"Brandynow，Perault，"saidShock。"Therenow，laddie。ThankGod，heiscomingto！"
　　"Dad，dad，where’sdad？"saidlittlePatsyfaintly，openinghiseyes。"Iwantdad。"
　　"Here！Here！Patsymannie，"criedhisfatherquickly，comingfrombehindthecrowdwherehehadbeenstandingdazedandstupid。"Standbackthere！Letmehavemyboy，"headdedsavagely。
　　HesweptbothPeraultandShockangrilyaside，gatheredthelittleladtenderlyinhisarmsandstrodeoffintothehouse，thewhitefaceofthechildrestingonhisfather’sshoulderandhisgoldencurlsminglingwiththeblack，coarsemassesofhisfather’shairandbeard。
　　"Well，I’llbeblanked！"saidoneofthemen。"Wouldn’tthatpallyou！"
　　"Blankcantankerouscuss！"saidthecowboy。"Nevera`thankyou’forgittin’halfkilledinplaceofhiskid。"
　　PeraultwalkeduptoShock，andofferinghishand，saidinavoicehuskyandbroken，"Dat’stwoforyoudiseven’——mean’datleelefeller。Forme——Ican’tspikmyheart，"smitinghimselfonthebreast，"butmyheart——dat’syourownnow，bygar！"HewrungShock’shandinbothofhisandturnedquicklyaway。Butbeforehehadtakenmanystepshereturned，saying，"Comeonwitme！Ifeexupyourhead。"AndwithoutfurtherwordsShockandPeraultpassedintotheStoppingPlace。
　　Themenlookedateachotherinsilenceforatime，thenthecowboysaidwithunusualemphasis，"Boys，he’swhite！He’sblankedwhite！"
　　X
　　THETURFMEET
　　ThegreatbrownshadowsoftherollinghillshadquitefilledthehollowsbetweenandwereslowlyclimbingupthewesternslopeofeveryundulationwhenShockreachedthelipofthebroadriverbedinwhichlay，thelittleforttown。
　　ThewhiteclumpofbuildingsstandingbythemselvesheknewtobethebarracksoftheNorth—WestMountedPolice。Theflagfloatingaboveshowedthat，aswellastheairofmilitaryneatnessaboutthem。
　　Thetownstraggledalongtwointersectingstreets，andthenfrayedoutovertheflatsinisolatedanddejected—lookingshacks。ThemoreimposingbuildingonthemainstreetShockguessedwerethehotelsandstores。OneofthelatterherecognisedfromitsflagasthatoftheancientandhonourableHudson’sBayCompany。Onabackstreethereandtherestoodahousesurroundedbyagardenandscrubbytrees，apatheticattempttoreproduceinthistreelesscountrywhatinotherlandshadbeenfondlycalledhome。
　　Awayoneverysidestretchedthevastsweepofrollingprairietowheretheamberofthesky—linemingledwiththegreyblueoftheearth。
　　Howinsignificant，howmiserableandwretchedinthemidstofthisexpanseofskyandearth，seemedthehuddlingbunchofdejectedbuildings，andyetthewholeinterestofheavenaboveandeartharoundcentredinthosestragglingshacks，fortheyweretheabodesofmen。
　　Fromfeastinghisheartuponthemarvellousbeautyoftheexpanseofroundedhills，withtheirvariegationofsunlightandshadow，andtheexpanseofcloudlesssky，deepblueoverheadandshadingbyindefinabletransitionsthroughbluesandpurplesintopearlgreysandrosetints，andatlastintogloriousyellowgoldatthehorizon，Shock，withalmostashudder，turnedhiseyestothelittleraggedtownbeneathhim。HowmarvelloustheworksofGod！Howuglythethingsmanmakes！
　　ItwaspartlytheinfinitudeofthiscontrastthatwroughtinShockafeelingofdepressionashefollowedthetrailwindingdownthelongslopetowardthetown。Ashebecameawareofthisdepression，hetookhimselfseverelytotask。
　　"What’sthematterwithme，anyway？"heaskedhimselfimpatiently。
　　"I’mnotafraidofthem。"Andyethehadasuspicionthatitwasjustthisthattroubledhim。Hewasafraid。Thefeelingwasnotonewithwhichhewasunfamiliar。Oftenbeforeabigmatchhehadbeenshamefullyconsciousofthissamenervousfear。Herememberedhowhishearthadseemedtoobigforhisbody，tillhefeltitinhisthroat。Butherememberednow，withnosmallcomfort，thatoncetheballwaskickedhishearthadalwaysgonebacktoitsplaceanditsworkandgavehimnofurtherconcern，andto—dayhehopedthismightbehisexperienceagain。
　　ItwasagreatdayattheFort，nothinglessthantheSpringMeetingoftheSouthAlbertaTurfAssociation;andinthathorsecountry，wheremenwereknownbytheirhorsesratherthanbypersonalcharacteristics，themeetingoftheTurfAssociationeasilytookprecedenceoverallotherevents，socialorpolitical。
　　Thisspring，totheinterestnaturallycentringintheraces，therewasaddedaspecialinterest，inthat，behindthehorsesenteredfortheAssociationCup，theregatheredintenselocalfeeling。Thethreefavouriteswererepresentativehorses。ThemoneyofthepoliceandalltheFortcontingentinthecommunityhadbeenplacedonthelong，rangeythoroughbred，Foxhall，animportedracerwhohadbeenfastenoughtolosemoneyinthegreatracingcircuitsoftheEast，butwhowasbelievedtobefastenoughtowinmoneyhereintheWest。
　　Thedistrictabouttheforttownwasdividedintotwosections，theeastandthewest。Intheeasternsectionthefarmingindustrywascarriedontoanalmostequalextentwithranching;inthewest，upamongthehills，therewasranchingpureandsimple。Betweenthetwosectionsastrongrivalryexisted。Inthiscontesttheeasthad"banked"onCaptainHalHarricomb，rancherandgentlemanfarmer，andhisblackDemon。Thewesternmen，allranchers，whodespisedandhatedfarmersandeverythingpertainingtothem，wereallrangedbehindtheSwallow，adaintylittlebaymare，bred，owned，andriddenbyayoungEnglishman，VictorStanton，knownthroughouttheAlbertas，southandnorth，as"TheKid，"or，affectionately，"TheKiddie，"admiredforhissuperbriding，hisrecklessgenerosity，hiscoolcourage，andlovedforhisgentle，generousheart。
　　Alreadytwoheatshadbeenrun，onegoingtotheDemonandonetotheSwallow，FoxhallsustaininghisEasternreputationasamoney—
　　loser。
　　Theexcitementofthedayhadgraduallygrowninintensity，andnowwasconcentratedinthefinalheatoftheAssociationCuprace。
　　Allunconsciousofthisexcitementandofthetremendousissuesatstake，Shocksenthislittlecayusepeacefullytrottingalongthetrailtowhereitmetthemainstreet。Thestreetwaslinedoneithersidewithmenandhorses。Somethingwasevidentlygoingon，butwhatShockcouldnotsee。
　　Butnosoonerhadheturnedupthestreetthantherewasafierceoutburstofyells，oaths，andexecrations，andatthesamemomentheheardbehindhimthepoundingofhoofs。
　　Hastilyglancingoverhisshoulder，hesawthunderingdownuponhimhalfadozenormoremountedmen。Invainhetuggedathiscayuse。
　　Thelittlebruteallowedhisstubbornheadtobehauledroundclosetotheshaft，butdeclinedtoremovehisbody;and，indeed，hadhebeeneversoeager，therewouldhardlyhavebeentime。Abigblackhorsewasplungingwildlynotmorethantenfeetbehindhim。A
　　fierceoath，ashowerofdustandgravelinhisface，aflashoflegsandhoofs，andthebigblackwasliftedclearoverShockandhiscayuse，andwasoffagaindownthestreetbetweenthelinesofyellingmen。
　　"Here，blankyourblankhead！Gitoffthecourse！Don’tyouknownothin’？"
　　WhenShockcametohimself，hewasawarethatatall，lankycowboyinchaps，woollenshirt，andstiff，broad—brimmedhatwaspoundinghiscayuseovertheheadwithhisheavywhip。
　　Shockneverknewhowithappened。Allherememberedwasaquickrushofbloodtohisbrain，amaddesiretopunishthemanwhowasbrutallybeatinghispony，andthenstandingbytheshaftofhisbuck—boardwaitingforthemantogetup。
　　"Gad，sir！"exclaimedavoiceoverhisshoulder，"thatwasacleverthrow！"Therewasgenuineadmirationinthevoice。
　　Shocklookedupandsawanoldgentleman，withwhite，close—croppedhairandmoustacheanderectmilitaryform，regardinghimwithadmiration。Hewasridingastouthunter，dockedinEnglishstyle。
　　"Andservedyouperfectlyright，Ike，"continuedtheoldgentleman。
　　"Whatbusinesshaveyoutostrikeanyman’shorse？"
　　"Whattheblankblankishedoingonthecourse？"saidIkewrathfully，asheslowlyrosefromthegroundandcametowardShock。
　　"Isay，stranger，"hesaid，comingoverneartoShockandlookinghimcarefullyintheeye，"I’llgiveyoutwenty—fivedollarsifyoudothatagin。Youtookmeunbeknownst。Now，gittowork。"
　　Shock’shearthadgotbacktoitsrightplaceandwasbeatingitssteadybeat。Theoldscrimmagesmilewasonhisface。
　　"ButIdonotwanttodoitagain，andIdidtakeyouunawares。"
　　"Look—a—here，"saidIke，touchingShockwithhisforefingeronthebreast，"doyouthinkyoukindoitagin？"
　　"Don’tknowthatIcould，"saidShockquietly。"ButIdoknowthatI
　　donotintendtotry。And，infact，Idonotknowhowitwasdone。"
　　"Ikeydoes，"drawledavoice。
　　Therewasadelightedroarfromthecrowdthathadgatheredround。
　　Ikelookedroundthecircleofgrinningmenforasecondortwo。
　　"Say，"hesaidslowly，"ifanyblank，blanksonofashe—apethinksheknowshowtodothattrickwhenI’ma—watchin’，here’shisopportunityrightnaouw——ferfun，orfermoney，or，"loweringhisvoiceandthrustingforwardhisfacealittle，"ferblood。"
　　Thelaughdiedoutfromthecrowd。Therewasasilenceforamomentortwo，andthenthesamevoicedrawled，"Nobody’shungry，Iguess，Ikey，"andIketurnedfromthemwithagruntofcontempt。
　　"Now，"hesaid，comingbacktoShock，"I’dliketohearyoutalk。"
　　Ikethrewhimselfintoanattitudeofdefence，butShock’spositionneverchanged，nordidthesmilefadefromhisface。
　　"IhavenothingtosayexceptthatIdonotknowhowithappened。I
　　sawmyhorsebeingabused，and——well，Iactedalittlehastily，I
　　fear。"
　　"Hastily！"exclaimedtheoldgentleman，whohadremainedinthecrowd。"Nonsense！Perfectlyright，Isay，andIkeknowsit。Whatwouldyoudo，Ike，ifyousawafellowpoundingSlipperovertheears？"
　　"Poundin’Slipper？"saidIkeslowly，pausingtoturnhisquidoftobaccoinhischeek。"Poundin’Slipper，"herepeatedwithevengreaterdeliberation。"Knockhisblankfaceintothebackofhishead。"
　　"Thenitseemstome，Ike，youwereletoffeasy。"Theoldgentlemansmiledgrimlydownuponthecowboy，whowasstillwrathful，butmorepuzzledthanwrathful。Thesmilingmanatthepony’sheadlookedsothoroughlygood—naturedthatitwashardtopushaquarrel，butstillIke’sdignityhadbeeninjured。
　　"WhatIbegtoremarkis，"hecontinued，returningtotheattack，"kinhedoitagin？Doeshehaveanylingerin’suspicionthatheiscapableofthatact？"IkereservedhisbestEnglishforseriousoccasions。"Ifhedoes，I’mwillin’heshouldextemporiseatit。"
　　"Goodman，Ikey！"drawledthevoiceagainfromthecrowd。"I’llbackIkeytohislastpant’sbutton。"
　　Shockstoodsilentandsmiling，whileIkestoodfacinghim，moreandmorepuzzled。Shockwasanentirelynewexperience。Hewouldnotfight，hewouldnotrunaway，hewouldnotevengetangry。
　　Atthispointtheoldgentlemaninterfered。
　　"Now，Ikey，"hesaid，"itistimeyouwerelearningsomemanners。
　　Thisgentlemanisnopugilist。Hehasneitherthedesirenortheintentionoffightingyou，whichisperhapsallthebetterforyou。
　　Thatisapoorwaytotreatastrangerthefirstdayhearrivesinourtown。Perhapsyouwillallowmetobeofsomeservicetoyou，"
　　hesaid，turningtoShock。
　　"Thankyou，"saidShocksimply。"Iaminneedofadoctorfirstofall。TwoofmyfriendsatLoonLakeareveryill。Isthereadoctorinthistown？"
　　"Thereis，"repliedtheoldgentleman。"Dr。Burton。ButIverymuchfearthathewillhardlybefitforserviceto—day。Unfortunately，ourdoctor，thougharemarkablycleverpractitioner，isnotalways——
　　well，tobequitefrank，heisveryfrequentlydrunk。Gethimsoberandhewilldoyougoodservice。"
　　"HowshallIaccomplishthat？"askedShock，withafeelingofdespairinhisheart，thinkingoftheOldProspectorinhispainandoflittlePatsylyinginsemi—unconsciousnessinthebackroomoftheLoonCreekStoppingPlace。"Imusthaveadoctor。Icannotgobackwithoutone。"
　　"Then，"saidtheoldgentleman，"youwillneedtokidnaphimandwaittillhesobersoff。"
　　"Ishalltry，"saidShockquietly。
　　Theoldgentlemanstaredathim。
　　"ByJove！"hesaid，"Ibelieveyoumeanto。Andifyoudo，you’llsucceed。"
　　"CanyoudirectmetothehouseofMr。Macfarren？"inquiredShock。
　　"Certainly。Thatishishouseamongthetrees，"pointingtoacottagewithaverandahaboutit，whichstoodbacksomedistancefromthemainstreet。"ButifyouwishtoseeMr。Macfarren，youwillfindhimdownattheotherendofthestreetatthefinishingpost。Hewillbeverybusilyengagedatthepresent，however，beingoneofthejudgesinthisrace，andifitisnotofimmediateimportanceIwouldadviseyourwaitingtilltheraceisover。Butstay，herehecomes。ThemaninthecentreisMr。Macfarren。"
　　Ashespokehepointedtoatallman，withalong，grizzledbeard，ridingapony，followedbytwoyoungermensplendidlymounted。Theelderofthesewasamanstronglybuilt，faceopenandhonest，butshowingsignsofhardliving。Herodeapowerfulblackhorse，whosetempershowedinhisfiercesnatchingatthebit。Justnowthehorsewascoveredwithfoam，reddenedattheflanksandmouthwithblood。
　　Hiscompanionwasmuchyounger，amereboy，indeed。Hisfairhair，blueeyes，andsmoothfaceaccentuatedhisyouthfulappearance。Itwashisyouthfulfaceandboyishmannerthatgavehimhisnameamongthecattlemen，andhisplaceintheirhearts。Butthoughtheycalledhim"TheKid，"andoften"TheKiddie，"andthoughtofhimwithadmiringandcaressingtenderness，nomanofthemfailedtogivehimfullrespect;forboyashewas，hehadaman’snerve，aman’sgrip，hismuscleswereallsteel，andwithallhissmilinggentlenessnoneofthemwouldthinkoftakingalibertywithhim。
　　Earlierinthedayhehadwonfromadozencompetitorsthatmostcovetedofallhonoursintheranchingcountry，TheBuckingBelt，forhehadriddenforthefullhundredyardswithout"touchingleather，"theOUTLAWspeciallyimportedfromtheotherside。
　　Asthethreemenrodeuptherideroftheblackhorsewasheardtosay，"That’sthefellowthatnearlyspilledme。AndifDemonhadn’tbeenmightyquickinrecovering，itwouldhavebeenablanknastymess。"
　　"Isay，"saidMacfarren，inaloud，blusteringtone，"don’tyouknowenoughtokeepoffarace—coursewhenaraceisbeingrun？"
　　Shockwasmuchtakenabackatthisgreeting。
　　"Ibegyourpardon，butIdidn’tknowthiswasarace—course，nordidIknowthataracewason。"
　　"Thedeuceyoudidn’t！Hadn’tyoueyestosee？"
　　TothisShockmadenoreply，buttakingaletterfromhispocketsaidquietly，"YouareMr。Macfarren，Ibelieve。IhavealetterforyoufromMr。McIntyre。"
　　Atthistheothertworodeaway。Mr。Macfarrenopenedtheletterwithascowl。Ashereadtheflushonhisfacedeepened。
　　"Whatthedeucedoesthismean？"heburstout，inanangrytone。"I
　　wroteboththeSuperintendentandMcIntyrelastweekthatitwasapieceoffollytoplantamanhere，thatwedidn’trequireanddidn’twantaman。Thecommunityiswellsuppliedalreadywithchurchservices，andasfarasthePresbyteriansareconcerned，theywouldfindthesupportofaministeranintolerableburden。"
　　ForamomentortwoShockstoodinspeechlessamazement。Itwasdisconcertingintheextremetobetoldbythemanuponwhomhehadchieflydependedforsupportandcounselthathewasnotwanted。
　　"Yourletterswouldnothavereachedthemintime，Isuppose，"hesaidatlast。
　　"Well，that’sthefact，atanyrate，"repliedMacfarrenroughly。"Wewon’twantaminister。Wearethoroughlywellsupplied。Wedon’tneedone，andwecannotsupportone。"
　　Hewasturningawaywithoutfurtherwordswhenhewasarrestedbythesharpandperemptoryvoiceoftheoldgentleman，whohadremainedbehindShockduringtheconversation。
　　"Macfarren，thisgentlemanisastranger，Ipresume。Willyoukindlypresentme？"
　　"Oh——ah——certainly，"saidMacfarren，wheelinghisponyandlookingratherashamed。"Mr。"lookingattheletter。
　　"Macgregor，"saidShockquietly。
　　"Mr。Macgregor，thisisGeneralBrady，oneofourleadingranchers。"
　　"Iamdelightedtomakeyouracquaintance，sir，"saidGeneralBrady，shakingShockwarmlybythehand。"Youwillfindusroughandwild，but，sir，Iamgladtosaywearenotallablanklotofboors。"
　　"Thankyou，sir，"saidShock，withasuddenflushonhisface。
　　"Oh——ah——certainlywearegladtohaveyouvisitourtown，"saidMacfarren，asiftryingtoatoneforhisformerrudeness。"And，ofcourse，itisnofaultofyours，Mr。——ah——"
　　"Macgregor，"saidtheGeneralshortly。
　　"Yes，Mr。Macgregor。There’sadeuceofamistakebeenmade，butI
　　takeityouwillnotsuffer。Thereareplentyof——ah——positions——
　　places，Ibelieve，whereyouwillfind——ah——opportunity。Butifyouwillexcuseme，Iambusyforthemoment。Ishalldoubtlessseeyouagainbeforeyouleave。"
　　Shockbowedinsilence。
　　"Blankcad！"mutteredtheGeneral。ThenturningtoShockhesaid，withheartyinterestshowinginhistone，"Wheredoyouputup，Mr。
　　Macgregor？"
　　"Idonotknowthetownatall。Ishallhavetolookaboutforaboardingplaceofsomekind，Isuppose。"Shock’ssmilewasratheruncertain。
　　TheGeneralwasevidentlyinterestedinthisstranger，andtouchedbyhisforlorncondition。
　　"TheRoyalthere，"pointingdownthestreet，"isthebesthotel。
　　Theydoyoutherenotsobadly。Theymaygiveyouaccommodationforanight，butIfancyitwillberatherdifficulttofindaboardinghouse。But，"headdedheartily，"whynotcometomeinthemeantime？
　　Mrs。Bradyandmyselfwillbemosthappytohaveyouvisitusforafewweeks，tillyoufindquarters。Ihave，unfortunately，anengagementthatwillkeepmelateintownto—night，elseIshouldinsistonyouraccompanyingmeatonce——anengagementwhichIcannotwellbreak。Inshort，thisisourannualspringmeetingoftheTurfAssociation，andthereisinconnectionwithitsomesortofsocialfunctiontowindthethingupto—night，andMrs。Brady，beingoneofthepatronesses，andImyselfbeingmoreorlessinterested——thepresidentoftheAssociation，indeed——wecannotavoidputtinginanappearance。Andindeed，weenjoyit，sir。Wethoroughlyenjoyit。Itbringstoourpresentcrudeandsomewhatlimitedlifealittlebitofthepast。Butto—morrowIshallbegladtoridedownforyou，sir，andbringyouuptomylittleplace。"
　　Thecordialkindnessofthisstranger，uponwhomhehadnoclaim，touchedShockgreatly。
　　"Thankyouagain，"hesaid。"IcannottellyouhowmuchIfeelyourkindness。Butifyouwillallowme，Iwouldratheracceptyourinvitationlater。IfeelImustgetsettledtomyworkatonce。I
　　havebeenlongontheway，andmyworkiswaitingme。"Then，afterapause，headdedsimply，"ButyourkindnessmakesmethinkofawordIhaveread，’Iwasastranger，andyetookmein。’"
　　TheGeneralbowedinsilence，andseeingthatShockwasnottobepersuaded，shookhandswithhimoncemore。"Comewhenyouwill，sir，andstayaslongasyoucan。Thesooneryoucomeandthelongeryoustay，thebetterweshallbepleased。"AndwithanothercourteousbowtheGeneralrodeofftoattendtohisdutiesasPresidentoftheTurfAssociation。
　　AsShockturnedbacktohisbuckboardhefoundIkewaitinghim。Ikehadbeenaninterestedwitnessofallthathadtakenplace，andwhilehissympathyhadgonecompletelywithShockandagainstMacfarren，hehadnotbeenquiteabletoshakeoffthefeelingofhumiliationunderwhichhesuffered。
　　"Say，stranger，"hesaid，touchingShockontheshoulder，andspeakinginalowandalmostrespectfultone，"thereaintamanintheTerritorieshaseverputthedustontoIkeIveson’spants。
　　Here’stwenty—fivedollars，"divingdeepintohishippocketandpullingoutaplugoftobacco，aknife，andarollofbills，"whichisastandin’offertoanymanwhocancircumventthattheretrick。
　　AndIwanttosay，"hecontinued，withasubduedeagernessinhistone，"I’llmakeitfiftyifyoudoitagin。"
　　Ike’stonewaspersuasive。Therewasnothingofresentmentinit。Itwasthetoneofamanwhohadcomeuponaninterestingandpuzzlingexperience，andwasanxioustoinvestigate。
　　"No，"saidShock，backingawayfromIke，"Icannottakethat。
　　Besides，itwasnotafairthrow。"
　　"Well，"saidIke，muchmollified，"that’sso，that’sso。AndI
　　consideritsomethinghandsomeinyousayin’so。Butthatofferstands。"
　　"Allright，"saidShock，smilingalittlemorebroadly。"I’llremember。AndwhenIwantfiftydollarsverybadlyImaycometoyou。But，"headded，lookingIkeupanddown，"I’llhavetobeprettyhardpushedbeforeItry。"
　　"It’sabargain，stranger，"saidIkey，offeringalanguidhand。
　　Shockgraspeditwarmly。AslighttremourranoverIke’slankyframeasShock’shandclosedonhis。
　　"Je——roo——sa——lem！"heejaculated，drawinginhisbreath，asShockturnedaway。"I’llbereadyferyounexttime。Ipreferagrizzlymyself。"Helookeddownathisfingernails。"Didn’texpecttosee’emon，"heobserved。"Andsay，boys，"turningtothecrowd，"I
　　surmisehe’sapreacher，ablankfire—escape。"
　　AtonceIkebecametheobjectofvariouscomments。"——Apreacher，Ike？Say，you’llhavetochangeyourwaysandgotomeetin’。"
　　"What’sIkey’schurch，anyway？"
　　"Don’tknowasIeverheard。"
　　"Oh，Ikeyaintmean，hetreats’emallthesame。"
　　"Well，IguessIkey’llhavetodusttowardtheskyline。"
　　Ikelistenedforatimeunmoved，andthendrawledoutquietly，"WhatIwanttoremarktoyoujaybirdsis，thatifeveryouhaveanymisunderstandin’withthatthereascensionladder，he’llmakeyousaymoreprayersinaminutethanyou’vesaidforthelasttenyearsofyourmortallife。Andifeverhegitsafteryoutheonlythingthat’llsaveyouwillbeyourdust。"
　　SosayingIkeslouchedoffdownthestreet，keepinghiseyeonShock’sbuckboard。HewatchedhimgointotheRoyalandinafewminutescomeoutagain，followedhimtotheInternational，andsoonaftertotheRanchers’Roost。
　　"Guesshe’spurtynightangledupnow，"saidIkey，withconsiderablesatisfaction。Hehadaschemeofhisowninmind。"Thereaintasix—
　　footholeinthishulltown，andhe’dtakepurtynighseven。Now，what’shisnextmove？"
　　Shockappearedundecided。Therewasevidentlynoplaceforhiminthetown。Hehadadeepeningsenseofbeingnotwanted。Thetownwashummingwithlife，butinthatlifetherewasnoplaceforhim。
　　Awakeningastrangesenseoffellowshipthewordcametohim，"Hewasrejectedofmen。"
　　XI
　　"IWASASTRANGER，ANDYETOOKMEIN"
　　AsShockstood，uncertainastohisnextmove，henoticedthatoutoftheconfusedminglingofmenandhorsesorderbegantoappear。
　　Thecoursewasoncemorebeingcleared。Thefinalheat，whichtheSwallowhadwon，andwhichhadbeenprotestedbytheowneroftheDemon，onthegroundthathiscoursehadbeenblockedbyShockandhiscayuse，wastoberunagain。Shockwastoomuchoccupiedwithhisowndisappointmentanduncertaintytotakemuchinterestinthecontestthatwastheoccasionofsuchintenseexcitementtothethrongsonthestreet。Withlanguidindifferencehewatchedthecoursebeingclearedandthecompetitorscanterbacktothestartingpoint。Behindthemfollowedacavalcadeofhorsemenonallsortsofmounts，fromtheshaggylittlecayuse，withdiminishingrump，tothemagnificentthoroughbredstallion，stall—fedandshining。Inthefinalheatitwasthecustomforallthehorsemeninthecrowdtojoinatasafedistancebehindthecontestants，inawildandtumultuousscramble。
　　Shock’sattentionwasarrestedandhisinterestquickenedbytheappearanceofIkeinthecrowd，ridingahard—looking，bony，buckskinbroncho，whichheguessedtobeSlipper。
　　InashorttimetheDemonandtheSwallowwereintheirplaces。Farbehindthembunchedthemotleycrowdofhorsemen。
　　Thestartwastobebythepistolshot，andfromthescratch。Sointensewasthestillnessoftheexcitedcrowdthat，althoughthestartingpointwasmorethanhalfamileoutontheprairie，thecrackofthepistolwasclearlyheard。