\"He’dbetterhurrybackifhewantsanothershotatme，\"Budgrinned。\"It’llbesodarkdownhereinaminutehecouldn’tpickmeupwithhisfrontsightifIwas——asbigafoolasyouare。Howaboutit？I’lljustleadyouintocamp，I
think——butyousureashellcouldn’tgetajobropinggateposts，onthestrengthofthislittleexhibition。\"
HewentovertoStopperanduntiedhisownrope，givinganapprovingpattothatbusiness—likeanimal。\"Hopeyourlegisn’tbrokenoranything，\"hesaidtothemanwhenhereturnedandpassedtheloopoverthefellow’sheadandshoulders，drawingitrathersnuglyaroundhisbodyandpinninghisarmsattheelbows。\"Itwouldbekindofunpleasantiftheyhappentotakeanotiontomakeyouwalkallthewaytojail。\"
HebeckonedStopper，whoimmediatelymovedup，slackeningtherope。Thethrownhorsedrewuphisknees，gaveapreliminaryheaveandscrambledtohisfeet，Budtakingcarethatthemanwaspulledfreeandsafe。Thefellowstoodupsulkilydefiant，unabletorestmuchofhisweightonhisleftleg。
Budhadtenbusyminutes，anditwasnotuntiltheywerebothmountedandheadedforLittleLost，thecaptivewithhisarmstiedbehindhim，hisfeettiedtogetherunderthehorse，whichBudled，thatBudhadtimetowonderwhatitwasallabout。ThenhebegantolookforHoney，whohaddisappeared。
Butinthesoftenedlightoftherisingmoonminglingwiththeafterglowofsunset，hesawthedeepimprintsofherhorse’shoofswherehehadgallopedhomeward。Buddidnotthinksheranawaybecauseshewasfrightened；shehadseemedtoosureofherselfforthat。Shehadprobablygoneforhelp。
AswiftsuspicionthattheattackmighthavebeenmadefromjealousydiedwhenBudlookedagainathisprisoner。Themanwasswarthy，lowofbrow——partIndian，bythelookofhim。
Honeywouldnevergivethefellowasecondthought。Sothatbroughthimtothesuppositionthatrobberyhadbeenintended，andtheinferencewasmademorelogicalwhenBudrememberedthatMarianhadwarnedhimagainstsomethingofthesort。ProbablyheandHoneyhadbeenfollowedintotheSinks，andeventhoughBudhadnotseenthismanattheraces，hispartnerupontheridgemighthavebeenthere。Itwasallverysimple，andBud，havingarrivedattheobviousconclusion，touchedStopperintoalopeandarrivedatLittleLostjustasDaveTrumanandthreeofhismenwereridingdownintoSunkCreekfordontheirwaytotheSinks。Theypulledup，staringhardatDaveandhiscaptive。Davespokefirst。
\"Honeysaidyouwaswaylaidandrobbedorkilled——both，wetookit，fromheraccount。How’dyuhcometogetthebestofitsoquick？\"
\"Why，hishorsegottangledupintheropeandfelldown，andfellontopofhim，\"Budexplainedcheerfully。\"Iwasbringinghimin。He’sabadcitizen，Ishouldjudge，buthedidn’tdomeanydamage，asitturnedout，soIdon’tknowwhattodowithhim。I’lljustturnhimovertoyou，I
think。\"
\"Hell！Idon’twanthim，\"Daveprotested。I’llpasshimalongtothesheriff——hemayknowsomethingabouthim。NelseandCharlie，youtakeandrunhimintoCraterandturnhimovertoKline。YoutellKlinewhathedone——ortriedtodo。Washealone，Bud？\"
\"Hehadapartnerupontheridge，sofaroffIcouldn’tsweartohimifIsawhimfacetoface。Itookashotathim，andIthinkInickedhim。Heducked，andthereweren’tanymoreriflebulletscomingmyway。\"
\"Younickedhimwithyoursix—shooter？Andhimsofaroffyoucouldn’trecognizehimagain？\"DavelookedatBudsharply。
\"That’spurtygoodshootin’，strikesme。\"
\"Well，hestoodupagainstthesky—line，andhewasn’tmorethanseventy—fiveyards，\"Budexplained。\"I’vedroppedantelopethatfar，plentyoftimes。Thelightwasbad，thisevening。\"
\"Antelope，\"Daverepeatedmeditatively，andwinkedathismen。\"Allright，Bud——we’llletitstandatantelope。Boys，youhitforCraterwiththisfellow。Yououghttomakeitthereandbackbytomorrownoon，allright。\"
NelsetooktheleadropefromBudandthetwostartedoffupthecreek，meaningtostriketheroadfromLittleLosttoCrater，thecountyseatbeyondGoldGapmountains。Budrodeontotheranchwithhisboss，andtriedtoanswerDave’squestionssatisfactorilywithoutrelatinghisownprowessordivulgingtoomuchofStopper’sskill；whichwassomethingofaproblemforhiswits。
Honeyranouttomeethimandhadtobeassuredoverandoverthathewasnothurt，andthathehadlostnothingbuthistemperandtheridehomewithherinthemoonlight。Shewasplainlyupsetandanxiousthatheshouldnotthinkhercowardly，toleavehimthatway。
\"Ilookedbackandsawamanthrowinghisrope，andyou——itlookedasifhehaddraggedyouoffthehorse。IwassureI
sawyoufalling。SoIranmyhorseallthewayhome，togetUncleDaveandtheboys，\"shetoldhimtremulously。Andthensheadded，withhertantalizinghalfsmile，\"IbelievethathorseofminecouldbeatSmokyorSkeeter，ifIwasscaredthatbadatthebeginningofarace。\"
Bud，insheergratitudeforheranxietyoverhim，pattedHoney’shandandtoldhershemusthavebrokentherecord，allright，andthatshehaddoneexactlytherightthing。AndHoneywenttobedhappythatnight。
CHAPTERFOURTEEN：EVENMUSHROOMSHELP
BudwantedtohavealittleconfidentialtalkwithMarian。Hehopedthatshewouldbewillingtotellhimagreatdealmorethancouldbewrittenononesideofacigarettepaper，andhewascurioustohearwhatitwas。Ontheotherhand，hewantedsomehowtoletherknowthathewasanxioustohelpherinanywaypossible。Sheneededhelp，ofthathewassure。
LewreturnedonTuesday，withaviletemperandrheumatisminhisleftshouldersothathecouldnotwork，butstayedaroundthehouseandtooevidentlymadehiswifemiserablebyhispresence。OnWednesdaymorningMarianhadherhairdressedsolowoverherearsthatsheresembledaladyofoldColonialdays——butshedidnotquiteconcealfromBud’skeeneyestheuglybruiseonhertemple。Shewaspaleandherlipswerecompressedasifshewereafraidtorelaxlestsheburstoutintearsorinaviolentdenunciationofsomekind。Buddarednotlookather，noratLew，whosatgloweringatBud’srighthand。Hetriedtoeat，triedtoswallowhiscoffee，andfinallygaveuptheattemptandleftthetable。
IngettinguphetouchedLew’sshoulderwithhiselbow，andLewletoutabellowofpainandanoath，andleanedawayfromhim，hisrighthanduptowardoffanotherhurt。
\"Pardonme。Iforgotyourrheumatism，\"Budapologizedperfunctorily，hisfacegoingredattheepithet。Marian，comingtowardhimwithaplateofbiscuits，lookedhimfullintheeyesandturnedherglancetoherhusband’sbackwhileherlipscurledinthebitterest，themostscornfulsmileBudhadeverseenonawoman’sface。Shedidnotspeak——speechwasimpossiblebeforethattablefulofmen——butBudwentoutfeelingasthoughshehadtoldhimthathercontemptforLewwasbeyondwords，andthathisrheumatismbroughtnopitywhatever。
Wednesdaypassed，Thursdaycame，andstilltherewasnochancetospeakawordinprivate。Thekitchendrudgewashedgedaboutbyopenearsandcuriouseyes，andsaveatmeal—
timeshewasinvisibletothemenunlesstheyglimpsedherforamomentinthekitchendoor。
Thursdaybroughtathunderstormwithplentyofrain，andinthedrizzlethatheldoveruntilFridaynoonBudwentouttoanoldcalfshedwhichhehaddiscoveredintheedgeofthepasture，andgatheredhisneckerchieffullofmushrooms。Budhatedmushrooms，buthecarriedthemtothemachineshedandwaiteduntilhewassurethatHoneywasinthesittingroomplayingthepiano——andhittingwhatBudcalledabluenotenowandthen——andthatLewwasinthebunk—housewiththeothermen，andDaveandoldPopwereinPop’sshack。Then，andthenonly，Budtooklongstepstothekitchendoor，carryinghismushroomsastenderlyasthoughtheywereeggsforhatching。
Marianwasuptoherdimpledelbowsinbreaddoughwhenhewentin。HoneywasstillgropingherwaylumpilythroughtheBlueDanubeWaltz，andBudstoodsothathecouldlookoutthroughthewhite—curtainedwindowoverthekitchentableandmakesurethatnooneapproachedthehouseunseen。
\"Herearesomemushrooms，\"hesaidguardedly，lesthisvoiceshouldcarrytoHoney。\"They’rejustanexcuse。FarasI’mconcernedyoucanfeedthemtothehogs。Ilikethingscleanandnaturalandwholesome，myself。Icametofindoutwhat’sthematter，Mrs。Morris。IsthereanythingIcando？Itookthehintyougavemeinthenote，Sunday，andIdiscoveredrightawayyouknewwhatyouweretalkingabout。ThatwasaholdupdownintheSinks。Itcouldn’thavebeenanythingelse。Buttheywouldn’thavegotanything。Ididn’thavemorethanadollarinmypocket。\"
Marianturnedherhead，andlistenedtothepiano，andglancedupathim。
\"Ialsolikethingscleanandnaturalandwholesome，\"shesaidquietly。\"That’swhyItriedtoputyouonyourguard。
Youdon’tseemtofitin，somehow，with——thesurroundings。I
happentoknowthattheracesheldhereeverySundayarejustthinlyveiledattemptstocheattheunwaryoutofeverycenttheyhave。Ishouldadviseyou，Mr。Birnie，tobeverycarefulhowyoubetonanyhorses。\"
\"Ishall，\"Budsmiled。\"Popgavemesomegoodadvice，too，aboutrunninghorses。Hesays，\"It’severyfellowforhimself，andmercytowardnone。I’mplayingbytheirrule，andPopexpectstomakeafewdollars，too。Hesaidhe’dstandbyme。\"
\"Oh！Hedid？\"Marian’svoicepuzzledBud。Shekneadedthebreadvigorouslyforaminute。\"Don’tdependtoomuchonPop。
He’s——variable。Anddon’tgoaroundwithadollarinyourpocket——unlessyoudon’tmindlosingthatdollar。Therearemeninthiscountrywhowouldwillinglydispensewiththeformalityofracingahorseinordertogetyourmoney。\"
\"Yes——I’vediscoveredoneinformalmethodalready。IwishI
knewhowIcouldhelpYOU。\"
\"Helpme——inwhatway？\"Marianglancedoutofthewindowagainasifthatwereahabitshehadformed。
\"Idon’tknow。IwishIdid。Ithoughtperhapsyouhadsometroublethat——MymotherhadthesamelookinhereyeswhenwecamebacktotheranchaftersomeIndiantrouble，andfoundthehouseburnedandeverythingdestroyedbutthegrounditself。Shedidn’tsayanythingmuch。Shejustbeganhelpingfatherplanhowwe’dmanageuntilwecouldgetmaterialandbuildanothercabin，andmakeoursuppliesholdout。Shedidn’tcomplain。ButhereyeshadthesamelookI’veseeninyours，Mrs。Morris。SoIfeelasifIoughttohelpyou，justasI’dhelpmother。\"Bud’sfacehadbeenredandembarrassedwhenhebegan，buthisearnestnessservedtoerasehisselfconsciousness。
\"You’redifferent——justlikemother，\"hewentonwhenMariandidnotanswer。\"Youdon’tbelongheredrudginginthiskitchen。Ineversawawomandoingaman’sworkbefore。Theyoughttohaveamancookingforallthesehulkingmen。\"
\"Oh，thekitchen！\"Marianexclaimedimpatiently。\"Idon’tmindthecooking。That’stheleast——\"
\"Itisn’tright，justthesame。I——Idon’tsupposethat’sitaltogether。I’mnottryingtofindoutwhatthetroubleis——
butIwishyou’drememberthatI’mreadytodoanythingintheworldthatIcan。Youwon’tmisunderstandthat，I’msure。\"
\"No—o，\"saidMarianslowly。\"Butyousee，there’snothingthatyoucando——except，perhaps，makethingsworseforme。\"
Then，tolightenthatstatement，shesmiledathim。\"JustnowyoucanhelpmeverymuchifyouwillgoinandplaysomethingbesidestheBlueDanubeWaltz。I’vehadtolistentothateversinceHonorasentawayforthemusicwiththewinter’sgroceryorder，lastOctober。TellHonorayougothersomemushrooms。Anddon’ttrustanyone。Ifyoumustbetonthehorses，dosowithyoureyesopen。They’recheats——andworse，someofthem。\"
Bud’sglancefollowedhersthroughthewindowthatoverlookedthecorralsandtheoutbuildings。Lewwascominguptothehousewithaslickeroverhisheadtokeepoffthedrizzle。
\"Well，rememberI’ddoanythingforyouthatI’ddoformymotherormysisterDulcie。AndIwishyou’dcallonmejustastheywould，ifyougetinapinchandneedme。IfIknowyou’lldothatI’llfeelalotbettersatisfied。\"
\"IfIneedyoubesurethatIshallletyouknow。AndI’llsaythat\"It’sacomforttohavemetonewhiteman，\"Marianassuredhimhurriedly，heranxiouseyesonherapproachinghusband。
Sheneednothaveworriedoverhiscoming，sofarasBudwasconcerned。ForBudwasinthesitting—roomandhadpickedHoneyoffthepianostool，hadgivenheraplayfulshakeandwasplayingtheBlueDanubeasitscomposerintendedthatitshouldbeplayed，whenLewenteredthekitchenandkickedthedoorshutbehindhim。
BudspenttheforenoonconscientiouslytryingtoteachHoneythattherestsarequiteasimportanttothetempoofawaltzmeasureasarethenotes。Honey’stalentformusicdidnotmeasureuptohertalentforcoquetry；shereceivedaboutfivedollars’worthofinstructionandnoblandishmentswhatever，andalthoughshenodoubtprofitedthereby，atlastshebalkedandputherlazywhitehandsoverherearsandrefusedtolistentoBud’sinexorable\"One，two，three，one，two，three—andone，two，three。\"WhereuponBudlaughedandreturnedtothebunk—house。
HearrivedinthemiddleofaheatedargumentoverJeffHall’stacticsinracingSkeeter，andimmediatelywascalleduponforhisprivate，personalopinionofSunday’srace。
Bud’sprivate，personalopinionbeingexceedinglyprivateandpersonal，hethrewoutaskirmishlineofbanter。
SmokycouldruncirclesaroundthatSkeeterhorse，heboasted，andJeff’smannerofridingwasabsolutelyunimportant，non—essentialandimmaterial。Hewasmightygladthatholdupmanhadfallendown，lastSunday，beforehegothishandsonanymoney，becausethatmoneywasgoingtotalklongandloudtoJeffHallnextSunday。NowthatBudhadstartedrunninghishorseformoney，workingforwageslookedfoolishandunprofitable。HewasnowworkingmerelyforhealthfulexerciseandtopassthetimeawaybetweenSundays。
Hisrealmissioninlife，hehaddiscovered，wastoteachJeff’sbunchthatgamblingisasin。
Thetalkwascarriedenthusiasticallytothedinnertable，whereBudignoredthescowlingproximityofLewandrepeatedhisboastsinarevisedformasanindirectmeansoflettingMarianknowthathemeanttoplaytheBurrobackgameintheBurrobackway——orasnearlyashecould——andkeephishonestymoreorlessintact。Hedidnotthinkshewouldapprove，buthewantedhertoknow。
Once，whenBuddywasfifteen，fourthoroughbredcowsandfourcalvesdisappearedmysteriouslyfromthehomeranchjustbeforethecalveshadreachedbrandingage。Buddyrodethehillsandthevalleyseveryspareminutefortwoweeksinsearchofthem，andfinally，awayovertheridgewhereanundesirableneighborwasgettingastartincattle，Buddyfoundthecalvesinafencedfieldwitheightcalvesbelonging——perhaps——totheundesirableneighbor。
Buddydidnotridedowntotheranchandaccusetheneighborofstealingthecalves。Instead，hepainstakinglysoughtaweakplaceinthefence，madeaveryaccidentallookingholeanddroveoutthetwelvecalves，tookthemovertheridgetoTomahawkandlefttheminahigh，mountainmeadowprettywellsurroundedbymattedthickets。There，becausetherewasgoodgrassandrunningwater，thecalvesseemedquiteashappyasinthefield。
ThenBuddyhurriedhomeandbroughtabrandingironandafreshhorse，andbyworkingveryhardandfast，hesomehowmanagedtoplantadeeptomahawkbrandoneachoneofthetwelvecalves。Hereturnedhomeverylateandveryproudofhimself，andmethisfatherfacetofaceashewasputtingawaytheiron。ExplanationsandabrokenharnessstrapmingledpainfullyinBuddy’smemoryforalongtimeafterwards，butthefulleffectofthebeatingwaslostbecauseBuddyhappenedtohearBobBirnieconfidetomotherthattheladhadservedtheoldcattle—thiefright，andthatanymanwhocouldstartwithonethoroughbredcowandinfouryearshavesufficientincreasefromthatcowtoproduceeightcalvesaseason，oughttolosethemall。
Buddyhadnotneededhisfather’sopiniontostrengthenhisownconvictionthathehadperformedaworthydeedandoneofwhichnomanneedfeelashamed。Indeed，Buddyconsideredthepainfulincidentofthebuggystrapaparentaleffortatofficialdiscipline，andheldnoparticulargrudgeagainsthisfatheraftertheweltshaddisappearedfromhisperson。
WhereforeBud，theman，heldunswervinglytotheethicalstandardofBuddytheboy。IfBurrobackValleywasschemingtofleeceastrangerattheirracesandrobhimbyforceifhehappenedtowin，thenBudfeltjustifiedingettingeverydollarpossibleoutofthelotofthem。Atanyrate，hetoldhimself，hewoulddohisdarndest。ItwasplainenoughthatPopwastryingtomakeanopportunitytotalkconfidentially，butwithadozenmenontheplaceitwaseasyenoughtoavoidbeingalonewithoutarousingtheoldman’ssuspicions。Marianhadtoldhimtotrustnoone；andBud，withhisusualthoroughness，appliedthewarningliterally。
SundaymorninghecaughtupSmokyandrodehimtothecorral。
Smokyhadrecoveredfromhislameness，andwhileBudgroomedhimfortheafternoon’srunningthemenofLittleLostgatheredroundhimandofferedadviceandencouragement，andevenvolunteeredtolendhimmoneyifheneededit。ButBudtoldthemtoputuptheirownbets，andnevertoworryabouthim。Theiradviceandtheirencouragement，however，heacceptedascheerfullyastheyweregiven。
\"ThinkyuhcanbeatSkeeter，youngfeller？\"Popshambleduptoinquireanxiously，hisbeardbrushingBud’sshoulderwhileheleanedclose。\"RememberwhatItoldye。Youstickbymean’I’llstickbyyou。Youshookonit，don’tforgitthat，youngfeller。\"
Budhadforgotten，buthemadehastetoredeemhispromise。\"
LastSunday，Pop，Ihadtoplayitalone。To—day—well，ifyouwanttomakeanhonestdollar，youknowwhattodo，don’tyou？\"
\"Sho！I’mbettin’onyorehorset’day，an’mindye，Iwanttoseemymoneydoubled！Butthattherelamenessinhislefthindankle——Idon’tseebutwhatthatkindachangesmyopinionalittlemite。Youshorehewon’tquitonyeintherace，now？Don’tlietoolePop，youngfeller！\"
\"Say！He’sthegamestlittlehorseinthestate，Pop。Heneverhasquit，andheneverwill。\"Budstoodupandlaidafriendlyhandontheoldfellow’sshoulder。\"Pop，I’mrunninghimto—daytowin。That’sthetruth。I’mgoingtoputallI’vegotonhim。Isthatgoodenough？\"
\"Shucksalmighty！That’sgoodenoughferme，——plentygoodferme，\"Popcackled，andtrottedofftofindsomeonewhohadlittleenoughfaithinSmokytowageratwo—to—oneagainsthim。
ItseemedtoBudthatthecrowdwaslargerthanthatofaweekago，andtherewasnodoubtwhateverthatthebettingwasmorefeverish，andthatJeffmeantthatdaytoretrievehislosses。Budpassedupaverygoodchancetowinonotherraces，andcentredallhisbettingonSmoky。Hehadbeenthroughouttheweekboastfulandfullofconfidence，andnowheswaggeredandliftedhisvoiceinarrogantchallengetoallandsundry。Histhreehundreddollarswasontherace，andincidentally，heneverleftSmokyfromthetimeheledhimupfrompastureuntilthetimecamewhenheandJeffHallrodesidebysidedowntothequarterpost。
Theycameupinasmallwhirlwindofspeedanddust，andSmokywasunderthewiretohisearswhenSkeeter’snoseshowedbeyondit。LittleLostwasjubilant。JeffHallandhisbackerswerenot。
Bud’sthreehundreddollarshadinlessthanaminuteincreasedtoalittleoverninehundred，thoughallhisbetshadbeenmoderate。Bythetimehehadcollected，hispocketswerefullandhiscocksurenesshadincreasedtosuchanunbearablecrowingthatJeffHall’seyeswerevenomousasasnake’s。Jeffhadbeenrunningtowin，thatday，andhehadtakenoddsonSkeeterthathadseemedtohimperfectlysafe。
\"I’llrunyuhhorseforhorse！\"hebellowedandspatoutanepithetthatsentBudathimwhite—lipped。
\"Damnyuh，ridedowntothequarterpostandI’llshowyousomerunning！\"Budyelledback。\"Andafteryou’veswalloweddustallthewayupthetrack，yougowithmetowherethewomencan’tseeandI’lllickthelivingtaroutayou！\"
JeffsworeandwheeledSkeetertowardthestartingpost，beckoningBudtofollow。AndBud，hastilytuckinginaflappingbulgeofstripedshirt，wentafterhim。AtthatmomenthewasnotBud，butBuddyinoneofhisfightingmoods，withhisplansforgottenwhileheavengedaninsult。
Menlinedupatthewiretojudgeforthemselvesthefinish，andDaveTrumanrodealonetostartthem。Noonedoubtedbutthatthestartwouldbefair——JeffandBudwouldseetothat！
Forthefirsttimeinmonthstherein—endsstungSmoky’sflankswhenhewasinhisthirdjump。JustonceBudstruck，andwasashamedoftheblowasitfell。Smokydidnotneedthaturge，butheflattenedhisearsandcamedownthetrackafulllengthaheadofSkeeter，andheldthepacetothewireandbeyond，wherehestoppedinaswirlofsandandwentprancingback，readyforanotherraceiftheyaskeditofhim。
\"GuessDave’llhavetobringoutBoiseandtaketheswellin’
outathatsingin’kid’spocket，\"ahardfacedmanshoutedasJeffslidoffSkeeterandwentovertowherehiscroniesstoodbunchedandconferringearnestlytogether\"Notto—day，heneedn’t。I’vehadalltheexcitementIwant；
andI’dliketohavetimetocountmymoneybeforeIloseit，\"Budretorted。\"NextSunday，ifit’sacleardayandthesignisright，ImightrunagainstBoiseifit’sworthmywhile。Say，Jeff，seeingyou’replayinghardluck，Iwon’tlickyouforwhatyoucalledme。Andjusttoshowmyheart’sright，I’lllendyouSkeetertoridehome。Orifyouwanttobuyhimback，youcanhavehimforsixtydollarsorsuchamatter。He’sanicelittlehorse，——ifyouaren’tinahurry！\"
CHAPTERFIFTEEN：WHYBUDMISSEDADANCE
\"Bud，you’refourteenkindsofadamnfoolandIcanproveit，\"Jerryannouncedwithoutpreludeofanykindsave，perhaps，theviciousnesswithwhichhethrustapitchforkintoacockofhay。Thetwowereturningoverhay—cocksthathadbeendrenchedwithanotherunwelcomestorm，andtheyhadnotbeentalkingmuch。\"Forking\"soggyhaywhenthesunisblisteringhotandgreat，long—billedmosquitoesareboringindefatigablyintothebackofone’sneckisnotapastimeconducivetopoliteandanimatedconversation。
\"Flyatit，\"Budinvited，restinghisforkwhilehescratchedasmartingshoulder。\"Butyoucanskipsomeoftheevidence。
Iknowsevenofthekinds，andIpleadguilty。Anyable—
bodiedmanwhowilldeliberatelymakeabarbecueofhimselfforagangofblood—thirstyinsectsoughttobehanged。
What’stherest？\"
\"Youcancallthatmild，\"Jerrystatedseverely。\"Bud，you’replayingtolosetheshirtoffyourback。You’vegotahundreddollarforfeituponnextSunday’srunningmatch，soyou’llrunifyouhavetoraceBoiseafoot。That’sallrightifyouwanttherisk——butdiditeveroccurtoyouthatifallthecoinintheneighborhoodiscollectedinoneman’spocket，there’llbeaboutasmanyfellowsastherearelosers，thatwilllayawaketillsun—upfiguringhowtoheelhimandrideoffwiththeroll？Iain’tover—stockedwithcourage，myself。I’dratherbebrokeinBurrobackValleythanownerofwealth。It’shealthier，\"
Hethrusthisforkintoanothersettledheap，lifteditclearofthegroundwithoneheaveofhismuscularshoulders，andheardwithinastridentbuzzing。Heheldthehaypoiseduntilamottledgraysnakewrithedintoview，itsuglyjawsopenanditsfangsshowingmalevolently。
\"Grabhimwithyourfork，Bud，\"Jerrysaidcoolly。\"A
rattler——thevalley’sfullof’em，——someof’em’shuman。\"
Thesnakewasdispatchedandthetwowentontothenexthay—
cock。Budwasturningovermorethanthehay，andpresentlyhespokemoreseriouslythanwashishabitwithJerry。
\"You’refullenoughofwarnings，Jerry。Whatdoyouwantmetodoaboutit？\"
\"Drift，\"Jerryadvised。\"There’smoraldiseasesjustascatchingassmallpox。Thispartofthecountryhasbeensettledupbymenthatcameherefirstbecausetheywantedtohideout。They’veslippedintodarncrookedways，andtheresthaseitherfollowedsuitorquit。Allthroughthisroughcountry\"It’sthesame—overintheBlackRim，acrossThunderMountains，andbeyondthattotheSawtooth，amanthat’shonestisamanthat’soffhisrange。I’dliketoseeyoupullout——beforeyou’replanted。\"
BudlookedatJerry，studiedhim，featurebyfeature。\"Thenwhatareyoudoinghere？\"hedemandedbluntly。\"Whyhaven’tyoupulledout？\"
\"Me？\"Jerrybithislip。\"Bud，I’mgoingtotakeachanceandtellyoutheGod’s—truth。Idassent。I’mprotectedherebecauseIkeepmymouthshut，andbecausetheyknowI’vegottoortheycanhandmeover。Ihadsometrouble。I’monthedodge，andLittleLostisrighthandytotheSinksand——
CatrockCanyon。Thereain’tasheriffinIdahothatwouldhaveonechanceinathousandofgettingmehere。Butyou——
say！\"HefacedBud。\"Youain’tonthedodge，too，areyuh？\"
\"Nope，\"Budgrinned。\"OverattheMuleshoetheyseemedtothinkIwas。Ijuststruckoutformyself，andIwanttoshowupathomesomedaywithastakeImademyself。\"It’sjustalittleargumentwithmydadthatIwanttosettle。And，\"headdedfrankly，\"Iseemtohavestrucktherightplacetomakemoneyquickly。Theveryfactthatthey’reabunchofcrooksmakesmyconscienceclearonthepointofrunningmyhorse。
I’mnotcheatingthemoutofacent。IfJeff’shorseisfasterthanSmoky，Jeffisprivilegedtolethimoutandwinifhecan。Itisn’tmyfaultifhe’splayingtoletmewinfromthewholebunchinthehopethathecanholdmeupafterwardsandgettheroll\"It’sstraight’giveandtake’——
andsofarI’vebeentaking。\"
Jerryworkedforawhile，moodilysilent。\"WhatI’dlikeistoseeyoutakethetrail；whilethetakin’sgood，\"hesaidlater。\"I’vegottokeepmymouthshut。ButIlikeyuh，Bud。
Ihatelikehelltoseeyouwalkingstraightintoatrap。\"
\"Say，I’maseasilytrappedasamountainlion，\"Budtoldhimconfidently。
WhereatJerrylookedathimpityingly。\"YougoingtothatdanceupatMorgan’s？\"
\"Sure！I’mgoingtotakeHoneyand——IthinkMrs。Morrisifshedecidestogo。Honeymentioneditlastnight。Why？\"
\"Oh，nothing。\"Jerryshoulderedhisforkandwentofftowhereajugofwaterwasburiedinthehaybesideacertainboulderwhichmarkedthespot。Hedranklong，stoppedforashortgossipwithCharley，whostrolledoverforadrink，andwenttoworkonanotherrow。
Budwatchedhim，andwonderedifJerryhadchangedrowstoavoidfurthertalkwithhim；andwhetherJerryhadmerelybeentryingtogetinformationfromhim，andhadeitherlearnedwhathewantedtoknow，orhadgivenuptheattempt。
Budreviewedmentallytheirdesultoryconversationanddecidedthathehadaccidentallybeenverydiscreet。TheonlyrealbitofinformationhehadgivenJerrywasthefactthathewasnot\"onthedodge\"——acriminalinfearofthelaw——andthatsurelycouldharmnoman。
ThatheintendedtorunagainstBoiseonSundaywascommonknowledge；alsothathehadahundreddollarforfeitupontherace。AndthathewasgoingtoadancewithHoneywasofnoconsequencethathecouldsee。
Budwasbeginningtodiscountthevaguewarningshehadreceived。UnlesssomethingdefinitecamewithinhisknowledgehewouldgoabouthisbusinessexactlyasifBurrobackValleywereachurch—goingcommunity。Hewouldnot\"drift。\"
ButafterallhedidnotgotothedancewithHoney，orwithanyone。Hecametothesupper—tablefreshlyshavedanddressedfortheoccasion，atehungrilyandstraightwaybecameaverysickyoungman。HedidnotcareiftherewerefortydancesintheValleythatnight。Hisheadwassplitting，hisstomachwasinaturmoil。HetoldJerrytogoaheadwithHoney，andifhefeltbetterafterawhilehewouldfollow。
Jerryatfirstwasinclinedtoscepticism，andaccusedBudofcrawfishingatthelastminute。ButwithintenminutesBudhadconvincedhimsocompletelythatJerryinsisteduponstayingwithhim。BythenBudwastoosicktocarewhatwasbeingdone，orwhodidit。SoJerrystayed。
Honeycametothebunk—houseinherdancefinery，wasmetinthedoorwaybyJerryandwastoldthatthiswasnoplaceforalady，andreluctantlyconsentedtogowithoutherescort。
Alightshonedimlyinthekitchenafterthedancershaddeparted，whereforeJerryguessedthatMarianhadnotgonewiththeothers，andthathecouldperhapsgetholdofmustardforanemeticoraplaster——Jerrywasnotsurewhichremedywouldbebest，andthepatient，wantingtodie，wouldnotbefinicky。HefoundMarianmeasuringsomethingdropbydropintohalfaglassofwater。Sheturned，sawwhohadentered，andcarefullycountedthreemoredrops，corkedthebottletightlyandsliditintoherapronpocket，andheldouttheglasstoJerry。
\"Givehimthis，\"shesaidinasoftundertone。\"I’msorry，butIhadn’tachancetosayawordtotheboy，andsoI
couldn’tthinkofanyotherwayofmakingsurehewouldnotgouptoMorgan’s。Iputsomethingintohiscoffeetomakehimsick。Youmaytellhim，Jerry，ifyoulike。Ishould，ifIhadthechance。Thiswillcounteracttheeffectsoftheothersothathewillbeallrightinacoupleofhours。\"
Jerrytooktheglassandstoodlookingathersteadily。\"Thatsurewasonewaytodoit，\"heobserved，withaquirkofthelips。\"It’snoneofmybusiness，andIain’taskinganyquestions，but——\"
\"Verysensible，I’msure，\"Marianinterruptedhim。\"Iwishhe’dleavethecountry。Can’tyou——？\"
\"No。Itoldhimtopullout，andhejustlaughedatme。I
knowedtheywasfiguringongangingtogetherto—night——\"
Marianclosedherhandstogetherwithagestureofimpatience。\"Jerry，IwishIknewjusthowbadyouare！\"sheexclaimed。\"Doyoudarestandbyhim？Becausethisthingisonlybeginning。Icouldn’tbeartoseehimgoupthereto—
night，absolutelyunsuspecting——andsoImadehimsick。Tellthattoanyone，andyoucanmakeme——\"
\"Say，Iain’tadamnedskunk！\"Jerrymuttered。\"I’mbadenough，maybe。Atanyrateyouthinkso。\"Then，asusuallyhappened，Jerrydecidedtoholdhistongue。Heturnedandliftedthelatchofthescreendoor。\"Yousuremadeagoodjobofit，\"hegrinned。\"I’llgoan’pourthisintoBud’foreheloseshisboots！\"
Hedidso，andsavedBud’sbootsandhalfanight’ssleepbesides。Moreover，whenBud，fullyrecovered，searchedhismemoryofthatsupperanddecidedthatitwastheslicedcucumbersthathaddisagreedwithhim，Jerrygravelyassuredhimthatitundoubtedlywasthecombinationofcucumberandcustardpie，andthatBudwasluckytobealiveaftersuchrecklesseating。
Havingmissedthedancealtogether，BudlookedforwardwithimpatiencetoSunday。Itisquitepossiblethatotherssharedwithhimthatimpatience，thoughwearegoingtoadhereforawhiletoBud’spointofviewanddonomorethanguessatthethoughtshiddenbehindthefairwordsofcertainmenintheValley。
Pop’sstateofmindweareprivilegedtoknow，forPopwasseenmakingdailypilgrimagetothepasturewherehecouldwatchSmokylimpingdesultorilyhereandtherewithStopperandSunfish。OnSaturdayafternoonBudsawPoptryingtogethishandsonSmoky，presumablytoexaminethelameankle。ButthreelegswereallSmokyneededtokeephimoutofPop’sreach。Popforgothisrheumatismandranprettyfastforamanhisage，andwhenBudarrivedPop’svocabularyhadlimbereduptoamoresurprisingactivitythanhislegs。
\"Wanttobetonyourself，Pop？\"BudcalledoutwhenPopwasrunningbackandforth，hopefullytryingtocornerSmokyinarockydraw。\"I’mwillingtoriskadollaronyou，anyway。\"
PopwhirleduponhimandhurledsentencesnotwritteninthebookofParlorEntertainment。ThegistofitwasthathehadbeentryingalltheweektohaveatalkwithBud，andBudhadplainlyavoidedhimafterpromisingtoactuponPop’sadviceandrunsoastomakesomemoney。
\"Well，Imadesome，\"Buddefended。\"Ifyoudidn’t，it’sjustbecauseyoudidn’tbetstrongenough。\"
\"Iwanttolookatthathorse’shindfoot，\"Popinsisted。
\"Nouse。He’stoolametorunagainstBoise。Youcanseethatyourself。\"
PopeyedBudsuspiciously，pullinghisbeard。\"Areyoufixin’
todouble—crossme，youngfeller？\"hewantedtoknow。\"I
wentandmadesomepurtybigbetsonthisrace。Ifyouthinkyo’regoin’tofoololePop，you’llwishyouhadn’t。Yougotenemiesalreadyinthisvalley，lemmetellyuh。TheMuleshoeain’tanybunchtofoolwith，andI’mwillingtosay’tthey’relayingferyuh。Theythink，\"headdedshrewdly，\"’tyou’reaspotter，orsomething。Airyuh？\"
\"OfcourseIam，Pop！I’vespottedawaytomakemoneyandhavefunwhileIdoit。\"Budlookedattheoldman，rememberedMarian’sdeclarationthatPopwasnotveryreliable，andgropedmentallyforawaytoheartentheoldmanwithoutrevealinganythingbetterkepttohimself，suchastheimmediateeffectofahorsehairtiedjustaboveahorse’shoof，alsotheimmediateresultofremovingthathair。Wherefore，hecouldnotthinkofmuchtosay，exceptthathewouldnotattempttorunalamehorseagainstBoise。
\"AllIcansayis，to—morrowmorningyoukeepyoureyesopen，Pop，andyourtonguebetweenyourteeth。Andnomatterwhatcomesup，youuseyourownjudgment。\"
To—morrowmorningPopshowedthathewastakingBud’sadvice。
Whenthecrowdbegantogather——muchearlierthanusual，bytheway，andmuchlargerthananycrowdBudhadseeninthevalley——Popwastrottinghereandthere，listeningandpullinghiswhiskersandeyeingBudsharplywheneverthatyoungmanappearedinhisvicinity。
BudledSmokyupatnoon——andSmokywasstilllame。DavelookedathimandatBud，andgrinned。\"Iguessthatforfeitmoney’smine，\"hesaidinhislaconicway。\"Nouserunningthathorse。Icouldbeathimafoot。\"
Thiswasbutthebeginning。OthersbegantobanterandjeerBud，Jeff’scrowdtauntinghimwithmaliciousglee。Thesingin’kidwasgoingtohavesomeoftheswellingtakenoutofhishead，theychortled。Hehadbeencrazyenoughtoputupaforfeitonto—day’srace，andnowhishorsehadjustthreelegstorunon。
\"Gitoutafoot，kid！\"JeffHallyelled。\"Ifyoukinrunhalfasfastasyoukintalk，you’llbeatBoisefourlengthsinthefirstquarter！\"
Budretortedinkind，andledSmokyaroundthecorralasifhehopedthatthehorsewouldrecovermiraculouslyjusttosavehismaster’spride。ThecrowdhootedtoseehowSmokyhobbledalong，barelytouchingthetoeofhislamefoottotheground。Budledhimbacktothemangerpiledwithnewhay，andfacedthejeeringcrowdbelligerently。BudnoticedseveraloftheMuleshoemeninthecrowd，nodoubtdrawntoLittleLostbythetalkofBud’sspectacularwinningsfortwoSundays。Henwasthere，andDayMastersandCub。Alsotherewerestrangerswhohadriddenalongway，judgingbytheirsweatyhorses。InthemidstofthetalkandlaughterDaveledoutBoisefreshlycurriedandbrushedandarchinghisneckproudly。
\"Nouse，Bud，\"hesaidtolerantly。\"Iguessyou’resetbackthatforfeitmoney——unlessyouwanttogothroughthemotionsofrunningalamehorse。\"
\"No，sir，I’mnotgoingtohandoveranyforfeitmoneywithoutmakingafightforit！\"Budtoldhim，angershowinginhisvoice。\"I’mnosuchpikerasthat。Iwon’trunSmoky，lameasheis\"——Budprobablynudgedhisownribswhenhesaidthat！——\"butifyou’llmakeitamile，I’llcatchupmyoldbuckskinpackhorseandruntheracewithhim，bythunder！
He’snotthequickesthorseintheworld，buthesurecanrunalongwhile！\"
Theyyelledandslappedoneanotherontheback，andotherwisecomportedthemselvesasthoughagreatjokehadbeentoldthem；neverdreaming，poorfools，thatacostlyjokewasbeingperpetrated。
\"Goit，kid。Yourunyourpackhorse，andI’llriveyuhfivetooneonhim！\"afriendofJeffHall’syelledderisively。
\"I’lljusttakeyouuponthat，andI’llmakeitonehundreddollars，\"Budshoutedback。\"I’drunaturtleforaquarter，atthoseodds！\"
ThecrowdwashavinghystericswhenBudstraddledaLittleLosthorseand，loudlydeclaringthathewouldbringbackSunfish，ledSmokylimpingbacktohepasture。Hereturnedsoon，leadingthebuckskin。Thecrowdsurgedcloser，gaveSunfishaglanceandwhoopedagain。Bud’sfacewasredwithapparentanger，hiseyessnapped。Hefacedthemdefiantly，hishandonSunfish’sthin，stragglingmane。
\"You’resuchgoodsports，you’llsurelyappreciatemyfeelingswhenIsaythatthishorseismine，andI’mgoingtorunhimandbackhimtowin！\"hecried。\"Imaybeadarnfool，butI’mnopiker。IknowwhatthishorsecandowhenI
trytocatchhimuponafrostymorning——andI’mgoingtoseeifhecan’tgojustasfastandjustaslongwhenI’monhimashecanwhenI’mafterhim。\"
\"We’llgoyuh，kid！I’llbetyuhfivetoone，\"amanshouted。\"Younametheamountyourself。\"
\"Fifty，\"saidBud，andthemannoddedandjotteddowntheamount。
\"Bud，you’readamnfool。I’llbetyouahundredandmakeittentoone，\"drawledDave，strokingBoise’sfaceaffectionatelywhilehelookedsuperciliouslyatSunfishstandinghalfasleepintheclamor，withhisheadsaggingattheendofhislong，eweneck。\"Butifyou’lltakemyadvice，goturnthatfoolhorsebackinthepastureandrunthebayifyoumustrunsomething。\"
\"Thebay’saropehorse。Idon’twanttospoilhimbyrunninghim。Thatlittlehorsesavedmylife，downintheSinks。No，Sunfishhasruntimesenoughfromme——nowhe’sgottorunforme，bythunder。I’llbetonhim，too！\"
JeffpushedhiswaythroughtoBud。Hewassmilingwiththatcraftylookinhiseyeswhichshouldhavewarnedachildthatthesmilewentnodeeperthanhislips。
\"Bud，doggoneit，Ilikeyorenerve。Besides，youowemesomethingforthewayyoutrimmedmelastSunday。I’lljustgiveyoufifteentoone，andyouputupSkeeteratseventy—
five，andasmuchmoneyasyo’reamindto。Apileofitcomeoutofmypocket，so—\"
\"Well，don’tholleryourheadoff，Jeff。How’stwohundred？\"
\"Suitsme，kid。\"Hewinkedattheothers，whoknewhowsureathinghehadtobackhiswager。\"It’llbealotofmoneyifIshouldlose——\"HeturnedsuddenlytoDave。\"Howmuchwasthatyouputupaginthekid，Dave？\"
\"Onehundreddollars，andaten—to—oneshotIwin，\"Davedrawled。\"Thatoughttosatisfyyuhitain’taframe—up。Thekid’scrazy，that’sall。\"
\"Oh！AmI？\"Budturnedhotly。\"Well，I’vebethalfofallthemoneyIhaveintheworld。AndI’mgamefortheotherhalf——\"
Hestoppedabruptly，castonelookatSunfishandanotheratBoise，steppingaboutuneasily，hisshinycoatrippling，beautiful。HeturnedandcombedSunfish’sscantymanewithhisglovedfingers。Thosenearestsawthathislipsweretremblingalittleandmistookhishiddenemotionforanger。
\"Yougothimgoing，\"amanwhisperedinJeff’sear。\"Thekid’scrazymad。He’llbettheshirtoffhisbackifyuhegghimonalittlemore。\"
Jeffmusthavedecidedto\"egg\"Budon。Bythetimethecrowdhadreachedthecourse，andthefirst，morecommonplaceraceswereover，theotherhalfofhismoneywasinthehandsofthestake—holder，whohappenedonthisdaytobeJerry。AndtheoddsvariedfromfourtooneuptoJeffHall’sscornfulfifteen。
\"Betyuhfivehundreddollarsagainstyourbayhorse，\"LewofferedwhenBudconfessedthathehadnotanotherdollartobet。——
\"Allright，it’sagowithme，\"Budansweredrecklessly。
\"Gethishundred，Jerry，andputdownStopper。\"
\"What’sthatsaddleworth？\"anotheraskedmeaningly。
\"Onehundreddollars，\"snappedBud。\"Andifyouwanttogofurther，therearemychapsandspursandthissilver—mountedbridle—andmybootsandhat—andI’llthrowinSunfishforwhateveryousayhishide’sworth。Whowantstheoutfit？\"
\"I’lltake’em，\"saidJeff，andpermittedJerryandDavetoappraisetheoutfit，whichBudpiledcontemptuouslyinaheap。
HemountedSunfishbarebackwitharopehalter。Budwasbareheadedandinhissockfeet。Hiseyeswereterriblyblueandbright，andhisfacewasflushedasadrunkenman’s。Heglancedovertothebankwherethewomenandchildrenwerewatching。Itseemedtohimthatonewomanflutteredherhandkerchief，andhisheartbeatunevenlyforaminute。
Thenhewasridingatawalkdownthecoursetothefarthestpost，andthecrowdwaslaughingatthecontrastbetweenthetwohorses。Boisesteppedspringily，tossinghishead，hiseyesablazewithardorfortherace。BesidehimSunfishwalkedsteadilyasifhewerecarryingapack。Hewasnotaprettyhorsetolookat。Hisneckwaslongandthin，hismaneandtailscantyanduneven，anondescriptsorrel。Hisheadlookedlarge，setontheendofthatneck，hisnosewasdishedinandhiseyeshadacertainveiledlook，asifhewerehidingabaddispositionunderthosedroopylids。
Withoutasaddlehebetrayedhishigh，thinwithers，theswayinhisback，hishighhipbones。Hisfrontlegswereflat，withlong，stringy—lookingmusclesunderhisunkemptbuckskinhide。EventhewomenlaughedatSunfish。
Besidethemtwomenrode，thestarterandanothertoseethatthestartwasfair。Sotheyrecededdowntheflat，yellowcourseanddwindledtomereminiaturefiguresagainstthesand，sothatonecouldnottellonehorsefromanother。
Thecrowdbunched，stilllaughingathowthesingin’kidwasgoingtofeelwhenherodeagaintomeetthem。Itwouldcurehimofracing，theysaid。Itwouldbeagoodlesson；servehimrightforcominginthereandthinking，becausehehadcleaneduponceortwice，thathecouldnotbebeaten。
\"Heretheycome，\"JeffHallannouncedsatisfiedly，andspatintothesandasatinybluepuffofsmokeshowedbesideoneofthedots，andtwootherdotsbegantogrowperceptiblylargerwithinayellowcloudwhichrolledalongtheearth。
Menreinedthiswayandthat，orstoodontheirtoesiftheywereafoot，thebettertoseethetworollingdots。Inamomentonedotseemedlargerthantheother。Onecouldglimpsetheupflingingofkneesastwohorsesleapedcloserandcloser。
\"Well—l—he’skeepin’Daveinsight——that’smorethanwhatI
expectedhe’ddo，\"Jeffobserved。
ItwasPopwhosuddenlygaveawhoopthatcrackedandshrilledintofalsetto。
\"Shucksa’mighty！Dave，he’sa—whippin’uptokeeptheKIDinsight！\"hequavered。\"Shucks——a’MIGHTY，he’sa—comin’！\"
Hewas。LyingforwardflattenedalongSunfish’shard—muscledshoulders，Budwasgainingandgaining——onelength，thentwolengthsasheshotunderthewire，slowedandrodebacktofindasilentcrowdwatchinghim。
Hewasclothedsafelyagaininchaps，boots，spurs，hat——
exceptthatIhavenamedthearticlesbackward；cowpuncherthathewas，Budputonhishatbeforeheevenreachedforhisboots——andwascollectinghiswagersrelentlesslyasShylockevertookhistoll，beforehepaidanyattentiontotheatmospherearoundhim。Then，becausesomeoneshoutedaquestionthreeinchesfromhisear，Budturnedandlaughedashefacedthem。
\"Why，surehe’sfromrunningstock！Ineversaidhewasn’t——
becausenoneofyoumake—believehorsemenhadsenseenoughtoseethespeedinhimandgetcurious。Youbush—racersneversawarealrace—horsebefore，Iguess。Theyaren’talwaysprettytolookat，youknow。Sunfishhasalltheearmarksofspeedifyouknowhowtolookforthem。He’sthoroughbred；
siredbyTrump，outofKansasChippy——ifthatmeansanythingtoyoufellows。\"Helookedthemover，eyesmeetingeyesuntilhisglancerestedonJeffHall。\"I’vegothisregistrationpapersinmygrip，ifyouaren’tconvinced。And，\"headdedbywayofrubbingitin，\"IguessI’vegotaboutallthemoneythereisinthisvalley。\"
\"No，youain’t！\"PopTrumancackled，teeteringbackwardandforwardwhilehecountedhiswinnings。\"Ibetonye，youngfeller。Broughtmeinsomething，too。Itdidso！\"
CHAPTERSIXTEEN：WHILETHEGOING’SGOOD
AtsupperBudnoticedthatMarian，standingathisrightside，setdownhiscupofcoffeewithherrighthand，andatthesameinstanthefeltherlefthandfumbleinhispocketandthentouchhiselbow。Shewenton，andBudinhishastetogetoutsidedrankhiscoffeesohotthatitscaldedhismouth。JerryroseupandsteppedbackwardoverthebenchasBudpassedhim，andwentoutathisheels。
\"Goplaythepianoforhalfanhourandthenmeetmewhereyougotthemmushrooms。Andwhenyouquitplaying，duckquick。TellHoneyyou’llbebackinaminute。Haveherhuntformusicforyuhwhileyou’reout——orsomethinglikethat。
Don’tleton。\"
BudmighthavequestionedJerry，butthatcautiousyoungmanwasalreadyturningbacktocallsomething——toDave，soBudwentaroundthecorner，glancingintothepantrywindowashepassed。Marianwasnotinsight，norwasHoneyatthemomentwhenhestoodbesidethestepofthepost—office。
Boldnesscarriesitsowntalismanagainstdanger。Budwentin——withoutslammingthedoorbehindhim，youmaybesure——
anddrewhissmallnotebookfromhisinsidepocket。Withthattoconsultfrequently，hesatdownbythewindowwherethefailinglightwasstrongest，andproceededtojotdownimaginaryfiguresonthepaperhepulledfromhiscoatpocketandunfoldedasifitwereofnovaluewhatevertohim。ThepianoplayingorderedbyJerrycouldwait。
WhatMarianhadtosayonthisoccasioncouldnotbewrittenuponacigarettepaper。IneffecthernotewasaprefacetoJerry’scommands。Budsawwhereshehadwrittenwordsanderasedthemsothoroughlythatthecheappaperwasalmostwornthrough。Shehadbeenafraid，poorlady，butherfearcouldnotpreventthewriting。
\"Youmustleaveto—nightforCraterandcashthechecksgivenyoutopaythebets。GotoCrater。Ifyoudon’tknowtheway，keepduenorthafteryouhavecrossedGoldGap。There’sthestageroad，butthey’llwatchthat，I’mafraid。Theymeantostoppaymentonthechecks。Butfirsttheywillkillyouiftheycan。Theysayyoucheatedwiththatthoroughbredhorse。
Theytooktheirlossessocalmly——Iknewthattheymeanttorobyou。ToshowyouhowIknow，itwasLewyoushotontheridgethatnight。Hisrheumatismwascausedbyyourbulletthatnickedhisshoulder。Soyouseewhatsortweare——go。
Don’twait——gonow。\"
Budlookedup，andtherewasHoneyleaningoverthecounter，smilingathim。
\"Well，howmuchisit？\"sheteasedwhenshesawhehaddiscoveredher。
Buddrewalineacrossthenoteandaddedimaginarycolumnsoffigures，hishat—brimhidinghisface。
\"Overeleventhousanddollars，\"heannounced，andtwistedthepaperinhisfingerswhilehewentovertoher。\"Almostenoughtostarthousekeeping！\"
HoneyblushedandleanedtolookforsomethingwhichshepretendedtohavedroppedandBudseizedtheopportunitytotuckthepaperoutofsight。\"Ifeelprettymuchintoxicatedto—night，Honey，\"hesaid。\"IthinkIneedsoothing，orsomething——andyouknowwhatmusicdoestothesavagebreast。
Let’splay。\"
\"Allright。You’vebeenstayingawaylatelytillIthoughtyouweremad，\"Honeyassentedrathereagerly，andopenedthelittlegateinthehalfpartitionjustasBudwasvaultingthecounter，whichgaveheragreatlaughandachanceforplayfulscuffling。Budkissedherandimmediatelyregrettedthecaress。
Jerryhadtoldhimtoplaythepiano，butBudtookhismandolinandplayedthatwhileHoneythumpedoutchordsforhim。Ashehadhalfexpected，mostofthemenstrayedinandperchedhereandtherelisteningjustasiftherehadnotbeenamostunusualhorseracetodiscussbeforetheyslept。
Indeed，BudhadneverseentheLittleLostboyssothoughtful，andthissilencestruckhimallatonceassomethingsinister，likeabeastofpreystalkingitskill。
Twowaltzesheplayed——andthen，inthemiddleofafavoritetwo—step，amandolinstringsnappedwithasharptwang，andBudcameasclosetoswearingasawell—behavedyoungmanmaycomeinthepresenceofalady。
\"NowI’llhavetogogetanewEstring，\"hecomplained。\"YouplaytheDanubefortheboys——thewayItaughtyou——whileI
getthisfixed。I’veanextrastringdowninthebunk—house；
itwon’ttakefiveminutestogetit。\"Helaidthemandolindownonhischair，boltedoutthroughthescreendoorwhichheslammedafterhimtoletJerryknowthathewascoming，andwalkedhalfwaytothebunk—housebeforeheveeredoffaroundthecornerofthemachineshedandran。
Jerrywaswaitingbytheoldshed，andwithoutawordheledBudbehinditwhereSunfishwasstandingsaddledandbridled。
\"Yougottogo，Bud，whilethegoing’sgood。\"I’dgowithyuhifIdared，\"Jerrymumbledguardedly。\"YouhitforCrater，Bud，andputthatmoneyinthebank。YoucancutintothestageroadwhereitcrossesOldmanCreek，ifyougostraightuptheracetracktothefarend，andfollowthetrailfromthere。Youcan’tmissit——thereain’tbutonewaytogo。I
gotyuhthishorsebecausehe’sworthmore’nwhattheothertwoare，andhe’sfaster。AndBud，ifanybodyridesuponyuh，shoot。Don’tmonkeyaroundaboutit。AndyouRIDE！\"
\"Allright，\"Budmuttered。\"ButI’llhavetogodowninthepastureandgetmymoney，first。I’vegotmyownprivatebankdownthere，andIhaven’tenoughinmypocketstoplaypennyantemorethanoneround。\"
\"Hell！\"Jerry’shandliftedtoBud’sshoulderandgrippeditforaminute。\"That’srightontheroadtotheSinks，man！\"
Hestoodbitinghislips，thinkingdeeply，turninghisheadnowandthenaslittlesoundscamefromthehouse：thewaltzHoneywasplaying，thepost—officedoorslammingshut。
\"Youtellmewherethatmoney’scached，Bud，andI’llgoafterit。Iguessyou’llhavetotrustme——Isurewouldn’tletyuhgodowntothepastureyourselfrightnow。Whereisit？\"
\"Lookunderthatflatrockrightbythegatepost，wherethetopbarshittheground。\"It’swrappedupinahandkerchief，sojustbringthepackage。\"It’sbeeneasytotuckthingsundertherockwhenIwasputtingupthebars。I’llwaithere。\"
\"Goodenough——I’dsurehavefelteasierifI’dknownyouwasn’tcarryingallthatmoney。\"WhereuponJerrydisappeared，andhisgoingmadenosound。
BudstoodbesideSunfish，wonderingifhehadbeenafooltotrustJerry。ByhisownadmissionJerrywaslivingwithoutthelaw，andthismighteasilybeasmoothschemeofrobbery。
Heturnedandstrainedhiseyesintothedusk，listening，tryingtohearsomesoundthatwouldshowwhichwayJerryhadgone。Hewasonthepointoffollowinghim——suspiciongettingthebetterofhisfaith——whenSunfishmovedhisheadabruptlytooneside，bumpingBud’sheadwithhischeek。AtthesameinstantahandtouchedBud’sarm。
\"Isawyoufromthekitchenwindow，\"Marianwhisperedtensely。\"Iwasafraidyouhadn’treadmynote，orperhapswouldn’tpayanyattentiontoit。IheardyouandJerry——ofcoursehewon’tdaregowithyouandshowyoutheshort—cut，evenifheknowsit。There’saquickerwaythanupthecreek—
bed。IhaveBoiseoutinthebushes，andasaddle。Iwasafraidtowaitatthebarnlongenoughtosaddlehim。Yougo——he’sbehindthatgreatpileofrocks，backofthecorrals。I’llwaitforJerry。\"Shegavehimapush，andBudwassoastonishedthathemadenoreplywhatever，butdidexactlyasshehadtoldhimtodo。
