Boisewasstandingbehindthepeakedoutcroppingofrock，andbesidehimwasastock—saddlewhichmusthavetaxedMarian’sstrengthtocarry。Indeed，Budthoughtshemusthavehadwings，todosomuchinsoshortaspaceoftime；thoughwhenhecametoestimatethattimehedecidedthathemusthavebeenawayfromthehousetenminutes，atleast。IfMarianfollowedhimcloselyenoughtoseehimduckbehindthemachineshedandmeetJerry，shecouldrunbehindthecorralandgetBoiseoutbywayofthebackdoorofthestable。
Therewasapath，screenedfromthecorralbyafringeofbrush，whichwentthatway。ThetruthflasheduponhimthatonecouldrideunseenallaroundLittleLost。
HewasjustdroppingthestirrupdownfromthesaddlehornwhenMarianappearedwithJerryandSunfishclosebehindher。
Jerryheldoutthepackage。
\"Shesaysshe’llshowyouashortcut，\"hewhispered。\"ShesaysIdon’tknowanythingaboutit。Iguessshe’sright——
there’salotIdon’tknow。Lew’sgone，andshesaysshe’llbebackbeforedaylight。IftheymissBoisethey’llthinkyoustolehim。Buttheywon’tlook。Davewouldn’tslamaroundinthenightonBoise——hethinkstoomuchofhim。Well——beatit，andIsurewishyuhluck。Youbecareful，Marian。Comebackthisway，andifyouseeaman’shandkerchiefhangingonthisbushrightherewhereI’mstanding，it’llmeanyou’vebeenmissed。\"
\"Thankyou，Jerry，\"Marianwhispered。\"I’lllookforit。Come，Bud——keepclosebehindme，anddon’tmakeanynoise。\"
Budwouldhaveprotested，butMariandidnotgivehimachance。Shetookupthereins，graspedthesaddlehorn，stuckherslippertoeinthestirrupandmountedBoiseasquicklyasBudcouldhavedoneit——aseasily，too，makingallowanceforthedifferenceintheirheight。BudmountedSunfishandfollowedherdownthetrailwhichledtotheracetrack；butwhentheyhadgonethroughthebrushandcouldseestarlightbeyond，sheturnedsharplytotheleft，letBoisepickhiswaycarefullyoverarockystretchandplungedintothebrushagain，leaninglowinthesaddlesothatthehigherbrancheswouldnotclawatherhairandface。
WhentheyhadoncemorecomeintoopengroundwithashoulderofCatrockPeakbeforethem，Marianpulleduplongenoughtountieherapronandbinditoverherhairlikeapeasantwoman。SheglancedbackatBud，andalthoughdarknesshidtheexpressiononherface，hesawhereyesshininginthestarlight。Sheraisedherhandandbeckoned，andBudreinedSunfishclosealongside。
\"We’regoingintoaspookyplacenow，\"sheleanedtowardhimtowhisper。\"Boiseknowstheway，andyourhorsewillfollow。\"
\"Allright，\"Budwhisperedback。\"Butyou’dbettertellmethewayandletmegoonalone。I’mprettygoodatscoutingoutnewtrails。Idon’twantyoutogetintrouble——\"
Shewouldnotlistentomoreofthat，butpushedhimbackwiththeflatofherbarehandandrodeaheadofhimagain。
Straightatthesheerbluff，thatlifteditshuge，rockyshapebeforethem，sheledtheway。SofarasBudcouldseeshewasnotfollowinganytrail；butwasaimingatacertainpointandwassureenoughofthegroundtoavoiddetours。
Theycameoutuponthebankofthedryriver—bed。Budknewitbytheflatnessoftheforegroundandthegeneralcontourofthemountainsbeyond。Butimmediatelytheyturnedatasharpangle，travelledforafewminuteswiththeriver—bedattheirbacks，andenteredanarrowslitinthemountainswheretwopeakshadbeenrentasunderinsometitanicupheavalwhentheworldwasyoung。Thehorsesscrambledalongtherockybottomforalittleway，thenBoisedisappeared。
Sunfishhalted，threwhisheadthiswayandthat，gaveasuspicioussniffandturnedcarefullyaroundthecornerofasquare—facedboulder。Infrontwasblackness。Budurgedhimalittlewithreinandsoftpressureofthespurs，andSunfishsteppedforward。Heseemedreassuredtofindfirm，smoothsandunderhisfeet，andhurriedalittleuntilBoisewasjustaheadclickinghisfeetnowandthenagainstarock。
\"Coming？\"Marian’svoicesoundedsubdued，muffledbytheclosewallsofthetunnel—likecrevice。
\"Coming，\"Budassuredherquietly\"Atyourheels。\"
\"IalwaysusedtofeelspookywhenIwasridingthroughhere，\"Mariansaid，droppingbacksothattheyrodesidebyside，stirrupstouching。\"IwastenwhenIfirstmadethetrip。ItwastogetawayfromIndians。Theywouldn’tcomeintotheseplaces。EddieandIfoundthewaythrough。Wewereafraidtheywereafterus，andsowekeptgoing，andourhorsesbroughtusout。Eddie——ismybrother。\"
\"Yougrewuphere？\"Buddidnotknowhowmuchincredulitywasinhisvoice。\"IwasraisedamongsttheIndiansinWyoming。I
thoughtyouwerefromtheEast。\"
\"IwasinChicagoforthreeyears，\"Marianexplained。\"I
studiedeverywakingminute，Ithink。Iwantedtobeasinger。Then——Icamehometohelpburymother。Father——Lewandfatherwerepartners，andI——marriedLew。Ididn’tknow——
itseemedasthoughImust。Fatherputitthatway。Theoldstory，Bud。Iusedtolaughatitinnovels，butitdoeshappen。LewhadaholdoverfatherandEddie，andhewantedme。Imarriedhim，butitdidnogood，forfatherwaskilledjustalittlemorethanamonthafterwards。Wehadaranch，uphereintheRedwaterValley，abouthalfwaytoCrater。Butitwent——Lewgambledanddrankand——sohetookmetoLittleLost。I’vebeentherefortwoyears。\"
Thewordsofpity——andmore——thatcrowdedforwardforutterance，Budknewhemustnotspeak。Sohesaidnothingatall。
\"LewhasalwaysheldEddieovermyhead，\"shewentonpouringouthertroublestohim。\"There’sagang，calledtheCatrockGang，andLewisoneofthem。ItoldyouLewisthemanyoushot。IthinkDaveTrumanisinwiththem——atanyrateheshutshiseyestowhatevergoeson，andgetspartofthestealings，Ifeelsure。That’swhyLewissuchafavorite。
Yousee，Eddieisone——I’mtrustingyouwithmylife，almost，whenItellyouthis。
\"ButIcouldn’tstandbyandnotliftahandtosaveyou。I
knewtheywouldkillyou。They’dhaveto，becauseIfeltthatyouwouldfightandnevergiveup。Andyouaretoofineamanforthosebeaststomurderforthemoneyyouhave。Iknew，theminuteIsawJeffpayingyouhislosingswithacheck，andsomeoftheothersdoingthesame，justwhatwouldhappen。JeffisalmostasbadastheCatrockers，exceptthatheistoocowardlytocomeoutintotheopen。Hegaveyouacheck；andeveryonewhowasthereknewhewouldhurryuptoCraterandstoppaymentonit，ifhecoulddoitandkeepoutofyoursight。Thosecroniesofhiswoulddothesame——sotheypaidwithchecks。
\"AndtheCatrockgangknewthat。Theymeantogetholdofyou，roband—and—killyou，andforgetheendorsementonthechecksandletonemancashtheminCraterbeforepaymentcanbestopped。Indeed，thegangwillseetoitthatJeffstaysawayfromCrater。Lewhintedthatwhiletheywereaboutittheymightaswellcleanoutthebank。Itwouldn’tbethefirsttime，\"sheaddedbitterly。
Shestoppedthenandaskedforamatch，andwhenBudgaveheroneshelightedacandleandhelditupsothatshecouldexaminethewalls。\"It’sanaturaltunnel，\"shevolunteeredinadifferenttone。\"Somewherealongherethereisabranchthatgoesbackintothehillandendsinablow—hole。Butwe’reallrightsofar。\"
SheblewoutthecandleandurgedBoiseforward，edgingovertotheright。
\"Wasn’tthattakingquiteachance，makingalight？\"Budaskedastheywenton。
\"Itwas，butnotsogreatachanceasmissingtheway。Jerrydidn’thearanythingofthemwhenhewenttothepasturegate，andtheymaynotcomethroughthiswayatall。Theymaynotrealizeatfirstthatyouhaveleft，andevenwhentheydidtheywouldnotbelieveatfirstthatyouhadgonetoCrater。Yousee\"——andinthedarknessBudcouldpicturehertroubledsmile——\"theythinkyouareanawfulfool，insomeways。Thewayyoubetto—daywaspuremadness。\"
\"Itwouldhavebeen，exceptthatIknewIcouldwin。\"
\"Theyneverbetlikethat。Theyalways’figure’，astheycallit，thattheotherfellowisgoingtoplaysometrickonthem。HalfthetimeJeffbetsagainsthisownhorse，onthesly。Theyalldo，unlesstheyfeelsurethattheirowntrickisbest。\"
\"Theyshouldhavedonethatto—day，\"Budobserveddryly。\"Butyou’veexplainedit。TheythoughtI’manawfulfool。\"
OutofthedarknesscameMarian’svoice。\"It’sbecauseyou’resodifferent。Theycan’tunderstandyou。
Budwasnotinterestedinhisownfoolishnessjustthen。
Somethinginhervoicehadthrilledhimanewwithadesiretohelpherandwiththeconvictionthathewasdesperatelyinneedofhelp。Therewasapatheticpatienceinhertonewhenshesummarizedhewholeaffairinthoselasttwosentences。
Itwasasifsheweretellinghimhowherwholelifewasdarkenedbecausesheherselfwasdifferent——becausetheycouldnotunderstandawomansofine，sotrueandsweet。
\"Whatwillhappenifyouaremissed？IfyougobackanddiscoverJerry’shandkerchiefonthatbush，whatwillyoudo？
Youcan’tgobackiftheyfindout——\"Therewasnoneedforhimtofinishthatsentence。
\"Idon’tknow，\"saidMarian，\"whatIshalldo。Ihadn’tthoughtmuchaboutit。\"
\"Ihaven’tthoughtmuchaboutanythingelse，\"Budtoldherstraightforwardly。\"IfJerryflagsyou，you’dbetterkeepgoing。Couldn’tyougotofriends？\"
\"Icould——ifIhadany。Bud，youdon’tunderstand。EddieistheonlyrelativeIhaveonearth，thatIknowatall。Heis——he’swiththeCatrockersandLewdominateshimcompletely。LewhaspushedEdintodoingthingssothatI
mustshieldbothorneither。AndEddie’sjustaboy。SoI’venooneatall。\"
Budstudiedthiswhiletheyrodeonthroughthedefilethatwasmorefrequentlyatunnel，sincethesuccessionofcavesalwayshadanoutletwhichMarianfound。Shehadstoppednowanddismounted，andtheywereleadingtheirhorsesdownasteep，scramblingplacewiththestarsshowingoverhead。
\"Ablowhole，\"Marianinformedhimbriefly。\"We’llcomeintoanothercave，soon，andwhileit’ssafeifyouknowit，I’llexplainnowthatyoumustwalkaheadofyourhorseandkeepyourrighthandalwaysintouchwiththewalluntilweseethestarsagain。There’saledge—fivefeetwideinthenarrowestplace，ifyouarenervousaboutledges——andifyoushouldgetoffthatyou’dhaveadropoftenfeetorso。Wefoundthattheledgemakeseasiertravelling，becausethebottomisfullofrocksandnastydepressionsthatarenoticeableonlywithlights。\"
Shestartedoffagain，andBudfollowedher，hisglovedfingerstouchingtherightwall，hissoulhumbledbeforethegreatnessofthislittlewomanwiththedeep，troubledeyes。
WhentheycameoutintothestarlightshestoppedandlistenedforwhatseemedtoBudaverylongtime。
\"Iftheyarecoming，theyarealongwaybehindus，\"shesaidrelievedly，andremounted。\"Boiseknowshistrailandhasmadegoodtime。Andyourhorsehasprovenbeyondalldoubtthathe’sathoroughbred。I’veseenhorsesbalkatgoingwherewehavegone。\"
\"AndI’veseenmenwhocountedthemselvesbraveasany，whowouldn’tdowhatyouaredoingto—night；Jerry，forinstance。
Iwishyou’dgoback。Ican’tbearhavingyoutakethisrisk。\"
\"Ican’tgoback，Bud。NotiftheyfindI’vegone。\"Thenheheardherlaughquietly。\"Ican’timaginenowwhyIstayedandendureditallthiswhile。IthinkIonlyneededthepsychologicalmomentforrebellion，andto—nightthemomentcame。Soyouseeyouhavereallydonemeaservicebygettingintothisscrape。It’sthefirsttimeIhavebeenofftheranchinayear。\"
\"Ifyoucallthatdoingyouaservice，I’mgoingtoaskyoutoletmedosomethingalsoforyou。\"Budhalfsmiledtohimselfinthedarkness，thinkinghowdiplomatichewas。\"Ifyou’refoundout，you’llhavetokeepongoing，andItakeityouwouldn’tbeparticularwhereyouwent。SoIwishyou’dtakechargeofpartofthismoneyforme，andifyouleave，godowntomymother，ontheTomahawkranch，outfromLaramie。Anyonecantellyouwhereitis，whenyougetdownthatwayIfyouneedanymoneyuseit。AndtellmotherIsentherthefinestcookinthecountry。Mother，bytheway，isagreatmusician，Marian。ShetaughtmeallIknowofmusic。
You’dgetalongjustfinewithmother。Andsheneedsyou，honest。Sheisn’tverystrong，yetshecan’tfindanyonetosuit，downthere——\"
\"Imightnotsuit，either，\"saidMarian，hervoicesomewhatmuffled。
\"Oh，I’mnotafraidofthat。And——there’samessageIwanttosend——IpromisedmotherI’d——\"
\"Oh，hush！You’rereallyanawfullypoorprevaricator，Bud。
Thisistohelpme，you’replanning。\"
\"Well——it’stohelpmethatIwantyoutotakepartofthemoney。Thegangwon’tholdyouup，willthey？AndIwantmothertohaveit。Iwanthertohaveyou，too，——tohelpoutwhencompanycomesdriftinginthere，sometimesfifteenortwentystrong。EspeciallyonSunday。Motherhastowaitonthemandcookforthem，and——aslongasyouaregoingtocookforabunch，youmayaswelldoitwhereitwillbeappreciated，andwhereyou’llbetreatedlikea——likealadyoughttobetreated。\"
\"You’reevenworse——\"beganMarian，laughingsoftly，andstoppedabruptly，listening，herheadturnedbehindthem。\"
Sh—sh—someoneiscomingbehindus，\"shewhispered。\"We’realmostthrough——comeon，anddon’ttalk！\"
CHAPTERSEVENTEEN：GUARDIANANGELSARERIDINGPOINT
Theyplungedintodarknessagain，rodeatahalftrotoversmooth，hardsand，BudtrustinghimselfwhollytoMarianandtothesagacityofthetwohorseswhocouldsee，hehoped，muchbetterthanhehimselfcould。Hiskeenhearinghadcaughtafaintsoundfrombehindthem——farbackinthecrevice—likegorgetheyhadjustquitted，hebelieved。ForMarian’ssakehestaredanxiouslyahead，eagerforthefirstfaintsuggestionofstarlightbeforethem。Itcame，andhebreathedfreerandfeltofhisguninitsholster，pullingitforwardaninchortwo。
\"Thisway，Bud，\"Marianmurmured，andswungBoisetotheleft，againstthemountainunderandthroughwhichtheyseemedtohavepassed。Sheledhimintoanothersmallgorgewhoseextenthecouldnotsee，andstoppedhimwithahandpressedagainstSunfish’sshoulder。
\"We’dbettergetdownandholdourhorsesquiet，\"shecautioned。\"Boisemaytrytowhinny，andhemustn’t。\"
Theystoodsidebysideattheirhorses’heads，holdingtheanimalsclose。ForatimetherewerenosoundsatallsavethebreathingofthehorsesandoncearepressedsighfromMarian。Budrememberedsuddenlyhowtiredshemustbe。Atsixo’clockthatmorningshehadfedtwelvemenasubstantialbreakfast。Atnoontherehadbeendinnerforseveralmorethantwelve，andsupperagainatsix——andhereshewas，riskingherlifewhensheshouldbeinbed。Hefeltforherfreehand，foundithanginglistlesslybyhersideandtookitinhisownandhelditthere，justasoneholdsthehandofatimidchild。YetMarianwasnottimid。
Asubduedmutterofvoices，theclickofhoofsstrikingagainststone，andthepursuerspassedwithinthirtyfeetofthem。Boisehadliftedhisheadtonickerasalute，butMarian’sjerkonthereinsstoppedhim。Theystoodverystill，notdaringsomuchasawhisperuntilthesoundshadrecededandsilencecameagain。
\"Theytooktheside—hilltrail，\"whisperedMarian，pushingBoisebackwardtoturnhiminthenarrowdefile。\"You’llhavetogetdownthehillintothecreek—bedandfollowthatuntilyoucometothestageroad。Theremaybeotherscomingthatway，buttheywillbetwoorthreemilesbehindyou。Thistunneltrailcutsoffatleastfivemilesbutwehadtogoslower，yousee。
\"RighthereyoucanleadSunfishdowntheblufftothecreek。
It’salldry，andaroundthefirstbendyouwillseewheretheroadcrosses。Turntotheleftonthatandride！Thishorseofyourswillhavetoshowthestuffthat’sinhim。GettoCrateraheadofthesementhattookthehilltrail。
They’llnotridefast——theyneverdreamedyouhadcomethroughhere，buttheycametocutoffthedistanceandtoheadyouoff。Withothersbehind，youmustbeatthemallinoryou’llbetrappedbetween。\"
ShehadleftBoisetiedhastilytoabushandwaswalkingaheadofBuddownthesteep，rockyhillsidetoshowhimtheeasiestwayamongstthebouldersHalfwaydown，Budcaughthershoulderandstoppedher。
\"I’mnotakid，\"hesaidfirmly。\"Icanmakeitfromherealone。Notanotherstep，younglady。IfyoucangetbackhomeYou’llbedoingenough。Takethis——it’smoney，butIdon’tknowhowmuch。Andwatchyourchanceandgodowntomotherwiththatmessage。Birnie，oftheTomahawkoutfit——you’llfindoutinLaramiewheretogo。AndtellmotherI’mallright，andshe’llseemesomeday——whenI’vemademystake。
Godblessyou，littlewoman。You’rethetruest，sweetestlittlewomanintheworld。There’sjustonemorelikeyou——
that’smother。Nowgoback——andforGod’ssakehecareful！\"
Hepressedmoneyintohertwohands，heldthemtightlytogether，kissedthembothhurriedlyandplungeddownthehillwithSunfishslippingandslidingafterhim。Forhersafety，ifnotforhisown，hemeanttogetawayfromthereasquicklyaspossible。
Inthecreekbedhemountedandrodeawayatasharpgallop，gladthatSunfish，thoroughbredthoughhewas，hadnotbeenraisedtenderlyinstallandcorral，buthadrunfreewiththerangehorsesandhadlearnedtokeephisfeetunderhiminroughcountryorsmooth。WhenhereachedthecrossingofthestageroadheturnedtotheleftasMarianhadcommandedandputSunfishtoapacethatslidthemilesbehindhim。
WithhisthoughtsclingingtoMarian，totheharshnesswhichlifehadshownherwhowasallgoodnessandsweetnessandcourage，Budforgottokeepcarefulwatchbehindhim，ortolookfortheplacewherethehilltrailjoinedtheroad，asitprobablydidsomedistancefromCrater。Itwouldbeablindtrail，ofcourse——sinceonlytheCatrockgangandMarianknewofit。
Theycameintotheroadnotfarbehindhim，outofrock—
strewn，brushywildernessthatslopedupsteeplytotheruggedsidesofGoldGapmountains。Sunfishdiscoveredthemfirst，andgaveBudwarningjustbeforetheyidentifiedhimandbegantoshoot。
Budlaidhimselfalongtheshoulderofhishorsewithahandfulofmanetosteadyhimwhilehewatchedhischanceandfiredbackatthem。Therewerefour，justthenumberhehadguessedfromthesoundsastheycameoutofthetunnel。A
horseranstaggeringtowardhimwiththeothers，falteredandfell。Budwassorryforthat。Ithadbeennopartofhisplantoshootdownthehorses。
Thethreecameon，leavingthefourthtohisowndevices——andthat，too，wasquiteinkeepingwiththetypeofhumanvulturestheywere。TheykeptfiringatBud，andoncehefeltSunfishwinceandleapforwardasifaspurhadrakedhim。
Budshotagain，andthoughthesawonehorsemanlurchbackward。Buthecouldnotbesure——theyweregoingataterrificpacenow，andSunfishwasleavingthemfartherandfartherbehind。Theywereoutclassed，hopelesslyoutofpistolrange，andtheymusthaveknownit，foralthoughtheyheldtothechasetheyfirednomoreshots。
Thenadogbarked，andBudknewthathewaspassingaranch。
Hecouldsmellthefreshhayinthestacks，andamomentlaterhedescriedtheblackhulkofranchbuildings。Sunfishwasrunningeasily，hisbreathunlabored。Budstoodinthestirrupsandlookedback。Theywerestillcoming，forhecouldhearthepoundofhoofs。
Theranchwasbehindhim。Clearstarlightwasallaround，andthebulkofnearmountains。Theroadseemedsandy，yieldingbeneaththepoundofSunfish’shoofs。Budleanedforwardagaininthesaddle，andplannedwhathewoulddowhenhereachedCrater；foundtime，also，tohopethatMarianhadgoneback，andhadnotheardtheshooting。
Anotherdogbarked，thistimeontheright。Budsawthattheywerepassingapicketfence。Thebarkingofthisdogstartedanotherfartheraheadandtotheleft。HousessoclosetogethercouldonlymeanthathewasapproachingCrater。BudbegantopullSunfishdowntoamoreconventionalpace。Hedidnotparticularlywanttoseeheadsthrustfromwindows，andquestionsshoutedtohim。TheCatrockgangmighthavefriendsupthisway。Itwouldbestrange，Budthought，iftheyhadn’t。
Helopedalongtheroadgrownbroadernowandsmoother。Manyhouseshepassed，andthemouthsofobscurelanes。Dogsranoutathim。Budslowedtoawalkandturnedinthesaddle，listening。Awayback，wherehehadfirstmetthesignsofcivilization，thedoghehadarousedwasbarkingagain，hisdeepbayingblurredbythedistance。Budgrinnedtohimselfandrodeonatawalk，speakingnowandthentoaninquiringdogandcallinghimPurpinatonethatsoothed。
Crater，hediscoveredinacursorypatroloftheplace，wasnomorethananovergrownvillage。Thecourt—houseandjailstoodonthemainstreet，andjustbeyondwasthebank。Budrodehereandthere，examiningcloselythefrontsofvariousbuildingsbeforeheconcludedthattherewasonlytheonebankinCrater。Whenhewasquitesureofthathechoseplacenearbytherearofthebank，whereonehorseandacowoccupiedacomfortablecorraltogetherwithhay。HeunsaddledSunfishandturnedhimthere，himselfreturningtothebankbeforethoseothernight—ridershadmorethanreachedthefirststragglingsuburbsofthetown。
Ontheporchofthecourt—house，behindajuttingcornerpillarthatseemedespeciallydesignedfortheconcealmentofamaninBud’ssituation，herolledcigarettewhichhemeanttosmokelateronwhenthewaywasclear，andwaitedforthehorsementoappear。
Presentlytheycame，rodetoapointoppositethecourt—houseandbankwithnomorethanacarelessglancethatway，andhaltedinfrontofanuninvitinghotelacrossthestreet。Tworemainedontheirhorseswhilethethirdpoundedonthedoorandshookitbytheknobandfinallyraisedthelandlordfromhissleep。TherewasaconferencewhichBudwitnessedwithmuchinterest。Alamphadbeenlightedinthebareoffice，andagainsttheyellowglowBuddistinctlysawthelandlordnodhisheadtwice——whichplainlybetokenedsomesortofunderstanding。
Hewasgladthathehadnotstoppedatthehotel。Hefeltmuchmorecomfortableonthecourt—houseporch。\"Mother’sguardianangelsmustberiding’point’to—night，\"hemused。
ThehorsemenrodebacktoaliverystablewhichBudhadobservedbuthadnotentered。Theretheyalsosoughtfornewsofhim，itwouldappear。Youwillrecall，however，thatBudhadriddenslowlyintothebusinessdistrictofCrater，andhispassinghadbeenunmarkedexceptbythebarkingofdogsthatspenttheirnightsinyammeringateverysoundandsowerenevertakenseriously。Thethreehorsemenwereplainlynonplussedandconferredtogetherinlowtonesbeforetheyrodeon。ItwasevidentthattheymeanttofindBudiftheycould。WhattheymeanttodowithhimBuddidnotattempttoconjecture。Hedidnotintendtobefound。
Afterawhilethehorsemenrodebacktothehotel，gotthelandlordoutwithlessdifficultythanbeforeandhadanothertalkwithhim。
\"HestoleahorsefromDaveTruman，\"Budheardoneofthethreesaydistinctly。\"ThatthererunninghorseDavehad。\"
Thelandlordtuckedinhisshirtandexclaimedatthenews，andBudheardhimmentionthesheriff。Butnothingcameofthatevidently。Theytalkedfurtherandreinedtheirhorsestoridebackwhencetheycame。
\"Helikely’sgiveustheslipoutsideoftown，someplace，\"
onemanconcluded。\"We’llridebackandsee。Ifheshowsup，he’lllikelywanttoeat……AndsendDickouttotheStiversplace。We’llcomea—running。\"HehadloweredhisvoicesothatBudcouldnothearwhatwastohappenbeforethelandlordsentDick，buthedecidedhewouldnotpryintothematterandtrytofillthatgapintheconversation。
Hesatwherehewasuntilthethreehadriddenbackdownthesandyroadwhichservedasastreet。Thenheslippedbehindthecourt—houseandsmokedhiscigarette，andwentandborrowedhayfromthecowandthehorseinthecorralandmadehimselfsomesortofbedwithhissaddleblankettohelpout，andsleptuntilmorning。
CHAPTEREIGHTEEN：THECATROCKGANG
Awomanwithacheckeredapronandamotherlylookcametoletherchickensoutandmilkthecow，andwokeBudsothatshecouldtellhimshebelievedhehadbeenona\"toot\"，orheneverwouldhavetakensuchalibertywithhercorral。Budagreedtothetoot，andapologized，andaskedforbreakfast。
Andthewoman，afteronegoodlookathim，handedhimthemilkbucketandaskedhimhowhelikedhiseggs。
\"Allthewayfrombarntobreakfast，\"Budgrinned，andthewomanchuckledandcalledhimSmarty，andtoldhimtocomeinassoonasthecowwasmilked。
BudhadagreatbreakfastwiththewidowHanson。Shetalked，andBudlearnedagooddealaboutCrateranditssurroundings，andwhenhespokeofholdupgangssheseemedtoknowimmediatelywhathemeant，andtoldhimagreatdealmoreabouttheCatrockersthanMarianhaddone。EverythingfrommurderingandrobbingapeddlertolootingthebanksatCraterandLavawaslaidtotheCatrockers。Theywerethehumanbuzzardsthatwatchedoverthecountryandswoopeddownwherevertherewasmoney。Thesheriffcouldn’tdoanythingwiththem，andnooneexpectedhimto，sofarasBudcoulddiscover。
HehesitatedalongtimebeforeheaskedaboutMarianMorris。
Mrs。HansonweptwhilesherelatedMarian’shistory，whichinsubstancewasexactlywhatMarianherselfhadtoldBud。Mrs。
Hanson，however，toldhowMarianhadfoughttosaveherfatherandEd，andhowshehadmarriedLewMorrisasapartofhercampaignforhonestyandgoodness。NowshewasdownatLittleLostcookingforagangofmen，saidMrs。Hanson，whensheoughttobeoutintheworldsingingforthousandsandherinsilksanddiamondsinsteadofginghamdressesandnotenoughofthem。
\"MarianCollieristhesweetestthingthatevergrewupinthiscountry，\"theoldladysniffled。\"She’soneinathousandandwhenshewasofftoschoolsheshowedthatshewasn’tnocommontrash。Shewantedtobeanoperysinger，butthenhermotherdiedandMariandonewhatlookedtobeherduty。AbirdinatrapiswhatIcallher。\"
Budregrettedhavingopenedthesubject，andpraisedthecookingbywayofturninghishostess’sthoughtsintoadifferentchannel。Heaskedherifshewouldaccepthimasaboarderwhilehewasintown，andwaspromptlyaccepted。
Hedidnotwanttoappearinpublicuntilthebankwasopened，andhewasabittroubledoveridentification。Therecouldbenoharm，hereflected，inconfidingtoMrs。Hansonasmuchaswasnecessaryofhisadventures。Whereforehedriedthedishesforherandtoldherhiserrandintown，andwhyitwasthatheandhishorsehadsleptinhercorralinsteadofpatronizinghotelandliverystable。Heshowedherthecheckshewantedtocash，andaskedher，withflatteringeagernessforheradvice，whatheshoulddo。Hehadbeenwarned，hesaid，thatJeffandhisfriendsmighttrytobeathimyetbystoppingpayment，andheknewthathehadbeenfollowedbythemtotown。
\"WhatYou’lldowillbewhatItellye，\"MrsHansonrepliedwithdecision。\"Thecashierisafriendtome——Iwaswithhiswifelastmonthwithherfirstbaby，andtheyswearbymenow，forIgavehergoodcare。We’llgoovertherethisminute，andhavetalkwithhim。He’lldowhathecanforye，andhe’lldoitformysake。\"
\"Youdon’tknowme，remember，\"Budremindedherhonestly。
ThewidowHansongavehimascornfulsmileandtossofherhead。\"AnddoInot？\"shedemanded。DoyouthinkI’veburiedthreehusbandsandthinkingnowofthefourth，withoutknowingwhat’swroteaman’sface？ThreeIburied，andonlyonediedhisbed。Icantellifaman’shonestornot，withoutgivinghimthesecondlook。Ifyou’vegotthemchecksyoushouldgetthemoneyonthem——forIknowtheirstripe。
ComeonwithmetoJimmyLawton’shouse。He’slikelyholdingthebabywhileMiniedoesthedishes。\"
Mrs。Hansonguessedshrewdly。ThecashieroftheCraterCountyBankwasdoingexactlywhatshesaidhewouldbedoing。Hewassittinginthekitchen，rockingapinkbabywrappedinwhiteoutingflannelwithblueborder，whenMrs。
Hanson，withouttheformalityofmorethanonewarningtaponthescreendoor，walkedinwithBud。SheheldoutherhandsforthebabywhilesheintroducedthecashiertoBud。Inthenextbreathshewasexplainingwhatwaswantedofthebank。
\"They’vedoneitbefore，andyeknowit’splainthieveryandoughttobecomplainedabout。Sonowgetyourwitstowork，Jimmy，forthisfriendofmineisentitledtohismoneyandshouldhaveitifitistheretobehad。\"
\"Oh，it’sthere，\"saidJimmy。Helookedathiswatch，lookedatthekitchenclock，lookedatBudandwinked。\"Weopenatnine，inthistown，\"hesaid。\"Itlackshalfanhour——butletmeseethosechecks。\"
VeryrelievedlyBudproducedthem，watchedthecashierscaneachonetomakesurethattheywereright，andquakedwhenJimmyscowledatJeffHall’ssignatureonthelargestcheckofall。\"Hehadanotiontousethewrongsignature，buthemayhavelosthisnerve。It’sallright，Mr。Birnie。Justendorsethese，andI’lltakethemintothebankandattendtothemthefirstthingIdoafterthedoorisopen。You’dbettercomeinwhenIopenup——\"
\"Theganghadsometalkaboutcleaningoutthebankwhilethey’reaboutit，\"Budrememberedsuddenly。\"Can’tyouappointmesomething，orhiremeasaguardandletmehelpout？Howmanymendoyouhavehereinthisbank？\"
\"Two，exceptwhenthepresident’sinhisofficeintherear。
That’sfineofyoutooffer。We’vebeenheldup，once——andtheycleanedusoutofcash。\"JimmyturnedtoMrs。Hanson。
\"Mother，can’tyourunoverandhaveJesscomeandswearMr。
Birnieinasadeputy？IfIgo，orhegoes，someonemaynoticeitandtipthegangoff。\"
Mrs。Hansonhastilydepositedthebabyinitscradleandwenttocall\"Jess\"，herfacepinkwithexcitement。
\"You’reluckyyoustoppedatherhouseinsteadofsomeotherplace，\"Jimmyobserved。\"She’sacorkinggoodwoman。Asadeputysheriff，you’llcomeinmightyhandyiftheydotryanything，Mr。Birnie——ifyou’rethekindofamanyoulooktobe。I’llbetyoucanshoot。Canyou？\"
\"Ifyouscaremebadlyenough，Imightgetacrampinmytriggerfinger，\"Budconfessed。Jimmygrinnedandwentbacktoconsideringhisownpart。
\"I’llcashthesechecksforyouthefirstthingIdo。Andasdeputyyoucangowithme。I’llhavetounlockthedoorontime，andiftheymeantostoppayment，andcleanthebanktoo，itwillprobablybedoneallatonce。Ithasbeenayearsincetheybotheredus，sotheymayneedalittlechange。IfJessisn’tbusyhemaystickaround。\"
\"Nooneexpectshimtoroundupthegang，Iheard。\"
\"NooneexpectshimtogointoCatrockCanyonafterthem。
He’llroundthemup，quickenough，ifhecancatchthemfarenoughfromtheirholes。\"
JessreturnedwithMrs。Hanson，sworeinanewdeputy，eyedBudcuriously，andagreedtoremainhiddenacrosstheroadfromthebankwitharifle。HenoddedunderstandinglywhenBudwarnedhimthatthelootingwasamatterofhearsayonhispart，anddepartedwithanawkwardcomplimenttoMrs。Jimabouthopingthatthebabywasgoingtolooklikeher。
Jimlivedjustbehindthebank，andahighboardfencebetweenthetwobuildingsservedtohidehiscomingandgoing。ButBudtookoffhishatandwalkedstooping，——byspecialrequestofMrs。Hanson——tomakesurethathewasnotobserved。
\"IthinkI’llstandoutinfrontofthewindow，\"saidBudwhentheywereinside。\"Itwilllookmorenatural，andifanyofthesefellowsshowupI’djustassoonnotshowmybrandthefirstthing。\"
Theyshowedup，allright，withintwominutesoftheunlockingofthebankandtherollingupoftheshades。JeffHallwasthefirstmantowalkin，andhestoppedshortwhenhesawBudloungingbeforetheteller’swindowandthecashierbusywithin。Othermenwerestragglingupontheporch，andtwoofthementered。JeffwalkedovertoBud，whoshiftedhispositionenoughtobringhimfacingJeff，whomhedidnottrustatall。
\"Mr。Lawton，\"Jeffbeganhurriedly，\"Iwanttostoppaymentonacheckthisyoungfellergotfrommebyfraud。It’sforfivethousandeighthundreddollars，andInotifyyou——\"
\"Toolate，Mr。Hall。Ihavealreadyacceptedthechecks。
Wheredidthefraudcomein？Youcanbringsuit，ofcourse，torecover。\"
\"I’lltellyou，Jimmy。Hebetthatmyhorsecouldn’tbeatDaveTruman’sBoise。Agoodmanybetonthesamething。Butmyhorseprovedtohavemorespeed，soalotofthemaresore。\"BudchuckledasotherSundayloserscamestragglingin。
\"Well，it’stoolate。Ihavehonoredthechecks，\"Jimmysaidcrisply，andturnedtohandasealedmanilaenvelopetothebookkeeperwithwhisperedinstructions。Thebookkeeper，whohadjustenteredfromtherearoftheoffice，turnedonhisheelandleftagain。
Jeffmutteredsomethingtohisfriendsandwentoutsideasiftheirbusinessweredonefortheday。
\"Igaveyoufivethousandincurrencyandthebalanceinacashier’scheck，\"Jimmywhisperedthroughhewicket。\"Sentittothehouse，Wedon’tkeepagreatdeal——tenthousand’sourlimitincash，andIdon’tthinkyouwanttopackgoldorsilver——\"
\"No，Ididn’t。I’drather——\"
Twomencamein，onegoingovertothedeskwhereheapparentlywroteacheck，theothercamestraighttothewindow。BudlookedintotheheavilybeardedfaceofamanwhohadtheeyesofLewMorris。Heshiftedhispositionalittlesothathefacedtheman’srightside。Theoneatthedeskwasglancingslylyoverhisshoulderatthebookkeeper，whohadjustreturnedtohiswork。
\"CanyouchangethistwentysoIcangetsevendollarsandaquarteroutofit？\"askedthemanathewindow。Asheslidthebillthroughthewickethestartedtosneeze，andreachedbackward——forhishandkerchief，apparently。
\"Here’sone，\"saidBud。\"Don’tsneezetoohard，old—timer，oryou’reliabletosneezeyourwhiskersalloff。It’shappenedbefore。\"
SomeoneoutsidefiredashotinatBud，clippinghishatbandinfront。Atthesoundoftheshotthewhiskeredonesnatchedhisgunout，andthecashiershothim。Budhadsentashotthroughtheoutsidewindowandhitsomebody——whom，hedidnotknow，forhehadnotimetolook。Theyoungfellowatthedeskhadwhirled，andwaspointingagunshakily，firstathecashierandthenatBud。Budfiredandknockedhegunoutofhishand，thensteppedoverthemanhesuspectedwasLewandcaughttheyoungfellowbythewrist。
\"You’reEdCollier——byyoureyesandyourmouth，\"Budsaidinarapidundertone。\"I’mgoingtogetyououtofthis，ifyou’lldowhatIsay。Willyou？\"
\"Hegotmeinhere，honest，\"theyoungfellowquaked。Hecouldn’tbemorethannineteen，Budguessedswiftly。
\"Letmethrough，Jimmy，\"Budorderedhurriedly。\"Yougotthemanthatputupthisjob。I’lltakethekidoutthebackway，ifyoudon’tmind。\"
Jimmyopenedthesteel—grilleddoorandletthemthrough。
\"EdCollier，\"hesaidinatoneofrecognition。\"Iheardhewastrailing——\"
\"Forgetit，Jimmy。Ifthesheriffasksabouthim，sayhegotout。Now，Ed，I’mgoingtotakeyouovertoMrs。Hanson’s。
She’llkeepaneyeonyouforawhile。\"
Eddiewaslookingatthedeadmanonthefloor，andtremblingsothathedidnotattempttoreply；andbywayofJimmy’sbackfenceandthewidowHanson’sbarnandcorral，BudgotEddiesafeintothekitchenjustasthatdeterminedladywasleavinghomewithashotguntohelpdefendthehonorofthetown。
Budtookherbytheshoulderandtoldherwhathewantedhertodo。\"He’sMarian’sbrother，andtooyoungtobewiththatgang。Sokeephimhere，safeandoutofsight，untilIcome。
ThenI’llwanttoborrowyourhorse。ShallItiethekid？\"
\"Andmeanable—bodiedwomanthatcouldturnhimacrostmyknee？\"Mrs。Hanson’seyessnapped。
\"It’smorelikelytheboyneedshisbreakfast。Getalongwithye！\"
Budgotalong，slippingintothebankbythereardoorandtakingahandinthedesultoryfiringinthestreet。Thesheriffhadacoupleofmenironedandonemandownandthelandlordofthehotelwasdoingagreatdealofexplainingthathehadneverseenthebanditsbefore。JustbywayofstimulatinghismemoryBudthrewabulletclosetohisheels，andthelandlordthereupongrovelledandweptwhileheprotestedhisinnocence。
\"He’sadamnliar，sheriff，\"Budcalledacrossthehoof—
scarredroad。\"Hewastalkingtothemabouteleveno’clocklastnight。Therewerethreethatchasedmeintotown，andtheygothimupoutofbedtofindoutwhetherI’dstoppedthere。Ihadn’t，luckilyforme。IfIhadhe’dhaveshowedthemthewaytomyroom，andhe’dhavehadadeadboarderthismorning。Keeprightonsheddingtears，youoldcut—
throat！Iwassittingonthecourt—houseporch，lastnight，andIheardeverywordthatpassedbetweenyouandtheCatrockers！\"
\"I’vebeensuspicioningherewaswheretheygottheirinformationrightalong，\"thesheriffcommented，andslippedthehandcuffsonthelandlord。InvestigationprovedthatJeffHallandhisfriendshadsuddenlydecidedthattheyhadnobusinesswiththebankthatday，andhadmountedandgallopedoutoftownwhenthefirstshotwasfired。WhichsimplifiedmattersabitforBud。
InJimmyLawton’skitchenhereceivedhismoney，andwhentheprisonerswerelockeduphesavedhimselfsometroublewiththesheriffbyhuntinghimupandexplainingjustwhyhehadtakentheCollierboyintocustody。
\"Youknowyourselfhe’sjustakid，andifyousendhimovertheroadhe’sacriminalforlife。IbelieveIcanmakeadecentmanofhim。Iwanttotry，anyway。Soyoujustleavemethisdeputy’sbadge，andmakemycommissionregularandpermanent，andI’llkeepaneyeonhim。GivemeapapersoI
cangetarequisitionandbringhimbacktostandtrial，anytimehebreaksout。I’llberesponsibleforhim，sheriff。\"
\"Andwhoinblazesareyou？\"thesheriffinquired，withagrintoremovethestingofsuspicion。\"Namesoundedfamiliar，too！\"
\"BudBirnieoftheTomahawk，downnearLaramie；TelegraphLaramieifyoulikeandfindoutaboutme。
\"GoodLord！IknowtheTomahawklikeabook！\"criedthesheriff。\"Andyou’reBobBirnie’sboy！Say！D’yourememberdraggingintocamponthesummitonetimewhenyouwasabouttwelveyearsold——beenhidin’outfromInjunsaboutthreedays？Well，say！I’mthefellerthatpackedyouintothetent，andfedyuhwhenyuhcometo。RememberthetimeIrodedownandstayedovernightatyoreplace，thetimeBillNyecomedownfromhisprospectholeupintheSnowies，bringin’
wordtheInjunswasupagain？\"ThesheriffgrabbedBud’shandandheldit，shakingitupanddownnowandthentoemphasizehiswords。
\"FolkscalledyouBuddy，then。Irememberyuh，helpin’yourmothercook’n’washdishesforusfellers。IkindafeltlikeIhadaclaimonyuh，Buddy。
\"Say，BillNye，he’sfamousnow。Writin’booksfullofjokes，andallthat。Healwayswasacomicalcuss。Don’tyourememberhowthebunchofuslaughedathimwhenhedriftedinaboutdark，himandfourburros——thatonehecalledBoomerang，thathenamedhispaperafterinLaramie？I’vetoldlotsoftimeswhathesaidwhenhecomestoopin’intothekitchen——howColorouhadsenthimwordthathe’dgiveBilljustfoursleepstogetoutathere。An，’Hell！’saysBill。’Ididn’tneedanysleeps！’An’weallturnedtoandcookedahullbeefyoredadhadbutcheredthatday——andBillloadedupwiththefirstchunkswehadready，andpulledhisfreight。Hesuredidn’tneedanysleeps——\"
\"Yes，youbetIremember。JesseCummingsisyourname。Isureoughttorememberyou，foryouandyourpartnersavedmylife，Iexpect。IthoughtI’dseenyoubefore，whenyoumademedeputy。Howaboutthekid？CanIhavehim？LewMorris，themanthatkepthimonthewrongsideofthelaw，isdead，I
heardthedoctorsay。Jimmygothimwhenhepulledhisgun。\"
\"Why，yes——ifthetowndon’tgitontometurnin’himloose，I
guessyoucanhavethekidforallIcare。Hedidn’ttakeanypartintheholdup，didheBuddy？\"
\"Hewasoverbythecustomers’deskwhenLewstarted，toholdupthecashier。\"
\"WellIgotenoughprisonerssoIguesshewon’tbemissed。
Butyoulookouthowyuhgithimoutatown。Betterwaittilkindalateto—night。Isurewouldliketoseehimgitashow。
ThemtwoCollierkidsneverdidhaveasquaredeal，farasI’veheard。
Butbecareful，youngster。IwantanothertermoffthiscountyifIcangetit。Don’tgogetmeinbad。\"
\"Iwon’t，\"BudpromisedandhurriedbacktoMrs。Hanson’shouse。
ThatestimableladywaspattingbutterinawoodenbowlwhenBudwentin。Sheturnedandbrushedawispofgrayhairfromherfacewithherforearmandsh—shedhimintosilentstepping，motioningtowardaninnerroom。Budtiptoedandlooked，sawEdCollierfastasleep，swaddledinablanket，andgrinnedhisapproval。
Hemadesurethatthesleepwasgenuine，alsothattheblanketswaddlingwasefficient。Moreover，hediscoveredthatMrs。Hansonhadveryprudentlyattachedathinwiretothefootoftheblanketcocoon，hadpassedthewirethroughaknotholeinacupboardsetintothepartition，andtoasheepbellwhichshenodoubtexpectedtoringuponprovocation——suchasaprisonerstrugglingtoreleasehisfeetfromagrayblanketfastenedwithmanylargesafetypins。
\"Hewentrighttosleep，theminuteI’dfedhimandtiedhimsnug，\"Mrs。Hansonmurmured。\"Hewasasulkydivvleandwouldn’tgiveadecentanswertometillhehadhisstomachfilled。Fromthewayhewadedintothehamandeggs，Iguessasquaremealandhimhasbeenstrangersforalongtime。\"
SleepandEdColliermusthavebeenstrangersalso，forBudattendedtheinquestofLewMorris，visitedafterwardswithSheriffCummings，whowasfullofreminiscenceandwantedtoremindBudofeverythingthathadeverhappenedwithinhisknowledgeduringthetimewhentheyhadbeenneighborswithnomorethanfortymilesorsobetweenthem。ThesheriffofferedBudahorseandsaddle，whichhepromisedtodelivertothewidow’scorralafterthecitizensofCraterhadgonetobed。AndwhilehedidnotsaythatitwouldbeEd’shorse，Budguessedshrewdlythatitwould。Afterthat，Budcarefullyslittheliningofhisbootstuckedmoneyandchecksintotheopeninghehadmade，anddidaveryneatrepairjob。
AllthatwhileEdCollierslept。WhenBudreturnedforhissupperEdhadevidentlyjustawakenedandwaslyingonhisbackbitinghislipwhileheeyedthewirethatranfromhisfeettothepartingofapairofcalicocurtains。HedidnotseeBud，whowaswatchinghimthroughacrackinthedoorattheheadofthebed。Edwasplainlypuzzledatthewireandabitresentful。Heliftedhisfeetuntilthewirewaswellslackened，heldthempoisedforaminuteanddeliberatelybroughtthemdownhardonthefloor。
Theresultwasallthathecouldpossiblyhaveexpected。
Somewherewasaviciousclang，therattleofatinpanandtheapproachingoutcryofawoman。Budretreatedtothekitchentoviewthedevastationanddiscoveredthatasheepbellnottoocleanhadbeendislodgedfromanailanddraggedthroughonepanofmilkintoanother，whereitwasrollingonitsedge，stirringthecreamthathadrisen。AsMrs。Hansonrushedinfromthebackyard，Budreturnedtotheangrycaptive’sside。
\"I’vegothimsafe，\"hesoothedMrs。Hansonandhershotgun。
\"Hejusthadanightmare。Perhapsthatbreakfastyoufedhimwastoohearty。I’lllookafterhimnow，Mrs。Hanson。Wewon’tbebotheringyoulong，anyway。\"
Mrs。Hansonwastalkingtoherselfwhenshewenttohermilkpans，andBudreleasedEddieCollier，guessinghowhumiliatingitmustbetobeayoungfellowpinnedintoablanketwithsafetypins，andknowingfromcertainexperiencesofhisownthathumiliationisquiteasapttobreedtroubleasanyotheremotion。
EddiesatupontheedgeofthebedandstaredatBud。HiseyeswerelikeMarian’sinshapeandcolor，buttheirexpressionwassuspicion，defiance，andwatchfulnessblendedintoonecompellingstarethatspelledFear。OrsoBudreadit，havingtrappedanimalsofvariousgradeseversincehehadcaughtthe\"HAWNTOAD\"，andseenthatlookmany，manytimesintheeyesofhiscatch。
\"How’dyouliketotakeatripwithme——asakindofapartner？\"Budbegancarelessly，pullingasplinteroffthehomemadebedforwhichMrs。Hansonwouldnotthankhim——andbeginningtowhittleittoasharppointaimlessly，asmenhaveawayofdoingwhentheirmindsareatworkuponaproblemwhichrequires——muchconstructivethinking。
\"Pardnerinwhat？\"Eddiecounteredsullenly。
\"PardnerinwhatIamplanningtodotomakemoney。Icanmakemoney，youknow——andstayonfriendlytermswiththesheriff，too。That’sbetterthanyourbunchhasbeenabletodo。Idon’tmindtellingyou——it’sstalenews，Iguess——thatIcleanedupclosetotwelvethousanddollarsinlessthanamonth，offaworkingcapitalofthreethoroughbredhorsesandaboutsixtydollarscash。AndI’lladdtheknowledgethatI
wasplayingagainstmenthatwouldslipacolddeckiftheyplayedsolitaire，theyweresocrooked。Andifthatdoesn’trecommendmesufficiently，I’llsayI’madeputysheriffofCraterCounty，andJesseCummingsknowsmypast。Iwanttohireyoutogowithmeandmakesomemoney，andI’llpayyoufortyamonthandfivepercentbonusonmyprofitsattheendoftwoyears。Thefirstyearmaynotshowanyprofits，butthesecondyearwill。Howdoesitsoundtoyou？\"
Hehadbeenrollingacigarette，andnowheofferedthe\"makings\"toEd，whoacceptedthemmechanically，hiseyesstillstaringhardatBud。Heglancedtowardthedoorandtheonelittlewindowwherewildcucumbervineswerethicklymatted，andBudinterpretedhisglance。
\"LewandanotherCatrocker——theonethattriedtoropemedownintheSinks——aredead，andthreemoreareinjail。
Businesswon’tbeverybriskwiththeCatrockgangforawhile。\"
\"Ifyou’retryingtobribemeintosquealingontherest，you’readamnfool，\"saidEddieharshly。\"Iain’tthesquealingkind。Youcanleadmeovertojailfirst。I’drathertakemychanceswiththeothers。\"Hewasbreathinghardwhenhefinished。
\"Ratherthanworkforme？\"Budslicedoffthesharppointwhichhehadsocarefullywhittled，andbegantosharpenanewone。Eddiewatchedhimfascinatedly。
\"Ratherthansquealonthebunch。There’snootherreasoninGod’sworldwhyyou’dmakemeanofferlikethat。Iain’tafoolquite，ifmyheaddoesrunuptoapeak。\"
Budchewedhislip，whittled，andfinallythrewthesplinteraway。WhenheturnedtowardEddiehiseyeswereshiny。
\"Kid，you’rebreakingyoursister’sheart，followingthistrail。I’dliketoseeyougiveherachancetospeakyournamewithoutblinkingbacktears。I’dliketoseehersmileallthewayfromherdimplestohereyeswhenshethinksofyou。That’swhyImadetheoffer——thatandbecauseIthinkyou’dearnyourwages。\"
Eddielookedathim，lookedaway，staringvacantlyatthewall。Hiseyelasheswereblinkingveryfast，hislipbegantotremble。\"You——I——Ineverwantedto——Iain’tworthsaving——
oh，hell！Ineverhadachancebefore——\"Hedroppedsidewiseonthebed，buriedhisfaceinhisarmsandsobbedhoarsely，liketheboyhewas。
CHAPTERNINETEEN：BUDRIDESTHROUGHCATROCKANDLOSESMARIAN
\"You’llhavetoshowmethetrail，pardner，\"saidBudwhentheyweremakingtheirwaycautiouslyoutoftownbywayofthetincansuburbs。\"Icouldfigureoutthedirectionallright，andmakeitbymorning；butseeingyougrewuphere，I’llletyoupilot。\"
\"You’llhavetotellmewhereyouwanttogo，first，\"saidEddiewithagooddealofsullennessstillinhisvoice。
\"LittleLost。\"Withoutintendingtodoso，Budputagooddealofmeaninginhisvoice。
Eddiedidnotsayanything，butveeredtotheright，climbinghigherontheslopethanBudwouldhavegone。\"Wecantakethehightrail，\"hevolunteeredwhentheystoppedtorestthehorses。\"IttakesupoverthesummitanddownBurrobackValley。It’slonger，butthestageroadedgesalongtheSinksand——itmightberoughgoing，afterwegetdownapiece。\"
\"Howabouttheside—hilltrail，throughCatrockPeak？\"
Eddieturnedsharply。InthestarlightBudwaswatchinghim，wonderingwhathewasthinking。
\"How’dyougetnexttoanyside—hilltrail？\"Eddieaskedafteraminute。\"Youbeenoverit？\"
\"Isurelyhave。AndIexpecttogoagain，to—nigh！Ayoungfellowaboutyoursizeisgoingtoactapilot，andgetmetoLittleLostasquickaspossibe。It’llbedaylightatthat。\"
\"Ifyougotanotherdaycoming，itbetterbebeforedaylightwegetthere，\"Eddieretortedglumly。Hhesitated，turnedhishorseandledthewaydowntheslope，anglingdownawayfromthewell—travelledtrailoverthesummitofGoldGap。
ThathesitationtoldBud，withoutwords，howtenuouswashisholduponEddie。Hepossessedsufficientimaginationtoknowthathisowncarefullydisciplinepast，shelteredfromactualcontactwithevil，hadgivenhimlittleenoughbywhichtomeasurethesoulofayouthlikeEddieCollier。
HowlongEddiehadsuppedandsleptwiththievesandmurderers，Budcouldonlyguess。FromthelittlethatMarianhadtoldhim，Eddie’sfatherhadbeenoneofthegang。Atleast，shehadplainlystatedthatheandLewhadbeenpartners——thoughColliermighthavebeenranchinginnocentlyenough，andignorantofLew’srealnature。
Atallevents，Eddiewasaladwellschooledininequitysuchasthewildernessfostersinsturdyfashion。Widespacesgiveroomforgreatvirtuesandgreatwickedness。Budfeltthathewasbettinglargeoddsonanunknownquantity。HewasplacinghimselfliterallyinthehandsofanacknowledgedCatrocker，becauseofthecleangazeofapairofeyes，thefinecurveofthemouth。
Foralongtimetheyrodewithoutspeech。Eddieinthelead，Budfollowing，alerttoeverylittlemovementinthesage，everylittlesoundofthenight。Thatwaswhatwerathernaivelycall\"secondnature\"，habitbornofBud’sgrowingyearsamongstdangerswhicheverypioneerfamilyknows。Alerthewas，yetdeeplydreaming；atenuousdreamtoosweettocometrue，hetoldhimself；adreamwhichheneverdaredtodreamuntilthecoolstars，andthelittlenightwindbegantowhispertohimthatMarianwasfreefromthebrutethathadownedher。Hescarcelydaredthinkofityet。Shylyherememberedhowhehadheldherhandtogivehercouragewhiletheyrodeindarkness；herpoorwork—roughenedlittlehand，thathadbeenoldwhenhetookitfirst，andhadwarmedinhisclasp。Herememberedhowhehadpressedherhandstogetherwhentheyparted——why，surelyitwaslongeragothanlastnight！——andhadkissedthemreverentlyashewouldkissthefingersofaqueen。
\"Hell’stoogoodforLewMorris，\"heblurtedunexpectedly，thethoughtofMarian’sbruisedcheekcominglikeablow。
\"Wanttogoandtellhimso？Ifyoudon’tyuhbettershutup，\"Eddiewhisperedfiercewarning。\"Youneedn’tthinkalltheCatrockersaredeadorinjail。They’safewleftandthey’dkillyuhquicker’nthey’dtakeadrink。\"
Bud，embarrassedattheemotionbehindhisstatement，ratherthanashamedoftheremarkitself，madenoreply。
MuchasEddiedesiredsilence，hehimselfpulledupandspokeagainwhenBudhadriddenclose。
\"IguessyoucomethroughtheGap，\"hewhispered。\"They’sashorterwaythanthat——Sisdon’tknowit。It’sonethebunchusesalot——iftheycatchus——Icansavemyhidebymakin’
outIledyouintoatrap。You’llgetyours，anyway。Howmuchsandyougot？\"
Budleanedandspatintothedarkness。\"Notmuch。Maybeenoughtogetthroughthisscaryshort—cutofyours。\"
\"Youtellthetruthwhenyousayscary。It’ssodarncrazytogodownCatrockCanyonmaybetheywon’tthinkwe’dtackleit。
Andiftheycatchus，I’llsayIledyuhin——andthen——say，I’mkindabettin’onyourluck。Thewayyoucleaneduponthemhorses，maybeluck’llstaywithyou。AndI’llhelpallI
can，honest。\"
\"Fine。\"BudreachedoverandclosedhisfingersaroundEddie’sthin，boyisharm。\"Youdidn’ttellmeyetwhytheothertrailisn’tgoodenough。\"
\"IheardasoundintheGaptunnel，that’swhy。Youmaybedidn’tknowwhatitwas。Iknowthemechoestoafare—ye—
well。Somebody’sthere——likelypostedwaiting。\"Hewasmotionlessforaspace，listening。
\"Getoff—easy。Takeoffyourspurs。\"Eddiewasdown，whisperingeagerlytoBud。\"There’sadraftofairfromtheblow—holesthatcomesthisway。Soundcomesoutatherealoteasierthanitgoesin。SisandIfoundthatout。Leadyourhorse——iftheyjumpus，givehimalickwiththequirtandhideinthebrush。\"
LikeIndiansthetwomadetheirwaydownaramblingslopenotfarfromwhereMarianhadguidedBud。To—night，however，Eddieledthewaytotherightinsteadoftheleft，whichseemedtoBudadirectionthatwouldbringthemdownOldmancreek，thatdryriverbed，andfinally，perhaps，totheracetrack。
Eddieneverdidexplainjusthowhemadehiswaythroughamazeofwater—cutpillarsandheapsofsandstonesobewilderingthatBudafterwardsworethatinspiteofthefactthathewasleadingSunfish，hefrequentlyfoundhimselfatthatpatientanimal’stail，wheretheyweredoubledaroundsomefreakishpillar。FrequentlyEddiestoppedandpeeredpasthishorsetomakesurethatBudhadnotlostthetrail。
Andfinally，becausehewasnodoubtworriedoverthatpossibility，heknottedhisropetohissaddlehorn，broughtbackalengththatreachedafullpacebehindthetailofthehorse，andplacedtheendinBud’shand。
\"Ifyuhlosemeyou’reagoner，\"hewhispered。\"Sohangontothat，nomatterwhatcomes。Anddon’tyuhspeaktome。Thisishell’scorralandwe’rewalkingthetoptrailrightnow。\"
HemadesurethatBudhadtheloopinhishand，thenslippedbackpasthishorseandwenton，walkingmorequickly。
Budadmittedafterwardsthathewasperfectlywillingtobeledlikeatamesquirrelaroundthetopof\"hell’scorral\"，whateverthatwas。AllthatBudsawwasanintricateassemblyofthoseterrificpillars，whoseheighthedidnotknow，sincehehadnotimetoglanceupandestimatethedistance。