Thatnight’srideupthepassthroughthenarrowrangeofhigh—peakedhillstotheTomahawk’sfarthestrangeonBigCreekwasatediousaffairtoBuddy。Amanhadbeensentonafasthorsetowarnthenearestneighbor，whointurnwouldwarnthenext，——untilnosettlerwouldbeleftinignoranceofhisdanger。EzrawasalreadyonthetrailtoLaramie，withmotherandDulcieandthecatsandaslatboxfullofchickens，andayoungsowwithlittlepigs。

Buddy，whosewordnoonehadquestioned，whomightpardonablyhaveconsideredhimselfahero，wasconcernedchieflywithhismother’sflowergardenwhichhehadhelpedtoplantandhadwateredmoreorlessfaithfullywithcreekwatercarriedinbuckets。HewasafraidtheIndianswouldsteponthepoppiesandthephlox，andtrampledownthefouro’clockswhichwerejustbeginningtobranchoutandlookniceandbushy，andtoblossom。Thescentofthefouro’clockshadbeeninhisnostrilswhenhecameoutatduskwithhisfurovercoatwhichmotherhadtoldhimmustnotbeleftbehind。

Buddyhimselfmerelylikedflowers：butmothertalkedtothemandkissedthemjustforlove，andpitiedthemifBuddyforgotandletthemgothirsty。Hewouldhavestayedtofightformother’sflowergarden，ifitwouldhavedoneanygood。

HewasthinkingsleepilythatnextyearhewouldplantflowersinboxesthatcouldbecarriedtothecaveiftheIndiansbrokeoutagain，whenTexFarleypokedhimintheribsandtoldhimtowakeuporhe’dfalloffhishorse。ItwasawearyclimbtothetopoftherangethatdividedthevalleyofBigCreekfromtheNorthPlatte，andawearierclimbdown。TwiceBuddycaughthimselfonthevergeoftopplingoutofthesaddle。Forafterallhewasonlyathirteen—yearOldboy，growinglikeanyotherhealthyyounganimal。HehadbeenridinghardthatdayandhalfoftheprecedingnightwhenhehadracedbackfromtheReservationtogivewarningoftheimpendingoutbreak。Heneededsleep，andnaturewasdeterminedthatheshouldhaveit。

CHAPTERFIVE：BUDDYRUNSTRUETOTYPE

OnenevercouldpredictwithanycertaintyhowlongIndianswoulddancebeforetheyactuallytookthetrailofmurderandpillage。SomuchdependedupontheMedicine，somuchonsignsandportents。Itwasevenpossiblethattheymight，forsomemysteriousreasonunknowntotheirwhiteneighbors，decideatthelastmomenttobidetheirtime。TheTomahawkoutfitworkedfromdawnuntildark，andcombedthefoothillsoftheSnowieshurriedly，ridingintothemostfrequented，grassybasinsandwidecanyonswherethegrasswaslushandsweetandthemountainstreamsrushednoisilyoverrocks。AsfastasthecattleweregatheredtheywerepushedhastilytowardthePlatte，Andthoughthemenrodewarilywithriflesashandyastheirropes，theyrodeinpeace。

Buddy，proudofhisjob，countinghimselfasgoodamanasanyofthem，becameasmallridingdemonafterrebellioussaddlehorses，herdingthemawayfromthickundergrowththatmight，forallheknew，holdIndianswaitingachancetoscalphim，drivingtheREMUDAclosetothecabinswhennightfell，becausenomancouldbesparedfornightherding，sleepinglightlyasacatbesideamousehole。Hedidnotsaymuch，perhapsbecauseeveryonewastoobusytotalk，himselfincluded。

Menrodeinatnightdog—weary，pulledtheirsaddlesandhurriedstifflytothecabinwhereStep—and—a—Halfwasshowinghistrueworthasacookwhocouldkeepthecoffee—

potboilingandyetbereadytopackupandgoatthefirstrifle—shot。Theywouldboltdownenormousquantitiesofbannockandboiledbeef，swallowtheircoffeehotenoughtoscaldahog，andstretchthemselvesoutimmediatelytosleep。

Buddywouldbeupandonhishorseintheclearstarlightbeforedawn，withacupofcoffeeswallowedtoheartenhimforthechillyrideaftertheremuda。Evenwiththewarmthofthecoffeehisteethwouldchatterjustatfirst，andhewouldridewithhisthinshouldersliftedandahandinapocket。Hecouldnotsingorwhistletokeephimselfcompany。

Hemustrideinsilenceuntilhehadcountedeverydark，movingshapeandknewthattheherdwascomplete，theneasethemquietlytocamp。

Onthefourthmorningherodeanxiouslyupthevalley，fearingthatthehorseshadbeenstoleninthenight，yethopingtheyhadmerelystrayedupthecreektofindfreshpastures。Alightbreezethatcarriedthekeenedgeoffrostmadehisnosetingle。Hishorsetrottedsteadilyforward，askeenonthetrailasBuddyhimself；keener，forhewouldbesuretogivewarningofdanger。Sotheyroundedabendinthecreekandcameuponthescatteredfringeoftheremudacroppingsteadilyatthemeadowgrassthere。

Budcircledthem，glancingnowandthenattheridgebeyondthevalley。Itseemedsomehowunnatural——lower，withthestarsshowingalongitswoodedcrestinarow，asiftherewerenopeaks。Thenquitesuddenlyheknewthattheridgewasthesame，andthatthestarshesawwerelittle，breakfastcamp—fires。Hisheartgaveajumpwhenherealizedhowmanylittlefirestherewere，andknewthatthedancewasover。

TheIndianshadleftthereservationandhadcrossedtheridgeyesterday，andhadcampedtheretowaitforthedawn。

WhilehegatheredhishorsestogetherheguessedhowoldColorouhadplannedtocatchtheTomahawkriderswhentheyleftcampandscattered，twobytwo，on"Circle。"HehadheldhisbandwelloutofsightandsoundoftheBigCreekcabin，andifthehorseshadnotstrayedupthecreekinthenighthewouldhavecaughtthewhitemenofftheirguard。

Buddylookedoftenoverhisshoulderwhilehedrovethehorsesdownthecreek。Itseemedstrangerthanluck，thathehadbeencompelledtoridesofaronthisparticularmorning；

asifmother’ssteadfastfaithinprayerandtheguardianshipofangelswasjustifiedbyactualfacts。Still，Buddywastoohard—headedtoassumeeasilythatangelshaddriventhehorsesupthecreeksothathewouldhavetorideupthereanddiscovertheIndianfires。Ifangelscoulddothat，whyhadn’ttheystoppedColoroufromgoingonthewarpath？Itwouldhavebeensimpler，inBuddy’sopinion。

Hedidnotmentiontheangelproblemtohisfather，however。

BobBirniewaseatingbreakfastwithhismenwhenBuddyrodeuptothecabinandtoldthenews。Theboysdidnotsayanythingmuch，buttheymayhavetakenbiggerbitesbywayoffillingtheirstomachsinlesstimethanusual。

"I’llgoseeformyself，"saidBobBirnie。"Youboyssaddleupandbereadytostart。Ifit’sIndians，we’llheadforLaramieanddriveeverythingbeforeusaswego。Buttheladmaybewrong。"HetookthereinsfromBuddy，mounted，androdeaway，hisbootedfeethangingfarbelowBuddy’sshortstirrups。

Speedilyhewasback，andthescowlonhisfacetoldplainlyenoughthatBuddyhadnotbeenmistaken。

"They’recomingofftheridgealready，"heannouncedgrimly。

"Iheardtheirhorsesamongtherocksupthere。Theythinktocomedownonusatsunrise。There’llbetoomanyforustoholdoff，I’mthinking。Getyeafreshhorse，Buddy，anddrivethehorsesdownthecreekfastasyecan。"

Buddyuncoiledhisropeandranwithhismouthfulltodoashewastold。Hedidnotthinkhewasscared，exactly，buthemadethreethrowstogetthehorsehewanted，blamingthepoorlightforhisillluck；andthenfoundhimselfinpossessionofatall，uneasybrownthatDickGrimeshadbrokenandsometimesrode。Buddywouldhaveturnedhimlooseandcaughtanother，butthehorseshadsensedthesuppressedexcitementofthemenandwerecirclingandsnortinginthehalflightofdawn；soBuddyledoutthebrown，pulledthesaddlefromthesweatyhorsethathadtwicemadethetripupthecreek，andheavedithastilyonthebrown’sback。DickGrimescalledtohim，toknowifhewantedanyhelp，andBuddyyelled，"No！"

"Heretheycome——damn’em——turnthebunchlooseandride！"calledBobBirnieasashrill，yellingwar—whoop，liketheyappingofmanycoyotes，soundedfromthecottonwoodsthatborderedthecreek。"Yuhallright，Buddy？"

"Yeah——I’ma—comin’，"shrilledBuddy，hastilyloopingthelatigo。Justthenthesharpstaccatoofrifle—shotsmingledwiththewhoopingoftheIndians。Buddywasreachingforthesaddlehornwhenthebrownhorseduckedandjerkedloose。

BeforeBuddyrealizedwhatwashappeningthebrownhorse，theherdandalltheriderswerepoundingawaydownthevalley，themenfiringbackatthecottonwoods。

InthedustandclamoroftheirdepartureBuddystoodperfectlystillforaminute，tryingtograspthefullsignificanceofhiscalamity。Step—and—a—Halfhadpackedhastilyanddepartedaheadofthemall。HisfatherandthecowboyswerewatchingthecottonwoodgrovemanyrodstoBuddy’srightandwellinthebackground，andtheywouldnotglancehisway。Eveniftheydidtheywouldnotseehim，andiftheysawhimitwouldbemadnesstorideback——thoughtherewasnotamanamongthemwhowouldnothavewheeledinhistracksandreturnedforBuddyintheveryfaceofColorouandhisband。

Fromthecottonwoodscamethepoundofgallopinghoofs。

"AngelsNOTHING！"CriedBuddyindeepdisgustandscuttledforthecabin。

Thecabin，heknewasheran，wasjustthentheworstplaceintheworldforaboywhowantedverymuchtogoonliving。

Throughitsgapingdoorwayhesawafewoddsandendsoffoodlyingonthetable，buthedarednotstoplongenoughtogetthem。TheIndianswerethunderingdowntothecorral，andasheroundedthecabin’scornerheglancedbackandsawtheforemostriderswhippingtheirhorsesonthetrailofthefleeingwhitemen。Butsome，heknew，wouldstop。Eventheprospectoffreshscalpscouldnotholdthegreedyonesfromprowlingaroundawhiteman’sdwellingplace。Theremightbetobaccoorwhiskeyleftbehind，orsomethingwithcolororashinetoit。BuddyknewwellthewaysofIndians。

Hemadeforthecreek，thinkingatfirsttohidesomewhereinthebrushalongthebank。Then，fearingthebrighteninglightofdayandthewidespacehemustcrosstoreachthefirstfringeofbrush，hestoppedatadugoutcellarthathadbeenbuiltintothecreekbankabovehigh—watermark。Therewasapole—and—dirtroof，andbecausethedirtsifteddownbetweenthepoleswheneverthewindblew——whichwasalways——theplacehadbeencrudelysealedinsidewithsplitpolesoverlappingoneanother。Theceilingwasmoreorlessflat；theroofhadaslightslope。InthemiddleofthetinyatticthusformedBuddymanagedtowormhisbodythroughaholeinthegablenexttothecreek。

Hewriggledbacktotheendnextthecabinandlaythereveryflatandveryquiet，peepingoutthroughahalf—inchcrack，toowiseinthewaysofsilencetoholdhisbreathuntilhemustheaveasightorelievehislungs。Itwashardtobreathenaturallyandeasilyafterthatswiftdash，butsomehowhedidit。AnIndianhadswervedandriddenbehindthecabin，andwasleaningandpeeringinalldirectionstoseeifanyonehadremained。Perhapshesuspectedanambush；

Buddywasabsolutelycertainthatthefellowwaslookingforhim，personally，andthathehadseen，Buddyruntowardthecreek。

Itwasnotapleasantthought，andthefactthatheknewthatbuckIndianbyname，andhadoncetradedhimajackknifeforabeautifullytannedwolfskinforhismother，didnotmakeitpleasanter。Hides—the—facewouldnotletpastfriendlinessstandinthewayofakilling。

PresentlyHides—the—facedismountedandtiedhishorsetoacornerlogofthecabin，andwentinsidewiththeotherstoseewhathecouldfindthatcouldbeeatenorcarriedoff。

Buddysawfreshsmokeissuefromthestonechimney，andguessedthatStep—and—a—Halfhadleftsomethingthatcouldbecooked。Itbecameevident，inthecourseofanhourorso，thathispresencewasabsolutelyunsuspected，andBuddybegantowatchthemmorecomposedly，silentlypromisingespecialformsofpunishmenttothisoneandthatonewhomheknew。

Mostofthemhadbeentotheranchmanytimes，andhecouldhavecalledtoadozenofthembyname。Theyhadsatinhisfather’scabinorstoodimmobilejustwithinthedoor，andhadlistenedwhilehismotherplayedandsangforthem。Shehadfedthemcakes——Buddyrememberedthegoodthingswhichmotherhadgiventhesedespicableoneswhowerelootingandgobblinganddestroyinglikeadroveofhogsturnedlooseinagarden，andthethoughtofherwastedkindnessturnedhimsickwithrage。Motherhadbelievedintheirfriendliness。

Buddywishedthatmothercouldseethemsettingfiretothelow，logstableandthecorral，andswarminginandoutofthecabin。

Paintedforwartheywere，withredstripesacrosstheirforeheads，ribsoutlinedinredwhich，whentheyloosenedtheirblanketsasthesunwarmedthem，gavethemafantasticlikenesstotheskeletonsBuddywishedtheywere；redstripesontheirarms，thenumbershowingtheirrankinthetribe；

open—seated，buckskinbreechestotheirkneeswheretheymetthetightlywrappedleggings；moccasinslacedsnuglyattheankle——theywerepicturesqueenoughtoanyeyesbutBuddy’s。

Hesawtheghoulishgreedintheireyes，hearditintheirvoiceswhentheyshoutedtooneanother；andhehatedthemevenmorethanhefearedthem。

Muchthattheysaidheunderstood。TheywerecursingtheTomahawkoutfit，chieflybecausethemenhadnotwaitedtheretobesurprisedandkilled。Theycursedhisfatherinparticular，andwerehalfsorrythattheyhadnotriddenoninpursuitwiththeothers。TheyhopednowhitemanwouldridealivetoLaramie。ItmadecheerfullisteningtoBuddy，flatonhisstomachintheroofofthedugout！

Afterawhile，whenthecabinhadbeenguttedofeverythingitcontainedsavethecrudetableandbenches，afewIndiansbroughtburningbrandsfromthestableandsetitafire。Theywereverybusyinsideandout，makingsurethattheflamestookholdproperly。Then，whenthedrylogsbegantoblazeandflameslickedtheedgesoftheroof，theystoodbackandwatchedit。

BuddysawHides—the—faceglancespeculativelytowardthedugout，andslippedhishandbackwherehecouldreachhissix—shooter。Hefeltprettycertainthattheymeanttodemolishthedugoutnext，andheknewexactlywhathemeanttodo。Hehadheardmenatthepoststalkof"sellingtheirlivesdearly"，andthatiswhatheintendedtodo。

Hewasnotgoingtobeintoomuchofahurry；hewouldwaituntiltheyactuallybeganonthedugout——andwhentheywereonthebankwithinafewfeetofhim，andhesawthattherewasnogettingawayfromdeath，hemeanttoshootfiveIndians，andhimselflastofall。

Tentativelyhefeltofhistemplewherehemeanttoplacethemuzzleofthegunwhentherewasjustonebulletleft。Itwassoniceandsmooth——hewonderedifGodwouldreallyhelphimout，ifhesaidOurFatherwithapureheartandwithfaith，ashismothersaidonemustpray。Hewasslightlydoubtfulofbothconditions，whenhecametothinkofitseriously。Thisspringhehadfeltgrown—upenoughtoswearalittleatthehorses，sometimes——andhewasnotsurethatshootingtheIndianthattimewouldnotbecountedacrimebyGod，wholovedallHiscreatures。MotheralwaysstucktoitthatInjunswereGod’screatures——whichbroughtBuddysquarelyagainsttheincredibleassumptionthatGodmustlovethem。Hedidnotintheleastmeantobeirreverent，butwhenhewatchedthosepaintedbuckshisopinionofGodchangedslightly。Hedecidedthathehimselfwasneitherpurenorfulloffaith，andthathewouldnotprayjustyet。HewouldletGodgoaheadanddoasHepleasedaboutit；exceptthatBuddywouldneverletthoseIndiansgethimalive，nomatterwhatGodexpected。

Hides—the—facewalkedovertowardthedugout。Buddycrookedhisleftarmandlaidthegunbarrelacrossittogeta"deadrest"andleavenothingtochance。Hides—the—facestaredatthedugout，movedtooneside——andthemuzzleofthegunfollowed，keepingitsaimdirectlyattheleftedgeofhisbreastboneasoutlinedwiththeredpaint。Hides—the—facecraned，steppedintothepathdownthebankandpassedoutofrange。Buddygrittedhisteethmalevolentlyandwaited，hisearsstrainedtocatchandinterpretthemeaningofeverysoftsoundmadebyHides—the—face’smoccasins。

Hides—the—facecautiouslypushedopenthedoorofthecellarandlookedin，standingforinterminableminutes，asistheleisurelywayofIndianswhenthereisnogreatneedofhaste。Ruddycautiouslyloweredhisfaceandpeereddownlikeamousefromthethatch，buthecouldnothandilybringhisguntobearuponHides—the—face，whopresentlyturnedbackandwentupthepath，hisshoulder—musclesmovingsnakishlyunderhisbrownskinasheclimbedthebank。

Hides—the—facereturnedtotheothersandannouncedthattherewasaplacewheretheycouldcamp。Buddycouldnothearallthathesaid，andHides—the—facehadhisbackturnedsothatnotallofhissignswereintelligible；buthegatheredthattheseparticularIndianshadchosenorhadbeenorderedtowaithereforthreesuns，andthatthecellarappealedtoHides—the—faceasashelterincaseitstormed。

Buddydidnotknowwhethertorejoiceatthenewsortomourn。Theywouldnotdestroythedugout，soheneednotshoothimself，whichwasofcoursearelief。Still，threesunsmeantthreedaysandnights，andtheprospectoflyingthereonhisstomach，afraidtomoveforthatlengthoftime，almostamountedtothesamethingintheend。Hedidnotbelievethathecouldholdoutthatlong，thoughofcoursehewouldtryprettyhard。

AllthatdayBuddylaywatchingthroughthecrack，determinedtotakeanychancethatcamehisway。Nonecame。TheIndiansloiteredintheshade，andsomeslept。Butalwaystwoorthreeremainedawake；andalthoughtheysatapparentlyreadytodozeoffatanyminute，Buddyknewthemtoowelltohopeforsuchgoodluck。TwoIndiansrodeintowardeveningdraggingacalfthathadbeenoverlookedintheroundup；andhavingimprovidentlyburnedthecabin，themeatwascookedovertheemberswhichstillsmoulderedinplaceswhereknotsinthelogsmadeslowfuel。

Buddywatchedthemhungrily，wonderinghowlongittooktostarve。

WhenitwasgrowingdarkhetriedtokeepinmindtheexactpositionsoftheIndians，andtodiscoverwhetheraguardwouldbeplacedoverthecamp，orwhethertheyfeltsafeenoughtosleepwithoutasentinel。Hides—the—facehehadlongagodecidedwasinchargeoftheparty，andHides—the—

facewasseeminglyconcernedonlywithgorginghimselfonthehalf—roastedmeat。Buddyhopedhewouldchokehimself，butHides—the—facewasverygoodatgulpinghalf—chewedhunksandfinishedwithoutdisaster。

Thenhegruntedsomethingtosomeoneinthedark，andtherewasmovementinthegroup。Buddygroundhisgrowing"second"teethtogether，clenchedhisfistandsaid"Damnit！"

threetimesinasilentcrescendoofragebecausehecouldneitherseenorhearwhattookplace；andimmediatelyherepentedhisprofanity，rememberingthatGodcouldhearhim。

InBuddy’sopinion，younevercouldbesureaboutGod；Hebestowedmysteriousmerciesandstrangepunishments，andHiswayswerepastfindingout。Buddytippedhispalmstogetherandrepeatedalltheprayershismotherhadtaughthimandthen，withaflashofmemory，finishedwith"Oh，God，please！"justasmotherhaddonelongagoonthedrydrive。

Afterthathemeditateduncomfortablyforafewminutesandaddedinafaintwhisper，"Oh，shucks！Youdon’twanttopayanyattentiontoafellowcussingalittlewhenhe’smad。I

couldeasymakethatupifyouhelpedmeoutsomeway。"

BuddybelievedafterwardsthatGodyieldedtopersuasionanddecidedtogivehimachance。Fornotmorethanfiveminutespassedwhenafar—offmurmurgrewtoanindefinableroar，andthewindwhoopeddownofftheSnowiessofiercelythateventhedugoutquiveredalittleandrattleddirtdownonBuddythroughthepolesjustoverhishead。

Atfirstthisseemedanunluckycircumstance，fortheIndianscamedownintothedugoutforshelter，andnowBuddywasafraidtobreatheinthequietintervalsbetweenthegusts。

Justbelowhimhecouldheartheoccasionalmuttersoflaconicsentencesandgruntedanswersasthebuckssettledthemselvesforthenight，andhehadashort，panickyspelloffearingthatthepoleswouldgivewaybeneathhimanddrophiminuponthem。

Afterawhile——itseemedhourstoBuddy——thewindsettleddowntoasteadygale。TheIndians，sofarashecoulddetermine，wereallasleepinthecellar。AndBuddy，settinghisteethhardtogether，begantoslideslowlybackwardtowardtheopeningthroughwhichhehadcrawledintotheroof。Whenhehadcrawledinhehadnotnoticedthespringinessofthepoles，butnowhisimaginationtormentedhimwiththesensationofsaggingandswaying。Whenhisfeetpushedthroughtheopeninghehadtogrithisteethtoholdhimselfsteady。Itseemedasifsomeonewerereachingupinthedarktocatchhimbythelegsandpullhimout。Nothinghappened，however，andafteralittleheinchedbackwarduntilhehungwithhiselbowshookeddesperatelyinsidetheopening，hisheadandshoulderswithinandprotestingwitheverynerveagainstleavingtheshelter。

Buddysaidafterwardsthatheguessedhe’dhavehungthereuntildaylight，onlyhewasafraiditwasabouttimetochangeguard，andsomebodymightcatchhim。Buthesaidhewasscaredtoletgoanddrop，becauseitmusthavebeenprettycrowdedinthecellar，andheknewthedoorwasopen，andsomebuckmightberoostingoutsidehandytobesteppedon。Butheknewhehadtodosomething，becauseifheeverwenttosleepupinthatplacehe’dsnore，maybe；andanyway，hesaid，he’dratherrunhimselftodeaththanstarvetodeath。Sohedropped。

ItwastwodaysafterthatwhenBuddyshuffledintoaminingcampontheridgejustnorthofDouglasPass。Hewasstillonhisfeet，buttheydraggedlikeanoldman’s。Hehadwalkedtwenty—fivemilesintwonights，goingcarefully，infearofIndians。Thefirstfivemileshehadwadedalongtheshoreofthecreek，hesaid，incasetheymightpickuphistracksatthedugoutandtrytofollowhim。Hehadhiddenhimselflikearabbitinthebrushthroughtheday，andhehadnotdaredshootanymeat，whereforehehadnoteatenanything。

"Iain’tashungryasIwasatfirst，"Hegrinnedtremulously。"ButIguessIbetter——eat。Idon’want——tolosethe——habit——"Thenhewentslackandamanswearingtohidehispitypickedhimupinhisarmsandcarriedhimintothetent。

CHAPTERSIX：THEYOUNGEAGLEMUSTFLY

"You’reofage，"saidBobBirnie，suckinghardathispipe。

"You’vehadyourschoolingasyourmotherwishedthatyoushouldhaveit。You’vegotthemusicinyourheadandyourfingersandyourtoes，andthat’sasyourmotherwishedthatyoushouldhave。

"Yourmotherwouldhaveyoubeallformusic，andmaketunesoutofyourownhead。Shetellsmethatyouhavemadetunesandwrittenthemdownonpaper，andthattherearethosewhowouldbuythemandprintcopiestosell，withyournameatthetopofthepage。I’llnotsaywhatIthinkofthat——yourmotherisanangelamongwomen，andshehastaughtyouthethingsshelovesherself。

"Butmybusinessiswiththecattle，andI’vehadyououtwithmesinceyoucouldclimbonthebackofahorse。I’vewatchedyou，withtheropeandtheironsandinthesaddleandall。You’vebeenintightplacesthatwouldtrythemettleofamangrown——ImindthetimeyeescapedColorou’sband，andwethoughtyedead’tilyecametousinLaramie。

You’veshowedthatyou’reabletoholdyourownontherange，lad。Yourmother’sallforthemusic——butIleaveittoyou。

"TenthousanddollarsI’llgiveye，ifthat’syourwish，andyoucangotoEuropeasshewishesandstudyandmaketunesforotherstoplay。Orifyepreferit，I’llbrandyouaherdofshestockandletyegoyourways。Nosonofminecantakeordersfromhisfatherafterhe’samangrown，andI’mnottotheagewhereIcansitwiththepipefrommorningtonightandletanotherrunmyoutfit。I’vetalkeditoverwithyourmother，andshe’llbidebyyourdecision，asIshalldo。

"SoIputitinanutshell，Robert。You’retwenty—oneto—day；

amangrown，andhuskyasthey’remade。’Tistimeyoufacedtheworldandlivedyourlife。You’vebeenagoodlad——asladsgo。"Hestoppedtheretorubhisjawthoughtfully，perhapsrememberingcertainincidentsinBuddy’sfull—flavoredpast。Buddy——growntoplainBudamonghisfellows——turnedredwithoutlosingthelineofhardnessthathadcometohislips。

"You’reoflegalagetobecalledaman，andthefuture’sbeforeye。I’llgiveyefivehundredcowswiththeircalvesbesidethem——youcanchoosethemyourself，foryou’veasharpeyeforstock——andyoucangowhereyewill。OrI’llgiveyetenthousanddollarsandyecangotoEuropeandmaketunesifyou’reamindto。Andwhateveryechooseit’llbemakeorbreakwithye。Yecansleeponthedecision，forI’venowishthatyeshouldchoosehastilyandbesorryafter。"

Buddy——growntoBud——liftedabootedfootandlaiditacrosshisotherkneeandwithhisforefingerabsentlywhirledthelong—pointedroweronhisspur。Thehardnessathislipssomehowspreadtohiseyes，thatwerebentonthewhirringrower。ItwasthelookthathadcomeintothefaceofthebabydownontheStakedPlainswhenEzracalledandcalledafterhehadbeenansweredtwice；thelookthathadheldfirmthelipsoftheboywhohadlainveryflatonhisstomachintheroofofthedugoutandhadwatchedtheUtesburningthecabin。

"There’snoneedtosleeponit，"hesaidafteraminute。

"You’veraisedme，andspentsomemoneyonme——butI’vesavedyouaman’swageseversinceIwasten。IfyouthinkI’veevenedthingsup，allright。Ifyoudon’t，makeoutyourbillandI’llpayitwhenIcan。There’snoreasonwhyyoushouldgivemeanythingIhaven’tearned，justbecauseyou’remyfather。Youearnedallyou’vegot，andIguessI

candothesame。Asyousay，I’maman。I’llgoatthefuturemanfashion。And，"headdedwithaslightflareofthenostrils，"I’llstartinthemorning。"

"Andisittomaketunesforotherfolkstoplay？"BobBirnieaskedafterasilence，covertlyeyeinghim。

"No，sir。There’smoremoneyincattle。I’llmakemystakeinthecow—country，sameasyou’vedone。"Helookedupandgrinnedalittle。"Tothedevilwithyourmoneyandyourshe—stock！I’llgetoutallright——butI’llmakemyownway。"

"You’reastubbornfool，Robert。TheScotchnowandthenshowsitselflikethatinaman。IgotmystartfrommyfatherandI’mnotashamedofit。Athousandpounds——andI

broughtittoAmericaandtoTexas，andgotcattle。"

Budlaughedandgotup，hidinghowthetalkhadstruckdeepintothesoulofhim。"ThenI’llgoyouonebetter，dad。

I’llgetmyownstart。"

"You’llbebackhomeinsixmonths，lad，sayingyou’vechangedyourmind，"BobBirniepredictedsharply，stungbythetoneofyoungBud。"That，"headdedgrimly，"orforafullbellyandacleanbedtocrawlinto。"

Budstoodlickingthecigarettehehadrolledtohideanunaccountabletremblingofhisfingers。"WhenIcomebackI’llbeinapositiontobuyyouout！I’llborrowSkateandMaverick，ifyoudon’tmind，tillIgetlocatedsomewhere。"

Hepausedwhilehelightedthecigarette。"It’sthecustom，"

Heremindedhisfatherunnecessarily，"tofurnishamanahorsetorideandonetopackhisbed，whenhe’sfired。"

"Ye’vehorsesofyerown，"BobBirnieretorted，"andyou’venoneedtoborrow。"

Budstoodlookingdownathisfather，plainlyundecided。"I

don’tknowwhetherthey’remineornot，"hesaidafteraminute。"Idon’tknowwhatitcostyoutoraiseme。Figureitup，ifyouhaven’talready，andcountthetimeI’veworkedforyou。Sinceyou’veputmeonabusinessbasis，likeraisingacalftoshippingage，let’sbebusinesslikeaboutit。Youaregoodatfiguringyourprofits——I’llleaveittoyou。AndifyoufindI’veanythingcomingtomebesidesmyridingoutfitandtheclothesI’vegot，allright；I’lltakehorsesforthebalance。"

Hewalkedoffwiththeswingtohisshouldersthathadalwaysbetrayedhimwhenhewasangry，andBobBirniegatheredhisbeardintoahandfulandhelditwhilehestaredafterhim。

Ithadbeennopartofhisplantosethissonadriftontherangewithoutadollar，butsinceBud’stemperwasup，itmightbeagoodthingtolethimgo。

SoBobBirniewentawaytoconferwithhiswife，andBudwasleftalonetonursehishurtwhilehepackedhisfewbelongings。Itdidhurthimtobetoldinthatcalm，cold—

bloodedmannerthat，nowhewasoflegalage，hewouldnotbeexpectedtostayonattheTomahawk。Untilhisfatherhadspokentohimaboutit，Budhadnotthoughtmuchaboutwhathewoulddowhenhisschooldayswereover。Hehadtakenlifeasitwaspresentedtohimweekbyweek，monthbymonth。Hehadfulfilledhismother’shopesandhadlearnedtomakemusic。Hehadliveduptohisfather’sunspokenstandardsofacowman。Hehadmadea"Hand"eversincehislegswerelongenoughtoreachthestirrupsofasaddle。Therewasnotabetterrider，notabetterroperontherangethanBudBirnie。Morallyhewascleanerthanmostyoungfellowsofhisage。Hehatedtrickery，hereverencedallgoodwomen；thebadoneshepitiedbecausehebelievedthattheysorrowedsecretlybecausetheywerenotgood，becausetheyhadmissedsomehowtheirrealpurposeinlife，whichwastobewifeandmother。Hehad，infactgrownupcleanandtruetotype。HewasBuddy，growntobeBud。

AndBuddy，nowthathewasaman，hadbeentoldthathewasnotexpectedtostayathomeandhelphisfather，andbeacomforttohismother。Hewaslikeayoungeaglewhich，havinggrownwing—feathersthatwillbearthestrainofhighaircurrents，hasbeenpeckedoutofthenest。Nodoubttheyoungeagleresentshisunexpectedbanishment，althoughintimehewouldhavefeltwithinhimselftheurgetogo。LeaveBudalone，andsoonorlatehewouldhavegone——perhapswithcompunctionsagainstleavinghome，andthefeelingthathewassomehowadisappointmenttohisparents。Hewouldhaveexplainedtohisfather，apologizedtohismother。Asitwas，heresentedthealacritywithwhichhisfatherwaspushinghimout。

Sohepackedhisclothesthatnight，andpushedhisguitarintoitscaseandbuckledthestrapwithaviciousyank，andwentofftothebunkhousetoeatsupperwiththeboysinsteadofsittingdowntothetablewherehismotherhadplacedcertaindisheswhichBuddylovedbest——wantingtoshowintruewomanfashionherloveandsympathyforhim。

Later——itwasafterBudhadgonetobed——mothercameandhadalongtalkwithhim。Shewasverysweetandsensible，andBudwasverytenderwithher。ButshecouldnotbudgehimfromhisdeterminationtogoandmakehiswaywithoutaBirniedollartoeasethebeginning。Othermenhadstartedwithnothingandhadmadeastake，andtherewasnoreasonwhyhecouldnotdoso。

"Dadputitstraightenough，andit’snogoodarguing。I’dstarvebeforeI’dtakeanythingfromhim。I’mentitledtomyclothes，andmaybeahorseortwofortheworkI’vedoneforhimwhileIwasgrowingup。I’vefiguredoutprettyclosewhatitcosttoputmethroughtheUniversity，andwhatIwasworthtohimduringthesummers。Father’sScotch——butheisn’tadarnedbitmoreScotchthanIam，mother。Puttingitallindollarsandcents，IthinkI’veearnedmorethanI

costhim。Inthewinters，IknowIearnedmyboarddoingchoresandridingline。ManyalittlebunchofstockI’vesavedforhimbygettingoutinthefoothillsanddrivingthemdownbelowheavysnowlinebeforeastorm。YourememberthebunchofhorsesIfoundbywatchingthemagpies——thetimewetiedhayincanvasandtookituptothem’tiltheygotstrengthenoughtofollowthetrailItrampledinthesnow？I

earnedmyboardandmore，everywintersinceIwasten。SoI

don’tbelieveIowedadacent，whenit’sallfiguredout。

"Butyou’vedoneformewhatmoneycan’trepay，mother。I’llalwaysbeindebttoyou——andI’llsquareitbybeingthekindofamanyou’vetriedtoteachmetobe。Iwill，mother。

Dadandthedollarsareadifferentmatter。ThedebtIoweyouwillneverbepaid，butI’mgoingtomakeyougladIknowthere’sadebt。Ibelievethere’saGod，becauseIknowtheremusthavebeenonetomakeyou！AndnomatterhowfarawayI

maydriftinmiles，yourBuddyisgoingtobeherewithyoualways，mother，learningfromyouallthereisofgoodnessandsweetness。"Heheldhertwohandsagainsthisface，andshefelthischeekswetbeneathherpalms。Thenhetookthemawayandkissedthemmanytimes，likealover。

"IfIeverhaveawife，she’sgoingtohaveherworkcutoutforher，"Helaughedunsteadily。"She’llhavetoliveuptoyou，mother，ifshewantsmetoloveher。"

"Ifyouhaveawifeshe’llbewell—spoiled，youngman！

Perhapsitiswisethatyoushouldgo——butdon’tyouforgetyourmusic，Buddy——andbeagoodboy，andremember，mother’sgoingtofollowyouwithherloveandherfaithinyou，andherprayers。"

ItmayhavebeenthatBuddy’sbabymemoryofgoingnorthwheneverthetrailherdstartedremainedtosendBudinstinctivelynorthwardwhenhelefttheTomahawknextmorning。Ithadbeenacaseofstubbornfatherandstubbornsondickeringpolitelyoverthenetearningsofthesonfromthetimewhenhewasoldenoughtoleavehismother’slapandclimbintoasaddletoridewithhisfather。ThreehorsesandhispersonalbelongingshadbeenagreeduponbetweenthemasthebalanceinBud’sfavor；andatthat，BobBirniedrylyremarked，hehadbeenabetterinvestmentasasonthanmostyoungfellows，whocostmorethantheywereworthtoraise。

Buddidnotanswertheimpliedpraise，butropedtheTomahawk’sbestthreehorsesoutoftheREMUDAcorralledforhimbyhisfather’sriders。YoushouldhaveseenthesidelongglancesamongtheboyswhentheylearnedthatBud，justhomefromtheUniversity，wasgoingsomewherewithallhisearthlypossessionsandalookinhisfacethatmeanttrouble！

TwobigvalisesandhisblanketshepackedonSunfish，adeceptivelyraw—bonedyoungbuckskinwithmuchwhiteshowinginhiseyes——anornerylookingbruteifevertherewasone。

Bud’sguitarandamandolinintheircaseshetiedsecurelyontopofthepack。Smoky，thesecondhorse，adeep—chested"mouse"withafacealmosthumaninitsexpression，hesaddled，andputaleadropeonthethird，abayfour—year—

oldcalledStopper，whichwastheTomahawk’sbestrope—horseandonethatwouldbemissedwhenfastworkwaswantedinbranding。

"Hesureashellpickedhimselfthreetophawses，"atallpunchermurmuredtoanother。"Wonderwherehe’sheadedfor？

Notrepping——thislateintheseason。"

Budoverheardthem，andgavenosign。Hadtheyaskedhimdirectlyhecouldnothavetoldthem，forhedidnotknow，exceptthatsomehowhefeltthathewasgoingtoheadnorth。

Whynorth，hecouldnothaveexplained，sincecow—countrylayallaroundhim；norhowfarnorth，——forcow—countryextendedtotheupperboundaryoftheStates，andbeyondintoCanada。

Helefthishorsesstandingbythecorralwhilehewenttothehousetotellhismothergood—by，andtosendafarewellmessagetoDulcie，whohadbeenmarriedayearandlivedinLaramie。HedidnotexpecttostrikeLaramie，hetoldhismotherwhensheaskedhim。

"I’mgoingtillIstop，"Heexplained，withasqueezeofhershoulderstoreassureher。"Iguessit’sthewayyoufelt，mother，whenyouleftTexasbehind。Youcouldn’ttellwhereyoufolkswouldwindup。NeithercanI。Mytrailherdiskindasmall，rightnow；alotsmallerthanitwillbelateron。Butsuchasitis，it’sgoingtohittherightrangebeforeitstopsforgood。AndI’llwrite。"

Hetookadoughnutinhishandandapackageoflunchtoslipinhispocket，kissedherwithmuchcheerfulnessinhismannerandhurriedout，hisbig—rowelledspursburringontheporchjusttwicebeforehesteppedoffonthegravel。Tellingmothergood—byhadbeentheoneordealhedreaded，andhewasgladtohaveitoverwith。

OldStep—and—a—Halfhailedhimashewentpastthechuck—

house，andcamelimpingout，wipinghishandsonhisapronbeforeheshookhandsandwishedhimgoodluck。Ezra，potteringaroundthetoolshed，ambledupwiththeeyesofadogthathasbeensentbackhomebyhismaster。"Ahshoahdowishyo’allgoodfawtunean’health，MarseBuddy，"Ezraquavered。"Ahshoahdo。Itain’goin’seemlakdesameplace——

andAhshoahdohopesyo’allwritesfrequentlettahstoyo’

mothah，boy！"

Budpromisedthathewould，andmanagedtobreakawayfromEzrawithoutbetrayinghimself。How，hewondered，dideveryoneseemtoknowthathewasgoingforgood，thistime？

Hehadbelievedthatnooneknewofitsavehimself，hisfatherandhismother；yeteveryoneelsebehavedasiftheyneverexpectedtoseehimagain。Itwasdisconcerting，andBudhastilyuntiedthetwoledhorsesandmountedSmoky，themouse—coloredhorsehehimselfhadbrokentwoyearsbefore。

Hisfathercameslowlyuptohim，straight—backedandwiththegaitofthemanwhohasriddenastrideahorsemorethanhehaswalkedonhisownfeet。Heputuphishand，glovedforriding，andBudchangedthelead—ropesfromhisrighthandtohisleft，andshookhandsratherformally。

"Ye’vegoodweatherfortravelling，"saidBobBirnietentatively。"Ihavenotsaiditbefore，lad，butwhenyeownyourselfafooltotakethiswayofmakingyourfortune，tenthousanddollarswillstillbereadytostartyeright。I’venowishtoshirkadutytomyfamily。"

Budpressedhislipstogetherwhilehelistened。"Ifyoukeepyourtenthousandtillit’scalledfor，you’llbedrawinginterestalongtimeonit，"Hesaid。"It’sgoingtobehotto—day。I’llbegettingalong。"

Heliftedthereins，glancedbacktoseethatthetwohorseswereshowingtheproperdispositiontofollow，androdeoffdownthedeep—ruttedroadthatfollowedupthecreektothepasswherehehadwatchedtheUtesdancingthewardanceonenightthatherememberedwell。Ifhewincedalittleatthefamiliarlandmarkshepassed，hestillheldfasttothedeterminationtogo，andtofindfortunesomewherealongthetrailofhisownmaking；andtoaskhelpfromnoman，leastofallhisfatherwhohadtoldhimtogo。

CHAPTERSEVEN：BUDFLIPSACOINWITHFATE

"Idon’tthinkitmatterssomuchwherewelight，it’swhatwedowhenwegetthere，"saidBudtoSmoky，hishorse，onedayastheystoppedwheretworoadsforkedatthebaseofagreat，outstandingpeakthatwasbutthepointofamountainrange。"Thistrailstraddlesthebutteandtakesonuptwodifferentvalleys。It’sallcow—country——sowhatdoyuhsay，Smoke？Whichtraillooksthebesttoyou？"

Smokyfloppedoneearforwardandtheotheroneback，andswitchedatapesteringfly。BehindhimSunfishandStopperwaitedwiththepatiencetheyhadlearnedinthreeweeksofcontinuoustravelovercountrythatwasroughinspots，barreninplaces，withwindandsunandoccasional，suddenthunderstormstopunctuatethedailygrindoftravel。

Buddrewahalfdollarfromhispocketandregardeditmeditatively。"They’regoingfast——we’lljustnaturallyhavetostopprettysoon，orwedon’teat，"Heobserved。"Smoke，you’reaquitter。Whatyouwanttodoisgoback——butyouwon’tgetthechance。Heads，wetaketherighthandtrail。I

likeitbetter，anyway——itanglesmoretothenorth。"

Headsitwas，andBudleanedfromthesaddleandrecoveredthecoin，Smokyturninghisheadtoregardhisridertolerantly。"Righthandgoes——andwecampatthefirstgoodwaterandgrass。Icangrainthethreeofyouoncemorebeforewehitatown，andthatgoesforme，too。G’wan，Smoke，anddon’tactsomournful。"

Smokywenton，followingthetrailthatwoundinandoutaroundthebutte，huggingcloseitssheersidestoavoidafifty—footdropintothecreekbelow。Itwasnewcountry——Budhadneversomuchasseenamapofittogivehimacluetowhatwascoming。Thelastturnofthedeep—rutted，sandyroadwhereitlefttheriver’sbankandledstraightbetweentwohumpyshouldersofrocktothefootofaplatter—shapedvalleybroughthimtoahaltagaininsheerastonishment。

Frombehindalowhillstillfarthertotheright，wheretheroadforkedagain，abluishhazeofsmokeindicatedthattherewasatownofsomesort，perhaps。Fartherupthevalleyabrownishcloudhunglow—aroundup，Budknewataglance。Hehesitated。Thetown，ifitwereatown，couldwait；theroundupmightnot。Andajobhemusthavesoon，orgohungry。

Heturnedandrodetowardthedust—cloud，cameshortlytoasmallstreamandagreengrass—plot，andstoppedtherelongenoughtothrowthepackoffSunfish，unsaddleSmokyandstakethembothouttograze。Stopperhesaddled，thenkneltandwashedhisface，beatthetraveldustoffhishat，untiedhisropeandcoileditcarefully，untiedhishandkerchiefandshookitascleanashecouldandknotteditcloselyagain。

Onemighthavethoughthewaspreparingtomeetagirl；butthehabitofneatnessdatedbacktohispink—aprondaysandbeyond，thedirtanddustmeantdiscomfort。

WhenhemountedStopperandlopedawaytowardthedust—cloud，herodehopefully，sureofhimself，carryinghisrangecredentialsinhiseyes，inhisperfectsaddle—poise，inthetanonhisfacetohiseyebrows，andthewomanishsoftnessofhisglovedhands，whichhadallthesensitiveflexibilityofamusician。

Hismainhopewasthattheoutfitwasworkingshort—handed；

andwhenherodenearenoughtodistinguishtheherdandtheriders，hegrinnedhissatisfaction。

"Goodcow—country，bythelookofthatbunchofcattle，"Heobservedtohimself。"Andeightmenisasmallcrewtoworkaherdthatsize。IguessI’lltieontothisoutfit。Stopper，you’llmaybegetachancetoturnacowthisafternoon。"

Justhowsoonthechancewouldcome，Budhadnotrealized。Hehadnomorethancomewithinshoutingdistanceoftheherdwhenabig，rollickysteerbrokefromthemillingcattleandheadedstraightoutpasthim，runninglikeadeer。Stopper，famedandnamedforhisprowesswithjustsuchcattle，wheeledinhistracksandlengthenedhisstridetoarun。

"Tie’imdown！"someoneyelledbehindBud。And"Catch’imandtie’imdown！"shoutedanother。

ForanswerBudwavedhishand，andreachedinhispocketforhisknife。Stopperwasartfullycirclingthesteer，forcingitbacktowardtheherd，andinanotherhundredyardsorsoBudmustthrowhisloopHeslicedoffasaddle—stringandtookitbetweenhisteeth，jerkedhisropeloose，flippedopentheloopasStopperracedupalongside，droppedthenooseneatly，andtookhisturnswhileStopperplantedhisforefeetandbracedhimselffortheshock。Bud’srightlegwasoverthecantle，allhisweightontheleftstirrupwhenthejerkcameandthesteerfellwithathump。Bygoodluck——

soBudafterwardsasserted——hewasoffandhadthesteertiedbeforeithadrecovereditsbreathtoscrambleup。Heremounted，flippedofftheloopandrecoiledhisropewhilehewentjogginguptomeetaridercomingouttohim。

Ifheexpectedthanksforwhathehaddone，hemusthavereceivedashock。Otherridershadlefttheirpostsandwereedginguptohearwhathappened，andBudreinedupinastonishmentbeforethemostamazingstringofunseemlyepithetshehadeverheard。Itbeganwith："What’dyouthrowthatcritterfor？"——whichofcourseisputtingitmildly——andendedinachokedphrasewhichonemanmaynotusetoanother’sfaceandexpectanythingbuttroubleafterwards。

Budunbuckledhisgunandhungthebeltonhissaddlehorn，anddismounted。"Getoffyourhorseandtakethedamnedestlickingyoueverhadinyourlife，forthat！"Heinvitedvengefully。"Youtoldmetotiedownthatsteer，andItiedhimdown。You’vegotnocalltocomplain——andthereisn’tamanonearthI’lltakethatkindatalkfrom。Crawldown，youparrot—facedcow—eater——andleaveyourgunonthesaddle。"

ThemanremainedwherehewasandlookedBudoveruncertainly。"Whoareyou，andwhere’dyuhcomefrom？"hedemandedmorecalmly。"Ineversawyuhbefore。"

"Well，Inevergrewupwithyourfacebeforeme，either！"Budsnapped。"IfIhadI’dprobablybecross—eyedbynow。Youcalledmesomething！GetoffthathorseorI’llpullyouoff！"

"Aw，yuhdon’twanttomind——"beganatall，leanmanpacifically；butheofthehighnosestoppedhimwithawaveofthehand，hiseyesstillmeasuringtheface，theformandthefightingspiritofoneBudBirnie，standingwithhiscoatoff，quiveringwithrage。

"IguessI’minthewrong，youngfellow——IDIDholler’Tie’imdown。’Butifyou’deverbeenaroundthisoutfitanyyou’dhaveknownIdidn’tmeanitliteral。"Hestoppedandsuddenlyhelaughed。"I’vebeenyellin’’Tie’imdown’fortwoyearsandmore，whenacritterbreaksoutathebunch，andnobodywaseverfoolenoughtotackleitbefore。"It’sjustasayin’we’vegot，youngman。We——"

"Whataboutthenameyoucalledme？"Budwasstilladvancingslowly，notmuchappeasedbytheexplanation。"Idon’tgiveadarnaboutthesteer。Yousaidtiehim，andhe’stied。Butwhenyoucallme——"

"Mymistake，youngfeller。WhenIgetriledupIdon’tpickmywords。"HeeyedBudsharply。"You’remightyquicktoobeyorders，"Headdedtentatively。

"IwasbroughtuptodoasI’mtold，"Budretortedstiffly。"Anyobjectionstomake？"

"Notoneintheworld。Wishtherewasmorelikeyuh。Youain’tbeeninthesepartslong？"Histonemadeaquestionofthestatement。

"Notrighthere。"Budhadnoreasonsavehistemperfornotgivingmoreexplicitinformation，butBartNelson——asBudknewhimafterwards——continuedtostudyhimasifhesuspectedablotchedpast。

"Hunh。Thatyourhorse？"

"I’vegotabillofsaleforhim。"

"Youdon’thappentobewantingajob，Is’pose？"

"Iwouldn’trefusetotakeone。"AndthenthetwinklecamebacktoBud’seyes，becauseallatoncethewholeincidentstruckhimasbeingratherfunny。"I’dwantabossthatexpectedtohavehisorderscarriedout，though。Ilackimagination，andIneverdidtrytoreadaman’smind。Whathesayshe’dbettermean——whenhesaysittome。"

BartNelsongaveashortlaugh，turnedandsenthisridersbacktotheirworkwithoathstinglingtheirears。Budjudgedthatcursingwashisnaturalformofspeech。

"Goletupthatsteer，andI’llputyoutowork，"hesaidtoBudafterwards。"That’sagoodropehorseyou’reriding。Ifyouwanttousehim，andifyoucanholduptothatlittlesampleofropingyuhgaveus，I’llpayyuhsixtyamonth。Andthat’spartlyfordoingwhatyou’retold，"headdedwithaquicklookintoBud’seyes。"Youdidn’tsaywhereyou’refrom————"

"Iwasbornandraisedincow—country，andnobody’slookingforme，"Budinformedhimoverhisshoulderwhileheremounted，andletitgoatthat。FromsouthernWyomingtoIdahowastoofar，hereasoned，tomakeitworthwhilestatinghisexactplaceofresidence。IftheyhadneverheardoftheTomahawkoutfititwoulddonogoodtonameit。Iftheyhadheardofit，theywouldwonderwhythesonofsorichacowmanasBobBirnieshouldbehiringoutasacommoncowpunchersofarfromhome。Hehadstudiedthematteronhiswaynorth，andhaddecidedtoletpeopleformtheirownconclusions。IfhecouldnotmakegoodwithoutthenameofBobBirniebehindhim，thesoonerhefounditoutthebetter。

Heuntiedthesteer，droveitbackintotheherdandrodeovertowherethehigh—nosedmanwashelpingholdthe"Cut。"

"Canyoureadbrands？We’recuttin’outAJandAJBarstuff；

leftear—cropontheAJ，andundercutontheAJBar。"

Budnoddedandeasedintotheherd，spiedanAJtwo—year—oldandurgedittowardtheouteredge，smilingtohimselfwhenhesawhowStopperkepthisnoseclosetotheanimal’srump。

Onceinthemillingfringeoftheherd，Stoppernippeditintotheopen，rushedittothecutherd，wheeledandwentbackofhisownaccord。Fromthecornerofhiseye，ashewent，BudsawthatBartNelsonandoneortwootherswerewatchinghim。Theycontinuedtoeyehimcovertlywhileheworkedtheherdwithtwoothermen。Hewasgladthathehadnottravelledfarthatday，andthathehadriddenSmokyandleftStopperfreshandeagerforhisfavoritepastime，whichwasmakingcattledowhattheyparticularlydidnotwanttodo。Inthathewasadept，anditpleasedBudmightilytoseehowmuchattentionStopperwasattracting。

Notoncediditoccurtohimthatitmightbehimselfwhooccupiedthethoughtsofhisboss。Buddy——afterwardsBud——hadlivedhiswholelifeamongfriends，hisonlyenemiestheIndianswhopreyeduponthecowmen。Whitemenhehadneverlearnedtodistrust，andtobedistrustedhadneverbeenhisportion。HehadalwaysbeenBudBirnie，sonandheirofBobBirnie，asclean—handedacattlekingaseverrecordedabrand。EvenattheUniversityhispositionhadbeenacceptedwithoutquestion。ThatthemanhementallycalledParrotfacewaspuzzledandevenworriedabouthimwasthelastthinghewouldthinkof。

Butitwastrue。BartNelsonwatchedBud，thatafternoon。A

manmightrideuptoBartandassertthathewasanoldhandwithcattle，andBartwouldsaynothing，butsethimtowork，ashehadBud。Thenhewouldknowjusthowolda"Hand"thefellowwas。FifteenminutesconvincedhimthatBudhad"growedupinthesaddle"，ashewouldhaveputit。Butthatonlymystifiedhimthemore。Bartknewtherange，andhekneweverymaninthecountry，fromBurrobackValley，whichwasthisgreatvalley’sname，totheBlackRim，beyondthemountainrange，andbeyondtheBlackRimtotheSawtoothcountry。Heknewtheirwaysandheknewtheirpastrecords。

Heknewthatthisyoungfellowcamefromfartherranges，andhewouldhavebeenatalosstoexplainjusthowheknewit。

HewouldhavesaidthatBuddidnothavethe"earmarks"ofanIdahorider。Furthermore，thesmallTomahawkbrandontheleftflankofthehorseBudrodewastotallyunknowntoBart。

Yetthehorsedidnotbearthemarksoflongriding。Budhimselflookedasifhehadjustriddenoutfromsomenearbyranch——andhehadrefusedtosaywherehewasfrom。

Bartsworeunderhisbreathandbeckonedtohimadroopy—

mustached，droopy—shoulderedriderwhowascirclingtheherdinadroopy，spiritlessmannerandchewingtobaccowithmuchindustry。

"Dirk，youknowbrandsfromthePanhandletoCypressHills。

Whatd’yuhmakeofthathorse？Wheredoeshecomefrom？"BartstoppedabruptlyandrodeforwardthentoreceiveanddrivefartherbackagallopingAJBarcowwhichBudandStopperhadjusthazedoutoftheherd。DirksquintedatStopper’sbrandwhichshowedcleanlyintheglossy，newhairofearlysummer。Hespatcarefullywiththewindandswungovertomeethisbosswhenthecowwassafelyinthecutherd。

"Newoneonme，Bart。They’sahatchetbrandoverclosetoJackson’sHole，somewhere。Where’dthekidsayhewasfrom？"

"Hewouldn’tsay，buthe’sasure—enoughcowhand。"

"Thattherehorseain’tbeenrodedownonnolongjourney，"

Dirkvolunteeredafterfurtherscrutiny。Andheaddedwiththeunconsciousimpertinenceofanoldandtrustedemployee，"Yuhgoin’toputhimon？"

"Alreadydoneit——sixtyamonth，"Bartconfided。"That’llbringoutwhat’sinhim；he’sliabletoturnoutgoodfortheoutfit。Showedhe’lldowhathe’stoldfirst，andthinkitoverafterwards。Ilikethattheretraitinaman。"

Dirkpulledhisdroopymustacheawayfromhislipsasifhewantedtomakesurethathissmilewouldshow；thoughitwasnotaprettysmile，onaccountofhistobacco—stainedteeth。

"’Syourfun’ral，Bart。I’dsayhe’sfromJackson’sHole，onaroughguess——butIwouldn’tpresumetoguesswhathe’sherefur。MebbyhecomeacrossfromBlackRim。Icanfindout，ifyousayso。"

Budwasweavinginandoutthroughtheherd，scanningtheanimalsclosely。Whilethetwotalkedhesingledoutayearlingheifer，letStoppernoseitoutbeyondthebunchanddroveitclosetotheboss。

"Betterlookthatoneover，"Hecalledout。"Oneway，itlookslikeAJ，andanotherwayIcouldn’tnameit。Andtheearlooksasifabouthalfofithadbeenfrozenoff。Didn’twanttorunitintothecutuntilyoupassedonit。"

BartlookedfirstatBud，andhelookedhard。Thenherodeoverandinspectedtheyearling，Dirkcloseathisheels。

"Throw’erbackwiththebunch，"Heordered。

"Thatfinishesthecut，then，"Budannounced，rubbinghishandalongStopper’ssweatyneck。"Ikeptpassingthiscritterup，andIguesstheotherboysdidthesame。Butit’sthelastone，andIthoughtI’drunheroutforyoutolookover。"

Bartgrunted。"Dirk，youtakealookandseeifthey’vegot’emall。Andyou，Kid，canhelphazethecutuptheFlat——theboys’llshowyouwhattodo。"

Bud，rememberingSmokyandSunfishandhiscamp，hesitated。

"I’vegotacampdownherebythecreek，"Hesaid。"Ifit’sallthesametoyou，I’llreportforworkinthemorning，ifyou’lltellmewheretoheadfor。AndI’llhavetoarrangesomehowtopasturemyhorses；I’vegotacouplemoreatcamp。"

Bartstudiedhimforaminute，andBudthoughthewasgoingtochangehismindaboutthejob，orthesixtydollarsamonth。ButBartmerelytoldhimtorideonuptheFlatnextmorning，andtakethefirsttrailthatturnedtotheleft。"TheMuleshoeranchisupthereaginthatpinemountain，"heexplained。"Bringalongyouroutfit。Iguesswecantakecareofacoupleofhorses，allright。"

ThatsuitedBudverywell，andherodeawaythinkinghowluckyhewastohavetakentherightforkintheroad，thatday。Hehadriddenstraightintoajob，andwhilehewasnotveryenthusiasticovertheboss，theotherboysseemedallright，andthewageswereathirdmorethanhehadexpectedtogetjustatfirst。Itwasthefirsttime，heremindedhimself，thathehadbeenreallytemptedtolocate，andhecertainlyhadstruckitlucky。

Hedidnotknowthatwhenhelefttherounduphisgoinghadbeencarefullynoted，andthathewasnosooneroutofsightthanDirkTracywasridingcautiouslyonhistrail。Whilehefedhishorsesthelastbitofgrainhehad，andcookedhissupperoverwhatpromisedtobehislastcamp—fire，hedidnotdreamthatthemanwiththedroopymustachewaslyingamongstthebushesontheotherbankofthecreek，watchingeverymovehemade。

HemeanttobeupbeforedaylightsothathecouldstriketheranchoftheMuleshoeoutfitintimeforbreakfast，whereforehewenttobedbeforetheafterglowhadleftthemountain—

topsaroundhim。Andbeingyoungandcarefreeandhealthfullyweary，hewasasleepandsnoringgentlywithinfiveminutesofhislastwriggleintohisblankets。ButDirkTracywatchedhimforfullytwohoursbeforehedecidedthatthekidwasnotartfullypretending，butwasreallyasleepandlikelytoremainsoforthenightDirkwasanextremelycautiousman，buthewasalsotired，andthecoldfoodhehadeateninplaceofahotsupperhadnotbeensatisfyingtohisstomach。Hecrawledcarefullyoutofthebrush，stoleupthecreektowherehehadlefthishorse，androdeaway。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读