\"No，Iwouldn\'tbelieveitpossible。\"
\"Wal，it\'sso。I\'vedoneit。An\'Ididn\'twanttocomeupthetwaybecauseI\'dhadtoleavetracks。\"
\"Doyouthinkwe\'resafe——fromCordtsnow？\"sheasked。
\"Ireckonso。He\'snotracker。\"
\"Butsupposehedoestrailus？\"
\"Wal，IreckonI\'veashadethebestofCordtsatgun-play，anyday。\"
Lucyregardedthemaninsurprise。\"Oh，it\'sso——strange!\"shesaid。\"You\'dfightforme。Yetyoudraggedmefordaysovertheseawfulrocks!Lookatme，Creech。DoIlookmuchlikeLucyBostil？\"
Creechhunghishead。\"Wal，IreckonedIwasn\'tablackguard，butIAM。\"
\"YouusedtocareformewhenIwaslittle。IrememberhowIusedtotakeridesonyourknee。\"
\"Lucy，IneverthoughtofthetwhenIketchedyou。Youwasonlyameanstoanend。Bostilhatedme。Heruinedme。Igiveuptorevenge。An\'Icouldonlygitthetthroughyou。\"
\"Creech，I\'mnotdefendingDad。He\'s——he\'snogoodwherehorsesareconcerned。
Iknowhewrongedyou。Thenwhydidn\'tyouwaitandmeethimlikeamaninsteadofdraggingmetothismisery？\"
\"Wal，Ineverthoughtofthet，either。IwishedIhad。\"Hegrewgloomierthenandrelapsedintosilentwatching。
Lucyfeltbetternextday，andofferedtohelpCreechatthefewcampduties。
Hewouldnotlether。Therewasnothingtodobutrestandwait，andtheidlenessappearedtobeharderonCreechthanonLucy。Hehadalwaysbeenexceedinglyactive。Lucydivinedthateveryhourhisremorsegrewkeener，andshedidallshecouldthinkoftomakeitso。Creechmadeherarudebrushbygatheringsmallrootsandbindingthemtightlyandcuttingtheendssquare。
AndLucy，afterthemannerofanIndian，gotthetanglesoutofherhair。ThatdayCreechseemedtowanttohearLucy\'svoice，andsotheyoftenfellintoconversation。Oncehesaid，thoughtfully:
\"I\'mtryin\'toremembersomethin\'IheerdattheFord。Imeanttoaskyou——\"
Suddenlyheturnedtoherwithanimation。Hewhohadbeensogloomyandlusterlessanddeadshowedabrighteagerness。\"IheerdyoubeattheKingonaredhoss——awildhoss!Thetmusthavebeenajoke——likeoneofJoel\'s。\"
\"No。It\'strue。An\'Dadnearlyhadafit!\"
\"Wal!\"Creechsimplyblazedwithexcitement。\"Iain\'twonderin\'ifhedid。Hisowngirl!Lucy，cometoremember，youalwayssaidyou\'dbeatthetgrayracer……FertheLord\'ssaketellmeallaboutit。\"
Lucywarmedtohimbecause，brokenashewas，hecouldbegenuinelygladsomehorsebuthisownhadwonarace。Bostilcouldneverhavebeenlikethat。SoLucytoldhimabouttherace——andthenshehadtotellaboutWildfire，andthenaboutSlone。ButatfirstallofCreech\'sinterestcenteredroundWildfireandtheracethathadnotreallybeenrun。Heaskedahundredquestions。Hewasaspleasedasaboylisteningtoagoodstory。HepraisedLucyagainandagain。HecrowedoverBostil\'sdiscomfiture。AndwhenLucytoldhimthatSlonehaddaredherfathertorace，hadofferedtobetWildfireandhisownlifeagainstherhand，thenCreechwasbesidehimself。
\"ThishyarSlone——heCALLEDBostil\'shand!\"
\"He\'sawild-horsehunter。AndHEcantrailus!\"
\"Trailus!Slone？Say，Lucy，areyouinlovewithhim？\"
Lucyutteredastrangelittlebrokensound，halflaugh，halfsob。\"Lovehim!
Ah!\"
\"An\'yourDad\'sag\'inhim!SureBostil\'llhateanyriderwithafasthoss。Whydidn\'tthedarnfoolsellhisstalliontoyourfather？\"
\"HegaveWildfiretome。\"
\"I\'dhavedonethesame。Wal，now，whenyougitbackhomewhat\'scomin\'ofitall？\"
Lucyshookherheadsorrowfully。\"Godonlyknows。DadwillneverownWildfire，andhe\'llneverletmemarrySlone。AndwhenyoutaketheKingawayfromhimtoransomme——thenmylifewillbehell，forifDadsacrificesSageKing，afterwardhe\'llhatemeasthecauseofhisloss。\"
\"Icansureseethesenseofallthat，\"repliedCreech，soberly。Andhepondered。
Lucysawthroughthismanasifhehadbeenaninchofcrystalwater。Hewasnovillain，andjustnowinhissimplicity，inhisploddingthoughtofsympathyforherhewaslovable。
\"It\'sonehellofamuss，ifyou\'llexcusemytalk，\"saidCreech。\"An\'Idon\'tlikethelooksofwhatI\'peartobethrowin\'inyourway。Butseehyar，Lucy，ifBostildidn\'tgiveup——or，say，hegitstheKingback，thetwouldn\'tmakeyourchancewithSloneanybrighter。\"
\"Idon\'tknow。\"
\"Thetracewillhavetoberan!\"
\"Whatgoodwillthatdo？\"criedLucy，withtearsinhereyes。\"Idon\'twanttoloseDad。I——I——lovehim——meanasheis。Andit\'llkillmetoloseLin。
BecauseWildfirecanbeatSageKing，andthatmeansDadwillbeforeveragainsthim。\"
\"Couldn\'tthiswild-horsefellerLETtheKingwinthetrace？\"
\"Oh，hecould，buthewouldn\'t。\"
\"Can\'tyoubesweetroundhim——fetchhimovertothet？\"
\"Oh，Icould，butIwon\'t。\"
Creechmighthavebeenplottingthehappinessofhisowndaughter，hewassodeeplyinearnest。
\"Wal，mebbeyoudon\'tloveeachothersomuch，afterall。Fasthossesmeanmuchtoamaninthishyarcountry。Iknow，ferIlostmine!Buttheyain\'tall。Ireckonyouyoungfolksdon\'tlovesomuch，afterall。\"
\"But——we——do!\"criedLucy，withapassionatesob。Allthistalkhadunnervedher。
\"ThentheonlywayisferSlonetolietoBostil。\"
\"Lie!\"exclaimedLucy。
\"Thet\'sit。Fetchaboutarace，somehow——oneBostilcan\'tsee——an\'thenliean\'saytheKingrunWildfireoffhislegs。\"
SuddenlyitoccurredtoLucythatonesignificanceofthisideaofCreech\'shadnotdawneduponhim。\"YouforgetthatsoonmyfatherwillnolongerownSageKingorSarchedonorDustyBen——oranyracer。Helosesthemorme，I
thought。That\'swhatIamherefor。\"
Creech\'saspectchanged。Theeagernessandsympathyfledfromhisface，leavingitoncemorehardandstern。Hegotupandstoodatall，dark，andgloomyman，broodingoverhisloss，ashewatchedthecanyon。Still，therewasinhimthenastrugglethatLucyfelt。Presentlyhebentoverandputhisbighandonherhead。Itseemedgentleandtendercomparedwithformercontacts，anditmadeLucythrill。Shecouldnotseehisface。Whatdidhemean？Shedivinedsomethingstartling，andsattheretremblinginsuspense。
\"Bostilwon\'tlosehisonlygirl——orhisfavoritehoss!Lucy，Ineverhadnogirl。ButitseemsI\'mrememberin\'themridesyouusedtohaveonmykneewhenyouwaslittle!\"
Thenhestrodeawaytowardtheforest。Lucywatchedhimwithafullheart，andasshethoughtofhisovercomingtheevilinhimwhenherfatherhadyieldedtoit，shesufferedpoignantshame。ThisCreechwasnotabadman。Hewasgoingtolethergo，andhewasgoingtoreturnBostil\'shorseswhentheycame。LucyresolvedwithapassionatedeterminationthatherfathermustmakeamplerestitutionforthelossCreechhadendured。ShemeanttotellCreechso。
Uponhisreturn，however，heseemedsostrangeandforbiddingagainthatherheartfailedher。Hadhereconsideredhisgenerousthought？Lucyalmostbelievedso。Theseoldhorse-traderswereincomprehensibleinanyrelationconcerninghorses。RecallingCreech\'sintenseinterestinWildfireandintheinevitableracetoberunbetweenhimandSageKing，LucyalmostbelievedthatCreechwouldsacrificehisvengeancejusttoseetheredstallionbeatthegray。IfCreechkepttheKinginransomforLucyhewouldhavetostaydeeplyhiddeninthewildbreaksofthecanyoncountryorleavetheuplands。ForBostilwouldneverletthatdeedgounreckonedwith。LikeBostil，oldCreechwashalfhorseandhalfhuman。Thehumansidehadwarmedtoremorse。HehadregrettedLucy\'splight；hewantedhertobesafeathomeagainandtofindhappiness；herememberedwhatshehadbeentohimwhenshewasalittlegirl。
Creech\'sothersidewasmorecomplex。
BeforetheeveningmealendedLucydivinedthatCreechwasdarkandtroubledbecausehehadresignedhimselftoasacrificeharderthanithadseemedinthefirstflushofnoblefeeling。Butshedoubtedhimnomore。Shewassafe。
TheKingwouldbereturned。ShewouldcompelherfathertopayCreechhorseforhorse。AndperhapsthelessontoBostilwouldbeworthallthepainofeffortanddistressofmindthatithadcosther。
Thatnightasshelayawakelisteningtotheroarofthewindinthepinesastrangepremonition——likeamysteriousvoice——cametoherwiththeassurancethatSlonewasonhertrail。
OnthefollowingdayCreechappearedtohavecastoffthebroodingmood。
Still，hewasnottalkative。Heappliedhimselftoconstantwatchingfromtherim。
Lucybegantofeelrested。ThatlongtripwithCreechhadmadeherthinandhardandstrong。Shespentthehoursundertheshadeofacedarontherimthatprotectedherfromsunandwind。Thewind，particularly，washardtostand。Itblewagaleoutofthewest，adry，odorous，steadyrushthatroaredthroughthepine-topsandflattenedthelong，whitegrass。ThisdayCreechhadtobuildupabarrierofrockroundhiscamp-fire，tokeepitfromblowingaway。Andtherewasaconstantdangeroffiringthegrass。
OnceLucyaskedCreechwhatwouldhappeninthatcase。
\"Wal，Ireckonthegrasswouldburnbackevenag\'inthetwind，\"repliedCreech。\"I\'dhatetoseefireinthewoodsnowbeforetherainscome。It\'sbeenthelongest，dryestspellIeverlivedthrough。Butferthetmyhosses——
Thishyar\'sawestwind，an\'it\'sblowin\'hardereveryday。It\'llfetchtherains。\"
Nextdayaboutnoon，whenbothwindandheatwerehigh，Lucywasawakenedfromadoze。Creechwasstandingnearher。Whenheturnedhislonggazeawayfromthecanyonhewassmiling。Itwasasmileatoncetriumphantandsad。
\"Joel\'scomin\'withthehosses!\"
Lucyjumpedup，tremblingandagitated。\"Oh!Where？Where？\"
Creechpointedcarefullywithbenthand，likeanIndian，andLucyeithercouldnotgetthedirectionorseefarenough。
\"Rightdownalongthebaseofthetredwall。Alineofhosses。Jestlikeafewcrawlin\'ants\'An\'nowthey\'recreepin\'outofsight。\"
\"Oh，Ican\'tseethem!\"criedLucy。\"AreyouSURE？\"
\"Positivean\'sartin，\"hereplied。\"Joel\'scomin\'。He\'llbeuphyarbeforelong。Ireckonwe\'djestaswelllethimcome。Ferthere\'swateran\'grasshyar。An\'downbelowgrassisscarce。\"
ItseemedanagetoLucy，waitingthere，untilshedidseehorseszigzaggingtheridgesbelow。Theydisappeared，andthenitwasanotheragebeforetheyreappearedcloseunderthebulgeofwall。ShethrilledatsightofSageKingandSarchedon。Shegotonlyaglimpseofthem。Theymustpassroundunderhertoclimbasplitinthewall，andupalongdrawthatreachedlevelgroundbackintheforest。Buttheywerenear，andLucytriedtowait。Creechshowedeagernessatfirst，andthenwentonwithhiscamp-fireduties。Whileincamphealwayscookedamiddaymeal。
Lucysawthehorsesfirst。Shescreamedout。Creechjumpedupinalarm。
JoelCreech，mountedonSageKing，andleadingSarchedon，wascomingatagallop。Theotherhorseswerefollowing。
\"What\'shishurry？\"demandedLucy。\"AfterclimbingoutofthatcanyonJoeloughtnottopushthehorses。\"
\"He\'llgititfrommeifthere\'snoreason，\"growledCreech。\"Themhossesiswet。\"
\"LookatSarch!He\'swild。HealwayshatedJoel。\"
\"Wal，Lucy，IreckonIain\'tlikin\'thishyar。LookatJoel!\"mutteredCreech，andhestrodeouttomeethisson。
Lucyranouttoo，andbeyondhim。ShesawonlySageKing。Hesawher，recognizedher，and，whistledevenwhileJoelwaspullinghimin。ForoncetheKingshowedhewasgladtoseeLucy。Hehadbeenhavingroughtreatment。Buthewasnotwinded——onlyhotandwet。Sheassuredherselfofthat，thenrantoquiettheplungingSarch。Hecamedownatonce，andpushedhisbignosealmostintoherface。Shehuggedhisgreat，hotneck。Hewasquiveringallover。Lucyheardtheotherhorsespoundingup；sherecognizedTwoFace\'shighwhinny，likeasqueal；andinherdelightshewasabouttoruntothemwhenCreech\'sharshvoicearrestedher。AndsightofJoel\'sfacesuddenlymadeherweak。
\"What\'dyousay？\"demandedCreech。
\"I\'dagoodreasontorunthehossesup-hill——thet\'swhat!\"snappedJoel。Hewasfrothingatthemouth。
\"Outwithit!\"
\"Cordtsan\'Hutch!\"
\"What？\"roaredCreech，graspingthepaleJoelandshakinghim。
\"Cordtsan\'Hutchrodeinbehindmedownatthetcrosscanyon。Theyseenme。
An\'they\'reaftermehard!\"
Creechgavecloseandkeenscrutinytothestrangefaceofhisson。Thenhewheeledaway。
\"Helpmepack。An\'you，too，Lucy。We\'vegottorustleoutofhyar。\"
Lucyfoughtasickfaintnessthatthreatenedtomakeheruseless。Butshetriedtohelp，andpresentlyactionmadeherstronger。
TheCreechesmadeshortworkofthatbreakingofcamp。Butwhenitcametogettingthehorsesthereappeareddangerofdelay。SarchedonhadledDustyBenandTwoFaceoffinthegrass。WhenJoelwentforthemtheygallopedawaytowardthewoods。Joelranback。
\"Son，you\'reasmarthossman!\"exclaimedCreech，indisgust。
\"ShallIgitontheKingan\'ketchthem？\"
\"No。HoldtheKing。\"CreechwentoutafterPlume，buttheexcitedandwaryhorseeludedhim。ThenCreechgaveup，caughthisownmustangs，andhurriedintocamp。
\"Lucy，ifCordtsgitsafterSarchan\'theothersit\'llbeaswellferus，\"hesaid。
Soontheywereridingintotheforest，Creechleading，Lucyinthecenter，andJoelcomingbehindontheKing。Twounsaddledmustangscarryingthepacksweredriveninfront。Creechlimitedthegaittothebestthatthepack-horsescoulddo。Theymadefasttime。Thelevelforestfloor，hardandspringy，affordedthebestkindofgoing。
AcolddreadhadoncemoreclutchedLucy\'sheart。Whatwouldbetheendofthisflight？ThewayCreechlookedbackincreasedherdread。HowhorribleitwouldbeifCordtsaccomplishedwhathehadalwaysthreatened——torunoffwithbothherandtheKing!LucylostherconfidenceinCreech。ShedidnotglanceagainatJoel。Oncehadbeenenough。Sherodeonwithheavyheart。Anxietyanddreadandconjectureandagradualsinkingofspiritweighedherdown。Yetsheneverhadaclearerperceptionofoutsidethings。Theforestloomedthickeranddarker。Theskywasseenonlythroughagreen，crisscrossoffoliagewavingintheroaringgale。ThisstrongwindwaslikeablastinLucy\'sface，anditskeendrynesscrackedherlips。
Whentheyrodeoutoftheforest，downagentleslopeofwind-sweptgrass，toanopeningintoacanyonLucywassurprisedtorecognizetheplace。Howquicklytheridethroughtheforesthadbeenmade!
Creechdismounted。\"Gitoff，Lucy。You，Joel，hurryan\'handmethelittlepack。NowI\'lltakeLucyan\'theKingdowninhyar。Yougothetwaywiththehossesan\'makeasifyouwashidin\'yourtrail，butdon\'t。Doyousavvy？\"
Joelshookhishead。Helookedsullen，somber，strange。Hisfatherrepeatedwhathehadsaid。
\"You\'rewantin\'Cordtstosplitonthetrail？\"askedJoel。
\"Sure。He\'llketchupwithyousometime。Butyouneedn\'tbeafearedifhedoes。\"
\"Iain\'ta-goin\'todothet。\"
\"Whynot？\"Creechdemanded，slowly，witharisingvoice。
\"I\'ma-goin\'withyou。Whatd\'yemean，Dad，bythismove？You\'llbeheadin\'
backfertheFord。An\'we\'dgitsaferifwegotheotherway。\"
Creechevidentlycontrolledhistemperbyaneffort。\"I\'mtakin\'Lucyan\'theKingbacktoBostil。\"
Joelechoedthosewords，slowlydiviningthem。\"Takin\'themBOTH!Thegirl……An\'givin\'uptheKing!\"
\"Yes，bothofthem。I\'vechangedmymind，Joel。Now——you——\"
ButCreechneverfinishedwhathemeanttosay。JoelCreechwassuddenlyseizedbyahorriblemadness。Itwasthen，perhaps，thatthefinalthreadwhichlinkedhismindtorationalitystretchedandsnapped。Hisfaceturnedgreen。Hisstrangeeyesprotruded。Hisjawworked。Hefrothedatthemouth。Heleaped，apparentlytogetnearhisfather，buthemissedhisdirection。Then，asifsighthadcomeback，hewheeledandmadestrangegestures，allthewhilecursingincoherently。Thefather\'sshockedfacebegantoshowdisgust。ThenpartofJoel\'srantingbecameintelligible。
\"Shutup!\"suddenlyroaredCreech。
\"No，Iwon\'t!\"shriekedJoel，wagginghisheadinspentpassion。\"An\'youain\'ta-goin\'totakethetgirlhome。I\'lltakeherwithme。An\'
youtakethehosseshome!\"
\"You\'recrazy!\"hoarselyshoutedCreech，hisfacegoingblack。\"Theyallussaidso。ButIneverbelievedthet。\"
\"An\'ifI\'mcrazy，thetgirlmademe。YouknowwhatI\'ma-goin\'todo？。I\'llstriphernaked——an\'I\'ll——\"
LucysawoldCreechlungeandstrike。Sheheardthesoddenblow。Joelwentdown。ButhescrambledupwithhiseyesandmouthresemblingthoseofamadhoundLucyoncehadseen。Thefactthathereachedtwiceforhisgunandcouldnotfinditprovedthebreakingconnectionofnerveandsense。CreechjumpedandgrappledwithJoel。Therewasawrestling，strainedstruggle。Creech\'shairstoodupandhisfacehadakindofsickfury，andhecontinuedtocurseandcommand。Theyfoughtforthepossessionofthegun。ButJoelseemedtohavesuperhumanstrength。Hisholdontheguncouldnotbebroken。Moreover，hekeptstrainingtopointthegunathisfather。Lucyscreamed。Creechyelledhoarsely。Buttheboywasbeyondreasonorhelp，andhewasbeyondoverpowering!Lucysawhimbendhisarminspiteofthedesperateholduponitandfirethegun。Creech\'shoarseentreatiesceasedashisholdonJoelbroke。Hestaggered。Hisarmswentupwithatragic，terriblegesture。Hefell。Joelstoodoverhim，shakingandlivid，butheshowedonlythevaguestrealizationofthedeed。Hisactionswereinstinctive。Hewastheanimalthathadclawedhimselffree。Furtherproofofhisaberrationstoodoutintheactionofsheathinghisgun；hemadethemotiontodoso，butheonlydroppeditinthegrass。
SightofthatdroppedgunbrokeLucy\'sspellofhorror，whichhadkepthersilentbutforonescream。Suddenlyherbloodleapedlikefireinherveins。
ShemeasuredthedistancetoSageKing。Joelwasturning。ThenLucydartedattheKing，reachedhim，and，leaping，washalfuponhimwhenhesnortedandjumped，notbreakingherhold，butkeepingherfromgettingup。Thenironhandsclutchedherandthrewher，likeanemptysack，tothegrass。
JoelCreechdidnotsayaword。Hisdistortedfacehadthederidingscornofasuperiorbeing。Lucylayflatonherback，watchinghim。Hermindworkedswiftly。Shewouldhavetofightforherbodyandherlife。Herterrorhadfledwithherhorror。Shewasnotnowafraidofthisdementedboy。Shemeanttofight，calculatinglikeacunningIndian，wildasatrappedwildcat。
Lucylayperfectlystill，forsheknewshehadbeenthrownnearthespotwherethegunlay。IfshegotherhandsonthatgunshewouldkillJoel。Itwouldbetheactionofaninstant。ShewatchedJoelwhilehewatchedher。AndshesawthathehadhisfootontheroperoundSageKing\'sneck。TheKingneverlikedarope。Hewasnervous。Hetossedhisheadtogetridofit。Creech，watchingLucyallthewhile，reachedfortherope，pulledtheKingcloserandcloser，anduntiedtheknot。TheKingstoodthen，bridledownandquiet。Insteadofasaddleheworeablanketstrappedroundhim。
ItseemedthatLucylocatedthegunwithoutturninghereyesawayfromJoel\'s。
Shegatheredallherforce——rolledoverswiftly——again——gotherhandsonthegunjustasCreechleapedlikeapantheruponher。Hisweightcrushedherflat——hisstrengthmadeherhand-holdlikethatofachild。Hethrewthegunaside。Lucylayfacedown，unabletomoveherbodywhilehestoodoverher。
Thenhestruckher，notastunningblow，butjustthehardrapacruelridergivestoahorsethatwantsitsownway。UnderthatblowLucy\'sspiritrosetoaheightofterriblepassion。Stillshedidnotlosehercunning；theblowincreasedit。ThatblowshowedJoeltobecrazy。Shemightoutwitacrazyman，whereamanmerelywickedmightmasterher。
Creechtriedtoturnher。Lucyresisted。Andshewasstrong。ResistanceinfuriatedCreech。Hecuffedhersharply。Thisactiononlymadehimworse。
Thenwithhandslikesteelclawshetoreawayherblouse。
TheshockofhishandsonherbarefleshmomentarilyweakenedLucy，andCreechdraggedatheruntilshelayseeminglyhelplessbeforehim。
AndLucysawthatatthesightofherlikethissomethinghadcomebetweenJoelCreech\'smadmotivesandtheirexecution。Oncehehadlovedher——desiredher。Helookedvague。Hestrokedhershoulder。Hisstrangeeyessoftened，thenblazedwithadifferentlight。Lucydivinedthatshewaslostunlessshecouldrecallhisinsanefury。Shemustbeginthatterriblefightinwhichnowthebestshecouldhopeforwastomakehimkillherquickly。
Swiftandviciousasacatshefastenedherteethinhisarm。Shebitdeepandheldon。Creechhowledlikeadog。Hebeather。Hejerkedandwrestled。Thenheliftedher，andtheswingofherbodytorethefleshloosefromhisarmandbrokeherhold。Lucyhalfrose，crawled，plungedforthegun。Shegotit，too，onlytohaveCreechkickitoutofherhand。Thepainofthatbrutalkickwassevere，butwhenhecutheracrossthebarebackwiththeropesheshriekedout。Suppleandquick，sheleapedupandran。Invain!Withafewboundshehadheragain，trippedherup。Lucyfelloverthedeadbodyofthefather。Yeteventhatdidnotshakeherdesperatenerve。Alltheferocityofadesert-bredsavageculminatedinher，fightingfordeath。
Creechleaneddown，swingingthecoiledrope。Hemeanttodomorethanlashherwithit。Lucy\'shandsflashedup，closedtightinhislonghair。Thenwithabellowhejerkedupandliftedhersheerofftheground。TherewasaninstantinwhichLucyfeltherselfswungandtorn；shesaweverythingasawhirlingblur；shefeltanagonyinherwristsatwhichCreechwasclawing。
WhenhebrokeherholdtherewerehandfulsofhairinLucy\'sfists。
Shefellagainandhadnotthestrengthtorise。ButCreechwasraging，andlittleofhisbrokenspeechwasintelligible。Hekneltwithasharpkneepressingherdown。Hecuttherope。Nimbly，likeariderinmomentsofneedfulswiftness，henoosedoneendoftheroperoundherankle，thentheendoftheotherpieceroundherwrist。Hemighthavebeentyingupanunbrokenmustang。
Rising，heretainedholdonbothropes。Hemovedback，slidingthemthroughhishands。ThenwithaquickmovehecaughtupSageKing\'sbridle。
Creechpausedamoment，darklytriumphant。Ahideoussuccessshowedinhisstrangeeyes。Along-cherishedmadvengeancehadreacheditsfruition。ThenheledthehorseneartoLucy。
Warilyhereacheddown。HedidnotknowLucy\'sstrengthwasspent。Hefearedshemightyetescape。Withhard，quickgrasphecaughther，liftedher，threwherovertheKing\'sback。Heforcedherdown。
Lucy\'sresistancewasheronlysalvation，becauseitkepthimonthetrackofhisoldthreat。Sheresistedallshecould。HepulledherarmsdownroundtheKing\'sneckandtiedthemclose。Thenhepulledhardontheropeonherankleandtiedthattoherotherankle。
Lucyrealizedthatshewasboundfast。Creechhadmadegoodmostofhisthreat。Andnowinhermindthehopeofthedeathshehadsoughtchangedtothehopeoflifethatwaspossible。WhateverpowershehadeverhadovertheKingwasinhervoice。IfonlyCreechwouldslipthebridleorcutthereins——ifonlySageKingcouldbefreetorun!
LucycouldturnherfacefarenoughtoseeCreech。Likeafiendhewasrevelinginhiswork。Suddenlyhepickedupthegun。
\"Looka-hyar!\"hecalled，hoarsely。
Witheyesonher，grinninghorribly，hewalkedafewpacestowherethelonggrasshadnotbeentrampledorpresseddown。Thewind，whippingupoutofthecanyon，wasstillblowinghard。Creechputthegundowninthegrassandfired。
SageKingplunged。Buthewasnotgun-shy。Hesteadieddownwithapoundingofheavyhoofs。ThenLucycouldseeagain。Athinstreakofyellowsmokerose——alittlesnakyflame——aslightcracklinghiss!Thenasthewindcaughttheblazetherecamearushing，lowroar。Fire，likemagic，racedandspreadbeforethewindtowardtheforest。
LucyhadforgottenthatCreechhadmeanttodriveherintofire。Thesuddenhorrorofitalmostcausedcollapse。Commotionwithin——coldandquakeandnauseaandagony——deadenedherhearinganddarkenedhersight。ButCreech\'shardhandsquickenedher。Shecouldseehimthen，thoughnotclearly。Hisfaceseemedinhuman，misshapen，gray。Hishandspulledatherarms——alastprecautiontoseethatshewastightlybound。ThenwiththedeftfingersofariderheslippedSageKing\'sbridle。
Lucycouldnottrusthersight。WhatmadetheKingstandsostill？Hisearswentup——stiff——pointed!
CreechsteppedbackandlaidaviolenthandonLucy\'sgarments。Shebent——twistedhernecktowatchhim。Buthersightgrewnoclearer。Stillshesawhemeanttostriphernaked。Hebracedhimselfforastrong，rippingpull。
Hisyellowteethshoweddeepinhislip。Hiscontrastingeyeswerealightwithinsanejoy。
Butheneverpulled。Somethingattractedhisattention。Helooked。Hesawsomething。Thebeastinhimbecamehuman——themadnesschangedtorationality——thedeviltoacraven!Hisashenlipsutteredalow，terriblecry。
LucyfelttheKingtremblingineverymuscle。Sheknewthatwasflight。Sheexpectedhisloudsnort，andwaspreparedforitwhenitrangout。Inasecondhewouldbolt。Sheknewthat。Shethrilled。Shetriedtocalltohim，butherlipswereweak。Creechseemedparalyzed。TheKingshiftedhisposition，andLucy\'slastglimpseofCreechwasoneshewouldneverforget。ItwasasifCreechfacedburninghell!
ThentheKingwhistledandreared。Lucyheardswift，dull，throbbingbeats。
Beatsofafasthorse\'shoofsontherun!Shefeltasurgingthrillofjoy。
Shecouldnotthink。Allofherbloodandboneandmuscleseemedtothrob。
Suddenlytheairsplittoahigh-pitched，wild，whistlingblast。ItpiercedtoLucy\'smind。Sheknewthatwhistle。
\"Wildfire!\"shescreamed，withburstingheart。
TheKinggaveamightyconvulsiveboundofterror。He，too，knewthatwhistle。
Andinthatonegreatboundhelaunchedoutintoarun。Straightacrossthelineofburninggrass!Lucyfeltthestingofflame。Smokeblindedandchokedher。Thenclear，dry，keenwindsunginherearsandwhippedherhair。Thelightaboutherdarkened。TheKinghadheadedintothepines。TheheavyroarofthegaleoverheadstruckLucywithnewandtorturingdread。SageKingonceinhislifewasrunningaway，bridleless，andbehindhimtherewasfireonthewingsofthewind。
CHAPTERXVII
ForthefirsttimeinhisexperienceBostilfoundthathorse-tradingpalleduponhim。ThistriptoDurangowasafailure。Somethingwaswrong。Therewasavoiceconstantlycallingintohisinnerear——avoicetowhichherefusedtolisten。Andduringthefivedaysofthereturntripthestrangemoodgrewuponhim。
ThelastdayheandhisriderscoveredoverfiftymilesandreachedtheFordlateatnight。Nooneexpectedthem，andonlythemenondutyatthecorralsknewofthereturn。Bostil，muchrelievedtogethome，wenttobedandatoncefellasleep。
Heawakenedatalatehourforhim。Whenhedressedandwentouttothekitchenhefoundthathissisterhadlearnedofhisreturnandhadbreakfastwaiting。
\"Where\'sthegirl？\"askedBostil。
\"Notupyet，\"repliedAuntJane。
\"What!\"
\"LucyandIhadatifflastnightandshewenttoherroominatemper。\"
\"Nothin\'newaboutthet。\"
\"HolleyandIhavehadourtroublesholdingherin。Don\'tyouforgetthat。\"
Bostillaughed。\"Wal，callheran\'tellherI\'mhome。\"
AuntJanedidasshewasbidden。Bostilfinishedhisbreakfast。ButLucydidnotcome。
Bostilbegantofeelsomethingstrange，and，goingtoLucy\'sdoor，heknocked。
Therewasnoreply。Bostilpushedopenthedoor。Lucywasnotinevidence，andherroomwasnotastidyasusual。Hesawherwhitedressthrownuponthebedshehadnotsleptin。Bostilgazedaroundwithaqueercontractionoftheheart。Thatsenseofsomethingamissgrewstronger。Thenhesawachairbeforetheopenwindow。Thatwindowwasratherhigh，andLucyhadplacedachairbeforeitsothatshecouldlookoutorgetout。Bostilstretchedhisneck，lookedout，andintheredearthbeneaththewindowhesawfreshtracksofLucy\'sboots。ThenheroaredforJane。
Shecamerunning，andbetweenBostil\'sfuriousquestionsandherownexcitedanswerstherewasnothingarrivedat。Butpresentlyshespiedthewhitedress，andthensherantoLucy\'scloset。FromtheresheturnedawhitefacetoBostil。
\"Sheputonherriding-clothes!\"gaspedAuntJane。
\"Supposin\'shedid!Whereisshe？\"demandedBostil。
\"SHE\'SRUNOFFWITHSLONE!\"
Bostilcouldnothavebeenshockedorhurtanymoreacutelybyaknife-thrust。
Heglaredathissister。
\"A-huh!Sothet\'sthewayyouwatchher!\"
\"Watchher？Itwasn\'tpossible。She\'s——well，she\'sassmartasyouare。
Oh，Iknewshe\'ddoit!Shewaswildinlovewithhim!\"
Bostilstrodeoutoftheroomandthehouse。HewentthroughthegroveanddirectlyupthepathtoSlone\'scabin。Itwasempty，justasBostilexpectedtofindit。
Thebarsofthecorralweredown。BothSlone\'shorsesweregone。PresentlyBostilsawtheblackhorseNaggerdowninBrackton\'spasture。
TherewereridersinfrontofBrackton\'s。AllspokeatoncetoBostil，andheonlyyelledforBrackton。Theoldmancamehurriedlyout，alarmed。
\"Where\'sthisSlone？\"demandedBostil。
\"Slone!\"ejaculatedBrackton。\"I\'mblessedifIknow。Ain\'thehome？\"
\"No。An\'he\'slefthisblackhossinyourfield。\"
\"Wal，bygolly，thet\'snewstome。Bostil，there\'sbeenstrangedoin\'slately。\"Bracktonseemedatalossforwords。\"MebbeSlonegotoutbecauseofsomethin\'thetcomeofflastnight。Now，JoelCreechan\'——an\'——\"
Bostilwaitedtohearnomore。WhatdidhecareabouttheidiotCreech？Hestrodedownthelanetothecorrals。Farlane，Van，andotherriderswerethere，leisurelyasusual。ThenHolleyappeared，comingoutofthebarn。He，too，waseasy，cool，natural，lazy。Noneoftheseridersknewwhatwasamiss。
Butinstantlyachangepassedoverthem。ItcamebecauseBostilpulledagun。
\"Holley，I\'veamindtoboreyou!\"
Theoldhawk-eyedriderdidnotflinchorturnashadeoffcolor。\"Whatfer？\"
hequeried。Buthiscustomarydrawlwaswanting。
\"IleftyoutowatchLucy。An\'she\'sgone!\"
Holleyshowedgenuinesurpriseanddistress。TheotherridersechoedBostil\'slastword。Bostilloweredthegun。
\"Ireckonwhatsavesyouisyou\'retheonlytrackerthet\'dhaveashowtofindthiscussedSlone。\"
Holleynowshowednosignofsurprise，buttheotherriderswereastounded。
\"Lucy\'srunoffwithSlone，\"addedBostil。
\"Wal，ifshe\'sgone，an\'ifhe\'sgone，it\'sacinch，\"repliedHolley，throwinguphishands。\"Boss，shedouble-crossedmesameasyou!Shepromisedfaithfultostayinthehouse。\"
\"Promisesnothin\'!\"roaredBostil。\"She\'sinlovewiththiswild-hosswrangler!Shemethimlastnight!\"
\"Icouldn\'thelpthet，\"retortedHolley。\"An\'Itrustedthegirl。\"
Bostiltossedhishands。Hestruggledwithhisrage。HehadnofearthatLucywouldnotsoonbefound。Buttheoppositiontohiswillmadehimfurious。
VanleftthegroupofridersandcameclosetoBostil。\"Itain\'tanhourbackthetIseenSlonerideoffaloneonhisredhoss。\"
\"Whatofthet？\"demandedBostil。\"Sureshewaswaitin\'somewheres。They\'dhavetoomuchsensetogotogether。Saddleup，youboys，an\'we\'ll——\"
\"Say，Bostil，IhappentoknowSlonedidn\'tseeLucylastnight，\"interruptedHolley。
\"A-huh!Wal，you\'dbettertalkout。\"
\"ItrustedLucy，\"saidHolley。\"Butallthesame，knowin\'shewasinlove，I
jestwantedtoseeifanygirlinlovecouldkeepherword。SoaboutdarkIwentdownthegrovean\'watchedferSlone。PrettysoonIseenhim。Hesneakedalongtheupperendan\'Ifollered。Hewenttothetbenchupbythebiggestcottonwood。An\'hewaitedalongtime。ButLucydidn\'tcome。Hemusthavewaitedtillmidnight。Thenheleft。Iwatchedhimgoback——seenhimgouptohiscabin。\"
\"Wal，ifshedidn\'tmeethim，wherewasshe？Shewasn\'tinherroom。\"
BostilgazedatHolleyandtheotherriders，thenbacktoHolley。Whatwasthematterwiththisoldrider？BostilhadneverseenHolleyseemsostrange。Thewholeaffairbegantoloomstrangely，darkly。SomeportentquickenedBostil\'slumberingpulse。ItseemedthatHolley\'smindmusthavefoundanobstacletothought。Suddenlytheoldrider\'sfacechanged——thebronzewasblottedout——agraynesscame，andthenadeadwhite。
\"Bostil，mebbeyou\'ain\'tbeentoldyetthet——thetCreechrodeinyesterday……Helostallhisracers!HehadtoshootbothPegan\'Roan!\"
Bostil\'sthoughtsufferedasudden，blankhalt。Then，withrealization，cametheshockforwhichhehadlongbeenprepared。
\"A-huh!Isthetso？Wal，an\'whatdidhesay？\"
Holleylaughedagrim，significantlaughthatcurdledBostil\'sblood。\"Creechsaidalot!Butletthetgonow。Comewithme。\"
Holleystartedwithrapidstridesdownthelane。Bostilfollowed。Andheheardtheriderscomingbehind。AdarkandgloomythoughtsettleduponBostil。Hecouldnotcheckthat，butheheldbackimpatienceandpassion。
HolleywentstraighttoLucy\'swindow。Hegotdownonhiskneestoscrutinizethetracks。
\"Mademore\'ntwelvehoursago，\"hesaid，swiftly。\"Shehadonherboots，butnospurs。Nowlet\'sseewhereshewent。\"
HolleybegantotrailLucy\'sprogressthroughthegrove，silentlypointingnowandthentoatrack。Hewentswifter，tillBostilhadtohurry。Theothermencamewhisperingafterthem。
Holleywasaskeenasahoundonscent。
\"Shestoppedthere，\"hesaid，\"mebbetolisten。Lookslikeshewantedtocrossthelane，butshedidn\'t:hereshegottogoin\'faster。\"
Holleyreachedanintersectingpathandsuddenlyhaltedstock-still，pointingatabigtrackinthedust。
\"MyGod!Bostil，lookatthet!\"
OnerivingpangtorethroughBostil——andthenhewassuddenlyhisoldself，facingthetruthofdangertooneheloved。HesawbesidethebigtrackafaintimprintofLucy\'ssmallfoot。Thatwasthelastsignofherprogressandittoldastory。
\"Bostil，thetain\'tSlone\'strack，\"saidHolley，ringingly。
\"Sureitain\'t。Thet\'sthetrackofabigman，\"repliedBostil。
Theotherriders，circlingroundwithbentheads，allsaidonewayoranotherthatSlonecouldnothavemadethetrail。
\"An\'whoeverhewasgrabbedLucyup——madeoffwithher？\"askedBostil。
\"Plainasifweseenitdone!\"exclaimedHolley。Therewasfireintheclear，hawkeyes。
\"Cordts!\"criedBostil，hoarsely。
\"Mebbe——mebbe。Butthetain\'tmyidee。Comeon。\"
Holleywentsofasthealmostran，andhegotaheadofBostil。Finallyseveralhundredyardsoutinthesagehehalted，andagaindroppedtohisknees。
Bostilandtheridershurriedon。
\"Keepback；don\'tstamproundsoclose，\"orderedHolley。Thenlikeamansearchingforlostgoldinsandandgrasshesearchedtheground。ToBostilitseemedalongtimebeforehegotthrough。Whenhearosetherewasadarkanddeadlycertaintyinhisface，bywhichBostilknewtheworsthadbefallenLucy。
\"Fourmustangsan\'twomenlastnight，\"saidHolley，rapidly。\"Here\'swhereLucywassetdownonherfeet。Here\'swhereshemounted。An\'here\'sthetracksofathirdman——tracksmadethismornin\'。\"
BostilstraightenedupandfacedHolleyasifreadytotakeadeath-blow。\"I\'mreckonin\'themlastisSlone\'stracks。\"
\"Yes，Iknowthem，\"repliedHolley。
\"An\'——them——othertracks？Whomadethem？\"
\"CREECHAN\'HISSON!\"
Bostilfeltsweptawaybyadark，whirlingflame。Andwhenitpassedhelayinhisbarn，intheshadeoftheloft，prostrateonthefragranthay。Hisstrengthwithhispassionwasspent。Adullacheremained。Thefightwasgonefromhim。Hisspiritwasbroken。Andhelookeddownintothatdarkabysswhichwashisownsoul。
Byandbytheriderscameforhim，gothimup，andledhimout。Heshookthemoffandstoodbreathingslowly。Theairfeltrefreshing；itcooledhishot，tiredbrain。ItdidnotsurprisehimtoseeJoelCreechthere，cringingbehindHolley。
Bostilliftedahandforsomeonetospeak。AndHolleycameastepforward。
Hisfacewashaggard，butitswhitetensenesswasgone。Heseemedasifhewerereluctanttospeak，toinflictmorepain。
\"Bostil，\"hebegan，huskily，\"you\'retosendtheKing——an\'Sarch——an\'Benan\'
TwoFacean\'PlumetoransomLucy!Ifyouwon\'t——thenCreech\'llsellhertoCordts!\"
Whatastrangelookcameintothefacesoftheriders!Did，theythinkhecaredmoreforhorsefleshthanforhisownfleshandblood？
\"SendtheKing——an\'allhewants。An\'sendwordferCreechtocomebacktotheFord。TellhimIsaid——mysinfoundmeout!\"
BostilwatchedJoelCreechridetheKingoutupontheslope，drivingtheothersahead。SageKingwantedtorun。Sarchedonwaswildandunruly。Theypassedoutofsight。ThenBostilturnedtohissilentriders。
\"Boys，seein\'theKinggothetwaywasn\'tnothin\'。Butwhatcrucifiesmeis——WILLTHETFETCHHERBACK？\"
\"Godonlyknows!\"repliedHolley。\"Mebbenot——Ireckonnot!But，Bostil，youforgetSloneisoutthereonLucy\'strail。OutthereaheadofJoel!Slonehe\'sawild-hosshunter——thekeenestIeverseen。DoyouthinkCreechcanshakehimonatrail？He\'llkillCreech，an\'he\'lllayferJoelgoin\'
back——an\'he\'llkillhim。An\'I\'llbetmyallhe\'llrideinherewithLucyan\'theKing!\"
\"Holley，youain\'tfigurin\'onthetredhossofSlone\'sridin\'downtheKing？\"
HolleylaughedasifBostil\'squerywasthestrangestthingofallthatpoignantday。\"Naw。Slone\'lllayferJoelan\'ropehimlikeheropedDickSears。\"
\"Holley，Ireckonyousee——clearer\'nme，\"saidBostil，plaintively。\"\'PearsasifIneverhadahardknockbefore。Fermynerve\'sbroke。Ican\'thope……Lucy\'sgone!Ain\'tthereanythin\'todobutwait？\"
\"Thet\'sall。Jestwait。IfwewentoutonJoel\'strailwe\'dqueerthechanceofCreech\'sbein\'honest。An\'we\'dqueerSlone\'sgame。I\'dhatetohavehimtrailin\'me。\"
CHAPTERXVIII
OnthedaythatoldCreechrepudiatedhisson，SlonewithimmeasurablereliefleftBrackton\'swithoutevenawordtotherejoicingHolley，andploddedupthepathtohiscabin。
Afterthefirstflushofelationhadpassedhefoundapeculiarmoodsettlingdownuponhim。Itwasasifallwasnotsowellashehadimpulsivelyconceived。Hebegantoponderoverthisstrangedepression，tothinkback。
Whathadhappenedtodashthecupfromhislips？Didheregretbeingfreedfromguiltinthesimplemindsofthevillagers——regretitbecausesuspicionwouldfalluponLucy\'sfather？No；hewassorryforthegirl，butnotforBostil。ItwasnotthisnewaspectofthesituationattheFordthatoppressedhim。
HetrailedhisvaguefeelingsbacktoasubtleshockhehadsustainedinalastlookatCreech\'sdark，somberface。IthadbeenthefaceofaNemesis。
AllaboutCreechbreathedsilent，revengefulforce。Sloneworkedoutinhisploddingthoughtwhythatfactshouldoppresshim；anditwasbecauseinstrikingBostiloldCreechmuststrikethroughBostil\'shorsesandhisdaughter。
Slonedivinedit——divineditbythesubtle，intuitivepowerofhisloveforLucy。HedidnotreconsiderwhathadbeenhissuppositionbeforeCreech\'sreturn——thatCreechwouldkillBostil。Deathwouldbenorevenge。CreechhaditinhimtostealtheKingandstarvehimortodothesameandworsewithLucy。SoSloneimagined，rememberingCreech\'sface。
BeforetwilightsetinSlonesawtheCreechesridingoutofthelaneintothesage，evidentlyleavingtheFord。ThisoccasionedSlonegreatrelief，butonlyforamoment。WhattheCreechesappearedtobedoingmightnotbesignificant。
AndheknewiftheyhadstayedinthevillagethathewouldhavewatchedthemascloselyasifhethoughttheyweretryingtostealWildfire。
Hegothiseveningmeal，caredforhishorses，andjustasdarknesscameonheslippeddownintothegroveforhisrendezvouswithLucy。Alwaysthismadehisheartbeatandhisnervesthrill，butto-nighthewasexcited。Thegroveseemedfullofmovingshadows，allofwhichhefanciedwereLucy。Reachingthebigcottonwood，hetriedtocomposehimselfonthebenchtowait。Butcomposureseemedunattainable。Thenightwasstill，onlythecricketsandthesoftrustleofleavesbreakingadeadsilence。Slonehadtheearsofawildhorseinthatheimaginedsoundshedidnotreallyhear。Manyalonelynightwhilehelaywatchingandwaitinginthedark，ambushingawater-holewherewildhorsesdrank，hehadheardsofttreadsthatwereonlythesubstanceofdreams。Thatwaswhy，onthisnightwhenhewasoverstrained，hefanciedhesawLucycoming，asilent，movingshadow，wheninrealityshedidnotcome。
Thatwaswhyhethoughtheheardverystealthysteps。
Hewaited。Lucydidnotcome。Shehadneverfailedbeforeandheknewshewouldcome。Waitingbecamehard。Hewantedtogobacktowardthehouse——tointerceptherontheway。Stillhekepttohispost，watchful，listening，hisheartfull。Andhetriedtoreasonawayhisstrangedread，hissenseofaneedofhurry。ForatimehesucceededbydreamingofLucy\'ssweetness，ofhercourage，ofwhatawonderfulgirlshewas。Hoursandhourshehadpassedinsuchdreams。Onedreaminparticularalwaysfascinatedhim，anditwasoneinwhichhesawthegirlridingWildfire，winningagreatraceforherlife。
Another，justasfascinating，butsohauntingthathealwaysdispelledit，wasadreamwhereLucy，aloneandinperil，foughtwithCordtsorJoelCreechformorethanherlife。ThesevaguedreamswereSlone\'sacceptanceofthebloodandspiritinLucy。ShewasBostil\'sdaughter。Shehadnosenseoffear。Shewouldfight。AndthoughSlonealwaysthrilledwithpride，healsotrembledwithdread。
AtlengthevenwilderdreamsofLucy\'sraremoments，whensheletherselfgo，likeadesertwhirlwind，toenvelophiminallhersweetness，couldnotavailtokeepSlonepatient。Hebegantopacetoandfrounderthebigtree。Hewaitedandwaited。Whatcouldhavedetainedher？SloneinwardlylaughedattheideathateitherHolleyorAuntJanecouldkeephisgirlindoorswhenshewantedtocomeouttomeethim。YetLucyhadalwayssaidsomethingmightprevent。TherewasnoreasonforSlonetobeconcerned。Hewasmistakinghisthrillsandexcitementandloveanddisappointmentforsomethinginwhichtherewasnoreality。Yethecouldnothelpit。Thelongerhewaitedthemoreshadowsglidedbeneaththecottonwoods，themorefaint，namelesssoundsheheard。
Hewaitedlongafterhebecameconvincedshewouldnotcome。Uponhisreturnthroughthegrovehereachedapointwheretheunrealandimaginativeperceptionsweresuddenlyandstunninglybroken。Hedidhearastep。Hekepton，asbefore，andinthedeepshadowheturned。Hesawamanjustfaintlyoutlined。Oneoftheridershadbeenwatchinghim——hadfollowedhim!Slonehadalwaysexpectedthis。SohadLucy。Andnowithadhappened。ButLucyhadbeentooclever。Shehadnotcome。Shehadfoundoutorsuspectedthespyandshehadoutwittedhim。SlonehadreasontobeprouderofLucy，andhewentbacktohiscabinfreefromfurtheranxiety。
Beforehewenttosleep，however，heheardtheclatterofanumberofhorsesinthelane。Hecouldtelltheyweretiredhorses。Ridersreturning，hethought，andinstantlycorrectedthat，forridersseldomcameinatnight。AndthenitoccurredtohimthatitmightbeBostil\'sreturn。ButthenitmightbetheCreeches。Slonehadanuneasyreturnofpuzzlingthoughts。These，however，didnothinderdrowsiness，and，decidingthatthefirstthinginthemorninghewouldtrailtheCreeches，justtoseewheretheyhadgone，hefellasleep。
Inthemorningthebright，broadday，withitsdispellingreality，madeSloneregardhimselfdifferently。Thingsthatoppressedhiminthedarkofnightvanishedinthelightofthesun。Still，hewascuriousabouttheCreeches，andafterhehaddonehismorning\'sworkhestrolledouttotakeuptheirtrail。Itwasnothardtofollowinthelane，fornootherhorseshadgoneinthatdirectionsincetheCreecheshadleft。
Onceuponthewide，windyslopethereachandcolorandfragranceseemedtocalltoSloneirresistibly，andhefelltotrailingthesetracksjustfortheloveofaskilllongunused。HalfamileouttheroadturnedtowardDurango。
ButtheCreechesdidnotcontinueonthatroad。Theyenteredthesage。
InstantlySlonebecamecurious。
HefollowedthetrackstoapileofrockswheretheCreecheshadmadeagreasewoodfireandhadcookedameal。Thiswasstrange——withinamileoftheFord，whereBracktonandotherswouldhavehousedthem。Whatwasstrangerwasthefactthatthetrailstartedsouthfromthereandswungroundtowardthevillage。
Slone\'sheartbegantothump。Butheforcedhimselftothinkonlyofthesetracksandnotanysignificancetheymighthave。Hetrailedthemendowntoabenchontheslope，afewhundredyardsfromBostil\'sgrove，andhereatrampledspacemarkedwhereahalthadbeenmadeandawait。
AndhereSlonecouldnolongerrestrainconjectureanddread。Hesearchedandsearched。Hegotonhisknees。Hecrawledthroughthesageallaroundthetrampledspace。Suddenlyhisheartseemedtoreceiveastab。HehadfoundprintsofLucy\'sbootsinthesoftearth!Andheleapedup，wildandfierce，needingtoknownomore。
Heranbacktohiscabin。HeneverthoughtofBostil，ofHolley，ofanythingexceptthestoryrevealedinthoselittleboot-tracks。Hepackedasaddle-bagwithmeatandbiscuits，filledacanvaswater-bottle，and，takingthemandhisrifle，hehurriedouttothecorral。FirsthetookNaggerdowntoBrackton\'spastureandlethimin。Thenreturning，hewentatthefierystallionashehadnotgoneinmanyaday，ropedhim，saddledhim，mountedhim，androdeoffwithahard，grimcertaintythatinWildfirewasLucy\'ssalvation。
FourhourslaterSlonehaltedonthecrestofaridge，inthecoverofsparsecedars，andsurveyedavast，gray，barrenbasinyawningandreachingouttoarugged，brokenplateau。
HeexpectedtofindJoelCreechreturningontheback-trail，andhehadtakentheprecautiontorideononesideofthetrackshewasfollowing。HedidnotwantJoeltocrosshistrail。SlonehadlongagosolvedthemeaningoftheCreeches\'flight。TheywoulduseLucytoransomBostil\'shorses，andmorethanlikelytheywouldnotlethergoback。ThattheyhadherwasenoughforSlone。
Hewasgrimandimplacable。
Theeyesofthewild-horsehunterhadnotsearchedthatbasinlongbeforetheypickedoutadotwhichwasnotarockoracedar，butahorse。Slonewatcheditgrow，and，hiddenhimself，heheldhispostuntilheknewtheriderwasJoelCreech。Slonedrewhisownhorsebackandtiedhimtoasage-bushamidstsomescantgrass。Thenhereturnedtowatch。ItappearedCreechwasclimbingtheridgebelowSlone，andsomedistanceaway。ItwasadesperatechanceJoelranthen，forSlonehadsetouttokillhim。ItwascertainthatifJoelhadhappenedtoridenearinsteadoffar，Slonecouldnothavehelpedbutkillhim。Asitwas，hedesistedbecauseherealizedthatJoelwouldacquaintBostilwiththeabductingofLucy，anditmightbethatthiswouldbewell。
SlonewasshakingwhenyoungCreechpassedupandoutofsightovertheridge——shakingwiththedeadlygripofpassionsuchashehadneverknown。Hewaited，slowlygainingcontrol，andatlengthwentbackforWildfire。
Thenherodeboldlyforthonthetrail。HecalculatedthatoldCreechwouldtakeLucytosomewildretreatinthecanyonsandtherewaitforJoelandthehorses。Creechhadalmostcertainlygoneonandwouldbeunawareofapursuersocloselyonhistrail。Slonetookthedirectionofthetrail，andhesawalow，darknotchintherockywallinthedistance。AfterthathepaidnomoreattentiontochoosinggoodgroundforWildfirethanhedidtothetrail。ThestallionwasmoretractablethanSlonehadeverfoundhim。Helovedtheopen。
Hesmelledthesageandthewild。Hesettleddownintohislong，easy，swinginglopewhichseemedtoeatupthemiles。SlonewasobsessedwiththoughtscenteringroundLucy，andtimeanddistancewerescarcelysignificant。
ThesunhaddippedfullredinagoldenwestwhenSlonereachedthewallofrocksandthecleftwhereCreech\'stracksandLucy\'s，too，markedthecamp。
Slonedidnotevendismount。Ridingonintothecleft，hewoundatlengthintoacanyonandoutofthatintoalargerone，wherehefoundthatLucyhadrememberedtoleaveatrail，anddownthistoabreakinahighwall，andthroughittoanotherwinding，canyon。Thesunset，butSlonekeptonaslongashecouldseethetrail，andafterthat，untilanintersectingcanyonmadeitwiseforhimtohalt。
Therewererichgrassandsweetwaterforhishorse。Hehimselfwasnothungry，butheate；hewasnotsleepy，butheslept。AnddaylightfoundhimurgingWildfireinpursuit。OntherockyplacesSlonefoundthecedarberriesLucyhaddropped。Hewelcomedsightofthem，buthedidnotneedthem。ThismanCreechcouldneverhideatrailfromhim，Slonethoughtgrimly，anditsuitedhimtofollowthattrailatarapidtrot。Ifhelostthetracksforadistancehewentrighton，andheknewwheretolookforthemahead。TherewasavastdifferencebetweenthecunningofCreechandthecunningofawildhorse。AndtherewasanequaldifferencebetweenthegoingandstayingpowersofCreech\'smustangsandWildfire。Yes，SlonedivinedthatLucy\'ssalvationwouldbeWildfire，herhorse。Thetrailgrewrougher，steeper，harder，butthestallionkepthiseagernessandhispace。OnmanyanopenlengthofcanyonorheightofwilduplandSlonegazedaheadhopingtoseeCreech\'smustangs。Hehopedforthatevenwhenheknewhewasstilltoofarbehind。Andthen，suddenly，intheopen，sandyflatofanintersectingcanyonhecameabruptlyonafreshtrailofthreehorses，oneofthemshod。
Thesurprisestunnedhim。Foramomenthegazedstupidlyatthesestrangetracks。Whohadmadethem？HadCreechmetallies？Wasthatlikelywhenthemanhadnofriends？Ponderingthething，Slonewentslowlyon，realizingthatanewanddisturbingfeatureconfrontedhim。ThenwhenthesenewtracksmetthetrailthatCreechhadleftSlonefoundthatthesestrangerswereasinterestedinCreech\'stracksashewas。Slonefoundtheirboot-marksinthesand——thehand-printswheresomeonehadknelttoscrutinizeCreech\'strail。
Sloneledhishorseandwalkedon，moreandmoredisturbedinmind。Whenhecametoalarger，bare，flatcanyonbottom，wheretherockhadbeenwashedclearofsand，hefoundnomorecedarberries。Theyhadbeenpickedup。Attheotherextremeedgeofthisstonygroundhefoundcrumpledbitsofcedarandcedarberriesscatteredinonespot，asifthrowntherebysomeonewhoreadtheirmeaning。
ThisdiscoveryunnervedSlone。Itmeantsomuch。AndifSlonehadanyhopeorreasontodoubtthatthesestrangershadtakenupthetrailforgood，thenextfewmilesdispelledit。TheyweretrailingCreech。
SuddenlySlonegaveawildstart，whichmadeWildfireplunge。
\"CORDTS!\"whisperedSloneandthecoldsweatoozedoutofeverypore。
Thesecanyonswerethehiding-placesofthehorse-thief。HeandtwoofhismenhadchanceduponCreech\'strail；andperhapstheirguessatitsmeaningwaslikeSlone\'s。Iftheyhadnotguessedtheywouldsoonlearn。ItmagnifiedSlone\'staskathousandfold。Hehadamomentofbitter，almosthopelessrealizationbeforeamoredesperatespiritawokeinhim。Hehadonlymorementokill——thatwasall。Theseuplandridersdidnotpackrifles，ofthatSlonewassure。AndthesoonerhecameupwithCordtsthebetter。ItwasthenheletWildfirechoosehisgaitandthetrail。Sunset，twilight，dusk，anddarknesscamewithSlonekeepingonandon。AslongastherewerenointersectingcanyonsorcleftsorslopesbywhichCreechmighthaveswervedfromhiscourse，justsolongSlonewouldtravel。Anditwaslateinthenightwhenhehadtohalt。
Earlynextdaythetrailledupoutoftheredandbrokengulchestothecedareduplands。Slonesawablack-rimmed，loomingplateauinthedistance。
Allthesewindingcanyons，andthenecksofthehighridgesbetween，mustrunuptothatgreattable-land。
Thatdayhelosttwoofthehorsetracks。HedidnotmarkthechangeforalongtimeaftertherehadbeenasplitinthepartythathadbeentrailingCreech。Thenitwastoolateforhimtogobacktoinvestigate，evenifthathadbeenwise。Hekepton，pondering，tryingtodecidewhetherornothehadbeendiscoveredandwasnowindangerofambushaheadandpursuitfrombehind。
HethoughtthatpossiblyCordtshadsplithisparty，onetotrailalongafterCreech，theotherstoworkaroundtoheadhimoff。UndoubtedlyCordtsknewthisbrokencanyoncountryandcouldtellwhereCreechwasgoing，andknewhowtointercepthim。
TheuncertaintyworeheavilyuponSlone。Hegrewdesperate。Hehadnotimetostealalongcautiously。HemustbethefirsttogettoCreech。Soheheldtothetrailandwentasrapidlyasthenatureofthegroundwouldpermit，expectingtobeshotatfromanyclumpofcedars。Thetrailleddownagainintoanarrowcanyonwithlowwalls。Sloneputallhiskeennessonwhatlaybeforehim。
Wildfire\'ssuddenbreakandupflingingofheadandhissnortprecededthecrackofarifle。Sloneknewhehadbeenshotat，althoughheneitherfeltnorheardthebullet。Hehadnochancetoseewheretheshotcamefrom，forWildfirebolted，andneededasmuchholdingandguidingasSlonecouldgive。
Heranamile。ThenSlonewasabletolookabouthim。Hadhebeenshotatfromaboveorbehind？Hecouldnottell。Itdidnotmatter，solongasthedangerwasnotinfront。Hekeptasharplookout，andpresentlyalongtherightcanyonrim，fivehundredfeetabovehim，hesawabayhorse，andariderwitharifle。Hehadbeenwrong，then，abouttheseridersandtheirweapons。Slonedidnotseeanywisdominhaltingtoshootupatthispursuer，andhespurredWildfirejustasasharpcracksoundedabove。Thebulletthuddedintotheearthafewfeetbehindhim。Andthenoverbadground，withthestallionalmostunmanageable，Sloneranagantletofshots。Evidentlythemanontherimhadsmoothgroundtorideover，forheeasilykeptabreastofSlone。Buthecouldnotgettherange。FortunatelyforSlone，brokenrampartsabovecheckedthetricksofthatpursuer，andSlonesawnomoreofhim。
ItaffordedhimgreatrelieftofindthatCreech\'strailturnedintoacanyonontheleft；andhere，withthesunalreadylow，Slonebegantowatchtheclumpsofcedarsandthejumblesofrock。Buthewasnotambushed。Darknesssetin，and，beingtiredout，hewasabouttohaltforthenightwhenhecaughttheflickerofacampfire。Thestallionsawit，too，butdidnotsnort。
Slonedismountedand，leadinghim，wentcautiouslyforwardonfoot，rifleinhand。
Thecanyonwidenedatapointwheretwobreaksoccurred，andtheless-restrictedspacewasthickwithcedarandpinyon。Slonecouldtellbythepresenceofthesetreesandalsobyakeeneratmospherethathewasslowlygettingtoahigherattitude。Thiscamp-firemustbelongtoCordtsortheonemanwhohadgoneonahead。AndSloneadvancedboldly。Hedidnothavetomakeuphismindwhattodo。
Buthewasamazedtoseeseveraldarkformsmovingtoandfrobeforethebrightcamp-fire，andhecheckedhimselfabruptly。Consideringamoment，Slonethoughthehadbetterhavealookatthesefellows。SohetiedWildfireand，takingtothedarkersideofthecanyon，hestolecautiouslyforward。
Thedistancewasconsiderable，ashehadcalculated。Soon，however，hemadeouttheshadowyoutlinesofhorsesfeedingintheopen。Hehuggedthecanyonwallforfeartheymightseehim。Asluckwouldhaveitthenightbreezewasinhisfavor。Stealthilyhestoleon，inthedeepshadowofthewall，andunderthecedars，untilhecametoapointoppositethecamp-fire，andthenheturnedtowardit。Hewentslowly，carefully，noiselessly，andatlasthecrawledthroughthenarrowaislesbetweenthicksage-brush。Anotherclumpofcedarsloomedup，andhesawtheflickeringoffirelightuponthepale-greenfoliage。
Heheardgruffvoicesbeforeheraisedhimselftolook，andbythishegaugedhisdistance。Hewascloseenough——almosttooclose。Butashecrouchedindarkshadeandtherewerenohorsesnear，hedidnotfeardiscovery。
Whenhepeeredoutfromhiscovertthefirstthingtostrikeandholdhisrapidglancewastheslightfigureofagirl。Slonestifledagaspinhisthroat。HethoughtherecognizedLucy。Stunned，hecroucheddownagainwithhishandsclenchedroundhisrifle。Andthereheremainedforalongmomentofagonybeforereasonasserteditselfoveremotion。HadhereallyseenLucy？Hehadheardofagirlnowandtheninthecampsofthesemen，especiallyCordts。
MaybeCreechhadfalleninwithcomrades。No，hecouldnothavehadanycomradestherebuthorse-thieves，andCreechwasabovethat。IfCreechwastherehehadbeenheldupbyCordts；ifLucyonlywaswiththegang，Creechhadbeenkilled。
Slonehadtoforcehimselftolookagain。Thegirlhadchangedherposition。
Butthelightshoneuponthemen。Creechwasnotoneofthethree，norCordts，noranymanSlonehadseenbefore。Theywerenothonestmen，judgingfromtheirhard，evillooks。Slonewasnonplussedandhewaslosingself-control。
Againheloweredhimselfandwaited。Hecaughttheword\"Durango\"and\"hosses\"
and\"ferenoughin，\"themeaningofwhichwas，vague。Thenthegirllaughed。
