Thatnight’srideupthepassthroughthenarrowrangeofhigh—peakedhillstotheTomahawk’sfarthestrangeonBigCreekwasatediousaffairtoBuddy。Amanhadbeensentonafasthorsetowarnthenearestneighbor，whointurnwouldwarnthenext，——untilnosettlerwouldbeleftinignoranceofhisdanger。EzrawasalreadyonthetrailtoLaramie，withmotherandDulcieandthecatsandaslatboxfullofchickens，andayoungsowwithlittlepigs。
Buddy，whosewordnoonehadquestioned，whomightpardonablyhaveconsideredhimselfahero，wasconcernedchieflywithhismother’sflowergardenwhichhehadhelpedtoplantandhadwateredmoreorlessfaithfullywithcreekwatercarriedinbuckets。HewasafraidtheIndianswouldsteponthepoppiesandthephlox，andtrampledownthefouro’clockswhichwerejustbeginningtobranchoutandlookniceandbushy，andtoblossom。Thescentofthefouro’clockshadbeeninhisnostrilswhenhecameoutatduskwithhisfurovercoatwhichmotherhadtoldhimmustnotbeleftbehind。
Buddyhimselfmerelylikedflowers：butmothertalkedtothemandkissedthemjustforlove，andpitiedthemifBuddyforgotandletthemgothirsty。Hewouldhavestayedtofightformother’sflowergarden，ifitwouldhavedoneanygood。
HewasthinkingsleepilythatnextyearhewouldplantflowersinboxesthatcouldbecarriedtothecaveiftheIndiansbrokeoutagain，whenTexFarleypokedhimintheribsandtoldhimtowakeuporhe’dfalloffhishorse。ItwasawearyclimbtothetopoftherangethatdividedthevalleyofBigCreekfromtheNorthPlatte，andawearierclimbdown。TwiceBuddycaughthimselfonthevergeoftopplingoutofthesaddle。Forafterallhewasonlyathirteen—yearOldboy，growinglikeanyotherhealthyyounganimal。HehadbeenridinghardthatdayandhalfoftheprecedingnightwhenhehadracedbackfromtheReservationtogivewarningoftheimpendingoutbreak。Heneededsleep，andnaturewasdeterminedthatheshouldhaveit。
CHAPTERFIVE：BUDDYRUNSTRUETOTYPE
OnenevercouldpredictwithanycertaintyhowlongIndianswoulddancebeforetheyactuallytookthetrailofmurderandpillage。SomuchdependedupontheMedicine，somuchonsignsandportents。Itwasevenpossiblethattheymight，forsomemysteriousreasonunknowntotheirwhiteneighbors，decideatthelastmomenttobidetheirtime。TheTomahawkoutfitworkedfromdawnuntildark，andcombedthefoothillsoftheSnowieshurriedly，ridingintothemostfrequented，grassybasinsandwidecanyonswherethegrasswaslushandsweetandthemountainstreamsrushednoisilyoverrocks。AsfastasthecattleweregatheredtheywerepushedhastilytowardthePlatte，Andthoughthemenrodewarilywithriflesashandyastheirropes，theyrodeinpeace。
Buddy，proudofhisjob，countinghimselfasgoodamanasanyofthem，becameasmallridingdemonafterrebellioussaddlehorses，herdingthemawayfromthickundergrowththatmight，forallheknew，holdIndianswaitingachancetoscalphim，drivingtheREMUDAclosetothecabinswhennightfell，becausenomancouldbesparedfornightherding，sleepinglightlyasacatbesideamousehole。Hedidnotsaymuch，perhapsbecauseeveryonewastoobusytotalk，himselfincluded。
Menrodeinatnightdog—weary，pulledtheirsaddlesandhurriedstifflytothecabinwhereStep—and—a—Halfwasshowinghistrueworthasacookwhocouldkeepthecoffee—
potboilingandyetbereadytopackupandgoatthefirstrifle—shot。Theywouldboltdownenormousquantitiesofbannockandboiledbeef，swallowtheircoffeehotenoughtoscaldahog，andstretchthemselvesoutimmediatelytosleep。
Buddywouldbeupandonhishorseintheclearstarlightbeforedawn，withacupofcoffeeswallowedtoheartenhimforthechillyrideaftertheremuda。Evenwiththewarmthofthecoffeehisteethwouldchatterjustatfirst，andhewouldridewithhisthinshouldersliftedandahandinapocket。Hecouldnotsingorwhistletokeephimselfcompany。
Hemustrideinsilenceuntilhehadcountedeverydark，movingshapeandknewthattheherdwascomplete，theneasethemquietlytocamp。
Onthefourthmorningherodeanxiouslyupthevalley，fearingthatthehorseshadbeenstoleninthenight，yethopingtheyhadmerelystrayedupthecreektofindfreshpastures。Alightbreezethatcarriedthekeenedgeoffrostmadehisnosetingle。Hishorsetrottedsteadilyforward，askeenonthetrailasBuddyhimself；keener，forhewouldbesuretogivewarningofdanger。Sotheyroundedabendinthecreekandcameuponthescatteredfringeoftheremudacroppingsteadilyatthemeadowgrassthere。
Budcircledthem，glancingnowandthenattheridgebeyondthevalley。Itseemedsomehowunnatural——lower，withthestarsshowingalongitswoodedcrestinarow，asiftherewerenopeaks。Thenquitesuddenlyheknewthattheridgewasthesame，andthatthestarshesawwerelittle，breakfastcamp—fires。Hisheartgaveajumpwhenherealizedhowmanylittlefirestherewere，andknewthatthedancewasover。
TheIndianshadleftthereservationandhadcrossedtheridgeyesterday，andhadcampedtheretowaitforthedawn。
WhilehegatheredhishorsestogetherheguessedhowoldColorouhadplannedtocatchtheTomahawkriderswhentheyleftcampandscattered，twobytwo，on"Circle。"HehadheldhisbandwelloutofsightandsoundoftheBigCreekcabin，andifthehorseshadnotstrayedupthecreekinthenighthewouldhavecaughtthewhitemenofftheirguard。
Buddylookedoftenoverhisshoulderwhilehedrovethehorsesdownthecreek。Itseemedstrangerthanluck，thathehadbeencompelledtoridesofaronthisparticularmorning；
asifmother’ssteadfastfaithinprayerandtheguardianshipofangelswasjustifiedbyactualfacts。Still，Buddywastoohard—headedtoassumeeasilythatangelshaddriventhehorsesupthecreeksothathewouldhavetorideupthereanddiscovertheIndianfires。Ifangelscoulddothat，whyhadn’ttheystoppedColoroufromgoingonthewarpath？Itwouldhavebeensimpler，inBuddy’sopinion。
Hedidnotmentiontheangelproblemtohisfather，however。
BobBirniewaseatingbreakfastwithhismenwhenBuddyrodeuptothecabinandtoldthenews。Theboysdidnotsayanythingmuch，buttheymayhavetakenbiggerbitesbywayoffillingtheirstomachsinlesstimethanusual。
"I’llgoseeformyself，"saidBobBirnie。"Youboyssaddleupandbereadytostart。Ifit’sIndians，we’llheadforLaramieanddriveeverythingbeforeusaswego。Buttheladmaybewrong。"HetookthereinsfromBuddy，mounted，androdeaway，hisbootedfeethangingfarbelowBuddy’sshortstirrups。
Speedilyhewasback，andthescowlonhisfacetoldplainlyenoughthatBuddyhadnotbeenmistaken。
"They’recomingofftheridgealready，"heannouncedgrimly。
"Iheardtheirhorsesamongtherocksupthere。Theythinktocomedownonusatsunrise。There’llbetoomanyforustoholdoff，I’mthinking。Getyeafreshhorse，Buddy，anddrivethehorsesdownthecreekfastasyecan。"
Buddyuncoiledhisropeandranwithhismouthfulltodoashewastold。Hedidnotthinkhewasscared，exactly，buthemadethreethrowstogetthehorsehewanted，blamingthepoorlightforhisillluck；andthenfoundhimselfinpossessionofatall，uneasybrownthatDickGrimeshadbrokenandsometimesrode。Buddywouldhaveturnedhimlooseandcaughtanother，butthehorseshadsensedthesuppressedexcitementofthemenandwerecirclingandsnortinginthehalflightofdawn；soBuddyledoutthebrown，pulledthesaddlefromthesweatyhorsethathadtwicemadethetripupthecreek，andheavedithastilyonthebrown’sback。DickGrimescalledtohim，toknowifhewantedanyhelp，andBuddyyelled，"No！"
"Heretheycome——damn’em——turnthebunchlooseandride！"calledBobBirnieasashrill，yellingwar—whoop，liketheyappingofmanycoyotes，soundedfromthecottonwoodsthatborderedthecreek。"Yuhallright，Buddy？"
"Yeah——I’ma—comin’，"shrilledBuddy，hastilyloopingthelatigo。Justthenthesharpstaccatoofrifle—shotsmingledwiththewhoopingoftheIndians。Buddywasreachingforthesaddlehornwhenthebrownhorseduckedandjerkedloose。
BeforeBuddyrealizedwhatwashappeningthebrownhorse，theherdandalltheriderswerepoundingawaydownthevalley，themenfiringbackatthecottonwoods。
InthedustandclamoroftheirdepartureBuddystoodperfectlystillforaminute，tryingtograspthefullsignificanceofhiscalamity。Step—and—a—Halfhadpackedhastilyanddepartedaheadofthemall。HisfatherandthecowboyswerewatchingthecottonwoodgrovemanyrodstoBuddy’srightandwellinthebackground，andtheywouldnotglancehisway。Eveniftheydidtheywouldnotseehim，andiftheysawhimitwouldbemadnesstorideback——thoughtherewasnotamanamongthemwhowouldnothavewheeledinhistracksandreturnedforBuddyintheveryfaceofColorouandhisband。
Fromthecottonwoodscamethepoundofgallopinghoofs。
"AngelsNOTHING！"CriedBuddyindeepdisgustandscuttledforthecabin。
Thecabin，heknewasheran，wasjustthentheworstplaceintheworldforaboywhowantedverymuchtogoonliving。
Throughitsgapingdoorwayhesawafewoddsandendsoffoodlyingonthetable，buthedarednotstoplongenoughtogetthem。TheIndianswerethunderingdowntothecorral，andasheroundedthecabin’scornerheglancedbackandsawtheforemostriderswhippingtheirhorsesonthetrailofthefleeingwhitemen。Butsome，heknew，wouldstop。Eventheprospectoffreshscalpscouldnotholdthegreedyonesfromprowlingaroundawhiteman’sdwellingplace。Theremightbetobaccoorwhiskeyleftbehind，orsomethingwithcolororashinetoit。BuddyknewwellthewaysofIndians。
Hemadeforthecreek，thinkingatfirsttohidesomewhereinthebrushalongthebank。Then，fearingthebrighteninglightofdayandthewidespacehemustcrosstoreachthefirstfringeofbrush，hestoppedatadugoutcellarthathadbeenbuiltintothecreekbankabovehigh—watermark。Therewasapole—and—dirtroof，andbecausethedirtsifteddownbetweenthepoleswheneverthewindblew——whichwasalways——theplacehadbeencrudelysealedinsidewithsplitpolesoverlappingoneanother。Theceilingwasmoreorlessflat；theroofhadaslightslope。InthemiddleofthetinyatticthusformedBuddymanagedtowormhisbodythroughaholeinthegablenexttothecreek。
Hewriggledbacktotheendnextthecabinandlaythereveryflatandveryquiet，peepingoutthroughahalf—inchcrack，toowiseinthewaysofsilencetoholdhisbreathuntilhemustheaveasightorelievehislungs。Itwashardtobreathenaturallyandeasilyafterthatswiftdash，butsomehowhedidit。AnIndianhadswervedandriddenbehindthecabin，andwasleaningandpeeringinalldirectionstoseeifanyonehadremained。Perhapshesuspectedanambush；
Buddywasabsolutelycertainthatthefellowwaslookingforhim，personally，andthathehadseen，Buddyruntowardthecreek。
Itwasnotapleasantthought，andthefactthatheknewthatbuckIndianbyname，andhadoncetradedhimajackknifeforabeautifullytannedwolfskinforhismother，didnotmakeitpleasanter。Hides—the—facewouldnotletpastfriendlinessstandinthewayofakilling。
PresentlyHides—the—facedismountedandtiedhishorsetoacornerlogofthecabin，andwentinsidewiththeotherstoseewhathecouldfindthatcouldbeeatenorcarriedoff。
Buddysawfreshsmokeissuefromthestonechimney，andguessedthatStep—and—a—Halfhadleftsomethingthatcouldbecooked。Itbecameevident，inthecourseofanhourorso，thathispresencewasabsolutelyunsuspected，andBuddybegantowatchthemmorecomposedly，silentlypromisingespecialformsofpunishmenttothisoneandthatonewhomheknew。
Mostofthemhadbeentotheranchmanytimes，andhecouldhavecalledtoadozenofthembyname。Theyhadsatinhisfather’scabinorstoodimmobilejustwithinthedoor，andhadlistenedwhilehismotherplayedandsangforthem。Shehadfedthemcakes——Buddyrememberedthegoodthingswhichmotherhadgiventhesedespicableoneswhowerelootingandgobblinganddestroyinglikeadroveofhogsturnedlooseinagarden，andthethoughtofherwastedkindnessturnedhimsickwithrage。Motherhadbelievedintheirfriendliness。
Buddywishedthatmothercouldseethemsettingfiretothelow，logstableandthecorral，andswarminginandoutofthecabin。
Paintedforwartheywere，withredstripesacrosstheirforeheads，ribsoutlinedinredwhich，whentheyloosenedtheirblanketsasthesunwarmedthem，gavethemafantasticlikenesstotheskeletonsBuddywishedtheywere；redstripesontheirarms，thenumbershowingtheirrankinthetribe；
open—seated，buckskinbreechestotheirkneeswheretheymetthetightlywrappedleggings；moccasinslacedsnuglyattheankle——theywerepicturesqueenoughtoanyeyesbutBuddy’s。
Hesawtheghoulishgreedintheireyes，hearditintheirvoiceswhentheyshoutedtooneanother；andhehatedthemevenmorethanhefearedthem。
Muchthattheysaidheunderstood。TheywerecursingtheTomahawkoutfit，chieflybecausethemenhadnotwaitedtheretobesurprisedandkilled。Theycursedhisfatherinparticular，andwerehalfsorrythattheyhadnotriddenoninpursuitwiththeothers。TheyhopednowhitemanwouldridealivetoLaramie。ItmadecheerfullisteningtoBuddy，flatonhisstomachintheroofofthedugout！
Afterawhile，whenthecabinhadbeenguttedofeverythingitcontainedsavethecrudetableandbenches，afewIndiansbroughtburningbrandsfromthestableandsetitafire。Theywereverybusyinsideandout，makingsurethattheflamestookholdproperly。Then，whenthedrylogsbegantoblazeandflameslickedtheedgesoftheroof，theystoodbackandwatchedit。
BuddysawHides—the—faceglancespeculativelytowardthedugout，andslippedhishandbackwherehecouldreachhissix—shooter。Hefeltprettycertainthattheymeanttodemolishthedugoutnext，andheknewexactlywhathemeanttodo。Hehadheardmenatthepoststalkof"sellingtheirlivesdearly"，andthatiswhatheintendedtodo。
Hewasnotgoingtobeintoomuchofahurry；hewouldwaituntiltheyactuallybeganonthedugout——andwhentheywereonthebankwithinafewfeetofhim，andhesawthattherewasnogettingawayfromdeath，hemeanttoshootfiveIndians，andhimselflastofall。
Tentativelyhefeltofhistemplewherehemeanttoplacethemuzzleofthegunwhentherewasjustonebulletleft。Itwassoniceandsmooth——hewonderedifGodwouldreallyhelphimout，ifhesaidOurFatherwithapureheartandwithfaith，ashismothersaidonemustpray。Hewasslightlydoubtfulofbothconditions，whenhecametothinkofitseriously。Thisspringhehadfeltgrown—upenoughtoswearalittleatthehorses，sometimes——andhewasnotsurethatshootingtheIndianthattimewouldnotbecountedacrimebyGod，wholovedallHiscreatures。MotheralwaysstucktoitthatInjunswereGod’screatures——whichbroughtBuddysquarelyagainsttheincredibleassumptionthatGodmustlovethem。Hedidnotintheleastmeantobeirreverent，butwhenhewatchedthosepaintedbuckshisopinionofGodchangedslightly。Hedecidedthathehimselfwasneitherpurenorfulloffaith，andthathewouldnotprayjustyet。HewouldletGodgoaheadanddoasHepleasedaboutit；exceptthatBuddywouldneverletthoseIndiansgethimalive，nomatterwhatGodexpected。
Hides—the—facewalkedovertowardthedugout。Buddycrookedhisleftarmandlaidthegunbarrelacrossittogeta"deadrest"andleavenothingtochance。Hides—the—facestaredatthedugout，movedtooneside——andthemuzzleofthegunfollowed，keepingitsaimdirectlyattheleftedgeofhisbreastboneasoutlinedwiththeredpaint。Hides—the—facecraned，steppedintothepathdownthebankandpassedoutofrange。Buddygrittedhisteethmalevolentlyandwaited，hisearsstrainedtocatchandinterpretthemeaningofeverysoftsoundmadebyHides—the—face’smoccasins。
Hides—the—facecautiouslypushedopenthedoorofthecellarandlookedin，standingforinterminableminutes，asistheleisurelywayofIndianswhenthereisnogreatneedofhaste。Ruddycautiouslyloweredhisfaceandpeereddownlikeamousefromthethatch，buthecouldnothandilybringhisguntobearuponHides—the—face，whopresentlyturnedbackandwentupthepath，hisshoulder—musclesmovingsnakishlyunderhisbrownskinasheclimbedthebank。
Hides—the—facereturnedtotheothersandannouncedthattherewasaplacewheretheycouldcamp。Buddycouldnothearallthathesaid，andHides—the—facehadhisbackturnedsothatnotallofhissignswereintelligible；buthegatheredthattheseparticularIndianshadchosenorhadbeenorderedtowaithereforthreesuns，andthatthecellarappealedtoHides—the—faceasashelterincaseitstormed。
Buddydidnotknowwhethertorejoiceatthenewsortomourn。Theywouldnotdestroythedugout，soheneednotshoothimself，whichwasofcoursearelief。Still，threesunsmeantthreedaysandnights，andtheprospectoflyingthereonhisstomach，afraidtomoveforthatlengthoftime，almostamountedtothesamethingintheend。Hedidnotbelievethathecouldholdoutthatlong，thoughofcoursehewouldtryprettyhard。
AllthatdayBuddylaywatchingthroughthecrack，determinedtotakeanychancethatcamehisway。Nonecame。TheIndiansloiteredintheshade，andsomeslept。Butalwaystwoorthreeremainedawake；andalthoughtheysatapparentlyreadytodozeoffatanyminute，Buddyknewthemtoowelltohopeforsuchgoodluck。TwoIndiansrodeintowardeveningdraggingacalfthathadbeenoverlookedintheroundup；andhavingimprovidentlyburnedthecabin，themeatwascookedovertheemberswhichstillsmoulderedinplaceswhereknotsinthelogsmadeslowfuel。
Buddywatchedthemhungrily，wonderinghowlongittooktostarve。
WhenitwasgrowingdarkhetriedtokeepinmindtheexactpositionsoftheIndians，andtodiscoverwhetheraguardwouldbeplacedoverthecamp，orwhethertheyfeltsafeenoughtosleepwithoutasentinel。Hides—the—facehehadlongagodecidedwasinchargeoftheparty，andHides—the—
facewasseeminglyconcernedonlywithgorginghimselfonthehalf—roastedmeat。Buddyhopedhewouldchokehimself，butHides—the—facewasverygoodatgulpinghalf—chewedhunksandfinishedwithoutdisaster。
Thenhegruntedsomethingtosomeoneinthedark，andtherewasmovementinthegroup。Buddygroundhisgrowing"second"teethtogether，clenchedhisfistandsaid"Damnit！"
threetimesinasilentcrescendoofragebecausehecouldneitherseenorhearwhattookplace；andimmediatelyherepentedhisprofanity，rememberingthatGodcouldhearhim。
InBuddy’sopinion，younevercouldbesureaboutGod；Hebestowedmysteriousmerciesandstrangepunishments，andHiswayswerepastfindingout。Buddytippedhispalmstogetherandrepeatedalltheprayershismotherhadtaughthimandthen，withaflashofmemory，finishedwith"Oh，God，please！"justasmotherhaddonelongagoonthedrydrive。
Afterthathemeditateduncomfortablyforafewminutesandaddedinafaintwhisper，"Oh，shucks！Youdon’twanttopayanyattentiontoafellowcussingalittlewhenhe’smad。I
couldeasymakethatupifyouhelpedmeoutsomeway。"
BuddybelievedafterwardsthatGodyieldedtopersuasionanddecidedtogivehimachance。Fornotmorethanfiveminutespassedwhenafar—offmurmurgrewtoanindefinableroar，andthewindwhoopeddownofftheSnowiessofiercelythateventhedugoutquiveredalittleandrattleddirtdownonBuddythroughthepolesjustoverhishead。
Atfirstthisseemedanunluckycircumstance，fortheIndianscamedownintothedugoutforshelter，andnowBuddywasafraidtobreatheinthequietintervalsbetweenthegusts。
Justbelowhimhecouldheartheoccasionalmuttersoflaconicsentencesandgruntedanswersasthebuckssettledthemselvesforthenight，andhehadashort，panickyspelloffearingthatthepoleswouldgivewaybeneathhimanddrophiminuponthem。
Afterawhile——itseemedhourstoBuddy——thewindsettleddowntoasteadygale。TheIndians，sofarashecoulddetermine，wereallasleepinthecellar。AndBuddy，settinghisteethhardtogether，begantoslideslowlybackwardtowardtheopeningthroughwhichhehadcrawledintotheroof。Whenhehadcrawledinhehadnotnoticedthespringinessofthepoles，butnowhisimaginationtormentedhimwiththesensationofsaggingandswaying。Whenhisfeetpushedthroughtheopeninghehadtogrithisteethtoholdhimselfsteady。Itseemedasifsomeonewerereachingupinthedarktocatchhimbythelegsandpullhimout。Nothinghappened，however，andafteralittleheinchedbackwarduntilhehungwithhiselbowshookeddesperatelyinsidetheopening，hisheadandshoulderswithinandprotestingwitheverynerveagainstleavingtheshelter。
Buddysaidafterwardsthatheguessedhe’dhavehungthereuntildaylight，onlyhewasafraiditwasabouttimetochangeguard，andsomebodymightcatchhim。Buthesaidhewasscaredtoletgoanddrop，becauseitmusthavebeenprettycrowdedinthecellar，andheknewthedoorwasopen，andsomebuckmightberoostingoutsidehandytobesteppedon。Butheknewhehadtodosomething，becauseifheeverwenttosleepupinthatplacehe’dsnore，maybe；andanyway，hesaid，he’dratherrunhimselftodeaththanstarvetodeath。Sohedropped。
ItwastwodaysafterthatwhenBuddyshuffledintoaminingcampontheridgejustnorthofDouglasPass。Hewasstillonhisfeet，buttheydraggedlikeanoldman’s。Hehadwalkedtwenty—fivemilesintwonights，goingcarefully，infearofIndians。Thefirstfivemileshehadwadedalongtheshoreofthecreek，hesaid，incasetheymightpickuphistracksatthedugoutandtrytofollowhim。Hehadhiddenhimselflikearabbitinthebrushthroughtheday，andhehadnotdaredshootanymeat，whereforehehadnoteatenanything。
"Iain’tashungryasIwasatfirst，"Hegrinnedtremulously。"ButIguessIbetter——eat。Idon’want——tolosethe——habit——"Thenhewentslackandamanswearingtohidehispitypickedhimupinhisarmsandcarriedhimintothetent。
CHAPTERSIX：THEYOUNGEAGLEMUSTFLY
"You’reofage，"saidBobBirnie，suckinghardathispipe。
"You’vehadyourschoolingasyourmotherwishedthatyoushouldhaveit。You’vegotthemusicinyourheadandyourfingersandyourtoes，andthat’sasyourmotherwishedthatyoushouldhave。
"Yourmotherwouldhaveyoubeallformusic，andmaketunesoutofyourownhead。Shetellsmethatyouhavemadetunesandwrittenthemdownonpaper，andthattherearethosewhowouldbuythemandprintcopiestosell，withyournameatthetopofthepage。I’llnotsaywhatIthinkofthat——yourmotherisanangelamongwomen，andshehastaughtyouthethingsshelovesherself。
"Butmybusinessiswiththecattle，andI’vehadyououtwithmesinceyoucouldclimbonthebackofahorse。I’vewatchedyou，withtheropeandtheironsandinthesaddleandall。You’vebeenintightplacesthatwouldtrythemettleofamangrown——ImindthetimeyeescapedColorou’sband，andwethoughtyedead’tilyecametousinLaramie。
You’veshowedthatyou’reabletoholdyourownontherange，lad。Yourmother’sallforthemusic——butIleaveittoyou。
"TenthousanddollarsI’llgiveye，ifthat’syourwish，andyoucangotoEuropeasshewishesandstudyandmaketunesforotherstoplay。Orifyepreferit，I’llbrandyouaherdofshestockandletyegoyourways。Nosonofminecantakeordersfromhisfatherafterhe’samangrown，andI’mnottotheagewhereIcansitwiththepipefrommorningtonightandletanotherrunmyoutfit。I’vetalkeditoverwithyourmother，andshe’llbidebyyourdecision，asIshalldo。
"SoIputitinanutshell，Robert。You’retwenty—oneto—day；
amangrown，andhuskyasthey’remade。’Tistimeyoufacedtheworldandlivedyourlife。You’vebeenagoodlad——asladsgo。"Hestoppedtheretorubhisjawthoughtfully，perhapsrememberingcertainincidentsinBuddy’sfull—flavoredpast。Buddy——growntoplainBudamonghisfellows——turnedredwithoutlosingthelineofhardnessthathadcometohislips。
"You’reoflegalagetobecalledaman，andthefuture’sbeforeye。I’llgiveyefivehundredcowswiththeircalvesbesidethem——youcanchoosethemyourself，foryou’veasharpeyeforstock——andyoucangowhereyewill。OrI’llgiveyetenthousanddollarsandyecangotoEuropeandmaketunesifyou’reamindto。Andwhateveryechooseit’llbemakeorbreakwithye。Yecansleeponthedecision，forI’venowishthatyeshouldchoosehastilyandbesorryafter。"
Buddy——growntoBud——liftedabootedfootandlaiditacrosshisotherkneeandwithhisforefingerabsentlywhirledthelong—pointedroweronhisspur。Thehardnessathislipssomehowspreadtohiseyes，thatwerebentonthewhirringrower。ItwasthelookthathadcomeintothefaceofthebabydownontheStakedPlainswhenEzracalledandcalledafterhehadbeenansweredtwice；thelookthathadheldfirmthelipsoftheboywhohadlainveryflatonhisstomachintheroofofthedugoutandhadwatchedtheUtesburningthecabin。
"There’snoneedtosleeponit，"hesaidafteraminute。
"You’veraisedme，andspentsomemoneyonme——butI’vesavedyouaman’swageseversinceIwasten。IfyouthinkI’veevenedthingsup，allright。Ifyoudon’t，makeoutyourbillandI’llpayitwhenIcan。There’snoreasonwhyyoushouldgivemeanythingIhaven’tearned，justbecauseyou’remyfather。Youearnedallyou’vegot，andIguessI
candothesame。Asyousay，I’maman。I’llgoatthefuturemanfashion。And，"headdedwithaslightflareofthenostrils，"I’llstartinthemorning。"
"Andisittomaketunesforotherfolkstoplay？"BobBirnieaskedafterasilence，covertlyeyeinghim。
"No，sir。There’smoremoneyincattle。I’llmakemystakeinthecow—country，sameasyou’vedone。"Helookedupandgrinnedalittle。"Tothedevilwithyourmoneyandyourshe—stock！I’llgetoutallright——butI’llmakemyownway。"
"You’reastubbornfool，Robert。TheScotchnowandthenshowsitselflikethatinaman。IgotmystartfrommyfatherandI’mnotashamedofit。Athousandpounds——andI
broughtittoAmericaandtoTexas，andgotcattle。"
Budlaughedandgotup，hidinghowthetalkhadstruckdeepintothesoulofhim。"ThenI’llgoyouonebetter，dad。
I’llgetmyownstart。"
"You’llbebackhomeinsixmonths，lad，sayingyou’vechangedyourmind，"BobBirniepredictedsharply，stungbythetoneofyoungBud。"That，"headdedgrimly，"orforafullbellyandacleanbedtocrawlinto。"
Budstoodlickingthecigarettehehadrolledtohideanunaccountabletremblingofhisfingers。"WhenIcomebackI’llbeinapositiontobuyyouout！I’llborrowSkateandMaverick，ifyoudon’tmind，tillIgetlocatedsomewhere。"
Hepausedwhilehelightedthecigarette。"It’sthecustom，"
Heremindedhisfatherunnecessarily，"tofurnishamanahorsetorideandonetopackhisbed，whenhe’sfired。"
"Ye’vehorsesofyerown，"BobBirnieretorted，"andyou’venoneedtoborrow。"
Budstoodlookingdownathisfather，plainlyundecided。"I
don’tknowwhetherthey’remineornot，"hesaidafteraminute。"Idon’tknowwhatitcostyoutoraiseme。Figureitup，ifyouhaven’talready，andcountthetimeI’veworkedforyou。Sinceyou’veputmeonabusinessbasis，likeraisingacalftoshippingage，let’sbebusinesslikeaboutit。Youaregoodatfiguringyourprofits——I’llleaveittoyou。AndifyoufindI’veanythingcomingtomebesidesmyridingoutfitandtheclothesI’vegot，allright；I’lltakehorsesforthebalance。"
Hewalkedoffwiththeswingtohisshouldersthathadalwaysbetrayedhimwhenhewasangry，andBobBirniegatheredhisbeardintoahandfulandhelditwhilehestaredafterhim。
Ithadbeennopartofhisplantosethissonadriftontherangewithoutadollar，butsinceBud’stemperwasup，itmightbeagoodthingtolethimgo。
SoBobBirniewentawaytoconferwithhiswife，andBudwasleftalonetonursehishurtwhilehepackedhisfewbelongings。Itdidhurthimtobetoldinthatcalm，cold—
bloodedmannerthat，nowhewasoflegalage，hewouldnotbeexpectedtostayonattheTomahawk。Untilhisfatherhadspokentohimaboutit，Budhadnotthoughtmuchaboutwhathewoulddowhenhisschooldayswereover。Hehadtakenlifeasitwaspresentedtohimweekbyweek，monthbymonth。Hehadfulfilledhismother’shopesandhadlearnedtomakemusic。Hehadliveduptohisfather’sunspokenstandardsofacowman。Hehadmadea"Hand"eversincehislegswerelongenoughtoreachthestirrupsofasaddle。Therewasnotabetterrider，notabetterroperontherangethanBudBirnie。Morallyhewascleanerthanmostyoungfellowsofhisage。Hehatedtrickery，hereverencedallgoodwomen；thebadoneshepitiedbecausehebelievedthattheysorrowedsecretlybecausetheywerenotgood，becausetheyhadmissedsomehowtheirrealpurposeinlife，whichwastobewifeandmother。Hehad，infactgrownupcleanandtruetotype。HewasBuddy，growntobeBud。
AndBuddy，nowthathewasaman，hadbeentoldthathewasnotexpectedtostayathomeandhelphisfather，andbeacomforttohismother。Hewaslikeayoungeaglewhich，havinggrownwing—feathersthatwillbearthestrainofhighaircurrents，hasbeenpeckedoutofthenest。Nodoubttheyoungeagleresentshisunexpectedbanishment，althoughintimehewouldhavefeltwithinhimselftheurgetogo。LeaveBudalone，andsoonorlatehewouldhavegone——perhapswithcompunctionsagainstleavinghome，andthefeelingthathewassomehowadisappointmenttohisparents。Hewouldhaveexplainedtohisfather，apologizedtohismother。Asitwas，heresentedthealacritywithwhichhisfatherwaspushinghimout。
Sohepackedhisclothesthatnight，andpushedhisguitarintoitscaseandbuckledthestrapwithaviciousyank，andwentofftothebunkhousetoeatsupperwiththeboysinsteadofsittingdowntothetablewherehismotherhadplacedcertaindisheswhichBuddylovedbest——wantingtoshowintruewomanfashionherloveandsympathyforhim。
Later——itwasafterBudhadgonetobed——mothercameandhadalongtalkwithhim。Shewasverysweetandsensible，andBudwasverytenderwithher。ButshecouldnotbudgehimfromhisdeterminationtogoandmakehiswaywithoutaBirniedollartoeasethebeginning。Othermenhadstartedwithnothingandhadmadeastake，andtherewasnoreasonwhyhecouldnotdoso。
"Dadputitstraightenough，andit’snogoodarguing。I’dstarvebeforeI’dtakeanythingfromhim。I’mentitledtomyclothes，andmaybeahorseortwofortheworkI’vedoneforhimwhileIwasgrowingup。I’vefiguredoutprettyclosewhatitcosttoputmethroughtheUniversity，andwhatIwasworthtohimduringthesummers。Father’sScotch——butheisn’tadarnedbitmoreScotchthanIam，mother。Puttingitallindollarsandcents，IthinkI’veearnedmorethanI
costhim。Inthewinters，IknowIearnedmyboarddoingchoresandridingline。ManyalittlebunchofstockI’vesavedforhimbygettingoutinthefoothillsanddrivingthemdownbelowheavysnowlinebeforeastorm。YourememberthebunchofhorsesIfoundbywatchingthemagpies——thetimewetiedhayincanvasandtookituptothem’tiltheygotstrengthenoughtofollowthetrailItrampledinthesnow？I
earnedmyboardandmore，everywintersinceIwasten。SoI
don’tbelieveIowedadacent，whenit’sallfiguredout。
"Butyou’vedoneformewhatmoneycan’trepay，mother。I’llalwaysbeindebttoyou——andI’llsquareitbybeingthekindofamanyou’vetriedtoteachmetobe。Iwill，mother。
Dadandthedollarsareadifferentmatter。ThedebtIoweyouwillneverbepaid，butI’mgoingtomakeyougladIknowthere’sadebt。Ibelievethere’saGod，becauseIknowtheremusthavebeenonetomakeyou！AndnomatterhowfarawayI
maydriftinmiles，yourBuddyisgoingtobeherewithyoualways，mother，learningfromyouallthereisofgoodnessandsweetness。"Heheldhertwohandsagainsthisface，andshefelthischeekswetbeneathherpalms。Thenhetookthemawayandkissedthemmanytimes，likealover。
"IfIeverhaveawife，she’sgoingtohaveherworkcutoutforher，"Helaughedunsteadily。"She’llhavetoliveuptoyou，mother，ifshewantsmetoloveher。"
"Ifyouhaveawifeshe’llbewell—spoiled，youngman！
Perhapsitiswisethatyoushouldgo——butdon’tyouforgetyourmusic，Buddy——andbeagoodboy，andremember，mother’sgoingtofollowyouwithherloveandherfaithinyou，andherprayers。"
ItmayhavebeenthatBuddy’sbabymemoryofgoingnorthwheneverthetrailherdstartedremainedtosendBudinstinctivelynorthwardwhenhelefttheTomahawknextmorning。Ithadbeenacaseofstubbornfatherandstubbornsondickeringpolitelyoverthenetearningsofthesonfromthetimewhenhewasoldenoughtoleavehismother’slapandclimbintoasaddletoridewithhisfather。ThreehorsesandhispersonalbelongingshadbeenagreeduponbetweenthemasthebalanceinBud’sfavor；andatthat，BobBirniedrylyremarked，hehadbeenabetterinvestmentasasonthanmostyoungfellows，whocostmorethantheywereworthtoraise。
Buddidnotanswertheimpliedpraise，butropedtheTomahawk’sbestthreehorsesoutoftheREMUDAcorralledforhimbyhisfather’sriders。YoushouldhaveseenthesidelongglancesamongtheboyswhentheylearnedthatBud，justhomefromtheUniversity，wasgoingsomewherewithallhisearthlypossessionsandalookinhisfacethatmeanttrouble！
TwobigvalisesandhisblanketshepackedonSunfish，adeceptivelyraw—bonedyoungbuckskinwithmuchwhiteshowinginhiseyes——anornerylookingbruteifevertherewasone。
Bud’sguitarandamandolinintheircaseshetiedsecurelyontopofthepack。Smoky，thesecondhorse，adeep—chested"mouse"withafacealmosthumaninitsexpression，hesaddled，andputaleadropeonthethird，abayfour—year—
oldcalledStopper，whichwastheTomahawk’sbestrope—horseandonethatwouldbemissedwhenfastworkwaswantedinbranding。
"Hesureashellpickedhimselfthreetophawses，"atallpunchermurmuredtoanother。"Wonderwherehe’sheadedfor？
Notrepping——thislateintheseason。"
Budoverheardthem，andgavenosign。Hadtheyaskedhimdirectlyhecouldnothavetoldthem，forhedidnotknow，exceptthatsomehowhefeltthathewasgoingtoheadnorth。
Whynorth，hecouldnothaveexplained，sincecow—countrylayallaroundhim；norhowfarnorth，——forcow—countryextendedtotheupperboundaryoftheStates，andbeyondintoCanada。
Helefthishorsesstandingbythecorralwhilehewenttothehousetotellhismothergood—by，andtosendafarewellmessagetoDulcie，whohadbeenmarriedayearandlivedinLaramie。HedidnotexpecttostrikeLaramie，hetoldhismotherwhensheaskedhim。
"I’mgoingtillIstop，"Heexplained，withasqueezeofhershoulderstoreassureher。"Iguessit’sthewayyoufelt，mother，whenyouleftTexasbehind。Youcouldn’ttellwhereyoufolkswouldwindup。NeithercanI。Mytrailherdiskindasmall，rightnow；alotsmallerthanitwillbelateron。Butsuchasitis，it’sgoingtohittherightrangebeforeitstopsforgood。AndI’llwrite。"
Hetookadoughnutinhishandandapackageoflunchtoslipinhispocket，kissedherwithmuchcheerfulnessinhismannerandhurriedout，hisbig—rowelledspursburringontheporchjusttwicebeforehesteppedoffonthegravel。Tellingmothergood—byhadbeentheoneordealhedreaded，andhewasgladtohaveitoverwith。
OldStep—and—a—Halfhailedhimashewentpastthechuck—
house，andcamelimpingout，wipinghishandsonhisapronbeforeheshookhandsandwishedhimgoodluck。Ezra，potteringaroundthetoolshed，ambledupwiththeeyesofadogthathasbeensentbackhomebyhismaster。"Ahshoahdowishyo’allgoodfawtunean’health，MarseBuddy，"Ezraquavered。"Ahshoahdo。Itain’goin’seemlakdesameplace——
andAhshoahdohopesyo’allwritesfrequentlettahstoyo’
mothah，boy！"
Budpromisedthathewould，andmanagedtobreakawayfromEzrawithoutbetrayinghimself。How，hewondered，dideveryoneseemtoknowthathewasgoingforgood，thistime？
Hehadbelievedthatnooneknewofitsavehimself，hisfatherandhismother；yeteveryoneelsebehavedasiftheyneverexpectedtoseehimagain。Itwasdisconcerting，andBudhastilyuntiedthetwoledhorsesandmountedSmoky，themouse—coloredhorsehehimselfhadbrokentwoyearsbefore。
Hisfathercameslowlyuptohim，straight—backedandwiththegaitofthemanwhohasriddenastrideahorsemorethanhehaswalkedonhisownfeet。Heputuphishand，glovedforriding，andBudchangedthelead—ropesfromhisrighthandtohisleft，andshookhandsratherformally。
"Ye’vegoodweatherfortravelling，"saidBobBirnietentatively。"Ihavenotsaiditbefore，lad，butwhenyeownyourselfafooltotakethiswayofmakingyourfortune，tenthousanddollarswillstillbereadytostartyeright。I’venowishtoshirkadutytomyfamily。"
Budpressedhislipstogetherwhilehelistened。"Ifyoukeepyourtenthousandtillit’scalledfor，you’llbedrawinginterestalongtimeonit，"Hesaid。"It’sgoingtobehotto—day。I’llbegettingalong。"
Heliftedthereins，glancedbacktoseethatthetwohorseswereshowingtheproperdispositiontofollow，androdeoffdownthedeep—ruttedroadthatfollowedupthecreektothepasswherehehadwatchedtheUtesdancingthewardanceonenightthatherememberedwell。Ifhewincedalittleatthefamiliarlandmarkshepassed，hestillheldfasttothedeterminationtogo，andtofindfortunesomewherealongthetrailofhisownmaking；andtoaskhelpfromnoman，leastofallhisfatherwhohadtoldhimtogo。
CHAPTERSEVEN：BUDFLIPSACOINWITHFATE
"Idon’tthinkitmatterssomuchwherewelight，it’swhatwedowhenwegetthere，"saidBudtoSmoky，hishorse，onedayastheystoppedwheretworoadsforkedatthebaseofagreat，outstandingpeakthatwasbutthepointofamountainrange。"Thistrailstraddlesthebutteandtakesonuptwodifferentvalleys。It’sallcow—country——sowhatdoyuhsay，Smoke？Whichtraillooksthebesttoyou？"
Smokyfloppedoneearforwardandtheotheroneback，andswitchedatapesteringfly。BehindhimSunfishandStopperwaitedwiththepatiencetheyhadlearnedinthreeweeksofcontinuoustravelovercountrythatwasroughinspots，barreninplaces，withwindandsunandoccasional，suddenthunderstormstopunctuatethedailygrindoftravel。
Buddrewahalfdollarfromhispocketandregardeditmeditatively。"They’regoingfast——we’lljustnaturallyhavetostopprettysoon，orwedon’teat，"Heobserved。"Smoke，you’reaquitter。Whatyouwanttodoisgoback——butyouwon’tgetthechance。Heads，wetaketherighthandtrail。I
likeitbetter，anyway——itanglesmoretothenorth。"
Headsitwas，andBudleanedfromthesaddleandrecoveredthecoin，Smokyturninghisheadtoregardhisridertolerantly。"Righthandgoes——andwecampatthefirstgoodwaterandgrass。Icangrainthethreeofyouoncemorebeforewehitatown，andthatgoesforme，too。G’wan，Smoke，anddon’tactsomournful。"
Smokywenton，followingthetrailthatwoundinandoutaroundthebutte，huggingcloseitssheersidestoavoidafifty—footdropintothecreekbelow。Itwasnewcountry——Budhadneversomuchasseenamapofittogivehimacluetowhatwascoming。Thelastturnofthedeep—rutted，sandyroadwhereitlefttheriver’sbankandledstraightbetweentwohumpyshouldersofrocktothefootofaplatter—shapedvalleybroughthimtoahaltagaininsheerastonishment。
Frombehindalowhillstillfarthertotheright，wheretheroadforkedagain，abluishhazeofsmokeindicatedthattherewasatownofsomesort，perhaps。Fartherupthevalleyabrownishcloudhunglow—aroundup，Budknewataglance。Hehesitated。Thetown，ifitwereatown，couldwait；theroundupmightnot。Andajobhemusthavesoon，orgohungry。
Heturnedandrodetowardthedust—cloud，cameshortlytoasmallstreamandagreengrass—plot，andstoppedtherelongenoughtothrowthepackoffSunfish，unsaddleSmokyandstakethembothouttograze。Stopperhesaddled，thenkneltandwashedhisface，beatthetraveldustoffhishat，untiedhisropeandcoileditcarefully，untiedhishandkerchiefandshookitascleanashecouldandknotteditcloselyagain。
Onemighthavethoughthewaspreparingtomeetagirl；butthehabitofneatnessdatedbacktohispink—aprondaysandbeyond，thedirtanddustmeantdiscomfort。
WhenhemountedStopperandlopedawaytowardthedust—cloud，herodehopefully，sureofhimself，carryinghisrangecredentialsinhiseyes，inhisperfectsaddle—poise，inthetanonhisfacetohiseyebrows，andthewomanishsoftnessofhisglovedhands，whichhadallthesensitiveflexibilityofamusician。
Hismainhopewasthattheoutfitwasworkingshort—handed；
andwhenherodenearenoughtodistinguishtheherdandtheriders，hegrinnedhissatisfaction。
"Goodcow—country，bythelookofthatbunchofcattle，"Heobservedtohimself。"Andeightmenisasmallcrewtoworkaherdthatsize。IguessI’lltieontothisoutfit。Stopper，you’llmaybegetachancetoturnacowthisafternoon。"
Justhowsoonthechancewouldcome，Budhadnotrealized。Hehadnomorethancomewithinshoutingdistanceoftheherdwhenabig，rollickysteerbrokefromthemillingcattleandheadedstraightoutpasthim，runninglikeadeer。Stopper，famedandnamedforhisprowesswithjustsuchcattle，wheeledinhistracksandlengthenedhisstridetoarun。
"Tie’imdown！"someoneyelledbehindBud。And"Catch’imandtie’imdown！"shoutedanother。
ForanswerBudwavedhishand，andreachedinhispocketforhisknife。Stopperwasartfullycirclingthesteer，forcingitbacktowardtheherd，andinanotherhundredyardsorsoBudmustthrowhisloopHeslicedoffasaddle—stringandtookitbetweenhisteeth，jerkedhisropeloose，flippedopentheloopasStopperracedupalongside，droppedthenooseneatly，andtookhisturnswhileStopperplantedhisforefeetandbracedhimselffortheshock。Bud’srightlegwasoverthecantle，allhisweightontheleftstirrupwhenthejerkcameandthesteerfellwithathump。Bygoodluck——
soBudafterwardsasserted——hewasoffandhadthesteertiedbeforeithadrecovereditsbreathtoscrambleup。Heremounted，flippedofftheloopandrecoiledhisropewhilehewentjogginguptomeetaridercomingouttohim。
Ifheexpectedthanksforwhathehaddone，hemusthavereceivedashock。Otherridershadlefttheirpostsandwereedginguptohearwhathappened，andBudreinedupinastonishmentbeforethemostamazingstringofunseemlyepithetshehadeverheard。Itbeganwith："What’dyouthrowthatcritterfor？"——whichofcourseisputtingitmildly——andendedinachokedphrasewhichonemanmaynotusetoanother’sfaceandexpectanythingbuttroubleafterwards。
Budunbuckledhisgunandhungthebeltonhissaddlehorn，anddismounted。"Getoffyourhorseandtakethedamnedestlickingyoueverhadinyourlife，forthat！"Heinvitedvengefully。"Youtoldmetotiedownthatsteer，andItiedhimdown。You’vegotnocalltocomplain——andthereisn’tamanonearthI’lltakethatkindatalkfrom。Crawldown，youparrot—facedcow—eater——andleaveyourgunonthesaddle。"
ThemanremainedwherehewasandlookedBudoveruncertainly。"Whoareyou，andwhere’dyuhcomefrom？"hedemandedmorecalmly。"Ineversawyuhbefore。"
"Well，Inevergrewupwithyourfacebeforeme，either！"Budsnapped。"IfIhadI’dprobablybecross—eyedbynow。Youcalledmesomething！GetoffthathorseorI’llpullyouoff！"
"Aw，yuhdon’twanttomind——"beganatall，leanmanpacifically；butheofthehighnosestoppedhimwithawaveofthehand，hiseyesstillmeasuringtheface，theformandthefightingspiritofoneBudBirnie，standingwithhiscoatoff，quiveringwithrage。
"IguessI’minthewrong，youngfellow——IDIDholler’Tie’imdown。’Butifyou’deverbeenaroundthisoutfitanyyou’dhaveknownIdidn’tmeanitliteral。"Hestoppedandsuddenlyhelaughed。"I’vebeenyellin’’Tie’imdown’fortwoyearsandmore，whenacritterbreaksoutathebunch，andnobodywaseverfoolenoughtotackleitbefore。"It’sjustasayin’we’vegot，youngman。We——"
"Whataboutthenameyoucalledme？"Budwasstilladvancingslowly，notmuchappeasedbytheexplanation。"Idon’tgiveadarnaboutthesteer。Yousaidtiehim，andhe’stied。Butwhenyoucallme——"
"Mymistake，youngfeller。WhenIgetriledupIdon’tpickmywords。"HeeyedBudsharply。"You’remightyquicktoobeyorders，"Headdedtentatively。
"IwasbroughtuptodoasI’mtold，"Budretortedstiffly。"Anyobjectionstomake？"
"Notoneintheworld。Wishtherewasmorelikeyuh。Youain’tbeeninthesepartslong？"Histonemadeaquestionofthestatement。
"Notrighthere。"Budhadnoreasonsavehistemperfornotgivingmoreexplicitinformation，butBartNelson——asBudknewhimafterwards——continuedtostudyhimasifhesuspectedablotchedpast。
"Hunh。Thatyourhorse？"
"I’vegotabillofsaleforhim。"
"Youdon’thappentobewantingajob，Is’pose？"
"Iwouldn’trefusetotakeone。"AndthenthetwinklecamebacktoBud’seyes，becauseallatoncethewholeincidentstruckhimasbeingratherfunny。"I’dwantabossthatexpectedtohavehisorderscarriedout，though。Ilackimagination，andIneverdidtrytoreadaman’smind。Whathesayshe’dbettermean——whenhesaysittome。"
BartNelsongaveashortlaugh，turnedandsenthisridersbacktotheirworkwithoathstinglingtheirears。Budjudgedthatcursingwashisnaturalformofspeech。
"Goletupthatsteer，andI’llputyoutowork，"hesaidtoBudafterwards。"That’sagoodropehorseyou’reriding。Ifyouwanttousehim，andifyoucanholduptothatlittlesampleofropingyuhgaveus，I’llpayyuhsixtyamonth。Andthat’spartlyfordoingwhatyou’retold，"headdedwithaquicklookintoBud’seyes。"Youdidn’tsaywhereyou’refrom————"
"Iwasbornandraisedincow—country，andnobody’slookingforme，"Budinformedhimoverhisshoulderwhileheremounted，andletitgoatthat。FromsouthernWyomingtoIdahowastoofar，hereasoned，tomakeitworthwhilestatinghisexactplaceofresidence。IftheyhadneverheardoftheTomahawkoutfititwoulddonogoodtonameit。Iftheyhadheardofit，theywouldwonderwhythesonofsorichacowmanasBobBirnieshouldbehiringoutasacommoncowpunchersofarfromhome。Hehadstudiedthematteronhiswaynorth，andhaddecidedtoletpeopleformtheirownconclusions。IfhecouldnotmakegoodwithoutthenameofBobBirniebehindhim，thesoonerhefounditoutthebetter。
Heuntiedthesteer，droveitbackintotheherdandrodeovertowherethehigh—nosedmanwashelpingholdthe"Cut。"
"Canyoureadbrands？We’recuttin’outAJandAJBarstuff；
leftear—cropontheAJ，andundercutontheAJBar。"
Budnoddedandeasedintotheherd，spiedanAJtwo—year—oldandurgedittowardtheouteredge，smilingtohimselfwhenhesawhowStopperkepthisnoseclosetotheanimal’srump。
Onceinthemillingfringeoftheherd，Stoppernippeditintotheopen，rushedittothecutherd，wheeledandwentbackofhisownaccord。Fromthecornerofhiseye，ashewent，BudsawthatBartNelsonandoneortwootherswerewatchinghim。Theycontinuedtoeyehimcovertlywhileheworkedtheherdwithtwoothermen。Hewasgladthathehadnottravelledfarthatday，andthathehadriddenSmokyandleftStopperfreshandeagerforhisfavoritepastime，whichwasmakingcattledowhattheyparticularlydidnotwanttodo。Inthathewasadept，anditpleasedBudmightilytoseehowmuchattentionStopperwasattracting。
Notoncediditoccurtohimthatitmightbehimselfwhooccupiedthethoughtsofhisboss。Buddy——afterwardsBud——hadlivedhiswholelifeamongfriends，hisonlyenemiestheIndianswhopreyeduponthecowmen。Whitemenhehadneverlearnedtodistrust，andtobedistrustedhadneverbeenhisportion。HehadalwaysbeenBudBirnie，sonandheirofBobBirnie，asclean—handedacattlekingaseverrecordedabrand。EvenattheUniversityhispositionhadbeenacceptedwithoutquestion。ThatthemanhementallycalledParrotfacewaspuzzledandevenworriedabouthimwasthelastthinghewouldthinkof。
Butitwastrue。BartNelsonwatchedBud，thatafternoon。A
manmightrideuptoBartandassertthathewasanoldhandwithcattle，andBartwouldsaynothing，butsethimtowork，ashehadBud。Thenhewouldknowjusthowolda"Hand"thefellowwas。FifteenminutesconvincedhimthatBudhad"growedupinthesaddle"，ashewouldhaveputit。Butthatonlymystifiedhimthemore。Bartknewtherange，andhekneweverymaninthecountry，fromBurrobackValley，whichwasthisgreatvalley’sname，totheBlackRim，beyondthemountainrange，andbeyondtheBlackRimtotheSawtoothcountry。Heknewtheirwaysandheknewtheirpastrecords。
Heknewthatthisyoungfellowcamefromfartherranges，andhewouldhavebeenatalosstoexplainjusthowheknewit。
HewouldhavesaidthatBuddidnothavethe"earmarks"ofanIdahorider。Furthermore，thesmallTomahawkbrandontheleftflankofthehorseBudrodewastotallyunknowntoBart。
Yetthehorsedidnotbearthemarksoflongriding。Budhimselflookedasifhehadjustriddenoutfromsomenearbyranch——andhehadrefusedtosaywherehewasfrom。
Bartsworeunderhisbreathandbeckonedtohimadroopy—
mustached，droopy—shoulderedriderwhowascirclingtheherdinadroopy，spiritlessmannerandchewingtobaccowithmuchindustry。
"Dirk，youknowbrandsfromthePanhandletoCypressHills。
Whatd’yuhmakeofthathorse？Wheredoeshecomefrom？"BartstoppedabruptlyandrodeforwardthentoreceiveanddrivefartherbackagallopingAJBarcowwhichBudandStopperhadjusthazedoutoftheherd。DirksquintedatStopper’sbrandwhichshowedcleanlyintheglossy，newhairofearlysummer。Hespatcarefullywiththewindandswungovertomeethisbosswhenthecowwassafelyinthecutherd。
"Newoneonme，Bart。They’sahatchetbrandoverclosetoJackson’sHole，somewhere。Where’dthekidsayhewasfrom？"
"Hewouldn’tsay，buthe’sasure—enoughcowhand。"
"Thattherehorseain’tbeenrodedownonnolongjourney，"
Dirkvolunteeredafterfurtherscrutiny。Andheaddedwiththeunconsciousimpertinenceofanoldandtrustedemployee，"Yuhgoin’toputhimon？"
"Alreadydoneit——sixtyamonth，"Bartconfided。"That’llbringoutwhat’sinhim；he’sliabletoturnoutgoodfortheoutfit。Showedhe’lldowhathe’stoldfirst，andthinkitoverafterwards。Ilikethattheretraitinaman。"
Dirkpulledhisdroopymustacheawayfromhislipsasifhewantedtomakesurethathissmilewouldshow；thoughitwasnotaprettysmile，onaccountofhistobacco—stainedteeth。
"’Syourfun’ral，Bart。I’dsayhe’sfromJackson’sHole，onaroughguess——butIwouldn’tpresumetoguesswhathe’sherefur。MebbyhecomeacrossfromBlackRim。Icanfindout，ifyousayso。"
Budwasweavinginandoutthroughtheherd，scanningtheanimalsclosely。Whilethetwotalkedhesingledoutayearlingheifer，letStoppernoseitoutbeyondthebunchanddroveitclosetotheboss。
"Betterlookthatoneover，"Hecalledout。"Oneway，itlookslikeAJ，andanotherwayIcouldn’tnameit。Andtheearlooksasifabouthalfofithadbeenfrozenoff。Didn’twanttorunitintothecutuntilyoupassedonit。"
BartlookedfirstatBud，andhelookedhard。Thenherodeoverandinspectedtheyearling，Dirkcloseathisheels。
"Throw’erbackwiththebunch，"Heordered。
"Thatfinishesthecut，then，"Budannounced，rubbinghishandalongStopper’ssweatyneck。"Ikeptpassingthiscritterup，andIguesstheotherboysdidthesame。Butit’sthelastone，andIthoughtI’drunheroutforyoutolookover。"
Bartgrunted。"Dirk，youtakealookandseeifthey’vegot’emall。Andyou，Kid，canhelphazethecutuptheFlat——theboys’llshowyouwhattodo。"
Bud，rememberingSmokyandSunfishandhiscamp，hesitated。
"I’vegotacampdownherebythecreek，"Hesaid。"Ifit’sallthesametoyou，I’llreportforworkinthemorning，ifyou’lltellmewheretoheadfor。AndI’llhavetoarrangesomehowtopasturemyhorses；I’vegotacouplemoreatcamp。"
Bartstudiedhimforaminute，andBudthoughthewasgoingtochangehismindaboutthejob，orthesixtydollarsamonth。ButBartmerelytoldhimtorideonuptheFlatnextmorning，andtakethefirsttrailthatturnedtotheleft。"TheMuleshoeranchisupthereaginthatpinemountain，"heexplained。"Bringalongyouroutfit。Iguesswecantakecareofacoupleofhorses，allright。"
ThatsuitedBudverywell，andherodeawaythinkinghowluckyhewastohavetakentherightforkintheroad，thatday。Hehadriddenstraightintoajob，andwhilehewasnotveryenthusiasticovertheboss，theotherboysseemedallright，andthewageswereathirdmorethanhehadexpectedtogetjustatfirst。Itwasthefirsttime，heremindedhimself，thathehadbeenreallytemptedtolocate，andhecertainlyhadstruckitlucky。
Hedidnotknowthatwhenhelefttherounduphisgoinghadbeencarefullynoted，andthathewasnosooneroutofsightthanDirkTracywasridingcautiouslyonhistrail。Whilehefedhishorsesthelastbitofgrainhehad，andcookedhissupperoverwhatpromisedtobehislastcamp—fire，hedidnotdreamthatthemanwiththedroopymustachewaslyingamongstthebushesontheotherbankofthecreek，watchingeverymovehemade。
HemeanttobeupbeforedaylightsothathecouldstriketheranchoftheMuleshoeoutfitintimeforbreakfast，whereforehewenttobedbeforetheafterglowhadleftthemountain—
topsaroundhim。Andbeingyoungandcarefreeandhealthfullyweary，hewasasleepandsnoringgentlywithinfiveminutesofhislastwriggleintohisblankets。ButDirkTracywatchedhimforfullytwohoursbeforehedecidedthatthekidwasnotartfullypretending，butwasreallyasleepandlikelytoremainsoforthenightDirkwasanextremelycautiousman，buthewasalsotired，andthecoldfoodhehadeateninplaceofahotsupperhadnotbeensatisfyingtohisstomach。Hecrawledcarefullyoutofthebrush，stoleupthecreektowherehehadlefthishorse，androdeaway。