HewasnotaltogethersurethathehaddonehisfulldutytotheMuleshoe，butitwasagainsthumannatureforamannearingfortytolieuncoveredinthebrush，andletanumerousfamilyofmosquitoesfeeduponhimwhilehelistenedtoayoungmansnoringcomfortablyinagoodcampbedahundredfeetaway。

Dirk，becausehisconsciencewasnotquiteclear，sleptinthestablethatnightandtoldhisbossalienextmorning。

CHAPTEREIGHT：THEMULESHOE

TheridersoftheMuleshoeoutfitwereeatingbreakfastwhenBudrodepastthelong，low—roofedlogcabintothecorralwhichstoodnearesttheclutterofstablesandsheds。Hestoppedthereandwaitedtoseeifhisnewbosswasanywhereinsightandwouldcometotellhimwheretounpackhisbelongings。Asandycomplexionedyoungmanwithredeyelidsandnolashespresentlyemergedfromthestableandcametowardhim，hismouthsagginglooselyopen，hiseye；vacuous。

Hewascladinfadedoverallsturnedupafootatthebottomandshowingfrayed，shoddytrousersbeneathandrusty，run—

downshoesthatprovedhewasnotarider。Hishatwaspepperedwithlittleholes，asifsomeonehadfiredachargeofbirdshotathimandhadallbutbaggedhim。

Theyouth’seyesbecamefixedupontheguitarandmandolincasesropedontopofSunfish’spack，andhepointedandgobbledsomethingwhichhadthesoundspeechwithoutbeingintelligible。Budcockedaneartowardhiminquiringly，madenothingofthejumbleandrodeofftothecabin，leadingSunfishafterhim。Thefellowmightormightnotbetheidiothelooked，andhemightormightnotkeephishandsoffthepack。Budwasnotgoingtotakeanychance。

Heheardsoundswithinthecabin，butnooneappeareduntilheshouted，"Hello！"twice。ThedooropenedthenandBartNelsonputouthishead，hisjawsworkingoveramouthfuloffoodthatseemedtough。

"Oh，it’syou。C’mawninan’eat，"heinvited，andBuddismounted，neverguessingthathisslightestmotionhadbeencarefullyobservedfromthetimehehadfordedthecreekatthefootoftheslopebeyondthecabin。

Bartintroducedhimtothemenbythesimplemethodofwavinghishandatthegrouparoundthetableandsaying，"Guessyouknowtheboys。What’dyuhsaywecouldcallyuh？"

"Bud——ah——Birnie，"Budanswered，swiftlyweighingtheromanticideaofusingsomemakeshiftnameuntilhehadmadehisfortune，anddecidingagainstit。Afalsenamemightmeanfutureembarrassment，andhewassofarfromhomethathisfatherwouldneverhearofhimanyway。ButhishesitationservedtoconvinceeverymantherethatBirniewasnothisname，andthatheprobablyhadgoodcauseforconcealinghisown。AddingthattoDirkTracy’sguessthathewasfromJackson’sHole，thesumspelledoutlaw。

TheMuleshoeboyswerecarefulnottoseemcuriousaboutBud’spast。TheyevenrefrainedfrommanifestingtoomuchinterestinthemusicalinstrumentsuntilBudhimselftookthemoutoftheircasesthateveningandbegantuningthem。

Thenthehalf—baked，tongue—tiedfellowcameoverandgobbledathimeagerly。

"Henwantsyuhtoplaysomething，"amantheycalledDayinterpreted。"Hen’slocoonmusic。Ifyoucansingandplayboth，Hen’llsetandlistentillplumbdaylightandnevermoveaneyewinker。"

Budlookedup，smiledalittlebecauseHenhadnoeyewinkerstomove，andsuddenlyfeltpitybecauseamancouldbesoaltogetherunlikeableasHen。Alsobecausehismother’sfacestoodvividlybeforehimforaninstant，leavinghimwithaqueertighteningofthethroatandthefeelingthathehadbeenrebuked。HenoddedtoHen，laiddownthemandolinandpickeduptheguitar，turneduptheastringabit，laidabootedandspurredfootacrosstheotherknee，pluckedaminorchordsonorouslyandbeganabruptly：

"Yo’kintalkaboutyoucoonsa—havin’trouble——

Well，AhthinkAhhaveenough—aofmahoh—own——"

Hen’shigh—pointedAdam’sappleslippedupanddowninonegreatgulpofecstasy。HeeasedslowlydownupontheedgeofthebunkbesideBudandgazedathimfascinatedly，hislashlesseyesneverwinking，hisjawdroppedsothathismouthhunghalfopen。DaynudgedDirkTracy，whopartedhisdroopymustacheandsmiledhisunlovelysmile，loweringhislefteyelidunnecessarilyatBud。ThedimpleinBud’schinwrinkledashebenthisheadandplunkedtheinterludewithaswingthatsetspurredbootstappingthefloorrhythmically。

"Bart，he’swentandhiredashow—actor，lookslike。"DirkconfidedbehindhishandtoShortyMcGuire。"That’srealsingin’，ifyuhaskme！"

"Shutup！"gruntedShorty，andproddedDirkintosilencesothathewouldmissnoneofthesong。

SinceBuddyhadleftthepink—apronstageofhisadventurouslifebehindhim，singingsongstopleaseotherpeoplehadbeenasmuchapartofhislifeasridingandropingandeatingandsleeping。Hehadalwayssungorplayedordancedwhenhewasaskedtodoso——acceptingwithoutquestionhismother’sdoctrinethatitwasunkindandill—bredtorefusewhenhereallycoulddothosethingswell，becauseonthecattlerangesindooramusementswerefew，andthosewhocouldfurnishrealentertainmentwerefewer。EvenattheUniversity，coonsongsandIrishsongsandlovesongshadbeenhisportion；whereforehisrepertoireseemedendless，andiffolksinsisteduponithecouldsingfromdarktodawn，providinghisvoiceheldout。

Hensatwithhisbig—jointedhandshanginglooselyoverhiskneesandlistened，staredatBudandgrinnedvacuouslywhenonesongwasdone，gulpedhisAdam’sappleandlistenedagainasraptlytothenextone。TheothersforgotallabouthavingfunwatchingHen，andnamedoldfavoritesandnewones，heardthemsunginimitablyandcalledformore。AtmidnightBudblewonhisblisteredfingertipsandshooktheguitargently，bottom—sideup。

"Iguessthat’sallthemusicthereisinthedarnedthingto—night，"helamented。"She’smadetokeeptime，andshealwaysstrikes，alongaboutmidnight。"

"Huh—huh！"chortledHenconvulsively，asifheunderstoodthejoke。Heclosedhismouthandsigheddeeply，asonewhohasjustwakenedfromatrance。

Afterthat，HenfollowedBudaroundlikeapetdog，andfoundtimebetweenstablechorestogroomthoseastonishedhorses，StopperandSmokyandSunfish，asiftheywerestall—keptthoroughbreds。Hehadthemcominguptothepasturegateeverydayforthefewhandfulsofgrainhepurloinedforthem，andtheirsleeknesswasajoytobehold。

"Hen，he’sadoptedyuh，horsesandall，lookslike，"DirkobservedonedaytoBudwhentheywereridingtogether。AndhetemperedthestatementbyaddingthatHenwastrustyenough，evenifhedidn’thaveasmuchsenseasthelawallows。"Hesureistakin’careofthemcayusesofyour’n。

D’youtellhimto？"

Budcameoutofahomesickreveryandlookedathiminquiringly。"No，Ididn’ttellhimanything。"

"Ibelievethat，allright，"Dirkretorted。"Youdon’tgoaroundtellin’allyuhknow。Ilikethatinafeller。Amannevergotintotroubleyetbykeepin’hismouthshut；butthere’splentythathavetalkedthemselvesintothepen。Me，I’vegotnouseforatalker。"

Budsenthimasidelongglanceofinquiry，andDirkcaughthimatitandgrinned。

"Yuhbeenhereamonth，andyouain’tsaidadamnwordaboutwhereyoucomefromoranythingfurtherbackthanthrowin’

andtyin’thatcritter。Yousaidcow—country，andthathashadtodosomefolksthatmightbecurious。Well，she’satearin’bigplace——cow—country。SherunsfromCanadytoMexico，andfromthecornbelttothePacificOcean，mightyneartakesinJackson’sHole，andalotuhcountryIknow。"

Hepartedhismustacheandspatcarefullyintothesand。

"I’mwillin’totietoaman，speciallyayoungfeller，thatcanplaythegamethewayyoubeenplayin’it，Bud。Mostalways，"hecomplainedvaguely，"theycarrytheirbrandtoodamnmain。Theyeitherpulltheirhatsdownpasttheireyebrowsandgiveeverybodythebadeye，orelsethey’retoodamnreadytolieaboutthemselves。Youthrowinwiththeboysjustfine——butyouain’ttoldaoneof’emwhereyoucomefrom，nerwhy，nernothin’。"

"I’mherebecauseI’mhere，"Budchantedsoftly，hiseyesstubbornevenwhilehesmiledatDirk。

"Iknow——yuhsungthatthefirstnightyuhcome，andyuhlookedstraightatthebossallthewhileyouwassingin’

it，"Dirkinterrupted，andlaughedslyly。"Theboys，theytookthatallin，too。AndBart，hewasn’tasleep，neither。

Yousurearesmoothastheymake’em，Bud。Iguess，"heleanedclosertopredictconfidentially，"you’vejustaboutpassedtheprobationtime，youngfeller。IfIknowthesigns，thebossisgittin’readytoraiseyuh。"

HelookedatBudrathersharply。InstantlythetrainingofBuddyrosewithinBud。HismemoryflashedbackunerringlytothedaywhenhehadwatchedthatIndiangalloptowardtheriver，andhadsneeredbecausetheIndianevidentlyexpectedhimtofollowintotheundergrowth。

DirkTracydidnotintheleastresembleanIndian，nordidhisramblingflatterybearanylikenesstoafleeingenemy；

yetitwasplainenoughthathewastryinginabunglingwaytoforceBud’sconfidence，andforthatreasonBudstaredstraightaheadandsaidnothing。

HedidnotrememberhavingsungthatparticulardittyduringhisfirsteveningattheMuleshoe，norofstaringatthebosswhilehesung。Hemighthavedoneboth，hereflected；hehadsungonesongafteranotherforaboutfourhoursthatnight，andunlesshesangwithhiseyesshuthewouldhavetolooksomewhere。Thatitshouldbetakenbythewholeoutfitasabroadhinttoasknoquestionsseemedtohimratherfarfetched。

NordidheseewhyDirkshouldcomplimenthimonkeepinghismouthshut，orcallhimsmooth。Hedidnotknowthathehadbeenonprobation，exceptperhapsasthatappliedtohisabilityasacow—hand。Andhecouldseenovalidreasonwhythebossshouldcontemplate"raising"him。Sofar，hehadbeendoingnomorethantherestoftheboys，exceptwhentherewasropingtobedoneandheandStopperwerecalledupontodistinguishthemselvesbyfastrope—work，withneveramiss。Sixtydollarsamonthwasasgoodpayashehadanyrighttoexpect。

Dirk，hedecided，hadgivenhimonegoodtipwhichhewouldfollowatonce。Dirkhadsaidthatnomanevergotintotroublebykeepinghismouthshut。Budclosedhisforagoodhalfhour，andwhenheopeneditagainheundidallthegoodhehadaccomplishedbyhissilence。

"Wheredoesthattrailgo，thatclimbsupoverthemountainsbackofthatpeak？"heasked。"Seemstobeastocktrail。

Haveyougotgrazinglandbeyondthemountains？"

Dirktooktimetopryoffafreshchewoftobaccobeforehereplied。"YoumeanThunderPass？ThattherecrossesoverintotheBlackRimcountry。Yeah——There’sabigwiderangecountryoverthere，butwedon’trunanystockonit。BurrobackValley’sbigenoughfortheMuleshoe。"

Budrolledacigarette。"Ididn’tmeanthatmaintrail；

that’sawagonroad，andThunderPasscutsthroughbetweenSheepeaterpeakandthisoneaheadofus——Gospel，youcallit。WhatIreferredtoisthatblindtrailthattakesoffupthecanyonbehindthecorrals，andcrossesintothemountainstheothersideofGospel。"

Dirkeyedhim。"Idunno’sIcouldsay，rightoffhand，whattrailyuhmean，"heparried。"Everycanyon’sgotatrailthatrunsupaways，andthere’scanyonsallthroughthemountains；theyallleaduptowater，orfeed，orsomethinglikethat，andthenquit，mostgen’rally；jestpeterout，like。"Andheaddedwithheavysarcasm，"Afellerthat’slivedontherangeoughtaknowwhattrailsisfor，andhowthey’remade。Cowcrittersarecurious—sameashumans。"

TothisBuddidnotreply。Hewassmokingandstaringatthebrushylowerslopesofthemountainridgebeforethem。Hehadexplainedquitefullywhichtrailhemeant。Itwas，ashehadsaid，a"blind"trail；thatis，thetraillostitselfinthecreekwhichwateredastringofcorrals。Moreover，Budhadverykeeneyes，andhehadseenhowapanelofthecorraldirectlyacrosstheshale—rockbedofasmallstreamwasreallyasetofbars。Theroundpolecorrallentitselfeasilytohiddengateways，withoutanydeliberateattemptatdisguisingtheirpresence。

Thestringoffourcorralsrunningfromthisupperone——

which，heremembered，wasnotseenfromnearerthestables—

wasperhapsaconvenientarrangementinthehandlingofstock，althoughitwasunusual。TheuppercorralhadbeenbuilttofitsnuglyintoarockyrecessinthebaseofthepeakcalledGospel。Itwaslargerthansomeoftheothers，sinceitfollowedthecontourofthebasin—likerecess。

Accesstoitwashadfromthefourthcorral（whichfromtheranchappearedtobethelast）andfromthecreekbedthatfilledthenarrowmouthofthecanyonbehind。

Dirkmightnothaveunderstoodhim，Budthought。HecertainlyshouldhaverecognizedatoncethetrailBudmeant，fortherewasnoothercanyonbackofthecorrals，andeventhatonewasnotapparenttoonelookingatthefaceofthesteepslope。Stockhadbeenoverthatcanyontrailwithinthelastmonthorso，however；andBud’sinferencethattheMuleshoemusthavegrazinggroundacrossthemountainswasnatural；

theobviousexplanationofitsexistence。

"How’dyoucometobeexplorin’aroundGospel，anyway？"

Dirkquizzedfinally。"Aperson’dthink，short—handedastheMuleshoeisthisspring，’tyou’dgitalltheridin’yuhwantwithoutprognosticatin’aroundaimless。"

NowBudwasnotasuspiciousyoungman，andhehadbeennomorethanmildlyinquisitiveaboutthattrail。Butneitherwasheafool；hecaughttheemphasiswhichDirkhadplacedonthewordaimless，andhisthoughtspausedandtookanotherlookatDirk’swholeconversation。Therewassomethingqueeraboutit，somethingwhichmadeBudsheerofffromhisusualunthinkingassurancethatthingswerejustwhattheyseemed。

Immediately，however，helaughed——athimselfaswellasatDirk。

"We’vebeenfeedingonsourbreadandwarmed—overcoffeeeversincethecookdisappearedandBartputHeninthekitchen，"

hesaid。"IfIwereyou，Dirk，Iwouldn’tblistermyhandsshovellingthatgrubintomyselfforawhile。You’rebilious，old—timer。Nomanonearthwouldtalkthewayyou’vebeentalkingto—dayunlesshiswholedigestiveapparatuswereoutoforder。"

Dirkspatangrilyatadeadsagebush。"Theyshoreashellwouldn’ttalkthekindatalkyou’vebeentalkie’unlesstheywasabornfoolorelsehuntin’trouble，"heretortedvenomously。

"ThedoctorsaidI’dbethatwayifIlived，"Budgrinned，amiably，althoughhisfacehadflushedatDirk’stone。"Hesaiditwouldn’thurtmeforwork。"

"Yeah——andwhatkindawork？"DirkrodesoclosethathishorseshoulderedBud’slegdiscomfortingly。"Ibeenedgin’

yuhalongtoseewhat—f’rbrandyuhcarried。AndI’vegotyenow，youdamnedsnoopin’kioty。Bart，hehiredyuhtowork—

andnottogoprowlingaroundlookin’uptrailsthatain’tthere——"

"You’readim—brandreader，Idon’tthink！Whyyou——！"

Oh，well——rememberthatBudwasonlyBuddygrownbigger，andhehadneverlackedthespirittolookoutforhimself。

Remember，too，thathemusthaveacquiredsomethingofavocabulary，inthecourseoftwenty—oneyearsofabsorbingeverythingthatcamewithinhisexperience。

Dirkreachedforhisgun，butBudwasexpectingthat。Dirkwasnotquitequickenough，andhishandthereforecameforwardwithajerkwhenhesawthathewas"covered。"Budleaned，pulledDirk’ssix—shooterfromitsholsterandsentitspinningintoaclumpofbushes。Hesnatchedawicked—lookingknifefromDirk’sbootwherehehadonceseenDirkslipitsheathedwhenhedressedinthebunk—house，andsentthatafterthegun。

"Now，youlong—earedwalrus，you’reinapositiontoplayfair。Whatareyougoingtodoaboutit？"Hereinedaway，outofDirk’sreach，tookhishandkerchiefandwrappedhisownguntightlytoprotectitfromsand，andthrewitafterDirk’sgunandtheknife。"AmIasnoopingcoyote？"hedemandedwatchingDirk。

"Youair。More’nallthat，you’readamnedspy！AndIkinlickyuhan’lass’yuhan’leadyuhtoBartlikeasheep！"

Theydismounted，lefttheirhorsestostandwithreinsdropped，threwofftheircoatsandfoughtuntiltheyweretootiredtolandanotherblow。Therewerenofatalities。Buddidnotcomeoutofthefrayunscathedandproudlyconsciousofhisstrengthandhisskillandtheunquestionablerighteousnessofhiscause。Insteadhehadthreebruisedknucklesandarapidlyswellingear，andwhenhisangerhadcooledalittlehefeltratherfoolishandwonderedwhathadstartedthemoffthatway。Theyhadriddenawayfromtheranchinaverygoodhumor，andhehadharborednoconsciousdislikeofDirkTracy，whohadbeenoneindividualofatypeofrangemenwhichhehadknownallhislifeandhadacceptedasamatterofcourse。

Dirk，onhispart，hadsometroubleinstoppingthebleedingofhisnose，andbythetimehereachedtheranchhislefteyewasclosedcompletely。HewastallerandheavierthanBud，andhehadnotexpectedsuchasluggingstrengthbehindBud’sblows。

Hewasbadlyshaken，andwhenBudrecoveredthetwogunsandtheknifeandreturnedhisweaponstohim，Dirkwashalftemptedtoshoot。Buthedidnot——perhapsbecauseBudhadunwrappedhisownsix—shooterandwaslookingitoverwiththemuzzleslantingawickedeyeinDirk’sdirection。

Latethatafternoon，whentheboyswereloafingaroundthecabinwaitingfortheirearlysupper，BudpackedhisworldlygoodsonSunfishanddepartedfromtheMuleshoe——"byspecialrequest"，headmittedtohimselfruefully——withhiswagesingoldandsilverinhispocketandnodefiniteideaofwhathewoulddonext。

HewishedheknewexactlywhyBarthadfiredhim。Hedidnotbelievethatitwasforfighting，asBarthaddeclared。HethoughtthatperhapsDirkTracyhadsomeholdontheMuleshoenotapparenttotheoutsider，andthathehadliedabouthimtoBartasasneakingkindofrevengeforbeingwhipped。Butthatexplanationdidnotaltogethersatisfyhim，either。

InhismonthattheMuleshoehehadgainedaveryfairgeneralideaoftheextentandresourcesofBurrobackValley，buthehadnotmadeanyacquaintancesandhedidnotknowjustwheretogoforhisnextjob。Soforwantofsomethingbetter，herodedowntothelittlestreamwhichhenowknewwascalledOneCreek，andpreparedtospendthenightthere。

Inthemorninghewouldmakeafreshstart——andbecauseofthestreakofstubbornnesshehad，hemeanttomakeitinBurrobackValley，undertheverynoseoftheMuleshoeoutfit。

CHAPTERNINE：LITTLELOST

LittleLost——somehowthenameappealedtoBud，whoseinstinctforharmonyextendedtowordsandphrasesand，forthatmatter，toeverythingintheworldthatwasbeautiful。FromthetimewhenhefirstheardLittleLostmentioned，hehadfeltavagueregretthatchancehadnotledhimthereinsteadoftotheMuleshoe。Brandshehadheardallhislifeasthefamiliar，colloquialnamesforranchheadquarters。TheMuleshoewasmerelyabrandname。LittleLostwassomethingelse，andbecauseBuddyhadbeentaughtto"waitandfindout"

andtoaskquestionsonlyasalastresort，BudwasstillinignoranceofthemeaningofLittleLost。Heknew，fromcarelessremarksmadeinhispresence，thatthemailcametoLittleLost，andthattherewassomesortofstorewherecertaineverydaynecessitieswerekept，forwhichthestore—keepercharged"twoprices。"Buttherewasalsoaranch，forhesometimesheardtheboysmentiontheLittleLostcattle，andspeakofsomemanasariderfortheLittleLost。

SotoLittleLostBudrodeblithelynextmorning，ridingStopperandleadingSmoky，Sunfishandthepackfollowingasamatterofcourse。Againhistrainedinstinctservedhimfaithfully。HehadaverygoodgeneralideaofBurrobackValley，heknewthattheMuleshoeoccupiedafairpartofthesouthside，andguessedthathemustridenorth，towardtheGoldGapMountains，tofindtheplacehewanted。

Thetrailwaseasy，hishorseswereasfataswasgoodforthem。IntwohoursofridingathisusualtrailpacehecameuponanotherstreamwhichheknewmustbeSunkCreekgrownalittlewideranddeeperinitsjourneydownthevalley。Hefordedthatwithagreatsplashing，climbedthefartherbank，followedastubby，rockybitofroadthatwoundthroughdensewillowandcottonwoodgrowth，cameoutintoahumpymeadowfullofanthills，gopherholesandsoggywetplaceswherethewatergrassgrew，crossedthatandfollowedtheroadaroundabrushyridgeandfoundhimselfsquarelyconfrontingLittleLost。

Therecouldbenomistake，for"LittleLostPostOffice"wasunevenlypaintedonthehighcross—barofthegatethatstoodwideopenandpermanentlywarpedwithlongsagging。Therewasahitch—railoutsidethegate，andBudtookthehintandlefthishorsesthere。Fromthewispsoffreshhaystrewnalongtheroad，BudknewthathayinghadbegunatLittleLost。

Therewereatleastfourcabinsandasomewhatpretentious，story—and—a—halfloghousewithvinesreachingvainlytothehighwindowsills，andcoarselacecurtains。Oneofthesecurtainsmovedslightly，andBud’ssharpeyesdetectedthemovementandknewthathisarrivalwasobservedinspiteoftheemptinessoftheyard。

Thebeatenpathledtoascreendoorwhichsaggedwithmuchslamming，leavingawidespaceatthetopthroughwhichfliespassedinandoutquitecomfortably。Budsawthat，also，andhisfingersitchedtoresetthatdoor，justashewouldhavedoneforhismother——supposinghismotherwouldhavetoleratedtheslammingwhichhadbroughttheneed。Budliftedhisglovedknucklestoknock，sawthattheroomwithinwasgrimyandbareandmeantforpublicuse，verymuchliketheofficeofacountryhotel，withacounterandasetofpigeon—holesatthefartherend。Hewalkedin。

Nooneappeared，andaftertenminutesorsoBudguessedwhy，andwentbacktothedoor，pusheditwideopenandpermittedittoflyshutwithabang。Whereuponagirlopenedthedoorbehindthecounterandcamein，glancingatBudwithfrankcuriosity。

BudtookoffhishatandclankedovertothecounterandaskediftherewasanymailforBudBirnie——RobertWallaceBirnie。

Thegirllookedathimagainandsmiled，andturnedtoshuffleahandfulofletters。Budemployedthetimeintryingtoguessjustwhatshemeantbythatsmile。

Itwasnotreallyasmile，hedecided，butthebeginningofone。Andifthatwerethebeginning，hewouldverymuchliketoknowwhatthewholesmilewouldmean。Thebeginninghintedatthings。Itwasasifshedoubtedtherealityofthenamehegave，andmeanttoconcealherdoubt，orhadheardsomethingamusingabouthim，orwishedtobefriendswithhim，orwassecretlytimorousandtryingtoappearmerelyindifferent。Orperhaps————

Shereplacedthelettersandturned，andrestedherhandsonthecounter。Shelookedathimandagainherlipsturnedatthecornersinthatfaint，enigmaticalbeginningofasmile。

"Thereisn’tathing，"shesaid。"Themailcomesthisnoonagain。Doyouwantyourssentouttoanyoftheoutfits？OrshallIjustholdit？"

"Justholdit，whenthereisany。Atleast，untilIseewhetherIlandajobhere。IwonderwhereIcouldfindtheboss？"Budwasglancingoftenatherhands。Foraranchgirlherhandsweresoftandwhite，butherfingerswereabittoostubbyandhernailsweretooroundandflat。

"UncleDavewillbehomeatnoon。He’soutinthemeadowwiththeboys。Youmightsitdownandwait。"

Budlookedathiswatch。Sittingdownandwaitingforfourhoursdidnotappealtohim，evensupposingthegirlwouldkeephimcompany。Buthelingeredawhile，leaningwithhiselbowsonthecounternearher；andbythoseobscurelittleconversationaltrailsknowntoyouth，heprogressedconsiderablyinhisacquaintancewiththegirlandmadehersmileoftenwithoutoncefeelingquitecertainthatheknewwhatwasinhermind。

HediscoveredthathernamewasHonoraKrause，andthatshewascalledHoney"forshort。"HerfatherhadbeenDutchandhermotheraYankee，andshelivedwithheruncle，DaveTruman，whoownedLittleLostranch，andtookcareofthemailforhim，andattendedtothestore——whichwasnothingmorethanasupplydepotkeptfortheaccommodationoftheneighbors。Thestore，shesaid，wasinthenextroom。

BudaskedherwhatLittleLostmeant，andsherepliedthatshedidnotknow，butthatitmighthavesomethingtodowithSunkCreeklosingitselfinTheSinks。TherewasaLittleLostriver，fartheracrossthemountains，shesaid，butitdidnotrunthroughLittleLostranch，norcomeanywherenearit。

Afterthatshequestionedhimadroitly。PerverselyBuddeclinedtobecomeconfidential，andHoneyKrausechangedthesubjectabruptly。

"There’sgoingtobeadanceherenextFridaynight。It’llbeagoodchancetogetacquaintedwitheverybody——ifyougo。

There’llbegoodmusic，Iguess。UncleDavewrotetoCraterfortheSaundersboystocomedownandplay。DoyouknowanybodyinCrater？"

Thequestionwasinnocentenough，butperversenessstillheldBud。Hesmiledandsaidhedidnotknowanybodyanywhere，anymore。HesaidthatifBobbieBurnshadaskedhim"Shouldauldacquaintancebeforgot，"he’dhavetoldhimyes，andhe’dhavemadeitgoodandstrong。Butheaddedthathewasjustaswillingtomakenewacquaintance，andthoughtthedancewouldbeagoodplacetobegin。

Honeygavehimaprovocativeglancefromunderherlashes，andBudstraightenedandsteppedback。

"Youletfolksstophere，Itakeit。I’veapackoutfitandacoupleofsaddlehorseswithme。Willitbeallrighttoturntheminthecorral？Ihatetohavethemeatposthayallday。

OrIcouldperhapsgobacktothecreekandcamp。"

"Oh，justturnyourhorsesinthecorralandmakeyourselfathometillunclecomes，"shetoldhimwiththattantalizinghalf—smile。"Wekeeppeoplehere——justforaccommodation。

Therehastobesomeplaceinthevalleywherefolkscanstop。Ican’tpromisethatunclewillgiveyouajob，butThere’sgoingtobechickenanddumplingsfordinner。Andthemailwillbein，aboutnoon——you’llwanttowaitforthat。"

Shewasstandingjustwithinthescreendoor，franklywatchinghimashecamepastthehousewiththehorses，andshecameoutandhaltedhimwhenshespiedthetopofthepack。

"You’dbetterleavethosethingshere，"sheadvisedhimeagerly。"I’llputtheminthesitting—roombythepiano。Mygoodness，youmustbeawholeorchestra！Ifyoucanplay，maybeyouandIcanfurnishthemusicforthedance，andsaveUncleDavehiringtheSaundersboys。Anyway，wecanplaytogether，andhaverealgoodtimes。"

BudhadanoddfeelingthatHoneywastalkingonethingwithherlips，andthinkinganentirelydifferentsetofthoughts。

Heeyedhercovertlywhileheuntiedthecases，andhecouldhaveswornthathesawhersignalsomeonebehindthelacecurtainsofthenearestwindow。Heglancedcarelesslythatway，butthecurtainsweremotionless。Honeywasholdingoutherhandsfortheguitarandthemandolinwhenheturned，soBudsurrenderedthemandwentontothecorrals。

Hedidnotreturntothehouse。Anoldmanwaspotteringaroundamachineshedthatstoodbackedagainstathickfringeofbrush，andwhenBudrodebyhelefthisworkandcameafterhim，takingshortstepsandwalkingwithhisbackbentstifflyforwardandhishandsswinginglimplyathissides。

Hehadalongblackbeardstreakedwithgray，andsharpblueeyessetdeepundertuftedwhiteeyebrows。Heseemedafriendlyoldmanwhoseinterestinliferemainedkeenasinhisyouth，despitethefeeblenessofhisbody。HeshowedBudwheretoturnthehorses，andwenttoworkonthepackrope，hiscrookedoldfingersmovingwiththesurenessoflifelonghabit。HewaseagertoknowallthenewsthatBudcouldtellhim，andwhenhediscoveredthatBudhadjustlefttheMuleshoe，andthathehadbeenfiredbecauseofafightwithDirkTracy，theoldfellowcackledgleefully"Well，now，Iguessyoujustabouthadyorehandsfull，youngman，"hecommentedshrewdly。"Dirkain’tsoeasytolick。"

BudimmediatelywantedtoknowwhyitwastakenforgrantedthathehadwhippedDirk，andgrandpachortledagain。"Nowifyouhadn’toflickedDirk，youwouldn’tofgotfired，"heretorted，andproceededtorelateagooddealofharmlessgossipwhichseemedtobearoutthestatement。DirkTracy，accordingtograndpa，wastherealbossoftheMuleshoe，andBartwasmerelyafigure—head。

AllofthisdidnotmattertoBud，butgrandpawasgarrulous。

AgooddealofinformationBudreceivedwhilethetwoattendedtothehorsesandloiteredatthecorralgate。

GrandpaadmiredSmoky，andlookedhimovercarefully，withthosecaressingsmoothingsofmaneandforelockwhichbetraytheloverofgoodhorseflesh。

"Ireckonhe’spurtyfast，"hesaid，peeringshrewdlyintoBud’sface。"TheboyshasbeentalkingaboutpullingoffsomehorseracesherenextSunday——wegotagood，straight，hard—

packedcreek—beduphereapiecethathasbeencleanedofrocksferamiletrack，andthey’regoin’torunahorseertwo。Mostgenerallytheydo，onSunday，ifwork’sslack。Youmightgitinonit，ifyou’rearoundintheseparts。"Hepushedhisbackstraightwithhispalms，turnedhisheadsidewiseandsquintedatSmokythroughhalf—closedlidswhilehefumbledforcigarettematerial。

"IdunnobutwhatImightbewillin’toputupafewdollarsonthathorsemyself，"heobserved，"ifyousayhekinrun。

Youwouldn’tgoan’lietoanoldfellerlikeme，wouldyuh，son？"

Budofferedhimthecigarettehehadjustrolled。"No，I

won’tlietoyou，dad，"hegrinned。"Youknowhorsestoowell。"

"Well，butkinherun？Iwantyorewordonit。"

"Well—yes，he’salwaysbeenabletoturnacow，"Budadmittedcautiously。

"Everrunhimfermoney？"Theoldmanbeganteeteringfromhistoestohisheels，andtohitchhisshouldersforwardandback。

"Well，no，notformoney。I’verunhimonceortwiceforfun，justtryingtobeatsomeoftheboystocamp，maybe。"

"Sho！That’snowaytodo！Nowayatall！"Theoldmanspatangrilyintothedustofthecorral。Thenhethoughtofsomething。"DidyuhBEAT’em？"hedemandedsharply。

"Why，sure，Ibeatthem！"Budlookedathimsurprised，seemedabouttosaymore，andletthestatementstandunqualified。

Grandpastaredathimforaminute，hisblueeyesblinkingwithsomesecretexcitement。"Youngfeller，"hebeganabruptly，"lemmetellyuhsomething。Yuhneverwanttodoathinglikethatagin。Ifyougotahorsethatcanoutruntheotherfeller’shorse，figuretomakehimbringyuhinsomething——ifitain’tnomore’naquarter！MakehimBRING

yuhalittlesomething。That’sthewaytodowitheverythingyuhturnahandto；makeitbringyuhinsomething！Itain’twhatgoesoutthat’lldoyuhanygood——it’swhatcomesin。

Youmindthat。Ifyouletahorserunagin’anotherfeller’shorse，betonhimtocomeinahead——andthen，"hecriedfiercely，poundingonefistintotheotherpalm，"byChristmas，make’imcomeinahead！"Hisvoicecrackedandwentflatwithemotion。

Hestoppedsuddenlyandlethisarmsfallslack，hisshoulderssagforward。Hewaggledhisheadandmutteredintohisbeard，andglancedatBudwithacraftylook。

"IfI’datookthattom’self，Iwouldn’tbechorin’aroundherenowformyownson，"helamented。"I’dofsavedthequarters，an’I’dofhadafewdollarsnowofmyown。Uhcourse，"hemadehastetoadd，"Igitholtofalittle，nowandagin。Toooldtoride——toooldtowork——jestmanagetopickupadollarertwonowandagin——onahorsethatkinrun。"

HewentovertoSmokyagainandranhishanddownoverthelegmusclestothehocks，feltforimperfectionsandstraightenedpainfully，slappedthehorseapprovinglybetweentheforelegsandlaidahandonhisshoulderwhileheturnedslowlytoBud。

"Youngfeller，thereain’tamanontheplacerightnowbutyouan’me。Whatsayyouthrowyoresaddleonthishorseandtake’imuptothetrack？I’dliketoseehimrun。Seemstomehe’doughttobeapurtygoodquarter—horse。"

Budhesitated。"Iwouldn’tmindrunninghim，grandpa，ifI

thoughtIcouldmakesomethingonhim。I’vegotmystaketomake，andIwanttomakeitbeforeallmyteethfalloutsoI

can’tchewanythingbutthecudofreflectiononmylostopportunities。IfSmokycanrunafewdollarsintomypocket，I’mwithyou。"

Grandpateeteredforwardandputouthishand。"Shakeonthat，boy！"hecackled。"PopTrumanain’ttoooldtohavehislittlejoke——andmakeitbringhiminsomething，byChristmas！Yousaddleupandwe’llgotryhimoutonaquarter—mile——mebbyahalf，ifheholdsupgood。"

Hepokedacigarette—stainedforefingeragainstBud’schestandwhisperedslyly："MysonDave，he’sgotahorseinthestablethat’sbeencleanin’everythinginthevalley。I’llsliphimoutandupthecreektrailtothetrack，andyourunthathorseofyournaginhim。Dave，hecan’tgitaraceoutanobodyaroundhere，nomore，sohewon’trunnextSunday。

We’lljestseehowyorehorserunsalongsideBoise。Ikintellpurtywellhowyoukinrunagintherest——Pop，heain’ts’thick—headedtheykinfoolhimmuch。Whatsaywetryit？"

Budstoodbackandlookedhimover。"Youshookhandswithmeonit，"hesaidgravely。"WhereIcamefrom，thatholdsamanliketakingoathonaBibleincourt。I’mastrangerhere，butI’mgoingtoexpectthesamestandardofhonor，grandpa。

Youcanbackoutnow，andI’llrunSmokywithoutanytryout，andyoucantakeyourchance。Icouldn’texpectyoutostandbyastrangeragainstyourownfolks——"

"Sho！Shucksa’mighty！"Grandpaspatandwaggedhisheadfuriously。"Myownforks’dbeatmeinahorseraceiftheycould，andIwouldn’tholditagin’em！Runnin’horsesislikeplayin’poker。Everyfellerferhimselfan’mercyto—

wardnone！IknowedwhatitmeantwhenIshookwithyuh，youngfeller，andIholdyetoit。Iholdyetoit！YoulaylowifItellyetolaylow，andwe’llmakeusafewdollars，mebby。C’monandgitthathorseoutahereb’foresomebuddycomes。It’smailday。"

HewavedBudtowardhissaddleandtookhimselfoffinashufflingkindoftrot。BythetimeBudhadsaddledSmokygrandpahailedhimcautiouslyfromthebrush—fringebeyondthecorral。HemotionedtowardasmallgateandBudledSmokythatway，closingthegateafterhim。

Theoldmanwasmountedonaclean—builtbaywhosecoatshonewithlittleglintsofgoldinthedarkred。WithonesweepinglookBudobservedthepointsthattoldofspeed，andhiseyeswentinquiringlytomeetthesharpblueones，thatsparkledunderthetuftedwhiteeyebrowsofgrandpa。

"DoyouexpectSmokytoshowupthesamedaythathorsearrives？"heinquiredmildly。"Pop，you’llhavetoprovetomethathewon’trunSunday——"

Popsnorted。"Seemstomelikeyoudoknowaspeedyhorsewhenyouseeone，youngfeller。Beatsme’tyoubeenoverlookin’whatyougotunderyoresaddlerightnow。Boise，he’sthebestrunnin’horseinthevalley——andthat’swhyhewon’trunnextSunday，nernootherSundaytillsomebuddybringsinastrangehorsetoputaginhim。Dave，hewon’tcrowdyefurarace，boy。Youkinrefusetorunyorehorseaginhim，liketheresthasdone。I’lljestlopealongt’dayandseewhatyourskindo。"

"Well，allright，then。"Budwaitedfortheoldmantorideaheaddowntheobscuretrailthatwoundthroughthebrushforhalfamileorsobeforetheyemergedintotheroughborderofthecreekbed。PopreinedincloseandexplainedgarrulouslytoBudhowthisparticularstreamdisappearedintothegroundtwomilesaboveLittleLost，leavingthewide，levelriverbottombonedry。

Popwascautious。Herodeuptoariseofgroundandscannedthecountrysuspiciouslybeforeheledthewayintothecreekbed。Eventhenhekeptcloseunderthebankuntiltheyhadpassedtwoofthequarter—milepoststhathadbeenplantedinthehardsand。

Evidentlyhehadbeendoingagooddealofthinkingduringtheride；certainlyhehadwatchedSmoky。Whenhestoppedunderthebankoppositethehalf—mileposthedismountedmoresprylythanonewouldhaveexpected。Hiseyeswerebright，hisvoicesharp。Popwasforgettinghisage。

"IguessI’llrideyorehorsem’self，"heannounced，andtheyexchangedhorsesundertheshelterofthebank。"Youkintakean’rideBoise—an’Iwantyoushouldbeatmeifyoukin。"HelookedatBudappraisingly。"I’llbetadollar，"hecriedsuddenly，"thatIkinoutrunye，youngfeller！An’yougotthefastesthorseinBurrobackValleyandIdon’tknowwhatI

gotunderme。I’mseventyyearsoldcomeSeptember——whenI’mafoot。Areyeafraidtobet？"

"I’mscaredadollar’sworththatI’llneverseeyouagainto—dayunlessIridebacktofindyou，"Budgrinned。

"AnytimeyouloseolePopTruman——shucksalmighty！Comeon，then——I’llshowyethewaytothequarter—post！"

"I’mrightwithyou，Pop。Yousayso，andI’mgone！"

Theyreinedinwiththeshadowofthepostfallingsquareacrossthenecksofbothhorses。Popgatheredupthereins，sethisfeetinthestirrupsandshrilled，"Go，goldarnye！"

Theywent，liketwoscaredrabbitsdownthesmooth，yellowstretchofpackedsand。Pop’selbowsstuckstraightout，heheldthereinshighandleanedfaroverSmoky’sneck，hiseyesglaring。Bud——oh，neverworryaboutBud！Intheyearsthatlaybetweenthirteenandtwenty—oneBudhadlearnedagoodmanythings，andoneofthemwashowtogetoutofahorseallthespeedtherewasinhim。

Theywentpastthequarter—postandafurlongbeyondbeforeeithercouldpullup。Popwaspaleandtriumphant，andbreathingharderthanhismount。

"Here’syourdollar，Pop——anddon’tyoutalkinyoursleep！"

Budadmonished，smilingasheheldoutthedollar，butwithananxioustoneinhisvoice。"Ifthisisthebestrunninghorseyou’vegotinthevalley，Imaygetsomeaction，nextSunday！"

Popdismounted，tookthedollarwithagrinandmountedBoise——andthatinspiteofthefactthatBoisewaskeyedupandsteppingaroundandsnortingforanotherrace。BudwatchedPopqueerly，rememberinghowfeeblehadbeentheoldmanwhomhehadmetatthecorral。

"Say，Pop，yououghttoracealittleeveryday，"hebantered。"You’refifteenyearsyoungerthanyouwereanhourago。"

ForanswerPopfeltofhisbackandgroaned。"Oh，I’llpayferit，youngfeller！Idon’tlookfermuchpeacewithmybackferaweek，afterthis。Butyoukinmakesureofonething，andthatis，Iain’tgoin’totalkinmysleepnone。

ByChristmas，We’llmakethishorseofyoursbringusinsomething！Iguessyoubetterturnyorehorsesalloutinthepasture。Dave，he’llgiveyuhworkallright。I’llfixitwithDave。AndyoulistentoPop，youngfeller。I’llshowyeathingortwoaboutrunnin’horses。You’nme’llcleanupanicelittlebunchofmoney—HE—HE！—beatBoiseinaquarterdash！TellthattoDave，an’hewouldn’tb’lieveye！"

WhenPopgotoffatthebackofthestablehecouldscarcelymove，hewassostiff。ButhismindwasworkingwellenoughtoseethatBudrubbedthesaddleprintoffBoiseandturnedhisownhorseslooseinthepasture，beforehelethimgoontothehouse。ThelastBudheardfromPopthatforenoonwasasenilechuckleandacackling，"OutrunBoiseinaquarterdash！Shucksa’mighty！ButIknewit——Iknewhehadthespeed——sho！Yecan’tfoololePop——shucks！"

CHAPTERTEN：BUDMEETSTHEWOMAN

Awomanwasstoopingatthewoodpile，fillingherarmswithcrookedsticksofrough—barkedsage。FromthecolorofherhairBudknewthatshewasnotHoney，andthatshewasthereforeastrangertohim。Butheswungoffthepathandwentovertoherasnaturallyashewouldgotopickupababythathadfallen。

"I’llcarrythatinforyou，"hesaid，andputouthishandtohelphertoherfeet。

Beforehetouchedhershewasonherfeetandlookingathim。

Budcouldnotrememberafterwardsthatshehaddoneanythingelse；heseemedtohaveseenonlyhereyes，andintothemandbeyondthemtoasoulthatsomehowmadehishearttremble。

Whatshesaid，whatheanswered，wasofnomoment。Hecouldnothavetoldafterwardswhatitwas。Hestoopedandfilledhisarmswithwood，andwalkedaheadofherupthepathwaytothekitchendoor，andstoppedwhensheflittedpasthimtoshowhimwherethewood—boxstood。Hewasconsciousthenofherslendernessandofthelightnessofhersteps。Hedroppedthewoodintotheboxbehindthestoveonwhichkettlesweresteaming。Therewasthesmellofchickenstewing，andtheodoroffresh—bakedpies。

Shesmiledupathimandofferedhimacrisp，warncookiewithsugaredtop，andhesawhereyesagainandfeltthesametremorathisheart。Hepulledhimselftogetherandsmiledbackather，thankedherandwentout，stumblingalittleonthedoorstep，thecookieuntastedinhisfingers。

Hewalkeddowntothecorralandbeganfumblingathispack，histhoughtshushedbeforetherevelationthathadcometohim。

"Herhands——herpoor，little，redhands！"hesaidinawhisperasthememoryofthemcamesuddenly。Butitwashereyesthathewasseeingwithhismind；hereyes，andwhatlaydeepwithin。Theytroubledhim，shookhim，madehimwanttousehisman—strengthagainstsomethingthatwashurtingher。

Hedidnotknowwhatitcouldbe；hedidnotknowthattherewasanything——butoddlythememoryofhismother’swhitefacebackinthelongago，andofhertonewhenshesaid，"Oh，God，please！"camebackandfittedthemselvestothelookinthiswoman’seyes。

Budsatdownonhiscanvas—wrappedbedandliftedhishattorumplehishairandthensmoothitagain，aswashishabitwhenworried。Helookedatthecookie，andbecausehewashungryheateitwithafoolishfeelingthathewasbeingsentimentalastheverydevil，thinkinghowherhandshadtouchedit。Herolledandsmokedacigaretteafterwards，andwonderedwhoshewasandwhethershewasmarried，andwhatherfirstnamewas。

Aquietsmokewillbringafellowtohissensessometimeswhennothingelsewill，andBudmanaged，bysmokingtwocigarettesinrapidsuccession，torestorehimselftosomedegreeofsanity。

"Funnyhowshemademethinkofmother，backwhenIwasakidcomingupfromTexas，"hemused。"Mother’dlikeher。"Itwasthefirsttimehehadeverthoughtjustthataboutagirl。"She’snorelationtoHoney，"headded。"I’dbetahorseonthat。"HerecalledhowwhiteandsoftwereHoney’shands，andhesworealittle。"Wouldn’thurthertogetoutthereinthekitchenandhelpwiththecooking，"hecriticised。Thensuddenlyhelaughed。

"Shucksa’mighty，asPopsays！withthosetwogirlsontheranchI’llgambleDaveTrumanhasafullcrewofmenthatareplumbwillingtoworkfortheirboard！"

Thestagecame，andBudturnedtoitrelievedly。Afterthat，herecameDaveTrumanonadeep—cheatedroan。Budknewhimbyhisresemblancetotheoldman，whocameshufflingbent—

backedfromthemachine—shedasDavepassed。

Popbeckoned，andDavereinedhishorsethatwayandstoppedatthesheddoor。ThetwotalkedforaminuteandDaverodeon，passingBudwithacurtnod。PopcameovertowhereBudstoodleaningagainstthecorral。

"Howareyoufeeling，dad？"Budgrinnedabsently。

"Purtystiffan’sore，boy——myrheumaticsisbadto—day。"Popwinkedsolemnly。"IspoketoDaveaboutyouwantin’ajob，andIguesslikelyDave’llputyouon。They’splentytodo——

hayin’comin’onandallthat。"Heloweredhisvoicemysteriously，thoughtherewasnomansaveBudwithinahundredfeetofhim。"Don’tyego’ntalkhorses——notyet。

Don’tletonlikeyoreinterestedmuch。I’lltellyuhwhentotake’emup。"

Themencameridinginfromthehayfield，someinwagons，twoastrideharnessedwork—horses，andonelong—leggedfellowinchapsonamower，drivingasweatyteamthatstillhadlifeenoughtojumpsidewisewhentheyspiedBud’spackbythecorral。Thestagedriversaunteredupandspoketothemen。

Budwentoverandbegantohelpunhitchtheteamfromthemower，andthedrivereyedhimsharplywhilehegrinnedhisgreetingacrossthebacksofthehorses。

"Popsaysyou’relookingforwork，"DaveTrumanobserved，comingup。"Well，ifyouain’tscaredofit，I’llstakeyuhtoahayforkafterdinner。Whereyuhfrom？"

"Justrightnow，I’mfromtheMuleshoe。BudBirnie’smyname。

IwastellingdadwhyIquit。"

"Tellme，"Davedirectedbriefly。"Popain’tasreliableasheusedtobe。He’dnevergetitoutstraight。"

"Iquit，"saidBud，"byspecialrequest。"Hepulledoffhisglovescarefullyandhelduphispuffedknuckles。"IgotthatonDirkTracy。"

Thedriverofthemowershotaquick，meaningglanceatDave，andlaughedshortly。Davegrinnedalittle，buthedidnotaskwhathadbeenthetrouble，asBudhadhalfexpectedhimtodo。ApparentlyDavefeltthathehadreceivedalltheinformationheneeded，forhisnextremarkhadtodowiththeheat。Thedaywasa"weatherbreeder"，hedeclared，andhewasgladtohaveanothermantoputatthehauling。

Anirontrianglebesidethekitchendoorclamoredthen，andBud，lookingquickly，sawtheslimlittlewomanwiththebig，troubledeyesstrikingtheironbarvigorously。Daveglancedathiswatchandledthewaytothehouse，thehaycrewhurryingafterhim。

Fourteenmensatdowntoalongtablewithagreatshufflingoffeetandscrapingofbenches，andimmediatelybeganavoraciousattackupontheheapedplattersofchickenanddumplingsandthebowlsofvegetables。Budfoundaplaceattheendwherehecouldlookintothekitchen，andhiseyeswentthatwayasoftenastheydared，followingtheswiftmotionsofthelittlewomanwhopouredcoffeeandfilledemptydishesandsaidneverawordtoanyone。

Hewasonthepointofbelievingheradaughterofthehousewhenasquare—jawedmanofthirty，orthereabout，whosatatBud’srighthand，calledhertohimashemighthavecalledhisdog，bysnappinghisfingers。

ShecameandstoodbesideBudwhilethemanspoketoherinanarrogantundertone。

"Marian，ItoldyuhIwantedteafordinnerafterthis。

D’youbringmecoffeeonpurpose，justtobeonery？IthoughtItoldyuhtostraightenupandquitthatsulkin’。Iain’tgoingtohavefolksthink————"

"Oh，bequiet！Shameonyou，beforeeveryone！"shewhisperedfiercelywhilesheliftedthecupandsaucer。

Budwenthotallover。Hedidnotlookupwhenshereturnedpresentlywithacupoftea，buthefeltherpresencepoignantly，ashehadneverbeforesensedthepresenceofawoman。Whenhewasabletoswallowhiswrathandmeetcalmlytheglancesofthesestrangersheturnedhisheadcasuallyandlookedthemanover。

Herhusband，heguessedthefellowtobe。Nootherrelationshipcouldaccountforthattoneofproprietorship，andtherewasnophysicalresemblancebetweenthetwo。Ameandevil，Budcalledhimmentally，withanarrowforehead，eyessettoofarapartandthemouthofabrute。Someonespoketotheman，callinghimLew，andheansweredwithroughgoodhumor，repeatingastalewitticismandlaughingatitjustasthoughhehadnotheardotherssayitahundredtimes。

Budlookedathimagainandhatedhim，buthedidnotglanceagainatthelittlewomannamedMarian；forhisownpeaceofmindhedidnotdare。Hethoughtthatheknewnowwhatitwashehadseeninthedepthofhereyes，butthereseemedtobenothingthathecoulddotohelp。

ThateveningaftersupperHoneyKrausecalledtohimwhenhewasstartingdowntothebunk—housewiththeothermen。Whatshesaidwasthatshestillhadhisguitarandmandolin，andthattheyneededexercise。Whatshelookedwasthechallengeofaborncoquette。Inthekitchendisheswererattling，butaftertheywerewashedtherewouldbealittleleisure，perhaps，forthekitchendrudge。Bud’simpulsetomakehissorehandsanexcuseforrefusingevaporated。Itmightnotbewisetoplacehimselfdeliberatelyinthewayofgettingahurt——butyouthneverdidstoptoconsultasagebeforefollowingthelureofawoman’seyes。

HecalledbacktoHoneythatthoseinstrumentsoughttohavebeenputinthehayfield，wheretherewasmoreexercisethanthemencoulduse。"Youboysoughttocomeandseemesafethroughwithit，"headdedtotheloiteringgrouparoundhim。

"I’mafraidofwomen。"

Theylaughedandtwoorthreewentwithhim。Lewwentontothecorralandpresentlyappearedonhorseback，ridinguptothekitchenandleavinghishorsestandingatthecornerwhilehewentinsideandtalkedtothewomanhehadcalledMarian。

Budwascarryinghisguitaroutside，whereitwascooler，whenheheardthefellow’sarrogantvoice。Thedishesceasedrattlingforaminute，andtherewasasharpexclamation，stifledbutunmistakable。InvoluntarilyBudmadeamovementinthatdirection，whenHoney’svoicestoppedhimwithasubduedlaugh。

"That’sonlyLewandMaryAnn，"sheexplainedcarelessly。"Theyhaveaspateverytimetheycomewithingunshotofeachother。"

Theleanfellowwhohaddriventhemower，andwhosenamewasJerryMyers，edgedcarelesslyclosetoBudandgavehimanudgewithhiselbow，andaglancefromunderhiseyebrowsbywayofemphasis。Heturnedhisheadslightly，sawthatHoneyhadgoneintothehouse，andmutteredjustaboveawhisper，"Don’tseeorhearanything。It’sallthehelpyoucangiveher。AndforLord’ssakedon’tletontoHoneylikeyou——giveacusswhetheritrainsornot，solong’sitdon’tpourtoohardthenightofthedance。"

Budlookedupatthedarkeningskyspeculatively，andtriednottohearthevoicesinthekitchen，oneofwhichwasbrutallyharshwhiletheothertoldofhateandfearsuppressedundergentleforbearance。Theharshvoicewasalmostcontinuous，theotherinfrequent，reluctanttospeakatall。Budwantedtogoinandsmashhisguitaroverthefellow’shead，butJerry’swarningheldhim。Therewereotherways，however，tohelp；ifhemustnotdriveoffthetormentor，thenhewouldcallhimaway。Heignoredhisbruisedknucklesandpluckedtheguitarstringsasifheheldagrudgeagainstthem，andthenbegantosingthefirstsongthatcameintohismind——onethatstartedinarollickyfashion。

Mencamestragglingupfromthebunk—housebeforehehadfinishedthefirstchorus，andsquattedontheirheelstolisten，theircigarettesglowinglikeredfingertipsinthedusk。Butthevoiceinthekitchentalkedon。Budtriedanother——oneofthoseold—timefavorites，a"laughingcoon"

song，thoughhefeltlittleenoughinthemoodforit。Inthemiddleofthefirstlaughheheardthekitchendoorslam，andLew’sfootstepscomingaroundthecorner。Helisteneduntilthesongwasdone，thenmountedandrodeaway，Bud’slaughfollowinghimtriumphantly——thoughLewcouldnothaveguesseditsmeaning。

Budsangfortwohoursexpectantly，butMariandidnotappear，andBudwentofftothebunk—housefeelingthathisattempttoheartenherhadbeenafailure。OfHoneyhedidnotthinkatall，excepttowonderifthetwowomenwererelatedinanyway，andtofeelthatiftheywereMarianwastobepitied。AtthatpointJerryovertookhimandaskedforamatch，whichgavehimanexcusetoholdBudbehindtheothers。

"Honeyliketohavecaughtme，to—night，"Jerryobservedguardedly。"Ihadtothinkquick。I’lltellyouthelayoftheland，Bud，seeingyou’reastrangerhere。Marian’sman，Lew，he’sadamnedbullyandsomebodyisgoingtodrawafinebeadonhimsomedaywhenheain’tlooking。Buthestandsin，sothelessyuhtakenoticethebetter。Marian，she’safinelittlewomanthatmindsherownbusiness，butshe’sgettingacolddeckslippedintothegamerightalong。Honey’sjealousofherandafraidsomebody’llgiveherapleasantlook。Lew’sjealous，andhewatchesherlikeacatwatchesamouse"It’scaughtandwantstoplaywith。Betweenthetwoof’emMarianhasarealnicetimeofit。I’mwisingyouupsoyouwon’thandheranymoremiserybytryingtotakeherpart。Usboyshavelearnedtokeepourmouthsshut。"

"Gladyoutoldme，"Budmuttered。"Otherwise————"

"Exactly，"Jerryagreedunderstandingly。"Otherwiseanyofuswould。"

Hestoppedandthenspokeinadifferenttone。"IfLewstaysofftheranchlongenough，maybeyou’llgettohearhersing。

Wow—ee，butthatladyhassuregotthemeadow—larkswhipped！

ButlookoutforHoney，old—timer。"

Budlaughedunmirthfully。"Lookstomeasifyouaren’tcrazyoverHoney，"heventured。"Whathasshedonetoyou？"

"Her？"Jerryinspectedhiscigarette，listenedtothewhisperofprudenceinhisear，andturnedaway。"Forgetit。Ineversaidaword。"Hesweptthewholesubjectfromhimwithacomprehensivegesture，andsnorted。"I’mgettin’asbadasPop，"hegrinned。"Butlemmetellyuhsomething。HoneyKrauserunsmore’nthepost—office。"

CHAPTERELEVEN：GUILEAGAINSTTHEWILY

Budlikedtohavehisliferunalongaccustomedlineswithamoreorlessperfectbalanceofworkandplay，friendshipsandenmities。Hehadgrownupwiththebeliefthatanymysteryismerelyasynonymformenace。HehadlearnedtobewaryofknownenemiessuchasIndiansandoutlaws，andtotrustimplicitlyhisfriends。Tofeelnow，withoutapparentcause，thathisfriendsmightbeenemiesindisguise，wasanewexperiencethatharriedhim。

HehadcometoLittleLostonTuesday，straightfromtheMuleshoewherehispresencewasnolongerdesiredforsomereasonnotyetsatisfactorilyexplainedtohim。YouknowwhathappenedonTuesday。Thatnightthelandcrouchedunderaterrificelectricstorm，withcracklingswordsofwhitedeathdazzlingfrominkyblackclouds，andear—splittingthundercloseontheheelsofit。Budhadknownsuchstormsallhislife，yetonthisnighthewasuneasy，vaguelydisturbed。HecaughthimselfwonderingifLewMorris’swifewasfrightened，andtherealizationthathewasworryingaboutherfearworriedhimmorethaneverandheldhimawakelongafterthefuryofthestormhadpassed。

【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