Nextday，whenhecameinatnoon，therewasHen，fromtheMuleshoe，waitingfordinnerbeforeherodebackwiththemail。Hen’sjawdroppedwhenhesawBudridingonaLittleLosthay—wagon，andhiseyesbulgedwithwhatBudbelievedwasconsternation。AllthroughthemealBudhadcaughtHeneyeinghimmiserably，andlookingstealthilyfromhimtotheothers。Noonepaidanyattention，andforthatBudwasratherthankful；hedidnotwanttheLittleLostfellowstothinkthatperhapshehaddonesomethingwhichheknewwouldhanghimifitwerediscovered，which，hedecided，wasthemildestinterpretationakeenobserverwouldbeapttomakeofHen’sbehavior。
Whenhewentout，Henwasathisheels，tryingtosaysomethinginhisfutile，tongue—tiedgobble。Budstoppedandlookedathimtolerantly。\"Hen，\"It’snouse——youmightaswellbetalkingChinese，forallIknow。Ifit’simportant，writeitdownorI’llneverknowwhat’sonyourmind。\"
Hepulledanote—bookandapencilfromhisvest—pocketandgavethemtoHen，wholookedathimdumbly，workedhisAdam’sappleviolentlyandretreatedtohishorse，fumbledthemailwhichwastiedinthebottomofafloursackforsafekeeping，soughtashelteredplacewherehecouldsitdown，remainedthereafewminutes，andthenreturnedtohishorseHebeckonedtoBud，whowaswatchinghimcuriously；andwhenBudwentovertohimsaidsomethingunintelligibleandhandedbackthenote—book，motioningforcautionwhenBudwouldhaveopenedthebookatonce。
SoBudthankedhimgravely，butwithatwinkleinhiseyes，andwaiteduntilHenhadgoneandhewasalonebeforehereadthemessage。Itwasmysteriousenough，certainly。Henhadwritteninafine，cramped，unevenhand：
\"Youbeecarful。bernthisup&anddentletonlikeyounoanythingbutiwarnyoubeshurebernthisup。\"
Budtoreoutthepageandburneditasrequested，andsincehewasnotenlightenedbythewarningheobeyedHen’sinstructionsanddidnot\"leton。\"Buthecouldnothelpwondering，andwasunconsciouslypreparedtoobservelittlethingswhichordinarilywouldhavepassedunnoticed。
AtthedanceonFridaynight，forinstance，therewasagooddealofdrinkingandmightylittlehilarity。Budhadbeenaccustomedtoloudtalkandmuchhorseplayoutsideamongthemenonsuchoccasions，andevenafightortwowouldbeacceptedasamatterofcourse。Butthoughseveralquartbottleswerepassedaroundduringthenightandthrownawayemptyintothebushes，themenwentinanddancedandcameoutagainimmediatelytoconverseconfidentiallyinsmallgroups，ortosmokewithoutmuchspeech。ThemenofBurrobackValleywerenotrunningtruetoform。
Thewomenweremuchlikeallthewomenofcow—country：motherswithsmallchildrenwhoearlybecamecrossandsleepyandwerehushedundershawlsonthemostconvenientbed，apieceofcakeintheirhands；motherswhosefaceswerelinedtoosoonwithworkandill—health，andwithuntidyhairthatbecameuntidierasthedanceprogressed。Thereweredaughters——shyandgigglingtohidetheirshyness——Budknewtheirtypeverywellandmadefriendswiththemeasily，andimmediatelybecamethecentreofaclamoringaudienceafterhehadsungasongortwo。
TherewasHoney，withherinscrutablehalfsmileandherveiledeyes，condescendingtograciousnessandquiteplainlyassumingaproprietaryairtowardBud，whomsheputthroughwhatevermusicalpacespleasedherfancy。Bud，Imaysay，wasextremelytractable。WhenHoneysaidsing，Budsang；whenshesaidplay，Budsatdowntothepianoandplayeduntilsheaskedhimtodosomethingelse。ItwasallverypleasantforHoney——andBudultimatelywonhispoint——Honeydecidedtoextendhergraciousnessalittle。
Whyhadn’tBuddancedwithMarian？Hemustgorightawayandaskhertodance。JustbecauseLewwasgone，Marianneednotbeslighted——andbesides，therewereotherfellowswhomightwantalittleofHoney’stime。
SoBudwentawayandfoundMarianinthepantry，cuttingcakeswhilethecoffeeboiled，andaskedhertodance。Marianwastootired，and’shehadnotthetimetospare；whereforeBudhelpedhimselftoaknifeandproceededtocutcakeswithgeometricalprecision，andateallthecrumbs。Withhishandsbusy，hefoundthecouragetotalktoheralittle。HemadeMarianlaughoutloudanditwasthefirsttimehehadeverheardherdothat。
Mariandisclosedasenseofhumor，andeventeasedBudalittleaboutHoney。ButherteasinglackedthatedgeofbitternesswhichBudhadhalfexpectedinretaliationforHoney’slittleairofsuperiority。
\"Yourprecisionincuttingcakesisverymuchlikeyouraccuratefingeringofthepiano，\"sheobservedirrelevantly，surveyinghisworkwithherlipspursed。\"Apairofcaliperswouldproveeverypieceexactly，thesamewidth；andevenwhenyouplayaMeditation？I’msurethemetronomewouldwaggleinperfectunisonwithyourtempo。Iwonder——\"Sheglancedupathimspeculatively。\"——Iwonderifyouthinkwithsuchmathematicalprecision。Doyoualwaysfindthattwoandtwomakefour？\"
\"Youmean，haveIanyimaginationwhatever？\"Budlookedawayfromhereyes——towardtheuncurtained，highlittlewindow。A
faceappearedthere，asifatallmanhadglancedinashewaspassingbyandhaltedforasecondtolook。Bud’seyesmetfulltheeyesofthemanoutside，whotiltedhisheadbackwardinasignificantmovementandpassedon。Marianturnedherheadandcaughtthesignal，lookedatBudquickly，alittleflushcreepingintohercheeks。
\"Ihopeyouhavealittleimagination，\"shesaid，loweringhervoiceinstinctively。\"Itdoesn’trequiremuchtoseethatJerryisright。TheconventionsarestrictlyobservedatLittleLost——inthekitchen，atleast，\"sheadded，underherbreath，withaflashofresentment。\"Runalong——andthenexttimeHoneyasksyoutoplaythepiano，willyoupleaseplayLotusblume？Andwhenyouhavethrownopentheprisonwindowswiththat，willyouplaySchubert’sAveMaria——thewayyouplayit——tosendabreathofcoolnightairin？\"
SheputoutthetipsofherfingersandpressedthemlightlyagainstBud’sshoulder，turningtowardthedoor。Budstarted，steppedintothekitchen，wheeledaboutandstoodregardingherwithastubbornlookinhiseyes。
\"Imightkickthedoordown，too，\"hesaid。\"Idon’tlikeprisonsnohow。\"
\"No—justawindow，thankyou，\"shelaughed。
Budthoughtthelaughdidnotgoverydeep。\"Jerrywantstotalktoyou。He’sthewhitestofthelot，ifyoucancallthat——\"shestoppedabruptly，putoutahandtothedoor，gavehimamomenttolookintoherdeep，troubledeyes，andclosedthedoorgentlybutinexorablyinhisface。
Jerrywasstandingatthecornerofthehousesmokingnegligently。HewaiteduntilBudhadcomeclosealongsidehim，thenledthewayslowlydownthepathtothecorrals。
\"IthoughtIheardthehorsesfighting，\"heremarked。\"Therewasanoisedownthisway。\"
\"Isthatwhyyoucalledmeoutside？\"askedBud，whoscornedsubterfuge。
\"Yeah。Isawyouwasn’tdancingorsingingorplayingthepiano——andIknewHoney’dlikelybelookingyouuptodooneortheother，inaminute。Shesurelikesyou，Bud。Shedon’t，everybodythatcomesalong。\"
BuddidnotwanttodiscussHoney，whereforehemadenoreply，andtheywalkedalonginsilence，thecool，heavydarknessgratefulaftertheoillampsandtheheatofcrowdedrooms。Astheynearedthecorralsastabledoorcreakedopenandshut，yettherewasnowind。Jerryhalted，onehandgoingtoBud’sarm。Theystoodforaminute，andheardtheswishofthebushesbehindthecorral，asifahorsewerepassingthrough。Jerryturnedback，leadingBudbythearm。TheywerefiftyfeetawayandthebusheswerestillagainbeforeJerryspokeguardedly。
\"IguessImadeamistake。Therewasn’tnothing，\"hesaid，anddroppedBud’sarm。\"
Budstopped。\"Therewasamanridingoffinthebrush，\"hesaidbluntly，\"andallthefolksthatcametothedancerodeinthroughthefrontgate。IreckonI’lljusttakealookwhereIleftmysaddle，anyway。\"
\"Thatmighthavebeensomeloosestock，\"Jerryargued，butBudwentback，wonderingalittleatJerry’smanner。
Thesaddlewasallright，andsowaseverythingelse，sofarasBudcoulddetermineinthedark，buthewasnotsatisfied。
HethoughtheunderstoodJerry’sreasonforbringinghimdowntothecorrals，buthecouldnotunderstandJerry’sattitudetowardanincidentwhichanymanwouldhavecalledsuspicious。
Budquietlycountednoseswhenhereturnedtothehouseandfoundthatsupperwasbeingserved，buthecouldnotrecallanymanwhowasmissingnow。EveryguestandeverymanontheranchwaspresentexceptoldPop，whohadalittleshacktohimselfandwenttobedatdarkeverynight。
Budwasmystified，andhehatedmysteries。Moreover，hewasworkingforDaveTruman，andwhatevermightconcernLittleLostconcernedhimalso。Butthemenhadbeguntotalkopenlyoftheirvarious\"runninghorses\"，andtoexchangejibesandboastsandtobetalittleonSunday’sraces。Budwantedtomissnothingofthat，andJerry’sindifferencetotheincidentatthestableservedtoreassurehimforthetimebeing。Heedgedclosetothegroupwherethetalkwasloudest，andlistened。
AmantheycalledJeffwastryingtojeerhisneighborsintobettingagainstahorsecalledSkeeter，andwasfindingthemtoocautiousforhisliking。Helaughedand，happeningtocatchBud’seyesuponhim，strodeforwardwithanemptytincupinhishandandslappedBudfriendliwiseontheshoulder。
\"Why，Ibetthissingin’kid，thatdon’tknowwhaIgotnerwhatyoufellershasgot，ain’tscaredtotake，achance。Areyuh，kid？Whatd’yuhthinkofthispikin’bunchherethathasseenSkeetercomeinsecondandthirdmoretimes’nwhathebeat，andyetisafraidtotakeachanceonrosin’twobits？Whatd’yuhthinkof’em？Ain’ttheyanonerybunch？\"
\"Isupposetheyhatetolose，\"Budgrinned。
\"That’sit——money’smoreto’emthanthesportofkings，whichisrunnin’horses。Thisbunch，kidbelly—achedtillDavetookhishorseBoiseoutathegame，andnow，bygosh，they’rebackin’upfrommySkeeter，thathasbeenbeatmoretimesthanhewon。’
\"Whenyoupulledhim，Jeff！\"amockingvoicedrawled。\"Andthatwaswhenyouwasn’tbettin’yourself。\"
JeffturnedinjuredlytoBud。\"Nowdon’tthatsoundlikeapiker？\"hecomplained。\"Itain’treasontoclaimI’dpullmyownhorse。Ain’tthattheoutdoinestwaytocomebackatamanthatlikesagoodrace？
BudswelledhischestandlaidhishandonJeff’sshoulder。
\"JusttoshowyouI’mnotapiker，\"hecriedrecklessly，\"I’llbetyoutwenty—fivedollarsIcanbeatyourSkeeterwithmySmokyhorsethatIrodeinhere。Isitago？\"
Jeff’sjawdroppedalittle，withsurprise。\"WhatferhorseisthishereSmokyhorseofyourn？\"hewantedtoknow。
Budwinkedatthegroup，whichcackledgleeful！，\"Ilovethesportofkings，\"hesaid。\"IloveitsowellIdon’thavetoseeyourSkeeterhorsetillSunday。Fromthewaytheseboyssidestephim，Iguesshe’sasure—enoughrunninghorse。MySmoky’sagoodlittlehorse，too，butheneverscaredabunchtilltheyhadcrampsinthepockets。Still，\"headdedwithagrin，\"I’lltryanythingonce。Ibetyoutwenty—fivedollarsmySmokycanbeatyourSkeeter。\"
\"Say，kid，honestIhatetotakeitawayfromyuh。Honest，I
do。Thewayyoucanknockthelivin’taroutathatpyannyisacautiontocats。Ic’dlistenallnight。Butwhenitcomestorunnin’horses——\"
\"Areyouafraidofyourmoney？\"Budaskedhimarrogantly。
\"Youcalledthisabunchofpikers——\"
\"Well，bygolly，it’llbeyourownfault，kid。IfItakeyourmoneyawayfromyuh，don’tgoandblameitontome。Mebbethesefellershasgotsomecausetosidestep——\"
\"Allright，thebet’son。AndIwon’tblameyouifIlose。
Smoky’sagoodlittlehorse。Don’tthinkforaminuteI’mgivingyoumyhardearnedcoin。You’llhavetothrowupsomedusttogetit，old—timer。IforgottosayI’dliketomakeitaquarterdash。\"
\"Aquarterdashitis，\"JeffagreedderisivelyasBudturnedtoanswerthesummonsofthemusicwhichwasbeginningagain。
Theracingenthusiastslingeredoutside，andBudsmiledtohimselfwhilehewhirledHoneytwicearoundinanold—
fashionedwaltz。Hehadthemtalkingabouthim，andwonderingabouthishorse。WhentheysawSmokytheywouldperhapscallhimachanceykid。HemeanttoaskPopaboutSkeeter，thoughPopseemedconfidentthatSmokywouldwinagainstanythinginthevalley。
Butontheotherhand，hehadseeninhisshortacquaintancewithLittleLostthatPopwasconsideredchildish——thatcomprehensiveaccusationwhichbelittlesthewisdomofage。
Theboysmadeitapointtohumorhimwithouttakinghimseriously。HoneypamperedhimandcalledhimPoppy，whileinMarian’schillcourtesy，inheravertedglances，BudhadreadherdislikeofPop。Hehadseenherhandshrinkawayfromcontactwithhishandwhenshesethiscoffeebesidehisplate。
ButBudhadheardothersspeakrespectfullyofBoise，andregretthathewastoofasttorun。Popmightbechildishonsomesubjects，butBudratherbankedonhisjudgmentofhorses——andPopwaspenuriousandanxioustowinmoney。
\"Whatareyouthinkingabout？\"Honeydemandedwhenthemusicstopped。\"Somethingawfulimportant，Iguess，tomakeyouwanttokeeprightondancing！\"
\"Iwasthinkingofhorse—racing，\"Budconfessed，gladthathecouldtellherthetruth。
\"Ah，you！Don’tletthemmakeafoolofyou。Someofthefellowswouldbettheshirtofftheirbacksonahorse—race！
Youlookoutforthem，Bud。\"
\"Theywouldn’tbetanymorethanIwould，\"Budboldlydeclared。\"I’vebetalreadyagainstahorseI’veneverseen。
How’sthat？\"
\"That’scrazy。You’lllose，andserveyouright。\"Shewentofftodancewithsomeoneelse，andBudturnedsmilingtofindapassablepartneramongsttheolderwomen——forhewasinclinedtocautionwherestrangegirlswereconcerned。Muchtroublecouldcometoastrangerwhodancedwithagirlwhohappenedtohaveajealoussweetheart，andBuddidnotcourttroubleofthatkind。Hemuchpreferredtofightoverotherthings。Besides，hehadnowishtoantagonizeHoney。
Buthisdancewithsomefaded，heavy—footedwomanwasnottobe。Jerryoncemoresignalledhimanddrewhimoutsideforalittleprivateconference。Jerrywasillateaseandinclinedtobereproachfulandevencondemnatory。
HewantedfirsttoknowwhyBudhadbeensuchamanykindsofafoolastomakethatbetwithJeffHall。Allthefellowsweretalkingaboutit。\"Theywasaskingmewhatkindofahorseyou’vegot——andIwouldn’tputitpastJeffandhisbunchtopullsomekindofadirtytrickonyou，\"hecomplained。\"Bud，onthesquare，Ilikeyouawholelot。Youseemkindainnocent，insomeways，andinotherwaysyoudon’t。Iwishyou’dtellmejustonething，soIcansleepcomfortable。Haveyougotsomeschemeofyourown？Orwhatthedevilailsyou？\"
\"Well，I’vejustgotanotion，\"Budadmitted。\"I’mgoingtohavesomefunwatchingthosefellowsperform，whetherIwinorlose。I’vespentasmuchastwenty—fivedollarsonacircus，beforenow，andfeltthatIgottheworthofmymoney，too。I’mgoingtoenjoymyselfrealwell，nextSunday。\"
Jerryglancedbehindhimandloweredhisvoice，speakingclosetoBud’sear。\"Well，there’ssomethingI’dliketosaythatitain’tsafetosay，Bud。I’dhatelikehelltoseeyougetintrouble。Goasfarasyoulikehavingfun——but——oh，hell！What’stheuse？\"Heturnedabruptlyandwentinside，leavingBudstaringafterhimratherblankly。
JerrydidnotstrikeBudasbeingthekindofamanwhogoesaroundinterferingwitheveryotherman’sbusiness。Hewasaquiet，good—naturedyoungfellowwithquizzicaleyesofthatmixedcolorwhichwecallhazelsimplybecausethereismorebrownthangrayorgreen。Hedidnottalkmuch，butheobservedmuch。BudwasstronglyinclinedtoheedJerry’swarning，butitwastoovaguetohaveanypracticalvalue——\"
aboutlikeHen’snote，\"Budconcluded。\"Well—meaningbuthazy。Likeareddangerflagonarailroadcrossingwherethetrackistornupandmoved。Isawone，onceandmyhorsethrewafitatitandalmostpiledme。Ifiguredthattheredflagcreatedthedanger，whereIwasconcerned。Still，I’dliketoobligeJerryandsidestepsomethingorother，but……\"
Histhoughtsgrewlessdistinct，mergedintowordlessrememberingsandconjectures，clarifiedagainintotersesentenceswhichneverreachedthemediumofspeech。
\"Well，I’lljustmakesuretheydon’ttryoutSmokewhenI’mnotlooking，\"hedecided，andslippedawayinthedark。
Byaroundaboutwaywhichavoidedthetrailhemanagedtoreachthepasturefencewithoutbeingseen。Nohorsesgrazedinsight，andheclimbedthroughandwentpickinghiswayacrossthelumpymeadowinthestarlight。Atthefarthersidehefoundthehorsesstandingoutonasandyridgewherethemosquitoeswerenotquitesopestiferous。TheLittleLosthorses；snortedandtooktotheirheels，histhreefollowingforashortdistance。
BudstoppedandwhistledapeculiarcallinventedlongagowhenhewasjustBuddy，andwatchedovertheTomahawkREMUDA。
EveryhorsewiththeTomahawkbrandknewthatsummons——thoughnoteveryhorsewouldobeyit。Butthesethreehadcomewhentheyweresuckingcolts，ifBuddywhistled；andintheirbreakingandtraining，inthelongtripnorth，theyhadnotquestioneditsauthority。TheyturnedandtrottedbacktohimnowandnosedBud’shandswhichheheldouttothem。
Hepettedthemallandtalkedtotheminanaffectionatemurmurwhichtheyansweredbysundrylipnibblesandsubduedsnorts。Smokyhesingledoutfinally，rubbinghisbackandsideswiththeflatofhishandfromshouldertoflank，andsototherumpanddownthethightothehocktothescantyfetlockwhichtold，tothosewhoknew，thatherewasanaristocratamonghorses。
Smokystoodquiet，andBud’shandlingeredthere，smoothingtheslenderankle。Bud’sfingersfeltthefine—hairedtail，thengavealittletwitch。Hewasbusyforaminute，kneelinginthesandwithoneknee，hisheadbent。Thenhestoodup，wentforwardtoSmoky’shead，andstoodrubbingthehorse’snosethoughtfully。
\"Ihatetodoit，oldboy——butI’mworkingtomake’sahome——
we’vegottoworktogether。AndI’mnotaskinganymoreofyouthanI’dbewillingtodomyself，ifIwereahorseandyouwereaman。\"
Hegavethethreehorsesahastypatapieceandstartedbackacrossthemeadowtothefence。Theyfollowedhimlikepetdogs——andwhenBudglancedbackoverhisshoulderhesawinthedimlightthatSmokywalkedwithaslightlimp。
CHAPTERTWELVE：SPORTO’KINGS
Sundayhappenedtobefair，withnottoostrongawindblowing。BeforenoonLittleLostranchwasabusyplace，andjustbeforedinneritbecamebusier。Horse—racingseemedtobeaspopularasportinthevalleyasdancing。Indeed，mencameridinginwhohadnotcometothedance。Thedrycreek—
bedwherethehorseswouldrunhadnoroadleadingtoit，sothatallvehiclescametoLittleLostandremainedtherewhilethepassengerscontinuedonfoottotheraces。
Atthecorralfreshshavenmen，incleanshirtstodistinguishthisasadress—upoccasion，foregathered，lookingoverthehorsesandmakingbetsandarguing。Popshambledhereandthere，smokingcigarettesfuriouslyandkeepingakeeneartowardtheloudestbetting。HecamesidlinguptoBud，whowasleadingSmokyoutofthestable，andhissharpeyestookineveryinchofthehorseandwentinquiringlytoBud’sface。
\"Goin’torunhim，youngfeller——lameaswhatheis？\"hedemandedsharply。
\"Goingtotry，anyway，\"saidBud。\"I’vegotabetuponhim，dad。\"
\"Sho！Fixin’tolose，airye？Youkincallitoff，likeasnot。Jeffain’tsoonreason’ble’the’dmakeyuhrunalamehorse。Airyuh，Jeff？\"
JeffstrolledupandlookedSmokyoverwithcriticaleyes。
\"What’sthematter？Ain’tthekidgametorunhim？Lookstomelikeagoodlittlegoer。\"
\"He’sgotalimp——butI’llrunhimanyway。\"Budglancedup。
\"Maybewhenhe’swarmeduphe’llforgetaboutit。\"
\"SeenmySkeeter？\"
\"Goodhorse，Ishouldjudge，\"Budobservedindifferently。
\"ButIain’tworryingany。\"
\"Well，neitheramI，\"Jeffgrinned。
Popstoodteeteringbackandforth，plainlyuneasy。\"I’drubhimrightgoodwithliniment，\"headvisedBud。\"I’llgitsome’tIknowoughtt’help。\"
\"What’sthematter，Pop？Yougotmoneyuponthatcayuse？\"
Jefflaughed。
Popwhirledonhim。\"Iain’tgotmoneyuponhim，no。Butifhewasn’tlameI’dhavesome！I’dshowye’tIadmiregamenessinakid。Iwouldso。\"
Jeffnudgedhisneighborintolaughter。\"Thereain’tagameroldbirdinthevalleythanPop，\"Jeffcried。\"C’mawn，Pop，I’llbetyuhtendollarsthekidbeatsme！\"
Popwasshufflinghurriedlyoutofthecorralaftertheliniment。ToJeff’schallengehemadenoreplywhatever。ThegrouparoundJeffshooedSmokygentlytowardtheothersideofthecorral，therebyconvincingthemselvesofthelimpinhisrighthindfoot。Whilenotsopronouncedastobecrippling，itcertainlywasnoassettoarunninghorse，andthewiseonesconferredtogetherinundertones。
\"Thattherekid’sabornfool，\"DaveTrumanstatedpositively。\"Thehorsecan’trun。He’sgotthelookofaspeedylittleanimal——butshucks！Thekiddon’tknowanythingaboutrunninghorses。I’vebeentalkingtohim，andIknow。
Jeff，you’retakingthemoneyawayfromhimifyourunthatrace。\"
\"Well，I’mgivingthekidachancetobackout，\"Jeffhastenedtodeclare。\"Hecanputitofftillhishorsegitswell，ifhewantsto。Iain’tgoingtoholdhimtoit。I
neversaidIwas。\"
\"That’smightykindofyou，\"Budsaid，comingupfrombehindwithabottleofliniment，andwithPopathisheels。\"ButI’llrunhimjustthesame。Smokyhasfavoredthisfootbefore，anditneverseemedtohurthimany。Youneedn’tthinkI’mgoingtocrawfish。YoumustthinkI’mawhiningcuss——say！I’llbetanothertendollarsthatIdon’tcomeinmorethananeckbehind，lamehorseornot！\"
\"Now，kid，don’tgitchancey，\"Popadmonisheduneasily。
\"Twenty—fiveisenoughmoneytodonatetoJeff。\"
\"That’sright，kid。Ilikeyournerve，\"Jeffcutin，emphasizinghisapprovalwithaslaponBud’sshoulderashebenttoliftSmoky’sleg。\"I’vesawworsehorsesthanthisonecomeinahead——itwouldn’tbenosporto’kingsifnobodytookachance。\"
\"I’mtakingchanceenough，\"Budretortedwithoutlookingup。
\"IfIdon’twinthistimeIwillthenext，maybe。\"
\"That’sright，\"Jeffagreedheartily，winkingbroadlyattheothersbehindBud’sback。
BudrubbedSmoky’sanklewithliniment，listenedtovariousandsundryself—appointedadvisersand，withoutseemingtothinkhowthesumswouldtotal，tookseveralothersmallbetsontherace。Theyweresmall——Popbegantoteeterbackandforthandlifthisshouldersandpullhisbeard——suresignsofperturbation。
\"ByChristmas，I’lljustputuptendollarsonthekid，\"Popfinallycackled。\"Iain’tgotmuchtolose——butI’llshowyuholdPopain’tgoingtoseetheyoungfellerstandalone。\"HetriedtocatchBud’seye，butthatyoungmanwasbusysaddlingSmokyandreturningjibeforjibewiththemenaroundhim，anddidnotglancetowardPopatall。
\"I’lltakethisbottleinmypocket，Pop，\"hesaidwithhisbacktowardtheoldman，andmountedcarelessly。\"I’llridehimaroundalittleandgivehimanothergoodrubbingbeforewerun。I’mbetting，\"headdedtotheothersfrankly，\"onthechancethatexerciseandthelinimentwilltakethesorenessoutofthatankle。Idon’tbelieveitamountstoanythingatall。Soifanyofyoufellowswanttobet——\"
\"Shucks！Don’tgo’n—\"Popbegan，andbitthesentenceintwo，droppingimmediatelyintoadeepstudy。ThekidwasgettingbeyondPop’sunderstanding。
Acrowdofperhapsahundredmenandwomen——withageneroussprinklingofunrulyjuveniles——linedthesheerbankofthecreek—bedandwatchedthehorsesrun，andscreamedtheircheapwitticismsatthelosers，andtheirapprovalofthosewhowon。Theyoungsterwiththemysteriouspastandthefoolhardinesstobetonalamehorsetheywatchedanddiscussed，thewomenplainlywishinghewouldwin——becausehewashandsomeandyoung，andsuchawonderfulmusician。Themenweremorecold—blooded。TheycouldnotseethatBud’sgoodlooksorthehauntingmelodyofhisvoicehadanybearingwhateveruponhiswinningarace。Theycalledhimafool，andeitherrefusedtobetatallonsuchafreakpropositionasalamehorserunningagainstSkeeter，orbetagainsthim。AfewofthewiseoneswonderedifJeffandhisbunchweremerely\"stringingthekidalong\"；iftheymightnotlethimwinalittle，justtomakehimmore\"chancey。\"
Buttheydidnotthinkitwisetobetonthatprobability。
WhilethreeraceswerebeingrunBudrodewiththeLittleLostmen，andSmokystilllimpedalittle。JerryMyers，stillself—appointedguardianofBud，herdedhimapartandcalledhimafoolandimploredhimtocalltheraceoffandkeephismoneyinhisownpocket。
Budwasthinkingjustthenaboutacertainlittlewomanwhosatonthecreekbankwithawide—brimmedstrawhatshadingherwonderfuleyes，andapairoflittle，high—archedfeettappingheelsabsentlyagainstthebankwall。Honeysatbesideher，andacoupleofthevalleywomenwhomBudhadmetatthedance。Hehadriddencloseandpausedforafewfriendlysentenceswiththequartette，carefultogiveHoneytheattentionsheplainlyexpected。ButitwasnotHoneywhoworethewidehatandownedtheprettylittlefeet。Budpulledhisthoughtsbackfromafruitlesswishthathemightinsomewayhelpthatlittlewomanwhosetroublelookedfromhereyes，andwhoselipssmiledsobravely。Hedidnotthinkofpossessionwhenhethoughtofher；itwasthelookinhereyes，andtheslightingtonesinwhichHoneyspokeofher。
\"Say，comealive！Whatyuhgoingoffinatrancefor，whenI’mtalkingtoyuhforyourowngood？\"Jerrysmiledwhimsically，buthiseyeswereworried。
Budpulledhimselftogetherandreinedcloser。
\"Don’tbetanythingonthisrace，Jerry，\"headvised\"Orifyoudo，don’tbetonSkeeter。But——well，I’lljusttradeyoualittleadviceforallyou’vegivenme。Don’tbet！\"
\"Whatthehell！\"surprisejoltedoutofJerry。
\"It’smyfuneral，\"Budlaughed。\"I’machanceykid，yousee——
butI’dhatetoseeyoubetonme。\"Hepulleduptowatchthenextrace——fournervylittlecow—horsesoftruerangebreeding，goingdowntothequarterpost。
\"They’regoingtomakefalsestartsaplenty，\"Budremarkedafterthefirstfluke。\"JeffandIhaveitoutnext。I’lljustgiveSmokeanothertreatment。\"Hedismounted，lookedatJerryundecidedlyandslappedhimontheknee。\"I’mgladtohaveafriendlikeyou，\"hesaidimpulsively。\"There’salotoftwo—facedsinnersaroundherethatwouldstealamanblind。Don’tthinkI’maltogetherafool。\"
Jerrylookedathimqueerly，openedhismouthandshutitagainsotightlythathisjawbonesstoodoutalittle。HewatchedBudbathingSmoky’sankle。WhenBudwasthroughandhandedJerrythebottletokeepforhim，Jerryheldhimforaninstantbythehand。
\"Say，forGawdsakedon’ttalklikethatpromiscuous，Bud，\"hebegged。\"Youmighthittooclose——\"
\"Ay，Jerry！EverhearthatoldArmenianproverb，’Hewhotellsthetruthshouldhaveonefootinthestirrup’？I
learnedthatinschool。\"
JerryletgoBud’shandandtookthebottle，Bud’swatchthathadhismother’spicturepastedintheback，andhisvest，apocketofwhichcontainedamemorandumofhiswagers。Budwassteppingoutofhischaps，andhelookedupandgrinned。
\"Cheerup，Jerry。You’regoingtolaughinaminute。\"WhenJerrystillremainedthoughtful，Budaddedsoberly，\"I
appreciateyouandoldPopstandingbyme。Idon’tknowjustwhatyou’vegotonyourmind，butthefactthatthere’ssomethingishintenoughforme。\"WhereuponJerry’seyeslightenedalittle。
Thefourhorsescamethunderingdownthetrack，throwingtinypebbleshighintotheairastheypassed。Atrimlittlesorrelwon，andtherewastheusualconfusionofvoicesupraisedinanefforttobeheard。Whenthathadsubsided，interestoncemorecenteredonSkeeterandSmoky，whoseemedtohaverecoveredsomewhatfromhislameness。
NotamansavePopandBudhadplacedabetonSmoky，yeteverymanthereseemedkeenlyinterestedintherace。TheyjoshedBud，whogrinnedandtookitgood—naturedly，andfoundanotherfivedollarsin——hispockettobet——thistimewithPop，whokepteyeinghimsharply——anditseemedtoBudwarningly。ButBudwantedtoplayhisowngame，thistime，andheavoidedPop’seyes。
Thetwomenrodedownthehoof—scoredsandtothequarterpost，Skeeterdancingsidewiseattheprospectofarace，SmokynowandthententativelyagainstBud’ssteadypressureofthebit。
\"He’snotlimpingnow，\"Budgloatedastheyrode。ButJeffonlylaughedtolerantlyandmadenoreply。
DaveTrumanstartedthemwithapistolshot，andthetwohorsesdartedaway，Smokyhalfajumpinthelead。Hislimpwasforgotten，andforhalfthedistanceheranneckandneckwithSkeeter。ThenhedroppedtoSkeeter’smiddle，tohisflank——thenranwithhisblacknoseevenwithSkeeter’srump。
Evensoitwasacloserracethanthecrowdhadexpected，andallthecowboysbegantoyellthemselvespurple。
Butwhentheywereyetafewleapsfromthewireclothes—linestretchedhigh，fromposttopost，BudleanedforwarduntilhelayflatalongsideSmoky’sneck，andgavearealIndianwar—whoop。Smokyliftedandlengthenedhisstride，cameupagaintoSkeeter’smiddle，tohisshoulder，tohisears——andwiththenextleapthrusthisnosepastSkeeter’sastheyfinished。
Well，thentherewastheusualnoise，everyonetryingtoshoutlouderthanhisfellows。BudrodetowherePopwassittingapartonapacinggrayhorsethathealwaysrode，andpausedtosayguardedly，\"Ipulledhim，Pop。ButatthatIwon，soifIcanpryanotherraceoutofthisbunchto—day，youcanbetallyoulike。Andyouowemefivedollars，\"headdedthriftily。
\"Sho！Shucksalmighty！\"splutteredPop，reachingreluctantlyintohispocketforthemoney。\"Jeff，hedonesomepullin’
himself——IwishIknowed，\"headdedpettishly，\"justhowbigafoolyouair。\"
\"Hey，comeoverhere！\"shoutedJeff。\"WhatyuhnaggingolePopabout？\"
\"Poplostfivedollarsonthatrace，\"Budcalledback，andlopedovertothecrowd。\"Butheisn’ttheonlyone。SeemstomeI’vegotquiteabunchofmoneycomingtome，fromthiscrowd！\"
\"Jeff，he’dabeathimamileifhisbridlereinhadbusted，\"
anarrogantvoiceshoutedrecklessly。\"Jeff，youoldfox，youknowdamnwellyoupulledSkeeter。Youmustlovetolose，doggoneyuh。\"
\"IfyouthinkIdidn’trunright，\"Jeffretorted，asifalittlenettled，\"someoneelsecanridethehorse。Thatis，ifthekidhereain’tscaredoffwithyourtalk。Howaboutit，Bud？Thinkyouwonfair？\"
Budwascollectinghismoney，andhedidnotimmediatelyanswerthechallenge。Whenhediditwastoofferthemanotherrace。Hewouldnot，hesaid，backdownfromanyone。
HewouldbethislastcentonlittleSmoky。Hebecameslightlyvociferativeandmorethanalittlevain—glorious，andwithinhalfanhourhehadoncemorestakedallthemoneyhehadintheworld。Thenumberofmenwhowantedtobetwithhimsurprisedhimalittle。AlsothefactthattheLittleLostmenwerebettingonSmoky。
Honeycalledhimovertothebankandscoldedhimintonesmuchlikehername，andfinallygavehimtendollarswhichshewantedtowageronhiswinning。Ashewhirledaway，Marianbeckonedimpulsivelyandleanedforward，stretchingouttohimherclosedhand。
\"Here’sten，\"shesmiled，\"justtoshowthattheLittleLoststandsbyitsmen——andhorses。PutitonSmoky，please。\"WhenBudwasalmostoutofeasyhearing，shecalledtohim。\"Oh——
wasthatafiveoratendollarbillIgaveyou？\"
Budturnedback，unfoldingthebanknote。Averytightlyfoldedscrapofpaperslidintohispalm。
\"Oh，allright——Ihavethefivehereinmypocket，\"calledMarian，andlaughedquiteconvincingly。\"Goonandrun！Wewon’tbeabletobreathefreelyuntiltheraceisover。\"
WhereforeBudturnedback，puzzledandwithhisheartjumping。ForsomereasonMarianhadtakenthismeansofgettingamessageintohishands。Whatitcouldbehedidnotconjecture；buthehadavague，unreasoninghopethatshetrustedhimandwasaskinghimtohelphersomehow。Hedidnotthinkthatitconcernedtherace，sohedidnotriskopeningthenotethen，withsomanypeopleabout。
Aslim，narrow—eyedyouthofaboutBud’sweightwaschosentorideSkeeter，andtogethertheywentbackoverthecoursetothequarterpost，withDavetostartthemandtwoorthreeotherstomakesurethattheracewasfair。Smokywasfullnowoflittleprancingsteps，andheldhisneckarchedwhilehisnostrilsflaredinexcitement，showingpinkwithin。
Skeeterpersistentlydancedsidewise，fightingthebit，crazytorun。
Skeetermadetwofalsestarts，andwhenthepistolwasfired，jumpedhighintotheairandforward，shakinghishead，impatientagainsttherestrainthisriderputuponhim。
HalfwaydownthestretchhelungedsidewisetowardSmoky，butthatlevel—headedlittlehorseswervedandwenton，shouldertoshoulderwiththeother。AttheverylastSkeeterrolledapebbleunderhisfootandstumbled——andagainSmokycameinwithhisslatynoseinthelead。
Poprodeintothecentreoftheyellingcrowd，hiswhiskersbristling。\"Shucksalmighty！\"hecried。\"Whatferridin’doyuhcallthatthere？JeffHall，thatfellerheldSkeeterinworse’nwhatyoudidyourself！Ikinproveit！Igotastopwatch，an’Itimed’im，Idid。An’IkintellyuhthetimeyorehorsemadewhenherunaginDave’sBoise。He’sthreeseconds——yes，byChristmas，he’sfoursecondsslowert’day’nwhathe’severrunbefore！Whatfersportd’youcallthat？\"
Hisvoicewentupandcrackedatthequestionmarklikeaboyinhisearlyteens。
JeffstalkedforwardtoSkeeter’sside。\"Jake，didyoupullSkeeter？\"hedemandedsternly。\"I’llswanifthisain’tthebelly—achinessbunchIeverseen！Howaboutit，Jake？DidSkeeterdohisdurndest，ordidn’the？
\"Shore，hedid！\"Jaketestifiedwarmly。\"I’dabeat，too，ifhehadn’tstumbledrightatthelast。Didn’tyuhseehimpurtyneargodown？Andwasn’thewithinsixinchesofbeatin’？Ileaveittothecrowd！\"
Thecrowdwasfullofargument，andsomebetswerepaidunderprotest。Buttheywerepaid，justthesame。BurrobackValleyinsistedthatthemainpointsofracinglawshouldbeobeyedtotheletter。Budcollectedhiswinnings，theScotchinhimoverlookingnothingwhateverintheshapeofadollar。Then，undercoverofgettinghissmokingmaterial，hedaredbringoutMarian’snote。Thereweretwolinesinafine，evenhandonacigarettepaper，andBud，relievedathercleverness，unfoldedthepaperandreadwhileheopenedhisbagoftobacco。Thelineswerelikethoseinanold—fashionedcopybook：
\"Winnersmaybelosers。
Emptypockets，safeowner。\"
Andthatwasall。Budsiftedtobaccointothepaper，rolleditintoacigaretteandsmokedittososhortastubthatheburnthislips。Thenhedroppeditbesidehisfootandgrounditintothesandwhilehetalked。
HewouldrunSmokynomorethatday，hedeclared，butnextSundayhewouldgivethemallachancetosettletheirmindsandwinbacktheirlosings，providinghishorse’sankledidn’tgobadagainwithto—day’srunning。Pop，Dave，Jeffandafewotherwiseonesexaminedtheweakankleanddisagreedovertheexactcauseandnatureoftheweakness。Itseemedallright。Smokydidnotflinchfromrubbing，thoughhedidlifthisfootawayfromstrangehands。TheyquestionedBud，whocouldoffernopositiveinformationonthesubject，exceptthatonceheandSmokyhadrolleddownablufftogether，andSmokyhadbeenlameforawhileafterwards。
ItdidnotoccurtoanyonetoaskBudwhichleghadbeenlamed，andBuddidnotvolunteerthedetail。Anoldsprain，theyfinallydecided，andBudreplacedhissaddle，gothischapsandcoatfromJerry，whowassmilingoveranextratwenty—fivedollars，androdeovertogivethegirlstheirwinnings。
HestayedforseveralminutestalkingwiththemandhopingforachancetothankMarianforherfriendlywarning。Buttherewasnone，andherodeawaydissatisfiedandwonderinguneasilyifMarianthoughthewasreallyasfriendlywithHoneyasthatyoungladymadehimappeartobe。
Hewasoneofthefirsttoridebacktotheranch，andheturnedSmokyinthepastureandcaughtupStoppertoridewithHoney，whosaidshewasgoingforaridewhentheraceswereover，andthatifhelikedtogoalongshewouldshowhimtheSinks。BudhadprofessedaneagernesstoseetheSinkswhichhedidnotfeeluntilMarianhadturnedherheadtowardHoneyandsaidinherquietvoice：
\"WhytheSinks？Youknowthatisn’tsafecountrytoridein，Honey。\"
\"That’swhyIwanttoridethere，\"Honeyretortedflippantly。
\"Ihatesafeplacesandsafethings。\"
MarianhadglancedatBud——anditwasthatglancewhichhewasrememberingnowwithapuzzledsensethat，likethenote，ithadmeantsomethingdefinite，somethingvitaltohisownwelfareifhecouldonlyfindthekey。FirstitwasHen，thenJerry，andnowMarian，allwarninghimvaguelyofdangerintowhichhemightstumbleifhewerenotcareful。
Budwasnofool，butontheotherhandhewasnotonetostampedeeasily。Hehadthatsteadfastcourage，perhaps，whichcouldfacedangerandstillmaintainhisnaturalcalm——
justashismotherhadcorrectedgrammaticalslipsintheverysentenceswhichtoldherofanimpendingoutbreakofIndianslongagoBudsaddledStopperandthehorsewhichHoneywastoride，ledthemtothehouseandwentinsidetowaituntilthegirlwasready。Whilehewaitedheplayed——andhopedthatMarian，hearing，wouldknowthatheplayedforher；andthatshewouldcomeandexplainthecrypticmessage。
WhetherMarianheardandappreciatedthemusicornot，shefailedtoappearandlethimknow。Itseemedtohimthatshemighteasilyhavecomeintotheroomforaminutewhensheknewhewasthere，andlethimhaveachancetothankherandaskherjustwhatshemeant。
HewasjustfinishingtheAVEMARIAwhichMarianhadlikenedtoabreathofcoolair，whenHoneyappearedinridingskirtandlightshirtwaist。Shelookedverytrimandattractive，andBudsmileduponherapprovingly，andcutshortthelaststrainbyfourbeats，whichwasonewayoflettingMarianknowthatheconsideredherratherunappreciative。
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN：THESINKS
\"Wecangothroughthepastureandcutoffacoupleofmiles，\"saidHoneywhentheyweremounted。\"Ihopeyoudon’tthinkI’mcrazy，wantingarideatthistimeofday，afteralltheexcitementwe’vehad。ButeverySundayistakenupwithhorse—racingtilllateintheafternoon，andduringtheweeknoonehastimetogo。And，\"sheaddedwithasidelonglookathim，\"there’ssomethingabouttheSinksthatmakesmelovetogothere。UncleDavewon’tletmegoalone。\"
Buddismountedtopulldownthetwotopbarsofthepasturegatesothattheirhorsescouldstepover。AlittlewaydownthegrassyslopeSmokyandSunfishfedtogether，theLittleLosthorsesgroupednearerthecreek。
\"Ilovethatlittlehorseofyours——why，he’sgonelameagain！\"exclaimedHoney。\"Isn’tthatashame！Yououghtn’ttorunhimifitdoesthattohim。\"
\"Helikesit，\"saidBudcarelesslyasheremounted。\"AndsodoI，whenIcancleanupthewayIdidtoday。I’moverthreehundreddollarsricherrightnowthanIwasthismorning。\"
\"AndnextSunday，maybeyou’llbebroke，\"Honeyaddedsignificantly。\"Youneverknowhowyouarecomingout。I
thinkJeffletyouwinto—dayonpurpose，soyou’dbetitallagainandlose。He’slikethat。Hedon’tcarehowmuchhelosesoneday，becausehegetsitbacksomeothertime。I
don’tlikeit。Someoftheboysneverdogetahead，andyou’llbeinthesamefixifyoudon’tlookout。\"
\"Youdidn’tbringmealongtolectureme，Iknow，\"saidBudwithagood—naturedsmile。\"WhatabouttheSinks？Isitadangerousplaceas——Mrs。Morrissays？\"
\"Oh，Marian？Sheneverdoeswantmetocome。ShethinksI
oughttostayinthehousealways，thewayshedoes。TheSinksis——is——queer。Therearecaves，andthenagaindeepholesstraightdown，andtracksofwildcatsandlions。Andinsomeplacesyoucanheargurglesandrumbles。Ilovetobetherejustatsundown，becausetheshadowsarespookyanditmakesyoufeel——oh，youknow——kindofcreepyupyourback。
Youdon’tknowwhatmighthappen。I——doyoubelieveinghostsandhauntedplaces，Bud？\"
\"I’dneedalotofscaringbeforeIdid。AretheSinkshaunted？\"
\"No—o——buttherearefunnynoisesandpeoplehavegotlostthere。Anywaytheynevershowedupafterwards。TheIndiansclaimit’shaunted。\"Shesmiledthatbaringsmileofhers。
\"Doyouwanttoturnaroundandgoback？\"
\"Sure。Afterwe’vehadourride，andseenthesights。\"Andheaddedwithsomesatisfaction，\"Themoon’sfullto—night，andnoclouds。\"
\"AndIbroughtsandwiches，\"Honeythrewinasespecialblessing。\"UncleDavewillbemad，Iexpect。ButI’veneverseentheSinksatnight，withmoonlight。\"
ShewasquietwhilethehorseswadedSunkCreekandpickedtheirwaycarefullyoveraparticularlyrockystretchbeyond。
\"ButwhatI’dratherdo，\"shesaid，speakingfromherthoughtswhichhadevidentlycarriedforwardinthesilence，\"isexploreCatrockCanyon。\"
\"Well，whynot，ifwehavetime？\"Budrodeupalongsideher。\"Isitfar？\"
Honeylookedathimsearchingly。\"Youmustbestrangertotheseparts，\"shesaiddisbelievingly。\"Doyouthinkyoucanmakemeswallowthat？\"
Budlookedatherinquiringly，whichforcedhertogoon。
\"YoumustknowaboutCatrockCanyon，BudBirnie。Don’ttrytomakemebelieveyoudon’t。\"
\"Idon’t。IneverheardofitbeforethatIremember。Whatisitmakesyouwanttoexploreit？\"
Honeystudiedhim。\"You’rethequeerestspecimenIeverdidsee，\"sheexclaimedpettishly。\"Why，it’snotgoingtohurtyoutoadmityouknowCatrockCanyonis——unexplorable。\"
\"Oh。Soyouwanttoexploreitbecauseit’sunexplorable。
Well，whyisitunexplorable？\"
Honeylookedaroundheratthedrysagelandtheywerecrossing。\"Oh，youmakemeTIRED！\"shesaidbluntly，withsomethingoftherangeroughnessinhervoice。\"Becauseitis，that’sall。\"
\"ThenI’dliketoexploreitmyself，\"Buddeclared。
\"Foronething，\"Honeydilated，\"there’snowaytogetinthere。
Upontheridgethisside，wheretherockisthatthrowsashadowlikeacat’sheadontheoppositewall，youcanlookdownaways。Butthetwosidescomesoclosetogetheratthetopthatyoucan’tseethebottomofthecanyonatall。I’vebeenontheridgewhereIcouldseethecat’shead。\"
Budglancedspeculativelyupatthesun，andHoney，catchinghismeaning，shookherheadandsmiled。
\"IfwegetintotheSinksandbackto—day，theywilldoenoughtalkingaboutit；orUncleDavewill，andMarian。I——I
thoughtperhapsyou’dbeabletotellmeabout——CatrockCanyon。\"
\"I’mabletosayIdon’tknowathingaboutit。Ifnoonecangetintoit，Ishouldthinkthat’saboutall，isn’tit？\"
\"Yes——you’dthinkso，\"Honeyagreedenigmatically，andbegantotalkoftheracingthatday，andofthedance，andofotherdancesandotherracesyettocome。Buddiscussedthesesubjectsforawhileandthenaskedboldly，\"When’sLewcomingback？\"
\"Lew？\"Honeyshotaswiftglanceathim。\"Why？\"Shelookedaheadattheforbidding，craggyhillstowardwhichshehadglancedwhenshespokeofCatrock。\"Why，Idon’tknow。HowshouldI？\"
Budsawthathehadspokenunwisely。\"Iwasthinkinghe’dmaybehatetomissanotherrunningmatchliketo—day，\"heexplainedguilelessly。\"Everybodyandhisdogseemedtobethereto—day，andeverybodyhadmoneyup。All，\"hemodified，\"excepttheMuleshoeboys。Ididn’tseeanyofthem。\"
\"Youwon’t，\"Honeytoldhimwithsomeemphasis。\"UncleDaveandtheMuleshoeareontheouts。Theynevercomearoundexceptformailandthingsfromthestore。AndmostalwaystheysendHen。UncleDaveandDirkTracyhadanawfulrowlastwinter。Itwasnextthingtoakilling。Soofcoursetheoutfitsain’tonfriendlyterms。\"
ThiswasmorethanPophadgossipedtoBud，andsincethewholethingwasofnoconcerntohim，andHoneyplainlyobjectedtotalkingaboutMarian’shusband，hewasquitereadytofixhisinterestoncemoreupontheSinks。Hewassurprisedwhentheyemergedfromaclusterofsmall，sage—
coveredknolls，directlyupontheedgeofwhatatfirstsightseemedtobeanotherdryriverbed——sprawledwider，perhaps，withirregulararmsthrustbackintothelesssterileland。
Theyrodedownasteep，rockytrailandcameoutintotheSinks。
Itwasanodd，forbiddingplace，andthefartherupthegravellybottomtheyrode，themoreforbiddingitbecame。BudthoughtthatinthetimewhenIndiansweredangerousasshe—
bearstheSinkswouldnotbeaplacewhereamanwouldwanttoride。Thereweretoomanyjuttingcrags，toomanyunsuspected，blackholesthatledback——nooneknewjustwhere。
HoneyledthewaytoanirregularcircleofwaterwashedcobblesandBudpeereddownfiftyfeettoanotherdry，gravellybottomseeminglyaduplicateoftheuppersurface。
Sherodeonpastothercaves，andlethimlookdownintootherholes。Therewerefaintrumblingsinsomeofthese，butinnonewasthereanywatershowingsaveinstagnantpoolsintherockwheretherainhadfallen。
\"There’sonecaveIliketogointo，\"saidHoneyatlast。
\"It’salittlefartheron，butwehavetimeenough。There’saspringinside，andwecaneatoursandwiches。Itisn’tdark—
thereareopeningstothetop，andlotsoffunny，windingpassages。That，\"shefinishedthrillingly，\"istheplacetheIndiansclaimishaunted。\"
Buddidnotshudderconvincingly，andtheyrodeslowlyforward，pickingtheirwayamongtherocks。Thecaveyawnedwideopentothesun，whichhungonthetopofCatrockPeak。
Theydismounted，anchoredthereinswithrocksandwentinside。
WhenBudhadbeeninvestigativeBuddy，hehadexploredmorecavesthanhecouldcount。Hehadfilchedcandlesfromhismotherandhadcreptbackandbackuntilthecandleflameflickeredwarningthathewasnearingthe\"damps\"Indiansalwaysdidbelievecaveswerehaunted，probablybecausetheydidnotunderstandthe\"damps\"，andthoughtevilspiritshadtakenthosewhowentinandneverreturned。Buddyhadoncebeenlostinacaveforfourharrowinghours，andhadfoundhiswayoutbysheerluck，passingtheskeletonofanIndianandtakingthetomahawkasasouvenir。
Whereforethisparticularcave，withaspringbackfiftyfeetfromtheentrancewhereashaftofsunlightstrucktherockthroughsomeobscureslitintherock，hadnothrillforhim。
Butthefloorwasoffine，whitesand，andtheceilingwasknobbyandgrotesque，andhewasquitewillingtosittherebesidethespringandeattwosandwichesandtalkfoolishnesswithHoney，usingthatpartofhismindwhichwasnotbusywiththecomplexitiesofwinningmoneyonthespeedofhishorseswhenthreehorsesrepresentedhisentirebusinesscapital，andwithwonderingwhatwaswrongwithBurrobackValley，thatthreepersonsofwidelydifferentviewpointshadfeltitnecessarytocautionhim，——andhadcouchedtheiradmonitionsinsuchgeneraltermsthathecouldnotfeeltheforceoftheirwarning。
HewasthinkingbackalonghislifetowherefalsealarmsofIndianoutbreakshadplayedaverylargepartintheTomahawk’saffairs，andhowlittleoftheranchworkwouldeverhavebeendonehadtheylistenedtoeverycalamityhowlerthatcamealong。Honeywastalking，andhewasansweringpartlyatrandom，whenshesuddenlylaughedandgotup。
\"Youmustbeinlove，BudBirnie。Youjustsaid’yes’whenI
askedyouifyoudidn’tthinkwatersnakeswouldbecomingoutthisfallwiththeirstripesrunningroundtheminsteadoflengthwise！Youdidn’thearaword——now，didyou？\"
\"Iheardmusic，\"Budliedgallantly，\"andIknewitwasyourvoice。I’dprobablysayyesifyouaskedmewhetherthemoonwouldn’tlookbetterwitharufflearoundit。\"
\"I’llsaythemoonwillbewonderingwhereweare，ifwedon’tstartback。Thesun’sdown。\"
Budgotupfromsittingcross—leggedlikeaTurk，helpedHoneytoherfeet——andfeltherfingersclingingwarmlytohisown。Heledthewaytothecave’smouth，notlookingather。\"Greatsunset，\"heobservedcarelessly，glancingupattheridgewhileheheldherhorseforhertomount。
Honeyshowedthatshewasperfectlyathomeinthesaddle。
Sherodeonahead，leavingBudtomountandfollow。HewasjustswingingleisurelyintothesaddlewhenStopperthrewhisheadaround，glancingbacktowardtheleveljustbeyondthecave。AtthesameinstantBudheardthefamiliar，unmistakableswishofaropeheadedhisway。
HeflattenedhimselfalongStopper’sleftshoulderastheloopsettledandtightenedonthesaddlehorn，anddroppedontothegroundasStopperwhirledautomaticallytotherightandbracedhimselfagainstthestrain。Budturnedhalfkneeling，hisguninhishandreadyfortheshotheexpectedwouldfollowtherope。ButStopperwasinaction—thebestropehorsetheTomahawkhadeverowned。Forafewsecondshestoodbraced，hisneckarched，hiseyesbrightandwatchful。
Thenheleapedforward，straightatthehorseandtheriderwhowasintheactoflevelinghisgun。Thehorsehesitated，takenunawarebytheonslaught。WhenhestartedtorunStopperwasalreadypassinghim，turningsharplytotherightagainsothattheroperakedthehorse’sfrontlegs。TwojumpsandStopperhadstopped，facedthehorseandstoodbracedagain，hisearsperkedknowinglywhilehewaitedfortheflop。
Itcame——justasitalwaysdidcomewhenStoppergotactionontheendofarope。Horseandridercamedowntogether。
TheywouldnotgetupuntilBudwishedit——hecouldtrustStopperforthat——soBudwalkedovertotheheap，hisgunreadyforaction——andthat，too，couldbetrustedtoperformwithwhatspeedandprecisionwasnecessary。Therewouldbenohastyshooting，however；Buddyhadlearnedtosavehisbulletsforrealneedwhenammunitionwasnottobehadfortheasking，andgrown—upBudhadneveroutgrownthehabit。
Hepickedupthefellow’ssix—shooterwhichhehaddroppedwhenhefell，andstoodsizingupthesituation。
Bytheneckerchiefdrawnacrosshisfaceitwasastraightcaseofholdup。Budstoopedandyankedoffthemaskandlookedintotheglaringeyesofonewhomhehadneverbeforeseen。
\"Well，howd’yuhlikeit，farasyou’vegot？\"Budaskedcuriously。\"Thinkyouwereholdingupapilgrim，orwhat？\"
Justthen，BING—GGsangariflebulletfromtheridgeabovethecave。Budlookedthatwayandspiedamanstandinghalfrevealedagainsttherosycloudsthatwerealreadydullingasduskcreptupfromthelowground。Itwasalongshotforasix—shooter，butBuddyusedtoshootantelopealmostthatfar，soBudliftedhisarmandstraightenedit，justasifhewerepointingafingerattheman，andfired。Hehadthesatisfactionofseeingthefigurejerkbackwardandgooffovertheridgeinastoopingkindofrun。
