ThatpraisewonSlone，andheengagedinconversationwiththeman，whosaidhisnamewasVorhees。ItdevelopedsoonthatVorheesownedalittlehouse，acorral，andapatchofgroundonalikelysiteupunderthebluff，andhewasanxioustosellcheapbecausehehadafineopportunityatDurango，wherehispeoplelived。WhatinterestedSlonemostwastheman\'sremarkthathehadacorralwhichcouldnotbebrokeninto。Thepriceheaskedwasridiculouslylowifthepropertywasworthanything。AnideaflashedacrossSlone\'smind。HewentuptoVorhees\'splaceandwasmuchpleasedwitheverything，especiallythecorral，whichhadbeenbuiltbyamanwhofearedhorse-thievesasmuchasBostil。Theviewfromthedoorofthelittlecabinwasmagnificentbeyondcompare。SlonerememberedLucy\'slastwords。Theyranglikebellsinhisears。
\"Don\'tgo——don\'t!\"TheywereenoughtochainhimtoBostil\'sForduntilthecrackofdoom。Hedarednotdreamofwhattheymeant。Heonlylistenedtotheirmusicastheypealedoverandoverinhisears。
\"Vorhees，areyouserious？\"heasked。\"Themoneyyouaskislittleenough。\"
\"It\'senoughan\'tospare，\"repliedtheman。\"An\'I\'dtakeitasafavorofyou。\"
\"Well，I\'llgoyou，\"saidSlone，andhelaughedalittleirrationally。\"Onlyyouneedn\'ttellrightawaythatIboughtyouout。\"
Thedealwasconsummated，leavingSlonestillwithhalfofthemoneythathadbeenhisprizeintherace。Hefeltelated。Hewasrich。Heownedtwohorses——onethegrandestinalltheuplands，theotherthefaithfulest——andheownedaneatlittlecabinwhereitwasajoytositandlookout，andacorralwhichwouldlethimsleepatnight，andhehadmoneytoputintosuppliesandfurnishings，andagarden。Afterhedrankoutofthespringthatbubbledfromunderthebluffhetoldhimselfitalonewasworththemoney。
\"LooksrightdownonBostil\'splace，\"Slonesoliloquized，withglee。\"Won\'thejustbemad!An\'Lucy!Whatever\'sshegoin\'tothink？\"
ThemoreSlonelookedaroundandthought，themorehebecameconvincedthatgoodfortunehadknockedathisdooratlast。AndwhenhereturnedtoBrackton\'shewasinanexultantmood。Theoldstorekeepergavehimanudgeandpointedunderhandtoayoungmanofraggedaspectsittinggloomilyonabox。SlonerecognizedJoelCreech。Thefellowsurelymadeapatheticsight，andSlonepitiedhim。Helookedneedyandhungry。
\"Say，\"saidSlone，impulsively，\"wanttohelpmecarrysomegruban\'stuff？\"
\"Howdy!\"repliedCreech，raisinghishead。\"Suredo。\"
Slonesustainedthequeerestshockofhislifewhenhemetthegazeofthosecontrastingeyes。Yethedidnotbelievethathisstrangefeelingcamefromsightofdifferent-coloredeyes。Therewasaninstinctorportentinthatmeeting。
HepurchasedabillofgoodsfromBrackton，and，withCreechhelping，carriedituptothecabinunderthebluff。Threetripswereneededtopackupallthesupplies，andmeanwhileCreechhadbutfewwordstosay，andtheseofnomoment。Sloneofferedhimmoney，whichherefused。
\"I\'llhelpyoufixup，an\'eatabite，\"hesaid。\"Niceuphyar。\"
Heseemedrationalenoughandcertainlyrespondedtokindness。SlonefoundthatVorheeshadleftthecabinsocleantherewaslittlecleaningtodo。Anopenfireplaceofstonerequiredsomerepairandtherewaswoodtocut。
\"Joel，youstartafirewhileIgodownaftermyhorses，\"saidSlone。
YoungCreechnoddedandSlonelefthimthere。ItwasnoteasytocatchWildfire，noranyeasiertogethimintothenewcorral；butatlastSlonesawhimsafelythere。Andthebarsandlocksonthegatemighthavedefiedanyefforttoopenorbreakthemquickly。Creechwasstandinginthedoorway，watchingthehorses，andsomehowSlonesaw，orimaginedhesaw，thatCreechworeadifferentaspect。
\"Grandwildhoss!HedidwhatBluewasa-goin\'todo——beatthetthered——dBostil\'sKing!\"
Creechwaggedhishead。Hewasgloomyandstrange。Hiseyeswereunpleasanttolookinto。Hisfacechanged。Andhemumbled。Slonepitiedhimthemore，butwishedtoseethelastofhim。Creechstayedon，however，andgrewstrangerandmoretalkativeduringthemeal。Herepeatedthingsoften——talkeddisconnectedly，andgaveotherindicationsthathewasnotwhollyrightinhismind。YetSlonesuspectedthatCreech\'swantofbalanceconsistedonlyinwhatconcernedhorsesandtheBostils。AndSlone，wantingtolearnallhecould，encouragedCreechtotalkabouthisfatherandtheracersandtheriverandboat，andfinallyBostil。
Slonebecameconvincedthat，whetheryoungCreechwashalfcrazyornot，heknewhisfather\'shorsesweredoomed，andthattheboatattheferryhadbeencutadrift。Slonecouldnotunderstandwhyhewasconvinced，buthewas。
FinallyCreechtoldhowhehadgonedowntotheriveronlyadaybefore；howhehadfoundthefloodstillraging，butmuchlower；howhehadworkedroundthecliffsandhadpulleduptheropecablestofindtheyhadbeencut。
\"Yousee，Bostilcutthemwhenhedidn\'tneedto，\"continuedCreech，shrewdly。
\"Buthedidn\'tknowthefloodwascomin\'downsoquick。Hewasafearedwe\'dcomeacrossan\'gittheboatthetnight。An\'hemeanttotakeawaythemcutcables。Buthehadn\'tnotime。\"
\"Bostil？\"queriedSlone，ashegazedhardatCreech。Thefellowhadtoldthatrationallyenough。SlonewonderedifBostilcouldhavebeensobase。No!andyet——whenitcametohorsesBostilwasscarcelyhuman。
Slone\'squeryservedtosendCreechoffonanothertangentwhichwoundupindark，mysteriousthreats。ThenSlonecaughtthenameofLucy。ItabruptlykilledhissympathyforCreech。
\"What\'sthegirlgottodowithit？\"hedemanded，angrily。\"Ifyouwanttotalktomedon\'tusehername。\"
\"I\'llusehernamewhenIwant，\"shoutedCreech。
\"Nottome!\"
\"Yes，toyou，mister。Iain\'tcarin\'ad——nferyou!\"
\"Youcrazyloon!\"exclaimedSlone，withimpatienceanddisgustaddedtoanger。
\"What\'stheuseofbeingdecenttoyou？\"
Creechcrouchedlow，hishandsdigginglikeclawsintothetable，asifheweremakingreadytospring。Atthatinstanthewashideous。
\"Crazy，amI？\"heyelled。\"Mebbenotd——ncrazy!Ikintellyou\'regoneonLucyBostil!Iseenyouwithheroutthereintherocksthemornin\'oftherace。Iseenwhatyoudidtoher。An\'I\'ma-goin\'totellit!An\'I\'ma-goin\'toketchLucyBostilan\'striphernaked，an\'whenIgitthroughwithherI\'lltieheronahossan\'firethegrass!ByGawd!Iam!\"Lividandwild，hebreathedhardashegotup，facingSlonemalignantly。
\"Crazyornot，heregoes!\"mutteredSlone，grimly；and，leapingup，withoneblowheknockedCreechhalfoutofthedoor，andthenkickedhimtherestoftheway。\"Goonandhaveafit!\"criedSlone。\"I\'mliabletokillyouifyoudon\'thaveone!\"
Creechgotupandrandownthepath，turningtwiceontheway。Thenhedisappearedamongthetrees。
Slonesatdown。\"Lostmytemperagain!\"hesaid。\"Thishasbeenaday。GuessI\'dbettercooloffrightnowan\'stayhere。Thatpoordevil!Maybehe\'snotsocrazy。Buthe\'swilderthananIndian。ImustwarnLucy。Lord!I
wonderifBostilcouldhaveheldbackrepairin\'thatboat，an\'thencutitloose？Iwonder？YesterdayI\'dhaveswornnever。To-day——\"
Slonedrovetheconclusionofthatthoughtoutofhisconsciousnessbeforehewhollyadmittedit。Thenhesettoworkcuttingthelonggrassfromthewetandshadynooksunderthebluffwherethespringmadethegroundrich。Hecarriedanarmfuldowntothecorral。Naggerwasroamingaroundoutside，pickinggrassforhimself。WildfiresnortedasalwayswhenhesawSlone，andSloneasalways，whentimepermitted，triedtocoaxthestalliontohim。Hehadneversucceeded，nordidhethistime。WhenheleftthebundleofgrassonthegroundandwentoutsideWildfirereadilycameforit。
\"You\'rethattame，anyhow，youhungryreddevil，\"saidSlone，jealously。
WildfirewouldtakeabunchofgrassfromLucyBostil\'shand。Slone\'sfeelingshadundergonesomereaction，thoughhestilllovedthehorse。Butitwaslovemixedwithbitterness。MorethaneverhemadeuphismindthatLucyshouldhaveWildfire。Thenhewalkedaroundhisplace，planningtheworkhemeanttostartatonce。
SeveraldaysslippedbywithSlonescarcelyrealizinghowtheyflew。
Unaccustomedlabortiredhimsothathewenttobedearlyandsleptlikealog。Ifithadnotbeenfortheever-presentworryandsuspenseandlonging，inregardtoLucy，hewouldhavebeenhappierthaneverhecouldremember。
Almostatoncehehadbecomeattachedtohislittlehome，andthemorehelaboredtomakeitproductiveandcomfortablethestrongergrewhisattachment。Practicaltoilwasnotconducivetodaydreaming，soSlonefeltalossofsomethingvagueandsweet。ManytimeshecaughthimselfwatchingwitheagereyesforaglimpseofLucyBostildownthereamongthecottonwoods。
Still，heneversawher，and，infact，hesawsofewvillagersthattheplacebegantohavealonelinesswhichendearedittohimthemore。ThentheviewdownthegrayvalleytothepurplemonumentswasalwaysthrillinglymemorabletoSlone。ItwasoutthereLucyhadsavedhishorseandhislife。Hiskeendesertgazecouldmakeoutevenatthatdistancethegreat，darkmonument，gold-crowned，intheshadowofwhichhehadheardLucyspeakwordsthathadtransformedlifeforhim。Hewouldrideouttheresomeday。Thespellofthoseloominggrandshaftsofcoloredrockwasstillstronguponhim。
OnemorningSlonehadavisitor——oldBrackton。Slone\'scordialitydiedonhislipsbeforeitwashalfuttered。Brackton\'sformerfriendlinesswasnotinevidenceindeed，helookedatSlonewithcuriosityanddisfavor\"Howdy，Slone!Ijestwantedtoseewhatyouwasdoin\'uphyar，\"hesaid。
Slonespreadhishandsandexplainedinfewwords。
\"Soyoutookovertheplace，hey？Weallfiggeredthet。ButVorheeswasmum。
Factis，hewassuremysterious。\"BracktonsatdownandeyedSlonewithinterest。\"Folksaretalkin\'alotaboutyou，\"hesaid，bluntly。
\"Isthatso？\"
\"You\'peartobeaprettymysteriouskindofafeller，Slone。Ikindoftookashinetoyouatfirst，an\'thet\'swhyIcomeuphyartotellyouit\'dbewiseferyoutovamoose。\"
\"What!\"exclaimedSlone。
Bracktonrepeatedsubstantiallywhathehadsaid，then，pausinganinstant，continued:\"I\'venocalltogiveyouahunch，butI\'lldoitjestbecauseI
didlikeyoufustoff。\"
Theoldmanseemedfussyandnervousandpatronizinganddisparagingallatonce。
\"What\'dyoubeatupthetpoorJoelCreechfer？\"demandedBrackton。
\"Hegotwhathedeserved，\"repliedSlone，andthememory，comingontheheadofthisstrangeattitudeofBrackton\'s，rousedSlone\'stemper。
\"Wal，Joeltellssomequeerthingsaboutyou——ferinstance，howyoutookadvantageoflittleLucyBostil，grabbin\'heran\'maulin\'herthewayJoelseenyou。\"
\"D——ntheloon!\"mutteredSlone，risingtopacethepath。
\"Wal，Joel\'sabitoff，buthe\'snotloonyallthetime。He\'sseenyouan\'
he\'stellin\'it。WhenBostilhearsityou\'dbetterbeacrostthecanyon!\"
Slonefeltthehot，sickrushofbloodtohisface，andhumiliationandrageovertookhim。
\"Joel\'sdownatmyhouse。Hehadfitsafteryoubeathim，an\'he\'ain\'tgotoverthemyet。Buthecouldblabtotheriders。VanSickle\'slookin\'feryou。
An\'to-daywhenIwasalonewithJoelhetoldmesomemorequeerthingsaboutyou。Ishuthimupquick。ButIain\'tguaranteein\'Icankeephimshutup。\"
\"I\'llbetyouIshuthimup，\"declaredSlone。\"Whatmoredidthefoolsay？\"
\"Slone，hevyoubeenroundthesehyarparts——downamongthemonuments——feranyconsiderabletime？\"queriedBrackton。
\"Yes，Ihave——severalweeksoutthere，an\'abouttendaysorsoaroundtheFord。\"
\"Wherewasyouthenightoftheflood？\"
Theshrewdscrutinyoftheoldman，thesuspicion，angeredSlone。
\"Ifit\'sanyofyourmix，Iwasoutontheslopeamongtherocks。Iheardthatfloodcomin\'downlongbeforeitgothere，\"repliedSlone，deliberately。
Bracktonavertedhisgaze，andabruptlyroseasiftheoccasionwasended。
\"Wal，takemyhunchan\'leave!\"hesaid，turningaway。
\"Brackton，ifyoumeanwell，I\'mmuchobliged，\"returnedSlone，slowly，ponderingly。\"ButI\'llnottakethehunch。\"
\"Suityourself，\"addedBrackton，coldly，andhewentaway。
Slonewatchedhimgodownthepathanddisappearinthelaneofcottonwoods。
\"I\'llbedarned!\"mutteredSlone。\"Funnyoldman。MaybeCreech\'snottheonlyloonyonehereabouts。\"
Slonetriedtolaughofftheeffectoftheinterview，butitpersistedandworriedhimallday。Aftersupperhedecidedtowalkdownintothevillage，andwouldhavedonesobutforthefactthathesawamanclimbinghispath。
WhenherecognizedtheriderHolleyhesensedtrouble，andstraightwayhebecamegloomy。Bostil\'sright-handmancouldnotcallonhimforanyfriendlyreason。Holleycameupslowly，awkwardly，afterthemannerofariderunusedtowalking。Slonehadbuiltalittleporchonthefrontofhiscabinandabench，whichhehadcoveredwithgoatskins。ItstruckhimalittlestrangelythatheshouldbendovertorearrangetheseskinsjustasHolleyapproachedtheporch。
\"Howdy，son!\"wastherider\'sdrawledremark。\"Suremakes——me——pufftoclimb——upthismountain。\"
Sloneturnedinstantly，surprisedatthefriendlytone，doubtinghisownears，andwantingtoverifythem。HewasthemoresurprisedtoseeHolleyunmistakablyamiable。
\"Hello，Holley!Howareyou？\"hereplied。\"Haveaseat。\"
\"Wal，I\'mrightspryferanoldbird。ButIcan\'tclimbwuthad——n
Say，thisherebeatsBostil\'sview。\"
\"Yes，it\'sfine，\"repliedSlone，ratherawkwardly，ashesatdownontheporchstep。WhatcouldHolleywantwithhim？Thisoldriderwasabovecuriosityorgossip。
\"Slone，youain\'tholdin\'itag\'inme——thetItriedtoshutyouuptheotherday？\"hedrawled，withdryfrankness\"Why，no，Holley，I\'mnot。Isawyourpoint。Youwereright。ButBostilmadememad。\"
\"Sure!He\'dmakeanybodymad。I\'veseenridersbitethemselves，theywassomadatBostil。Youcalledhim，an\'yousuretickledalltheboys。Butyouhurtyourself，ferBostilownsan\'runsthishereFord。\"
\"SoI\'vediscovered，\"repliedSlone。
\"Yougotyourselfinbadrightoff，ferBostilhasturnedtheridersag\'inyou，an\'thisherepunchin\'ofCreechhasturnedthevillagefolksag\'inyou。
What\'dpitchintohimfer？\"
Slonecaughtthekindlyinterestandintentoftherider，anditwarmedhimasBrackton\'sdisapprovalhadalienatedhim。
\"Wal，IreckonI\'dbettertellyou，\"drawledHolley，asSlonehesitated，\"thetLucywantstoknowIFyoubeatupJoelan\'WHYyoudid。\"
\"Holley!Didsheaskyoutofindout？\"
\"Shesuredid。Thegirl\'sworriedthesedays，Slone。Yousee，youhaven\'tbeenaround，an\'youdon\'tknowwhat\'scomin\'off。\"
\"Bracktonwashereto-dayan\'hetoldmeagooddeal。I\'mworried，too，\"saidSlone，dejectedly。
\"Thethossofyours，Wildfire，he\'senoughtomakeyouhatedinBostil\'scamp，evenifyouhadn\'tmadeafoolofyourself，whichyousurehave。\"
Slonedroppedhisheadasadmission。
\"WhatCreechswearsheseenyoudotoMissLucy，outthereamongtherocks，whereyouwashidwithWildfire——isthereanytruthinthet？\"askedHolley，earnestly。\"Tellme，Slone。Folksbelieveit。An\'it\'shurtyouattheFord。
Bostilhasn\'theardityet，an\'Lucyshedoesn\'tknow。ButI\'mfiggerin\'thetyoupunchedJoelbecausehethroweditinyourface。\"
\"Hedid，an\'Ilambastedhim，\"repliedSlone，withforce。
\"Youdidright。ButwhatIwanttoknow，isittruewhatJoelseen？\"
\"It\'strue，Holley。ButwhatIdidisn\'tsobad——sobadashe\'dmakeitlook。\"
\"Wal，Iknowedthet。IknowedferalongtimehowLucycaresferyou，\"
returnedtheoldrider，kindly。
Sloneraisedhisheadswiftly，incredulously。\"Holley!Youcan\'tbeserious。\"
\"Wal，Iam。I\'vebeensortofabigbrothertoLucyBostilforeighteenyears。
Icarriedherintheseherehandswhensheweighednomore\'nmyspurs。I
taughtherhowtoride——whatsheknowsabouthosses。An\'sheknowsmore\'nherdad。Itaughthertoshoot。Iknowherbetter\'nanybody。An\'latelyshe\'sbeendifferent，She\'sworriedan\'unhappy。\"
\"ButHolley，allthat——itdoesn\'tseem——\"
\"Ireckonnot，\"wentonHolley，asSlonehalted。\"Ithinkshecaresferyou。
An\'I\'myourfriend，Slone。You\'regoin\'tobuckupag\'insomehellroundheresoonerorlater。An\'you\'llneedafriend。\"
\"Thanks——Holley，\"repliedSlone，unsteadily。Hethrilledundertheirongraspoftherider\'shardhand。
\"You\'vegotanotherfriendyoucangambleon，\"saidHolley，significantly。
\"Another!Who？\"
\"LucyBostil。An\'don\'tyoufergitthet。I\'llbetshe\'llraisemoretroublethanBostilwhenshehearswhatJoelCreechistellin\'。Fershe\'sboundtohearit。VanSickleswearshe\'sa-goin\'totellheran\'thenbeatyouupwithaquirt。\"
\"Heis，ishe？\"snappedSlone，darkly。
\"I\'veahunchLucy\'sguessedwhyyoupunchedJoel。Butshewantstoknowfersure。Now，Slone，I\'lltellherwhy。\"
\"Oh，don\'t!\"saidSlone，involuntarily。
\"Wal，it\'llbebettercomin\'fromyouan\'me。Takemywordferthet。I\'llprepareLucy。An\'she\'sasgoodascrapperasBostil，anyday。\"
\"Itallscaresme，\"repliedSlone。Hedidfeelpanicky，andthatwasfromthoughtsofwhatshamemightbefallLucy。Thecoldsweatoozedoutofeverypore。WhatmightnotBostildo？\"Holley，Ilovethegirl。SoI——Ididn\'tinsulther。Bostilwillneverunderstand。An\'what\'shegoin\'todowhenhefindsout？\"
\"Wal，let\'shopeyouwon\'tgitanywuss\'nyougiveJoel。\"
\"LetBostilbeatme!\"ejaculatedSlone。\"IthinkI\'mwillin——now——the——wayI
feel。ButI\'veatemper，andBostilrubsmethewrongway。\"
\"Wallleaveyourgunhome，an\'fightBostil。You\'reprettyhusky。Surehe\'lllickyou，butmebbeyoucouldgivetheoldcussablackeye。\"Holleylaughedasiftheideagavehiminfinitepleasure。
\"FightBostil？Lucywouldhateme!\"criedSlone。
\"Nix!Youdon\'tknowthetkid。IftheoldmangoesafteryouLucy\'llcaremoreferyou。She\'sjestlikehiminsomeways。\"Holleypulledoutastubbyblackpipeand，fillingandlightingit，heappearedtogrowmorethoughtful。\"Itwasn\'tonlyLucythetsentmeupheretoseeyou。Bostilhadbeenpesterin\'meferdays。ButIkeptfightin\'shyofittillLucygotholdofme。\"
\"Bostilsentyou？Why？\"
\"Reckonyoucanguess。Hecan\'tsleep，thinkin\'aboutyourredhoss。NoneofuseverseenBostilhavesichabadcase。HeraisedSageKing。Buthe\'salwaysbeencrazyferagreatwildstallion。An\'hereyoucomealong——an\'yourhossjumpstheKing——an\'there\'stroublegenerally。\"
\"Holley，doyouthinkWildfirecanbeatSageKing？\"askedSlone，eagerly。
\"ReckonIdo。Lucysaysso，an\'I\'llbackheranyday。But，son，Iain\'tparadin\'whatIthink。I\'dgitinbadmyself。Farlanean\'theotherboys，they\'rewithBostil。Vanhe\'stoblameferthet。He\'stakin\'adisliketoyou，rightoff。An\'whathetellsBostilan\'theboysaboutthetracedon\'tagreewithwhatLucytellsme。LucysaysWildfireranfieryan\'crankyatthestart。
Hewantedtorunroundan\'killtheKinginsteadofracin\'。SohewasthreelengthsbehindwhenMacomberdroppedtheflag。LucysaystheKinggotintohisstride。Sheknows。An\'thereWildfirecomesfrombehindan\'climbsallovertheKing!Vantellsadifferentstory。\"
\"ItcameoffjustasLucytoldyou，\"declaredSlone。\"Isaweverymove。\"
\"Wal，thet\'sneitherherenorthere。Whatyou\'reupag\'inisthis。Bostilissoresinceyoucalledhim。Butheholdshimselfinbecausehehasn\'tgivenuphopeofgittin\'Wildfire。An\'，Slone，you\'resurewise，ain\'tyou，thetifBostildoesn\'tbuyhimyoucan\'tstayonhere？\"
\"I\'mwise。ButIwon\'tsellWildfire，\"repliedSlone，doggedly。
\"Wal，I\'dneverwastedmybreathtellin\'youallthisifIhadn\'tfiggeredaboutLucy。You\'vegothertothinkof。\"
SloneturnedonHolleypassionately。\"Youkeephintin\'there\'sahopeforme，whenIknowthere\'snone!\"
\"You\'reonlyaboy，\"repliedHolley。\"Son，wherethere\'slifethere\'shope。I
ain\'ta-goin\'totellyouaginthetIknowLucyBostil。\"
Slonecouldnotstandnorwalknorkeepstill。Hewasshakingfromheadtofoot。
\"Wildfire\'snotminetosell。He\'sLucy\'s!\"confessedSlone。
\"Thedevilyousay!\"ejaculatedHolley，andhenearlydroppedhispipe。
\"IgaveWildfiretoher。Sheacceptedhim。ItwasDONE。Then——thenIlostmyheadan\'madehermad。An\'——shesaidshe\'dridehimintherace，butwouldn\'tkeephim。ButheIShers。\"
\"Oho!Isee。Slone，Iwasgoin\'toadviseyoutosellWildfire——allonaccountofLucy。You\'reyoungan\'you\'dhaveabigstartinlifeifyouwould。
ButLucy\'syourgirlan\'yougiveherthehoss。Thetsettlesthet!\"
\"IfIgoawayfromherean\'leaveWildfireforLucy——doyouthinkshecouldkeephim？Wouldn\'tBostiltakehimfromher？\"
\"Wal，son，ifhetriedthetonLucyshe\'djumpWildfirean\'hityourtrailan\'
hangontoittillshefoundyou。\"
\"What\'llyoutellBostil？\"askedSlone，halfbesidehimself。
\"I\'mconsarnedifIknow，\"repliedHolley。\"MebbeI\'llthinkofsomeidee。
I\'llgobacknow。An\'say，son，Ireckonyou\'dbetterhangclosetohome。IfyoumeetBostildowninthevillageyoutwo\'dclashsure。I\'llcomeupsoon，butit\'llbeafterdark。\"
\"Holley，allthisis——isgoodofyou，\"saidSlone。\"I——I\'ll——\"
\"Shutup，son，\"interruptedtherider，dryly。\"Thet\'syouronlyweakness，sofarasIcansee。Yousaytoomuch。\"
Holleystarteddownthen，hislong，clinkingspursdiggingintothesteeppath。HeleftSloneapreytodeepthoughtsatonceanxiousanddreamy。
NextdaySloneworkedhardallday，lookingforwardtonightfall，expectingthatHolleywouldcomeup。HetriedtoresistthesweetandtantalizinganticipationofamessagefromLucy，butinvain。TheriderhadimmeasurablyupliftedSlone\'shopethatLucy，atleast，caredforhim。NotforamomentalldaycouldSlonedriveawaythehope。Attwilighthewastooeagertoeat——tooobsessedtoseethemagnificentsunset。ButHolleydidnotcome，andSlonewenttobedlate，halfsickwithdisappointment。
Thenextdaywasworse。Slonefoundworkirksome，yetheheldtoit。Onthethirddayherestedanddreamed，andgrewdoubtfulagain，andthenmoody。OnthefourthdaySlonefoundheneededsuppliesthathemustobtainfromthestore。HedidnotforgetHolley\'swarning，buthedisregardedit，thinkingtherewouldscarcelybeachanceofmeetingBostilatmidday。
Therewerehorsesstanding，bridlesdown，beforeBrackton\'splace，andridersloungingattherailandstep。SomeofthesemenhadbeenpleasanttoSloneonearlieroccasions。Thisdaytheyseemednottoseehim。Slonewastinglingalloverwhenhewentintothestore。Somedeviltrywasafoot!Hehadanangrythoughtthattheseriderscouldnothavemindsoftheirown。JustinsidethedoorSloneencounteredWetherby，theyoungrancherfromDurango。Slonespoke，butWetherbyonlyrepliedwithaninsolentstare。SlonedidnotglanceatthemantowhomWetherbywastalking。Onlyafewpeoplewereinsidethestore，andBracktonwaswaitinguponthem。Slonestoodbackalittleintheshadow。
Bracktonhadobservedhisentrance，butdidnotgreethim。ThenSloneabsolutelyknewthatforhimthegoodwillofBostil\'sFordwasathingofthepast。
PresentlyBracktonwasatleisure，butheshowednodispositiontoattendtoSlone\'swants。ThenSlonewalkeduptothecounterandaskedforsupplies。
\"Haveyougotthemoney？\"askedBrackton，asifaddressingonehewouldnottrust。
\"Yes，\"repliedSlone，growingredunderaninsultthatheknewWetherbyhadheard。
Bracktonhandedoutthesuppliesandreceivedthemoney，withoutaword。Heheldhisheaddown。Itwasasingularactionforamanusedtodealingfairlywitheveryone。Slonefeltoutraged。Hehurriedoutoftheplace，withshameburninghim，withhisowneyesdowncast，andinhishurryhebumpedsquareintoaburlyform。Slonerecoiled——lookedup。Bostil!Theoldriderwaseyinghimwithcoolspeculation。
\"Wal，areyoudrunk？\"hequeried，withoutanyparticularexpression。
YetthequerywastoSlonelikeablow。Itbroughthisheadupwithajerk，hisglancesteadyandkeenonBostil\'s。
\"Bostil，youknowIdon\'tdrink，\"hesaid。
\"A-huh!Iknowalotaboutyou，Slone。IheardyouboughtVorhees\'splace，uponthebench。\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Didhetellyouitwasmortgagedtomeformore\'nit\'sworth？\"
\"No，hedidn\'t。\"
\"Didhemakeoveranypaperstoyou？\"
\"No。\"
\"Wal，ifitinterestsyouI\'llshowyoupapersthetprovestheproperty\'smine。\"
Slonesufferedapang。Thelittlehomehadgrowndeareranddearertohim。
\"Allright，Bostil。Ifit\'syours——it\'syours，\"hesaid，calmlyenough。
\"IreckonI\'ddroveyououtbeforethisifIhadn\'tfeltwecouldmakeadeal。\"
\"Wecan\'tagreeonanydeal，Bostil，\"repliedSlone，steadily。ItwasnotwhatBostilsaid，butthewayhesaidit，thesubtlemeaningandpowerbehindit，thatgaveSloneasenseofmenaceandperil。Thesehehadbeenusedtoforyears；hecouldmeetthem。Buthewashandicappedherebecauseitseemedthat，thoughhecouldmeetBostilfacetoface，hecouldnotfighthim。ForhewasLucy\'sfather。Slone\'sposition，theimpotenceofit，renderedhimlessabletocontrolhistemper。
\"Whycan\'twe？\"demandedBostil。\"Ifyouwasn\'tsotouchywecould。An\'letmesay，youngfeller，thetthere\'smorereasonnowthetyouDOmakeadealwithme。\"
\"Deal？Whatabout？\"
\"Aboutyourredhoss。\"
\"Wildfire!Nodeals，Bostil，\"returnedSlone，andmadeasiftopasshim。
ThebighandthatforcedSlonebackwasfarfromgentle，andagainhefeltthequickrushofblood。
\"MebbeIcantellyousomethin\'thet\'llmakeyousellWildfire，\"saidBostil。
\"Notifyoutalkedyourselfdumb!\"flashedSlone。TherewasnousetotrytokeepcoolwiththisBostil，ifhetalkedhorses。\"I\'llraceWildfireagainsttheKing。Butnomore。\"
\"Race!Wal，wedon\'trunracesaroundherewithoutstakes，\"repliedBostil，withdeepscorn。\"An\'whatcanyoubet？Thetlittledabofprizemoneyisgone，an\'wouldn\'tbeenoughtomeetme。You\'reastrangeoneintheseparts。
I\'vepridean\'reputationtouphold。Youbragofracin\'withme——an\'youabeggarlyrider!Youwouldn\'thavethemclothesan\'bootsifmygirlhadn\'tfetchedthemtoyou。\"
TheridersbehindBostillaughed。Wetherby\'sfacewasthereinthedoor，notamused，buthardwithscornandsomethingelse。Slonefeltasickening，terriblegustofpassion。Itfairlyshookhim。Andasthewavesubsidedthequickcoolingofskinandbodypainedhimlikeaburnmadewithice。
\"Yes，Bostil，I\'mwhatyousay，\"respondedSlone，andhisvoiceseemedtofillhisears。\"Butyou\'redeadwrongwhenyousayI\'venothin\'tobetonarace。\"
\"An\'what\'llyoubet？\"
\"Mylifean\'myhorse!\"
Theriderssuddenlygrewsilentandintense。Bostilvibratedtothat。Heturnedwhite。Hemorethananyriderontheuplandsmusthavefeltthenatureofthatoffer。
\"Ag\'inwhat？\"hedemanded，hoarsely。
\"YOURDAUGHTERLUCY!\"
OneinstantthesurpriseheldBostilmuteandmotionless。Thenheseemedtoexpand。Hishugebulkjerkedintomotionandhebellowedlikeamadbull。
Slonesawtheblowcoming，madenomovetoavoidit。Thebigfisttookhimsquareonthemouthandchinandlaidhimflatontheground。SightfailedSloneforalittle，andlikewiseabilitytomove。Buthedidnotloseconsciousness。Hisheadseemedtohavebeenburstintoraysandredmistthatblurredhiseyes。Thentheseclearedaway，leavingintensepain。Hestartedtogetup，hisbraininawhirl。Wherewashisgun？Hehadleftitathome。ButforthathewouldhavekilledBostil。Hehadalreadykilledoneman。Thethingwasaburningflash——thenallover!Hecoulddoitagain。ButBostilwasLucy\'sfather!
Slonegatheredupthepackagesofsupplies，andwithoutlookingatthemenhehurriedaway。Heseemedpossessedofafurytoturnandrunback。Someforce，likeaninvisiblehand，withheldhim。Whenhereachedthecabinheshuthimselfin，andlayonhisbunk，forgettingthattheplacedidnotbelongtohim，aliveonlytothemysteryofhistrouble，smartingwiththeshameoftheassaultuponhim。Itwasdarkbeforehecomposedhimselfandwentout，andthenhehadnotthedesiretoeat。Hemadenomovetoopenthesuppliesoffood，didnotevenmakealight。Buthewentouttotakegrassandwatertothehorses。Whenhereturnedtothecabinamanwasstandingattheporch。
SlonerecognizedHolley\'sshapeandthenhisvoice。
\"Son，youraisedthedevilto-day。\"
\"Holley，don\'tyougobackonme!\"criedSlone。\"Iwasdriven!\"
\"Don\'ttalksoloud，\"whisperedtheriderinreturn。\"I\'veonlyaminnit……Here——aletterfromLucy。An\'，son，don\'tgittheideethetI\'llgobackonyou。\"
Slonetooktheletterwithtremblingfingers。Allthefuryandgloominstantlyfled。Lucyhadwrittenhim!Hecouldnotspeak。
\"Son，I\'mdouble-crossin\'theboss，rightthisminnit!\"whisperedHolley，hoarsely。\"An\'thesametimeI\'mplayin\'Lucy\'sgame。IfBostilfindsouthe\'llkillme。Imustn\'tbeketcheduphere。ButIwon\'tlosetrackofyou——whereveryougo。\"
Holleyslippedawaystealthilyinthedusk，leavingSlonewithathrobbingheart。
\"Whereveryougo!\"heechoed。\"Ah!Iforgot!Ican\'tstayhere。\"
Lucy\'slettermadehisfingerstingle——madethemsohastyandawkwardthathehaddifficultyinkindlingblazeenoughtoseetoread。Theletterwasshort，writteninlead-pencilonthetornleafofaledger。Slonecouldnotreadrapidly——thoseyearsonthedeserthadseentothat——andhishastetolearnwhatLucysaidbewilderedhim。Atfirstallthewordsblurred:
Comeatoncetothebenchinthecottonwoods。I\'llmeetyouthere。Myheartisbreaking。It\'salie——alie——whattheysay。I\'llswearyouwerewithmethenighttheboatwascutadrift。IKNOWyoudidn\'tdothat。Iknowwho……Oh，come!Iwillsticktoyou。Iwillrunoffwithyou。Iloveyou!\"
CHAPTERXV
Slone\'sheartleapedtohisthroat，anditsbeatingchokedhisutterancesofraptureandamazeanddread。Butrapturedominatedtheotheremotions。HecouldscarcelycontroltheimpulsetoruntomeetLucy，withoutasinglecautiousthought。
Heputthepreciousletterinsidehisblouse，whereitseemedtowarmhisbreast。Hebuckledonhisgun-belt，and，extinguishingthelight，hehurriedout。
Acrescentmoonhadjusttippedthebluff。Thevillagelanesandcabinsandtreeslaysilverinthemoon-light。Alonesomecoyotebarkedinthedistance。
Allelsewasstill。Theairwascool，sweet，fragrant。Thereappearedtobeaglamouroflight，ofsilence，ofbeautyoverthedesert。
Slonekeptunderthedarkleeofthebluffandworkedaroundsothathecouldbeabovethevillage，wheretherewaslittledangerofmeetinganyone。Yetpresentlyhehadtogooutoftheshadowintothemoon-blanchedlane。SwiftandsilentasanIndianhewentalong，keepingintheshadeofwhattreestherewere，untilhecametothegroveofcottonwoods。Thegrovewasablackmysterylancedbysilverrays。Heslippedinamongthetrees，haltingeveryfewstepstolisten。Theaction，therealizationhadhelpedtomakehimcool，tosteelhim，thoughneverbeforeinhislifehadhebeensoexalted。ThepursuitandcaptureofWildfire，atonetimethedesireofhisheart，wereasnothingtothis。Lovehadcalledhim——andlife——andheknewdeathhunginthebalance。IfBostilfoundhimseekingLucytherewouldbebloodspilled。Slonequakedatthethought，forthecoldandghastlyoppressionfollowingthedeathhehadmetedouttoSearscametohimattimes。Butsuchthoughtswerefleeting；onlyonethoughtreallyheldhismind——andtheonewasthatLucylovedhim，hadsentstrange，wild，passionatewordstohim。
Hefoundthenarrowpath，itswhitecrossedbyslowlymovingblackbarsofshadow，andstealthilyhefollowedthis，keenofeyeandear，stoppingateveryrustle。HewellknewthebenchLucyhadmentioned。Itwasinaremotecornerofthegrove，underbigtreesnearthespring。OnceSlonethoughthehadaglimpseofwhite。Perhapsitwasonlymoonlight。Heslippedonandon，andwhenbeyondthebranchingpathsthatledtowardthehousehebreathedfreer。Thegroveappeareddeserted。Atlasthecrossedtherunwayfromthespring，smelledthecool，wetmossandwatercress，andsawthebigcottonwood，loomingdarkabovetheothertrees。Apatchofmoonlightbrightenedalittlegladejustattheedgeofdenseshadecastbythecottonwood。Herethebenchstood。Itwasempty!
Slone\'srapturevanished。Hewassuddenlychilled。Shewasnotthere!Shemighthavebeenintercepted。Hewouldnotseeher。Thedisappointment，thesuddenrelaxation，washorrible。Thenawhite，slendershapeflashedfrombesidetheblacktree-trunkandflewtowardhim。Itwasnoiseless，likeaspecter，andswiftasthewind。Washedreaming？Hefeltsostrange。Then——thewhiteshapereachedhimandheknew。
Lucyleapedintohisarms。
\"Lin!Lin!Oh，I\'mso——sogladtoseeyou!\"shewhispered。Sheseemedbreathless，keen，newtohim，notintheleastafraidnorshy。Slonecouldonlyholdher。Hecouldnothavespoken，evenifshehadgivenhimachance。
\"Iknoweverything——whattheyaccuseyouof——howtheriderstreatedyou——howmydadstruckyou。Oh!He\'sabrute!Ihatehimforthat。Whydidn\'tyoukeepoutofhisway？Vansawitall。Oh，Ihatehim，too!Hesaidyoulaystill——whereyoufell!DearLin，thatblowmayhavehurtyoudreadfully——shamedyoubecauseyoucouldn\'tstrikebackatmydad——butitreachedme，too。Ithurtme。Itwokemyheart。Where——wheredidhehityou？Oh，I\'veseenhimhitmen!Histerriblefists!\"
\"Lucy，nevermind，\"whisperedSlone。\"I\'dstoodtobeshotjustforthis。\"
Hefeltherhandssoftlyonhisface，feelingaroundtenderlytilltheyfoundtheswollenbruiseonmouthandchin。
\"Ah!Hestruckyou。AndI——I\'llkissyou，\"shewhispered。\"Ifkisseswillmakeitwell——it\'llbewell!\"
Sheseemedstrange，wild，passionateinhertenderness。Sheliftedherfaceandkissedhimsoftlyagainandagainandagain，tillthetouchthathadbeenexquisitelypainfultohisbruisedlipsbecamerapture。Thensheleanedbackinhisarms，herhandsonhisshoulders，white-faced，dark-eyed，andlaughedupinhisface，lovingly，daringly，asifshedefiedtheworldtochangewhatshehaddone。
\"Lucy!Lucy!Hecanbeatme——again!\"saidSlone，lowandhoarsely。
\"Ifyoulovemeyou\'llkeepoutofhisway，\"repliedthegirl。
\"IfIloveyou？MyGod!I\'vefeltmyheartdieathousandtimessincethatmornin\'——when——whenyou——\"
\"Lin，Ididn\'tknow，\"sheinterrupted，withsweet，graveearnestness。\"Iknownow!\"
AndSlonecouldnotbutknow，too，lookingather；andthesweetness，theeloquence，thenobleabandonofheravowalsoundedtothedepthsofhim。Hisdread，hisresignation，hisshame，allspedforeverinthedeep，fullbreathofreliefwithwhichhecastoffthatburden。Hetastedthenectarofhappiness，thefirsttimeinhislife。Heliftedhishead——never，heknew，toloweritagain。Hewouldbetruetowhatshehadmadehim。
\"Comeintheshade，\"hewhispered，andwithhisarmroundherheledhertothegreattree-trunk。\"Isitsafeforyouhere？An\'howlongcanyoustay？\"
\"IhaditoutwithDad——lefthimlickedonceinhislife，\"shereplied。\"ThenIwenttomyroom，fastenedthedoor，andslippedoutofmywindow。IcanstayoutaslongasIwant。Noonewillknow。\"
Slone\'sheartthrobbed。Shewashis。Theclaspofherhandsonhis，thegleamofhereyes，thewhite，daringflashofherfaceintheshadowofthemoon——thesetoldhimshewashis。Howithadcomeaboutwasbeyondhim，butherealizedthetruth。Whatagirl!ThiswasthesamenervewhichsheshowedwhenshehadrunWildfireoutinfrontofthefleetesthorsesintheuplands。
\"Tellme，then，\"hebegan，quietly，withkeengazerovingunderthetreesandeyesstrainedtight，\"tellmewhat\'scomeoff。\"
\"Don\'tyouknow？\"shequeried，inamaze。
\"OnlythatforsomereasonI\'mdoneinBostil\'sFord。Itcan\'tbebecauseI
punchedJoelCreech。IfeltitbeforeImetBostilatthestore。Hetauntedme。Wehadbitterwords。HetoldbeforeallofthemhowtheoutfitIworeyougaveme。An\'thenIdaredhimtoracetheKing。Myhorsean\'mylifeagainstYOU!\"
\"Yes，Iknow，\"shewhispered，softly。\"It\'sallovertown。Oh，Lin!itwasagrandbet!AndBostilfour-flushed，astheriderssay。FordaysaracebetweenWildfireandtheKinghadbeenintheair。There\'llneverbepeaceinBostil\'sFordagaintillthatraceisrun。\"
\"But，Lucy，couldBostil\'swantin\'Wildfirean\'hatin\'mebecauseIwon\'tsell——couldthatruinmehereattheFord？\"
\"Itcould。But，Lin，there\'smore。Oh，Ihatetotellyou!\"shewhispered，passionately。\"Ithoughtyou\'dknow。JoelCreechsworeyoucuttheropesontheferry-boatandsentitadrift。\"
\"Theloon!\"ejaculatedSlone，andhelaughedlowinbothangerandridicule。
\"Lucy，that\'sonlyafool\'stalk。\"
\"He\'scrazy。Oh，ifIevergethiminfrontofmeagainwhenI\'monSarch——I\'ll——I\'ll。\"SheendedwithalittlegaspandleanedamomentagainstSlone。Hefeltherheartbeat——feltthestrongclaspofherhands。ShewasindeedBostil\'sfleshandblood，andtherewasthatinherdangeroustoarouse。
\"Lin，thefolksherearequeer，\"sheresumed，morecalmly。\"ForlongyearsDadhasruledthem。Theyseewithhiseyesandtalkwithhisvoice。JoelCreechsworeyoucutthosecables。Sworehetrailedyou。Bracktonbelievedhim。Vanbelievedhim。Theytoldmyfather。Andhe——mydad——Godforgivehim!hejumpedatthat。ThevillageasonepersonnowbelievesyousenttheboatadriftsoCreech\'shorsescouldnotcrossandyoucouldwintherace。\"
\"Lucy，ifitwasn\'tso——sofunnyI\'dbemadas——as——\"burstoutSlone。
\"Itisn\'tfunny。It\'sterrible。Iknowwhocutthosecables。Holleyknows。DADknows——an\'，oh，Lin——I——hate——Ihatemyownfather!\"
\"MyGod!\"gaspedSlone，asthefullsignificationburstuponhim。ThenhisnextthoughtwasforLucy。\"Listen，dear——youmustn\'tsaythat，\"heentreated。
\"He\'syourfather。He\'sagoodmaneverywayexceptwhenhe\'safterhorses。
Thenhe\'shalfhorse。Iunderstandhim。Ifeelsorryforhim。An\'ifhe\'sthrowedtheblameonme，allright。I\'llstandit。WhatdoIcare？Iwasqueered，anyhow，becauseIwouldn\'tpartwithmyhorse。Itcan\'tmattersomuchifpeoplethinkIdidthatjusttohelpwinarace。Butiftheyknewyour——yourfatherdidit，an\'ifCreech\'shorsesstarve，whyit\'dbeadisgraceforhim——an\'you。\"
\"LinSlone——you\'llaccepttheblame!\"shewhispered，withwide，darkeyesonhim，handsathisshoulders。
\"SureIwill，\"repliedSlone。\"Ican\'tbeanyworseoff。\"
\"You\'rebetterthanallofthem——myrider!\"shecried，full-voicedandtremulous。\"Lin，youmakemeloveyouso——it——ithurts!\"Andsheseemedabouttoflingherselfintohisarmsagain。Therewasastrangenessabouther——aglory。\"Butyou\'llnottaketheshameofthatact。ForIwon\'tletyou。I\'lltellmyfatherIwaswithyouwhentheboatwascutloose。He\'llbelieveme。\"
\"Yes，an\'he\'llKILLme!\"groanedSlone。\"GoodLord!Lucy，don\'tdothat!\"
\"Iwill!An\'he\'llnotkillyou。Lin，Dadtookagreatfancytoyou。Iknowthat。Hethinkshehatesyou。Butinhishearthedoesn\'t。IfhegotholdofWildfire——why，he\'dneverbeabletodoenoughforyou。Henevercouldmakeitup。Whatdoyouthink？Itoldhimyouhuggedandkissedmeshamefullythatday。\"
\"Oh，Lucy!youdidn\'t？\"imploredSlone。
\"Isuredid。Andwhatdoyouthink？Hesaidheoncedidthesametomymother!。No，Lin，Dad\'dneverkillyouforanythingexceptafuryabouthorses。
Allthefightsheeverhadwereoverhorsedeals。Thetwomen——he——he——\"LucyfalteredandhershudderwasilluminatingtoSlone。\"Bothofthem——fightsoverhorsetrades!\"
\"Lucy，ifI\'meverunluckyenoughtomeetBostilagainI\'llbedeafan\'dumb。
An\'nowyoupromisemeyouwon\'ttellhimyouwerewithmethatnight。\"
\"Lin，iftheoccasioncomes，Iwill——Icouldn\'thelpit，\"repliedLucy。
\"Thenfightshyoftheoccasion，\"herejoined，earnestly。\"ForthatwouldbetheendofLinSlone!\"
\"Then——whatonearthcan——wedo？\"Lucysaid，withsuddenbreakofspirit。
\"Ithinkwemustwait。Youwroteinyourletteryou\'dsticktome——you\'d——\"
Hecouldnotgetthewordsout，thethoughtsoovercamehim。
\"Ifitcomestoafinish，I\'llgowithyou，\"Lucyreturned，withpassionrisingagain。
\"Oh!torideoffwithyou，Lucy——tohaveyoualltomyself——Idaren\'tthinkofit。Butthat\'sonlyselfish。\"
\"Maybeit\'snotsoselfishasyoubelieve。IfyoulefttheFord——now——it\'dbreakmyheart。I\'dnevergetoverit。\"
\"Lucy!Youloveme——thatwell？\"
Thentheirlipsmetagainandtheirhandslocked，andtheystoodsilent，strainingtowardeachother。Heheldtheslightform，sopliant，soresponsive，soalive，closetohim，andherfacelayhiddenonhisbreast；andhelookedoutoverherheadintothequiveringmoonlitshadows。Thenightwasasstillasoneawayonthedesertfarfromtheabodeofmen。Itwasmorebeautifulthananydreamofanightinwhichhehadwanderedfarintostrangelandswherewildhorseswereandforestslayblackundermoon-silveredpeaks。
\"We\'llrun——then——ifitcomestoafinish，\"saidSlone，huskily。\"ButI\'llwait。I\'llstickitouthere。I\'lltakewhatcomes。So——maybeI\'llnotdisgraceyoumore。\"
\"ItoldVanI——Igloriedinbeinghuggedbyyouthatday，\"shereplied，andherlittledefiantlaughtoldwhatshethoughtoftheallegeddisgrace。
\"Youtormenthim，\"remonstratedSlone。\"Yousethimagainstus。Itwouldbebettertokeepstill。\"
\"Butmybloodisup!\"shesaid，andshepoundedhisshoulderwithherfist。
