\"Youwentpastmelikeabullet，\"hesaid。
\"Oh，can\'therun!\"murmuredLucy。
\"CouldhebeattheKingto-day？\"
Slonehadaskedthatquestioneveryday，morethanonce。
\"Yes，hecould——to-day。Iknowit，\"repliedLucy。\"Oh——Igetso-soexcited。
I——Imakeafoolofmyself——overhim。Buttoridehim——goinglikethat——Lin!
it\'sjustglorious!\"
\"Yousurecanridehim，\"repliedSlone。\"Ican\'tseeafaultanywhere——inhim——orinyourhandlinghim。Heneverbreaks。Hegoeshard，buthesavessomething。Hegetsmad——fierce——allthetime，yetheWANTStogoyourway。
Lucy，Ineversawthelikeofit。Somehowyouan\'Wildfiremakeacombination。
Youcan\'tbebeat。\"
\"DoIridehim——well？\"sheasked，softly。
\"Icouldneverridehimsowell。\"
\"Oh，Lin——youjustwanttopleaseme。Why，Vancouldn\'tridewithyou。\"
\"Idon\'tcare，Lucy，\"repliedSlone，stoutly。\"Yourodethishorseperfect。
I\'vefoundfaultwithyouontheKing，onyourmustangs，an\'onthisblackhorseSarch。ButonWildfire!Yougrowthere。\"
\"WhatwillDadsay，andFarlane，andHolley，andVan？Oh，I\'llcrowoverVan，\"
saidLucy。\"I\'mcrazytorideWildfireoutbeforealltheIndiansandranchersandriders，beforetheraces，justtoshowhimoff，tomakethemstare。\"
\"No，Lucy。Thebestplanistosurprisethemall。Enteryourhorsefortherace，butdon\'tshowuptillalltheridersareatthestart。\"
\"Yes，that\'llbebest。And，Lin，onlyfivedaysmore——fivedays!\"
HerwordsmadeSlonethoughtful，andLucy，seeingthat，straightwaygrewthoughtful，too。
\"Sure——onlyfivedaysmore，\"repeatedSlone，slowly。
HistoneconvincedLucythathemeanttospeakagainashehadspokenoncebefore，precipitatingtheonlyquarreltheyhadeverhad。
\"DoesANYONEatBostil\'sFordknowyoumeetmeouthere？\"heasked，suddenly。
\"OnlyAuntie。Itoldhertheotherday。Shehadbeenwatchingme。Shethoughtthings。SoItoldher。\"
\"Whatdidshesay？\"wentonSlone，curiously。
\"Shewasmad，\"repliedLucy。\"Shescoldedme。Shesaid。But，anyway，I
coaxedhernottotellonme。\"
\"Iwanttoknowwhatshesaid，\"spokeuptherider，deliberately。
Lucyblushed，anditwasaconsciousnessofconfusionaswellasSlone\'stonethatmadeherhalf-angry。
\"ShesaidwhenIwasfoundoutthere\'dbea——agreatfussattheFord。Therewouldbetalk。AuntiesaidI\'mnowagrown-upgirl。Oh，shecarriedon!。Bostilwouldlikelyshootyou。Andifhedidn\'tsomeoftheriderswould。Oh，Lin，itwasperfectlyridiculousthewayAuntietalked。\"
\"Ireckonnot，\"repliedSlone。\"I\'mafraidI\'vedonewrongtoletyoucomeouthere。ButIneverthought。I\'mnotusedtogirls。I\'ll——I\'lldeservewhatIgetforlettin\'youcame。\"
\"It\'smyownbusiness，\"declaredLucy，spiritedly。\"AndIguessthey\'dbetterletyoualone。\"
Sloneshookhisheadmournfully。HewasgettingoneofthosegloomyspellsthatLucyhated。Nevertheless，shefeltastirofherpulses。
\"Lucy，therewon\'tbeanydoubtaboutmystand——whenImeetBostil，\"saidSlone。Somethoughthadanimatedhim。
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"Lucytrembledalittle。
TherewasasternnessaboutSlone，adignitythatseemednew。\"I\'llaskhimto——toletyoumarryme。\"
Lucystaredaghast。Sloneappearedindeadearnest。
\"Nonsense!\"sheexclaimed，shortly。
\"Ireckonthepossibilityis——that，\"repliedSlone，bitterly，\"butmymotiveisn\'t。\"
\"Itis。Why，you\'veknownmeonlyafewdays。Dadwouldbemad。Likeasnothe\'dknockyoudown。Itellyou，Lin，mydadis——isprettyrough。
Andjustatthistimeoftheraces。AndifWildfirebeatstheKing!。Whew!\"
\"WHENWildfirebeatstheKing，notIF，\"correctedSlone。
\"Dadwillbedangerous，\"warnedLucy。\"Pleasedon\'t——don\'taskhimthat。TheneverybodywouldknowI——I——you——you——\"
\"That\'sit。Iwanteverybodyatyourhometoknow。\"
\"Butit\'salittleplace，\"flashedLucy。\"Everyoneknowsme。I\'mtheonlygirl。Therehavebeen——otherfellowswho。Andoh!Idon\'twantyoumadefunof!\"
\"Why？\"heasked。
Lucyturnedawayherheadwithoutanswering。Somethingdeepwithinherwassofteningheranger。Shemustfighttokeepangry；andthatwaseasyenough，shethought，ifshecouldonlykeepinmindSlone\'soppositiontoher。
Strangely，shediscoveredthatithadbeensweettofindhimalwaysgovernedbyherdesireorwill。
\"Maybeyoumisunderstand，\"hebegan，presently。Andhisvoicewasnotsteady。
\"Idon\'tforgetI\'monly——abeggarlyrider。Icouldn\'thavegoneintotheFordatall——Iwassucharagamuffin——\"
\"Don\'ttalklikethat!\"interruptedLucy，impatiently。
\"Listen，\"hereplied。\"Myaskin\'Bostilforyoudoesn\'tmeanI\'veanyhope……It\'sjustIwanthiman\'everybodytoknowthatIasked。\"
\"ButDad——everybodywillthinkthatYOUthinkthere\'sreason——why——I——why，youOUGHTtoask，\"burstoutLucy，withscarletface。
\"Sure，that\'sit，\"hereplied。
\"Butthere\'snoreason。None!Notareasonunderthesun，\"retortedLucy，hotly。\"Ifoundyououthere。Ididyoua——alittleservice。WeplannedtoraceWildfire。AndIcameouttoridehim。That\'sall。\"
Slone\'sdark，steadygazedisconcertedLucy。\"But，nooneknowsme，andwe\'vebeenaloneinsecret。\"
\"It\'snotaltogether——that。I——ItoldAuntie，\"falteredLucy。
\"Yes，justlately。\"
\"LinSlone，I\'llneverforgiveyouifyouaskDadthat，\"declaredLucy，withstartlingforce。
\"Ireckonthat\'snotsoimportant。\"
\"Oh!——soyoudon\'tcare。\"Lucyfeltherselfindeedinamoodnotcomprehensibletoher。Herbloodraced。ShewantedtobefuriouswithSlone，butsomehowshecouldnotwhollybeso。Therewassomethingabouthimthatmadeherfeelsmallandthoughtlessandselfish。Slonehadhurtherpride。ButthethingthatshefearedandresentedandcouldnotunderstandwasthestrangegladnessSlone\'sdeclarationrousedinher。Shetriedtocontrolhertempersoshecouldthink。Twoemotionscontendedwithinher——oneofintenseannoyanceatthethoughtofembarrassmentsurelytofollowSlone\'saction，andtheotheravague，disturbingelement，allsweetandfuriousandinexplicable。
Shemusttrytodissuadehimfromapproachingherfather。
\"Pleasedon\'tgotoDad。\"SheputahandonSlone\'sarmashestoodcloseuptoWildfire。
\"IreckonIwill，\"hesaid。
\"Lin!\"Inthatwordtherewasthesubtle，namelesscharmofanintimacyshehadnevergrantedhimuntilthatmoment。Heseemeddrawnasifbyinvisiblewires。Heputashakinghandonhersandcrushedhergauntletedfingers。AndLucy，inthecurrentnowofherwoman\'sneedtobeplacatedifnotobeyed，pressedhersmallhandtohis。Howstrangetowhatlengthsalittlesubmissiontoherfeelinghadcarriedher!Everyspokenword，everymovement，seemedtoexactmorefromher。Shedidnotknowherself。
\"Lin!Promisenotto——speaktoDad!\"
\"No。\"Hisvoicerang。
\"Don\'tgivemeaway——don\'ttellmyDad!\"
\"What？\"hequeried，incredulously。
Lucydidnotunderstandwhat。Buthisamazedvoice，hiswide-openeyesofbewilderment，seemedtoaidherintopiercingthemazeofherownmind。A
hundredthoughtswhirledtogether，andallaroundthemwaswrappedthewarm，strongfeelingofhishandonhers。Whatdidshemeanthathewouldtellherfather？Thereseemedtobeadeep，hiddenselfinher。Upoutofthesedepthscameawhisper，likearayoflight，anditsaidtoherthattherewasmorehopeforLinSlonethanhehadeverhadinoneofhiswildestdreams。
\"Lin，ifyoutellDad——thenhe\'llknow——andthereWON\'Tbeanyhopeforyou!\"
criedLucy，honestly。
IfSlonecaughtthesignificanceofherwordshedidnotbelieveit。
\"I\'mgoin\'toBostilaftertheracean\'askhim。That\'ssettled，\"declaredSlone，stubbornly。
AtthisLucyutterlylosthertemper。\"Oh!you——youfool!\"shecried。
Slonedrewbacksuddenlyasifstruck，andaspotofdarkbloodleapedtohisleanface。\"No!Itseemstometherightway。\"
\"Rightorwrongthere\'snosenseinit——because——because。Oh!can\'tyousee？\"
\"IseemorethanIusedto，\"hereplied。\"Iwasafooloverahorse。An\'nowI\'mafooloveragirl。Iwishyou\'dneverfoundmethatday!\"
LucywhirledinthesaddleandmadeWildfirejump。Shequietedhim，and，leapingoff，threwthebridletoSlone。\"Iwon\'trideyourhorseintherace!\"
shedeclaredwithsuddenpassion。Shefeltherselfshakingallover。
\"LucyBostil，IwishIwasassureofHeavenasIamyou\'llbeuponWildfireinthatrace，\"hesaid。
\"Iwon\'trideyourhorse。\"
\"MYhorse。Oh，Isee。Butyou\'llrideWildfire。\"
\"Iwon\'t。\"
Slonesuddenlyturnedwhite，andhiseyesflasheddarkfire。\"Youwon\'tbeabletohelpridin\'himanymorethanIcouldhelpit。\"
\"Alotyouknowaboutme，LinSlone!\"returnedLucy，withscorn。\"Icanbeas——asbull-headedasyou，anyday。\"
Sloneevidentlycontrolledhistemper，thoughhisfaceremainedwhite。Heevensmiledather。
\"YouareBostil\'sdaughter，\"hesaid。
\"Yes。\"
\"Youarebloodan\'bone，heartan\'soularider，ifanygirleverwas。You\'reawonderwithahorse——asgoodasanymanIeversaw。YouloveWildfire。An\'
look——howstrange!Thatwildstallion——thatkillerofhorses，whyhefollowsyou，hewhistlesforyou，herunslikelightnin\'foryou；heLOVESyou。\"
SlonehadattackedLucyinheroneweakpoint。Shefeltaforcerendingher。
ShedarednotlookatWildfire。Yes——all，thatwastrueSlonehadsaid。Howdesperatelyhardtothinkofforfeitingthegreatracesheknewshecouldwin!
\"Never!I\'llneverrideyourWildfireAGAIN!\"shesaid，very，low。
\"MINE!Sothat\'sthetrouble。Well，Wildfirewon\'tbeminewhenyouridetherace。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"demandedLucy。\"You\'llsellhimtoBostil。Bah!youcouldn\'t\"
\"SellWildfire!——afterwhatitcostmetocatchan\'breakhim？Notforallyourfather\'slandsan\'horsesan\'money!\"
Slone\'svoicerolledoutwithdeep，ringingscorn。AndLucy，hertemperquelled，begantofeeltherider\'sstrength，hismasteryofthesituation，andsomethingvague，yetsplendidabouthimthathurther。
Slonestrodetowardher。Lucybackedagainstthecedar-treeandcouldgonofarther。Howwhitehewasnow!Lucy\'sheartgaveagreat，fearfulleap，forsheimaginedSloneintendedtotakeherinhisarms。Buthedidnot。
\"Whenyouride——Wildfireinthat——racehe\'llbe——YOURS!\"saidSlone，huskily。
\"Howcanthatbe？\"questionedLucy，inastonishment。
\"Igivehimtoyou。\"
\"You——give——Wildfire——tome？\"gaspedLucy。
\"Yes。Rightnow。\"
Therider\'swhitefaceanddarkeyesshowedthestrainofgreatandpassionatesacrifice。
\"LinSlone!Ican\'t——understandyou。\"
\"You\'vegottorideWildfireinthatrace。You\'vegottobeattheKing。
SoIgiveWildfiretoyou。An\'nowyoucan\'thelpbutridehim。\"
\"Why——whydoyougivehim——tome？\"falteredLucy。
Allherprideandtemperhadvanished，andsheseemedlostinblankness。
\"BecauseyouloveWildfire。An\'Wildfirelovesyou。Ifthatisn\'treasonenough——thenbecauseIlovehim——asnoridereverlovedahorse。
An\'Iloveyouasnomaneverlovedagirl!\"
SlonehadneverbeforespokenwordsoflovetoLucy。Shedroppedherhead。Sheknewofhisinfatuation。Buthehadalwaysbeenshyexceptoncewhenhehadbeenbold，andthathadcausedaquarrel。WithastrangepainatherbreastLucywonderedwhySlonehadnotspokenthatwaybefore？Itmadeasgreatachangeinherasifshehadbeenbornagain。Itreleasedsomething。Aboltshotbackinherheart。Sheknewshewasquiveringlikealeaf，withnopowertocontrolhermuscles。SheknewifshelookedupthenSlonemightseethedepthsofhersoul。Evenwithherhandsshuttingoutthelightshethoughtthedesertaroundhadchangedandbecomeallmellowgoldandblueandwhite，radiantasthemoonlightofdreams——andthatthemonumentssoaredabovethemgrandly，andwerebeautifulandnoble，liketherevelationsofloveandjoytoher。Andsuddenlyshefoundherselfsittingatthefootofthecedar，weeping，withtear-wethandsoverherface。
\"There\'snothin\'to——tocryabout，\"Slonewassaying。\"ButI\'msorryifI
hurtyou。\"
\"Will——you——please——fetchSarch？\"askedLucy，tremulously。
WhileSlonewentforthehorseandsaddledhimLucycomposedherselfoutwardly。Andshehadtwoverystrongdesires——onetotellSlonesomething，andtheothertorun。Shedecidedshewoulddobothtogether。
SlonebroughtSarchedon。Lucyputonhergauntlets，and，mountingthehorse，shetookamomenttoarrangeherskirtsbeforeshelookeddownatSlone。Hewasnowpale，ratherthanwhite，andinsteadoffireinhiseyestherewassadness。Lucyfelttheswellingandpoundingofherheart——andalong，deliciousshudderingthrillthatranoverher。
\"Lin，Iwon\'ttakeWildfire，\"shesaid。
\"Yes，youwill。Youcan\'trefuse。Rememberhe\'sgrowntolooktoyou。Itwouldn\'tberightbythehorse。\"
\"Buthe\'sallyouhaveintheworld，\"sheprotested。Yetsheknewanyprotestationswouldbeinvain。
\"No。IhavegoodoldfaithfulNagger。\"
\"Wouldyougotrytohuntanotherwildstallion——likeWildfire？\"askedLucy，curiously。Shewasplayingwiththewonderfulsweetconsciousnessofherpowertorenderhappinesswhenshechose。
\"Nomorehorse-huntin\'forme，\"declaredSlone。\"An\'asforfindin\'onelikeWildfire——that\'dneverbe。\"
\"SupposeIwon\'taccepthim？\"
\"Howcouldyourefuse？NotformebutforWildfire\'ssake!Butifyoucouldbemeanan\'refuse，why，Wildfirecangobacktothedesert。\"
\"No!\"exclaimedLucy。
\"Ireckonso。\"
Lucypausedamoment。Howdryhertongueseemed!Andherbreathingwaslabored!Anunrealshimmeringgleamshoneonallabouther。Eventheredstallionappearedenvelopedinaglow。Andtheloomingmonumentslookeddownuponher，paternal，old，andwise，brightwiththecolorofhappiness\"Wildfireoughttohaveseveralmoredays\'training——thenadayofrest——andthentherace，\"saidLucy，turningagaintolookatSlone。
Asmilewasbeginningtochangethehardnessofhisface。\"Yes，Lucy，\"hesaid。
\"AndI\'llHAVEtoridehim？\"
\"Yousurewill——ifhe\'severtobeattheKing。\"
Lucy\'seyesflashedblue。Shesawthecrowd——thecurious，friendlyIndians——theeagerriders——thespiritedhorses——thefaceofherfather——andlasttheraceitself，sucharaceashadneverbeenran，soswift，sofierce，sowonderful。
\"ThenLin，\"beganLucy，withaslowlyheavingbreast，\"ifIacceptWildfirewillyoukeephimforme——untilandifIaccepthim，andtellyouwhy，willyoupromisetosay——\"
\"Don\'taskmeagain!\"interruptedSlone，hastily。\"IWILLspeaktoBostil。\"
\"Wait，willyoupromisenottosayaword——asinglewordtoME——tillaftertherace？\"
\"Aword——toyou!Whatabout？\"hequeried，wonderingly。SomethinginhiseyesmadeLucythinkofthedawn。
\"About——the——Because——Why，I\'m——I\'llacceptyourhorse。\"
\"Yes，\"hereplied，swiftly。
Lucysettledherselfinthesaddleand，shorteningthebridle，shegotreadytospurSarchedonintoabolt。
\"Lin，I\'llacceptWildfirebecauseIloveyou。\"
Sarchedonleapedforward。LucydidnotseeSlone\'sfacenorhearhimspeak。
Thenshewastearingthroughthesage，outpastthewhistlingWildfire，withthewindsweetinherface。Shedidnotlookback。
CHAPTERXI
AllthroughMaytherewasanidea，darkandsinister，growinginBostil\'smind。Fiercelyatfirsthehadrejecteditasutterlyunworthyofthemanhewas。Butitreturned。Itwouldnotbedenied。Itwasfosteredbysingularandunforeseencircumstances。ThemeetingswithCreech，thestrange，sneakingactionsofyoungJoelCreech，andespeciallythegossipofridersabouttheimprovementinCreech\'sswifthorse——thesethingsappearedtoloomlargerandlargerandtoaugmentinBostil\'smindthemonstrousideawhichhecouldnotshakeoff。Sohebecamebroodingandgloomy。
ItappearedtobeanindicationofhisintensepreoccupationofmindthatheseemedunawareofLucy\'slongtripsdownintothesage。ButBostilhadobservedthemlongbeforeHolleyandotherridershadapproachedhimwiththeinformation。
\"Letheralone，\"hegrowledtohismen。\"IgaveherorderstotraintheKing。
An\'afterVangotwellmebbeLucyjusthadahabitofridin\'downthere。Shecantakecareofherself。\"
Tohimself，whenalone，Bostilmuttered:\"Wonderwhatthekidhaslookedupnow？Somemischief，I\'llbet!\"
Nevertheless，hedidnotspeaktoheronthesubject。Deepinhisheartheknewhefearedhiskeen-eyeddaughter，andduringthesedayshewasgladshewasnotinevidenceatthehourswhenhecouldnotverywellkeepentirelytohimself。BostilwasafraidLucymightdivinewhathehadonhismind。Therewasnooneelsehecaredfor。Holley，thatoldhawk-eyedrider，mightseethroughhim，butBostilknewHolleywouldbeloyal，whateverhesaw。
Towardtheendofthemonth，whenSomersreturnedfromhorse-hunting，BostilputhimandShugruetoworkuponthebigflatboatdownatthecrossing。Bostilhimselfwentdown，andhewalked——afactapttobeconsideredunusualifithadbeennoticed。
\"Putinnewplanks，\"washisordertothemen。\"An\'pourhottarinthecracks。ThenwhenthetardriesshoveherinbutI\'lltellyouwhen。\"
EverymorningyoungCreechrowedovertoseeiftheboatwasreadytotakethetripacrosstobringhisfather\'shorsesback。ThethirdmorningofworkontheboatBostilmetJoeldownthere。JoelseemedeagertospeaktoBostil。Hecertainlywasawild-lookingyouth。
\"Bostil，myolemanislosin\'sleepwaitin\'togitthehossesover，\"hesaid，frankly。\"Feed\'salmostgone。\"
\"That\'llbeallright，Joel，\"repliedBostil。\"Yousee，theriverain\'tbeguntoraiseyet。How\'rethehossescomin\'on？\"
\"Grand，sir——grand!\"exclaimedthesimpleJoel。\"Pegisrunnin\'fasterthanlastyear，butBlueRoanisleavin\'heramile。Dad\'sgoin\'tobetallhehas。
Theroancan\'tlosethisyear。\"
Bostilfeltlikeabullbayedatbyahound。BlueRoanwasayounghorse，andeveryseasonhehadgrownbiggerandfaster。TheKinghadreachedthelimitofhisspeed。Thatwasgreat，Bostilknew，andenoughtowinoveranyhorseintheuplands，providingtheluckoftheracefelleven。Luck，however，wasaficklething。
\"Iwasadvisin\'Dadtoswimthehossesover，\"declaredJoel，deliberately。
\"A-huh!Youwas？An\'why？\"rejoinedBostil。
Joel\'ssimplicityandfranknessvanished，andwiththemhisrationality。Helookedqueer。Hiscontrastingeyesshotlittlemalignantgleams。Hemutteredincoherently，andmovedbacktowardtheskiff，makingviolentgestures，andhismutteringgrewtoshouting，thoughstillincoherent。Hegotintheboatandstartedtorowbackovertheriver。
\"Surehe\'sgotascrewloose，\"observedSomers。Shugruetappedhisgrizzledheadsignificantly。
Bostilmadenocomment。Hestrodeawayfromhismendowntotherivershore，and，findingaseatonastone，hestudiedthesloweddyingredcurrentoftheriverandhelistened。IfanymanknewthestrangeandremorselessColorado，thatmanwasBostil。Henevermadeanymistakesinanticipatingwhattheriverwasgoingtodo。
Andnowhelistened，asifindeedthesullen，lowroar，themurmuringhollowgurgle，thesuddenstrangesplash，werespokenwordsmeantforhisearsalone。
Theriverwaslow。Itseemedtiredout。Itwasadirtyredincolor，anditswirledandflowedalonglingeringly。Attimesthecurrentwasalmostimperceptible；andthenagainitmovedatvaryingspeed。Itseemedapetulant，waiting，yetinevitablestream，withsomeremorselessendbeforeit。Ithadathousandvoices，butnottheoneBostillistenedtohear。
Heploddedgloomilyupthetrail，restinginthequiet，darkplacesofthecanyon，loathtoclimboutintotheclearlightofday。Andonceinthevillage，Bostilshookhimselfasiftocastoffanevil，ever-present，pressingspell。
Theraceswerenowonlyafewdaysoff。PiutesandNavajoswerecampedoutonthesage，andhourlythenumbergrewasmorecamein。Theywerebuildingcedarsunshades。Columnsofbluesmokecurleduphereandthere。Mustangsandponiesgrazedeverywhere，andalineofIndiansextendedalongtheracecourse，wheretrialswerebeingheld。Thevillagewasfullofriders，horse-tradersandhunters，andranchers。Workontherangeshadpracticallystoppedforthetimebeing，andinanotherdayorsoeveryinhabitantofthecountrywouldbeinBostil\'sFord。
Bostilwalkedintothevillage，grimlyconsciousthatthepresenceoftheIndiansandridersandhorses，theactionandcolorandbustle，thenearapproachofthegreatrace-day——thesethingsthatinformeryearshadbroughthimkeendelightandspeculation——hadsomehowlosttheirtang。Hehadchanged。
Somethingwaswronginhim。Buthemustgoamongthesevisitorsandwelcomethemasofold；hewhohadalwaysbeenthelifeoftheseracing-daysmustbeoutwardlythesame。AndthetaskwasalltheharderbecauseofthepleasureshownbyoldfriendsamongtheIndiansandtheridersatmeetinghim。Bostilknewhehadbeenacunninghorse-trader，buthehadlikewisebeenagoodfriend。ManyweretheridersandIndianswhoowedmuchtohim。Soeverywherehewashailedandbesieged，untilfinallytheoldexcitementofbettingandbanteringtookholdofhimandheforgothisbrooding。
Brackton\'splace，asalways，wasaheadquartersforallvisitors。Macomberhadjustcomeinfullofenthusiasmandprideoverthehorsehehadentered，andhehadmoneytowager。TwoNavajochiefs，calledbywhitemenOldHorseandSilver，werethereforthefirsttimeinyears。Theywerereadytogamblehorseagainsthorse。CalBlinnandhisridersofDurangohadarrived；likewiseColson，Sticks，andBurthwait，oldfriendsandrivalsofBostil\'s。
ForawhileBrackton\'swasmerry。Therewassomedrinkingandmuchbetting。ItwascharacteristicofBostilthathewouldgiveanyoddsaskedontheKinginarace；and，furthermore，hewouldtakeanyendofwagersonotherhorses。Asfarashisownhorseswereconcernedhebetshrewdly，butinraceswherehishorsesdidnotfigureheseemedtofindfuninthebetting，whetherornothewon。
Thefactremained，however，thattherewereonlytwowagersagainsttheKing，andbothwereputupbyIndians。Macomberwasbettingonsecondorthirdplaceforhishorseinthebigrace。NooddsofBostil\'stemptedhim。
\"Say，where\'sWetherby？\"rolledoutBostil。\"He\'llbackhishoss。\"
\"Wetherby\'sridin\'overto-morrow，\"repliedMacomber。\"Butyougottabethimtwotoone。\"
\"Seehyar，Bostil，\"spokeupoldCalBlinn，\"youjestwaittillIgitaneyeontheKing\'srunnin\'。MebbeI\'llgoyouevenmoney。\"
\"An\'asferme，Bostil，\"saidColson，\"Iain\'tsetupyitwhichhossI\'llrace。\"
Burthwait，anoldrider，cameforwardtoBrackton\'sdeskandenteredawageragainstthefieldthatmadeallthemengasp。
\"ByGeorge!pard，youain\'ta-limpin\'along!\"ejaculatedBostil，admiringly，andheputahandontheother\'sshoulder。
\"Bostil，I\'veagrandhoss，\"repliedBurthwait。\"He\'sfouryearsold，Iguess，ferhewasbornwild，an\'youneverseenhim。\"
\"Wildhoss？Huh!\"growledBostil。\"Youmustthinkhecanrun。\"
\"Why，Bostil，astreakoflightnin\'ain\'tanywhereswithhim。\"
\"Wal，I\'mgladtohearit，\"saidBostil，gruffly。\"Brack，howmanyhossesenterednowforthebigrace？\"
Thelean，grayBracktonbentearnestlyoverhissoiledledger，whiletheridersandhorsemenroundhimgrewsilenttolisten。
\"Thar\'stheSageKingbyBostil，\"repliedBrackton。\"BlueRoanan\'Peg，byCreech；Whitefoot，byMacomber；Rocks，byHolley；Hoss-shoes，byBlinn；BayCharley，byBurthwait。Thenthar\'sthetwomustangsenteredbyOldHossan\'
Silver——an\'last——Wildfire，byLucyBostil。\"
\"What\'sthetlast？\"queriedBostil。
\"Wildfire，byLucyBostil，\"repeatedBrackton。
\"Hasthegirlgonean\'enteredahoss？\"
\"Shesurehas。Shecameinto-day，regularan\'business-like，writhernamean\'herhoss\'s——here\'tis——an\'putuptheentrancemoney。\"
\"Wal，I\'llbed——d!\"exclaimedBostil。Hewasastonishedandpleased。\"Shesaidshe\'ddoit。ButIdidn\'ttakenostockinhertalk。An\'thehoss\'sname？\"
\"Wildfire。\"
\"Huh!Wildfire。Mebbethetgirlcan\'tthinkofnamesforhosses!What\'sthishossshecallsWildfire？\"
\"Shesuredidn\'tsay，\"repliedBrackton。\"Holleyan\'Vanan\'somemoreoftheboyswashere。Theyjokedheralittle。YououghterseenthelookLucygivethem。Butferoncesheseemedmum。Shejestwalkedawaymysteriouslike。\"
\"Lucy\'sgotaponyoffsomeIndian，Ireckon，\"returnedBostil，andhelaughed。\"Thenthetmakestenhossesenteredsofar？\"
\"Right。An\'there\'ssuretobeonemore。Iguessthe，track\'swideenoughfortwelve。\"
\"Wal，Brack，there\'lllikelybeonehossoutinfrontan\'somestretchedoutbehind，\"repliedBostil，dryly。\"Thetrack\'ssurewideenough。\"
\"Won\'tthetbeagrandrace!\"exclaimedanenthusiasticrider。\"WishtIhadaboutamilliontobet!\"
\"Bostil，I\'mostforgot，\"wentonBrackton，\"CordtssentwordbythePiuteswhocometo-daythethe\'dbeheresure。\"
Bostil\'sfacesubtlychanged。Thelightseemedtoleaveit。HedidnotreplytoBrackton——didnotshowthatheheardthecommentonallsides。PublicopinionwasagainstBostil\'spermissiontoallowCordtsandhishorse-thievestoattendtheraces。Bostilappearedgrave，regretful。Yetitwasknownbyallthatinthestrangenessandperversityofhisrider\'snaturehewantedCordtstoseetheKingwinthatrace。Itwashisrider\'svanityanddefianceintheteethofagreathorse-thief。ButnogoodwouldcomeofCordts\'spresence——thatmuchwasmanifest。
Therewasamomentofsilence。Allthesemen，iftheydidnotfearBostil，weresometimesuneasywhennearhim。Somewhoweremorerecklessthandiscreetlikedtoirritatehim。That，too，wasarider\'sweakness。
\"When\'sCreech\'shossescomin\'over？\"askedColson，withsuddeninterest。
\"Wal，Ireckon——soon，\"repliedBostil，constrainedly，andheturnedaway。
Bythetimehegothomealltheexcitementofthepasthourhadlefthimandgloomagainabidedinhismind。Heavoidedhisdaughterandforgotthefactofherenteringahorseintherace。Heatesupperalone，withoutspeakingtohissister。ThenintheduskhewentouttothecorralsandcalledtheKingtothefence。Therewaslovebetweenmasterandhorse。Bostiltalkedlow，likeawoman，toSageKing。Andthehardoldrider\'sheartwasfullandalumpswelledinhisthroat，forcontactwiththeKingremindedhimthatothermenlovedotherhorses。
Bostilreturnedtothehouseandwenttohisroom，wherehesatthinkinginthedark。Byandbyallwasquiet。Thenseeminglywithawrenchhebestirredhimselfanddidwhatforhimwasastrangeaction。Removinghisboots，heputonapairofmoccasins。Heslippedoutofthehouse；hekepttotheflagstoneofthewalk；hetooktothesagetilloutofthevillage，andthenhesheeredroundtotherivertrail。WiththestepandsurenessandtheeyesofanIndianhewentdownthroughthatpitch-blackcanyontotheriverandtheford。
Theriverseemedabsolutelythesameasduringtheday。Hepeeredthroughthedarkopaquenessofgloom。Itmovedthere，theriverheknew，shadowy，mysterious，murmuring。Bostilwentdowntotheedgeofthewater，and，sittingthere，helistened。Yes——thevoicesofthestreamwerethesame。Butafteralongtimeheimaginedtherewasamongthemaninfinitelylowvoice，asiffromagreatdistance。Heimaginedthis；hedoubted；hemadesure；andthenallseemedfancyagain。Hismindheldonlyoneideaandwasrivetedroundit。Hestrainedhishearing，solong，sointently，thatatlastheknewhehadheardwhathewaslongingfor。Theninthegloomhetooktothetrail，andreturnedhomeashehadleft，stealthily，likeanIndian。
ButBostildidnotsleepnorrest。
Nextmorningearlyherodedowntotheriver。SomersandShugruehadfinishedtheboatandwerewaiting。Othermenwerethere，curiousandeager。JoelCreech，barefootedandragged，withholloweyesandstrangeactions，pacedthesands。
Theboatwaslyingbottomup。Bostilexaminedthenewplankingandtheseams。
Thenhestraightenedhisform。
\"Turnherover，\"heordered。\"Shoveherin。An\'lethersoakupto-day。\"
Themenseemedgladandrelieved。JoelCreechheardandhecameneartoBostil。
\"You\'ll——you\'llfetchDad\'shossesover？\"hequeried。
\"Sure。To-morrow，\"repliedBostil，cheerily。
Joelsmiled，andthatsmileshowedwhatmighthavebeenpossibleforhimunderkinderconditionsoflife。\"Now，Bostil，I\'msorryferwhatIsaid，\"blurtedJoel。
\"Shutup。Gotellyouroldman。\"
Joelrandowntohisskiffand，leapingin，begantorowvigorouslyacross。
Bostilwatchedwhiletheworkmenturnedtheboatoverandsliditoffthesand-barandtieditsecurelytothemooring。Bostilobservedthatnotamantheresawanythingunusualabouttheriver。But，forthatmatter，therewasnothingtosee。Theriverwasthesame。
ThatnightwhenallwasquietinandaroundthevillageBostilemergedfromhishouseandtooktohisstealthystalkdowntowardtheriver。
Themomenthegotoutintothenightoppressionlefthim。Howinterminablethehourshadbeen!Suspense，doubt，anxiety，fearnolongerburdenedhim。Thenightwasdark，withonlyafewstars，andtheairwascool。Asoftwindblewacrosshisheatedface。Aneighbor\'sdog，bayingdismally，startledBostil。Hehaltedtolisten，thenstoleonunderthecottonwoods，throughthesage，downthetrail，intothejet-blackcanyon。Yethefoundhiswayasifithadbeenlight。Inthedarknessofhisroomhehadbeenaslavetohisindecision；nowinthedarknessoftheloomingcliffshewasfree，resolved，immutable。
Thedistanceseemedshort。Hepassedoutofthenarrowcanyon，skirtedthegorgeovertheriver，andhurrieddownintotheshadowyamphitheaterundertheloomingwalls。
Theboatlayatthemooring，oneendrestinglightlythesand-bar。Withstrong，nervousclutchBostilfelttheknotsofthecables。ThenhepeeredintotheopaquegloomofthatstrangeandhugeV-shapedsplitbetweenthegreatcanyonwalls。Bostil\'smindhadbeguntorelaxfromthesingleidea。Washealone？Exceptforthelowmurmuroftherivertherewasdeadsilence——asilencelikenoother——asilencewhichseemedheldunderimprisoningwalls。
YetBostilpeeredlongintotheshadows。Thenhelookedup。Theraggedrampartsfarabovefrownedboldandblackatafewcoldstars，andtheblueofitsskywaswithouttheusualvelvetybrightness。Howfaritwasuptothatcorrugatedrim!AllofasuddenBostilhatedthisvastebonypit。
Hestrodedowntothewaterand，sittinguponthestonehehadoccupiedsooften，helistened。Heturnedhisearup-stream，thendown-stream，andtotheside，andagainup-streamandlistened。
Theriverseemedthesame。
Itwasslow，heavy，listless，eddying，lingering，moving——thesameapparentlyasfordayspast。Itsplashedverysoftlyandmurmuredlowandgurgledfaintly。Itgaveforthfitfullittleswishesandmusicaltinklesandlappingsounds。Itwasflowingwater，yettheproofwasthereoftardiness。Nowitwasalmoststill，andthenagainitmovedon。Itwasariverofmysterytellingaliewithitslowmusic。AsBostillistenedallthosesoft，waterysoundsmergedintowhatseemedamoaning，andthatmoaningheldaroarsolowastobeonlydistinguishabletotheeartrainedbyyears。
No——theriverwasnotthesame。ForthevoiceofitssoftmoaningshowedtoBostilitsmeaning。Itcalledfromthefarnorth——thenorthofgreatice-cladpeaksbeginningtoglistenunderthenearingsun；ofvastsnow-filledcanyonsdrippingandmelting；ofthecrystalbrookssuddenlycoloredandroiledandfilledbank-fullalongthemountainmeadows；ofmanybrooksplungingdownanddown，rollingtherocks，topourtheirvolumeintothegrowingturbidstreamsontheslopes。Itwasthevoiceofallthatwidelyseparatedwaterspilledsuddenlywithmagicalpowerintothedesertrivertomakeitamighty，thunderingtorrent，redanddefiled，terribleinitsincreasingonslaughtintothecanyon，deep，ponderous，butswift——theColoradoinflood。
AndasBostilheardthatvoicehetrembled。Whatwasthethinghemeanttodo？
Athousandthoughtsassailedhiminanswerandnonewereclear。Achillpassedoverhim。Suddenlyhefeltthatthecoldstoleupfromhisfeet。Theywerebothinthewater。Hepulledthemoutand，bendingdown，watchedthedim，darklineofwater。Itmovedupandup，inchbyinch，swiftly。Theriverwasontherise!
Bostilleapedup。Heseemedpossessedofdevils。Aripplinghotgashofbloodfiredhiseveryveinandtremoraftertremorshookhim。
\"ByG——d!Ihaditright——she\'srisin\'!\"heexclaimed，hoarsely。
Hestaredinfascinatedcertaintyattheriver。Allaboutitandpertainingtoithadchanged。Themurmurandmoanchangedtoalow，sullenroar。Themusicwasgone。Thecurrentchafedatitsrock-boundconfines。Herewasanuneasy，tormented，drivenriver!Thelightfromthestarsshoneondark，glancing，restlesswaters，unevenandstrange。AndwhileBostilwatched，whetheritwasashorttimeorlong，theremorseless，destructivenatureoftherivershoweditself。
Bostilbegantopacethesands。Hethoughtofthosebeautifulrace-horsesacrosstheriver。
\"It\'snottoolate!\"hemuttered。\"Icangettheboatoveran\'back——yet!\"
HeknewthatonthemorrowtheColoradoinfloodwouldbarthosehorses，imprisontheminabarrencanyon，shutthemintostarve。
\"It\'dbehellish!Bostil，youcan\'tdoit。Youain\'tthetkindofamanBostilpoisonawater-holewherehosseslovedtodrink，orburnovergrass!WhatwouldLucythinkofyou？No，Bostil，you\'veletspiterulebad。Hurrynowandsavethemhosses!\"
Hestrodedowntotheboat。Itswungclearnow，andtherewaswaterbetweenitandtheshore。Bostillaidholdofthecables。AshedidsohethoughtofCreechandablacknessenfoldedhim。HeforgotCreech\'shorses。Somethinggrippedhim，burnedhim——somehardandbitterfeelingwhichhethoughtwashateofCreech。Againthewaveoffireranoverhim，andhishugehandsstrainedonthecables。Thefiendofthatfiendishriverhadenteredhissoul。
Hemeantruintoaman。Hemeantmorethanruin。Hemeanttodestroywhathisenemy，hisrivalloved。Thedarknessallabouthim，thegloomandsinistershadowofthecanyon，thesullenincreasingroarofthe\'river——theselenttheirinfluencetothedeed，encouragedhim，drovehimonward，foughtandstrangledtheresistanceinhisheart。Ashebroodedallthemotivesforthedeedgrewlikethatremorselessriver。Hadnothisenemy\'ssonshotathimfromambush？Wasnothisverylifeatstake？AterribleblowmustbedealtCreech，onethatwouldcrushhimorelselendhimmanhoodenoughtocomeforthwithagun。Bostil，inhistorment，divinedthatCreechwouldknowwhohadruinedhim。Theywouldmeetthen，asBostilhadtriedmorethanoncetobringaboutameeting。Bostilsawintohissoul，anditwasagulflikethiscanyonpitwherethedarkandsullenriverraged。Heshrankatwhathesaw，butthefuriesofpassionheldhimfast。Hishandstoreatthecables。Thenhefelltopacingtoandfrointhegloom。Everymomenttheriverchangeditsvoice。Inanhourfloodwouldbedown。Toolate，then!Bostilagainrememberedthesleek，slim，racythoroughbreds——BlueRoan，awildhorsehehadlongedtoown，andPeg，amarethathadnoequalintheuplands。WheredidBostil\'shateofamanstandincomparisonwithloveofahorse？Hebegantosweatandthesweatburnedhim。
\"Howsoon\'llCreechheartheriveran\'knowwhat\'scomin\'？\"mutteredBostil，darkly。Andthatquestionshowedhimhowhewaslost。Allthisstrifeofdoubtandfearandhorrorwereofnouse。HemeanttodoomCreech\'shorses。Thethinghadbeenunalterablefromtheinceptionoftheinsidious，hatefulidea。
Itwasirresistible。Hegrewstrong，hard，fierce，andimplacable。Hefoundhimself。Hestrodebacktothecables。Theknots，havingdraggedinthewater，weresoakingwetandswollen。Hecouldnotuntiethem。Thenhecutonestrandafteranother。Theboatswungoutbeyondhisreach。
InstinctivelyBostilreachedtopullitback。
\"MyGod!It\'sgoin\'!\"hewhispered。\"WhathaveIdone？\"
He——Bostil——whohadmadethisCrossingoftheFathersmorefamousasBostil\'sFord——he——tocuttheboatadrift!Thethingwasinconceivable。
Theroaroftheriverroseweirdandmournfulandincessant，withfewbreaks，andtheseweremarkedbystrangerippingandsplashingsoundsmadeasthebulgesofwaterbrokeonthesurface。Twentyfeetouttheboatfloated，turningalittleasitdrifted。Itseemedloathtoleave。Itheldontheshoreeddy。Hungrily，spitefullythelittle，heavywaveslappedit。Bostilwatcheditwithdilatingeyes。There!thecurrentcaughtoneendandthewaterroseinahollowsplashoverthecorner。Aninvisiblehand，likeamightygiant\'s，seemedtoswingtheboatout。Ithadbeendark；nowitwasopaque，nowshadowy，nowdim。Howswiftthiscursedriver!WasthereanywayinwhichBostilcouldrecoverhisboat？Theriveransweredhimwithhollow，deepmockery。Despairseizeduponhim。Andthevagueshapeoftheboat，spectralandinstinctwithmeaning，passedfromBostil\'sstrainedgaze。
\"SohelpmeGod，I\'vedoneit!\"hegroaned，hoarsely。Andhestaggeredbackandsatdown。Mindandheartandsoulweresuddenlyandexquisitelyacutetotheshameofhisact。Remorseseizeduponhisvitals。Hesufferedphysicalagony，asifawolfgnawedhiminternally。
\"TohellwithCreechan\'hishosses，butwheredoIcomeinasaman？\"hewhispered。Andhesatthere，armstightaroundhisknees，lockedbothmentallyandphysicallyintoinaction。
Therisingwaterbrokethespellanddrovehimback。Theriverwascreepingnolonger。Itswelled。Andtheroarlikewiseswelled。Bostilhurriedacrosstheflattogettotherockytrailbeforehewascutoff，andthelastfewrodshewadedinwateruptohisknees。
\"I\'llleavenotrailthere，\"hemuttered，withahardlaugh。Itsoundedghastlytohim，likethelaughoftheriver。
Andthereatthefootoftherockytrailhehaltedtowatchandlisten。Theoldmemorableboomcametohisears。Thefloodwascoming。Fortwenty-threeyearshehadheardthevanguardboomoftheColoradoinflood。Butneverlikethis，forinthesoundheheardthestrifeandpassionofhisblood，andrealizedhimselfahumancounterpartofthatremorselessriver。Themomentspassedandeachonesawaswellingofthevolumeofsound。Thesullenroarjustbelowhimwasgraduallylostinadistantroar。Asteadywindnowblewthroughthecanyon。Thegreatwallsseemedtogapewidertoprepareforthetorrent。Bostilbackedslowlyupthetrailasfootbyfootthewaterrose。Theflooroftheamphitheaterwasnowalakeofchoppy，angrywaves。Thewillowsbentandseethedintheedgeofthecurrent。Beyondrananuneven，bulgingmassthatresembledsomegray，heavymovingmonster。InthegloomBostilcouldseehowtheriverturnedacornerofwallandslantedawayfromittowardthecenter，whereitrosehigher。Blackobjectsthatmusthavebeendriftwoodappearedonthiscrest。Theyshowedaninstant，thenflashedoutofsight。Theboomgrewsteadier，closer，louder，andthereverberations，likelowdetonationsofthunder，werelessnoticeablebecauseallsoundswerebeingswallowedup。
AharderbreezepuffedintoBostil\'sface。Itbroughtatremendousthunder，asifallthecolossalwallswerefallinginavalanche。Bostilknewthecrestofthefloodhadturnedthecorneraboveandwouldsoonreachhim。Hewatched。Helistened，butsoundhadceased。Hiscarsseemedringingandtheyhurt。Allhisbodyfeltcold，andhebackedupandup，withdeadfeet。
Theshadowsofthecanyonlightened。Ariver-widefroth，likeacurtain，moveddown，spreadingmushroom-wisebeforeit，arolling，heavingmaelstrom。Bostilrantoescapethegreatwavethatsurgedintotheamphitheater，upanduptherockytrail。Whenheturnedagainheseemedtolookdownintohell。Murkydepths，streakedbypalegleams，andblack，sinister，changingformsyawnedbeneaththem。Hewatchedwithfixedeyesuntiloncemorethefeelingoffilledearslefthimandanawfulthunderingboomassuredhimofactualities。ItwasonlytheColoradoinflood。
