Nextday，whenhecameinatnoon，therewasHen，fromtheMuleshoe，waitingfordinnerbeforeherodebackwiththemail。Hen’sjawdroppedwhenhesawBudridingonaLittleLosthay—wagon，andhiseyesbulgedwithwhatBudbelievedwasconsternation。AllthroughthemealBudhadcaughtHeneyeinghimmiserably，andlookingstealthilyfromhimtotheothers。Noonepaidanyattention，andforthatBudwasratherthankful；hedidnotwanttheLittleLostfellowstothinkthatperhapshehaddonesomethingwhichheknewwouldhanghimifitwerediscovered，which，hedecided，wasthemildestinterpretationakeenobserverwouldbeapttomakeofHen’sbehavior。
Whenhewentout，Henwasathisheels，tryingtosaysomethinginhisfutile，tongue—tiedgobble。Budstoppedandlookedathimtolerantly。"Hen，"It’snouse——youmightaswellbetalkingChinese，forallIknow。Ifit’simportant，writeitdownorI’llneverknowwhat’sonyourmind。"
Hepulledanote—bookandapencilfromhisvest—pocketandgavethemtoHen，wholookedathimdumbly，workedhisAdam’sappleviolentlyandretreatedtohishorse，fumbledthemailwhichwastiedinthebottomofafloursackforsafekeeping，soughtashelteredplacewherehecouldsitdown，remainedthereafewminutes，andthenreturnedtohishorseHebeckonedtoBud，whowaswatchinghimcuriously；andwhenBudwentovertohimsaidsomethingunintelligibleandhandedbackthenote—book，motioningforcautionwhenBudwouldhaveopenedthebookatonce。
SoBudthankedhimgravely，butwithatwinkleinhiseyes，andwaiteduntilHenhadgoneandhewasalonebeforehereadthemessage。Itwasmysteriousenough，certainly。Henhadwritteninafine，cramped，unevenhand：
"Youbeecarful。bernthisup&anddentletonlikeyounoanythingbutiwarnyoubeshurebernthisup。"
Budtoreoutthepageandburneditasrequested，andsincehewasnotenlightenedbythewarningheobeyedHen’sinstructionsanddidnot"leton。"Buthecouldnothelpwondering，andwasunconsciouslypreparedtoobservelittlethingswhichordinarilywouldhavepassedunnoticed。
AtthedanceonFridaynight，forinstance，therewasagooddealofdrinkingandmightylittlehilarity。Budhadbeenaccustomedtoloudtalkandmuchhorseplayoutsideamongthemenonsuchoccasions，andevenafightortwowouldbeacceptedasamatterofcourse。Butthoughseveralquartbottleswerepassedaroundduringthenightandthrownawayemptyintothebushes，themenwentinanddancedandcameoutagainimmediatelytoconverseconfidentiallyinsmallgroups，ortosmokewithoutmuchspeech。ThemenofBurrobackValleywerenotrunningtruetoform。
Thewomenweremuchlikeallthewomenofcow—country：motherswithsmallchildrenwhoearlybecamecrossandsleepyandwerehushedundershawlsonthemostconvenientbed，apieceofcakeintheirhands；motherswhosefaceswerelinedtoosoonwithworkandill—health，andwithuntidyhairthatbecameuntidierasthedanceprogressed。Thereweredaughters——shyandgigglingtohidetheirshyness——Budknewtheirtypeverywellandmadefriendswiththemeasily，andimmediatelybecamethecentreofaclamoringaudienceafterhehadsungasongortwo。
TherewasHoney，withherinscrutablehalfsmileandherveiledeyes，condescendingtograciousnessandquiteplainlyassumingaproprietaryairtowardBud，whomsheputthroughwhatevermusicalpacespleasedherfancy。Bud，Imaysay，wasextremelytractable。WhenHoneysaidsing，Budsang；whenshesaidplay，Budsatdowntothepianoandplayeduntilsheaskedhimtodosomethingelse。ItwasallverypleasantforHoney——andBudultimatelywonhispoint——Honeydecidedtoextendhergraciousnessalittle。
Whyhadn’tBuddancedwithMarian？Hemustgorightawayandaskhertodance。JustbecauseLewwasgone，Marianneednotbeslighted——andbesides，therewereotherfellowswhomightwantalittleofHoney’stime。
SoBudwentawayandfoundMarianinthepantry，cuttingcakeswhilethecoffeeboiled，andaskedhertodance。Marianwastootired，and’shehadnotthetimetospare；whereforeBudhelpedhimselftoaknifeandproceededtocutcakeswithgeometricalprecision，andateallthecrumbs。Withhishandsbusy，hefoundthecouragetotalktoheralittle。HemadeMarianlaughoutloudanditwasthefirsttimehehadeverheardherdothat。
Mariandisclosedasenseofhumor，andeventeasedBudalittleaboutHoney。ButherteasinglackedthatedgeofbitternesswhichBudhadhalfexpectedinretaliationforHoney’slittleairofsuperiority。
"Yourprecisionincuttingcakesisverymuchlikeyouraccuratefingeringofthepiano，"sheobservedirrelevantly，surveyinghisworkwithherlipspursed。"Apairofcaliperswouldproveeverypieceexactly，thesamewidth；andevenwhenyouplayaMeditation？I’msurethemetronomewouldwaggleinperfectunisonwithyourtempo。Iwonder——"Sheglancedupathimspeculatively。"——Iwonderifyouthinkwithsuchmathematicalprecision。Doyoualwaysfindthattwoandtwomakefour？"
"Youmean，haveIanyimaginationwhatever？"Budlookedawayfromhereyes——towardtheuncurtained，highlittlewindow。A
faceappearedthere，asifatallmanhadglancedinashewaspassingbyandhaltedforasecondtolook。Bud’seyesmetfulltheeyesofthemanoutside，whotiltedhisheadbackwardinasignificantmovementandpassedon。Marianturnedherheadandcaughtthesignal，lookedatBudquickly，alittleflushcreepingintohercheeks。
"Ihopeyouhavealittleimagination，"shesaid，loweringhervoiceinstinctively。"Itdoesn’trequiremuchtoseethatJerryisright。TheconventionsarestrictlyobservedatLittleLost——inthekitchen，atleast，"sheadded，underherbreath，withaflashofresentment。"Runalong——andthenexttimeHoneyasksyoutoplaythepiano，willyoupleaseplayLotusblume？Andwhenyouhavethrownopentheprisonwindowswiththat，willyouplaySchubert’sAveMaria——thewayyouplayit——tosendabreathofcoolnightairin？"
SheputoutthetipsofherfingersandpressedthemlightlyagainstBud’sshoulder，turningtowardthedoor。Budstarted，steppedintothekitchen，wheeledaboutandstoodregardingherwithastubbornlookinhiseyes。
"Imightkickthedoordown，too，"hesaid。"Idon’tlikeprisonsnohow。"
"No—justawindow，thankyou，"shelaughed。
Budthoughtthelaughdidnotgoverydeep。"Jerrywantstotalktoyou。He’sthewhitestofthelot，ifyoucancallthat——"shestoppedabruptly，putoutahandtothedoor，gavehimamomenttolookintoherdeep，troubledeyes，andclosedthedoorgentlybutinexorablyinhisface。
Jerrywasstandingatthecornerofthehousesmokingnegligently。HewaiteduntilBudhadcomeclosealongsidehim，thenledthewayslowlydownthepathtothecorrals。
"IthoughtIheardthehorsesfighting，"heremarked。"Therewasanoisedownthisway。"
"Isthatwhyyoucalledmeoutside？"askedBud，whoscornedsubterfuge。
"Yeah。Isawyouwasn’tdancingorsingingorplayingthepiano——andIknewHoney’dlikelybelookingyouuptodooneortheother，inaminute。Shesurelikesyou，Bud。Shedon’t，everybodythatcomesalong。"
BuddidnotwanttodiscussHoney，whereforehemadenoreply，andtheywalkedalonginsilence，thecool，heavydarknessgratefulaftertheoillampsandtheheatofcrowdedrooms。Astheynearedthecorralsastabledoorcreakedopenandshut，yettherewasnowind。Jerryhalted，onehandgoingtoBud’sarm。Theystoodforaminute，andheardtheswishofthebushesbehindthecorral，asifahorsewerepassingthrough。Jerryturnedback，leadingBudbythearm。TheywerefiftyfeetawayandthebusheswerestillagainbeforeJerryspokeguardedly。
"IguessImadeamistake。Therewasn’tnothing，"hesaid，anddroppedBud’sarm。"
Budstopped。"Therewasamanridingoffinthebrush，"hesaidbluntly，"andallthefolksthatcametothedancerodeinthroughthefrontgate。IreckonI’lljusttakealookwhereIleftmysaddle，anyway。"
"Thatmighthavebeensomeloosestock，"Jerryargued，butBudwentback，wonderingalittleatJerry’smanner。
Thesaddlewasallright，andsowaseverythingelse，sofarasBudcoulddetermineinthedark，buthewasnotsatisfied。
HethoughtheunderstoodJerry’sreasonforbringinghimdowntothecorrals，buthecouldnotunderstandJerry’sattitudetowardanincidentwhichanymanwouldhavecalledsuspicious。
Budquietlycountednoseswhenhereturnedtothehouseandfoundthatsupperwasbeingserved，buthecouldnotrecallanymanwhowasmissingnow。EveryguestandeverymanontheranchwaspresentexceptoldPop，whohadalittleshacktohimselfandwenttobedatdarkeverynight。
Budwasmystified，andhehatedmysteries。Moreover，hewasworkingforDaveTruman，andwhatevermightconcernLittleLostconcernedhimalso。Butthemenhadbeguntotalkopenlyoftheirvarious"runninghorses"，andtoexchangejibesandboastsandtobetalittleonSunday’sraces。Budwantedtomissnothingofthat，andJerry’sindifferencetotheincidentatthestableservedtoreassurehimforthetimebeing。Heedgedclosetothegroupwherethetalkwasloudest，andlistened。
AmantheycalledJeffwastryingtojeerhisneighborsintobettingagainstahorsecalledSkeeter，andwasfindingthemtoocautiousforhisliking。Helaughedand，happeningtocatchBud’seyesuponhim，strodeforwardwithanemptytincupinhishandandslappedBudfriendliwiseontheshoulder。
"Why，Ibetthissingin’kid，thatdon’tknowwhaIgotnerwhatyoufellershasgot，ain’tscaredtotake，achance。Areyuh，kid？Whatd’yuhthinkofthispikin’bunchherethathasseenSkeetercomeinsecondandthirdmoretimes’nwhathebeat，andyetisafraidtotakeachanceonrosin’twobits？Whatd’yuhthinkof’em？Ain’ttheyanonerybunch？"
"Isupposetheyhatetolose，"Budgrinned。
"That’sit——money’smoreto’emthanthesportofkings，whichisrunnin’horses。Thisbunch，kidbelly—achedtillDavetookhishorseBoiseoutathegame，andnow，bygosh，they’rebackin’upfrommySkeeter，thathasbeenbeatmoretimesthanhewon。’
"Whenyoupulledhim，Jeff！"amockingvoicedrawled。"Andthatwaswhenyouwasn’tbettin’yourself。"
JeffturnedinjuredlytoBud。"Nowdon’tthatsoundlikeapiker？"hecomplained。"Itain’treasontoclaimI’dpullmyownhorse。Ain’tthattheoutdoinestwaytocomebackatamanthatlikesagoodrace？
BudswelledhischestandlaidhishandonJeff’sshoulder。
"JusttoshowyouI’mnotapiker，"hecriedrecklessly，"I’llbetyoutwenty—fivedollarsIcanbeatyourSkeeterwithmySmokyhorsethatIrodeinhere。Isitago？"
Jeff’sjawdroppedalittle，withsurprise。"WhatferhorseisthishereSmokyhorseofyourn？"hewantedtoknow。
Budwinkedatthegroup，whichcackledgleeful！，"Ilovethesportofkings，"hesaid。"IloveitsowellIdon’thavetoseeyourSkeeterhorsetillSunday。Fromthewaytheseboyssidestephim，Iguesshe’sasure—enoughrunninghorse。MySmoky’sagoodlittlehorse，too，butheneverscaredabunchtilltheyhadcrampsinthepockets。Still，"headdedwithagrin，"I’lltryanythingonce。Ibetyoutwenty—fivedollarsmySmokycanbeatyourSkeeter。"
"Say，kid，honestIhatetotakeitawayfromyuh。Honest，I
do。Thewayyoucanknockthelivin’taroutathatpyannyisacautiontocats。Ic’dlistenallnight。Butwhenitcomestorunnin’horses——"
"Areyouafraidofyourmoney？"Budaskedhimarrogantly。
"Youcalledthisabunchofpikers——"
"Well，bygolly，it’llbeyourownfault，kid。IfItakeyourmoneyawayfromyuh，don’tgoandblameitontome。Mebbethesefellershasgotsomecausetosidestep——"
"Allright，thebet’son。AndIwon’tblameyouifIlose。
Smoky’sagoodlittlehorse。Don’tthinkforaminuteI’mgivingyoumyhardearnedcoin。You’llhavetothrowupsomedusttogetit，old—timer。IforgottosayI’dliketomakeitaquarterdash。"
"Aquarterdashitis，"JeffagreedderisivelyasBudturnedtoanswerthesummonsofthemusicwhichwasbeginningagain。
Theracingenthusiastslingeredoutside，andBudsmiledtohimselfwhilehewhirledHoneytwicearoundinanold—
fashionedwaltz。Hehadthemtalkingabouthim，andwonderingabouthishorse。WhentheysawSmokytheywouldperhapscallhimachanceykid。HemeanttoaskPopaboutSkeeter，thoughPopseemedconfidentthatSmokywouldwinagainstanythinginthevalley。
Butontheotherhand，hehadseeninhisshortacquaintancewithLittleLostthatPopwasconsideredchildish——thatcomprehensiveaccusationwhichbelittlesthewisdomofage。
Theboysmadeitapointtohumorhimwithouttakinghimseriously。HoneypamperedhimandcalledhimPoppy，whileinMarian’schillcourtesy，inheravertedglances，BudhadreadherdislikeofPop。Hehadseenherhandshrinkawayfromcontactwithhishandwhenshesethiscoffeebesidehisplate。
ButBudhadheardothersspeakrespectfullyofBoise，andregretthathewastoofasttorun。Popmightbechildishonsomesubjects，butBudratherbankedonhisjudgmentofhorses——andPopwaspenuriousandanxioustowinmoney。
"Whatareyouthinkingabout？"Honeydemandedwhenthemusicstopped。"Somethingawfulimportant，Iguess，tomakeyouwanttokeeprightondancing！"
"Iwasthinkingofhorse—racing，"Budconfessed，gladthathecouldtellherthetruth。
"Ah，you！Don’tletthemmakeafoolofyou。Someofthefellowswouldbettheshirtofftheirbacksonahorse—race！
Youlookoutforthem，Bud。"
"Theywouldn’tbetanymorethanIwould，"Budboldlydeclared。"I’vebetalreadyagainstahorseI’veneverseen。
How’sthat？"
"That’scrazy。You’lllose，andserveyouright。"Shewentofftodancewithsomeoneelse，andBudturnedsmilingtofindapassablepartneramongsttheolderwomen——forhewasinclinedtocautionwherestrangegirlswereconcerned。Muchtroublecouldcometoastrangerwhodancedwithagirlwhohappenedtohaveajealoussweetheart，andBuddidnotcourttroubleofthatkind。Hemuchpreferredtofightoverotherthings。Besides，hehadnowishtoantagonizeHoney。
Buthisdancewithsomefaded，heavy—footedwomanwasnottobe。Jerryoncemoresignalledhimanddrewhimoutsideforalittleprivateconference。Jerrywasillateaseandinclinedtobereproachfulandevencondemnatory。
HewantedfirsttoknowwhyBudhadbeensuchamanykindsofafoolastomakethatbetwithJeffHall。Allthefellowsweretalkingaboutit。"Theywasaskingmewhatkindofahorseyou’vegot——andIwouldn’tputitpastJeffandhisbunchtopullsomekindofadirtytrickonyou，"hecomplained。"Bud，onthesquare，Ilikeyouawholelot。Youseemkindainnocent，insomeways，andinotherwaysyoudon’t。Iwishyou’dtellmejustonething，soIcansleepcomfortable。Haveyougotsomeschemeofyourown？Orwhatthedevilailsyou？"
"Well，I’vejustgotanotion，"Budadmitted。"I’mgoingtohavesomefunwatchingthosefellowsperform，whetherIwinorlose。I’vespentasmuchastwenty—fivedollarsonacircus，beforenow，andfeltthatIgottheworthofmymoney，too。I’mgoingtoenjoymyselfrealwell，nextSunday。"
Jerryglancedbehindhimandloweredhisvoice，speakingclosetoBud’sear。"Well，there’ssomethingI’dliketosaythatitain’tsafetosay，Bud。I’dhatelikehelltoseeyougetintrouble。Goasfarasyoulikehavingfun——but——oh，hell！What’stheuse？"Heturnedabruptlyandwentinside，leavingBudstaringafterhimratherblankly。
JerrydidnotstrikeBudasbeingthekindofamanwhogoesaroundinterferingwitheveryotherman’sbusiness。Hewasaquiet，good—naturedyoungfellowwithquizzicaleyesofthatmixedcolorwhichwecallhazelsimplybecausethereismorebrownthangrayorgreen。Hedidnottalkmuch，butheobservedmuch。BudwasstronglyinclinedtoheedJerry’swarning，butitwastoovaguetohaveanypracticalvalue——"
aboutlikeHen’snote，"Budconcluded。"Well—meaningbuthazy。Likeareddangerflagonarailroadcrossingwherethetrackistornupandmoved。Isawone，onceandmyhorsethrewafitatitandalmostpiledme。Ifiguredthattheredflagcreatedthedanger，whereIwasconcerned。Still，I’dliketoobligeJerryandsidestepsomethingorother，but……"
Histhoughtsgrewlessdistinct，mergedintowordlessrememberingsandconjectures，clarifiedagainintotersesentenceswhichneverreachedthemediumofspeech。
"Well，I’lljustmakesuretheydon’ttryoutSmokewhenI’mnotlooking，"hedecided，andslippedawayinthedark。
Byaroundaboutwaywhichavoidedthetrailhemanagedtoreachthepasturefencewithoutbeingseen。Nohorsesgrazedinsight，andheclimbedthroughandwentpickinghiswayacrossthelumpymeadowinthestarlight。Atthefarthersidehefoundthehorsesstandingoutonasandyridgewherethemosquitoeswerenotquitesopestiferous。TheLittleLosthorses；snortedandtooktotheirheels，histhreefollowingforashortdistance。
BudstoppedandwhistledapeculiarcallinventedlongagowhenhewasjustBuddy，andwatchedovertheTomahawkREMUDA。
EveryhorsewiththeTomahawkbrandknewthatsummons——thoughnoteveryhorsewouldobeyit。Butthesethreehadcomewhentheyweresuckingcolts，ifBuddywhistled；andintheirbreakingandtraining，inthelongtripnorth，theyhadnotquestioneditsauthority。TheyturnedandtrottedbacktohimnowandnosedBud’shandswhichheheldouttothem。
Hepettedthemallandtalkedtotheminanaffectionatemurmurwhichtheyansweredbysundrylipnibblesandsubduedsnorts。Smokyhesingledoutfinally，rubbinghisbackandsideswiththeflatofhishandfromshouldertoflank，andsototherumpanddownthethightothehocktothescantyfetlockwhichtold，tothosewhoknew，thatherewasanaristocratamonghorses。
Smokystoodquiet，andBud’shandlingeredthere，smoothingtheslenderankle。Bud’sfingersfeltthefine—hairedtail，thengavealittletwitch。Hewasbusyforaminute，kneelinginthesandwithoneknee，hisheadbent。Thenhestoodup，wentforwardtoSmoky’shead，andstoodrubbingthehorse’snosethoughtfully。
"Ihatetodoit，oldboy——butI’mworkingtomake’sahome——
we’vegottoworktogether。AndI’mnotaskinganymoreofyouthanI’dbewillingtodomyself，ifIwereahorseandyouwereaman。"
Hegavethethreehorsesahastypatapieceandstartedbackacrossthemeadowtothefence。Theyfollowedhimlikepetdogs——andwhenBudglancedbackoverhisshoulderhesawinthedimlightthatSmokywalkedwithaslightlimp。
CHAPTERTWELVE：SPORTO’KINGS
Sundayhappenedtobefair，withnottoostrongawindblowing。BeforenoonLittleLostranchwasabusyplace，andjustbeforedinneritbecamebusier。Horse—racingseemedtobeaspopularasportinthevalleyasdancing。Indeed，mencameridinginwhohadnotcometothedance。Thedrycreek—
bedwherethehorseswouldrunhadnoroadleadingtoit，sothatallvehiclescametoLittleLostandremainedtherewhilethepassengerscontinuedonfoottotheraces。
Atthecorralfreshshavenmen，incleanshirtstodistinguishthisasadress—upoccasion，foregathered，lookingoverthehorsesandmakingbetsandarguing。Popshambledhereandthere，smokingcigarettesfuriouslyandkeepingakeeneartowardtheloudestbetting。HecamesidlinguptoBud，whowasleadingSmokyoutofthestable，andhissharpeyestookineveryinchofthehorseandwentinquiringlytoBud’sface。
"Goin’torunhim，youngfeller——lameaswhatheis？"hedemandedsharply。
"Goingtotry，anyway，"saidBud。"I’vegotabetuponhim，dad。"
"Sho！Fixin’tolose，airye？Youkincallitoff，likeasnot。Jeffain’tsoonreason’ble’the’dmakeyuhrunalamehorse。Airyuh，Jeff？"
JeffstrolledupandlookedSmokyoverwithcriticaleyes。
"What’sthematter？Ain’tthekidgametorunhim？Lookstomelikeagoodlittlegoer。"
"He’sgotalimp——butI’llrunhimanyway。"Budglancedup。
"Maybewhenhe’swarmeduphe’llforgetaboutit。"
"SeenmySkeeter？"
"Goodhorse，Ishouldjudge，"Budobservedindifferently。
"ButIain’tworryingany。"
"Well，neitheramI，"Jeffgrinned。
Popstoodteeteringbackandforth，plainlyuneasy。"I’drubhimrightgoodwithliniment，"headvisedBud。"I’llgitsome’tIknowoughtt’help。"
"What’sthematter，Pop？Yougotmoneyuponthatcayuse？"
Jefflaughed。
Popwhirledonhim。"Iain’tgotmoneyuponhim，no。Butifhewasn’tlameI’dhavesome！I’dshowye’tIadmiregamenessinakid。Iwouldso。"
Jeffnudgedhisneighborintolaughter。"Thereain’tagameroldbirdinthevalleythanPop，"Jeffcried。"C’mawn，Pop，I’llbetyuhtendollarsthekidbeatsme！"
Popwasshufflinghurriedlyoutofthecorralaftertheliniment。ToJeff’schallengehemadenoreplywhatever。ThegrouparoundJeffshooedSmokygentlytowardtheothersideofthecorral，therebyconvincingthemselvesofthelimpinhisrighthindfoot。Whilenotsopronouncedastobecrippling，itcertainlywasnoassettoarunninghorse，andthewiseonesconferredtogetherinundertones。
"Thattherekid’sabornfool，"DaveTrumanstatedpositively。"Thehorsecan’trun。He’sgotthelookofaspeedylittleanimal——butshucks！Thekiddon’tknowanythingaboutrunninghorses。I’vebeentalkingtohim，andIknow。
Jeff，you’retakingthemoneyawayfromhimifyourunthatrace。"
"Well，I’mgivingthekidachancetobackout，"Jeffhastenedtodeclare。"Hecanputitofftillhishorsegitswell，ifhewantsto。Iain’tgoingtoholdhimtoit。I
neversaidIwas。"
"That’smightykindofyou，"Budsaid，comingupfrombehindwithabottleofliniment，andwithPopathisheels。"ButI’llrunhimjustthesame。Smokyhasfavoredthisfootbefore，anditneverseemedtohurthimany。Youneedn’tthinkI’mgoingtocrawfish。YoumustthinkI’mawhiningcuss——say！I’llbetanothertendollarsthatIdon’tcomeinmorethananeckbehind，lamehorseornot！"
"Now，kid，don’tgitchancey，"Popadmonisheduneasily。
"Twenty—fiveisenoughmoneytodonatetoJeff。"
"That’sright，kid。Ilikeyournerve，"Jeffcutin，emphasizinghisapprovalwithaslaponBud’sshoulderashebenttoliftSmoky’sleg。"I’vesawworsehorsesthanthisonecomeinahead——itwouldn’tbenosporto’kingsifnobodytookachance。"
"I’mtakingchanceenough，"Budretortedwithoutlookingup。
"IfIdon’twinthistimeIwillthenext，maybe。"
"That’sright，"Jeffagreedheartily，winkingbroadlyattheothersbehindBud’sback。
BudrubbedSmoky’sanklewithliniment，listenedtovariousandsundryself—appointedadvisersand，withoutseemingtothinkhowthesumswouldtotal，tookseveralothersmallbetsontherace。Theyweresmall——Popbegantoteeterbackandforthandlifthisshouldersandpullhisbeard——suresignsofperturbation。
"ByChristmas，I’lljustputuptendollarsonthekid，"Popfinallycackled。"Iain’tgotmuchtolose——butI’llshowyuholdPopain’tgoingtoseetheyoungfellerstandalone。"HetriedtocatchBud’seye，butthatyoungmanwasbusysaddlingSmokyandreturningjibeforjibewiththemenaroundhim，anddidnotglancetowardPopatall。
"I’lltakethisbottleinmypocket，Pop，"hesaidwithhisbacktowardtheoldman，andmountedcarelessly。"I’llridehimaroundalittleandgivehimanothergoodrubbingbeforewerun。I’mbetting，"headdedtotheothersfrankly，"onthechancethatexerciseandthelinimentwilltakethesorenessoutofthatankle。Idon’tbelieveitamountstoanythingatall。Soifanyofyoufellowswanttobet——"
"Shucks！Don’tgo’n—"Popbegan，andbitthesentenceintwo，droppingimmediatelyintoadeepstudy。ThekidwasgettingbeyondPop’sunderstanding。
Acrowdofperhapsahundredmenandwomen——withageneroussprinklingofunrulyjuveniles——linedthesheerbankofthecreek—bedandwatchedthehorsesrun，andscreamedtheircheapwitticismsatthelosers，andtheirapprovalofthosewhowon。Theyoungsterwiththemysteriouspastandthefoolhardinesstobetonalamehorsetheywatchedanddiscussed，thewomenplainlywishinghewouldwin——becausehewashandsomeandyoung，andsuchawonderfulmusician。Themenweremorecold—blooded。TheycouldnotseethatBud’sgoodlooksorthehauntingmelodyofhisvoicehadanybearingwhateveruponhiswinningarace。Theycalledhimafool，andeitherrefusedtobetatallonsuchafreakpropositionasalamehorserunningagainstSkeeter，orbetagainsthim。AfewofthewiseoneswonderedifJeffandhisbunchweremerely"stringingthekidalong"；iftheymightnotlethimwinalittle，justtomakehimmore"chancey。"
Buttheydidnotthinkitwisetobetonthatprobability。
WhilethreeraceswerebeingrunBudrodewiththeLittleLostmen，andSmokystilllimpedalittle。JerryMyers，stillself—appointedguardianofBud，herdedhimapartandcalledhimafoolandimploredhimtocalltheraceoffandkeephismoneyinhisownpocket。
Budwasthinkingjustthenaboutacertainlittlewomanwhosatonthecreekbankwithawide—brimmedstrawhatshadingherwonderfuleyes，andapairoflittle，high—archedfeettappingheelsabsentlyagainstthebankwall。Honeysatbesideher，andacoupleofthevalleywomenwhomBudhadmetatthedance。Hehadriddencloseandpausedforafewfriendlysentenceswiththequartette，carefultogiveHoneytheattentionsheplainlyexpected。ButitwasnotHoneywhoworethewidehatandownedtheprettylittlefeet。Budpulledhisthoughtsbackfromafruitlesswishthathemightinsomewayhelpthatlittlewomanwhosetroublelookedfromhereyes，andwhoselipssmiledsobravely。Hedidnotthinkofpossessionwhenhethoughtofher；itwasthelookinhereyes，andtheslightingtonesinwhichHoneyspokeofher。
"Say，comealive！Whatyuhgoingoffinatrancefor，whenI’mtalkingtoyuhforyourowngood？"Jerrysmiledwhimsically，buthiseyeswereworried。
Budpulledhimselftogetherandreinedcloser。
"Don’tbetanythingonthisrace，Jerry，"headvised"Orifyoudo，don’tbetonSkeeter。But——well，I’lljusttradeyoualittleadviceforallyou’vegivenme。Don’tbet！"
"Whatthehell！"surprisejoltedoutofJerry。
"It’smyfuneral，"Budlaughed。"I’machanceykid，yousee——
butI’dhatetoseeyoubetonme。"Hepulleduptowatchthenextrace——fournervylittlecow—horsesoftruerangebreeding，goingdowntothequarterpost。
"They’regoingtomakefalsestartsaplenty，"Budremarkedafterthefirstfluke。"JeffandIhaveitoutnext。I’lljustgiveSmokeanothertreatment。"Hedismounted，lookedatJerryundecidedlyandslappedhimontheknee。"I’mgladtohaveafriendlikeyou，"hesaidimpulsively。"There’salotoftwo—facedsinnersaroundherethatwouldstealamanblind。Don’tthinkI’maltogetherafool。"
Jerrylookedathimqueerly，openedhismouthandshutitagainsotightlythathisjawbonesstoodoutalittle。HewatchedBudbathingSmoky’sankle。WhenBudwasthroughandhandedJerrythebottletokeepforhim，Jerryheldhimforaninstantbythehand。
"Say，forGawdsakedon’ttalklikethatpromiscuous，Bud，"hebegged。"Youmighthittooclose——"
"Ay，Jerry！EverhearthatoldArmenianproverb，’Hewhotellsthetruthshouldhaveonefootinthestirrup’？I
learnedthatinschool。"
JerryletgoBud’shandandtookthebottle，Bud’swatchthathadhismother’spicturepastedintheback，andhisvest，apocketofwhichcontainedamemorandumofhiswagers。Budwassteppingoutofhischaps，andhelookedupandgrinned。
"Cheerup，Jerry。You’regoingtolaughinaminute。"WhenJerrystillremainedthoughtful，Budaddedsoberly，"I
appreciateyouandoldPopstandingbyme。Idon’tknowjustwhatyou’vegotonyourmind，butthefactthatthere’ssomethingishintenoughforme。"WhereuponJerry’seyeslightenedalittle。
Thefourhorsescamethunderingdownthetrack，throwingtinypebbleshighintotheairastheypassed。Atrimlittlesorrelwon，andtherewastheusualconfusionofvoicesupraisedinanefforttobeheard。Whenthathadsubsided，interestoncemorecenteredonSkeeterandSmoky，whoseemedtohaverecoveredsomewhatfromhislameness。
NotamansavePopandBudhadplacedabetonSmoky，yeteverymanthereseemedkeenlyinterestedintherace。TheyjoshedBud，whogrinnedandtookitgood—naturedly，andfoundanotherfivedollarsin——hispockettobet——thistimewithPop，whokepteyeinghimsharply——anditseemedtoBudwarningly。ButBudwantedtoplayhisowngame，thistime，andheavoidedPop’seyes。
Thetwomenrodedownthehoof—scoredsandtothequarterpost，Skeeterdancingsidewiseattheprospectofarace，SmokynowandthententativelyagainstBud’ssteadypressureofthebit。
"He’snotlimpingnow，"Budgloatedastheyrode。ButJeffonlylaughedtolerantlyandmadenoreply。
DaveTrumanstartedthemwithapistolshot，andthetwohorsesdartedaway，Smokyhalfajumpinthelead。Hislimpwasforgotten，andforhalfthedistanceheranneckandneckwithSkeeter。ThenhedroppedtoSkeeter’smiddle，tohisflank——thenranwithhisblacknoseevenwithSkeeter’srump。
Evensoitwasacloserracethanthecrowdhadexpected，andallthecowboysbegantoyellthemselvespurple。
Butwhentheywereyetafewleapsfromthewireclothes—linestretchedhigh，fromposttopost，BudleanedforwarduntilhelayflatalongsideSmoky’sneck，andgavearealIndianwar—whoop。Smokyliftedandlengthenedhisstride，cameupagaintoSkeeter’smiddle，tohisshoulder，tohisears——andwiththenextleapthrusthisnosepastSkeeter’sastheyfinished。
Well，thentherewastheusualnoise，everyonetryingtoshoutlouderthanhisfellows。BudrodetowherePopwassittingapartonapacinggrayhorsethathealwaysrode，andpausedtosayguardedly，"Ipulledhim，Pop。ButatthatIwon，soifIcanpryanotherraceoutofthisbunchto—day，youcanbetallyoulike。Andyouowemefivedollars，"headdedthriftily。
"Sho！Shucksalmighty！"splutteredPop，reachingreluctantlyintohispocketforthemoney。"Jeff，hedonesomepullin’
himself——IwishIknowed，"headdedpettishly，"justhowbigafoolyouair。"
"Hey，comeoverhere！"shoutedJeff。"WhatyuhnaggingolePopabout？"
"Poplostfivedollarsonthatrace，"Budcalledback，andlopedovertothecrowd。"Butheisn’ttheonlyone。SeemstomeI’vegotquiteabunchofmoneycomingtome，fromthiscrowd！"
"Jeff，he’dabeathimamileifhisbridlereinhadbusted，"
anarrogantvoiceshoutedrecklessly。"Jeff，youoldfox，youknowdamnwellyoupulledSkeeter。Youmustlovetolose，doggoneyuh。"
"IfyouthinkIdidn’trunright，"Jeffretorted，asifalittlenettled，"someoneelsecanridethehorse。Thatis，ifthekidhereain’tscaredoffwithyourtalk。Howaboutit，Bud？Thinkyouwonfair？"
Budwascollectinghismoney，andhedidnotimmediatelyanswerthechallenge。Whenhediditwastoofferthemanotherrace。Hewouldnot，hesaid，backdownfromanyone。
HewouldbethislastcentonlittleSmoky。Hebecameslightlyvociferativeandmorethanalittlevain—glorious，andwithinhalfanhourhehadoncemorestakedallthemoneyhehadintheworld。Thenumberofmenwhowantedtobetwithhimsurprisedhimalittle。AlsothefactthattheLittleLostmenwerebettingonSmoky。
Honeycalledhimovertothebankandscoldedhimintonesmuchlikehername，andfinallygavehimtendollarswhichshewantedtowageronhiswinning。Ashewhirledaway，Marianbeckonedimpulsivelyandleanedforward，stretchingouttohimherclosedhand。
"Here’sten，"shesmiled，"justtoshowthattheLittleLoststandsbyitsmen——andhorses。PutitonSmoky，please。"WhenBudwasalmostoutofeasyhearing，shecalledtohim。"Oh——
wasthatafiveoratendollarbillIgaveyou？"
Budturnedback，unfoldingthebanknote。Averytightlyfoldedscrapofpaperslidintohispalm。
"Oh，allright——Ihavethefivehereinmypocket，"calledMarian，andlaughedquiteconvincingly。"Goonandrun！Wewon’tbeabletobreathefreelyuntiltheraceisover。"
WhereforeBudturnedback，puzzledandwithhisheartjumping。ForsomereasonMarianhadtakenthismeansofgettingamessageintohishands。Whatitcouldbehedidnotconjecture；buthehadavague，unreasoninghopethatshetrustedhimandwasaskinghimtohelphersomehow。Hedidnotthinkthatitconcernedtherace，sohedidnotriskopeningthenotethen，withsomanypeopleabout。
Aslim，narrow—eyedyouthofaboutBud’sweightwaschosentorideSkeeter，andtogethertheywentbackoverthecoursetothequarterpost，withDavetostartthemandtwoorthreeotherstomakesurethattheracewasfair。Smokywasfullnowoflittleprancingsteps，andheldhisneckarchedwhilehisnostrilsflaredinexcitement，showingpinkwithin。
Skeeterpersistentlydancedsidewise，fightingthebit，crazytorun。
Skeetermadetwofalsestarts，andwhenthepistolwasfired，jumpedhighintotheairandforward，shakinghishead，impatientagainsttherestrainthisriderputuponhim。
HalfwaydownthestretchhelungedsidewisetowardSmoky，butthatlevel—headedlittlehorseswervedandwenton，shouldertoshoulderwiththeother。AttheverylastSkeeterrolledapebbleunderhisfootandstumbled——andagainSmokycameinwithhisslatynoseinthelead。
Poprodeintothecentreoftheyellingcrowd，hiswhiskersbristling。"Shucksalmighty！"hecried。"Whatferridin’doyuhcallthatthere？JeffHall，thatfellerheldSkeeterinworse’nwhatyoudidyourself！Ikinproveit！Igotastopwatch，an’Itimed’im，Idid。An’IkintellyuhthetimeyorehorsemadewhenherunaginDave’sBoise。He’sthreeseconds——yes，byChristmas，he’sfoursecondsslowert’day’nwhathe’severrunbefore！Whatfersportd’youcallthat？"
Hisvoicewentupandcrackedatthequestionmarklikeaboyinhisearlyteens。
JeffstalkedforwardtoSkeeter’sside。"Jake，didyoupullSkeeter？"hedemandedsternly。"I’llswanifthisain’tthebelly—achinessbunchIeverseen！Howaboutit，Jake？DidSkeeterdohisdurndest，ordidn’the？
"Shore，hedid！"Jaketestifiedwarmly。"I’dabeat，too，ifhehadn’tstumbledrightatthelast。Didn’tyuhseehimpurtyneargodown？Andwasn’thewithinsixinchesofbeatin’？Ileaveittothecrowd！"
Thecrowdwasfullofargument，andsomebetswerepaidunderprotest。Buttheywerepaid，justthesame。BurrobackValleyinsistedthatthemainpointsofracinglawshouldbeobeyedtotheletter。Budcollectedhiswinnings，theScotchinhimoverlookingnothingwhateverintheshapeofadollar。Then，undercoverofgettinghissmokingmaterial，hedaredbringoutMarian’snote。Thereweretwolinesinafine，evenhandonacigarettepaper，andBud，relievedathercleverness，unfoldedthepaperandreadwhileheopenedhisbagoftobacco。Thelineswerelikethoseinanold—fashionedcopybook：
"Winnersmaybelosers。
Emptypockets，safeowner。"
Andthatwasall。Budsiftedtobaccointothepaper，rolleditintoacigaretteandsmokedittososhortastubthatheburnthislips。Thenhedroppeditbesidehisfootandgrounditintothesandwhilehetalked。
HewouldrunSmokynomorethatday，hedeclared，butnextSundayhewouldgivethemallachancetosettletheirmindsandwinbacktheirlosings，providinghishorse’sankledidn’tgobadagainwithto—day’srunning。Pop，Dave，Jeffandafewotherwiseonesexaminedtheweakankleanddisagreedovertheexactcauseandnatureoftheweakness。Itseemedallright。Smokydidnotflinchfromrubbing，thoughhedidlifthisfootawayfromstrangehands。TheyquestionedBud，whocouldoffernopositiveinformationonthesubject，exceptthatonceheandSmokyhadrolleddownablufftogether，andSmokyhadbeenlameforawhileafterwards。
ItdidnotoccurtoanyonetoaskBudwhichleghadbeenlamed，andBuddidnotvolunteerthedetail。Anoldsprain，theyfinallydecided，andBudreplacedhissaddle，gothischapsandcoatfromJerry，whowassmilingoveranextratwenty—fivedollars，androdeovertogivethegirlstheirwinnings。
HestayedforseveralminutestalkingwiththemandhopingforachancetothankMarianforherfriendlywarning。Buttherewasnone，andherodeawaydissatisfiedandwonderinguneasilyifMarianthoughthewasreallyasfriendlywithHoneyasthatyoungladymadehimappeartobe。
Hewasoneofthefirsttoridebacktotheranch，andheturnedSmokyinthepastureandcaughtupStoppertoridewithHoney，whosaidshewasgoingforaridewhentheraceswereover，andthatifhelikedtogoalongshewouldshowhimtheSinks。BudhadprofessedaneagernesstoseetheSinkswhichhedidnotfeeluntilMarianhadturnedherheadtowardHoneyandsaidinherquietvoice：
"WhytheSinks？Youknowthatisn’tsafecountrytoridein，Honey。"
"That’swhyIwanttoridethere，"Honeyretortedflippantly。
"Ihatesafeplacesandsafethings。"
MarianhadglancedatBud——anditwasthatglancewhichhewasrememberingnowwithapuzzledsensethat，likethenote，ithadmeantsomethingdefinite，somethingvitaltohisownwelfareifhecouldonlyfindthekey。FirstitwasHen，thenJerry，andnowMarian，allwarninghimvaguelyofdangerintowhichhemightstumbleifhewerenotcareful。
Budwasnofool，butontheotherhandhewasnotonetostampedeeasily。Hehadthatsteadfastcourage，perhaps，whichcouldfacedangerandstillmaintainhisnaturalcalm——
justashismotherhadcorrectedgrammaticalslipsintheverysentenceswhichtoldherofanimpendingoutbreakofIndianslongagoBudsaddledStopperandthehorsewhichHoneywastoride，ledthemtothehouseandwentinsidetowaituntilthegirlwasready。Whilehewaitedheplayed——andhopedthatMarian，hearing，wouldknowthatheplayedforher；andthatshewouldcomeandexplainthecrypticmessage。
WhetherMarianheardandappreciatedthemusicornot，shefailedtoappearandlethimknow。Itseemedtohimthatshemighteasilyhavecomeintotheroomforaminutewhensheknewhewasthere，andlethimhaveachancetothankherandaskherjustwhatshemeant。
HewasjustfinishingtheAVEMARIAwhichMarianhadlikenedtoabreathofcoolair，whenHoneyappearedinridingskirtandlightshirtwaist。Shelookedverytrimandattractive，andBudsmileduponherapprovingly，andcutshortthelaststrainbyfourbeats，whichwasonewayoflettingMarianknowthatheconsideredherratherunappreciative。
CHAPTERTHIRTEEN：THESINKS
"Wecangothroughthepastureandcutoffacoupleofmiles，"saidHoneywhentheyweremounted。"Ihopeyoudon’tthinkI’mcrazy，wantingarideatthistimeofday，afteralltheexcitementwe’vehad。ButeverySundayistakenupwithhorse—racingtilllateintheafternoon，andduringtheweeknoonehastimetogo。And，"sheaddedwithasidelonglookathim，"there’ssomethingabouttheSinksthatmakesmelovetogothere。UncleDavewon’tletmegoalone。"
Buddismountedtopulldownthetwotopbarsofthepasturegatesothattheirhorsescouldstepover。AlittlewaydownthegrassyslopeSmokyandSunfishfedtogether，theLittleLosthorsesgroupednearerthecreek。
"Ilovethatlittlehorseofyours——why，he’sgonelameagain！"exclaimedHoney。"Isn’tthatashame！Yououghtn’ttorunhimifitdoesthattohim。"
"Helikesit，"saidBudcarelesslyasheremounted。"AndsodoI，whenIcancleanupthewayIdidtoday。I’moverthreehundreddollarsricherrightnowthanIwasthismorning。"
"AndnextSunday，maybeyou’llbebroke，"Honeyaddedsignificantly。"Youneverknowhowyouarecomingout。I
thinkJeffletyouwinto—dayonpurpose，soyou’dbetitallagainandlose。He’slikethat。Hedon’tcarehowmuchhelosesoneday，becausehegetsitbacksomeothertime。I
don’tlikeit。Someoftheboysneverdogetahead，andyou’llbeinthesamefixifyoudon’tlookout。"
"Youdidn’tbringmealongtolectureme，Iknow，"saidBudwithagood—naturedsmile。"WhatabouttheSinks？Isitadangerousplaceas——Mrs。Morrissays？"
"Oh，Marian？Sheneverdoeswantmetocome。ShethinksI
oughttostayinthehousealways，thewayshedoes。TheSinksis——is——queer。Therearecaves，andthenagaindeepholesstraightdown，andtracksofwildcatsandlions。Andinsomeplacesyoucanheargurglesandrumbles。Ilovetobetherejustatsundown，becausetheshadowsarespookyanditmakesyoufeel——oh，youknow——kindofcreepyupyourback。
Youdon’tknowwhatmighthappen。I——doyoubelieveinghostsandhauntedplaces，Bud？"
"I’dneedalotofscaringbeforeIdid。AretheSinkshaunted？"
"No—o——buttherearefunnynoisesandpeoplehavegotlostthere。Anywaytheynevershowedupafterwards。TheIndiansclaimit’shaunted。"Shesmiledthatbaringsmileofhers。
"Doyouwanttoturnaroundandgoback？"
"Sure。Afterwe’vehadourride，andseenthesights。"Andheaddedwithsomesatisfaction，"Themoon’sfullto—night，andnoclouds。"
"AndIbroughtsandwiches，"Honeythrewinasespecialblessing。"UncleDavewillbemad，Iexpect。ButI’veneverseentheSinksatnight，withmoonlight。"
ShewasquietwhilethehorseswadedSunkCreekandpickedtheirwaycarefullyoveraparticularlyrockystretchbeyond。
"ButwhatI’dratherdo，"shesaid，speakingfromherthoughtswhichhadevidentlycarriedforwardinthesilence，"isexploreCatrockCanyon。"
"Well，whynot，ifwehavetime？"Budrodeupalongsideher。"Isitfar？"
Honeylookedathimsearchingly。"Youmustbestrangertotheseparts，"shesaiddisbelievingly。"Doyouthinkyoucanmakemeswallowthat？"
Budlookedatherinquiringly，whichforcedhertogoon。
"YoumustknowaboutCatrockCanyon，BudBirnie。Don’ttrytomakemebelieveyoudon’t。"
"Idon’t。IneverheardofitbeforethatIremember。Whatisitmakesyouwanttoexploreit？"
Honeystudiedhim。"You’rethequeerestspecimenIeverdidsee，"sheexclaimedpettishly。"Why，it’snotgoingtohurtyoutoadmityouknowCatrockCanyonis——unexplorable。"
"Oh。Soyouwanttoexploreitbecauseit’sunexplorable。
Well，whyisitunexplorable？"
Honeylookedaroundheratthedrysagelandtheywerecrossing。"Oh，youmakemeTIRED！"shesaidbluntly，withsomethingoftherangeroughnessinhervoice。"Becauseitis，that’sall。"
"ThenI’dliketoexploreitmyself，"Buddeclared。
"Foronething，"Honeydilated，"there’snowaytogetinthere。
Upontheridgethisside，wheretherockisthatthrowsashadowlikeacat’sheadontheoppositewall，youcanlookdownaways。Butthetwosidescomesoclosetogetheratthetopthatyoucan’tseethebottomofthecanyonatall。I’vebeenontheridgewhereIcouldseethecat’shead。"
Budglancedspeculativelyupatthesun，andHoney，catchinghismeaning，shookherheadandsmiled。
"IfwegetintotheSinksandbackto—day，theywilldoenoughtalkingaboutit；orUncleDavewill，andMarian。I——I
thoughtperhapsyou’dbeabletotellmeabout——CatrockCanyon。"
"I’mabletosayIdon’tknowathingaboutit。Ifnoonecangetintoit，Ishouldthinkthat’saboutall，isn’tit？"
"Yes——you’dthinkso，"Honeyagreedenigmatically，andbegantotalkoftheracingthatday，andofthedance，andofotherdancesandotherracesyettocome。Buddiscussedthesesubjectsforawhileandthenaskedboldly，"When’sLewcomingback？"
"Lew？"Honeyshotaswiftglanceathim。"Why？"Shelookedaheadattheforbidding，craggyhillstowardwhichshehadglancedwhenshespokeofCatrock。"Why，Idon’tknow。HowshouldI？"
Budsawthathehadspokenunwisely。"Iwasthinkinghe’dmaybehatetomissanotherrunningmatchliketo—day，"heexplainedguilelessly。"Everybodyandhisdogseemedtobethereto—day，andeverybodyhadmoneyup。All，"hemodified，"excepttheMuleshoeboys。Ididn’tseeanyofthem。"
"Youwon’t，"Honeytoldhimwithsomeemphasis。"UncleDaveandtheMuleshoeareontheouts。Theynevercomearoundexceptformailandthingsfromthestore。AndmostalwaystheysendHen。UncleDaveandDirkTracyhadanawfulrowlastwinter。Itwasnextthingtoakilling。Soofcoursetheoutfitsain’tonfriendlyterms。"
ThiswasmorethanPophadgossipedtoBud，andsincethewholethingwasofnoconcerntohim，andHoneyplainlyobjectedtotalkingaboutMarian’shusband，hewasquitereadytofixhisinterestoncemoreupontheSinks。Hewassurprisedwhentheyemergedfromaclusterofsmall，sage—
coveredknolls，directlyupontheedgeofwhatatfirstsightseemedtobeanotherdryriverbed——sprawledwider，perhaps，withirregulararmsthrustbackintothelesssterileland。
Theyrodedownasteep，rockytrailandcameoutintotheSinks。
Itwasanodd，forbiddingplace，andthefartherupthegravellybottomtheyrode，themoreforbiddingitbecame。BudthoughtthatinthetimewhenIndiansweredangerousasshe—
bearstheSinkswouldnotbeaplacewhereamanwouldwanttoride。Thereweretoomanyjuttingcrags，toomanyunsuspected，blackholesthatledback——nooneknewjustwhere。
HoneyledthewaytoanirregularcircleofwaterwashedcobblesandBudpeereddownfiftyfeettoanotherdry，gravellybottomseeminglyaduplicateoftheuppersurface。
Sherodeonpastothercaves，andlethimlookdownintootherholes。Therewerefaintrumblingsinsomeofthese，butinnonewasthereanywatershowingsaveinstagnantpoolsintherockwheretherainhadfallen。
"There’sonecaveIliketogointo，"saidHoneyatlast。
"It’salittlefartheron，butwehavetimeenough。There’saspringinside，andwecaneatoursandwiches。Itisn’tdark—
thereareopeningstothetop，andlotsoffunny，windingpassages。That，"shefinishedthrillingly，"istheplacetheIndiansclaimishaunted。"
Buddidnotshudderconvincingly，andtheyrodeslowlyforward，pickingtheirwayamongtherocks。Thecaveyawnedwideopentothesun，whichhungonthetopofCatrockPeak。
Theydismounted，anchoredthereinswithrocksandwentinside。
WhenBudhadbeeninvestigativeBuddy，hehadexploredmorecavesthanhecouldcount。Hehadfilchedcandlesfromhismotherandhadcreptbackandbackuntilthecandleflameflickeredwarningthathewasnearingthe"damps"Indiansalwaysdidbelievecaveswerehaunted，probablybecausetheydidnotunderstandthe"damps"，andthoughtevilspiritshadtakenthosewhowentinandneverreturned。Buddyhadoncebeenlostinacaveforfourharrowinghours，andhadfoundhiswayoutbysheerluck，passingtheskeletonofanIndianandtakingthetomahawkasasouvenir。
Whereforethisparticularcave，withaspringbackfiftyfeetfromtheentrancewhereashaftofsunlightstrucktherockthroughsomeobscureslitintherock，hadnothrillforhim。
Butthefloorwasoffine，whitesand，andtheceilingwasknobbyandgrotesque，andhewasquitewillingtosittherebesidethespringandeattwosandwichesandtalkfoolishnesswithHoney，usingthatpartofhismindwhichwasnotbusywiththecomplexitiesofwinningmoneyonthespeedofhishorseswhenthreehorsesrepresentedhisentirebusinesscapital，andwithwonderingwhatwaswrongwithBurrobackValley，thatthreepersonsofwidelydifferentviewpointshadfeltitnecessarytocautionhim，——andhadcouchedtheiradmonitionsinsuchgeneraltermsthathecouldnotfeeltheforceoftheirwarning。
HewasthinkingbackalonghislifetowherefalsealarmsofIndianoutbreakshadplayedaverylargepartintheTomahawk’saffairs，andhowlittleoftheranchworkwouldeverhavebeendonehadtheylistenedtoeverycalamityhowlerthatcamealong。Honeywastalking，andhewasansweringpartlyatrandom，whenshesuddenlylaughedandgotup。
"Youmustbeinlove，BudBirnie。Youjustsaid’yes’whenI
askedyouifyoudidn’tthinkwatersnakeswouldbecomingoutthisfallwiththeirstripesrunningroundtheminsteadoflengthwise！Youdidn’thearaword——now，didyou？"
"Iheardmusic，"Budliedgallantly，"andIknewitwasyourvoice。I’dprobablysayyesifyouaskedmewhetherthemoonwouldn’tlookbetterwitharufflearoundit。"
"I’llsaythemoonwillbewonderingwhereweare，ifwedon’tstartback。Thesun’sdown。"
Budgotupfromsittingcross—leggedlikeaTurk，helpedHoneytoherfeet——andfeltherfingersclingingwarmlytohisown。Heledthewaytothecave’smouth，notlookingather。"Greatsunset，"heobservedcarelessly，glancingupattheridgewhileheheldherhorseforhertomount。
Honeyshowedthatshewasperfectlyathomeinthesaddle。
Sherodeonahead，leavingBudtomountandfollow。HewasjustswingingleisurelyintothesaddlewhenStopperthrewhisheadaround，glancingbacktowardtheleveljustbeyondthecave。AtthesameinstantBudheardthefamiliar，unmistakableswishofaropeheadedhisway。
HeflattenedhimselfalongStopper’sleftshoulderastheloopsettledandtightenedonthesaddlehorn，anddroppedontothegroundasStopperwhirledautomaticallytotherightandbracedhimselfagainstthestrain。Budturnedhalfkneeling，hisguninhishandreadyfortheshotheexpectedwouldfollowtherope。ButStopperwasinaction—thebestropehorsetheTomahawkhadeverowned。Forafewsecondshestoodbraced，hisneckarched，hiseyesbrightandwatchful。
Thenheleapedforward，straightatthehorseandtheriderwhowasintheactoflevelinghisgun。Thehorsehesitated，takenunawarebytheonslaught。WhenhestartedtorunStopperwasalreadypassinghim，turningsharplytotherightagainsothattheroperakedthehorse’sfrontlegs。TwojumpsandStopperhadstopped，facedthehorseandstoodbracedagain，hisearsperkedknowinglywhilehewaitedfortheflop。
Itcame——justasitalwaysdidcomewhenStoppergotactionontheendofarope。Horseandridercamedowntogether。
TheywouldnotgetupuntilBudwishedit——hecouldtrustStopperforthat——soBudwalkedovertotheheap，hisgunreadyforaction——andthat，too，couldbetrustedtoperformwithwhatspeedandprecisionwasnecessary。Therewouldbenohastyshooting，however；Buddyhadlearnedtosavehisbulletsforrealneedwhenammunitionwasnottobehadfortheasking，andgrown—upBudhadneveroutgrownthehabit。
Hepickedupthefellow’ssix—shooterwhichhehaddroppedwhenhefell，andstoodsizingupthesituation。
Bytheneckerchiefdrawnacrosshisfaceitwasastraightcaseofholdup。Budstoopedandyankedoffthemaskandlookedintotheglaringeyesofonewhomhehadneverbeforeseen。
"Well，howd’yuhlikeit，farasyou’vegot？"Budaskedcuriously。"Thinkyouwereholdingupapilgrim，orwhat？"
Justthen，BING—GGsangariflebulletfromtheridgeabovethecave。Budlookedthatwayandspiedamanstandinghalfrevealedagainsttherosycloudsthatwerealreadydullingasduskcreptupfromthelowground。Itwasalongshotforasix—shooter，butBuddyusedtoshootantelopealmostthatfar，soBudliftedhisarmandstraightenedit，justasifhewerepointingafingerattheman，andfired。Hehadthesatisfactionofseeingthefigurejerkbackwardandgooffovertheridgeinastoopingkindofrun。