CHAPTERONE：ANAMBITIOUSMAN—CHILDWASBUDDY
Inhotmidafternoonwhentheacrid，graydustcloudkickedupbythelistlessploddingofeightthousandclovenhoofsformedtheonlyblotonthehardblueabovetheStakedPlains，anoxstumbledandfellawkwardlyunderhisyoke，andrefusedtoscrambleupwhenhisnegrodrivershoutedandproddedhimwiththeendofawillowgad。
\"Callyourmaster，Ezra，\"directedaquietwomanvoicegonewearyandtonelesswiththeheatandtworestlesschildren。
\"Don’tbeatthepoorbrute。Hecan’tgoanyfartherandcarrytheyoke，muchlesspullthewagon。\"
Ezradroppedthegadandsteppeduponthewagontonguewherehemightsquintintothedustcloudanddecidewhichgray，ploddinghorsemanalongsidetheherdwasRobertBirnie。Faracrossthesluggishriverofgrimybacks，ahorsethrewupitsheadwithapeculiarsidelongmotion，andEzra’seyeslightenedwithrecognition。Thatwasthecolt，Rattler，chafingagainsttheslowpacehemustkeep。Handscuppedaroundbig，chocolate—coloredlipsandbig，yellow—whiteteeth，Ezrawhoo—ee—edthesignalthatcalledthenearestriderstothewagonthatheldtheboss’sfamily。
BobBirnieandanothermanturnedandcametrottingback，andatthecallascramblingyoungsterpeeredoverhismother’sshoulderintheforwardopeningoftheprairieschooner。
\"O—oh，Dulcie！Wegonnagitawilecowagin！\"
Dulciewasasleepanddidnotanswer，andthewomanintheslatsun—bonnetpushedbackwithherelbowtheeager，squirmingbodyofhereldest。\"Stayinthewagon，Buddy。
Mustn’tgetdownamongsttheoxen。Onemightkickyou。Liedownandtakeanapwithsister。Whenyouwakenitwillbeniceandcoolagain。\"
\"Nots’eepy！\"objectedBuddyforthetwentiethtimeinthepasttwohours。Buthecrawledback，andhismother，relievedofhisrestlesspresence，leanedforwardtowatchtheapproachofherhusbandandthecowboy。Thiswasthesecondtimeinthepasttwodaysthatanoxhadfallenexhausted，andhereyesshowedatraceofanxiety。Withthefeedsopoorandthewatersoscarce，itseemedasthoughtheheavywagon，loadedwithafewhouseholdidolstoodeartoleavebehind，acampoutfitandthenecessaryclothingandbeddingforawomanandtwochildren，wasgoingtobearealhandicaponthedrive。
\"Robert，ifwehadanotherwagon，Icoulddriveitandmaketheloadlessforthesefouroxen，\"shesuggestedwhenherhusbandcameup。\"Alighterwagon，perhapswithoneteamofstronghorses，orevenwithayokeofoxen，Icoulddrivewellenough，andrelievethesepoorbrutes。\"Shepushedbackhersun—bonnetandwithitamassofred—brownhairthatcurleddamplyonherforehead，andsmileddisarmingly。\"BuddywouldbethehappiestbabyboyaliveifIcouldlethimdrivenowandthen！\"sheaddedhumorously。
\"Can’tmakeawagonandanextrayokeofoxenoutofthiscactuspatch，\"BobBirniegrinnedgoodhumoredly。\"NoteventotickleBuddy。I’llseewhatIcandowhenwereachOlathe。
Butyouwon’thavetotakeaman’splaceanddrive，Lassie。\"
Hetookthecupofwatershedrewfromakegandproffered—
waterwaspreciousontheStakedPlains，thatseason—andhiseyesdweltonherfondlywhilehedrank。Then，givingherhandasqueezewhenhereturnedthecup，herodebacktoscantheherdforananimalbigenoughandwell—conditionedenoughtosupplanttheworn—outox。
\"Aren’tyouthirsty，FrankDavis？Ithinkacupofwaterwilldoyougood，\"shecalledouttothecowboy，whohaddismountedtotightenhisforwardcinchinexpectationofhavingtousehisrope。
Thecowboydroppedstirrupfromsaddlehornandcameforwardstiff—leggedly，leadinghishorse。Hissun—bakedface，grimedwiththedustoftheherd，wasaglowwithheat，andhiseyesshowedgratitude。Acupofwaterfromthehandoftheboss’swifewasworthagallonfromthebarrelslip—
sloppingalonginthelurchingchuck—wagon。
\"How’sthekidsmakin’out，Mis’Birnie？\"Frankinquiredpolitelywhenhehadswallowedthelastdropandhadwipedhismouthwiththebackofhishand。\"It’srightwarmanddustyt’day。\"
\"They’reasleepatlast，thankgoodness，\"sheanswered，glancingbackatahuddleofpinkcalicothatshowedjustoverthecrestofapileofcrumpledquilts。\"Buddyhasahardtimeofit。He’sallmaninhisdisposition，andallbabyinsize。He’sbeenteasingtowalkwiththeniggersandhelpdrivethedrag。Ismyhusbandcalling？\"
Herhusbandwas，andFrankrodeawayataleisurelytrot。
Hastehadlittletodowithtrailingaherd，whereeightmileswascalledagoodday’sjourneyandsixanaverageachievement。Thefallenoxwasunyokedbythemellow—voicedbutexasperatedEzra，andsincehewouldnotrise，thethreeremainingoxen，urgedbythegadandEzra’supbraiding，swungthewagontoonesideandmoveditalittlefartheraftertheslow—movingherd，sothattheexhaustedanimalcouldrest，andtherawrecruitbeyokedinwherehecoulddotheleastharmandwouldthespeediestlearnanewlessonindiscomfort。Mrs。Birnieglancedagainatthehuddleofpinkinthenestofquiltsbehindabelovedchestofdrawersinthewagon，andsighedwithreliefbecauseBuddyslept。
Anambitiousman—childalreadywasBuddy，accustomedtocertainphrasesthat，sincehecouldtoddle，hadformedinevitableaccompanimenttohisinvestigativefootsteps。
\"L’k—out—dah！\"hehadforalongtimebelievedtobehisnameamongtheblackfolkofhisworld。Whitefolkhadvarieditslightly。Heknewthat\"Run—to—mother—now\"meantthatsomethinghewoulddelightinbutmustnotwatchwasgoingtotakeplace。Spankingsmoreorlessofficialandnotoftenpainfulsignifiedthatbigfolksdidnotunderstandhimandhisactivities，orwerecrossaboutsomething。Now，motherdidnotwanthimtowatchthewildcowrunandjumpattheendofaropeuntilfinallyforcedtosubmittotheox—yokeandhelppullthewagon。Buddylovedtowatchthem，butheunderstoodthatmotherwasafraidthewildcowmightsteponhim。Whysheshouldwanthimtosleepwhenhewasnotsleepyhehadnotyetdiscovered，andsodisdainedtogiveitseriousconsideration。
\"Nots’eepy，\"Buddystatedagainemphaticallyasasortofmentaldismissalofthecommand，andcrawledcarefullypastSisterandliftedaflapofthecanvascover。Abutton——thelastbutton——poppedoffhispinkapronandthesleevesrumpleddownoverhishands。Itfeltalllooseanduseless，soBuddystoppedlongenoughtopulltheapronoffandthrowitbesideSisterbeforehecrawledunderthecanvasflapandwalkeddownthespokesofarearwheel。Hedidnotmeantogetinthewayofthewildcow，buthedidwantactionforhisrestlesslegs。Hethoughtthatifhewentawayfromthewagonandtheherdandplayedwhiletheywerecatchingthewildcow，itwouldbejustthesameasifhetookanap。Motherhadn’tthoughtofit，orshemighthavesuggestedit。
SoBuddywentawayfromthewagonanddownintoashallowdrywashwherethewildcowwouldnotcome，andplayed。Thefirstthinghesawwasascorpion—nastyoldbugthatwillbitehard—andhethrewrocksatituntilitscuttledunderaledgeoutofsight。Thenextthinghesawthatinterestedhimatallwasahornedtoad；ahawn—toe，hecalledit，afterEzra’smannerofspeaking。Ezrahadcaughtahawntoeforhimafewdaysago，butithadmysteriouslydisappearedoutofthewagon。Buddydidnotconnecthismother’slackofenthusiasmwiththedisappearance。Hersympathywithhislosshadseemedtohimreal，andhewantedanother，fullybelievingthatinthisalsomotherwouldbepleased。SohetookafterthisparticularHAWN—toe，thatcrawledintovarioushidingplacesonlytobespiedandroutedoutwithsmallrocksandasharpstick。
Thedrywashremainedshallow，andafterawhileBuddy，stillinhotpursuitofthehornedtoad，emergeduponthelevelwheretheherdhadpassed。Thewagonwasnowhereinsight，butthisdidnotdisturbBuddy。Hewasnotlost。Heknewperfectlythatthebrowncloudonhisnarrowedhorizonwasthedustovertheherd，andthatthewagonwasjustbehind，becausethewindthatdaywasblowingfromthesouthwest，andalsobecausetheoxendidnotwalkasfastastheherd。Inthedistancehesawthe\"Drag\"movinglazilyalongafterthedust—cloud，withbarefootedniggersdrivingthelaggardcattleandsingingdolefullyastheywalked。EmphaticallyBuddywasnotlost。
Hewantedthatparticularhornedtoad，however，andhekeptafterituntilhehaditsafeinhistwohands。
Ithappenedthatwhenhepouncedatlastuponthetoadhedisturbedwithhispresenceacolonyofredantsonmovingday。Thecloseranksofthem，comingandgoinginastraightline，caughtandheldBuddy’sattentiontotheexclusionofeverythingelse——savethehornedtoadhehadbeenatsuchpainstoacquire。Hetuckedthetoadinsidehisunderwaistandignoreditswrigglingagainsthisfleshwhilehesquattedinthehotsunshineandwatchedtheants，hismindonegreatquestion。Whereweretheygoing，andwhatweretheycarrying，andwhyweretheyallinsuchahurry？
Buddyhadtoknow。Tohimselfhecalledtrailherd——butfather’scattledidnotcarrywhitelumpsofstuffontheirheads，andfurthermore，theyallwalkedtogetherinthesamedirection；whereastheantherdtraveledbothways。Buddymadesureofthis，andthenstartedoff，followingwhathehaddecidedwastherealtrailoftheants。Mostchildrenwouldhavestirredthemupwithastick；Buddyletthemalonesothathecouldseewhattheyweredoingallbythemselves。
Theantsledhimtoatinyholewithafinelypulverizedrimjustattheedgeofasprawlycactus。ThislastBuddycarefullyavoided，forevenatfouryearsoldhehadlongagolearnedthestingofcactusthorns。ArattlesnakebuzzedwarningwhenhebackedawayandtheshocktoBuddy’snervesrousedwithinhimthefightingspirit。Rattlesnakesheknewalso，asthecommonenemyofmenandcattle。Onceasteerhadbeenbittenonthenoseandhisheadhadswollenupsohecouldn’teat。BuddydidnotwantthattohappentoHIM。
Hemadesurethatthehornedtoadwassafe，chosearockaslargeashecouldliftandheavefromhim，andthrewitatthebuzzing，graycoil。Hedidnotwaittoseewhathappened，butpickedupanotherrock，aterrificbuzzingsoundingstridentlyfromthecoil。Hethrewanotherandanotherwithalltheforceofhishealthylittlemuscles。Forafour—year—
oldheaimedwell；severaloftherockslandedonthecoil。
Thesnakewriggledfeeblyfromundertherocksandtriedtocrawlawayandhide，itsrattlesclickinglistlessly。Buddyhadanotherrockinhishandsandinhiseyesthebluefireofrighteousconquest。Hewentclose—closeenoughtohavebroughtaprotestingcryfromagrownup—liftedtherockhighashecouldandbroughtitdownfaironthebatteredheadoftherattler。Theloathsomelengthofitwincedandthrashedineffectively，andafterafewminuteslayslack，thetailwrigglingaimlessly。
Buddystoodwithhisfeetfarapartandhishandsonhiships，ashehadseenthecowboydowhomhehadunconsciouslyimitatedinthekilling。
\"SnakeslikeInjuns。Dead’nsisgood’ens，\"Heobservedsententiously，stillplayingthepartofthecowboy。Then，quitesurethatthesnakewasdead，hetookitbythetail，feltagainofthehornedtoadonhischestandwentbacktoseewhattheantsweredoing。
Whensoresponsibleapersonasagrownupstopstowatchtheorderlyactivitiesofanarmyofants，minutesandhoursslipawayunnoticed。Buddywasabsolutelyfascinated，losttoeverythingelse。WhensomeinstinctbornintheverybloodofhimwarnedBuddythattimewaspassing，hestoodupandsawthatthesunhungjustabovetheedgeoftheworld，andthattheskywasagloriousjumbleofredandpurpleandsoftrose。
ThefirstthingBuddydidwastostoopandstudyattentivelythedeadsnake，toseeifthetailstillwiggled。Itdidnot，thoughhewatcheditforafullminute。Helookedatthesun——
ithadnotsetbutglowedbigandyellowasfarfromtheearthashisfatherwastall。Ezrahadliedtohim。Deadsnakesdidnotwiggletheirtailsuntilsundown。
Buddylookedforthedustcloudoftheherd，andwassurprisedtofinditsmallerthanhehadeverseenit，andfartheraway。Indeed，hecouldonlyguessthatthefaintsmudgeonthehorizonwasthedusthehadfollowedformoredaysthanhecouldcount。Hewasnotafraid，buthewashungryandhethoughthismotherwouldmaybewonderwherehewas，andheknewthatthepoint—ridershadalreadystoppedpushingtheherdahead，andthatthecattlewerefeedingnowsothattheywouldbeddownatdusk。Thechuckwagonwascampedsomewherecloseby，andoldStep—and—a—Half，thelamecook，wasstirringthingsinhisDutchovensoverthecamp—
fire。Buddycouldalmostsmellthebeansandthemeatstew，hewassohungry。Heturnedandtookonelast，longlookattheendlessstreamofantsstillcrawlingalong，pickedupthedeadsnakebythetail，cuppedtheotherhandoverthehornedtoadinsidehiswaist，andstartedforcamp。
Afterawhileheheardsomeoneshouting，butbeyondfaintreliefthathewasafterallnearhis\"Outfit\"，Buddypaidnoattention。Theboyswerealwaysshoutingtooneanother，oryellingattheirhorsesorattheherdorattheniggers。Itdidnotoccurtohimthattheymightbeshoutingforhim，untilfromanotherdirectionheheardEzra’sunmistakable，boomingvoice。Ezrasangathunderousbaritonewhentheniggerslifteduptheirvoicesinsongaroundtheircamp—
fire，andhecouldbeheardforhalfamilewhenhecalledinrealearnest。Hewascallingnow，andBuddy，stoppingtolisten，fanciedthatheheardhisname。Alittlefartheron，hewassureofit。
\"OOO—EE！Whahy’all，Buddy？OOO—EEE！\"
\"I’ma—comin’，\"Buddyshrilledimpatiently。\"Whaty’allwant？\"
HispipingvoicedidnotcarrytoEzra，whokeptonshouting。
Theradiantpurpleandredandgoldabovehimdeepened，darkened。Thewholewildexpanseofhalf—barrenlandbecamesuddenlyaplaceofunearthlybeautythatdulledtotheshadowsofdusk。Buddytrudgedon，keepingtothedeep—wornbuffalotrailswhichtheherdhadfollowedandscoredafreshwiththeirhoofs。Hecouldnotmisshisway—notBuddy，sonofBobBirnie，owneroftheTomahawkoutfit—buthislegsweregrowingprettytired，andhewassohungrythathecouldhavesatdownonthegroundandcriedwiththegnawingfood—callofhisemptylittlestomach。
Hecouldhearothervoicesshoutingatintervalsnow，butEzra’svoicewastheloudestandtheclosest，anditseemedtoBuddythatEzraneveroncestoppedcalling。TwiceBuddycalledbackthathewasa—comin’，butEzrashoutedjustthesame：\"OOO—EE！WHAHY’ALL，BUDDY？OOO—EE！\"
Imperceptiblyduskdeepenedtodarkness。AgustofangersweptBuddy’ssoulbecausehewastired，becausehewashungryandhewasyetalongwayfromthecamp，butchieflybecauseEzrapersistedincallingafterBuddyhadseveraltimesanswered。HeheardsomeonewhomherecognizedasFrankDavis，butbythistimehewassoangrythathewouldnotsayaword，thoughhewastemptedtoaskFranktotakehimuponhishorseandlethimridetocamp。Heheardothers—andoncethebeatofhoofscamequiteclose。ButtherewasawidestreakofScotchstubbornnessinBuddy——alongwithseveralotherScotchstreaks——andhecontinuedhisstumblingprogress，draggingthesnakebythetail，hisotherhandholdingfastthehornedtoad。
Hisheartjumpedupandalmostchokedhimwhenfirstsawthethreetwinklesonthegroundwhichknewwerenotstarsbutcamp—fires。
QuiteunexpectedlyhetrudgedintothefirelightwhereStep—
and—a—Halfwasstirringdelectablethingsintheironpotsandstoppingeveryminuteorsotostareanxiouslyintothegloom。Buddystoodblinkingandsniffing，hiseyesfixedupontheDutchovens。
\"I’mHUNGRY！\"heannouncedaccusingly，grippingthetoadthathadbeguntosquirmattheheatandlight。Ikiltasnakean’
I’mHUNGRY！\"
\"Goodgorry！\"sworeStep—and—a—Half，andwhippedouthissix—shooterandfiredthreeshotsintotheair。
Footstepscamescurrying。Buddy’smotherswepthimintoherarms，laughingwithalittlewhimperingsoundoftearsinthelaughter。Buddywriggledprotestinglyinherarms。
\"L’kout！Y’allSKUCSH’im！IgotaHAWN—toe；wighthere。\"
Hepattedhischestgloatingly。\"An’Igotasnake。Ikilt’im。An’I’mHUNGRY。\"
MotherofBuddythoughshewas，Lassiesethimdownhurriedlyandsurveyedherman—childfromalittledistance。
\"Buddy！Dropthatsnakeinstantly’\"
Buddyobeyed，butheplantedafootclosetohiskillandpoutedhislips。\"’Smysnake。Ikilt’im，\"Hesaidfirmly。
Hepulledthehornedtoadfromhiswaist—frontandheldittightlyinhistwohands。\"An’smyhawn—toe。Iketche’d’m。
’Wayovadere，\"headded，tiltinghistowheadtowardthedarknessbehindhim。
BobBirnierodeupatagallop，pulleduphishorseintheedgeofthefireglowanddismountedhastily。
BobBirnieneverneededmorethanoneglancetofurnishhimthedetailsofascene。Hesawtheverysmallboyconfrontinghismotherwithadeadsnake，ahornedtoadandastubbornsettohislips。Hesawthatthemotherlookedratherhelplessbeforethecombination——andhisbrownmustachehidasmile。Hewalkedupandlookedhisfirst—bornover。
\"Buddy，\"Hedemandedsternly，\"wherehaveyoubeen？\"
\"Outdere。Kiltasnake。Antswastrailingaherd。IgotaHAWN—toe。An’I’mhungry！\"
\"Youknowbetterthantoleavethewagon，youngman。Didn’tyouknowwehadtogetoutandhuntyou，andmotherwasscaredthewolvesmighteatyou？Didn’tyouhearuscallingyou？Whydidn’tyouanswer？\"
Buddylookedupfromunderhisbabyeyebrowsathisfather，whoseemedverytallandveryterrible。Buthisbarefoottouchedthedeadsnakeandhetookcomfort。\"Iwascomin’，\"
hesaid。\"IWASN’Tlos’。Ibringedmysnakeandmyhawn—toe。
An’dey——WASN’T——any——woluffs！\"Thelastwordcamemuffled，buriedinhismother’sskirts。
CHAPTERTWO：THETRAILHERD
Dayafterdaythetrailherdploddedslowlytothenorth，followingthebuffalotrailsthatwouldleadtowater，andthecrudemapofonewhohadtakenaherdnorthandhadreturnedwithataleofvastplainsandnorivals。Alwaysthroughthedaythedustcloudhungoverthebacksofthecattle，settledintotheclothesofthosewhofollowed，grimedthepinkapronsofBuddyandhissmallsisterDulciesothattheywerenolongerpink。Wheneverastreamwasreached，mothersearchedpatientlyforclearwaterandanuntrampledbitofbankwhereshemightdothefamilywashing，leavingEzratomindthechildren。Butevensothecrustandthewearandtearoftravelremainedtoharassherfastidioussoul。
Buddyrememberedthatdriveashecouldnotrememberthecomfortableranchhouseofhisearlierbabyhood。Tohimafterwarditseemedthatlifebeganwiththegreatherdofcattle。Hecametoknowjusthowlowthesunmustslidefromthetopoftheskybeforethe\"point\"wouldspreadoutwithnosestotheground，pausingwhereveramouthfulofgrasswastobefound。Whentheseleadersoftheherdstopped，thecattlewouldscatterandbeginfeeding。Iftherewaswatertheywouldcrowdthebanksofthestreamorpool，pushingandproddingoneanotherwiththeirgreat，sharphorns。Later，whenthesunwasgoneandduskcreptoutofnowhere，thecowboyswouldrideslowlyaroundtheherd，pushingitquietlyintoasmallercompass。Then，ifBuddywerenottoosleepy，hewouldwatchthecattleliedowntochewtheircudsindeep，sighingcontentuntiltheyslept。ItremindedBuddyvaguelyofwhenmotherpoppedcorninawirepopper，alongtimeago—beforetheyalllivedinawagonandwentwiththeherd。Firstoneandtwo—thentherewouldbethree，four，five，asmanyasBuddycouldcount—thenthewholeherdwouldbelyingdown。
Buddylovedthecamp—fires。Thecowboyswouldsitaroundtheonewherehisfatherandmothersat——motherwithDulcieinherarms——andtheywouldsmokeandtellstories，untilmothertoldhimitwastimelittleboyswereinbed。Buddyalwayswantedtoknowwhattheysaidafterhehadclimbedintothebigwagonwheremotherhadmadeabed，butheneverfoundout。Hecouldrememberlyingtherelisteningsometimestotheniggerssingingattheirowncampfirewithincall，Ezraalwayssingingtheloudest，——justasabullalwayscouldbeheardabovethebellowingoftheherd。
Allhislife，Ezra’ssingingandthemonotonousbellowingofaherdremindedBuddyofonemysteriouslyterribletimewhenthereweren’tanyriversoranypondsoranythingalongthetrail，andtheyhadtobecarefulofthewaterandsaveit，andheandDulciewerenotaskedtowashtheirfaces。IthinkthatmiraclehelpedtofixtheincidentindeliblyinBuddy’smind；that，andthebellowingofthecattle。ItseemedamonthtoBuddy，butashegrewolderhelearnedthatitwasthreedaystheywentwithoutwater。
Thefirstdayhedidnotrememberespecially，exceptthatmotherhadtalkedaboutcleanapronsthatnight，andfailedtoproduceany。Thesecondherecalledquiteclearly。Fathercametothewagonssometimeinthenighttoseeifmotherwasasleep。TheirmurmuredtalkwakenedBuddyandheheardfathersay：
\"We’llhold’em，allright，Lassie。Andthere’swaterahead。
It’smarkedonthetrailmap。Don’tyouworry——I’llstayupandhelptheboys。Thecattleareuneasy——butwe’llhold’em。\"
ThethirddayBuddyneverforgot。ThatwasthedaywhenmotherforgotthatQstandsforQuagga，andpermittedBuddytocallitP，justforfun，becauseitlookedsomuchlikeP。
Andwhenhesaid\"Wiswater\"，mothermadeafunnysoundandsaidrightoutloud，\"0hGod，please！\"andtoldBuddytocreepbackandplaywithSister——whenSisterwasasleep，andtherewerestillx，yandztosay，letalonethatmysteriousAnd—so—forthwhichseemedtomeansomuchandsolittleandneverwascalledupontohelpspellaword。Neversincehebegantohavelessonshadmotheromittedasingleletterorcutthestudyhourdowntheteeniestlittlebit。
Buddywasafraidofsomething，buthecouldnotthinkwhatitwasthatfrightenedhim。Hebegantothinkseriouslyaboutwater，andtolistenuneasilytotheconstantlowingoftheherd。Theincreasedshoutingoftheniggersdrivingthelaggingonesheldasuddensignificance。Itoccurredtohimthattheniggershadtheirhandsfull，andthattheyhadneverdrivensobiga\"Drag。\"Itwashotterthanever，too，andtheyhadtwicestoppedtoyokeinfreshoxen。EzrahadboastedallalongthatoleBawleywouldkeephisenduptilltheygotclahtoWyoming。ButoleBawleyhadstopped，andstopped，andatlasthadtobetakenoutoftheyoke。Buddybegantowishtheywouldhurryupandfindariver。
Noneofthecowboyswouldtakehimonthesaddleandlethimride，thatday。Theylookedharassed——Buddycalleditcross——
whentheyrodeuptothewagontogivetheirhorsesafewmouthfulsofwaterfromthebarrel。Step—and—a—Halfcouldn’tspareanymore，theytoldmother。Hehaddeclaredatnoonthatheneededeverydrophehadforthecooking，andtherewouldbenowashingofdisheswhatever。Later，motherhadstudiedamapandafterwardshadsatforalongwhilestaringoutoverthebacksofthecattle，herfacewhite。Buddythoughtperhapsmotherwassick。
ThatdaylastedhoursandhourslongerthananyotherdaythatBuddycouldremember。Hisfatherlookedcross，too，whenherodebacktothem。Onceitwastolookatthemapwhichmotherhadstudied。Theytalkedtogetherafterwards，andBuddyheardhisfathersaythatshemustnotworry；thecattlehadgoodbottom，andcouldstandthirstbetterthanapoorherd，andanotherdrycampwouldnotreallyhurtanyone。
Hehaduncoveredthewaterbarrelandlookedin，andhadriddenstraightovertothechuck—wagon，hishorsewalkingalongsidethehighseatwhereStep—and—a—Halfsatperchedlistlesslywithalong—lashedoxwhipinhishand。Fatherhadtalkedforafewminutes，andhadriddenbackscowling。
\"Thatoldscoundrelhasgottwoten—gallonkegsthathaven’tbeentouched！\"hetoldmother。\"Yo’allmustn’twateranymorehorsesoutofyourbarrelSendtheboystoStep—and—a—
Half。Yo’allkeepwhatyou’vegot。Thehorseshavegottohavewater—to—nightit’sgoingtobehelltoholdtheherd，andifanybodygoesthirstyit’llbethemen，notthehorsesButyo’allsendthemtotheotherwagon，LassieMind，now！
Notadroptoanyone。\"
Afterfatherrodeaway，Buddycreptupandputhistwoshortarmsaroundmother。\"Don’tcry。Idon’thavetodrinkanywater，\"hesoothedher。Hewaitedaminuteandaddedoptimistically，\"Dere’saBI——IGwivercomin’pittysoon。
Oxessmellswaterahunerdmiles。Ezrasaysso。An’las’
nightCrumpywassnuffin’an’snuffin’。Isaw’imdoit。HesmeltaBIGwiver。THATbi—ig！\"Hespreadhisshortarmsaswideapartastheywouldreach，andsmiledtremulously。
MothersqueezedBuddysohardthathegrunted。
\"Dearlittleman，ofcoursethereis。WEdon’tmind，dowe？
I—wasfeelingsorryforthepoorcattle。\"
\"De’refirsty，\"Buddystatedsolemnly，hiseyesbig。\"De’rebawlin’feradrinkofwater。Iguessde’reAWFULfirsty。
Dere’sabigwivercomin’nowCrumpysmeltabigwiver。\"
Buddy’smotherstaredacrossthearidplainparchedintogreaterbarrennessbytheheatthathadbeenunremittingforthepastweek。Buddy’sfaithinthebigrivershecouldnotshare。SomehowtheyhaddriftedoffthetrailmarkedonthemapdrawnbyGeorgeWilliams。
Williamshadwarnedthemtocarryasmuchwateraspossibleinbarrels，asaprecautionagainstsufferingiftheyfailedtostrikewatereachnight。Hehadtoldthemthatwaterwasscarce，butthathiscowboyscoutsandthedeep—wornbuffalotrailshadbeenabletobringhimthroughwithwaterateverycampsavetwoorthree。TheStakedPlains，hesaid，wouldbethehardestdrive。AndthiswastheStakedPlains——anditwasharddriving！
Buddydidnotknowallthatuntilafterwards，whenheheardfathertalkofthedrivenorth。Buthewouldhaverememberedthatdayandthenightthatfollowed，eventhoughhehadneverheardawordaboutit。Thebawlingoftheherdbecameadolefulchantofmisery。Eventhephlegmaticoxenthatdrewthewagonsbawledandslaveredwhiletheystrainedforward，twistingtheirheadsundertheheavyyokes。Theystoppedoftenerthanusualtorest，andwhenBuddywaspermittedtowalkwiththeperspiringEzrabytheleaders，hewonderedwhytheoxen’seyeswerered，likeDulcie’swhenshehadoneofhercryingspells。
Atnightthecowboysdidnottietheirhorsesandsitdownwhiletheyate，butstoodbytheirmountsandboltedfoodhurriedly，oneeyealwaysontherestlesscattle，thatwalkedaroundandaround，andwouldneithereatnorliedown，butlowedincessantly。OnceafewanimalscamecloseenoughtosmellthewaterinabucketwhereFrankDaviswaswateringhissweat—streakedhorse，andStep—and—a—Half’swagonwasalmostupsetbeforethemaddenedcattlecouldbedrivenbacktothemainherd。
\"Nousecamping，\"BobBirnietoldtheboysgatheredaroundStep—and—a—Half’sDutchovens。\"Thecattlewon’tstand。We’llwearourselvesandthemouttryingtohold’em—theymayaswellbehuntingwaterasrunningincircles。Step—and—a—Half，keepyourcookedgrubhandyfortheboys，andyo’allpackupandpullout。We’llturnthecattlelooseandfollow。Ifthere’sanywaterinthisdamnedcountrythey’llfindit。\"
Yearsafterwards，Buddylearnedthathisfatherhadsentmenouttohuntwater，andthattheyhadnotfoundany。Hewastenwhenthiswasdiscussedaroundaspringroundupfire，andhehadstudiedthematterforafewminutesandthenhadspokenboldlyhismind。
\"Yououghtakeptyourhorsesasthirstyasthecattlewas，andIbetthey’da’foundthatwater，\"hecriticized，andwassenttobedforhistactlessness。BobBirniehimselfhadthoughtofthatafterwards，andhadexcusedtheoversightbysayingthathehaddependedonthemap，andhadnotforeseenathree—daydrydrive。
Howeverthatmaybe，thatnightwasanightofpanickydesperation。Ezrawalkedbesidetheoxenandshoutedandswunghislash，andtheoxenstrainedforwardbellowingsothatnotevenDulciecouldsleep，butwhimperedfretfullyinhermother’sarms。Buddysatupwide—eyedandwatchedforthebigriver，andtriednottobea’fraid—catandcrylikeDulcie。
Itwaslongpaststarrymidnightwhenalittlewindpuffedoutofthedarknessandtheoxenthrewuptheirheadsandsniffed，andputanewnoteintotheir\"M—baw—aw—aw—mm！\"
Theyswungsharplysothatthewindblewstraightintothefrontofthewagon，whichlurchedforwardwithanewimpetus。
\"Glo—oryt’Gawd，Missy！deysmellswatah，sho’syo’bawn！\"
sobbedEzraashebrokeintoatrotbesidethewheelers\"
’Tain’tfur——lookitdat—ahhuhda—goin’it！No’m，Missy，DEY
ain’twoahout——deysmellin’watahan’dey’mgittin’TOit！
’Tain’tfur，Missy。\"
Buddyclungtothebackoftheseatandstaredround—eyedintothegloom。Heneverforgotthatlumpyshadowwhichwastheherd，travelingfastindustthatobscuredtheneareststars。Theshadowhumpedhereandthereasthecattlecrowdedforwardatashufflinghalftrot，theclick——awashoftheirshamblingfeettreadingcloseononeanother。Therappingtattooofwide—spreadhornsclashingagainstwide—spreadhornsfilledhimwithaformlessterror，sothatheletgotheseattoclutchatmother’sdress。Hewasnotafraidofcattle—theywereasmuchapartofhisworldaswereEzraandthewagonandthecamp—fires—buthetrembledwiththedreadwhichnomancouldnameforhim。
Thesewerenotthenormal，everydaysoundsoftheherd。Theherdhadsomehowchangedfromploddinganimalstooneoverwhelmingpurposethatwouldsweepawayanythingthatcameinitspath。Twothousandparchedthroatsanddust—drytongues—andsuddenlythesmellofwaterthatwouldgogurglingdowntwothousandeagergullets，andeveryinterveningsecondacurseddelayagainstwhichthecattlesurgedblindly。Itwasthemobspirit，whenthemobwasfightingforitsveryexistence。
Overthebellowingofthecattleayellingcowboynowandthenmadehimselfheard。Thefouroxenstrainingundertheiryokesbrokeintoalumberinggalloplesttheybeoutdistancedbytheherd，andDulciescreamedwhenthewagonlurchedacrossadrywashandalmostupset，whileEzrapliedtheox—
whipandyelledfranticallyatfirstoneoxandthenanother，inventingnamesforthenewones。Buddydrewinhisbreathandheldituntilthewagonrolledonfourwheelsinsteadoftwo，buthedidnotscream。
Stillthebigriverdidnotcome。ItseemedtoBuddythatthecattlewouldneverstoprunning。TangledintheterrorwasEzra’sshoutingasheranalongsidethewagonandcalledtoMissythatitwas\"DatoleCrumpyactin’thefool\"，andthatthewagonwouldn’tupset。\"No’m，dey’sjestinahurrytogitderefoolhaidssunktodeeyesindatwatah。Deyain’taimin’torunaway——no’m，dishyerain’tnostampede！\"
PerhapsBuddydozed。Thenextthingheremembered，daywasbreaking，withthesunallred，seenthroughthedust。Theherdwasstillgoing，butnowitwasrunningandsomehowtheyokedoxenwerekeepingclosebehind，lumberingalongwithheadsheldlowandthesweatreekingfromtheirspentbodies。
Buddyhearddimlyhismother’ssharpcommandtoEzra：
\"Standback，Ezra！We’renotgoingtobecaughtinthatterribletrap。They’repilingoverthebankaheadofus。Getawayfromtheleaders。Iamgoingtoshoot。\"
Buddycrawledupalittlehigherontheblanketsbehindtheseat，andsawmothersteadyherselfandaimtheriflestraightatCrumpy。Therewasthefamiliar，deafeningroar，theacridsmellofblackpowdersmoke，andCrumpywentdownloosely，hisnoserootingthetrampledgroundforaspacebeforethegunbelchedblacksmokeagainandCrumpy’syoke—
matepitchedforward。ThewagonstoppedsoabruptlythatBuddysprawledhelplesslyonhisbacklikeanoverturnedbeetle。
Hesawmotherstandlookingdownatthewheelers，thatbackedandtwistedtheirnecksundertheiryokes。Herlipsweresetfirmlytogether，andhereyeswerebrightwithpurplehollowsbeneath。Sheheldtherifleforamoment，thensetthebuttofitonthe\"jockeybox\"justinfrontofthedashboard。
Thewheelers，helplessbetweentheweightofthewagonbehindandthedeadoxeninfront，mighttwisttheirnecksoffbuttheycoulddonodamage。
\"Unyokethewheelers，Ezra，andletthepoorcreatureshavetheirchanceatthewater，\"shecriedsharply，andEzra，dodgingthehornsofthefranticbrutes，madeshifttoobey。
Fairlyonthebankofthesluggishstreamwithitsflood—wornchannelanditstreacherouspatchesofquicksand，thewagonthushaltedbythesheernerveandquick—thinkingofmotherbecameaverysmallislandinatroubledseaofwelteringbacksandtossinghornsandstaringeyeballs。Ridersshoutedandlashedunavailinglywiththeirquirts，tryingtoholdbackthefullbulkoftheherduntiltheforemosthadslakedtheirthirstandgoneon。Buttheherdwascrazyforthewater，andtheforemostwereplungedheadlongintothesoftmudwheretheymired，trampledunderthehoofsofthosewhocamecrowdingfrombehind。
Someoneshouted，closetothewagonyetdownthebankattheedgeofthewater。Thewordswereindistinguishable，butawarningwasinthevoice。Ontheechoofthatcry，amanscreamedtwice。
\"Ezra！\"criedmotherfiercely。\"It’sFrankDavis——they’vegothimdown，somehow。Climboverthebacksofthecattle——There’snootherway——andGETHIM！\"
\"Yas’m，Missy！\"Ezracalledback，andthenBuddysawhimgoovertheherd，scrambling，jumpingfrombacktoback。
Buddyrememberedthatalways，andthefuneraltheyhadlaterintheday，whentheherdwasagainjusttrail—wearycattlefeedinghungrilyonthescantygrass。Downattheedgeofthecreekthecarcassesofmanydeadanimalslayhalf—buriedinthemud。Uponalittleknollwhereafewstuntedtreesgrew，thenegroesdugalong，deephole。Mother’seyeswereoftenfilledwithtearsthatday，andthecowboysscarcelytalkedatallwhentheygatheredatthechuckwagon。
Afterawhiletheyallwenttotheholewhichthenegroeshaddug，andtherewasalongSomethingwrappedupincanvas。
Motherworeherbestdresswhichwasblack，andfatherandalltheboyshadshavedtheirfacesandlookedverysober。
Thenegroesstoodbackinagroupbythemselves，andeveryfewminutesBuddysawthemdrawtheirtatteredshirtsleevesacrosstheirfaces。Andfather——Buddylookedonceandsawtwotearsrunningdownfather’scheeks。Buddywasshockedintoastonycalm。Hehadneverdreamedthatfathersevercried。
MotherreadoutofherBible，andalltheboysheldtheirhatsinfrontofthem，withtheirhandsclasped，andlookedatthegroundwhilesheread。Thenmothersang。Shesang，\"Weshallmeetbeyondtheriver\"，whichBuddythoughtwasaveryqueersong，becausetheywerealltherebutFrankDavis；
thenshesang\"Nearer，MyGod，toThee。\"Buddysangtoo，pipingthenotesaccurately，withavaguepronunciationofthewordsandafeelingthatsomehowhewashelpingmother。
Afterthattheyputthelong，canvas—wrappedSomethingdowninthehole，andmothersaid\"OurFatherWhoArtinHeaven\"，withBuddyrepeatingituncertainlyafterherandpausingtosay\"TRETHpatheth\"verycarefully。ThenmotherpickedupDulcieinherarms，tookBuddybythehandandwalkedslowlybacktothewagon，andwouldnotlethimturntoseewhattheboysweredoing。
ItwasfromthatdaythatBuddymissedFrankDavis，whohadmysteriouslygonetoHeaven，accordingtomother。Buddy’sinterestinHeavenwasextremelykeenforatime，andheaskedquestionswhichnotevenmothercouldanswer。ThenhismemoryofFrankDavisblurred。ButneverhismemoryofthatterribletimewhentheTomahawkoutfitlostfivehundredcattleinthedrydriveandthestampedeforwater。
CHAPTERTHREE：SOMEINDIANLORE
BuddyknewIndiansasheknewcattle，horses，rattlesnakesandstorms——byhavingthemmixedinwithhiseverydaylife。
Hecouldn’ttellyouwhereorwhenhehadlearnedthatIndiansaretricky。PerhapshisfirstideasonthatsubjectweregleanedfromthefriendlytribeswholivedalongtheChisolmTrailandusedtovisitthechuck—wagon，theirblanketsheldclosearoundthemandtheireyesglancingeverywherewhiletheygrinnedandtalkedandpointed——andate。Buddyusedtositinthechuck—wagon，outofharm’sway，andwatchthemeat。
Step—and—a—HalfhadawayofentertainingIndianswhichneverfailedtointerestBuddy，howeveroftenhewitnessedit。WhenStep—and—a—HalfglimpsedIndianscomingafaroff，hewouldtakehisdishpananddumpintoitwhateverscrapsoffoodwereleftoverfromtheprecedingmeal。HeusedtosaythatIndianscouldsmellgrubasfarasabuzzardcansmelladeadcarcase，andBuddybelievedit，fortheyalwaysarrivedatmealtimeorshortlyafterwards。Step—and—a—Halfwouldmakeastew，iftherewerescrapsenough。Ifthegleaningsweresmall，hewouldusethedishwater——hewasafrugalman——andwiththatforthestart—offhewouldmakesoup，whichtheIndiansgulpeddownwithgreatrelishandmanygurglysounds。
Buddywatchedthemeatwhathecalledpig—dinner。WhenStep—
and—a—Halfwasnotlookinghesawthemstealwhatevertheirdirtybrownhandscouldreadilysnatchandhideundertheirblankets。SoheknewfromveryearlyexperiencethatIndianswerenottobetrusted。
Once，whenhehadagainstrayedtoofarfromcamp，someIndiansridingthatwaysawhim，andoneleanedandliftedhimfromthegroundandrodeoffwithhim。Buddydidnotstrugglemuch。Hesavedhisbreathforthelong，shrillyellofcow—country。TwiceheyodledbeforetheIndianclappedahandoverhismouth。
Fatherandsomeofthecowboysheardandcameafter，ridinghardandshootingastheycame。Buddy’spinkapronflutteredasignalflaginthearmsofhiscaptor，andsoithappenedthatthebulletswhistledclosetothatparticularIndian。HegatheredahandfulofcalicobetweenBuddy’sshoulders，heldhimaloftlikeapuppy，leanedfaroveranddepositedhimontheground。
Buddyrolledovertwiceandgotup，alittledizzyandveryindignant，andshoutedtofather，\"Shootasunsyguns！\"
FromthattimeBuddyaddedhatredtohisdistrustofIndians。
FromthetimewhenhewasfouruntilhewasthirteenBuddy’slifecontainedenoughthrillstokeepamovie—madboyofto—
daysittingontheedgeofhisseatgaspingenviouslythroughmanyareel，buttoBuddyitwasallratherhumdrumandmonotonous。
Whathewantedtodowastogetoutandhuntbuffalo。Justherdinghorses，andwatchingoutforIndians，andkillingrattlesnakeswaswhatanyboyinthecountrywouldbedoing。
Still，Buddyhimselfachievednowandthenathrill。
Therewasoneday，whenhestoodheedlesslyonaridgelookingforadozenheadoflosthorsesinthedrawsbelow。
ItwasallverywelltoexplainmissinghorsesbytheconjecturethattheInjunsmusthavegotthem，butBuddyhappenedtomissoldRattlerwiththeothers。Rattlerhadcomenorthwiththetrailherd，andhewaswisebeyondthewisdomofmosthorses。Hewoulddrivecattleoutofthebrushwithoutaridertoguidehim，ifonlyyouputasaddleonhim。HehadhelpedBuddytomounthisback——whenBuddywasmuchsmallerthannow——byloweringhisheaduntilBuddystraddledit，andthenliftingitsothatBuddysliddownhisneckandoverhiswitherstohisback。EvennowBuddysometimesmountedthatwaywhennoonewaslooking。ManyotherlovabletraitshadRattler，andtolosehimwouldbeatragedytothefamily。
SoBuddywasontheridge，scanningallthedeeplittlewashesanddraws，whenabulletPING—G—GEDoverhishead。
Buddycaughtthebridlereinsandpulledhishorseintotheshelterofrocks，untiedhisriflefromthesaddleandcreptbacktoreconnoitre。Itwasthefirsttimehehadeverbeenshotat——exceptinthearmyposts，whentheIndianshad\"brokenout\"，——andtheaimthenwasgenerallydirectedtowardhisvicinityratherthanhisperson。
AnIndianonahorsepresentlyappearedcautiouslyfromcover，andBuddy，tremblingwithexcitement，shotwild；butnotsowildthattheIndiancouldaffordtoscoffandridecloser。AfteranotherineffectualshotatBuddy，hewhippedhishorsedowntheridge，andmadeforBannockcreek。
BuddyatthirteenknewmoreofthewilesofIndiansthandoesthehardiestIndianfighteronthescreento—day。FatherhadwarnedhimnevertochaseanIndianintocover，whereotherswouldprobablybewaitingforhim。Sohestayedwherehewas，prettywellhiddenintherocks，andletthebulletshehimselfhad\"run\"infather’sbullet—moldfollowtheenemytothefringeofbushes。HislastshotknockedtheIndianoffhishorse——orsoitlookedtoBuddy。Hewaitedforalongtime，watchingthebrushandthinkingwhatafoolthatIndianwastoimagineBuddywouldfollowhimdownthere。AfterawhilehesawtheIndian’shorseclimbingtheslopeacrossthecreek。Therewasnorider。
Buddyrodehomewithoutthemissinghorses，anddidnottellanyoneabouttheIndian，thoughhisthoughtswouldnotleavethesubject。
Hewonderedwhatmotherwouldthinkofit。Mother’sinterestsseemedmostlyconfinedtoteachingBuddyandDulciewhattheyweredeprivedoflearninginschools，andtoplaythepiano——
awonderfuloldsquarepianothathadcomeallthewayfromScotlandtotheTomahawkranch，theveryfrontieroftheWest。
Motherwasawonderfulwoman，withasoftvoiceandaslightScotchaccent，andwit；andaknowledgeofthingswhichwerelittleknowninthewilderness。Buddyneverdreamedthenhowstrangelyculturewasmixedwithpuresavageryinhislife。
TohimthesecretregretthathehadnotdaredrideintothebushestoscalptheIndianhebelievedhehadshot，andthefactthathishandswerestrainingatthefullchordsoftheANVILCHORUSonthatveryevening，wasnoteventobeconsideredunusual。Still，certainstrainsofthatclassicwerealwaysafterwardassociatedinhismindwiththeshootingoftheIndian——ifhehadreallyshothim。
Whilehecountedthetimewithaconscientiousregardfortherests，hedebatedthewisdomoftellingmother，anddecidedthatperhapshehadbetterkeepthatmattertohimself，likeaman。
CHAPTERFOUR：BUDDYGIVESWARNING
Buddyswungdownfromhishorse，unsaddleditandwentstaggeringtothestablewallwiththeburdenofastock—
saddlemuchtoobigforhim。Hehadtostandonhisboot—toestoreachandpullthebridledownovertheearsofWhitefoot，whichturnedwithanairofimmensereliefintothecorralgateandthehaypiledatthefurtherend。Buddygavehimonepreoccupiedglanceandstartedforthecabin，walkingwiththecowpuncher’speculiar，bowleggedgaitwhichcomesofwearingchapsandthrowingoutthekneestoovercomethestiffnessoftheleather。AtthirteenBuddywasacowboyfromhat—crowntospurs—andatthirteenBuddygloriedinthefact。
To—day，however，hismindwasweightedwithmattersofmoreimportancethanhimself。
\"TheUtesarehavingawar—dance，mother，\"heannouncedwhenhehadclosedthestoutdoorofthekitchenbehindhim。\"Theymeanitthistime。Ilayinthebrushandwatchedthemlastnight。\"Hestoodlookingathismotherspeculatively，alittlegrinonhisface。\"Itoldyou，youcan’tchangeanInjunbylearninghimtoeatwithaknifeandfork，\"headded。\"Colorouain’tanywhiterthanhewasbeforeyousetouttolearnhimmanners。Hewashoppin’higherthananyof’em。\"
\"Teach，Buddy，notlearn。Youknowbetterthantosay’learnhimmanners。’\"
\"Teachhimmanners，\"Buddycorrectedhimselfobediently。\"I
wasthinkingmoreaboutwhatIsawthanaboutgrammar。
Where’sfather？IguessI’dbettertellhim。He’llwanttogetthestockoutofthemountains，Ishouldthink。\"
\"Colorouwillsendmewordbeforetheytakethewarpath，\"
motherobservedreassuringly。\"Healwayshas。Igavehimawholepoundofteaandablueribbonthelasttimehewashere，\"
\"Yes，andthelasttimetheybrokeouttheygotawaywithmore’nahundredheadofcattle。YougottoLaramie，allright，buthedidn’ttellfatherintimetomakearoundupbackinthefoothills。They’reDANCING，mother！\"
\"Well，IsupposeWe’redueforanoutbreak，\"sighedmother。
\"Colorousayshecan’tholdhisyoungmenoffwhensomeofthetribehavebeenkilled。Hehimselfdoesn’tcountenancethestealingandtheoccasionalkillingofwhitemen。TherearebadIndiansandgoodones。\"
\"Iknowacoupleofgoodones，\"Buddymurmuredashemadeforthewashbasin。\"It’sthebadonesthatweredoingthedancing，mother，\"heflungoverhisshoulder。\"AndifIwasyouI’dtakeDulcieandthecatsandhitforLaramie。Coloroumightgetbusyandforgettosendword！\"
\"IfIWASyou？\"Mothercameupandnippedhisearbetweenthumbandfinger。\"Robert，Iamdiscouragedoveryou。AllthatIteachyouinthewinterseemstoevaporatefromyourmindduringthesummerwhenyougooutridingwiththeboys。\"
Buddywipedhisfacewithanup—and—downmotionontherollertowelandclankedacrosstothecupboardwhichheopenedinvestigatively。\"Anypie？\"hequestionedashepeeredintothecorners。\"Say，ifIhadthehandlingofthoseUtes，mother，I’dfix’emsotheywouldn’tbebreakingouteveryfewmonthsandmakingfolksleavetheirhomestobepawedoverandburnt，maybe。\"Hefoundajaroffreshdoughnutsandtookthree。
\"They’lltromparoundonyourflower—beds——itjustmakesmeSICKwhenIthinkhowthey’llmussthingsuparoundhere！I
wishnow，\"Heblurtedunthinkingly，\"thatIhadn’tkilledtheInjunthatstoleRattler。\"
\"Buddy！NotYOU。\"Hismothermadeaswiftlittlerunacrossthekitchenandcaughthimonhislean，hard—muscledyoungshoulders。\"You——youbaby！Whatdidyoudo？Youdidn’tharmanIndian，didyou，laddie？\"
Buddytiltedhisheaddownwardsothatshecouldnotlookintohiseyes。\"IdunnoasIharmedhim——much，\"hesaid，wipingdoughnutcrumbsfromhismouthwithonehastysweepofhisforearm。\"Buthishorsecameoutathebrush，andhenever。IguessIkilledhim，allright。Anyway，mother，Ihadto。Hetookashotatmefirst。ItwasthedaywelostRattlerandthebronks，\"Headdedaccurately。
Motherdidnotsayanythingforaminute，andBuddyhunghisheadlower，dreadingtoseethehurtlookwhichhefeltwasinhereyes。
\"IhavetopackagunwhenIrideanywhere，\"heremindedherdefensively。\"Itain’ttobalancemeonthehorse，either。IfInjunstakeinafterme，thegun’ssoIcanshoot。Andafellerdon’tshootupintheair——andifanInjunishuntingtroubleheoughtaexpectthatmaybehemightgetshotsometime。You——youwouldn’twantmetojustrunandletthemcatchme，wouldyou？\"
Mother’shandslippeduptohisheadandpresseditagainstherbreastsothatBuddyheardherheartbeatingsteadyandsweetandtrue。Motherwasn’tafraid——never，never！
\"Iknow——it’sthedreadfulnecessityofdefendingourlives。
Butyou’resoyoung——justmother’sbabyman！
Buddylookedupatherthen，alaughtwinklinginhiseyes。
Afterall，motherunderstood。
\"I’mgoingtobeyourbabymanalwaysifyouwantmeto，mother，\"Hewhispered，closinghisarmsaroundherneckinasturdyhug。\"ButI’mfather’shorse—wrangler，too。Andahorse—wranglerhasgottoholduphisend。I——Ididn’twanttokillanybody，honest。ButInjunsaredifferent。Youkillrattlers，andtheyain’tasmeanasInjuns。ThatoneIshotatwasshootingatmebeforeIevensomuchasknewtherewasonearound。Ijustshotback。Fatherwould，oranybodyelse。\"
\"Iknow——Iknow，\"sheconceded，thetenderwomanlinessofhersighingovertheneed。Inthenextmomentshewasallmother，readytofightforheryoung。\"Buddy，never，neverrideANYWHEREwithoutyourrifle！Andarevolver，too——besurethatitisinperfectcondition。And——haveyouaknife？
You’resoLITTLE！\"shewailed。\"Butfatherwillneedyou，andhe’lltakecareofyou——andColorouwouldnotletyoubehurtifheknew。But——Buddy，youmustbecareful，andalwayswatching——neverletthemcatchyouoffyourguard。IshallbeinLaramiebeforeyouandfatherandtheboys，Isuppose，iftheIndiansreallydobreakout。Andyoumustpromiseme——\"
\"I’llpromise，mother。Anddon’tyougoandtrustoldColorouaninch。Hewasjumpinghigherthananyof’em，andshakinghistomahawkandyelling——he’dhavescalpedmerightthereifhe’dseenmewatching’em。Mother，I’mgoingtofindfatherandtellhim。Andyoumayaswellbepackingup，and——don’tleavemyguitarforthemtosmash，willyou，mother？\"
Hismotherlaughedthenandpushedhimtowardthedoor。Shehadanideaofherownandshedidnotwanttobehinderednowinputtingitintoaction。Upthecreek，inthebankbehindaclumpofwillows，wasasmallcave——oralargeniche，onemightcallit——wheremanyhouseholdtreasuresmightbesafelyhidden，ifonewentcarefully，wadinginthecreektohidethetracks。ShefollowedBuddyout，andcalledtoEzrawhowaschoppingwoodwithagruntforeveryfalloftheaxeandmanyrest——periodsintheshadeofthecottonwoodtree。
Atthestable，BuddylookedbackandsawhertalkingearnestlytoEzra，whostoodnoddinghisheadincompleteapproval。Buddy’sknowledgeofwomenbeganandendedwithhismother。Therefore，tohimallwomenwerewonderfulcreatureswhommenworshippedardentlybecausetheywerecreatedfortheadorationoflessersouls。Buddydidnotknowwhathismotherwasgoingtodo，buthewassurethatwhatevershedidwouldberight；sohehoistedhissaddleonthehandiestfreshhorse，andlopedofftodriveintheremuda，feelingcertainthathisfatherwouldmoveswiftlytosavehiscattlethatrangedbackinthefoothills，andthatthesaddlehorseswouldbewantedatamoment’snotice。
Also，hereasoned，therangehorses（maresandcoltsandtheunbrokengeldings）wouldnotbelefttothemercyoftheIndians。Hedidnotquiteknowhowhisfatherwouldmanageit，buthedecidedthathewouldcorraltheREMUDAfirst，andthendriveintheotherhorses，thatfedscatteredinundisturbedpossessionofafavoritegrassycreek—bottomfartherupthePlatte。
Thesaddlehorses，accustomedtoBuddy’sdriving，wereeasilycorralled。Theotherhorseswerefatand\"sassy\"andresentedhiscomingamongthemwiththeshrillwhoopofauthority。
Theygavehimahothour’sridingbeforetheyfinallybunchedandwenttearingdowntheriverbottomtowardtheranch。Evenso，Buddylefttwoofthewildestcareeningupanarrowgulch。Hehadnotattemptedtorideafterthem；notbecausehewasafraidofIndians，forhewasnot。Thewar—danceheldeveryyoungbuckandeveryoldoneincampbeyondthePass。
Butthemarginofsafetymightbenarrow，andBuddywastakingnochancesthatday。
Whenhewasconvincedthatitwasimpossibleforoneboytobeinhalfadozenplacesatonce，andthatthecowboyswouldbeneededtocorraltherangebunch，Buddywhoopedthemalldownthecreekbelowthehomeranchandletthemgojustashisfathercameridinguptothecorral。
\"They’rewar—dancing，father，\"Buddyshoutedeagerly，slippingoffhishorseandwipingawaythetricklesofperspirationwithahandkerchiefnotmuchredderthanhisface。\"Idroveallthehorsesdown，sothey’dbehandy。Themrangehorsesareprettywild。TherewastwoIcouldn’tget。
What’llIdonow？\"
BobBirnielookedathisyoungestriderandsmoothedhisbeardwithonehand。\"You’reanambitiouslad，Buddy。It’stheUtesyou’remeaning——orisitthehorses？\"
Buddyliftedhisheadandstaredathisfatherdisapprovingly。
\"Colorouisgoingtobreakout。Iknow。They’vegottheirwarpaintallonandthey’redancing。Isawthemmyself。IwasgoingaftertheglovesColoroussquawwasmakingforme，——butIdidn’tget’em。Ilaidinthebrushandwatched’emdance。\"Hestoppedandlookedagaindoubtfullyathisfather。\"Ithoughtyoumightwanttogetthecattleoutatheway，headded。\"IthoughtIcouldsavesometime——\"
\"You’resureaboutthepaint？\"
\"Yes，I’msure。AndColorouwasjusta—goingitwithhiswarbonnetonandshakinghistomahawkandyelling——\"
\"Yedidwell，lad。We’llbeleavingforBigCreekto—night，sorunawaynowandrestyourself。\"
\"Oh，andcanIgo？\"Buddy’svoicewasshrillwitheagerness。
\"I’llneedyou，lad，tolookafterthehorses。Itwillgivemeonemorehandwiththecattle。NowgotellStep—and—a—Halftomakereadyforaweekonthetrail，andtohavesupperearlysohecanmakehisstartwiththerest。\"
Buddywalkedstifflyawaytothecook’scabinwhereStep—and—
a—Halfsatleisurelygougingtheworstblemishesoutofsoft，oldpotatoeswithachronictendencytogrowsprouts，beforehepeeledthemforsupperHiscrippledlegwasthrustoutstraight，hishatwasperchedprecariouslyoveroneearbecauseoftheslantingsunraysthroughthewindow，andahalf—smokedcigarettewaggleduncertainlyinthecornerofhismouthwhilehesangdolefullyamostoptimisticdittyoftheWest：
\"Ogivemeahomewherethebuff—aloroam，Wherethedeerandtheantelopeplay，WhereneverisheardadiscouragingwordAndtheskyisnotcloudyallday。\"
\"You’regoingtohearadiscouragingwordrightnow，\"Buddybrokeinruthlesslyuponthesong。Whereupon，withabitofimportanceinhisvoiceandinhismanner，heproceededtospoilStep—and—a—Half’sdispositionandtodeepen，ifthatwerepossible，hisloathingofIndians。Toooftenhadhemadedubioussoupofhisdishwaterandtheleavingsfromaroundupcrew’sdinner，andwatchedblanketedbuckssmacklipsoverthemess，torunfromthemnowwithoutfeelingutterlydisgustedwithlife。Step—and—a—Half’svituperationscouldbeheardabovetheclatterofpotsandpansashemadereadyforthejourney。