Therewasnomethod，nochannelwornthroughinanythingthatcouldbecalledaline。Whateverprimevaltorrenthadhoneycombedtheledgehadleftitsobeforeeveritswatershadformedastraightpassagethrough。HowEddieknewthewayhecouldonlyconjecture，rememberinghowhehimselfhadriddendevioustrailsdownontheTomahawkrangewhenhewasaboy。Itratherhurthispridetorealizethatneverhadheseenanythingapproachingthismadman’strail。
Withoutwarningtheyplungedintodarknessagain。DarknesssoblackthatBudknewtheyhadenteredanotherofthosemysterious，subterraneanpassageswhichhadcreatedsuchnamesasaboundedinthecountry：the\"Sinks\"，\"LittleLost\"，andSunkRiveritselfwhichdisappearedmysteriously。
Hewasbeginningtowonderwithagrimkindofhumorifhehimselfwasnotabouttofollowtheexampleoftheriversanddisappear，whenthesoftpaddingoftheirfootfallsblurredunderthewhistlingofwind。Fineparticlesofsandstunghim，ablastfullagainsthimhaltedhimforasecond。Buttheropepulledsteadilyandhewenton，half—draggedintostarlightagain。
Theywereinacanyon；deep，sombreinitsnightshadows，itswidthmadeknowntohimbythestripofstarlightoverhead。
Directlybeforethem，notmorethanahundredyards，alightshonethroughawindow。
Theropeslackenedinhishands，andEddieslippedbacktohimshiveringalittleasBuddiscoveredwhenhelaidahandonhisarm。
\"IguessIbettertieyuh——butitwon’tbesoyuhcan’tshoot。
Geton，andletmetieyourfeetintothestirrups。I——I
guessmaybewecangetpast，allright——I’lltry——Iwanttogoandtakethatjobyousaidyou’dgiveme！\"
\"What’sthematter，son？IsthatwheretheCatrockershangout？\"Budswungintothesaddle。\"Itrustyou，kid。You’reherbrother。\"
\"I——IwanttolivelikeSiswantsmeto。ButI’vegottotieyuh，Mr。Birnie，andthatlooks——Butthey’dk——youdon’tknowhowtheykilltraitors。Isawone——\"HeleanedagainstBud’sleg，onehandreachinguptothesaddlehornandgrippingitinapassingfrenzy。\"Ifyousayso，\"hewhisperedrapidly，\"we’llsneakupandshoot’emthroughthewindowbeforetheygetachance——\"
BudreachedouthishandandpattedEddieontheshoulder。\"
Thatjobofyoursdon’tcallforanykillingwecanavoid，\"
hesaid。\"Goaheadandtieme。Nouseofwastingleadontwomenwhenonewilldo。It’sallright。Itrustyou，pardner。\"
Eddie’sshouldersstiffened。Hestoodup，lookedtowardthelightandgrippedBud’shand。\"Ithoughtthey’dbeasleep——
whatwashome，\"hesaid。\"Wegottoridepastthecabintogetoutthroughanotherwater—wash。Butyoutakeyourcoatandtieyourhorse’sfeet，andI’lltiemine。I——can’ttieyou，Mr。Birnie。We’llchanceittogether。\"
Buddidnotsayanythingatall，forwhichEddieseemedgrateful。Theymuffledeighthoofs，rodeacrossthecanyon’sbottomandpassedthecabinsocloselythatthelightofasmokylanternonatablewasplainlyvisibletoBud，aswastheshaggyprofileofamanwhosatwithhisarmsfolded，gloweringoverapipe。Heheardnothing。BudhaltedSunfishandlookedagaintomakesure，whileEddiebeckonedfrantically。Theywentonundisturbed——theCatrockerskeptnodogs。
Theypassedacoupleofcorrals，rodeoverspringysodwhereBuddimlydiscernedhaystubble。Eddieletdownasetofbars，replacedthemcarefully，andtheycrossedanothermeadow。ItstruckBudthattheCatrockerswerefairlywellentrenchedintheircanyon，withplentyofhorsefeedatleast。
Theyfollowedatwistingtrailalongthecanyon’swall，rodeintoanotherpitofdarkness，cameoutintoasandystretchthatseemedhazilyfamiliartoBud。Theycrossedthis，doveintothebushesfollowingadimtrail，andintenminutesEddie’shorsebackedsuddenlyagainstSunfish’snose。Budstoodinhisstirrups，reinsheldfirmlyinhislefthand，andinhisrighthissix—shooterwiththehammerlifted，readytosnapdown。
AtallfiguresteppedawayfromthepeakedrocksandpausedatBud’sside。
\"IbeenwaitingforMarian，\"hesaidbluntly。\"Youknowanythingabouther？\"
\"Sheturnedbacklastnightaftershehadshownmetheway。\"
Bud’sthroatwentdry。\"Didtheymissher？\"Heleanedaggressively。
\"Nottillbreakfasttime，theydidn’t。Iwaswaitinghere，mostallnight——exceptrightafteryoufolksleft。Shewasn’tmissed，andIneverflaggedher——andsheain’tshowedupyet！\"
Budsattherestunned，tryingtothinkwhatmighthavehappened。Thosedarkpassagesthroughthemountains——theledge——\"Ed，youknowthattrailshetookmeover？Shewascomingbackthatway。Shecouldgetlost——\"
\"Noshecouldn’t——notSis。Ifherhorsedidn’tactthefool——
whathorsewasitsherode？\"EdturnedtoJerryasifhewouldknow。
\"Boise，\"Budspokequickly，asthoughsecondswereprecious。
\"Shesaidheknewtheway。\"
\"Hesureoughtto，\"Eddierepliedemphatically。\"BoisebelongstoSis，byrights。ThemaregotkilledandDadgavehimtoSiswhenhewasasuckin’colt，andSisraisedhimoncow’smilkandbrokehimherself。Sherodehimallover。LewtookandsoldhimtoDave，andgambledthemoney，andSisneversignednobillofsale。Theycouldn’tmakeher。Sishasgotspunk，onceyoustirherup。She’lltackleanything。
She’salwaysclaimedBoiseishers。BoiseknowstheGaplikeabook。Siscouldn’tgetoffthetrailifsherodehim。\"
\"Somethinghappened，then，\"Budmutteredstubbornly。\"Fourmencamethroughbehindus，andwewaitedoutinthedarktoletthempass。Thenshesentmedowntothecreek—bottom，andsheturnedback。Iftheygother——\"HeturnedSunfishinthenarrowbrushtrail。\"She’shurt，ortheygother——I’mgoingback！\"hesaidgrimly。
\"Hell！youcan’tdoanygoodalone，\"Eddieprotested，comingafterhim。\"We’llgolookforher，Mr。Birnie，butwe’vegottohavesomethingsowecansee。If。Jerrycoulddigupacoupleoflanterns——\"
\"Youwait。I’mcomingalong，\"Jerrycalledguardedly。\"I’llbringlanterns。\"
ToBudthattimeofwaitingwastorment。Hehadfaceddangerandtragedysincehecouldtoddle，andfearhadneveroverriddenthetitillatingsenseofadventure。Butthenthedangerhadbeenforhimself。Nowterrorconjuredpictureswhosehorrorsethimtrembling。Twenty—fourhoursandmorehadpassedsincehehadkissedMarian’shandandlethergo——
towhat？TheinkyblacknessofthosetunnelledcavernsintheGapconfrontedhismindlikeanightmare。Hecouldnotspeakofit——hedarednotthinkofit，andyethemust。
Jerrycameonhorseback，withthreeunlightedlanternsheldinaclusterbytheirwirehandles。EddieimmediatelyurgedhishorseintothebrushyedgeofthetrailsothathemightpassBudandtakethelead。\"Yousuremadequicktime，\"heremarkedapprovinglytoJerry。
\"IraidedDave’scacheofwhiskeyorI’dhavebeenherequicker，\"Jerryexplained。\"Wemightneedsome。\"
Budgrittedhisteeth。\"Ride，whydon’tyuh？\"heurgedEddieharshly。\"Whatthehellailsthathorseofyours？Yougothimhobbled？\"
Eddieglancedbackoverhisbobbingshoulderashishorsetrottedalongtheblindtrailthroughthebrush。\"Thishereain’tnoracetrack，\"heexpostulated。\"We’llmakeitquickerwithoutnobrokenlegs。\"
TherewasjusticeinhisprotestandBudsaidnothing。ButSunfish’sheadbumpedthetailofEddie’shorsemanytimesduringthatride。OnceintheGap，withalightedlanterninhisreinhandandhissix—shooterintheother——becauseitwasticklishriding，intherewithlightsrevealingthemtoanyonewhomightbecomingthrough——hewascontenttogoslowly，peeringthiswayandthatasherode。
OnceEddiehaltedandturnedtospeaktothem。\"IknowBoisewouldn’tleavethetrail。IfSishadtoduckoffandhidefromsomebody，he’dcomebacktothetrail。Loose，he’ddothat。SisandIusedtoexplorearoundinherejustforfun，andkeptitforoursecrettillLewfoundout。ShealwaysrodeBoise。I’mdeadsurehe’dbringheroutallright。\"
\"Shehasn’tcomeout——yet。Goon，\"saidBud，andEddierodeforwardobediently。
ThreehoursittookthemtosearchthevariouspassageswhereEddiethoughtitpossiblethatMarianhadturnedaside。Budsawthatthetrailthroughwassafeasanysuchtrailcouldbe，andhewonderedatthenerveandinitiativeofthegirlandtheboywhohadexploredtheplaceandfoundwherecertainqueertwistsandturnswouldlead。AfterwardshelearnedthatMarianwastwelveandEddietenwhenfirsttheyhadhiddentherefromIndians，andtheyhadbeenfiveyearsinfindingwhereeverypassageled。Also，indaytimetheplacewasnotsofearsome，sincesunlightslanteddownintomanyapassagewaythroughtheblow—holeshighabove。
\"Sheain’there。Iknewshewasn’t，\"EddieannouncedwhenthefinaltunnelletthemintothegrayinglightofdawnbeyondthePeak。
\"Inthatcase——\"BudglancedfromhimtoJerry，whowasblowingouthislantern。
Jerryletdowntheglobecarefully，atthesametimeglancingsoberlyatBud。\"ThekidknowsbetterthanwedowhatwouldhappenifLewmetupwithherandBoise。\"
Eddieshookhisheadmiserably，hiseyesfixedhelpesslyuponBud。\"Lewnever，Mr。Birnie。Iwaswithhimeveryminutefromdarktill——tillthecashier，shothim。WecomeupthewayItookyouthroughthecanyon。LewneverknewshewasgoneanymorethanIdid。\"
Jerrybithislip。\"Kid，whatifthegangrunacrosther，KNOWINGLewwasdead？\"hegrated。\"AndheronBoise？Theword’soutthatBudstoleBoise。Daveandtheboysrodeouttoroundhimup——andtheyain’tdoneit，sothey’restillriding——we’llhope。Kid，youknowdamnwellyourgangwoulddouble—crossDaveinaminute，nowLew’skilled。Iftheygotholdofthehorse，doyuhthinkthey’dturnhimovertoDave？\"
\"No，youbetyourlifetheywouldn’t！\"Eddieretorted。
\"AndwhataboutHER？\"Budcutinwithominouscalm。\"She’syoursister，kid。WouldyoubeworriedifyouknewtheyhadHERandthehorse？\"
Eddiegulpedandlookedaway。\"Theywouldn’thurtherunlesstheyknew’tLewwasdead，\"hesaid。\"AndthemthatwenttoCraterwaskilledorjailed，so——\"Hehesitated。\"ItlookedtomelikeAnsewassettingupwaitingforthebunchtogetbackfromCrater。He——he’salwaysjumpywhentheygooffandstay，andit’dbejustlikehimtosetthereandwaittilldaylight。Itlookstome，Mr。Birnie，likehimand——andtherestdon’tknowyetthattheCraterjobwasafizzle。Theywouldn’tthinkofsuchathingastakingSis，orBoiseeither，unlesstheyknewLewwasdead。\"
\"Areyousureofthat？\"Budhadhiminagripthatwidenedtheboy’seyeswithsomethingapproachingfear。
\"Yessir，Mr。Birnie，I’msure。Whatdidn’tgotoCraterstayedincamp——orwasgoneonsomeothertrip。No，I’msure！\"HejerkedawaywithsuddenindignationatBud’sdisbelief。\"Say！DoyouthinkI’mbadenoughtoletmysistergetintotroublewiththeCatrockers？Iknowtheynevergother。More’nlikelyit’sDave。\"
\"DavewentupBurrobackValley，\"Jerrystatedflatly。\"Himandtheboyswasn’tonthissidetheridge。TheyhaditsizedupthatBudmightgofromCraterstraightacrossintoBlackRim，andtheyrodeuptocatchhimashecomesbackacross。\"
Jerrygrinnedalittle。TheywantedthatmoneyyoupeeledoffthecrowdSunday，Bud。TheywaswillingyoushouldgettoCraterandcashthemchecksbeforetheyoverhauledyuhandstrungyuhup。\"
\"Youdon’tsupposethey’dhurtMarianiftheyfoundherwiththehorse？ShemighthavefollowedalongtoCrater——\"
\"Shenever，\"Eddiecontradicted。AndJerrydeclaredinthesamebreath，\"She’dbetoomuchafraidofLew。No，iftheyfoundherwiththehorsethey’dtakehimawayfromherandsendherbackonanotheronetodothekitchenwork，\"heconjecturedwithsomecontempt。\"IftheyfoundYOUwithoutthehorse——well——menhavebeenhungonsuspicion，Bud。
Money’ssomethingeverybodywants，andthereain’tamaninthevalleybutwhathasfiguredyourwinningsdowntothelasttwo—bitpiece。It’sjustarunnin’matchnowtoseewhatbunchgetstoyuhfirst。\"
\"Oh，themoney！I’dgivethewholeofittoanyonethatwouldtellmeMarian’ssafe，\"Budcriedunguardedlyinhismisery。
WhereatJerryandEdlookedateachotherqueerly。
CHAPTERTWENTY：\"PICKYOURFOOTING！\"
Thethreesatirresolutelyontheirhorsesatthetunnel’sendoftheGap，staringoutoverthevalleyoftheRedwaterandatthemountainsbeyond。Bud’sfacewashaggardandthelinesofhismouthwerehard。ItwassovastacountryinwhichtolookforonelittlewomanwhohadnotgonebacktoseeJerry’ssignal！
\"I’llbetyuhSisclearedout，\"Eddieblurted，lookingatBudeagerly，asifhehadbeensearchingforsomecomfortingword。\"Sishasgotlotsofsand。Sheusedtocallmea’fraidcatallthetimewhenIdidn’twanttogowhereshedid。I’llbetshejusttookBoiseandrunoffwithhim。Shewould，ifshemadeuphermind——andIguessshe’dhadaboutasmuchasshecouldstand，cookin’atLittleLost——\"
BudliftedhisheadandlookedatEddielikeamannewlyawakened。\"Igavehermoneytotakehomeforme，tomymother，downLaramieway。Ibeggedhertogoifshewasliabletobeintroubleoverleavingtheranch。Butshesaidshewouldn’tgo——notunlessshewasmissed。SheknewI’dcomebacktotheranch。Ijustpiledherhandsfullofbillsinthedarkandtoldhertousethemifshehadto——\"
\"Shemighthavedoneit，\"Jerryhazardedhopefully。\"Maybeshedidsneakinsomeotherwayandgetherthings。She’dhavetotakesomeclothesalong。Womenfolksalwayshavetopack。Bygosh，shecouldhideBoiseoutsomewhereand——\"
Forayoungmanindangerofbeinglynchedbyhisbossforhorsestealingandwaylaidandrobbedbyagangnotoriousinthecountry，Bud’sappetiteforriskseemedinsatiablethatmorning。Forheaddedtheextremepossibilityofbreakinghisneckbyrecklessridinginthenexthour。
HeswungSunfishaboutandjabbedhimwiththespurs，duckingintothegloomoftheGapasifthetwowhorodebehindwereassassinsonhistrail。Oncehespoke，andthatwastoSunfish。Histonewassavage。
\"Damnyourlazyhide，you’vebeenthroughheretwiceandyou’vegotdaylighttohelp——nowpickupyourfeetandtravel！\"
Sunfishtravelled；andthepacehesetsentevenJerrygaspingnowandthenwhenhecametotheworstplaces，withthesoundofgallopinghoofsinthedistancebeforehim，andEddiecomingalongbehindandliftinghisvoicewarninglynowandthen。EventheCatrockershadheldtheGapinrespect，andhadriddenitsdevioustrailcautiously。ButcautionwasameaninglesswordtoBudjustthenwhileasmallflameofhopeburnedsteadilybeforehim。
Thelastturn，whereonthefirsttripSunfishlostBoiseandbalkedforaminute，hemadesofastthatSunfishleftapatchofyellowishhaironapointedrockandcameintotheopensnortingfireofwrath。Hewentovertheroughgroundlikeabouncingantelope，simplybecausehewastoomadtocarehowmanylegshebroke。Atthepeakofrocksheshowedaninclinationtostop，andBud，whohadbeenthinkingandplanningwhilehehoped，pulledhimtoastandandwaitedfortheotherstocomeup。Theycouldnotgonearerthecorralswithoutincurringthedangerofbeingoverheard，andthatmustnothappen。
\"Youdamnfool，\"grittedJerrywhenhecameupwithBud。\"IfI’dknowedyouwantedtocommitsuicideI’dacavedyourheadinwitharockandsavedmyselfthecraziestrideIevertookinm’life！\"
\"Oh，shutup！\"Budsnappedimpatiently。\"We’rehere，aren’twe？Nowlistentome，boys。Youcatchupmyhorses——Jerry，areyoucomingalongwithme？Youmayaswell。I’madeputysheriff，andifanybodystopsyouforwhateveryou’vedone，I’llshowawarrantforyourarrest。Andbythunder，\"hedeclaredwithafaintgrin，\"I’llserveitifIhavetotokeepyouwithme。Idon’tknowwhatyou’vedone，andIdon’tcare。Iwantyou。Socatchupmyhorses——andJerry，youcanpackmywar—bagandrollyourbedandmine，ifI’mtoobusywhileI’mhere。\"
\"You’reliabletobebusy，allright，\"Jerryinterpolatedgrimly。
\"Well，theywon’tbotheryou。Ed，youbettergetthehorses。
TakeSunfish，here，andgrazehimsomewhereoutasight。We’llkeepgoing，andwemighthavetostartsuddenly。\"
\"HowaboutSis？Ithought——\"
\"I’mgoingtoturnLittleLostupsidedowntofindher，ifshe’shere。Ifsheisn’t，I’mkindahopingshewentdowntomother。Shesaidtherewasnootherplacewhereshecouldgo。
Andshe’dfeelthatshehadtodeliverthemoney，perhaps——
becauseImusthavegivenheracoupleofthousanddollars。
Itwasquitearoll，mostlyinfiftiesandhundreds，andI’mshortthatmuch。I’mjustgamblingthatthesizeofmadeherfeelshemustgo。\"
\"That’dbeSisallover，Mr。Birnie。\"Eddieglancedaroundhimuneasily。Thesunwasshininglevelinhiseyes，andsunlighttoEddiehadlongmeantdanger。\"Iguesswebetterhurry，then。I’llgetthehorsesdownoutasight，andcomebackhereafootandwait。\"
\"Dothat，kid，\"saidBud，slippingwearilyoffSunfish。HegavethereinsintoEddie’shand，motionedJerrywithhisheadtofollow，andhurrieddownthewindingpathtothecorrals。Thecoolbrillianceofthemorning，thecheerfulwarblingoflittle，wildcanariesinthebushesashepassed，foroncefailedtothrillhimwithjoyoflife。Hewaswonderingwhethertogostraighttothehouseandsearchitifnecessarytomakesurethatshehadnotbeenthere，orwhetherIndiancunningwouldservehimbest。Hiswholebeingachedfordirectaction；hishearttrembledwithfearlestheshouldjeopardizeMarian’ssafetybyhisimpetuoushastetohelpher。
Pop，comingfromthestablejustasBudwascrossingthecorral，settledthequestionforhim。Poppeeredathimsharply，putahandtothesmallofhisbackandcamesteppingbrisklytowardhim，hisjawworkinglikeasheepeatinghay。
\"Afoot，airye？\"heexclaimedcuriously。\"What—ferideayuhgotinyoreheadnow，youngfeller？Comin’backhereafootwhenyeridtwofasthorses？Needn’tbeafraidofolePop——
notunlessyuhlieto’imandtrytogitsomethin’furnothin’。MadeoffwithLew’swife，too，didn’tye？Oh，thereain’tmuchgitspastolePop，evenifheain’tthemanheusedtobe。Iseenyuhlookin’atherwhenyuhoughtabeeneatin’。Iseenyuh！An’herwatchin’youwhenshethoughtnobuddy’dketchheratit！Sho！Shucksa’mighty！Youbeenplayin’hellallaround，now，ain’tye？Needn’tlie——Iknowwhatmyowneyestellsme！\"
\"Youknowalot，then，thatIwishIknew。I’vebeeninCraterallthetime，Pop。DidyouknowLewwasmixedupinabankrobberyyesterday，andthecashierofthebankshothim？Therestofthegangisdeadorinjail。Thesheriffdidsomegoodworkthereforafewminutes。\"
PoppinchedinhislipsandstaredatBudunwinkinglyforaminute。\"Don’tlietome，\"hewarnedpetulantly。\"WenttoCrater，didye？Cashedthemchecks，Iexpect。\"
Budpulledhismouthintoaruefulgrin。\"Yes，Pop，Icashedthechecks，allright——andhere’swhat’sleftofthemoney。
Iguess，\"hewentonwhilehepulledoutasmallrollofbillsandlickedhisfingerpreparatorytocountingthem，\"I
mightbetterhavestucktorunningmyhorses。Poker’ssureafright。Thewayitcaneatintoaman’spocket——\"
\"Wentandlostallthatmoneyonpoker，didye？\"Pop’svoicewasshrill。\"Aftermetellin’yuhhowtogitit——andshowin’
yuhhowyuhcouldbeatBoise——\"theoldman’sragechokedhim。HethrusthisfaceclosetoBud’sandglaredvenomously。
\"Yes，andjusttoshowyouIappreciateit，I’mgoingtogiveyouwhat’sleftafterI’vecountedoffenoughtoseemethroughtoSpokane。Ifeelsick，Pop。Iwantchangeofair。
AndasforridingtwofasthorsestoCrater——\"hepausedwhilehecountedslowly，Poplickinghislipsavidlyashewatched，——\"whyIdon’tknowwhatyoumean。Ionlyrideonehorseatatime，Pop，whenI’msober。AndIwassobertillI
hitCrater。\"
HestoppedcountingwhenhereachedfiftydollarsandgavetheresttoPop，whothumbedthebanknotesinafrenzyofgreeduntilhesawthathehadtwohundreddollarsinhispossession。Thegleewhichhetriedtohide，thecraftysuspicionthatthiswasnotallofitthereturningconvictionthatBudwasactuallyalmostpenniless，andthecunningassumptionofsenility，waspicturedonhisface。
Pop’spoor，miserlysoulwasforaminuteshamelesslyrevealed。Distraughtthoughhewas，Budstaredandshudderedalittleatthespectacle。
Ialwayssaid’tyou’reagood，honest，well—meaningboy，\"
Popcackled，slylyputtingthemoneyoutofsightwhilehepattedBudontheshoulder。\"DavehethoughtmebbyyoutookandstoleBoise——andifIwasyou，Bud，I’dgittoSpokanequickasIcouldandnotletDaveketchye。Dave’soutnowlookin’forye。Ifhesuspicionedyou’dhavethegalltocomerightbacktoLittleLost，Iexpectmebbyhe’dstringyuhup，youngfeller。Dave’sgotanastytemper——hehasso！\"
\"There’ssomethingelse，Pop，thatIdon’tlikeverywelltobeaccusedof。YousayMrs。Morrisisgone。Idon’tknowathingaboutthat，oraboutthehorsebeinggone。I’vebeeninCrater。I’djustgotmymoneyoutofthebankwhenitwasheldup，andLewwasshot。\"
Popteeteredandgummedhistobaccoandgrinnedfoxily。\"Shucks！
Idon’tcarenothin’aboutLew’swifegoin’，nerIdon’tcarenothin’muchaboutthehorse。Theyain’tnofunraluhmine，Bud。
Davean’Lew，let’emlookaftertheirownbelongin’s。\"
\"They’llhaveto，farasI’mconcerned，\"saidBud。\"WhatwouldI
wantofahorseIcanbeatanytimeIwanttorunmine？DavemustthinkI’mscaredtoridefast，sinceSunday！AndPop，I’vegottroublesenoughwithouthavingawomanonmyhands。AreyousureMarian’sgone？\"
\"SURE？\"Popsnorted。\"Honey，she’shadtodothecookin’formean’Jerry——andifIain’tsure——\"
Buddidnotwaittohearhimout。TherewasHoney，whomhewouldverymuchliketoavoidmeeting；sothesoonerhemadecertainofMarian’sdeliberateflightthebetter，sinceHoneywasnotanearlyriser。Hewenttothehouseandenteredbywayofthekitchen，feelingperfectlysureallthewhilethatPopwaswatchinghim。ThedisordertherewassufficientlyconvincingthatMarianwasgone，sohetip—toedacrosstheroomtoadoorthroughwhichhehadneverseenanyonepasssaveLewandMarian。
Itwasherbedroom，meagrelyfurnished，butinperfectorder。
Onthegoods—boxdresserwithawavy—glassedmirroraboveit，herhairbrush，combandafewcheaptoiletnecessitieslay，withthecombacrossanailfileasifshehadputitdownhurriedlybeforegoingouttoservesuppertothemen。
Marian，then，hadnotstolenhometopackthingsforthejourney，asJerryhaddeclaredawomanwoulddo。Budsentalingeringglancearoundtheroomandclosedthedoor。Hopewasstillwithhim，butitwasdarkenednowwithdoubts。
Inthekitchenagainhehesitated，wantinghisguitarandmandolinandyetawareofthefoolishnessofburdeninghimselfwiththemnow。Foodwasadifferentmatter，however。
Daveowedhimformorethanthreeweeksofhardworkinthehayfield，soBudcollectedfromthepantryasmuchashecouldcarry，andleftthehouselikeaburglar。
Popwasfiddlingwiththemowerthatstoodinfrontofthemachineshed，plainlywaitingforwhatevernighttranspire。
Andsincethebunk—housedoorwasinplainviewandnotsofarawayasBudwishedit，hewentboldlyovertotheoldman，carryinghisplunderonhisshoulder。
\"Daveowesmeforwork，Pop，soItookwhatgrubIneeded，\"
heexplainedwithelaboratecandor。\"I’llshowyouwhatI’vegot，soyou’llknowI’mnottakinganythingthatI’venorightto。\"Hesetdownthesack，openeditandlookedupintowhatappearedtobethelargest—muzzledsix—shooterhehadeverseeninhislife。Sheerastonishmentheldhimtheregaping，halfstoopedoverthesack。
\"Noyedon’t，youngfeller！\"Popsnarledvindictively。\"YuhthinkI’dletahorsethiefgitoff’nthisranchwhilstI’mabletopullatrigger？Youforknerthatmoneyyougotonye，firstthingyuhdo！it’sminebyrights——ItoldyuhI’dhelpyetowinmoneyoff’nthevalleycrowd，andIdoneit。
An’whatdoesyoudo？NeverpayamiteofattentiontomeafterI’dgiveyealltheinsideworkin’softhegame——neveroffertogivememyshare——no，byChristmas，yougostealahorseofmyson’sandhidehimoutsomewheres，andgolosemightynearallIhelpedyuhwin，playin’poker！ThinkI’mgoin’tostandforthat？Thinktwohundreddollarsisgoin’
toeventhingsupwhenIhelpedyetowinafortune？Handoverthatfiftyyougotonyuh！
Verymeekly，hisfaceblank，Budreachedintohispocketandgotthemoney。Withoutawordhepulledtwoorthreedollarsinsilverfromhistrouserspocketsandaddedthattothelot。\"Nowwhat？\"hewantedtoknow。
\"NowYou’llwaittillDavegitsheretohangyuhferhorse—
stealing！\"shrilledPop。\"Jerry！Oh，Jerry！Wherebeyuh？I
got’im，byChristmas——Igotthehorsethief——caughthimcarryingoodgrubrightoutathehouse！\"
\"Lookout，Jerry！\"calledBud，glancingquicklytowardthebunk—house。
Now，Pophadwithoutdoubtbeenamandifficulttotrickinhisyouth，buthewasold，andhewasexcited，tickledoverhiseasytriumph。HeturnedtoseewhatwaswrongwithJerry。
\"Lookout，Pop，youoldfool，You’llbustabloodvesselifyoudon’tquietdown，\"Budcensuredmockingly，wrestingthegunfromtheclawing，strugglingoldmaninhisarms。HewassurprisedatthestrengthandagilityofPop，andthoughhewasforcinghimbackwardstepbystepintothemachineshed，andknewthathewasmasterofthesituation，hehadhishandsfull。
\"WildcatsisnothingtoPopwhenhegetsriled，\"Jerrygrinned，comingupontherun。Ikindaexpectedsomethinglikethis。Whatyuhwantdonewithhim，Bud？\"
\"Gaghimsohecan’thollerhisheadoff，andthentakehimalong——whenI’vegotmymoneyback，Budpanted。\"Pop，you’reaboutasappreciativeasabuckInjun。\"
\"Goingtobehardtopackhimsohe’llride，\"JerryobservedquizzicallywhenPop，boundandgagged，layglaringatthembehindthebunk—house。\"Hedon’tquitebalanceyourtwogrips，Bud。Andwedoneedhatgrub。\"
\"Youbringthegrub——I’lltakePop——\"Budstoppedintheactofliftingtheoldmanandlistened。Honey’svoicewascallingPop，withembellishmentssuchBudwouldneverhavebelievedapartofHoney’svocabulary。Fromherspeech，shewascomingafterhim，andPop’sjawsworkedfranticallybehindBud’shandkerchief。
Jerrytiltedhisheadtowardtheluggagehehadmadeasecondtripfor，pickedupPop，clampedhishandoverthemouththatwastryingtobetraythem，andslippedawaythroughthebrushglancingonceoverhisshouldertomakesurethatBudwasfollowinghim。
Theyreachedthesafescreenofbranchesandstoppedthereforaminute，listeningtoHoney’svituperationsandherthreatsofwhatshewoulddotoPopifhedidnotcomeupandstartafire。
Shestopped，andhoofbeatssoundedfromthemainroad。Daveandhismenwerecoming。
InhisheartBudthankedLittleLostforthathiddenpaththroughthebushes。HeheardDaveaskingHoneywhatwasthematterwithher，heardtheunwomanlyreplyofthegirl，heardhercursePopforhisneglectofthekitchenstoveatthathourofthemorning。Heard，too，herquestioningofDave。HadtheyfoundBud，orMarian？
\"Ifyougot’emtogether，anddidn’tstring’embothuptothenearesttree——\"
Budbithislipandwenton，hisfaceaflamewithrageatthebrutishnessofagirlhehadhalfrespected。\"Honey！\"hewhisperedcontemptuously。\"Whatanameforthatlittlebeast！\"
AttherocksEddiewaswaitingwithStopper，uponwhomtheyhurriedlypackedthebedsandBud’sluggage。Theyspokeinwhisperswhentheyspokeatall，andtoinsurethehorse’sremainingquietEddiehadtiedacottonropesnuglyarounditsmuzzle。
\"I’lltakePop，\"Budwhispered，butJerryshookhisheadandoncemoreshoulderedtheoldfellowashewouldcarryabagofgrain。Sotheyslippedbackdownthetrail，tookaturnwhichBuddidnotknow，andpresentlyBudfoundthatJerrywaskeepingstraighton。BudmadeanIndiansignonthechancethatJerrywouldunderstandit，andwithhisfreehandJerryreplied。HewastakingPopsomewhere。Theyweretowaitforhimwhentheyhadreachedthehorses。Sotheyseparatedforaspace。
\"Thisissureagreatcountryforhideouts，Mr。Birnie，\"
EddieventuredwhentheyhadputhalfamilebetweenthemselvesandLittleLost，andhadcomeuponSmoky，SunfishandEddie’shorsefeedingquietlyinatiny，spring—wateredbasinhalfsurroundedwithrocks。\"Ifyouknowthecountryyoucankeepdodgin’sheriffsallyourlife——ifyoujusthavegrubenoughtolast。\"
\"Lookstomeasiftherearen’tmanywastedopportunitieshere，\"Budansweredwithsomeirony。\"Isthereanhonestmaninthewholecountry，Ed？I’djustliketoknow。\"
Eddiehesitated，hiseyesanxiouslytryingtoreadBud’smeaningandhismood。\"NotrightaroundtheSinks，Iguess，\"
herepliedtruthfully。\"UpatCratertherearesome，andovertoJumpoff。ButIguessthisvalleywouldbecalledprettytough，allright。It’ssofullofcavesandqueerplacesitkindaattractstheonesthatwanttohideout。\"Thenhegrinned。\"It’sluckyforyouit’slikethat，Mr。Birnie，orIdon’tseehowyou’dgetaway。NowIcanshowyouhowtogetclearawayfromherewithoutgettingcaught。ButIguessweoughttohavebreakfastfirst。I’mprettyhungry。Ain’tyou？
Icanbuildafireagainstthatcrackintheledgeoverthere，andthesmokewillgoawaybackunderneathsoitwon’tshow。There’sablow—holesomewherethatdrawssmokelikeachimney。\"
Jerrycameafteralittle，sniffingbacon。Hethrewhimselfdownbesidethefireanddrewalongbreath。\"Thatoldskunk’sheavierthanwhatyoumightthink，\"heobservedwhimsically。\"Ipackedhimdownintooneofthemsinkholesanduntiedhisfeetandlefthimtoscrambleoutbestwayhecan。It’lltakehimlonger’nittookme。Havingtheuseofyourhandshelpsquitealot。Andtheuseofyourmouthtocussalittle。Buthe’llmakeitinanhourortwo——I’mafraid。\"HelookedatBud，ahalf—shamedtendernessinhiseyes。\"ItsurewashardtoleavehimlikeIdid。Itwaslikewalkingonyourtoespastarattlercurledupasleepsomewhere，afraidyoumightspoilhisnap。OnlyPopwasn’tasleep。\"HesatupandreachedhishandforacupofcoffeewhichEddiewasoffering。\"Anyway，IhadthefunoftellingtheolddevilwhatIthoughtabouthim，\"headded，andblewawaythesteamandtookanothersatisfyingnip。
\"He’llputthemonourtrail，Isuppose，\"saidBud，bitingintoaraggedpieceofbreadwithahalf—burnedsliceofhotbacononit。
\"Whenhegetstotheranchhewill。HispoisonfangswassureloadedwhenIleft。Hesaidhewantedtocutyourheartoutforrobbinghim，andsoforth，adswearum。We’dbestnotleaveanytrail。\"
\"Weain’tgoingto，\"Eddieassuredhimeagerly。\"I’mgladbeingwiththeCatrockersisgoingtodosomegood，Mr。
Birnie。It’llhelpyougitaway，andthat’llhelpfindSis。I
guessshehitdownwhereyoulive，maybe。Howfarcanyourhorsetravelto—day——ifhehasto？\"
BudlookedacrosstowhereSunfish，havingrolledinawetspotnearthespringandmuddiedhimselftohissatisfaction，wasgreedilyatworkuponapatchofgrass。\"Ifhehasto，tillhedropsinhistracks。Andthatwon’tbeformanyamile，kid。He’sthoroughbred；athoroughbredneverknowswhentoquit。\"
\"Well，thereain’tanyspeedytrailaheadofustoday，\"Eddievouchsafedcheeringly。\"There’shalf—amilemaybewherewecangallop，andtherestisacaseofpickingyourfooting。\"
\"Let’sbeginpickingit，then，\"saidBud，andgotup，reachingforhisbridle。
BydeviouswaysitwasthatEddieledthemoutofthatsinistercountrysurroundingtheSinks。InthebeginningBudandJerryexchangedglances，andlookedattheirguns，believingthatitwouldbethroughCatrockCanyontheywouldhavetoride。Eddie，ridingsoberlyinthelead，hadyetacertainyouthfulsenseofhisimportance。\"They’llneverthinkoffollowingyuhthisway，unlessoldPopTrumangitsbackintimetotell’emI’mtravellingwithyuh，\"heobservedoncewhentheyhadpenetratedbeyondtheneighborhoodofcavesandblow—holesandwereridingsafelydownacanyonthatofferedfewchancesoftheirbeingobservedsavefromthefront，whichdidnotconcernthem。
\"Iguessyoudon’tknowoldPopisabouttheringeaderoftheCatrockers。Erhewas，tillhebegantogitkindachildishabouthoardingmoney，andthenDavesteppedin。AndMr。
Birnie，Iguessyou’dhavebeendeadwhenyoufirstcamethere，ifithadn’tbeenthatDaveandPopwantedtogiveyouachancetogetalotofmoneyoffofJeff’sbunch。Lewwastellinghowyoukeptcleaningup，andhesaidrightalongthattheywastakingtoomuchriskhavingyouaround。Lewsaidhebetyouwasadetective。Areyou，Mr。Birnie？\"
Budwasridingwithhisshoulderssaggedforward，histhoughtswithMarian——wherevershewas。HehadbeenconvincedthatshewasnotatLittleLost，thatshehadstartedforLaramie。Butnowthathewasawayfromthatevilspothisdoubtsreturned。Whatifshewerestillintheneighborhood——
whatiftheyfoundher？MemoryofHoney’svindictivenessmadehimshiver，Honeywasthekindofwomanwhowouldkill。
\"Iam，fromnowon，kid，\"hesaiddespondently。\"We’regoingtoridetillwefindyoursister。Andifthosehell—houndsgother——\"
\"Theydidn’t，fromthewayHoneytalked，\"Jerrycomforted。
\"We’llfindheratLaramie，don’tyoueverthinkwewon’t！\"
CHAPTERTWENTY—ONE：TRAILSEND
Atthelastcamp，justnorthofthePlatte，Bud’stwoblacksheepbalked。Budhimself，wornbysleeplessnightsandlonghoursinthesaddle，turnedfuriouslywhenJerryannouncedthatheguessedheandEdwouldn’tgoanyfarther。
\"Well，damnyoubothforungratefulhounds！\"gratedBud，hurttothequick。\"Ihopeyoudon’tthinkIbroughtyouthisfartohelpholdmeinthesaddle；Imadeitnorthalone，withoutanymishap。IthinkIcouldhavecomebackallright。Butifyouwanttoquithere，allright。Youcanhigh—tailitbacktoyouroutlaws——\"
\"Well，ifyougo’nputitthatway！\"Jerryexpostulated，liftingbothhandshighintheairinavainattempttopullthesituationtowardthehumorous。\"You’readepitysheriff，andyougotthedrop。\"Hegrinned，sawthatBud’seyeswerestillhardandhismouthunyielding，andloweredhishands，lookingcrestfallenasakickedpupthathadtriedtobefriendly。
\"Youcanseeforyourselfweain’tfittogo’nmeetyourmotherandyourfatherlikewewas——likewe’dwentstraight，\"
Eddieputinexplanatorily。\"You’vebeenraisedgood，and——
say，itmakesamanwanttoBEgoodtoseehowafellerdon’thavetobenopreachertoliveright。Butitdon’tseemsquaretoletyoutakeusrighthomewithyou，justbecauseyou’resodarnedkindyou’ddoitandneverthinkathingaboutit。Weain’tungrateful——IknowIain’t。But——but——\"
\"Thekid’ssaidit，Bud，\"Jerrycametotherescue。\"Wecomealongbecauseitwasaticklishtripyouhadahead。AndI’veknowedasgoodridersasyouare，thatcouldstandalittleholdinginthesaddlewhensomefreakhadtriedtoshoot’emoutofit。Butyou’reclosetohomenowandyoudon’tneedusnomore，andsoweain’tgoingtohorninontheprodigalcalf’smilkbucket。Marian，She’slikelythere——\"
\"IfSisain’twithyourfolkswe’llhuntherup，\"Eddieinterruptedeagerly。\"Sisisyourkind——she——she’sgoodenoughforyuh，Bud，andIhopeshe——ll——wellifshe’sgotanysenseshewill——well，ifitcomestothenarryingpoint，I——well，darnit，I’dliketoseeSisgitasgoodamanasyouare！\"Eddie，havingblunteredthatfar，wentheadlongasifhewereafraidtostop。\"Sisiseducated，andshe’sanawfulgoodsingerandafinegirl，onlyI’mherbrother。ButI’mgoingtolivehonestfromnowon，Bud，andIhopeyouwon’tholdoffonaccountofme。Iain’tgoingtohavesisfeellikecryingwhenshethinksaboutme！You——you——saidsomethingthathurtlikeaknife，Bud，whenyoutoldmethat，upinCrater。Andshewasn’ttoblameformarryn’Lew——andshedonethatoutagoodness，thekindyoushowedtoJerryandme。Andwedon’twanttogospoilin’everythingbylettingyourfolksseewhatyou’rebringin’homewithyuh！AnditmighthurtSiswithyourfolks，iftheyfoundoutthatI’m——\"
Budhadbeenstandingbyhishorse，lookingfromonetotheother，listening，watchingtheirfaces，measuringthefulldepthoftheirmanhood。\"Say！youremindmeofastorythefolkstellonme，\"hesaid，hiseyesshining，whilehisvoicestrovetomakelightofitall。\"Once，whenIwasakidinpink—aprons，Igotlostfromthetrail—herdmyfolkswerebringingupfromTexas。Itwascomin’dark，andtheyhadthewholeoutfitouthuntingme，andeverybodyscaredtodeath。
Whentheywereallaboutcrazy，theyclaimIcamewalkinguptothecamp—firedraggingadeadsnakebythetail，andcarryingahorntoadinmyshirt，andclaimingtheywereminebecauseI’ketched’em。’I’mnotbrandingthatyarnwithanymoral——butfigureitoutforyourself，boys。\"
Thetwolookedateachotherandgrinned。\"Iain’tdeadyet，\"
Eddiemadesheepishcomment。\"Mebbeyoukindalookonmeasbeingahorntoad，Bud。\"
\"Whenyoubearinmindthatmyfolksraisedthatkid，You’llrealizethatittakesagooddealtostampedemother。\"Budswungintothesaddletoavoidsubjectinghisemotionstothecramped，inadequatelimitationsofspeech。\"Let’sgo，boys。
She’salongtrailtotakethekinksoutofbeforesupper—
time。\"
Theystoodstill，makingnomovetofollow。BudreinedSmokyaroundsothathefacedthem，reachedlaboriouslyintothatmysteriouspocketofacowpuncher’strouserswhichisalwaysheldclosedbythebeltofhischaps，andwhichinvariablyholdsinitsdepthsthethingshewantsinahurry。Theywatchedhimcuriously，resolutelyrefusingtointerprethisbitofautobiography，wonderingperhapswhyhedidnotgo。
\"Heresheis。\"Budhaddisinterredthedeputysheriff’sbadge，andbegantopolishitbytheprimitivebuteffectualmethodofspittingonitandthenrubbingvigorouslyonhissleeve。\"You’reoutsideofCraterCounty，butbythunderyou’rebothguiltyofresistinganofficer，andcountylinesdon’tcount！\"Hehadpinnedthebadgeatrandomonhiscoatwhilehewasspeaking，andnow，beforethetworealizedwhathewasabout，hehadhissix—shooteroutandaimedstraightatthem。
Budhadneverlivedinfearofthelaw。Instantlywassorrywhenhesawtheinvoluntarystiffeningoftheirmuscles，thequickwordlesssuspicionanddefiancethatsenttheireyesinshiftyglancestorightandleftbeforetheirhandsliftedalittle。Trusthim，lovehimtheymight，therewasthatlatentfearofcapturedrivendeepintotheirsouls；sodeepthatevenhehadnoterasedit。
Budsaw——andsohelaughed。
\"I’vegottoshowmyfolksthatI’vemadeagathering，\"hesaid。\"Youcan’tquit，boys。AndI’mgoingtotakeyoutotheendofthetrail，nowyou’vestarted。\"Heeyedthem，sawthattheywerestillstubborn，anddrewinhisbreathsharply，manfullymeetingthequestionintheirminds。
\"We’veleftmoreattheSinksthanthegnashingofteeth，\"hesaidwhimsically。\"Acoupleofbadnames，forinstance。
You’retwobullygoodfriendsofmine，and——damnit，Marianwillwanttoseebothofyoufellows，ifshe’sthere。Ifsheisn’t——we’llmaybehaveabigcircletoride，findingher。
I’llneedyou，nomatterwhat’sahead。\"Helookedfromonetotheother，gaveasnortandaddedimpatiently，\"Aw，forkyourhorsesanddon’tstandtherelookinglikeacoupleofdamnfools！\"
WhereuponJerryshookhisheaddissentingly，grinnedandgaveEddiesoemphaticanimpulsetowardhishorsethatthekidwentsprawling。
\"GuessWe’reupagainstit，allright——butIdowishyo’dlosethatbadge！\"Jerrysurrendered，andflippedthebridlereinsovertheneckofhishorse。\"Horntoadisright，thewayyou’rescabblingaroundamongstthemrocks，\"hecalledlight—heartedlytothekid。\"Everseeapurtiersunrise？I
never！\"
Idon’tknowwhattheythoughtofthesunset。Gorgeousitwas，withmanysoftcolorsblendedintounnamabletintsandtranslucencies，andthesongsofbirdsinthethicketsastheypassed。Smoky，SunfishandStopperwalkedbriskly，earsperkedforward，headsup，eyeseagertocatchthefamiliarlandmarksthatmeanthome。Bud’sheadwasup，also，hiseyeswenthereandthere，restingwithacarelessaffectiononthosesamelandmarkswhichspelledhome。HewouldhaveletSmoky’sreinshaveabitmoreslackandwouldhaveledhislittleconvoytothecorralsatagallop，hadnothopebeguntotrembleandshrinkfrommeetingcertaintyfacetoface。
Hadyouaskedhimthen，IthinkBudwouldhaveownedhimselfacoward。Untilhehadspeechwithhome—folkhewouldmerelybehopingthatMarianwasthere；butuntilhehadspeechwiththemheneednothearthattheyknewnothingofher。Bud——
like，however，hetriedtocoverhistrepidationwithajoke。
\"We’llsneakupon。’em，\"hesaidtoEdandJerrywhentheroofsofhouseandstablescameintoview。
Here’swhereIgrewup，boys。Andinaminuteortwomoreyou’llseethegreatestlittlemotheronearth——andthefinestdad，\"headded，swallowingthelastofhisScotchstubbornness。
\"AndSis，Ihope，\"Eddiesaidwistfully。\"Isurehopeshe’shere。\"
NeitherJerrynorBudansweredhimatall。Smokythrewuphisheadsuddenlyandgaveashrillwhinny，andahorseatthecorralsansweredsonorously。
\"Say！ThatsoundstomelikeBoise！\"Eddieexclaimed，standingupinhisstirrupstolook。
Budturnedpale，thenflushedhotly。\"Don’tholler！\"hemuttered，andheldSmokybackalittle。Forjustonereasonayoungman’sheartpoundsasBud’sheartpoundedthen。Jerrylookedathim，tookadeepbreathandbithislipthoughtfully。ItmaybethatJerry’sheartbeatswerenotquitenormaljustthen，butnoonewouldeverknow。
Theyrodeslowlytoapointnearthecornerofthetable，andthereBudhaltedthetwowithhisliftedhand。Budwastremblingalittle——buthewassmiling，too。Eddiewasfranklygrinning，Jerry’sfacewasthefaceofagoodpoker—player——
ittoldnothing。
Inagroupwiththeirbackstothemstoodthree：Marian，Bud’smotherandhisfather。BobBirnieheldBoisebythebridle，andthetwowomenwerestrokingthebrownnoseofthehorsethatmoveduneasily，withlittleimpatienthead—
tossings。
\"Hedoesn’tbehavelikeahorsethathasmadethelongtriphehasmade，\"Bud’smotherobservedadmiringly。\"Youmustbeawonderfullittlehorsewoman，mydear，aswellasawonderfullittlewomanineveryotherway。Buddyshouldneverhavesentyouonsuchatrip——justtobringhomemoney，likeabankmessenger！ButI’mgladthathedid！AndIdowishyouwouldconsenttostay——suchanafternoonwithmusicI
haven’thadsinceBuddyleftus。Youcouldstaywithmeandtrainfortheconcertworkyouintenddoing。I’monlyanoldranchwomaninaslatsunbonnet——butItaughtmyBuddy——andhaveyouheardhim？\"
\"Anoldwomaninaslatsunbonnet——oh，howcanyou？Why，you’rethemostwonderfulwomaninthewholeworld。\"Marian’svoicewasalmosttearfulinitsprotest。\"Yes——Ihaveheard——yourBuddy。\"
\"’TisthestrangestwaytogoaboutsellingahorsethatI
eversaw，\"BobBirnieputindryly，smoothinghisbeardwhilehelookedatthem。\"We’dbegladtohaveyoustay，lass。Butyou’veaskedmetoplaceapriceonthehorse，andIshouldliketoaskyeaquestionortwo。Howfastdidyesayhecouldrun？\"
Marianlaidanarmaroundtheshouldersoftheoldladyinaslatsunbonnetandpattedherarmwhilesheanswered。
\"Well，hebeateverythinginthecountry，sotheyrefusedtoraceagainsthim，untilBudcamewithhishorses，\"shereplied。\"IttookSunfishtooutrunhim。He’sterriblyfast，Mr。Birnie。I——really，Ithinkhecouldbeattheworld’srecord——ifBudrodehim！\"
JusthereyoushouldpictureEdandJerrywiththeirhandsovertheirmouths，andBudwantingtohidehisfacewithhishat。
BobBirnie’sbeardbehavedoddlyforaminute，whileheleanedandstrokedBoise’sflatforelegs，thattoldofspeed。
\"Wee—ll，\"hehesitated，soft—heartednessbattlingwiththehorse—buyer’skeenness，\"sinceBudisnaeretoridehim，he’llmakeagoodhorsefortheroundup。I’llgiveye\"——morebattling——\"ahundredandfiftydollarsforhim，ifyecaretosell——\"
\"Here，waitaminutebeforeyouselltothatoldskinflint！\"
Budshoutedexuberantly，dismountingwitharush。Therush，I
maysay，carriedhimtothelittleoldladyintheslatsunbonnet，andtothatotherlittleladywhowasstaringathimwithwide，brightyes。Bud’sarmswentaroundhismother。
PerhapsbyaccidenthegatheredinMarianalso——theywerestandingveryclose，andhisarmswereverylong——andhewasslowtodiscoverhismistake。
\"I’llgiveyoutwohundredforBoise，andI’llthrowinonebrother，andonelong—legged，good—for—nothingcowpuncher——\"
\"Meaningyourself，Buddy？\"cameteasinglyfromheslatsunbonnet，whoseoccupanthadnotbeentoldjusteverything。
\"I’llbesurprisedifshe’llhaveyou，withthatdirtyfaceandnoshaveforaweekandmore。Butifshedoes，you’reluckierthanyoudeserve，forridinguponuslikethis！
We’veheardallaboutyou，Buddy——thoughyouwerewisetosendthislassietogildyourfaultsandmakeaheroofyou！\"
Now，youwanttoknowhowMarianmanagedtolivethroughthat。Iwillsaythatshediscoveredhowtenaciouslyayoungman’sarmsmayclingwhenhethinksheisembracingmerelyhismother；butshefreedherselfandrantoEddie，fairlypulledhimoffhishorse，andtalkedveryfastandincoherentlytohimandJerry，askingquestionafterquestionwithoutwaitingforareplytoanyofthem。Allthis，I
suppose，inthehopethattheywouldnothear，or，hearing，wouldnotunderstandwhatthatterrible，wonderfullittlewomanwassayingsoinnocently。
Butyoucannotfazeyouth。EddiehadimportantnewsforSis，andhefeltthatnowwasthetimetotellitbeforeMarianblushedanyredder，sohepulledherfaceuptohis，puthislipssoclosetoherearthathisbreathtickled，andwhispered——withoutanyprefacewhateverthatshecouldmarryBudanytimenow，becauseshewasawidow。
\"Here！Somebody——Bud——quick！Sishasfainted！Doggoneit，I
onlytoldherLew’sdeadandshecanmarryyou——shucks！I
thoughtshe’dbeglad！\"
DownontheStakedPlains，onaneveningmuchliketheeveningwhenBudcamehomewithhis\"stake\"andhishopesandtwoblacksheepwhowerebecomingwhiteasmostofus，acamp—firebegantocrackleandwavesmokeribbonsthiswayandthatbeforeitburnedsteadilyunderthesupperpotsofacertainhungry，happygroupwhichyouknow。
\"It’ssomewhereaboutherethatIgotlostfromcampwhenI
wasakid，\"Budobserved，tiltingbackhishatandliftingakneetosnapadrystickoverit。\"Mother’dknow，Ibet。I
kindawishwe’dbroughtheranddadalongwithus。That’sabouteighteenyearsagotheytrailedaherdnorth——andhereweare，takingourtrail——herdnorthonthesametrail！I
kindawishnowI’dpickedupabunchofyearlingheifersalongwithourtwo—year—olds。Wecouldhavebroughtanotherhundredheadjustaswellasnot。Theysuredrivenice。
Motherwouldhaveenjoyedthistrip。\"
\"Youthinkso，doyou？\"Mariangavehimasuperiorlittlesmilealongwiththecoffee—boiler。\"Ifyou’dheardhertalkaboutthattripnorthwhenthereweren’tanymenaroundlistening，you’dchangeyourmind。BudBirnie，youaretheSIMPLESTcreature！Youthink，becauseawomandoesn’tmakeafussoverthings，shedoesn’tmind。Yourmothertoldmethatitwasaperfectnightmare。Shetaughtyoumusicjustinthehopethatyou’dgobacktocivilizationandlivetherewheretherearesomemodernimprovements，andshecouldvisityou！
Andhereyouare——allrappedupinabunchofyoungstock，dirtyaspigandyourwhiskers——ow！Bud！Stopthatimmediatly，orI’llgoputmyfaceinacactusjustforrelief！\"
\"Maybeyou’redissatisfiedyourselfwithmybunchofcattle。
Maybeyoudidn’tgoinrapturesoverouraimandmakemoreplansinadaythanfourmencouldcarryoutinayear。Maybeyouwishyourhusbandwasamanthatwascontenttopoundpianokeysallhislifeandlethishairgrowlonginsteadofhiswhiskers。Ifyouhatethis，whydidn’tyousayso？\"
\"Iwasspeaking，\"saidMarianasdignifiedlyaswaspossible，\"ofyourmother。Shewasraisedincivilization，andshehassimplymadethebestofpioneeringallhermarriedlife。I
wasbornandraisedincow—countryandIloveit。AsIsaidbefore，youaretheSIMPLESTcreature！Wouldyoureallybringafatherandmotherahoneymoontrail——especiallywhenthebridedidn’twantthem，andtheywouldmuchratherstayhome？\"
\"Hey！\"criedEddiedisgustedly，comingupfromashallowcreekwithabucketofwaterandafewdrysticks。\"Thecoffee’supsetandputtingthefireout。Geewhiz！Can’tyoufolksquitlove—makin’andtendtobusinesslongenoughtocookameal？\"