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。