\"I\'llfight——I\'llfight!Icouldn\'tavoidVan。ItwasHolleywhotoldmeVanwasthreateningyou。AndwhenImetVanhetoldmehoweverybodysaidyouinsultedme——hadbeenworsethanadrunkenrider——andthathe\'dbeatyouhalftodeath。SoItoldVanJoelCreechmighthaveseenus——Ididn\'tdoubtthat——buthedidn\'tseethatIlikedbeinghugged。\"
\"WhatdidVansaythen？\"askedSlone，allaglowwithhiswonderfuljoy。
\"Hewilted。Heslunkaway。AndsoI\'lltellthemall。\"
\"But，Lucy，you\'vealwaysbeenso——sotruthful。\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"
\"Well，tosayyoulikedbeinghuggedthatdaywas——wasastory，wasn\'tit？\"
\"Thatwaswhatmademesofurious，\"sheadmitted，shyly。\"IwassurprisedwhenyougrabbedmeoffWildfire。Andmyheartbeat——beat——beatsowhenyouhuggedme。AndwhenyoukissedmeI——Iwaspetrified。IknewIlikeditthen——andI
wasfuriouswithmyself。\"
Slonedrewalong，deepbreathofutterenchantment。\"You\'lltakebackWildfire？\"
\"Oh，Lin——don\'t——ask——me，\"sheimplored。
\"Takehimback——an\'mewithhim。\"
\"ThenIwill。Butnoonemustknowthatyet。\"
Theydrewapartthen。
\"An\'nowyoumustgo，\"saidSlone，reluctantly。\"Listen。IforgottowarnyouaboutJoelCreech。Don\'teverlethimnearyou。He\'scrazyan\'hemeansevil。\"
\"Oh，Iknow，Lin!I\'llwatch。ButI\'mnotafraidofhim。\"
\"He\'sstrong，Lucy。Isawhimliftbagsthatwereheftyforme。Lucy，doyouridethesedays？\"
\"Everyday。IfIcouldn\'trideIcouldn\'tlive。\"
\"I\'mafraid，\"saidSlone，nervously。\"There\'sCreechan\'Cordts——bothhavethreatenedyou。\"
\"I\'mafraidofCordts，\"repliedLucy，withashiver。\"Youshouldhaveseenhimlookatmerace-day。Itmademehotwithanger，yetweak，too，somehow。ButDadsaysI\'mneverinanydangerifIwatchout。AndIdo。WhocouldcatchmeonSarch？\"
\"Anyhorsecanbetrippedinthesage。YoutoldmehowJoeltriedtoropeSageKing。Didyouevertellyourdadthat？\"
\"Iforgot。ButthenI\'mgladIdidn\'t。Dadwouldshootforthat，quickerthanifJoeltriedtoropehim。Don\'tworry，Lin，Ialwayspackagun。\"
\"Butcanyouuseit？\"
Lucylaughed。\"DoyouthinkIcanonlyride？\"
SlonerememberedthatHolleyhadsaidhehadtaughtLucyhowtoshootaswellasride。\"You\'llbewatchful——careful，\"hesaid，earnestly。
\"Oh，Lin，youneedtobethatmorethanI。Whatwillyoudo？\"
\"I\'llstayupatthelittlecabinIthoughtIownedtillto-day。\"
\"Didn\'tyoubuyit？\"askedLucy，quickly。
\"IthoughtIdid。Butnevermind。MaybeIwon\'tgetputoutjustyet。
An\'whenwillIseeyouagain？\"
\"Here，everynight。WaittillIcome，\"shereplied。\"Goodnight，Lin。\"
\"I\'ll——wait!\"heexclaimed，withacatchinhisvoice。\"Oh，myluck!
I\'llwait，Lucy，everyday——hopin\'an\'prayin\'thatthistroublewilllighten。
An\'I\'llwaitatnight——foryou!\"
Hekissedhergood-byandwatchedtheslightformglideaway，flittoandfro，whiteinthedarkpatches，growindistinctandvanish。Hewasleftaloneinthesilentgrove。
Slonestolebacktothecabinandlaysleeplessandtranced，watchingthestars，tilllatethatnight。
Allthenextdayhedidscarcelyanythingbutwatchandlookafterhishorsesandwatchanddragthehoursoutanddreamdespitehisdread。Butnoonevisitedhim。Thecabinwaslefttohimthatday。
Ithadbeenahotday，withgreatthunderhead，blackandcreamywhitecloudsrollingdownfromthecanyoncountry。NorainhadfallenattheFord，thoughstormsnearbyhadcooledtheair。AtsunsetSlonesawarainbowbendingdown，ruddyandgold，connectingthepurpleofcloudwiththepurpleofhorizon。
Outbeyondthevalleythecloudswerebroken，showingriftsofblue，andtheyrolledlow，buryingtheheadsofthemonuments，creatingawildandstrangespectacle。Twilightfollowed，andappearedtorisetomeetthedarkeningclouds。Andatlastthegoldontheshaftsfaded；themonumentsfaded；andthevalleygrewdark。
Slonetookadvantageofthehourbeforemoonrisetostealdownintothegrove，theretowaitforLucy。Shecamesoquicklyhescarcelyfeltthathewaitedatall；andthenthetimespentwithher，sweet，fleeting，precious，lefthimstrongertowaitforheragain，toholdhimselfin，toceasehisbrooding，tolearnfaithinsomethingdeeperthanhecouldfathom。
Thenextdayhetriedtowork，butfoundidlewaitingmadethetimeflyswifterbecauseinithecoulddream。InthedarkoftherustlingcottonwoodshemetLucy，aseagertoseehimashewastoseeher，tender，loving，remorseful——ahundredsweetandbewilderingthingsallsonew，sounbelievabletoSlone。
ThatnighthelearnedthatBostilhadstartedforDurangowithsomeofhisriders。ThistripsurprisedSloneandrelievedhimlikewise，forDurangowasovertwohundredmilesdistant，andajourneythereevenforthehardriderswasamatterofdays。
\"Heleftnoordersforme，\"Lucysaid，\"excepttobehavemyself。Isthisbehaving？\"shewhispered，andnestledclosetoSlone，audacious，tormentingasshehadbeenbeforethisdarkcloudoftrouble。\"ButheleftordersforHolleytoridewithmeandlookafterme。Isn\'tthatfunny？PooroldHolley!HehatestodoublecrossDad，hesays。\"
\"I\'mgladHolley\'stolookafteryou，\"repliedSlone。\"YesterdayIsawyoutearin\'downintothesageonSarch。Iwonderedwhatyou\'ddo，Lucy，ifCordtsorthatloonCreechshouldgetholdofyou？\"
\"I\'dfight!\"
\"But，child，that\'snonsense。Youcouldn\'tfighteitherofthem。\"
\"Couldn\'tI？Well，Ijustcould。I\'d——I\'dshootCordts。AndI\'dwhipJoelCreechwithmyquirt。AndifhekeptaftermeI\'dletSarchrunhimdown。
Sarchhateshim。\"
\"You\'reabravesweetheart，\"musedSlone。\"Supposeyouwerecaughtan\'
couldn\'tgetaway。Wouldyouleaveatrailsomehow？\"
\"Isurewould。\"
\"Lucy，I\'mawild-horsehunter，\"hewenton，thoughtfully，asifspeakingtohimself。\"Ineverfailedonatrail。Icouldtrackyouoverbarerock。\"
\"Lin，I\'llleaveatrail，soneverfear，\"shereplied。\"Butdon\'tborrowtrouble。You\'realwaysafraidforme。Lookatthebrightside。Dadseemstohaveforgottenyou。Maybeitallisn\'tsobadaswethought。Oh，Ihopeso!。Howismyhorse，Wildfire？Iwanttoridehimagain。Icanhardlykeepfromgoingafterhim。\"
Andsotheywhisperedwhilethemomentsswiftlypassed。
ItwasearlyduringtheafternoonofthenextdaythatSlone，hearingtheclip-clopofunshodponies，wentoutsidetolook。Onepartofthelanehecouldseeplainly，andintoitstalkedJoelCreech，leadingtheleanestandgauntestponiesSlonehadeverseen。Amanasleanandgauntastheponiesstalkedbehind。
ThesightshockedSlone。JoelCreechandhisfather!Slonehadnoproof，becausehehadneverseentheelderCreech，yetstrangelyhefeltconvincedofit。Andgrimideasbegantoflashintohismind。Creechwouldhearwhowasaccusedofcuttingtheboatadrift。Whatwouldhesay？Ifhebelieved，asallthevillagersbelieved，thenBostil\'sFordwouldbecomeanunhealthyplaceforLinSlone。Wherewerethegreatrace-horses——BlueRoanandPeg——andtheotherthoroughbreds？ApangshotthroughSlone。
\"Oh，notlost——notstarved？\"hemuttered。\"Thatwouldbehell!\"
Yethebelievedjustthishadhappened。HowstrangehehadneverconsideredsuchaneventasthereturnofCreech。
\"I\'dbetterlookhimupbeforehelooksme，\"saidSlone。
Ittookbutaninstanttostraponhisbeltandgun。ThenSlonestrodedownhispath，outintothelanetowardBrackton\'s。WhateverbeforebodedilltoSlonehadbeennothingtowhatmenacedhimnow。Hewouldhaveamantoface——amanwhomreputecalledjust，butstern。
BeforeSlonereachedthevicinityofthestorehesawriderscomeouttomeettheCreechparty。ItsohappenedthereweremoreridersthanusuallyfrequentedBrackton\'satthathour。Theoldstorekeepercamestumblingoutandraisedhishands。Theriderscouldbeheard，loud-voicedandexcited。Slonedrewnearer，andthenearerhegottheswifterhestrode。Instincttoldhimthathewasmakingtherightmove。Hewouldfacethismanwhomhewasaccusedofruining。Thepoormustangshungtheirheadsdejectedly。
\"Bagsofbones，\"someriderloudlysaid。
AndthenSlonedrewdosetotheexcitedgroup。Bracktonheldthecenter；hewasgesticulating；histhinvoicerosepiercingly。
\"Creech!Whar\'sPegan\'theRoan？GawdAlmighty，man!Youain\'tmeanin\'themcayusestharareallyou\'vegotleftofthetgrandbunchofhosses？\"
Therewasscarcelyasound。Alltheriderswerestill。SlonefastenedhiseyesonCreech。Hesawagaunt，haggardfacealmostblackwithdust——wornandsad——withbigeyesofterriblegloom。Hesawanunkempt，raggedformthathadbeenwetandmuddy，andwasnowdust-caked。
CreechstoodsilentinadignityofdespairthatwrungSlone\'sheart。Hissilencewasananswer。ItwasJoelCreechwhobrokethesuspense。
\"Didn\'tItellyou-allwhat\'dhappen？\"heshrilled。\"PARCHEDAN\'STARVED!\"
\"Awno!\"chorusedtheriders。
Bracktonshookallover。Tearsdimmedhiseyes——tearsthathehadnoshamefor。\"SohelpmeGawd——I\'msorry!\"washisbrokenexclamation。
Slonehadforgottenhimselfandpossiblerevelationconcerninghim。ButwhenHolleyappearedclosetohimwithasignificantwarninglook，Slonegrewkeenoncemoreonhisownaccount。Hefeltahotflameinsidehim——adeepandburningangeratthemanwhomighthavesavedCreech\'shorses。Andhe，likeBrackton，feltsorrowforCreech，andarider\'ssenseofloss，ofpain。Thesehorses——thesedumbbrutes——faithfulandsometimesdevoted，hadtosufferanagonizingdeathbecauseoftheselfishnessofmen。
\"Ireckonwe\'dallliketohearwhatcomeoff，Creech，ifyoudon\'tfeeltoobadtotellus，\"saidBrackton。
\"Gimmeadrink，\"repliedCreech。
\"Wal，d——nmyoldhead!\"exclaimedBrackton。\"I\'mgittin\'old。Comeonin。Allofyou!We\'regladtoseeCreechhome。\"
TheridersfiledinafterBracktonandtheCreeches。HolleystayedclosebesideSlone，bothoftheminthebackground。
\"Iheerdthefloodcomin\'thetnight，\"saidCreechtohissilentandtense-facedlisteners。\"Iheerditmilesupthecanyon。\'Pearedabiggerroarthananyfloodbefore。Asithappened，Iwasalone，an\'ittooktimetogitthehossesup。Ifthere\'dbeenanIndianwithme——orevenJoel——mebbe——\"Hisvoicequaveredslightly，broke，andthenheresumed。\"EvenwhenIgotthehossesovertothelandin\'itwasn\'ttoolate——ifonlysomeonehadheerdmean\'comedown。Iyelledan\'shot。Nobodyheerd。Theriverwasrisin\'fast。An\'
thetroarhadbeguntomakemyhairraise。ItseemedlikeyearsthetimeI
waitedthere。Thenthefloodcamedown——blackan\'windyan\'awful。I
hadhellgittin\'thehossesback。
\"Nextmornin\'twoPiutescomedown。Theyhadlostmustangsupontherocks。
Allthefeedonmyplacewasgone。Therewasn\'tnothin\'todobuttrytogitout。ThePiutessaidtherewasn\'tnochancenorth——nowater——nograss——an\'soIdecidedtogosouth，ifwecouldclimboverthetlastslide。Pegbrokeherlegthere，an\'——I——Ihadtoshoother。Butweclimbedoutwiththerestofthebunch。IleftitthentothePiutes。Wetraveledfivedayswesttoheadthecanyons。Nograssan\'onlyalittlewater，saltatthet。BlueRoanwasgameifeverIseenagamehoss。ThenthePiutestooktoworkin\'inan\'outan\'
around，nottogitout，buttofindalittlegrazin\'。Ineverknowedtheearthwassobarren。Onebyonethemhosseswentdown。An\'atlast，I
couldn\'t——Icouldn\'tseeBlueRoanstarvin\'——dyin\'rightbeforemyeyes——an\'I
shothim，too。An\'whathurtsmemostnowisthetIdidn\'thavethenervetokillhimfustoff。\"
TherewasalongpauseinCreech\'snarrative。
\"ThemPiuteswillgitpaidifeverIcanpaythem。I\'dparchedmyselfbutforthem。Wecircledan\'crossedthemredcliffsan\'thenthestripofredsand，an\'workeddownintothecanyon。Underthewallwasalongstretchofbeach——sandy——an\'attheheadofthiswefoundBostil\'sboat。\"
\"Wal，——!\"burstouttheprofaneBrackton。\"Bostil\'sboat!Say，\'ain\'tJoeltoldyouyetaboutthetboat？\"
\"No，Joel\'ain\'tsaidawordabouttheboat，\"repliedCreech。\"Whataboutit？\"
\"Itwascutloosejestbeforetheflood。\"
ManifestlyBracktonexpectedthistobestaggeringtoCreech。Buthedidnotevenshowsurprise。
\"There\'sariderherenamedSlone——awild-hosswrangler，\"wentonBrackton，\"an\'JoelswearsthisSlonecuttheboatlooseso\'she\'dhaveabetterchancetowintherace。JoelswearshetrackedthisfellerSlone。\"
ForSlonethemomentwasfraughtwithmanyemotions，butnotoneofthemwasfear。HedidnotneedthesuddenforceofHolley\'sstronghand，pushinghimforward。SlonebrokeintothegroupandfacedCreech。
\"It\'snottrue。Inevercutthatboatloose，\"hedeclaredringingly。
\"Who\'reyou？\"queriedCreech。
\"Myname\'sSlone。Irodeinherewithawildhorse，an\'hewonarace。ThenI
wasblamedforthistrick。\"
Creech\'ssteady，gloomyeyesseemedtopierceSlonethrough。Theywereterribleeyestolookinto，yettheyheldnomenaceforhim。\"An\'Joelaccusedyou？\"
\"Sotheysay。Ifoughtwithhim——struckhimforaninsulttoagirl。\"
\"Comeroundhyar，Joel，\"calledCreech，sternly。Hisbig，scaly，blackhandclosedontheboy\'sshoulder。Joelcringedunderit。\"Son，you\'velied。Whatfor？\"
Joelshowedabjectfearofhisfather。\"He\'sgoneonLucy——an\'Iseenhimwithher，\"mutteredtheboy。
\"An\'youliedtohurtSlone？\"
Joelwouldnotreplytothisinspeech，thoughthatwasscarcelyneededtoshowhehadlied。Heseemedtohavenosenseofguilt。Creecheyedhimpityinglyandthenpushedhimback。
\"Men，mysonhasdonethisriderdirt，\"saidCreech。\"You-allseethet。Slonenevercuttheboatloose。An\'say，you-allseemtothinkcuttin\'thetboatloosewasthecrime。No!Thetwasn\'tthecrime。Thecrimewaskeepin\'theboatoutofthewaterferdayswhenmyhossescouldhavebeencrossed。\"
Slonesteppedback，forgotten，itseemedtohim。Bothjoyandsorrowswayedhim。Hehadbeenexonerated。ButthishardandgloomyCreech——heknewthings。
AndSlonethoughtofLucy。
\"Whodidcutthettharboatloose？\"demandedBrackton，incredulously。
Creechgavehimastrangeglance。\"AsIwassayin\'，wecomeontheboatfastattheheadofthelongstretch。Iseenthecableshadbeencut。An\'Iseenmore\'nthet。Wal，theriverwashighan\'swift。Butthiswasalongstretchwithgoodlandin\'waybelowontheotherside。Wegottheboatin，an\'
byrowin\'hardan\'driftin\'wegotacrost，leadin\'thehosses。Wehadfivewhenwetooktotheriver。Twowentdownonthewayover。Weclimbedoutthen。
ThePiuteswenttofindsomeNavajosan\'gethosses。An\'IheadedfertheFord——madecamptwice。An\'Joelseenmecomin\'outaways。\"
\"Creech，wasthereanythin\'leftinthetboat？\"beganBrackton，withintensebutponderingcuriosity。\"Anythin\'ontheropes——orso——thetmightgiveanideewhocutherloose？\"
Creechmadenoreplytothat。Thegloomburneddarkerinhiseyes。Heseemedamanwithasecret。Hetrustednoonethere。Thesemenwereallfriendsofhis，butfriendsunderstrangeconditions。Hissilencewastragic，andallaboutthemanbreathedvengeance。
CHAPTERXVI
Nomoonshowedthatnight，andfewstarstwinkledbetweentheslow-movingclouds。Theairwasthickandoppressive，fulloftheday\'sheatthathadnotblownaway。Adrystormmovedindrymajestyacrossthehorizon，andthesheetsandropesoflightning，blazingwhitebehindtheblackmonuments，gaveweirdandbeautifulgrandeurtothedesert。
LucyBostilhadtoevadeheraunttogetoutofthehouse，andthewindow，thathadnotbeenthemeansofexitsinceBostilleft，oncemorecameintouse。AuntJanehadgrownsuspiciousoflate，andLucy，muchasshewantedtotrustherwithhersecret，darednotdoit。ForsomereasonunknowntoLucy，Holleyhadalsobeenhardtomanage，particularlyto-day。LucycertainlydidnotwantHolleytoaccompanyheronhernightlyrendezvouswithSlone。Shechangedherlightgowntothedarkerandthickerriding-habit。
Therewasalonged-for，all-satisfyingflavorinthisnightadventure——somethingthathadnotalltodowithlove。Thestealth，theoutwittingofguardians，thedarkness，thesilence，therisk——allthesecalledtosomedeep，undevelopedinstinctinher，andthrilledalongherveins，cool，keen，exciting。Shehadthebloodinherofthegreatestadventurerofhisday。
Lucyfearedshewasalittlelate。AllayingthesuspicionsofAuntJaneandchangingherdresshadtakentime。Lucyburnedwithlesscautioussteps。StillshehadonlyusedcautioninthegrovebecauseshehadpromisedSlonetodoso。Thisnightsheforgotordisregardedit。Andtheshadowswerethick——darkerthanatanyothertimewhenshehadundertakenthisventure。Shehadalwaysbeenalittleafraidofthedark——afactthatmadehercontemptuousofherself。Nevertheless，shedidnotpeerintothedeeperpitsofgloom。Sheknewherwayandcouldslipswiftlyalongwithonlyarustleofleavesshetouched。
Suddenlysheimaginedsheheardastepandshehalted，stillasatree-trunk。
Therewasnoreasontobeafraidofastep。Ithadbeenasurprisetoherthatshehadneverencounteredariderwalkingandsmokingunderthetrees。
Listening，sheassuredherselfshehadbeenmistaken，andthenwenton。Butshelookedback。Didsheseeashadow——darkerthanothers——moving？Itwasonlyherimagination。Yetshesustainedaslightchill。Theairseemedmoreoppressive，orelsetherewassomeintangibleandstrangethinghoveringinit。Shewenton——reachedthelanethatdividedthegrove。Butshedidnotcrossatonce。Itwaslighterinthislane；shecouldseequitefar。
Asshestoodthere，listening，keenlyresponsivetoalltheinfluencesofthenight，shereceivedanimpressionthatdidnothaveitsorigininsightnorsound。Andonlytheleavestouchedher——andonlytheirdryfragrancecametoher。Butshefeltapresence——astrange，indefinablepresence。
ButLucywasbrave，andthisfeeling，whateveritmightbe，angeredher。Sheenteredthelaneandstoleswiftlyalongtowardtheendofthegrove。Pathscrossedthelaneatrightangles，andatthesepointsshewentswifter。ItwouldbesomethingtotellSlone——shehadbeenfrightened。Butthoughtofhimdroveawayherfearandnervousness，andherangerwithherself。
Thenshecametoawiderpath。Shescarcelynoteditandpassedon。Thencameaquickrustle——aswiftshadow。Betweentwosteps——asherheartleaped——violentarmssweptherofftheground。Ahardhandwasclappedoverhermouth。Shewasbeingcarriedswiftlythroughthegloom。
Lucytriedtostruggle。Shecouldscarcelymoveamuscle。Ironarmswrappedherincoilsthatcrushedher。Shetriedtoscream，butherlipsweretight-pressed。Hernostrilswerealmostclosedbetweentwohardfingersthatsmelledofhorse。
Whoeverhadher，shewashelpless。Lucy\'sfuryadmittedofreason。Thenbothsuccumbedtoaparalyzinghorror。Cordtshadgother!Sheknewit。Shegrewlimpasaragandhersensesdulled。Shealmostfainted。Thesickeningparalysisofherfacultieslingered。Butshefeltherbodyreleased——shewasplaceduponherfeet——shewasshakenbyaroughhand。Sheswayed，andbutforthathandmighthavefallen。Shecouldseeatall，darkformoverher，andhorses，andthegloomygrayopenofthesageslope。Thehandleftherface。
\"Don\'tyap，girl!\"Thiscommandinahard，lowvoicepiercedherears。Shesawtheglintofagunheldbeforeher。Instinctivefearrevivedheroldfaculties。Thehorriblesickweakness，thedimness，theshakinginternalcollapsealllefther。
\"I\'ll——be——quiet!\"shefaltered。Sheknewwhatherfatherhadalwaysfearedhadcometopass。Andthoughshehadbeentoldtoputnovalueonherlife，inthatevent，shecouldnotrun。Allinaninstant——whenlifehadbeensosweet——shecouldnotfacepainordeath。
Themanmovedbackastep。Hewastall，gaunt，ragged。ButnotlikeCordts!
NeverwouldsheforgetCordts。Shepeeredupathim。InthedimlightofthefewstarssherecognizedJoelCreech\'sfather。
\"Oh，thankGod!\"shewhispered，intheshockofblessedrelief。Ithought——youwere——Cordts!\"
\"Keepquiet，\"hewhisperedback，sternly，andwithroughhandheshookher。
Lucyawoketorealities。Somethingevilmenacedher，eventhoughthismanwasnotCordts。Hermindcouldnotgraspit。Shewasamazed——stunned。Shestruggledtospeak，yettokeepwithinthatwarningcommand。
\"What——onearth——doesthis-mean？\"shegasped，verylow。ShehadnosenseoffearofCreech。Once，whenheandherfatherhadbeenfriends，shehadbeenafavoriteofCreech\'s。Whenalittlegirlshehadriddenhiskneemanytimes。
BetweenCreechandCordtstherewasimmeasurabledistance。Yetshehadbeenviolentlyseizedandcarriedoutintothesageandmenaced。
Creechleaneddown。Hisgauntface，lightedbyterribleeyes，madeherrecoil。
\"Bostilruinedme——an\'killedmyhosses，\"hewhispered，grimly。\"An\'I\'mtakin\'youaway。An\'I\'llholdyouinransomfortheKingan\'Sarchedon——an\'
allhisracers!\"
\"Oh!\"criedLucy，instartlingsurprisethatyetheldapang。\"Oh，Creech!。Thenyoumeanmenoharm!\"
Themanstraightenedupandstoodamoment，darklysilent，asifherqueryhadpresentedanewaspectofthecase。\"LucyBostil，I\'mabrokenmanan\'wildan\'fullofhate。ButGodknowsIneverthoughtofthet——ofharmtoyou。
No，child，Iwon\'tharmyou。Butyoumustobeyan\'goquietly，forthere\'sadevilinme。\"
\"Wherewillyoutakeme？\"sheasked。
\"Downinthecanyons，wherenoonecantrackme，\"hesaid。\"It\'llbehardgoin\'feryou，child，an\'hardfare。ButI\'mstrikin\'atBostil\'sheartashehasbrokenmine。I\'llsendhimword。An\'I\'lltellhimifhewon\'tgivehishossesthetI\'llsellyoutoCordts。\"
\"Oh，Creech——butyouwouldn\'t!\"shewhispered，andherhandwenttohisbrawnyarm。
\"Lucy，inthetcaseI\'dmakeaspoorablackguardasanythin\'elseI\'vebeen，\"
hesaid，forlornly。\"ButI\'mfiggerin\'Bostilwillgiveuphishossesferyou。\"
\"Creech，I\'mafraidhewon\'t。You\'dbettergivemeup。Letmegoback。I\'llnevertell。Idon\'tblameyou。Ithinkyou\'resquare。Mydadis。But，oh，don\'tmakeMEsuffer!Youusedto——tocareforme，whenIwaslittle。\"
\"Thetain\'tnouse，\"hereplied。\"Don\'ttalknomore。Gituphyarnowan\'rideinfrontofme。\"
Heledhertoaleanmustang。Lucyswungintothesaddle。Shethoughthowsingularacoincidenceitwasthatshehadwornariding-habit。Itwasdarkandthick，andcomfortableforriding。Supposeshehadworntheflimsydress，inwhichshehadmetSloneeverynightsavethisone？ThoughtofSlonegaveherapang。Hewouldwaitandwaitandwait。Hewouldgobacktohiscabin，notknowingwhathadbefallenher。
SuddenlyLucynoticedanotherman，nearathand，holdingtwomustangs。Hemounted，rodebeforeher，andthensherecognizedJoelCreech。Assuranceofthisbroughtbacksomethingofthedread。Butthefathercouldcontroltheson!
\"Rideon，\"saidCreech，hittingherhorsefrombehind。
AndLucyfoundherselfridingsinglefile，withtwomenandapack-horse，outuponthewindy，darksageslope。Theyfacedthedirectionofthemonuments，loomingnowandthensoweirdlyblackandgrandagainstthebroadflareoflightning-blazedsky。
EversinceLucyhadreachedherteenstherehadbeenpredictionsthatshewouldbekidnapped，andnowthethinghadcometopass。Shewasindanger，sheknew，butininfinitelylessthanhadanyotherwildcharacteroftheuplandsbeenhercaptor。Shebelieved，ifshewentquietlyandobedientlywithCreech，thatshewouldbe，atleast，safefromharm。ItwashardluckforBostil，shethought，butnoworsethanhedeserved。Retributionhadovertakenhim。Howterriblyhardhewouldtakethelossofhishorses!LucywonderedifhereallyeverwouldpartwiththeKing，eventosaveherfromprivationandperil。
BostilwasmorelikelytotrailherwithhisridersandtokilltheCreechesthantoconcedetheirdemands。Perhaps，though，thatthreattosellhertoCordtswouldfrightenthehardoldman。
Thehorsestrottedandswungupovertheslope，turninggradually，evidentlytomakeawidedetourroundtheFord，untilLucy\'sbackwastowardthemonuments。Beforeherstretchedthebleak，barren，darkdesert，andthroughtheopaquegloomshecouldseenothing。Lucyknewshewasheadedforthenorth，towardthewildcanyons，unknowntotheriders。Cordtsandhisganghidinthere。WhatmightnothappeniftheCreechesfellinwithCordts？Lucy\'sconfidencesustainedacheck。Still，sherememberedtheCreecheswerelikeIndians。AndwhatwouldSlonedo？Hewouldrideoutonhertrail。LucyshiveredfortheCreechesifSloneevercaughtupwiththem，andrememberinghiswild-horse-hunter\'sskillattracking，andthefleetandtirelessWildfire，shegrewconvincedthatCreechcouldnotlongholdhercaptive。ForSlonewouldbewary。Hewouldgivenosignofhispursuit。HewouldstealupontheCreechesinthedarkand——Lucyshiveredagain。WhatanawfulfatehadbeenthatofDickSears!
SoassherodeonLucy\'smindwasfull。Shewasusedtoriding，andinthemotionofahorsetherewassomethinginharmonywithherblood。Evennow，withworryanddreadandplottingstronguponher，habithadsuchpoweroverherthatridingmadethehoursfleet。Shewassurprisedtobehalted，toseedimlylow，darkmoundsofrockahead。
\"Gitoff，\"saidCreech。
\"Wherearewe？\"askedLucy。
\"Reckonhyar\'stherocks。An\'yousleepsome，feryou\'llneedit。\"Hespreadablanket，laidhersaddleattheheadofit，anddroppedanotherblanket。\"WhatIwanttoknowis——shallItieyouupornot？\"askedCreech。\"IfIdoyou\'llgitsore。An\'this\'llbethetoughesttripyouevermade。\"
\"YoumeanwillItrytogetawayfromyou——ornot？\"queriedLucy。
\"Jestthet。\"
Lucypondered。Shedivinedsomefinenessoffeelinginthiscoarseman。Hewantedtosparehernotonlypain，butthenecessityofwatchfuleyesonhereverymoment。Lucydidnotliketopromisenottotrytoescape，ifopportunitypresented。Still，shereasoned，thatoncedeepinthecanyons，whereshewouldbeinanotherday，shewouldbeworseoffifshedidgetaway。
ThememoryofCordts\'scavernous，hungryeyesuponherwasnotasmallfactorinLucy\'sdecision。
\"Creech，ifIgivemywordnottotrytogetaway，wouldyoubelieveme？\"sheasked。
Creechwasslowinreplying。\"ReckonIwould，\"hesaid，finally。
\"Allright，I\'llgiveit。\"
\"An\'thet\'ssense。Nowyoulaydown。\"
Lucydidasshewasbiddenandpulledtheblanketoverher。Theplacewasgloomyandstill。Sheheardthesoundofmustangs\'teethongrass，andthesoftfootfallsofthemen。Presentlythesesoundsceased。Acoldwindblewoverherfaceandrustledinthesagenearher。Graduallythechillpassedaway，andastealingwarmthtookitsplace。Hereyesgrewtired。Whathadhappenedtoher？Witheyesclosedshethoughtitwasalladream。Thenthefeelingofthehardsaddleasapillowunderherheadtoldhershewasindeedfarfromhercomfortablelittleroom。WhatwouldpoorAuntJanedointhemorningwhenshediscoveredwhowasmissing？WhatwouldHolleydo？WhenwouldBostilreturn？Itmightbesoonanditmightbedays。AndSlone——Lucyfeltsorriestforhim。Forhelovedherbest。ShethrilledatthoughtofSloneonthatgrandhorse——onherWildfire。Andwithhermindrunningonandon，seeminglymakingsleepimpossible，thethoughtsatlastbecamedreams。Lucyawakenedatdawn。Onehandachedwithcold，forithadbeenoutsidetheblanket。Herhardbedhadcrampedhermuscles。Sheheardthecracklingoffireandsmelledcedarsmoke。InthegrayofmorningshesawtheCreechesroundacamp-fire。
Lucygotupthen。Bothmensawher，butmadenocomment。Inthatcold，graydawnshefeltherpredicamentmoregravely。Herhairwasdamp。Shehadriddennearlyallnightwithoutahat。Shehadabsolutelynothingofherownexceptwhatwasonherbody。ButLucythankedherluckystarsthatshehadwornthethickriding-suitandherboots，forotherwise，inasummerdress，herconditionwouldsoonhavebeenmiserable。
\"Comean\'eat，\"saidCreech。\"Youhavesense——an\'eatifitsticksinyourthroat。\"
Bostilhadalwayscontendedinhisargumentswithridersthatamanshouldeatheartilyonthestartofatripsothatthefinishmightfindhimstrong。AndLucyate，thoughthecoarsefaresickenedher。OnceshelookedcuriouslyatJoelCreech。Shefelthiseyesuponher，butinstantlyheavertedthem。Hehadgrownmorehaggardandsullenthaneverbefore。
TheCreechesdidnotloiteroverthecamptasks。Lucywaslefttoherself。Theplaceappearedtobeakindofdepressionfromwhichthedesertrolledawaytoabulgeagainsttherosyeast，andtherocksbehindrosebrokenandyellow，fringedwithcedars。
\"Gitthehossesin，ifyouwantto，\"Creechcalledtoher，andthenasLucystartedofftowherethemustangsgrazedsheheardhimcursehisson。\"Comebackhyar!LeavethegirlaloneorI\'llrapyouone!\"
Lucydrovethreeofthemustangsintocamp，whereCreechbegantosaddlethem。
Theremainingone，thepackanimal，Lucyfoundamongthescrubcedarsatthebaseofthelowcliffs。WhenshedrovehiminCreechwastalkinghardtoJoel，whohadmounted。
\"Whenyoucomeback，workupthiscanyontillyougitup。Itheadsonthepineplateau。Ican\'tmissseein\'you，oranyone，longbeforeyougitupontop。
An\'youneedn\'tcomewithoutBostil\'shosses。YouknowwhattotellBostilifhethreatensyou，orrefusestosendhishosses，orturnshisridersonmytrail。Thet\'sall。Nowgit!\"
JoelCreechrodeawaytowardtheriseintherolling，barrendesert。
\"An\'nowwe\'llgoon，\"saidCreechtoLucy。
WhenhehadgottenallinreadinessheorderedLucytofollowcloselyinhistracks。Heenteredanarrowcleftinthelowcliffswhichwoundinandout，andwasthickwithsageandcedars。Lucy，ridingclosetothecedars，conceivedtheideaofpluckingthelittlegreenberriesanddroppingthemonpartsofthetrailwheretheirtrackswouldnotshow。Warilyshefilledthepocketsofherjacket。
Creechledthewaywithoutlookingback，anddidnotseemtocarewherethehorsesstepped。Thetimehadnotyetcome，Lucyconcluded，whenhewasreadytohidehistrail。Presentlythenarrowcleftopenedintoalow-walledcanyon，fullofdebrisfromtherottingcliffs，andthisinturnopenedintoamaincanyonwithmountingyellowcrags。Itappearedtoleadnorth。Farinthedistanceaboverimsandcragsroseinalong，blacklinelikeahorizonofdarkcloud。
Creechcrossedthiswidecanyonandenteredoneofthemanybreaksinthewall。Thisonewasfullofsplinteredrockandweatheredshale——thehardestkindoftravelforbothmanandbeast。Lucywasnothingifnotconsiderateofahorse，andhereshebegantohelpheranimalinallthewaysagoodriderknows。Muchasthistaxedherattention，sherememberedtodropsomeofthecedarberriesuponhardgroundorrocks。AndsheknewshewasleavingatrailforSlone\'skeeneyes。
ThatdaywastheswiftestandthemoststrenuousinallLucyBostil\'sexperienceintheopen。Atsunset，whenCreechhaltedinanicheinagorgebetweenloweringcliffs，Lucyfelloffherhorseandlaystillandspentonthegrass。
Creechhadaglanceofsympathyandadmirationforher，buthedidnotsayanythingaboutthelongday\'sride。Lucyneverinherlifebeforeappreciatedrestnorthesoftnessofgrassnorthereliefattheendofaride。Shelaystillwithathrobbing，burningacheinallherbody。Creech，afterhehadturnedthehorsesloose，broughtheradrinkofcoldwaterfromthebrooksheheardsomewherenearby。
\"How——far——did——we——come？\"shewhispered。
\"BythewayroundIreckonnighontosixtymiles，\"hereplied。\"Butweain\'thalfthetfarfromwherewecampedlastnight。\"
Thenhesettoworkatcamptasks。Lucyshookherheadwhenhebroughtherfood，butheinsisted，andshehadtoforceitdown。Creechappearedroughbutkind。Aftershehadbecomeusedtothehard，gaunt，blackfaceshesawsadnessandthoughtinit。OnethingLucyhadnoticedwasthatCreechneverfailedtospareahorse，ifitwaspossible。Hewouldclimbonfootoverbadplaces。
Nightsoonmantledthegorgeinblacknessthickaspitch。Lucycouldnottellwhetherhereyeswereopenorshut，sofaraswhatshesawwasconcerned。Hereyesseemedfilled，however，withathousandpicturesofthewildandtortuouscanyonsandgorgesthroughwhichshehadriddenthatday。Theacheinherlimbsandthefeverinherbloodwouldnotlethersleep。Itseemedthatthesewereforevertobeapartofher。Fortwelvehoursshehadriddenandwalkedwithscarceathoughtofthenatureofthewildcountry，yetonceshelaydowntoresthermindwasanendlesshurryingprocessionofpictures——narrowredcleftschokedwithgreengrowths——yellowgorgesandweatheredslides——dusty，treacherousdividesconnectingcanyons——jumblesofruinedcliffsandpilesofshale——milesandmilesandendlesswindingmilesyellow，low，beetlingwalls。
Andthroughitallshehadleftatrail。
NextdayCreechclimbedoutofthatlow-walledcanyon，andLucysawawild，rockycountrycutbygorges，greenandbare，oryellowandcedared。Thelong，black-fringedlineshehadnoticedthedaybeforeloomedcloser；overhangingthiscrisscrossedregionofcanyons。Everyhalf-hourCreechwouldleadthemdownwardandpresentlyclimboutagain。Thereweresandandhardgroundandthickturfandacresandacresofbarerockwhereevenashodhorsewouldnotleaveatrack。
Butthegoingwasnotsohard——therewasnotsomuchtravelonfootforLucy——andshefinishedthatdayinbetterconditionthanthefirstone。
NextdayCreechproceededwithcareandcaution。Manytimesheleftthedirectroute，biddingLucywaitforhim，andhewouldridetotherimsofcanyonsorthetopsofridgesofcedarforests，andfromthesevantage-pointshewouldsurveythecountry。Lucygatheredafterawhilethathewasapprehensiveofwhatmightbeencountered，andparticularlysoofwhatmightbefearedinpursuit。Lucythoughtthisstrange，becauseitwasoutofthequestionforanyonetobesosoononCreech\'strail。
ThesepeculiaractionsofCreechweremorenoticeableonthethirdday，andLucygrewapprehensiveherself。Shecouldnotdivinewhy。ButwhenCreechhaltedonahighcrestthatgaveasweepingvisionofthebrokentable-landtheyhadtraversedLucymadeoutforherselffaintmovingspecksmilesbehind。
\"Ireckonyouseethet，\"saidCreech\"Horses，\"repliedLucy。
Henoddedhisheadgloomily，andseemedponderingaseriousquestion。
\"Issomeonetrailingus？\"askedLucy，andshecouldnotkeepthetremoroutofhervoice。
\"Wal，Ishouldsmile!Fertwodays-an\'itsurebeatsme。They\'veneverhadasightofus。Buttheykeepcomin\'。\"
\"They!Who？\"sheasked，swiftly。
\"Ihatetotellyou，butIreckonIought。Thet\'sCordtsan\'twoofhisgang。\"
\"Oh——don\'ttellmeso!\"criedLucy，suddenlyterrified。MentionofCordtshadnotalwayshadpowertofrightenher，butthistimeshehadareturnofthatshakingfearwhichhadovercomeherinthegrovethenightshewascaptured。
\"Cordtsallright，\"repliedCreech。\"IknowedthetbeforeIseenhim。Fertwomornin\'sbackIseenhishossgrazininthetwidecanyon。ButIthoughtI\'dslippedby。Someoneseenus。Ortheyseenourtrail。Anyway，he\'safterus。
Whatbeatsmeishowhestickstothettrail。Cordtsneverwasnotracker。An\'
sinceDickSearsisdeadthereain\'tatrackerinCordts\'soutfit。An\'I
alwayscouldhidemytracks。Beatsme!\"
\"Creech，I\'vebeenleavingatrail，\"confessedLucy。
\"What!\"
Thenshetoldhimhowshehadbeendroppingcedarberriesandbitsofcedarleavesalongthebareandstonycoursetheyhadtraversed。
\"Wal，I\'m——\"Creechstifledanoath。Thenhelaughed，butgruffly。\"Youairacuteone。ButIreckonyoudidn\'tpromisenottodothet。An\'nowifCordtsgitsyouthere\'llbeonlyyourselftoblame。\"
\"Oh!\"criedLucy，franticallylookingback。Themovingspeckswereplainlyinsight。\"Howcanheknowhe\'strailingme？\"
\"ThetIcan\'tsay。Mebbehedoesn\'tknow。Hishossesairfresh，though，an\'ifIcan\'tshakehimhe\'llfindoutsoonenoughwhohe\'strailin\'。\"
\"Goon!Wemustshakehim。I\'llneverdoTHATagain!ForGod\'ssake，Creech，don\'tlethimgetme!\"
AndCreechleddownoffthehighopenlandintocanyonsagain。
Thedayended，andthenightseemedablackblanktoLucy。AnothersunrisefoundCreechleadingon，sparingneitherLucynorthehorses。Hekeptonasteadywalkortrot，andhepickedoutgroundlesslikelytoleaveanytracks。
Likeanolddeerhedoubledonhistrail。Hetraveleddownstream-bedswherethewaterleftnotrail。Thatdaythemustangsbegantofail。Theotherswerewearingout。
Thecanyonsranliketheribsofawash-board。Andtheygrewdeepandverdant，withlooming，toweredwalls。ThatnightLucyfeltlostinanabyss。Thedreamingsilencekeptherawakemanymomentswhilesleephadalreadyseizeduponhereyelids。AndthenshedreamedofCordtscapturingher，ofcarryinghermilesdeeperintothesewildandpurplecliffs，ofSloneinpursuitonthestallionWildfire，andofasavagefight。Andsheawoketerrifiedandcoldintheblacknessofthenight。
OnthenextdayCreechtraveledwest。ThisseemedtoLucytobefartotheleftofthedirectiontakenbefore。AndLucy，inspiteofherutterweariness，andthenecessityofcaringforherselfandherhorse，couldnotbutwonderatthewildandfrowningcanyon。Itwasonlyatributaryofthegreatcanyon，shesupposed，butitwasdifferent，strange，impressive，yetintimate，becauseallaboutitwasoverpowering，nearathand，eventhebeetlingcrags。Andateveryturnitseemedimpossibletogofartheroverthatnarrowandrock-bestrewnfloor。YetCreechfoundawayon。
ThencamehoursofclimbingsuchslopesandbenchesandledgesasLucyhadnotyetencountered。Thegraspingspikesofdeadcedartoreherdresstoshreds，andmanyascratchburnedherflesh。AboutthemiddleoftheafternoonCreechledupoverthelastdeclivity，ayellowslopeofcedar，toaflatuplandcoveredwithpineandhighbleachedgrass。Theyrested。
\"We\'vefooledCordts，youcanbesureofthet，\"saidCreech。\"You\'reagamekid，an\'，byGawd!ifIhadthisjobtodooverI\'dnevertackleitagain!\"
\"Oh，you\'resurewe\'velosthim？\"imploredLucy。
\"SureasIamofdeath。An\'we\'llmakesurerincrossin\'thisbench。It\'smilestotheothersidewhereI\'mtokeepwatchferJoel。An\'wewon\'tleaveatrackalltheway。\"
\"Butthisgrass？\"questionedLucy。\"It\'llshowourtracks。\"
\"Lookatthelanesan\'trailsbetween。Allpinematsthickan\'softan\'
springy。OnlyanIndiancouldfollowushyaronWildHossBench。\"
Lucygazedbeforeherunderthepines。Itwasabeautifulforest，withtreesstandingfarapart，yetnotsofarbutthattheirfoliageintermingled。Adryfragrance，thickasaheavyperfume，blewintoherface。Shecouldnothelpbutthinkoffire——howitwouldracethroughhere，andthatrecalledJoelCreech\'shorriblethreat。Lucyshudderedandputawaythememory。\"Ican\'tgo——anyfarther——to-day，\"shesaid。
Creechlookedathercompassionately。ThenLucybecameconsciousthatoflatehehadsoftened。
\"You\'llhavetocome，\"hesaid。\"There\'snowateronthisside，shortofthetcanyon-bed。An\'acrostthere\'swatercloseunderthewall。\"
Sotheysetoutintotheforest。AndLucyfoundthatafterallshecouldgoon。Thehorseswalkedandonthesoft，springygrounddidnotjarher。Deerandwildturkeyaboundedthereandshowedlittlealarmatsightofthetravelers。AndbeforelongLucyfeltthatshewouldbecomeintoxicatedbythedryodor。Itwassostrong，sothick，sopenetrating。Yet，thoughshefeltshewouldreelunderitsinfluence，itrevivedher。
Theafternoonpassed；thesunsetoffthroughthepines，ablack-streaked，goldenflare；twilightshortlychangedtonight。Thetreeslookedspectralinthegloom，andtheforestappearedtogrowthicker。Wolvesmurmured，andtherewerewildcriesofcatandowl。Lucyfellasleeponherhorse。Atlast，sometimelateinthenight，whenCreechliftedherfromthesaddleandlaidherdown，shestretchedoutonthesoftmatofpineneedlesandknewnomore。
Shedidnotawakenuntiltheafternoonofthenextday。ThesitewhereCreechhadmadehisfinalcampoverlookedthewildestofallthatwilduplandcountry。Thepineshadscatteredandtroopedaroundabeautifulparkofgrassthatendedabruptlyuponbarerock。Yellowcragstoweredabovetherim，andunderthemayawningnarrowgorge，overshadowedfromabove，blueinitsdepths，splittheendofthegreatplateauandopenedoutsheerintotheheadofthecanyon，which，accordingtoCreech，stretchedawaythroughthatwildernessofredstoneandgreenclefts。WhenLucy\'sfascinatedgazelookedafarshewasstunnedatthevast，billowy，baresurfaces。Everygreencleftwasashortcanyonrunningparallelwiththiscentralandlongerone。Thedipsandbreaksshowedhowallthesecanyonswereconnected。Theyledthegazeaway，descendinggraduallytothedimpurpleofdistance——thebare，rollingdesertupland。
Lucydidnothingbutgaze。Shewasunabletowalkoreatthatday。Creechhungaroundherwitharemorseheapparentlyfelt，yetcouldnotputintowords。
\"DoyouexpectJoeltocomeupthisbigcanyon？\"
\"IreckonIdo——someday，\"repliedCreech。\"An\'Iwishhe\'dhurry。\"
\"Doesheknowtheway？\"
\"Nope。Buthe\'sgoodatfindin\'places。An\'Itoldhimtosticktothemaincanyon。Wouldyoubelieveyoucouldrideofferthisrim，straightdowntharferfiftymiles，an\'nevergitoffyourhoss？\"
