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