HewasnotaltogethersurethathehaddonehisfulldutytotheMuleshoe，butitwasagainsthumannatureforamannearingfortytolieuncoveredinthebrush，andletanumerousfamilyofmosquitoesfeeduponhimwhilehelistenedtoayoungmansnoringcomfortablyinagoodcampbedahundredfeetaway。
　　Dirk，becausehisconsciencewasnotquiteclear，sleptinthestablethatnightandtoldhisbossalienextmorning。
　　CHAPTEREIGHT：THEMULESHOE
　　TheridersoftheMuleshoeoutfitwereeatingbreakfastwhenBudrodepastthelong，low—roofedlogcabintothecorralwhichstoodnearesttheclutterofstablesandsheds。Hestoppedthereandwaitedtoseeifhisnewbosswasanywhereinsightandwouldcometotellhimwheretounpackhisbelongings。Asandycomplexionedyoungmanwithredeyelidsandnolashespresentlyemergedfromthestableandcametowardhim，hismouthsagginglooselyopen，hiseye；vacuous。
　　Hewascladinfadedoverallsturnedupafootatthebottomandshowingfrayed，shoddytrousersbeneathandrusty，run—
　　downshoesthatprovedhewasnotarider。Hishatwaspepperedwithlittleholes，asifsomeonehadfiredachargeofbirdshotathimandhadallbutbaggedhim。
　　Theyouth’seyesbecamefixedupontheguitarandmandolincasesropedontopofSunfish’spack，andhepointedandgobbledsomethingwhichhadthesoundspeechwithoutbeingintelligible。Budcockedaneartowardhiminquiringly，madenothingofthejumbleandrodeofftothecabin，leadingSunfishafterhim。Thefellowmightormightnotbetheidiothelooked，andhemightormightnotkeephishandsoffthepack。Budwasnotgoingtotakeanychance。
　　Heheardsoundswithinthecabin，butnooneappeareduntilheshouted，"Hello！"twice。ThedooropenedthenandBartNelsonputouthishead，hisjawsworkingoveramouthfuloffoodthatseemedtough。
　　"Oh，it’syou。C’mawninan’eat，"heinvited，andBuddismounted，neverguessingthathisslightestmotionhadbeencarefullyobservedfromthetimehehadfordedthecreekatthefootoftheslopebeyondthecabin。
　　Bartintroducedhimtothemenbythesimplemethodofwavinghishandatthegrouparoundthetableandsaying，"Guessyouknowtheboys。What’dyuhsaywecouldcallyuh？"
　　"Bud——ah——Birnie，"Budanswered，swiftlyweighingtheromanticideaofusingsomemakeshiftnameuntilhehadmadehisfortune，anddecidingagainstit。Afalsenamemightmeanfutureembarrassment，andhewassofarfromhomethathisfatherwouldneverhearofhimanyway。ButhishesitationservedtoconvinceeverymantherethatBirniewasnothisname，andthatheprobablyhadgoodcauseforconcealinghisown。AddingthattoDirkTracy’sguessthathewasfromJackson’sHole，thesumspelledoutlaw。
　　TheMuleshoeboyswerecarefulnottoseemcuriousaboutBud’spast。TheyevenrefrainedfrommanifestingtoomuchinterestinthemusicalinstrumentsuntilBudhimselftookthemoutoftheircasesthateveningandbegantuningthem。
　　Thenthehalf—baked，tongue—tiedfellowcameoverandgobbledathimeagerly。
　　"Henwantsyuhtoplaysomething，"amantheycalledDayinterpreted。"Hen’slocoonmusic。Ifyoucansingandplayboth，Hen’llsetandlistentillplumbdaylightandnevermoveaneyewinker。"
　　Budlookedup，smiledalittlebecauseHenhadnoeyewinkerstomove，andsuddenlyfeltpitybecauseamancouldbesoaltogetherunlikeableasHen。Alsobecausehismother’sfacestoodvividlybeforehimforaninstant，leavinghimwithaqueertighteningofthethroatandthefeelingthathehadbeenrebuked。HenoddedtoHen，laiddownthemandolinandpickeduptheguitar，turneduptheastringabit，laidabootedandspurredfootacrosstheotherknee，pluckedaminorchordsonorouslyandbeganabruptly：
　　"Yo’kintalkaboutyoucoonsa—havin’trouble——
　　Well，AhthinkAhhaveenough—aofmahoh—own——"
　　Hen’shigh—pointedAdam’sappleslippedupanddowninonegreatgulpofecstasy。HeeasedslowlydownupontheedgeofthebunkbesideBudandgazedathimfascinatedly，hislashlesseyesneverwinking，hisjawdroppedsothathismouthhunghalfopen。DaynudgedDirkTracy，whopartedhisdroopymustacheandsmiledhisunlovelysmile，loweringhislefteyelidunnecessarilyatBud。ThedimpleinBud’schinwrinkledashebenthisheadandplunkedtheinterludewithaswingthatsetspurredbootstappingthefloorrhythmically。
　　"Bart，he’swentandhiredashow—actor，lookslike。"DirkconfidedbehindhishandtoShortyMcGuire。"That’srealsingin’，ifyuhaskme！"
　　"Shutup！"gruntedShorty，andproddedDirkintosilencesothathewouldmissnoneofthesong。
　　SinceBuddyhadleftthepink—apronstageofhisadventurouslifebehindhim，singingsongstopleaseotherpeoplehadbeenasmuchapartofhislifeasridingandropingandeatingandsleeping。Hehadalwayssungorplayedordancedwhenhewasaskedtodoso——acceptingwithoutquestionhismother’sdoctrinethatitwasunkindandill—bredtorefusewhenhereallycoulddothosethingswell，becauseonthecattlerangesindooramusementswerefew，andthosewhocouldfurnishrealentertainmentwerefewer。EvenattheUniversity，coonsongsandIrishsongsandlovesongshadbeenhisportion；whereforehisrepertoireseemedendless，andiffolksinsisteduponithecouldsingfromdarktodawn，providinghisvoiceheldout。
　　Hensatwithhisbig—jointedhandshanginglooselyoverhiskneesandlistened，staredatBudandgrinnedvacuouslywhenonesongwasdone，gulpedhisAdam’sappleandlistenedagainasraptlytothenextone。TheothersforgotallabouthavingfunwatchingHen，andnamedoldfavoritesandnewones，heardthemsunginimitablyandcalledformore。AtmidnightBudblewonhisblisteredfingertipsandshooktheguitargently，bottom—sideup。
　　"Iguessthat’sallthemusicthereisinthedarnedthingto—night，"helamented。"She’smadetokeeptime，andshealwaysstrikes，alongaboutmidnight。"
　　"Huh—huh！"chortledHenconvulsively，asifheunderstoodthejoke。Heclosedhismouthandsigheddeeply，asonewhohasjustwakenedfromatrance。
　　Afterthat，HenfollowedBudaroundlikeapetdog，andfoundtimebetweenstablechorestogroomthoseastonishedhorses，StopperandSmokyandSunfish，asiftheywerestall—keptthoroughbreds。Hehadthemcominguptothepasturegateeverydayforthefewhandfulsofgrainhepurloinedforthem，andtheirsleeknesswasajoytobehold。
　　"Hen，he’sadoptedyuh，horsesandall，lookslike，"DirkobservedonedaytoBudwhentheywereridingtogether。AndhetemperedthestatementbyaddingthatHenwastrustyenough，evenifhedidn’thaveasmuchsenseasthelawallows。"Hesureistakin’careofthemcayusesofyour’n。
　　D’youtellhimto？"
　　Budcameoutofahomesickreveryandlookedathiminquiringly。"No，Ididn’ttellhimanything。"
　　"Ibelievethat，allright，"Dirkretorted。"Youdon’tgoaroundtellin’allyuhknow。Ilikethatinafeller。Amannevergotintotroubleyetbykeepin’hismouthshut；butthere’splentythathavetalkedthemselvesintothepen。Me，I’vegotnouseforatalker。"
　　Budsenthimasidelongglanceofinquiry，andDirkcaughthimatitandgrinned。
　　"Yuhbeenhereamonth，andyouain’tsaidadamnwordaboutwhereyoucomefromoranythingfurtherbackthanthrowin’
　　andtyin’thatcritter。Yousaidcow—country，andthathashadtodosomefolksthatmightbecurious。Well，she’satearin’bigplace——cow—country。SherunsfromCanadytoMexico，andfromthecornbelttothePacificOcean，mightyneartakesinJackson’sHole，andalotuhcountryIknow。"
　　Hepartedhismustacheandspatcarefullyintothesand。
　　"I’mwillin’totietoaman，speciallyayoungfeller，thatcanplaythegamethewayyoubeenplayin’it，Bud。Mostalways，"hecomplainedvaguely，"theycarrytheirbrandtoodamnmain。Theyeitherpulltheirhatsdownpasttheireyebrowsandgiveeverybodythebadeye，orelsethey’retoodamnreadytolieaboutthemselves。Youthrowinwiththeboysjustfine——butyouain’ttoldaoneof’emwhereyoucomefrom，nerwhy，nernothin’。"
　　"I’mherebecauseI’mhere，"Budchantedsoftly，hiseyesstubbornevenwhilehesmiledatDirk。
　　"Iknow——yuhsungthatthefirstnightyuhcome，andyuhlookedstraightatthebossallthewhileyouwassingin’
　　it，"Dirkinterrupted，andlaughedslyly。"Theboys，theytookthatallin，too。AndBart，hewasn’tasleep，neither。
　　Yousurearesmoothastheymake’em，Bud。Iguess，"heleanedclosertopredictconfidentially，"you’vejustaboutpassedtheprobationtime，youngfeller。IfIknowthesigns，thebossisgittin’readytoraiseyuh。"
　　HelookedatBudrathersharply。InstantlythetrainingofBuddyrosewithinBud。HismemoryflashedbackunerringlytothedaywhenhehadwatchedthatIndiangalloptowardtheriver，andhadsneeredbecausetheIndianevidentlyexpectedhimtofollowintotheundergrowth。
　　DirkTracydidnotintheleastresembleanIndian，nordidhisramblingflatterybearanylikenesstoafleeingenemy；
　　yetitwasplainenoughthathewastryinginabunglingwaytoforceBud’sconfidence，andforthatreasonBudstaredstraightaheadandsaidnothing。
　　HedidnotrememberhavingsungthatparticulardittyduringhisfirsteveningattheMuleshoe，norofstaringatthebosswhilehesung。Hemighthavedoneboth，hereflected；hehadsungonesongafteranotherforaboutfourhoursthatnight，andunlesshesangwithhiseyesshuthewouldhavetolooksomewhere。Thatitshouldbetakenbythewholeoutfitasabroadhinttoasknoquestionsseemedtohimratherfarfetched。
　　NordidheseewhyDirkshouldcomplimenthimonkeepinghismouthshut，orcallhimsmooth。Hedidnotknowthathehadbeenonprobation，exceptperhapsasthatappliedtohisabilityasacow—hand。Andhecouldseenovalidreasonwhythebossshouldcontemplate"raising"him。Sofar，hehadbeendoingnomorethantherestoftheboys，exceptwhentherewasropingtobedoneandheandStopperwerecalledupontodistinguishthemselvesbyfastrope—work，withneveramiss。Sixtydollarsamonthwasasgoodpayashehadanyrighttoexpect。
　　Dirk，hedecided，hadgivenhimonegoodtipwhichhewouldfollowatonce。Dirkhadsaidthatnomanevergotintotroublebykeepinghismouthshut。Budclosedhisforagoodhalfhour，andwhenheopeneditagainheundidallthegoodhehadaccomplishedbyhissilence。
　　"Wheredoesthattrailgo，thatclimbsupoverthemountainsbackofthatpeak？"heasked。"Seemstobeastocktrail。
　　Haveyougotgrazinglandbeyondthemountains？"
　　Dirktooktimetopryoffafreshchewoftobaccobeforehereplied。"YoumeanThunderPass？ThattherecrossesoverintotheBlackRimcountry。Yeah——There’sabigwiderangecountryoverthere，butwedon’trunanystockonit。BurrobackValley’sbigenoughfortheMuleshoe。"
　　Budrolledacigarette。"Ididn’tmeanthatmaintrail；
　　that’sawagonroad，andThunderPasscutsthroughbetweenSheepeaterpeakandthisoneaheadofus——Gospel，youcallit。WhatIreferredtoisthatblindtrailthattakesoffupthecanyonbehindthecorrals，andcrossesintothemountainstheothersideofGospel。"
　　Dirkeyedhim。"Idunno’sIcouldsay，rightoffhand，whattrailyuhmean，"heparried。"Everycanyon’sgotatrailthatrunsupaways，andthere’scanyonsallthroughthemountains；theyallleaduptowater，orfeed，orsomethinglikethat，andthenquit，mostgen’rally；jestpeterout，like。"Andheaddedwithheavysarcasm，"Afellerthat’slivedontherangeoughtaknowwhattrailsisfor，andhowthey’remade。Cowcrittersarecurious—sameashumans。"
　　TothisBuddidnotreply。Hewassmokingandstaringatthebrushylowerslopesofthemountainridgebeforethem。Hehadexplainedquitefullywhichtrailhemeant。Itwas，ashehadsaid，a"blind"trail；thatis，thetraillostitselfinthecreekwhichwateredastringofcorrals。Moreover，Budhadverykeeneyes，andhehadseenhowapanelofthecorraldirectlyacrosstheshale—rockbedofasmallstreamwasreallyasetofbars。Theroundpolecorrallentitselfeasilytohiddengateways，withoutanydeliberateattemptatdisguisingtheirpresence。
　　Thestringoffourcorralsrunningfromthisupperone——
　　which，heremembered，wasnotseenfromnearerthestables—
　　wasperhapsaconvenientarrangementinthehandlingofstock，althoughitwasunusual。TheuppercorralhadbeenbuilttofitsnuglyintoarockyrecessinthebaseofthepeakcalledGospel。Itwaslargerthansomeoftheothers，sinceitfollowedthecontourofthebasin—likerecess。
　　Accesstoitwashadfromthefourthcorral（whichfromtheranchappearedtobethelast）andfromthecreekbedthatfilledthenarrowmouthofthecanyonbehind。
　　Dirkmightnothaveunderstoodhim，Budthought。HecertainlyshouldhaverecognizedatoncethetrailBudmeant，fortherewasnoothercanyonbackofthecorrals，andeventhatonewasnotapparenttoonelookingatthefaceofthesteepslope。Stockhadbeenoverthatcanyontrailwithinthelastmonthorso，however；andBud’sinferencethattheMuleshoemusthavegrazinggroundacrossthemountainswasnatural；
　　theobviousexplanationofitsexistence。
　　"How’dyoucometobeexplorin’aroundGospel，anyway？"
　　Dirkquizzedfinally。"Aperson’dthink，short—handedastheMuleshoeisthisspring，’tyou’dgitalltheridin’yuhwantwithoutprognosticatin’aroundaimless。"
　　NowBudwasnotasuspiciousyoungman，andhehadbeennomorethanmildlyinquisitiveaboutthattrail。Butneitherwasheafool；hecaughttheemphasiswhichDirkhadplacedonthewordaimless，andhisthoughtspausedandtookanotherlookatDirk’swholeconversation。Therewassomethingqueeraboutit，somethingwhichmadeBudsheerofffromhisusualunthinkingassurancethatthingswerejustwhattheyseemed。
　　Immediately，however，helaughed——athimselfaswellasatDirk。
　　"We’vebeenfeedingonsourbreadandwarmed—overcoffeeeversincethecookdisappearedandBartputHeninthekitchen，"
　　hesaid。"IfIwereyou，Dirk，Iwouldn’tblistermyhandsshovellingthatgrubintomyselfforawhile。You’rebilious，old—timer。Nomanonearthwouldtalkthewayyou’vebeentalkingto—dayunlesshiswholedigestiveapparatuswereoutoforder。"
　　Dirkspatangrilyatadeadsagebush。"Theyshoreashellwouldn’ttalkthekindatalkyou’vebeentalkie’unlesstheywasabornfoolorelsehuntin’trouble，"heretortedvenomously。
　　"ThedoctorsaidI’dbethatwayifIlived，"Budgrinned，amiably，althoughhisfacehadflushedatDirk’stone。"Hesaiditwouldn’thurtmeforwork。"
　　"Yeah——andwhatkindawork？"DirkrodesoclosethathishorseshoulderedBud’slegdiscomfortingly。"Ibeenedgin’
　　yuhalongtoseewhat—f’rbrandyuhcarried。AndI’vegotyenow，youdamnedsnoopin’kioty。Bart，hehiredyuhtowork—
　　andnottogoprowlingaroundlookin’uptrailsthatain’tthere——"
　　"You’readim—brandreader，Idon’tthink！Whyyou——！"
　　Oh，well——rememberthatBudwasonlyBuddygrownbigger，andhehadneverlackedthespirittolookoutforhimself。
　　Remember，too，thathemusthaveacquiredsomethingofavocabulary，inthecourseoftwenty—oneyearsofabsorbingeverythingthatcamewithinhisexperience。
　　Dirkreachedforhisgun，butBudwasexpectingthat。Dirkwasnotquitequickenough，andhishandthereforecameforwardwithajerkwhenhesawthathewas"covered。"Budleaned，pulledDirk’ssix—shooterfromitsholsterandsentitspinningintoaclumpofbushes。Hesnatchedawicked—lookingknifefromDirk’sbootwherehehadonceseenDirkslipitsheathedwhenhedressedinthebunk—house，andsentthatafterthegun。
　　"Now，youlong—earedwalrus，you’reinapositiontoplayfair。Whatareyougoingtodoaboutit？"Hereinedaway，outofDirk’sreach，tookhishandkerchiefandwrappedhisownguntightlytoprotectitfromsand，andthrewitafterDirk’sgunandtheknife。"AmIasnoopingcoyote？"hedemandedwatchingDirk。
　　"Youair。More’nallthat，you’readamnedspy！AndIkinlickyuhan’lass’yuhan’leadyuhtoBartlikeasheep！"
　　Theydismounted，lefttheirhorsestostandwithreinsdropped，threwofftheircoatsandfoughtuntiltheyweretootiredtolandanotherblow。Therewerenofatalities。Buddidnotcomeoutofthefrayunscathedandproudlyconsciousofhisstrengthandhisskillandtheunquestionablerighteousnessofhiscause。Insteadhehadthreebruisedknucklesandarapidlyswellingear，andwhenhisangerhadcooledalittlehefeltratherfoolishandwonderedwhathadstartedthemoffthatway。Theyhadriddenawayfromtheranchinaverygoodhumor，andhehadharborednoconsciousdislikeofDirkTracy，whohadbeenoneindividualofatypeofrangemenwhichhehadknownallhislifeandhadacceptedasamatterofcourse。
　　Dirk，onhispart，hadsometroubleinstoppingthebleedingofhisnose，andbythetimehereachedtheranchhislefteyewasclosedcompletely。HewastallerandheavierthanBud，andhehadnotexpectedsuchasluggingstrengthbehindBud’sblows。
　　Hewasbadlyshaken，andwhenBudrecoveredthetwogunsandtheknifeandreturnedhisweaponstohim，Dirkwashalftemptedtoshoot。Buthedidnot——perhapsbecauseBudhadunwrappedhisownsix—shooterandwaslookingitoverwiththemuzzleslantingawickedeyeinDirk’sdirection。
　　Latethatafternoon，whentheboyswereloafingaroundthecabinwaitingfortheirearlysupper，BudpackedhisworldlygoodsonSunfishanddepartedfromtheMuleshoe——"byspecialrequest"，headmittedtohimselfruefully——withhiswagesingoldandsilverinhispocketandnodefiniteideaofwhathewoulddonext。
　　HewishedheknewexactlywhyBarthadfiredhim。Hedidnotbelievethatitwasforfighting，asBarthaddeclared。HethoughtthatperhapsDirkTracyhadsomeholdontheMuleshoenotapparenttotheoutsider，andthathehadliedabouthimtoBartasasneakingkindofrevengeforbeingwhipped。Butthatexplanationdidnotaltogethersatisfyhim，either。
　　InhismonthattheMuleshoehehadgainedaveryfairgeneralideaoftheextentandresourcesofBurrobackValley，buthehadnotmadeanyacquaintancesandhedidnotknowjustwheretogoforhisnextjob。Soforwantofsomethingbetter，herodedowntothelittlestreamwhichhenowknewwascalledOneCreek，andpreparedtospendthenightthere。
　　Inthemorninghewouldmakeafreshstart——andbecauseofthestreakofstubbornnesshehad，hemeanttomakeitinBurrobackValley，undertheverynoseoftheMuleshoeoutfit。
　　CHAPTERNINE：LITTLELOST
　　LittleLost——somehowthenameappealedtoBud，whoseinstinctforharmonyextendedtowordsandphrasesand，forthatmatter，toeverythingintheworldthatwasbeautiful。FromthetimewhenhefirstheardLittleLostmentioned，hehadfeltavagueregretthatchancehadnotledhimthereinsteadoftotheMuleshoe。Brandshehadheardallhislifeasthefamiliar，colloquialnamesforranchheadquarters。TheMuleshoewasmerelyabrandname。LittleLostwassomethingelse，andbecauseBuddyhadbeentaughtto"waitandfindout"
　　andtoaskquestionsonlyasalastresort，BudwasstillinignoranceofthemeaningofLittleLost。Heknew，fromcarelessremarksmadeinhispresence，thatthemailcametoLittleLost，andthattherewassomesortofstorewherecertaineverydaynecessitieswerekept，forwhichthestore—keepercharged"twoprices。"Buttherewasalsoaranch，forhesometimesheardtheboysmentiontheLittleLostcattle，andspeakofsomemanasariderfortheLittleLost。
　　SotoLittleLostBudrodeblithelynextmorning，ridingStopperandleadingSmoky，Sunfishandthepackfollowingasamatterofcourse。Againhistrainedinstinctservedhimfaithfully。HehadaverygoodgeneralideaofBurrobackValley，heknewthattheMuleshoeoccupiedafairpartofthesouthside，andguessedthathemustridenorth，towardtheGoldGapMountains，tofindtheplacehewanted。
　　Thetrailwaseasy，hishorseswereasfataswasgoodforthem。IntwohoursofridingathisusualtrailpacehecameuponanotherstreamwhichheknewmustbeSunkCreekgrownalittlewideranddeeperinitsjourneydownthevalley。Hefordedthatwithagreatsplashing，climbedthefartherbank，followedastubby，rockybitofroadthatwoundthroughdensewillowandcottonwoodgrowth，cameoutintoahumpymeadowfullofanthills，gopherholesandsoggywetplaceswherethewatergrassgrew，crossedthatandfollowedtheroadaroundabrushyridgeandfoundhimselfsquarelyconfrontingLittleLost。
　　Therecouldbenomistake，for"LittleLostPostOffice"wasunevenlypaintedonthehighcross—barofthegatethatstoodwideopenandpermanentlywarpedwithlongsagging。Therewasahitch—railoutsidethegate，andBudtookthehintandlefthishorsesthere。Fromthewispsoffreshhaystrewnalongtheroad，BudknewthathayinghadbegunatLittleLost。
　　Therewereatleastfourcabinsandasomewhatpretentious，story—and—a—halfloghousewithvinesreachingvainlytothehighwindowsills，andcoarselacecurtains。Oneofthesecurtainsmovedslightly，andBud’ssharpeyesdetectedthemovementandknewthathisarrivalwasobservedinspiteoftheemptinessoftheyard。
　　Thebeatenpathledtoascreendoorwhichsaggedwithmuchslamming，leavingawidespaceatthetopthroughwhichfliespassedinandoutquitecomfortably。Budsawthat，also，andhisfingersitchedtoresetthatdoor，justashewouldhavedoneforhismother——supposinghismotherwouldhavetoleratedtheslammingwhichhadbroughttheneed。Budliftedhisglovedknucklestoknock，sawthattheroomwithinwasgrimyandbareandmeantforpublicuse，verymuchliketheofficeofacountryhotel，withacounterandasetofpigeon—holesatthefartherend。Hewalkedin。
　　Nooneappeared，andaftertenminutesorsoBudguessedwhy，andwentbacktothedoor，pusheditwideopenandpermittedittoflyshutwithabang。Whereuponagirlopenedthedoorbehindthecounterandcamein，glancingatBudwithfrankcuriosity。
　　BudtookoffhishatandclankedovertothecounterandaskediftherewasanymailforBudBirnie——RobertWallaceBirnie。
　　Thegirllookedathimagainandsmiled，andturnedtoshuffleahandfulofletters。Budemployedthetimeintryingtoguessjustwhatshemeantbythatsmile。
　　Itwasnotreallyasmile，hedecided，butthebeginningofone。Andifthatwerethebeginning，hewouldverymuchliketoknowwhatthewholesmilewouldmean。Thebeginninghintedatthings。Itwasasifshedoubtedtherealityofthenamehegave，andmeanttoconcealherdoubt，orhadheardsomethingamusingabouthim，orwishedtobefriendswithhim，orwassecretlytimorousandtryingtoappearmerelyindifferent。Orperhaps————
　　Shereplacedthelettersandturned，andrestedherhandsonthecounter。Shelookedathimandagainherlipsturnedatthecornersinthatfaint，enigmaticalbeginningofasmile。
　　"Thereisn’tathing，"shesaid。"Themailcomesthisnoonagain。Doyouwantyourssentouttoanyoftheoutfits？OrshallIjustholdit？"
　　"Justholdit，whenthereisany。Atleast，untilIseewhetherIlandajobhere。IwonderwhereIcouldfindtheboss？"Budwasglancingoftenatherhands。Foraranchgirlherhandsweresoftandwhite，butherfingerswereabittoostubbyandhernailsweretooroundandflat。
　　"UncleDavewillbehomeatnoon。He’soutinthemeadowwiththeboys。Youmightsitdownandwait。"
　　Budlookedathiswatch。Sittingdownandwaitingforfourhoursdidnotappealtohim，evensupposingthegirlwouldkeephimcompany。Buthelingeredawhile，leaningwithhiselbowsonthecounternearher；andbythoseobscurelittleconversationaltrailsknowntoyouth，heprogressedconsiderablyinhisacquaintancewiththegirlandmadehersmileoftenwithoutoncefeelingquitecertainthatheknewwhatwasinhermind。
　　HediscoveredthathernamewasHonoraKrause，andthatshewascalledHoney"forshort。"HerfatherhadbeenDutchandhermotheraYankee，andshelivedwithheruncle，DaveTruman，whoownedLittleLostranch，andtookcareofthemailforhim，andattendedtothestore——whichwasnothingmorethanasupplydepotkeptfortheaccommodationoftheneighbors。Thestore，shesaid，wasinthenextroom。
　　BudaskedherwhatLittleLostmeant，andsherepliedthatshedidnotknow，butthatitmighthavesomethingtodowithSunkCreeklosingitselfinTheSinks。TherewasaLittleLostriver，fartheracrossthemountains，shesaid，butitdidnotrunthroughLittleLostranch，norcomeanywherenearit。
　　Afterthatshequestionedhimadroitly。PerverselyBuddeclinedtobecomeconfidential，andHoneyKrausechangedthesubjectabruptly。
　　"There’sgoingtobeadanceherenextFridaynight。It’llbeagoodchancetogetacquaintedwitheverybody——ifyougo。
　　There’llbegoodmusic，Iguess。UncleDavewrotetoCraterfortheSaundersboystocomedownandplay。DoyouknowanybodyinCrater？"
　　Thequestionwasinnocentenough，butperversenessstillheldBud。Hesmiledandsaidhedidnotknowanybodyanywhere，anymore。HesaidthatifBobbieBurnshadaskedhim"Shouldauldacquaintancebeforgot，"he’dhavetoldhimyes，andhe’dhavemadeitgoodandstrong。Butheaddedthathewasjustaswillingtomakenewacquaintance，andthoughtthedancewouldbeagoodplacetobegin。
　　Honeygavehimaprovocativeglancefromunderherlashes，andBudstraightenedandsteppedback。
　　"Youletfolksstophere，Itakeit。I’veapackoutfitandacoupleofsaddlehorseswithme。Willitbeallrighttoturntheminthecorral？Ihatetohavethemeatposthayallday。
　　OrIcouldperhapsgobacktothecreekandcamp。"
　　"Oh，justturnyourhorsesinthecorralandmakeyourselfathometillunclecomes，"shetoldhimwiththattantalizinghalf—smile。"Wekeeppeoplehere——justforaccommodation。
　　Therehastobesomeplaceinthevalleywherefolkscanstop。Ican’tpromisethatunclewillgiveyouajob，butThere’sgoingtobechickenanddumplingsfordinner。Andthemailwillbein，aboutnoon——you’llwanttowaitforthat。"
　　Shewasstandingjustwithinthescreendoor，franklywatchinghimashecamepastthehousewiththehorses，andshecameoutandhaltedhimwhenshespiedthetopofthepack。
　　"You’dbetterleavethosethingshere，"sheadvisedhimeagerly。"I’llputtheminthesitting—roombythepiano。Mygoodness，youmustbeawholeorchestra！Ifyoucanplay，maybeyouandIcanfurnishthemusicforthedance，andsaveUncleDavehiringtheSaundersboys。Anyway，wecanplaytogether，andhaverealgoodtimes。"
　　BudhadanoddfeelingthatHoneywastalkingonethingwithherlips，andthinkinganentirelydifferentsetofthoughts。
　　Heeyedhercovertlywhileheuntiedthecases，andhecouldhaveswornthathesawhersignalsomeonebehindthelacecurtainsofthenearestwindow。Heglancedcarelesslythatway，butthecurtainsweremotionless。Honeywasholdingoutherhandsfortheguitarandthemandolinwhenheturned，soBudsurrenderedthemandwentontothecorrals。
　　Hedidnotreturntothehouse。Anoldmanwaspotteringaroundamachineshedthatstoodbackedagainstathickfringeofbrush，andwhenBudrodebyhelefthisworkandcameafterhim，takingshortstepsandwalkingwithhisbackbentstifflyforwardandhishandsswinginglimplyathissides。
　　Hehadalongblackbeardstreakedwithgray，andsharpblueeyessetdeepundertuftedwhiteeyebrows。Heseemedafriendlyoldmanwhoseinterestinliferemainedkeenasinhisyouth，despitethefeeblenessofhisbody。HeshowedBudwheretoturnthehorses，andwenttoworkonthepackrope，hiscrookedoldfingersmovingwiththesurenessoflifelonghabit。HewaseagertoknowallthenewsthatBudcouldtellhim，andwhenhediscoveredthatBudhadjustlefttheMuleshoe，andthathehadbeenfiredbecauseofafightwithDirkTracy，theoldfellowcackledgleefully"Well，now，Iguessyoujustabouthadyorehandsfull，youngman，"hecommentedshrewdly。"Dirkain’tsoeasytolick。"
　　BudimmediatelywantedtoknowwhyitwastakenforgrantedthathehadwhippedDirk，andgrandpachortledagain。"Nowifyouhadn’toflickedDirk，youwouldn’tofgotfired，"heretorted，andproceededtorelateagooddealofharmlessgossipwhichseemedtobearoutthestatement。DirkTracy，accordingtograndpa，wastherealbossoftheMuleshoe，andBartwasmerelyafigure—head。
　　AllofthisdidnotmattertoBud，butgrandpawasgarrulous。
　　AgooddealofinformationBudreceivedwhilethetwoattendedtothehorsesandloiteredatthecorralgate。
　　GrandpaadmiredSmoky，andlookedhimovercarefully，withthosecaressingsmoothingsofmaneandforelockwhichbetraytheloverofgoodhorseflesh。
　　"Ireckonhe’spurtyfast，"hesaid，peeringshrewdlyintoBud’sface。"TheboyshasbeentalkingaboutpullingoffsomehorseracesherenextSunday——wegotagood，straight，hard—
　　packedcreek—beduphereapiecethathasbeencleanedofrocksferamiletrack，andthey’regoin’torunahorseertwo。Mostgenerallytheydo，onSunday，ifwork’sslack。Youmightgitinonit，ifyou’rearoundintheseparts。"Hepushedhisbackstraightwithhispalms，turnedhisheadsidewiseandsquintedatSmokythroughhalf—closedlidswhilehefumbledforcigarettematerial。
　　"IdunnobutwhatImightbewillin’toputupafewdollarsonthathorsemyself，"heobserved，"ifyousayhekinrun。
　　Youwouldn’tgoan’lietoanoldfellerlikeme，wouldyuh，son？"
　　Budofferedhimthecigarettehehadjustrolled。"No，I
　　won’tlietoyou，dad，"hegrinned。"Youknowhorsestoowell。"
　　"Well，butkinherun？Iwantyorewordonit。"
　　"Well—yes，he’salwaysbeenabletoturnacow，"Budadmittedcautiously。
　　"Everrunhimfermoney？"Theoldmanbeganteeteringfromhistoestohisheels，andtohitchhisshouldersforwardandback。
　　"Well，no，notformoney。I’verunhimonceortwiceforfun，justtryingtobeatsomeoftheboystocamp，maybe。"
　　"Sho！That’snowaytodo！Nowayatall！"Theoldmanspatangrilyintothedustofthecorral。Thenhethoughtofsomething。"DidyuhBEAT’em？"hedemandedsharply。
　　"Why，sure，Ibeatthem！"Budlookedathimsurprised，seemedabouttosaymore，andletthestatementstandunqualified。
　　Grandpastaredathimforaminute，hisblueeyesblinkingwithsomesecretexcitement。"Youngfeller，"hebeganabruptly，"lemmetellyuhsomething。Yuhneverwanttodoathinglikethatagin。Ifyougotahorsethatcanoutruntheotherfeller’shorse，figuretomakehimbringyuhinsomething——ifitain’tnomore’naquarter！MakehimBRING
　　yuhalittlesomething。That’sthewaytodowitheverythingyuhturnahandto；makeitbringyuhinsomething！Itain’twhatgoesoutthat’lldoyuhanygood——it’swhatcomesin。
　　Youmindthat。Ifyouletahorserunagin’anotherfeller’shorse，betonhimtocomeinahead——andthen，"hecriedfiercely，poundingonefistintotheotherpalm，"byChristmas，make’imcomeinahead！"Hisvoicecrackedandwentflatwithemotion。
　　Hestoppedsuddenlyandlethisarmsfallslack，hisshoulderssagforward。Hewaggledhisheadandmutteredintohisbeard，andglancedatBudwithacraftylook。
　　"IfI’datookthattom’self，Iwouldn’tbechorin’aroundherenowformyownson，"helamented。"I’dofsavedthequarters，an’I’dofhadafewdollarsnowofmyown。Uhcourse，"hemadehastetoadd，"Igitholtofalittle，nowandagin。Toooldtoride——toooldtowork——jestmanagetopickupadollarertwonowandagin——onahorsethatkinrun。"
　　HewentovertoSmokyagainandranhishanddownoverthelegmusclestothehocks，feltforimperfectionsandstraightenedpainfully，slappedthehorseapprovinglybetweentheforelegsandlaidahandonhisshoulderwhileheturnedslowlytoBud。
　　"Youngfeller，thereain’tamanontheplacerightnowbutyouan’me。Whatsayyouthrowyoresaddleonthishorseandtake’imuptothetrack？I’dliketoseehimrun。Seemstomehe’doughttobeapurtygoodquarter—horse。"
　　Budhesitated。"Iwouldn’tmindrunninghim，grandpa，ifI
　　thoughtIcouldmakesomethingonhim。I’vegotmystaketomake，andIwanttomakeitbeforeallmyteethfalloutsoI
　　can’tchewanythingbutthecudofreflectiononmylostopportunities。IfSmokycanrunafewdollarsintomypocket，I’mwithyou。"
　　Grandpateeteredforwardandputouthishand。"Shakeonthat，boy！"hecackled。"PopTrumanain’ttoooldtohavehislittlejoke——andmakeitbringhiminsomething，byChristmas！Yousaddleupandwe’llgotryhimoutonaquarter—mile——mebbyahalf，ifheholdsupgood。"
　　Hepokedacigarette—stainedforefingeragainstBud’schestandwhisperedslyly："MysonDave，he’sgotahorseinthestablethat’sbeencleanin’everythinginthevalley。I’llsliphimoutandupthecreektrailtothetrack，andyourunthathorseofyournaginhim。Dave，hecan’tgitaraceoutanobodyaroundhere，nomore，sohewon’trunnextSunday。
　　We’lljestseehowyorehorserunsalongsideBoise。Ikintellpurtywellhowyoukinrunagintherest——Pop，heain’ts’thick—headedtheykinfoolhimmuch。Whatsaywetryit？"
　　Budstoodbackandlookedhimover。"Youshookhandswithmeonit，"hesaidgravely。"WhereIcamefrom，thatholdsamanliketakingoathonaBibleincourt。I’mastrangerhere，butI’mgoingtoexpectthesamestandardofhonor，grandpa。
　　Youcanbackoutnow，andI’llrunSmokywithoutanytryout，andyoucantakeyourchance。Icouldn’texpectyoutostandbyastrangeragainstyourownfolks——"
　　"Sho！Shucksa’mighty！"Grandpaspatandwaggedhisheadfuriously。"Myownforks’dbeatmeinahorseraceiftheycould，andIwouldn’tholditagin’em！Runnin’horsesislikeplayin’poker。Everyfellerferhimselfan’mercyto—
　　wardnone！IknowedwhatitmeantwhenIshookwithyuh，youngfeller，andIholdyetoit。Iholdyetoit！YoulaylowifItellyetolaylow，andwe’llmakeusafewdollars，mebby。C’monandgitthathorseoutahereb’foresomebuddycomes。It’smailday。"
　　HewavedBudtowardhissaddleandtookhimselfoffinashufflingkindoftrot。BythetimeBudhadsaddledSmokygrandpahailedhimcautiouslyfromthebrush—fringebeyondthecorral。HemotionedtowardasmallgateandBudledSmokythatway，closingthegateafterhim。
　　Theoldmanwasmountedonaclean—builtbaywhosecoatshonewithlittleglintsofgoldinthedarkred。WithonesweepinglookBudobservedthepointsthattoldofspeed，andhiseyeswentinquiringlytomeetthesharpblueones，thatsparkledunderthetuftedwhiteeyebrowsofgrandpa。
　　"DoyouexpectSmokytoshowupthesamedaythathorsearrives？"heinquiredmildly。"Pop，you’llhavetoprovetomethathewon’trunSunday——"
　　Popsnorted。"Seemstomelikeyoudoknowaspeedyhorsewhenyouseeone，youngfeller。Beatsme’tyoubeenoverlookin’whatyougotunderyoresaddlerightnow。Boise，he’sthebestrunnin’horseinthevalley——andthat’swhyhewon’trunnextSunday，nernootherSundaytillsomebuddybringsinastrangehorsetoputaginhim。Dave，hewon’tcrowdyefurarace，boy。Youkinrefusetorunyorehorseaginhim，liketheresthasdone。I’lljestlopealongt’dayandseewhatyourskindo。"
　　"Well，allright，then。"Budwaitedfortheoldmantorideaheaddowntheobscuretrailthatwoundthroughthebrushforhalfamileorsobeforetheyemergedintotheroughborderofthecreekbed。PopreinedincloseandexplainedgarrulouslytoBudhowthisparticularstreamdisappearedintothegroundtwomilesaboveLittleLost，leavingthewide，levelriverbottombonedry。
　　Popwascautious。Herodeuptoariseofgroundandscannedthecountrysuspiciouslybeforeheledthewayintothecreekbed。Eventhenhekeptcloseunderthebankuntiltheyhadpassedtwoofthequarter—milepoststhathadbeenplantedinthehardsand。
　　Evidentlyhehadbeendoingagooddealofthinkingduringtheride；certainlyhehadwatchedSmoky。Whenhestoppedunderthebankoppositethehalf—mileposthedismountedmoresprylythanonewouldhaveexpected。Hiseyeswerebright，hisvoicesharp。Popwasforgettinghisage。
　　"IguessI’llrideyorehorsem’self，"heannounced，andtheyexchangedhorsesundertheshelterofthebank。"Youkintakean’rideBoise—an’Iwantyoushouldbeatmeifyoukin。"HelookedatBudappraisingly。"I’llbetadollar，"hecriedsuddenly，"thatIkinoutrunye，youngfeller！An’yougotthefastesthorseinBurrobackValleyandIdon’tknowwhatI
　　gotunderme。I’mseventyyearsoldcomeSeptember——whenI’mafoot。Areyeafraidtobet？"
　　"I’mscaredadollar’sworththatI’llneverseeyouagainto—dayunlessIridebacktofindyou，"Budgrinned。
　　"AnytimeyouloseolePopTruman——shucksalmighty！Comeon，then——I’llshowyethewaytothequarter—post！"
　　"I’mrightwithyou，Pop。Yousayso，andI’mgone！"
　　Theyreinedinwiththeshadowofthepostfallingsquareacrossthenecksofbothhorses。Popgatheredupthereins，sethisfeetinthestirrupsandshrilled，"Go，goldarnye！"
　　Theywent，liketwoscaredrabbitsdownthesmooth，yellowstretchofpackedsand。Pop’selbowsstuckstraightout，heheldthereinshighandleanedfaroverSmoky’sneck，hiseyesglaring。Bud——oh，neverworryaboutBud！Intheyearsthatlaybetweenthirteenandtwenty—oneBudhadlearnedagoodmanythings，andoneofthemwashowtogetoutofahorseallthespeedtherewasinhim。
　　Theywentpastthequarter—postandafurlongbeyondbeforeeithercouldpullup。Popwaspaleandtriumphant，andbreathingharderthanhismount。
　　"Here’syourdollar，Pop——anddon’tyoutalkinyoursleep！"
　　Budadmonished，smilingasheheldoutthedollar，butwithananxioustoneinhisvoice。"Ifthisisthebestrunninghorseyou’vegotinthevalley，Imaygetsomeaction，nextSunday！"
　　Popdismounted，tookthedollarwithagrinandmountedBoise——andthatinspiteofthefactthatBoisewaskeyedupandsteppingaroundandsnortingforanotherrace。BudwatchedPopqueerly，rememberinghowfeeblehadbeentheoldmanwhomhehadmetatthecorral。
　　"Say，Pop，yououghttoracealittleeveryday，"hebantered。"You’refifteenyearsyoungerthanyouwereanhourago。"
　　ForanswerPopfeltofhisbackandgroaned。"Oh，I’llpayferit，youngfeller！Idon’tlookfermuchpeacewithmybackferaweek，afterthis。Butyoukinmakesureofonething，andthatis，Iain’tgoin’totalkinmysleepnone。
　　ByChristmas，We’llmakethishorseofyoursbringusinsomething！Iguessyoubetterturnyorehorsesalloutinthepasture。Dave，he’llgiveyuhworkallright。I’llfixitwithDave。AndyoulistentoPop，youngfeller。I’llshowyeathingortwoaboutrunnin’horses。You’nme’llcleanupanicelittlebunchofmoney—HE—HE！—beatBoiseinaquarterdash！TellthattoDave，an’hewouldn’tb’lieveye！"
　　WhenPopgotoffatthebackofthestablehecouldscarcelymove，hewassostiff。ButhismindwasworkingwellenoughtoseethatBudrubbedthesaddleprintoffBoiseandturnedhisownhorseslooseinthepasture，beforehelethimgoontothehouse。ThelastBudheardfromPopthatforenoonwasasenilechuckleandacackling，"OutrunBoiseinaquarterdash！Shucksa’mighty！ButIknewit——Iknewhehadthespeed——sho！Yecan’tfoololePop——shucks！"
　　CHAPTERTEN：BUDMEETSTHEWOMAN
　　Awomanwasstoopingatthewoodpile，fillingherarmswithcrookedsticksofrough—barkedsage。FromthecolorofherhairBudknewthatshewasnotHoney，andthatshewasthereforeastrangertohim。Butheswungoffthepathandwentovertoherasnaturallyashewouldgotopickupababythathadfallen。
　　"I’llcarrythatinforyou，"hesaid，andputouthishandtohelphertoherfeet。
　　Beforehetouchedhershewasonherfeetandlookingathim。
　　Budcouldnotrememberafterwardsthatshehaddoneanythingelse；heseemedtohaveseenonlyhereyes，andintothemandbeyondthemtoasoulthatsomehowmadehishearttremble。
　　Whatshesaid，whatheanswered，wasofnomoment。Hecouldnothavetoldafterwardswhatitwas。Hestoopedandfilledhisarmswithwood，andwalkedaheadofherupthepathwaytothekitchendoor，andstoppedwhensheflittedpasthimtoshowhimwherethewood—boxstood。Hewasconsciousthenofherslendernessandofthelightnessofhersteps。Hedroppedthewoodintotheboxbehindthestoveonwhichkettlesweresteaming。Therewasthesmellofchickenstewing，andtheodoroffresh—bakedpies。
　　Shesmiledupathimandofferedhimacrisp，warncookiewithsugaredtop，andhesawhereyesagainandfeltthesametremorathisheart。Hepulledhimselftogetherandsmiledbackather，thankedherandwentout，stumblingalittleonthedoorstep，thecookieuntastedinhisfingers。
　　Hewalkeddowntothecorralandbeganfumblingathispack，histhoughtshushedbeforetherevelationthathadcometohim。
　　"Herhands——herpoor，little，redhands！"hesaidinawhisperasthememoryofthemcamesuddenly。Butitwashereyesthathewasseeingwithhismind；hereyes，andwhatlaydeepwithin。Theytroubledhim，shookhim，madehimwanttousehisman—strengthagainstsomethingthatwashurtingher。
　　Hedidnotknowwhatitcouldbe；hedidnotknowthattherewasanything——butoddlythememoryofhismother’swhitefacebackinthelongago，andofhertonewhenshesaid，"Oh，God，please！"camebackandfittedthemselvestothelookinthiswoman’seyes。
　　Budsatdownonhiscanvas—wrappedbedandliftedhishattorumplehishairandthensmoothitagain，aswashishabitwhenworried。Helookedatthecookie，andbecausehewashungryheateitwithafoolishfeelingthathewasbeingsentimentalastheverydevil，thinkinghowherhandshadtouchedit。Herolledandsmokedacigaretteafterwards，andwonderedwhoshewasandwhethershewasmarried，andwhatherfirstnamewas。
　　Aquietsmokewillbringafellowtohissensessometimeswhennothingelsewill，andBudmanaged，bysmokingtwocigarettesinrapidsuccession，torestorehimselftosomedegreeofsanity。
　　"Funnyhowshemademethinkofmother，backwhenIwasakidcomingupfromTexas，"hemused。"Mother’dlikeher。"Itwasthefirsttimehehadeverthoughtjustthataboutagirl。"She’snorelationtoHoney，"headded。"I’dbetahorseonthat。"HerecalledhowwhiteandsoftwereHoney’shands，andhesworealittle。"Wouldn’thurthertogetoutthereinthekitchenandhelpwiththecooking，"hecriticised。Thensuddenlyhelaughed。
　　"Shucksa’mighty，asPopsays！withthosetwogirlsontheranchI’llgambleDaveTrumanhasafullcrewofmenthatareplumbwillingtoworkfortheirboard！"
　　Thestagecame，andBudturnedtoitrelievedly。Afterthat，herecameDaveTrumanonadeep—cheatedroan。Budknewhimbyhisresemblancetotheoldman，whocameshufflingbent—
　　backedfromthemachine—shedasDavepassed。
　　Popbeckoned，andDavereinedhishorsethatwayandstoppedatthesheddoor。ThetwotalkedforaminuteandDaverodeon，passingBudwithacurtnod。PopcameovertowhereBudstoodleaningagainstthecorral。
　　"Howareyoufeeling，dad？"Budgrinnedabsently。
　　"Purtystiffan’sore，boy——myrheumaticsisbadto—day。"Popwinkedsolemnly。"IspoketoDaveaboutyouwantin’ajob，andIguesslikelyDave’llputyouon。They’splentytodo——
　　hayin’comin’onandallthat。"Heloweredhisvoicemysteriously，thoughtherewasnomansaveBudwithinahundredfeetofhim。"Don’tyego’ntalkhorses——notyet。
　　Don’tletonlikeyoreinterestedmuch。I’lltellyuhwhentotake’emup。"
　　Themencameridinginfromthehayfield，someinwagons，twoastrideharnessedwork—horses，andonelong—leggedfellowinchapsonamower，drivingasweatyteamthatstillhadlifeenoughtojumpsidewisewhentheyspiedBud’spackbythecorral。Thestagedriversaunteredupandspoketothemen。
　　Budwentoverandbegantohelpunhitchtheteamfromthemower，andthedrivereyedhimsharplywhilehegrinnedhisgreetingacrossthebacksofthehorses。
　　"Popsaysyou’relookingforwork，"DaveTrumanobserved，comingup。"Well，ifyouain’tscaredofit，I’llstakeyuhtoahayforkafterdinner。Whereyuhfrom？"
　　"Justrightnow，I’mfromtheMuleshoe。BudBirnie’smyname。
　　IwastellingdadwhyIquit。"
　　"Tellme，"Davedirectedbriefly。"Popain’tasreliableasheusedtobe。He’dnevergetitoutstraight。"
　　"Iquit，"saidBud，"byspecialrequest。"Hepulledoffhisglovescarefullyandhelduphispuffedknuckles。"IgotthatonDirkTracy。"
　　Thedriverofthemowershotaquick，meaningglanceatDave，andlaughedshortly。Davegrinnedalittle，buthedidnotaskwhathadbeenthetrouble，asBudhadhalfexpectedhimtodo。ApparentlyDavefeltthathehadreceivedalltheinformationheneeded，forhisnextremarkhadtodowiththeheat。Thedaywasa"weatherbreeder"，hedeclared，andhewasgladtohaveanothermantoputatthehauling。
　　Anirontrianglebesidethekitchendoorclamoredthen，andBud，lookingquickly，sawtheslimlittlewomanwiththebig，troubledeyesstrikingtheironbarvigorously。Daveglancedathiswatchandledthewaytothehouse，thehaycrewhurryingafterhim。
　　Fourteenmensatdowntoalongtablewithagreatshufflingoffeetandscrapingofbenches，andimmediatelybeganavoraciousattackupontheheapedplattersofchickenanddumplingsandthebowlsofvegetables。Budfoundaplaceattheendwherehecouldlookintothekitchen，andhiseyeswentthatwayasoftenastheydared，followingtheswiftmotionsofthelittlewomanwhopouredcoffeeandfilledemptydishesandsaidneverawordtoanyone。
　　Hewasonthepointofbelievingheradaughterofthehousewhenasquare—jawedmanofthirty，orthereabout，whosatatBud’srighthand，calledhertohimashemighthavecalledhisdog，bysnappinghisfingers。
　　ShecameandstoodbesideBudwhilethemanspoketoherinanarrogantundertone。
　　"Marian，ItoldyuhIwantedteafordinnerafterthis。
　　D’youbringmecoffeeonpurpose，justtobeonery？IthoughtItoldyuhtostraightenupandquitthatsulkin’。Iain’tgoingtohavefolksthink————"
　　"Oh，bequiet！Shameonyou，beforeeveryone！"shewhisperedfiercelywhilesheliftedthecupandsaucer。
　　Budwenthotallover。Hedidnotlookupwhenshereturnedpresentlywithacupoftea，buthefeltherpresencepoignantly，ashehadneverbeforesensedthepresenceofawoman。Whenhewasabletoswallowhiswrathandmeetcalmlytheglancesofthesestrangersheturnedhisheadcasuallyandlookedthemanover。
　　Herhusband，heguessedthefellowtobe。Nootherrelationshipcouldaccountforthattoneofproprietorship，andtherewasnophysicalresemblancebetweenthetwo。Ameandevil，Budcalledhimmentally，withanarrowforehead，eyessettoofarapartandthemouthofabrute。Someonespoketotheman，callinghimLew，andheansweredwithroughgoodhumor，repeatingastalewitticismandlaughingatitjustasthoughhehadnotheardotherssayitahundredtimes。
　　Budlookedathimagainandhatedhim，buthedidnotglanceagainatthelittlewomannamedMarian；forhisownpeaceofmindhedidnotdare。Hethoughtthatheknewnowwhatitwashehadseeninthedepthofhereyes，butthereseemedtobenothingthathecoulddotohelp。
　　ThateveningaftersupperHoneyKrausecalledtohimwhenhewasstartingdowntothebunk—housewiththeothermen。Whatshesaidwasthatshestillhadhisguitarandmandolin，andthattheyneededexercise。Whatshelookedwasthechallengeofaborncoquette。Inthekitchendisheswererattling，butaftertheywerewashedtherewouldbealittleleisure，perhaps，forthekitchendrudge。Bud’simpulsetomakehissorehandsanexcuseforrefusingevaporated。Itmightnotbewisetoplacehimselfdeliberatelyinthewayofgettingahurt——butyouthneverdidstoptoconsultasagebeforefollowingthelureofawoman’seyes。
　　HecalledbacktoHoneythatthoseinstrumentsoughttohavebeenputinthehayfield，wheretherewasmoreexercisethanthemencoulduse。"Youboysoughttocomeandseemesafethroughwithit，"headdedtotheloiteringgrouparoundhim。
　　"I’mafraidofwomen。"
　　Theylaughedandtwoorthreewentwithhim。Lewwentontothecorralandpresentlyappearedonhorseback，ridinguptothekitchenandleavinghishorsestandingatthecornerwhilehewentinsideandtalkedtothewomanhehadcalledMarian。
　　Budwascarryinghisguitaroutside，whereitwascooler，whenheheardthefellow’sarrogantvoice。Thedishesceasedrattlingforaminute，andtherewasasharpexclamation，stifledbutunmistakable。InvoluntarilyBudmadeamovementinthatdirection，whenHoney’svoicestoppedhimwithasubduedlaugh。
　　"That’sonlyLewandMaryAnn，"sheexplainedcarelessly。"Theyhaveaspateverytimetheycomewithingunshotofeachother。"
　　Theleanfellowwhohaddriventhemower，andwhosenamewasJerryMyers，edgedcarelesslyclosetoBudandgavehimanudgewithhiselbow，andaglancefromunderhiseyebrowsbywayofemphasis。Heturnedhisheadslightly，sawthatHoneyhadgoneintothehouse，andmutteredjustaboveawhisper，"Don’tseeorhearanything。It’sallthehelpyoucangiveher。AndforLord’ssakedon’tletontoHoneylikeyou——giveacusswhetheritrainsornot，solong’sitdon’tpourtoohardthenightofthedance。"
　　Budlookedupatthedarkeningskyspeculatively，andtriednottohearthevoicesinthekitchen，oneofwhichwasbrutallyharshwhiletheothertoldofhateandfearsuppressedundergentleforbearance。Theharshvoicewasalmostcontinuous，theotherinfrequent，reluctanttospeakatall。Budwantedtogoinandsmashhisguitaroverthefellow’shead，butJerry’swarningheldhim。Therewereotherways，however，tohelp；ifhemustnotdriveoffthetormentor，thenhewouldcallhimaway。Heignoredhisbruisedknucklesandpluckedtheguitarstringsasifheheldagrudgeagainstthem，andthenbegantosingthefirstsongthatcameintohismind——onethatstartedinarollickyfashion。
　　Mencamestragglingupfromthebunk—housebeforehehadfinishedthefirstchorus，andsquattedontheirheelstolisten，theircigarettesglowinglikeredfingertipsinthedusk。Butthevoiceinthekitchentalkedon。Budtriedanother——oneofthoseold—timefavorites，a"laughingcoon"
　　song，thoughhefeltlittleenoughinthemoodforit。Inthemiddleofthefirstlaughheheardthekitchendoorslam，andLew’sfootstepscomingaroundthecorner。Helisteneduntilthesongwasdone，thenmountedandrodeaway，Bud’slaughfollowinghimtriumphantly——thoughLewcouldnothaveguesseditsmeaning。
　　Budsangfortwohoursexpectantly，butMariandidnotappear，andBudwentofftothebunk—housefeelingthathisattempttoheartenherhadbeenafailure。OfHoneyhedidnotthinkatall，excepttowonderifthetwowomenwererelatedinanyway，andtofeelthatiftheywereMarianwastobepitied。AtthatpointJerryovertookhimandaskedforamatch，whichgavehimanexcusetoholdBudbehindtheothers。
　　"Honeyliketohavecaughtme，to—night，"Jerryobservedguardedly。"Ihadtothinkquick。I’lltellyouthelayoftheland，Bud，seeingyou’reastrangerhere。Marian’sman，Lew，he’sadamnedbullyandsomebodyisgoingtodrawafinebeadonhimsomedaywhenheain’tlooking。Buthestandsin，sothelessyuhtakenoticethebetter。Marian，she’safinelittlewomanthatmindsherownbusiness，butshe’sgettingacolddeckslippedintothegamerightalong。Honey’sjealousofherandafraidsomebody’llgiveherapleasantlook。Lew’sjealous，andhewatchesherlikeacatwatchesamouse"It’scaughtandwantstoplaywith。Betweenthetwoof’emMarianhasarealnicetimeofit。I’mwisingyouupsoyouwon’thandheranymoremiserybytryingtotakeherpart。Usboyshavelearnedtokeepourmouthsshut。"
　　"Gladyoutoldme，"Budmuttered。"Otherwise————"
　　"Exactly，"Jerryagreedunderstandingly。"Otherwiseanyofuswould。"
　　Hestoppedandthenspokeinadifferenttone。"IfLewstaysofftheranchlongenough，maybeyou’llgettohearhersing。
　　Wow—ee，butthatladyhassuregotthemeadow—larkswhipped！
　　ButlookoutforHoney，old—timer。"
　　Budlaughedunmirthfully。"Lookstomeasifyouaren’tcrazyoverHoney，"heventured。"Whathasshedonetoyou？"
　　"Her？"Jerryinspectedhiscigarette，listenedtothewhisperofprudenceinhisear，andturnedaway。"Forgetit。Ineversaidaword。"Hesweptthewholesubjectfromhimwithacomprehensivegesture，andsnorted。"I’mgettin’asbadasPop，"hegrinned。"Butlemmetellyuhsomething。HoneyKrauserunsmore’nthepost—office。"
　　CHAPTERELEVEN：GUILEAGAINSTTHEWILY
　　Budlikedtohavehisliferunalongaccustomedlineswithamoreorlessperfectbalanceofworkandplay，friendshipsandenmities。Hehadgrownupwiththebeliefthatanymysteryismerelyasynonymformenace。HehadlearnedtobewaryofknownenemiessuchasIndiansandoutlaws，andtotrustimplicitlyhisfriends。Tofeelnow，withoutapparentcause，thathisfriendsmightbeenemiesindisguise，wasanewexperiencethatharriedhim。
　　HehadcometoLittleLostonTuesday，straightfromtheMuleshoewherehispresencewasnolongerdesiredforsomereasonnotyetsatisfactorilyexplainedtohim。YouknowwhathappenedonTuesday。Thatnightthelandcrouchedunderaterrificelectricstorm，withcracklingswordsofwhitedeathdazzlingfrominkyblackclouds，andear—splittingthundercloseontheheelsofit。Budhadknownsuchstormsallhislife，yetonthisnighthewasuneasy，vaguelydisturbed。HecaughthimselfwonderingifLewMorris’swifewasfrightened，andtherealizationthathewasworryingaboutherfearworriedhimmorethaneverandheldhimawakelongafterthefuryofthestormhadpassed。