Thespokenthought——thesoundofthewordsplayedhavocwithLucy\'sself-consciouscalmness。Sheburned。Shetrembled。Shewasinaragewithherself。ShespurredSarchedonintoarunandtorethroughthesage，downintothevalley，runninghimharderthansheshouldhaverunhim。Thenshecheckedhim，and，penitent，pettedhimoutofallproportiontoherthoughtlessness。
Theviolentexerciseonlyheatedherbloodand，ifanything，increasedthissuddenandnewtorment。Whyhadshediscardedherboy\'srideroutfitandchapsforariding-habitmadebyheraunt，andoneshehadscornedtowear？Someawful，accusingvoicethunderedinLucy\'sburningearsthatshehaddonethisbecauseshewasashamedtofaceLinSloneanymoreinthatcostume——shewantedtoappeardifferentinhiseyes，tolooklikeagirl。Ifthatshamefulsuspicionwasafactwhywasit——whatdiditmean？Shecouldnottell，yetshewasafraidofthetruth。
AllofasuddenLinSlonestoodoutclearerinhermentalvision——thefinesttypeofaridershehadeverknown——astrong，lithe，magnificenthorseman，whosegentlenessshowedhisloveforhorses，whoseroughnessshowedhispower——astrange，intense，lonelymaninwhomshehadbroughtoutpride，gratitude，kindness，passion，anddespair。Shefeltherheartswellattherealizationthatshehadchangedhim，madehimkinder，madehimdividehisloveasdidherfather，madehimhuman，hopeful，longingforafutureunfetteredbythetoilsofdesertallurement。Shecouldnotcontrolherpride。
Shemustlikehimverymuch。Sheconfessedthat，honestly，withoutaqualm。Itwasonlybewilderingmomentsofstrangeagitationanduncertaintythatbotheredher。Shehadrefusedtobeconcernedbythemuntiltheyhadfinallyimpingeduponherpeaceofmind。Thentheyaccusedher；nowsheaccusedherself。SheoughtnotgotomeetLinSloneanymore。
\"Butthen——therace!\"shemurmured。\"Icouldn\'tgivethatup。Andoh!
I\'mafraidtheharmisdone!WhatcanIdo？\"
Aftertherace——whatthen？Tobesure，allofBostil\'sFordwouldknowshehadbeenmeetingSloneoutinthesage，traininghishorse。Whatwouldpeoplesay？
\"Dadwillsimplyberadiant，IFhecanbuyWildfire——andafiendifhecan\'t，\"
shemuttered。
Lucysawthatherownimpulsivenesshadamountedtodaring。Shehadgonetoofar。Sheexcusedthat——forshehadarider\'sblood——shewasBostil\'sgirl。Butshehad，inherwildnessandjoyandspirit，spentmanyhoursalonewitharider，tohisundoing。Shecouldnotexcusethat。Shewasashamed。Whatwouldhesaywhenshetoldhimshecouldseehimnomore？Thethoughtmadeherweak。
Hewouldacceptandgohisway——backtothatlonelydesert，withonlyahorse。
\"Wildfiredoesn\'tlovehim!\"shesaid。
Andthescarletfiredherneckandcheekandtemple。Thatleapofbloodseemedtoreleaseariotofemotions。Whathadbeenatormentbecameatorture。SheturnedSarchedonhomeward，butscarcelyhadfacedthatwaywhenshewheeledhimagain。Sherodeslowlyandsherodeswiftly。Theformerwashatefulbecauseitheldherback——fromwhatshenolongerdaredthink；thelatterwasfearfulbecauseithurriedheronswiftly，irresistiblytoherfate。
LinSlonehadchangedhiscampandhadchosenapasshighupwherethegreatwallshadbegantobreakintosections。Heretherewasintimacywiththesheercliffsofredandyellow。Wideavenuesbetweenthewallsopenedonallpointsofthecompass，andthatonetothenorthappearedtobeagatewaydownintothevalleyofmonuments。Themonumentstroopeddownintothevalleytospreadoutandgrowisolatedinthedistance。Slone\'scampwasinaclumpofcedarssurroundingaspring。Therewasgrassandwhitesagewhererabbitsdartedinandout。
LucydidnotapproachthiscampfromthatroundabouttrailwhichshehadmadeuponthefirstoccasionofhervisitingSlone。Hehadfoundanopeninginthewall，andbyridingthiswayintothepassLucycutoffmiles。Infact，thecampwasnotoverfifteenmilesfromBostil\'sFord。ItwassoclosethatLucywasworriedlestsomehorse-trackershouldstumbleonthetrailandfollowherupintothepass。
ThismorningsheespiedSloneathisoutlookonahighrockthathadfallenfromthegreatwalls。Shealwayslookedtoseeifhewasthere，andshealwayssawhim。Thedaysshehadnotcome，whichwerefew，hehadspentwatchingforherthere。Histaskswerenotmany，andhesaidhehadnothingtodobutwaitforher。Lucyhadapersistentandremorseful，yetsweetmemoryofSloneathislonelylookout。Herewasafine，strong，splendidyoungmanwhohadnothingtodobutwatchforher——awasteofprecioushours!
Shewavedherhandfromafar，andhewavedinreply。ThenasshereachedthecedaredpartofthepassSlonewasnolongervisible。SheputSarchedontoarunupthehard，wind-sweptsand，andreachedthecampbeforeSlonehadclimbeddownfromhisperch。
Lucydismountedreluctantly。Whatwouldhesayabouttheriding-habitthatshewore？Shefeltverycurioustolearn，andshyerthaneverbefore，andaltogetherdifferent。Theskirtmadehermoreofagirl，itseemed。
\"Hello，Lin!\"shecalled。Therewasnothinginherusualgreetingtobetraythestateofhermind。
\"Goodmornin\'——Lucy，\"hereplied，veryslowly。Hewaslookingather，shethought，withdifferenteyes。Andheseemedchanged，too，thoughhehadlongbeenwell，andhistall，litherider\'sform，hislean，strongface，andhisdarkeyeswereadmirableinhersight。Onlythismorning，allbecauseshehadwornagirl\'sriding-skirtinsteadofboy\'schaps，everythingseemeddifferent。Perhapsheraunthadbeenright，afterall，andnowthingswerenatural。
SlonegazedsolongatherthatLucycouldnotkeepsilent。Shelaughed。
\"Howdoyoulike——me——inthis？\"
\"Ilikeyoumuchbetter，\"Slonesaid，bluntly。
\"Auntiemadethis——andshe\'sbeentryingtogetmetorideinit。\"
\"Itchangesyou，Lucy。Butcanyourideaswell？\"
\"I\'mafraidnot。What\'sWildfiregoingtothinkofme？\"
\"He\'lllikeyoubetter，too。Lucy，how\'stheKingcomin\'on？\"
\"Lin，I\'lltellyou，ifIwasn\'tascrazyaboutWildfireasyouare，I\'dsayhe\'llhavetokillhimselftobeattheKing，\"repliedLucy，withgravity。
\"SometimesIdoubt，too，\"saidSlone。\"ButIonlyhavetolookatWildfiretogetbackmynerve。Lucy，thatwillbethegrandestraceeverrun!\"
\"Yes，\"sighedLucy。
\"What\'swrong？Don\'tyouwantWildfiretowin？\"
\"Yesandno。ButI\'mgoingtobeattheKing，anyway。BringonyourWildfire!\"
LucyunsaddledSarchedonandturnedhimloosetograzewhileSlonewentoutafterWildfire。AndpresentlyitappearedthatLucymighthavesomelittletimetowait。Wildfirehadlatelybeentrustedtohobbles，whichfactmadeitlikelythathehadstrayed。
Lucygazedaboutheratthegreatloomingredwallsandoutthroughtheavenuestothegraydesertbeyond。Thisadventureofherswouldsoonhaveanend，forthedayoftheraceswasnotfardistant，andafterthatitwasobviousshewouldnothaveoccasiontomeetSlone。TothinkofnevercomingtothepassagaingaveLucyapang。Unconsciouslyshemeantthatshewouldneverrideuphereagain，becauseSlonewouldnotbehere。Awindalwaysblewthroughthepass，andthatwaswhythesandwassocleanandhard。To-dayitwasapleasantwind，nothot，norladenwithdust，andsomehowmusicalinthecedars。ThebluesmokefromSlone\'sfirecurledawayandfloatedoutofsight。
Itwaslonely，withthehauntingpresenceofthebrokenwallsevermanifest。
Butthelonelinessseemedfullofcontent。ShenolongerwonderedatSlone\'sdesertlife。Thatmightbewellforayoungman，duringthoseyearswhenadventureanddaringcalledhim，butshedoubtedthatitwouldbewellforallofaman\'slife。Andonlyalittleofitoughttobeknownbyawoman。Shesawhowthewildnessandlonelinessandbroodingofsuchalifewouldpreventawoman\'sdevelopment。Yetsheloveditallandwantedtolivenearit，sothatwhentheneedpressedhershecouldrideoutintothegreatopenstretchesandseethedarkmonumentsgrownearerandnearer，tillshewasunderthem，inthesilentandcoloredshadows。
SlonereturnedpresentlywithWildfire。Thestallionshonelikeaflameinthesunlight。HisfearandhatredofSloneshowedinthewayheobeyed。Slonehadmasteredhim，andmustalwayskeeptheupperhandofhim。Ithadfromthefirstbeenafightbetweenmanandbeast，andLucybelieveditwouldalwaysbeso。
ButWildfirewasadifferenthorsewhenhesawLucy。DaybydayevidentlySlonelovedhimmoreandtriedhardertowinalittleofwhatWildfireshowedatsightofLucy。StillSlonewasproudofLucy\'scontroloverthestallion。
HewasjustasmuchheartandsoulbentonwinningthegreatraceasLucywas。
ShehadriddenWildfirebarebackatfirst，andthentheyhadbrokenhimtothesaddle。
Itwasseriousbusiness，thattrainingofWildfire，andSlonehadpeculiarideasregardingit。Lucyrodehimupanddownthepassuntilhewaswarm。ThenSlonegotonSarchedon。WildfirealwayssnortedandshowedfightatsightofSageKingorNagger，andthestallionSarchedoninfuriatedhimbecauseSarchedonshowedfight，too。SlonestartedoutaheadofLucy，andthentheyraceddownthelongpass。Thecoursewashard-packedsand。FastasSarchedonwas，andmatchlessasahorsemanaswasSlone，theracewasoveralmostassoonasitbegan。Wildfireranindeedlikefirebeforethewind。Hewantedtorun，andtheotherhorsemadehimfierce。LikeaburrLucystucklowoverhisneck，apartofthehorse，andsolighthewouldnothaveknownhewascarryingherbutfortherepeatedcallsinhisears。Lucyneverspurredhim。
Sheabsolutelyrefusedtousespursonhim。ThisdaysheranawayfromSlone，and，turningattheendofthetwo-milecoursetheyhadmarkedout，shelopedWildfireback。Sloneturnedwithher，andtheyweresoonincamp。Lucydidnotjumpoff。Shewasinatransport。Everyracekindledamountingfireinher。
Shewasscarletofface，outofbreath，herhairflying。AndshelayonWildfire\'sneckandhuggedhimandcaressedhimandtalkedtohiminlowtonesoflove。
SlonedismountedandgotSarchedonoutoftheway，thencrossedtowhereLucystillfondledWildfire。Hepausedamomenttolookather，butwhenshesawhimhestartedagain，andcamecloseuptoherasshesatthesaddle。
