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