Boisewasstandingbehindthepeakedoutcroppingofrock，andbesidehimwasastock—saddlewhichmusthavetaxedMarian’sstrengthtocarry。Indeed，Budthoughtshemusthavehadwings，todosomuchinsoshortaspaceoftime；thoughwhenhecametoestimatethattimehedecidedthathemusthavebeenawayfromthehousetenminutes，atleast。IfMarianfollowedhimcloselyenoughtoseehimduckbehindthemachineshedandmeetJerry，shecouldrunbehindthecorralandgetBoiseoutbywayofthebackdoorofthestable。
　　Therewasapath，screenedfromthecorralbyafringeofbrush，whichwentthatway。ThetruthflasheduponhimthatonecouldrideunseenallaroundLittleLost。
　　HewasjustdroppingthestirrupdownfromthesaddlehornwhenMarianappearedwithJerryandSunfishclosebehindher。
　　Jerryheldoutthepackage。
　　"Shesaysshe’llshowyouashortcut，"hewhispered。"ShesaysIdon’tknowanythingaboutit。Iguessshe’sright——
　　there’salotIdon’tknow。Lew’sgone，andshesaysshe’llbebackbeforedaylight。IftheymissBoisethey’llthinkyoustolehim。Buttheywon’tlook。Davewouldn’tslamaroundinthenightonBoise——hethinkstoomuchofhim。Well——beatit，andIsurewishyuhluck。Youbecareful，Marian。Comebackthisway，andifyouseeaman’shandkerchiefhangingonthisbushrightherewhereI’mstanding，it’llmeanyou’vebeenmissed。"
　　"Thankyou，Jerry，"Marianwhispered。"I’lllookforit。Come，Bud——keepclosebehindme，anddon’tmakeanynoise。"
　　Budwouldhaveprotested，butMariandidnotgivehimachance。Shetookupthereins，graspedthesaddlehorn，stuckherslippertoeinthestirrupandmountedBoiseasquicklyasBudcouldhavedoneit——aseasily，too，makingallowanceforthedifferenceintheirheight。BudmountedSunfishandfollowedherdownthetrailwhichledtotheracetrack；butwhentheyhadgonethroughthebrushandcouldseestarlightbeyond，sheturnedsharplytotheleft，letBoisepickhiswaycarefullyoverarockystretchandplungedintothebrushagain，leaninglowinthesaddlesothatthehigherbrancheswouldnotclawatherhairandface。
　　WhentheyhadoncemorecomeintoopengroundwithashoulderofCatrockPeakbeforethem，Marianpulleduplongenoughtountieherapronandbinditoverherhairlikeapeasantwoman。SheglancedbackatBud，andalthoughdarknesshidtheexpressiononherface，hesawhereyesshininginthestarlight。Sheraisedherhandandbeckoned，andBudreinedSunfishclosealongside。
　　"We’regoingintoaspookyplacenow，"sheleanedtowardhimtowhisper。"Boiseknowstheway，andyourhorsewillfollow。"
　　"Allright，"Budwhisperedback。"Butyou’dbettertellmethewayandletmegoonalone。I’mprettygoodatscoutingoutnewtrails。Idon’twantyoutogetintrouble——"
　　Shewouldnotlistentomoreofthat，butpushedhimbackwiththeflatofherbarehandandrodeaheadofhimagain。
　　Straightatthesheerbluff，thatlifteditshuge，rockyshapebeforethem，sheledtheway。SofarasBudcouldseeshewasnotfollowinganytrail；butwasaimingatacertainpointandwassureenoughofthegroundtoavoiddetours。
　　Theycameoutuponthebankofthedryriver—bed。Budknewitbytheflatnessoftheforegroundandthegeneralcontourofthemountainsbeyond。Butimmediatelytheyturnedatasharpangle，travelledforafewminuteswiththeriver—bedattheirbacks，andenteredanarrowslitinthemountainswheretwopeakshadbeenrentasunderinsometitanicupheavalwhentheworldwasyoung。Thehorsesscrambledalongtherockybottomforalittleway，thenBoisedisappeared。
　　Sunfishhalted，threwhisheadthiswayandthat，gaveasuspicioussniffandturnedcarefullyaroundthecornerofasquare—facedboulder。Infrontwasblackness。Budurgedhimalittlewithreinandsoftpressureofthespurs，andSunfishsteppedforward。Heseemedreassuredtofindfirm，smoothsandunderhisfeet，andhurriedalittleuntilBoisewasjustaheadclickinghisfeetnowandthenagainstarock。
　　"Coming？"Marian’svoicesoundedsubdued，muffledbytheclosewallsofthetunnel—likecrevice。
　　"Coming，"Budassuredherquietly"Atyourheels。"
　　"IalwaysusedtofeelspookywhenIwasridingthroughhere，"Mariansaid，droppingbacksothattheyrodesidebyside，stirrupstouching。"IwastenwhenIfirstmadethetrip。ItwastogetawayfromIndians。Theywouldn’tcomeintotheseplaces。EddieandIfoundthewaythrough。Wewereafraidtheywereafterus，andsowekeptgoing，andourhorsesbroughtusout。Eddie——ismybrother。"
　　"Yougrewuphere？"Buddidnotknowhowmuchincredulitywasinhisvoice。"IwasraisedamongsttheIndiansinWyoming。I
　　thoughtyouwerefromtheEast。"
　　"IwasinChicagoforthreeyears，"Marianexplained。"I
　　studiedeverywakingminute，Ithink。Iwantedtobeasinger。Then——Icamehometohelpburymother。Father——Lewandfatherwerepartners，andI——marriedLew。Ididn’tknow——
　　itseemedasthoughImust。Fatherputitthatway。Theoldstory，Bud。Iusedtolaughatitinnovels，butitdoeshappen。LewhadaholdoverfatherandEddie，andhewantedme。Imarriedhim，butitdidnogood，forfatherwaskilledjustalittlemorethanamonthafterwards。Wehadaranch，uphereintheRedwaterValley，abouthalfwaytoCrater。Butitwent——Lewgambledanddrankand——sohetookmetoLittleLost。I’vebeentherefortwoyears。"
　　Thewordsofpity——andmore——thatcrowdedforwardforutterance，Budknewhemustnotspeak。Sohesaidnothingatall。
　　"LewhasalwaysheldEddieovermyhead，"shewentonpouringouthertroublestohim。"There’sagang，calledtheCatrockGang，andLewisoneofthem。ItoldyouLewisthemanyoushot。IthinkDaveTrumanisinwiththem——atanyrateheshutshiseyestowhatevergoeson，andgetspartofthestealings，Ifeelsure。That’swhyLewissuchafavorite。
　　Yousee，Eddieisone——I’mtrustingyouwithmylife，almost，whenItellyouthis。
　　"ButIcouldn’tstandbyandnotliftahandtosaveyou。I
　　knewtheywouldkillyou。They’dhaveto，becauseIfeltthatyouwouldfightandnevergiveup。Andyouaretoofineamanforthosebeaststomurderforthemoneyyouhave。Iknew，theminuteIsawJeffpayingyouhislosingswithacheck，andsomeoftheothersdoingthesame，justwhatwouldhappen。JeffisalmostasbadastheCatrockers，exceptthatheistoocowardlytocomeoutintotheopen。Hegaveyouacheck；andeveryonewhowasthereknewhewouldhurryuptoCraterandstoppaymentonit，ifhecoulddoitandkeepoutofyoursight。Thosecroniesofhiswoulddothesame——sotheypaidwithchecks。
　　"AndtheCatrockgangknewthat。Theymeantogetholdofyou，roband—and—killyou，andforgetheendorsementonthechecksandletonemancashtheminCraterbeforepaymentcanbestopped。Indeed，thegangwillseetoitthatJeffstaysawayfromCrater。Lewhintedthatwhiletheywereaboutittheymightaswellcleanoutthebank。Itwouldn’tbethefirsttime，"sheaddedbitterly。
　　Shestoppedthenandaskedforamatch，andwhenBudgaveheroneshelightedacandleandhelditupsothatshecouldexaminethewalls。"It’sanaturaltunnel，"shevolunteeredinadifferenttone。"Somewherealongherethereisabranchthatgoesbackintothehillandendsinablow—hole。Butwe’reallrightsofar。"
　　SheblewoutthecandleandurgedBoiseforward，edgingovertotheright。
　　"Wasn’tthattakingquiteachance，makingalight？"Budaskedastheywenton。
　　"Itwas，butnotsogreatachanceasmissingtheway。Jerrydidn’thearanythingofthemwhenhewenttothepasturegate，andtheymaynotcomethroughthiswayatall。Theymaynotrealizeatfirstthatyouhaveleft，andevenwhentheydidtheywouldnotbelieveatfirstthatyouhadgonetoCrater。Yousee"——andinthedarknessBudcouldpicturehertroubledsmile——"theythinkyouareanawfulfool，insomeways。Thewayyoubetto—daywaspuremadness。"
　　"Itwouldhavebeen，exceptthatIknewIcouldwin。"
　　"Theyneverbetlikethat。Theyalways’figure’，astheycallit，thattheotherfellowisgoingtoplaysometrickonthem。HalfthetimeJeffbetsagainsthisownhorse，onthesly。Theyalldo，unlesstheyfeelsurethattheirowntrickisbest。"
　　"Theyshouldhavedonethatto—day，"Budobserveddryly。"Butyou’veexplainedit。TheythoughtI’manawfulfool。"
　　OutofthedarknesscameMarian’svoice。"It’sbecauseyou’resodifferent。Theycan’tunderstandyou。
　　Budwasnotinterestedinhisownfoolishnessjustthen。
　　Somethinginhervoicehadthrilledhimanewwithadesiretohelpherandwiththeconvictionthathewasdesperatelyinneedofhelp。Therewasapatheticpatienceinhertonewhenshesummarizedhewholeaffairinthoselasttwosentences。
　　Itwasasifsheweretellinghimhowherwholelifewasdarkenedbecausesheherselfwasdifferent——becausetheycouldnotunderstandawomansofine，sotrueandsweet。
　　"Whatwillhappenifyouaremissed？IfyougobackanddiscoverJerry’shandkerchiefonthatbush，whatwillyoudo？
　　Youcan’tgobackiftheyfindout——"Therewasnoneedforhimtofinishthatsentence。
　　"Idon’tknow，"saidMarian，"whatIshalldo。Ihadn’tthoughtmuchaboutit。"
　　"Ihaven’tthoughtmuchaboutanythingelse，"Budtoldherstraightforwardly。"IfJerryflagsyou，you’dbetterkeepgoing。Couldn’tyougotofriends？"
　　"Icould——ifIhadany。Bud，youdon’tunderstand。EddieistheonlyrelativeIhaveonearth，thatIknowatall。Heis——he’swiththeCatrockersandLewdominateshimcompletely。LewhaspushedEdintodoingthingssothatI
　　mustshieldbothorneither。AndEddie’sjustaboy。SoI’venooneatall。"
　　Budstudiedthiswhiletheyrodeonthroughthedefilethatwasmorefrequentlyatunnel，sincethesuccessionofcavesalwayshadanoutletwhichMarianfound。Shehadstoppednowanddismounted，andtheywereleadingtheirhorsesdownasteep，scramblingplacewiththestarsshowingoverhead。
　　"Ablowhole，"Marianinformedhimbriefly。"We’llcomeintoanothercave，soon，andwhileit’ssafeifyouknowit，I’llexplainnowthatyoumustwalkaheadofyourhorseandkeepyourrighthandalwaysintouchwiththewalluntilweseethestarsagain。There’saledge—fivefeetwideinthenarrowestplace，ifyouarenervousaboutledges——andifyoushouldgetoffthatyou’dhaveadropoftenfeetorso。Wefoundthattheledgemakeseasiertravelling，becausethebottomisfullofrocksandnastydepressionsthatarenoticeableonlywithlights。"
　　Shestartedoffagain，andBudfollowedher，hisglovedfingerstouchingtherightwall，hissoulhumbledbeforethegreatnessofthislittlewomanwiththedeep，troubledeyes。
　　WhentheycameoutintothestarlightshestoppedandlistenedforwhatseemedtoBudaverylongtime。
　　"Iftheyarecoming，theyarealongwaybehindus，"shesaidrelievedly，andremounted。"Boiseknowshistrailandhasmadegoodtime。Andyourhorsehasprovenbeyondalldoubtthathe’sathoroughbred。I’veseenhorsesbalkatgoingwherewehavegone。"
　　"AndI’veseenmenwhocountedthemselvesbraveasany，whowouldn’tdowhatyouaredoingto—night；Jerry，forinstance。
　　Iwishyou’dgoback。Ican’tbearhavingyoutakethisrisk。"
　　"Ican’tgoback，Bud。NotiftheyfindI’vegone。"Thenheheardherlaughquietly。"Ican’timaginenowwhyIstayedandendureditallthiswhile。IthinkIonlyneededthepsychologicalmomentforrebellion，andto—nightthemomentcame。Soyouseeyouhavereallydonemeaservicebygettingintothisscrape。It’sthefirsttimeIhavebeenofftheranchinayear。"
　　"Ifyoucallthatdoingyouaservice，I’mgoingtoaskyoutoletmedosomethingalsoforyou。"Budhalfsmiledtohimselfinthedarkness，thinkinghowdiplomatichewas。"Ifyou’refoundout，you’llhavetokeepongoing，andItakeityouwouldn’tbeparticularwhereyouwent。SoIwishyou’dtakechargeofpartofthismoneyforme，andifyouleave，godowntomymother，ontheTomahawkranch，outfromLaramie。Anyonecantellyouwhereitis，whenyougetdownthatwayIfyouneedanymoneyuseit。AndtellmotherIsentherthefinestcookinthecountry。Mother，bytheway，isagreatmusician，Marian。ShetaughtmeallIknowofmusic。
　　You’dgetalongjustfinewithmother。Andsheneedsyou，honest。Sheisn’tverystrong，yetshecan’tfindanyonetosuit，downthere——"
　　"Imightnotsuit，either，"saidMarian，hervoicesomewhatmuffled。
　　"Oh，I’mnotafraidofthat。And——there’samessageIwanttosend——IpromisedmotherI’d——"
　　"Oh，hush！You’rereallyanawfullypoorprevaricator，Bud。
　　Thisistohelpme，you’replanning。"
　　"Well——it’stohelpmethatIwantyoutotakepartofthemoney。Thegangwon’tholdyouup，willthey？AndIwantmothertohaveit。Iwanthertohaveyou，too，——tohelpoutwhencompanycomesdriftinginthere，sometimesfifteenortwentystrong。EspeciallyonSunday。Motherhastowaitonthemandcookforthem，and——aslongasyouaregoingtocookforabunch，youmayaswelldoitwhereitwillbeappreciated，andwhereyou’llbetreatedlikea——likealadyoughttobetreated。"
　　"You’reevenworse——"beganMarian，laughingsoftly，andstoppedabruptly，listening，herheadturnedbehindthem。"
　　Sh—sh—someoneiscomingbehindus，"shewhispered。"We’realmostthrough——comeon，anddon’ttalk！"
　　CHAPTERSEVENTEEN：GUARDIANANGELSARERIDINGPOINT
　　Theyplungedintodarknessagain，rodeatahalftrotoversmooth，hardsand，BudtrustinghimselfwhollytoMarianandtothesagacityofthetwohorseswhocouldsee，hehoped，muchbetterthanhehimselfcould。Hiskeenhearinghadcaughtafaintsoundfrombehindthem——farbackinthecrevice—likegorgetheyhadjustquitted，hebelieved。ForMarian’ssakehestaredanxiouslyahead，eagerforthefirstfaintsuggestionofstarlightbeforethem。Itcame，andhebreathedfreerandfeltofhisguninitsholster，pullingitforwardaninchortwo。
　　"Thisway，Bud，"Marianmurmured，andswungBoisetotheleft，againstthemountainunderandthroughwhichtheyseemedtohavepassed。Sheledhimintoanothersmallgorgewhoseextenthecouldnotsee，andstoppedhimwithahandpressedagainstSunfish’sshoulder。
　　"We’dbettergetdownandholdourhorsesquiet，"shecautioned。"Boisemaytrytowhinny，andhemustn’t。"
　　Theystoodsidebysideattheirhorses’heads，holdingtheanimalsclose。ForatimetherewerenosoundsatallsavethebreathingofthehorsesandoncearepressedsighfromMarian。Budrememberedsuddenlyhowtiredshemustbe。Atsixo’clockthatmorningshehadfedtwelvemenasubstantialbreakfast。Atnoontherehadbeendinnerforseveralmorethantwelve，andsupperagainatsix——andhereshewas，riskingherlifewhensheshouldbeinbed。Hefeltforherfreehand，foundithanginglistlesslybyhersideandtookitinhisownandhelditthere，justasoneholdsthehandofatimidchild。YetMarianwasnottimid。
　　Asubduedmutterofvoices，theclickofhoofsstrikingagainststone，andthepursuerspassedwithinthirtyfeetofthem。Boisehadliftedhisheadtonickerasalute，butMarian’sjerkonthereinsstoppedhim。Theystoodverystill，notdaringsomuchasawhisperuntilthesoundshadrecededandsilencecameagain。
　　"Theytooktheside—hilltrail，"whisperedMarian，pushingBoisebackwardtoturnhiminthenarrowdefile。"You’llhavetogetdownthehillintothecreek—bedandfollowthatuntilyoucometothestageroad。Theremaybeotherscomingthatway，buttheywillbetwoorthreemilesbehindyou。Thistunneltrailcutsoffatleastfivemilesbutwehadtogoslower，yousee。
　　"RighthereyoucanleadSunfishdowntheblufftothecreek。
　　It’salldry，andaroundthefirstbendyouwillseewheretheroadcrosses。Turntotheleftonthatandride！Thishorseofyourswillhavetoshowthestuffthat’sinhim。GettoCrateraheadofthesementhattookthehilltrail。
　　They’llnotridefast——theyneverdreamedyouhadcomethroughhere，buttheycametocutoffthedistanceandtoheadyouoff。Withothersbehind，youmustbeatthemallinoryou’llbetrappedbetween。"
　　ShehadleftBoisetiedhastilytoabushandwaswalkingaheadofBuddownthesteep，rockyhillsidetoshowhimtheeasiestwayamongstthebouldersHalfwaydown，Budcaughthershoulderandstoppedher。
　　"I’mnotakid，"hesaidfirmly。"Icanmakeitfromherealone。Notanotherstep，younglady。IfyoucangetbackhomeYou’llbedoingenough。Takethis——it’smoney，butIdon’tknowhowmuch。Andwatchyourchanceandgodowntomotherwiththatmessage。Birnie，oftheTomahawkoutfit——you’llfindoutinLaramiewheretogo。AndtellmotherI’mallright，andshe’llseemesomeday——whenI’vemademystake。
　　Godblessyou，littlewoman。You’rethetruest，sweetestlittlewomanintheworld。There’sjustonemorelikeyou——
　　that’smother。Nowgoback——andforGod’ssakehecareful！"
　　Hepressedmoneyintohertwohands，heldthemtightlytogether，kissedthembothhurriedlyandplungeddownthehillwithSunfishslippingandslidingafterhim。Forhersafety，ifnotforhisown，hemeanttogetawayfromthereasquicklyaspossible。
　　Inthecreekbedhemountedandrodeawayatasharpgallop，gladthatSunfish，thoroughbredthoughhewas，hadnotbeenraisedtenderlyinstallandcorral，buthadrunfreewiththerangehorsesandhadlearnedtokeephisfeetunderhiminroughcountryorsmooth。WhenhereachedthecrossingofthestageroadheturnedtotheleftasMarianhadcommandedandputSunfishtoapacethatslidthemilesbehindhim。
　　WithhisthoughtsclingingtoMarian，totheharshnesswhichlifehadshownherwhowasallgoodnessandsweetnessandcourage，Budforgottokeepcarefulwatchbehindhim，ortolookfortheplacewherethehilltrailjoinedtheroad，asitprobablydidsomedistancefromCrater。Itwouldbeablindtrail，ofcourse——sinceonlytheCatrockgangandMarianknewofit。
　　Theycameintotheroadnotfarbehindhim，outofrock—
　　strewn，brushywildernessthatslopedupsteeplytotheruggedsidesofGoldGapmountains。Sunfishdiscoveredthemfirst，andgaveBudwarningjustbeforetheyidentifiedhimandbegantoshoot。
　　Budlaidhimselfalongtheshoulderofhishorsewithahandfulofmanetosteadyhimwhilehewatchedhischanceandfiredbackatthem。Therewerefour，justthenumberhehadguessedfromthesoundsastheycameoutofthetunnel。A
　　horseranstaggeringtowardhimwiththeothers，falteredandfell。Budwassorryforthat。Ithadbeennopartofhisplantoshootdownthehorses。
　　Thethreecameon，leavingthefourthtohisowndevices——andthat，too，wasquiteinkeepingwiththetypeofhumanvulturestheywere。TheykeptfiringatBud，andoncehefeltSunfishwinceandleapforwardasifaspurhadrakedhim。
　　Budshotagain，andthoughthesawonehorsemanlurchbackward。Buthecouldnotbesure——theyweregoingataterrificpacenow，andSunfishwasleavingthemfartherandfartherbehind。Theywereoutclassed，hopelesslyoutofpistolrange，andtheymusthaveknownit，foralthoughtheyheldtothechasetheyfirednomoreshots。
　　Thenadogbarked，andBudknewthathewaspassingaranch。
　　Hecouldsmellthefreshhayinthestacks，andamomentlaterhedescriedtheblackhulkofranchbuildings。Sunfishwasrunningeasily，hisbreathunlabored。Budstoodinthestirrupsandlookedback。Theywerestillcoming，forhecouldhearthepoundofhoofs。
　　Theranchwasbehindhim。Clearstarlightwasallaround，andthebulkofnearmountains。Theroadseemedsandy，yieldingbeneaththepoundofSunfish’shoofs。Budleanedforwardagaininthesaddle，andplannedwhathewoulddowhenhereachedCrater；foundtime，also，tohopethatMarianhadgoneback，andhadnotheardtheshooting。
　　Anotherdogbarked，thistimeontheright。Budsawthattheywerepassingapicketfence。Thebarkingofthisdogstartedanotherfartheraheadandtotheleft。HousessoclosetogethercouldonlymeanthathewasapproachingCrater。BudbegantopullSunfishdowntoamoreconventionalpace。Hedidnotparticularlywanttoseeheadsthrustfromwindows，andquestionsshoutedtohim。TheCatrockgangmighthavefriendsupthisway。Itwouldbestrange，Budthought，iftheyhadn’t。
　　Helopedalongtheroadgrownbroadernowandsmoother。Manyhouseshepassed，andthemouthsofobscurelanes。Dogsranoutathim。Budslowedtoawalkandturnedinthesaddle，listening。Awayback，wherehehadfirstmetthesignsofcivilization，thedoghehadarousedwasbarkingagain，hisdeepbayingblurredbythedistance。Budgrinnedtohimselfandrodeonatawalk，speakingnowandthentoaninquiringdogandcallinghimPurpinatonethatsoothed。
　　Crater，hediscoveredinacursorypatroloftheplace，wasnomorethananovergrownvillage。Thecourt—houseandjailstoodonthemainstreet，andjustbeyondwasthebank。Budrodehereandthere，examiningcloselythefrontsofvariousbuildingsbeforeheconcludedthattherewasonlytheonebankinCrater。Whenhewasquitesureofthathechoseplacenearbytherearofthebank，whereonehorseandacowoccupiedacomfortablecorraltogetherwithhay。HeunsaddledSunfishandturnedhimthere，himselfreturningtothebankbeforethoseothernight—ridershadmorethanreachedthefirststragglingsuburbsofthetown。
　　Ontheporchofthecourt—house，behindajuttingcornerpillarthatseemedespeciallydesignedfortheconcealmentofamaninBud’ssituation，herolledcigarettewhichhemeanttosmokelateronwhenthewaywasclear，andwaitedforthehorsementoappear。
　　Presentlytheycame，rodetoapointoppositethecourt—houseandbankwithnomorethanacarelessglancethatway，andhaltedinfrontofanuninvitinghotelacrossthestreet。Tworemainedontheirhorseswhilethethirdpoundedonthedoorandshookitbytheknobandfinallyraisedthelandlordfromhissleep。TherewasaconferencewhichBudwitnessedwithmuchinterest。Alamphadbeenlightedinthebareoffice，andagainsttheyellowglowBuddistinctlysawthelandlordnodhisheadtwice——whichplainlybetokenedsomesortofunderstanding。
　　Hewasgladthathehadnotstoppedatthehotel。Hefeltmuchmorecomfortableonthecourt—houseporch。"Mother’sguardianangelsmustberiding’point’to—night，"hemused。
　　ThehorsemenrodebacktoaliverystablewhichBudhadobservedbuthadnotentered。Theretheyalsosoughtfornewsofhim，itwouldappear。Youwillrecall，however，thatBudhadriddenslowlyintothebusinessdistrictofCrater，andhispassinghadbeenunmarkedexceptbythebarkingofdogsthatspenttheirnightsinyammeringateverysoundandsowerenevertakenseriously。Thethreehorsemenwereplainlynonplussedandconferredtogetherinlowtonesbeforetheyrodeon。ItwasevidentthattheymeanttofindBudiftheycould。WhattheymeanttodowithhimBuddidnotattempttoconjecture。Hedidnotintendtobefound。
　　Afterawhilethehorsemenrodebacktothehotel，gotthelandlordoutwithlessdifficultythanbeforeandhadanothertalkwithhim。
　　"HestoleahorsefromDaveTruman，"Budheardoneofthethreesaydistinctly。"ThatthererunninghorseDavehad。"
　　Thelandlordtuckedinhisshirtandexclaimedatthenews，andBudheardhimmentionthesheriff。Butnothingcameofthatevidently。Theytalkedfurtherandreinedtheirhorsestoridebackwhencetheycame。
　　"Helikely’sgiveustheslipoutsideoftown，someplace，"
　　onemanconcluded。"We’llridebackandsee。Ifheshowsup，he’lllikelywanttoeat……AndsendDickouttotheStiversplace。We’llcomea—running。"HehadloweredhisvoicesothatBudcouldnothearwhatwastohappenbeforethelandlordsentDick，buthedecidedhewouldnotpryintothematterandtrytofillthatgapintheconversation。
　　Hesatwherehewasuntilthethreehadriddenbackdownthesandyroadwhichservedasastreet。Thenheslippedbehindthecourt—houseandsmokedhiscigarette，andwentandborrowedhayfromthecowandthehorseinthecorralandmadehimselfsomesortofbedwithhissaddleblankettohelpout，andsleptuntilmorning。
　　CHAPTEREIGHTEEN：THECATROCKGANG
　　Awomanwithacheckeredapronandamotherlylookcametoletherchickensoutandmilkthecow，andwokeBudsothatshecouldtellhimshebelievedhehadbeenona"toot"，orheneverwouldhavetakensuchalibertywithhercorral。Budagreedtothetoot，andapologized，andaskedforbreakfast。
　　Andthewoman，afteronegoodlookathim，handedhimthemilkbucketandaskedhimhowhelikedhiseggs。
　　"Allthewayfrombarntobreakfast，"Budgrinned，andthewomanchuckledandcalledhimSmarty，andtoldhimtocomeinassoonasthecowwasmilked。
　　BudhadagreatbreakfastwiththewidowHanson。Shetalked，andBudlearnedagooddealaboutCrateranditssurroundings，andwhenhespokeofholdupgangssheseemedtoknowimmediatelywhathemeant，andtoldhimagreatdealmoreabouttheCatrockersthanMarianhaddone。EverythingfrommurderingandrobbingapeddlertolootingthebanksatCraterandLavawaslaidtotheCatrockers。Theywerethehumanbuzzardsthatwatchedoverthecountryandswoopeddownwherevertherewasmoney。Thesheriffcouldn’tdoanythingwiththem，andnooneexpectedhimto，sofarasBudcoulddiscover。
　　HehesitatedalongtimebeforeheaskedaboutMarianMorris。
　　Mrs。HansonweptwhilesherelatedMarian’shistory，whichinsubstancewasexactlywhatMarianherselfhadtoldBud。Mrs。
　　Hanson，however，toldhowMarianhadfoughttosaveherfatherandEd，andhowshehadmarriedLewMorrisasapartofhercampaignforhonestyandgoodness。NowshewasdownatLittleLostcookingforagangofmen，saidMrs。Hanson，whensheoughttobeoutintheworldsingingforthousandsandherinsilksanddiamondsinsteadofginghamdressesandnotenoughofthem。
　　"MarianCollieristhesweetestthingthatevergrewupinthiscountry，"theoldladysniffled。"She’soneinathousandandwhenshewasofftoschoolsheshowedthatshewasn’tnocommontrash。Shewantedtobeanoperysinger，butthenhermotherdiedandMariandonewhatlookedtobeherduty。AbirdinatrapiswhatIcallher。"
　　Budregrettedhavingopenedthesubject，andpraisedthecookingbywayofturninghishostess’sthoughtsintoadifferentchannel。Heaskedherifshewouldaccepthimasaboarderwhilehewasintown，andwaspromptlyaccepted。
　　Hedidnotwanttoappearinpublicuntilthebankwasopened，andhewasabittroubledoveridentification。Therecouldbenoharm，hereflected，inconfidingtoMrs。Hansonasmuchaswasnecessaryofhisadventures。Whereforehedriedthedishesforherandtoldherhiserrandintown，andwhyitwasthatheandhishorsehadsleptinhercorralinsteadofpatronizinghotelandliverystable。Heshowedherthecheckshewantedtocash，andaskedher，withflatteringeagernessforheradvice，whatheshoulddo。Hehadbeenwarned，hesaid，thatJeffandhisfriendsmighttrytobeathimyetbystoppingpayment，andheknewthathehadbeenfollowedbythemtotown。
　　"WhatYou’lldowillbewhatItellye，"MrsHansonrepliedwithdecision。"Thecashierisafriendtome——Iwaswithhiswifelastmonthwithherfirstbaby，andtheyswearbymenow，forIgavehergoodcare。We’llgoovertherethisminute，andhavetalkwithhim。He’lldowhathecanforye，andhe’lldoitformysake。"
　　"Youdon’tknowme，remember，"Budremindedherhonestly。
　　ThewidowHansongavehimascornfulsmileandtossofherhead。"AnddoInot？"shedemanded。DoyouthinkI’veburiedthreehusbandsandthinkingnowofthefourth，withoutknowingwhat’swroteaman’sface？ThreeIburied，andonlyonediedhisbed。Icantellifaman’shonestornot，withoutgivinghimthesecondlook。Ifyou’vegotthemchecksyoushouldgetthemoneyonthem——forIknowtheirstripe。
　　ComeonwithmetoJimmyLawton’shouse。He’slikelyholdingthebabywhileMiniedoesthedishes。"
　　Mrs。Hansonguessedshrewdly。ThecashieroftheCraterCountyBankwasdoingexactlywhatshesaidhewouldbedoing。Hewassittinginthekitchen，rockingapinkbabywrappedinwhiteoutingflannelwithblueborder，whenMrs。
　　Hanson，withouttheformalityofmorethanonewarningtaponthescreendoor，walkedinwithBud。SheheldoutherhandsforthebabywhilesheintroducedthecashiertoBud。Inthenextbreathshewasexplainingwhatwaswantedofthebank。
　　"They’vedoneitbefore，andyeknowit’splainthieveryandoughttobecomplainedabout。Sonowgetyourwitstowork，Jimmy，forthisfriendofmineisentitledtohismoneyandshouldhaveitifitistheretobehad。"
　　"Oh，it’sthere，"saidJimmy。Helookedathiswatch，lookedatthekitchenclock，lookedatBudandwinked。"Weopenatnine，inthistown，"hesaid。"Itlackshalfanhour——butletmeseethosechecks。"
　　VeryrelievedlyBudproducedthem，watchedthecashierscaneachonetomakesurethattheywereright，andquakedwhenJimmyscowledatJeffHall’ssignatureonthelargestcheckofall。"Hehadanotiontousethewrongsignature，buthemayhavelosthisnerve。It’sallright，Mr。Birnie。Justendorsethese，andI’lltakethemintothebankandattendtothemthefirstthingIdoafterthedoorisopen。You’dbettercomeinwhenIopenup——"
　　"Theganghadsometalkaboutcleaningoutthebankwhilethey’reaboutit，"Budrememberedsuddenly。"Can’tyouappointmesomething，orhiremeasaguardandletmehelpout？Howmanymendoyouhavehereinthisbank？"
　　"Two，exceptwhenthepresident’sinhisofficeintherear。
　　That’sfineofyoutooffer。We’vebeenheldup，once——andtheycleanedusoutofcash。"JimmyturnedtoMrs。Hanson。
　　"Mother，can’tyourunoverandhaveJesscomeandswearMr。
　　Birnieinasadeputy？IfIgo，orhegoes，someonemaynoticeitandtipthegangoff。"
　　Mrs。Hansonhastilydepositedthebabyinitscradleandwenttocall"Jess"，herfacepinkwithexcitement。
　　"You’reluckyyoustoppedatherhouseinsteadofsomeotherplace，"Jimmyobserved。"She’sacorkinggoodwoman。Asadeputysheriff，you’llcomeinmightyhandyiftheydotryanything，Mr。Birnie——ifyou’rethekindofamanyoulooktobe。I’llbetyoucanshoot。Canyou？"
　　"Ifyouscaremebadlyenough，Imightgetacrampinmytriggerfinger，"Budconfessed。Jimmygrinnedandwentbacktoconsideringhisownpart。
　　"I’llcashthesechecksforyouthefirstthingIdo。Andasdeputyyoucangowithme。I’llhavetounlockthedoorontime，andiftheymeantostoppayment，andcleanthebanktoo，itwillprobablybedoneallatonce。Ithasbeenayearsincetheybotheredus，sotheymayneedalittlechange。IfJessisn’tbusyhemaystickaround。"
　　"Nooneexpectshimtoroundupthegang，Iheard。"
　　"NooneexpectshimtogointoCatrockCanyonafterthem。
　　He’llroundthemup，quickenough，ifhecancatchthemfarenoughfromtheirholes。"
　　JessreturnedwithMrs。Hanson，sworeinanewdeputy，eyedBudcuriously，andagreedtoremainhiddenacrosstheroadfromthebankwitharifle。HenoddedunderstandinglywhenBudwarnedhimthatthelootingwasamatterofhearsayonhispart，anddepartedwithanawkwardcomplimenttoMrs。Jimabouthopingthatthebabywasgoingtolooklikeher。
　　Jimlivedjustbehindthebank，andahighboardfencebetweenthetwobuildingsservedtohidehiscomingandgoing。ButBudtookoffhishatandwalkedstooping，——byspecialrequestofMrs。Hanson——tomakesurethathewasnotobserved。
　　"IthinkI’llstandoutinfrontofthewindow，"saidBudwhentheywereinside。"Itwilllookmorenatural，andifanyofthesefellowsshowupI’djustassoonnotshowmybrandthefirstthing。"
　　Theyshowedup，allright，withintwominutesoftheunlockingofthebankandtherollingupoftheshades。JeffHallwasthefirstmantowalkin，andhestoppedshortwhenhesawBudloungingbeforetheteller’swindowandthecashierbusywithin。Othermenwerestragglingupontheporch，andtwoofthementered。JeffwalkedovertoBud，whoshiftedhispositionenoughtobringhimfacingJeff，whomhedidnottrustatall。
　　"Mr。Lawton，"Jeffbeganhurriedly，"Iwanttostoppaymentonacheckthisyoungfellergotfrommebyfraud。It’sforfivethousandeighthundreddollars，andInotifyyou——"
　　"Toolate，Mr。Hall。Ihavealreadyacceptedthechecks。
　　Wheredidthefraudcomein？Youcanbringsuit，ofcourse，torecover。"
　　"I’lltellyou，Jimmy。Hebetthatmyhorsecouldn’tbeatDaveTruman’sBoise。Agoodmanybetonthesamething。Butmyhorseprovedtohavemorespeed，soalotofthemaresore。"BudchuckledasotherSundayloserscamestragglingin。
　　"Well，it’stoolate。Ihavehonoredthechecks，"Jimmysaidcrisply，andturnedtohandasealedmanilaenvelopetothebookkeeperwithwhisperedinstructions。Thebookkeeper，whohadjustenteredfromtherearoftheoffice，turnedonhisheelandleftagain。
　　Jeffmutteredsomethingtohisfriendsandwentoutsideasiftheirbusinessweredonefortheday。
　　"Igaveyoufivethousandincurrencyandthebalanceinacashier’scheck，"Jimmywhisperedthroughhewicket。"Sentittothehouse，Wedon’tkeepagreatdeal——tenthousand’sourlimitincash，andIdon’tthinkyouwanttopackgoldorsilver——"
　　"No，Ididn’t。I’drather——"
　　Twomencamein，onegoingovertothedeskwhereheapparentlywroteacheck，theothercamestraighttothewindow。BudlookedintotheheavilybeardedfaceofamanwhohadtheeyesofLewMorris。Heshiftedhispositionalittlesothathefacedtheman’srightside。Theoneatthedeskwasglancingslylyoverhisshoulderatthebookkeeper，whohadjustreturnedtohiswork。
　　"CanyouchangethistwentysoIcangetsevendollarsandaquarteroutofit？"askedthemanathewindow。Asheslidthebillthroughthewickethestartedtosneeze，andreachedbackward——forhishandkerchief，apparently。
　　"Here’sone，"saidBud。"Don’tsneezetoohard，old—timer，oryou’reliabletosneezeyourwhiskersalloff。It’shappenedbefore。"
　　SomeoneoutsidefiredashotinatBud，clippinghishatbandinfront。Atthesoundoftheshotthewhiskeredonesnatchedhisgunout，andthecashiershothim。Budhadsentashotthroughtheoutsidewindowandhitsomebody——whom，hedidnotknow，forhehadnotimetolook。Theyoungfellowatthedeskhadwhirled，andwaspointingagunshakily，firstathecashierandthenatBud。Budfiredandknockedhegunoutofhishand，thensteppedoverthemanhesuspectedwasLewandcaughttheyoungfellowbythewrist。
　　"You’reEdCollier——byyoureyesandyourmouth，"Budsaidinarapidundertone。"I’mgoingtogetyououtofthis，ifyou’lldowhatIsay。Willyou？"
　　"Hegotmeinhere，honest，"theyoungfellowquaked。Hecouldn’tbemorethannineteen，Budguessedswiftly。
　　"Letmethrough，Jimmy，"Budorderedhurriedly。"Yougotthemanthatputupthisjob。I’lltakethekidoutthebackway，ifyoudon’tmind。"
　　Jimmyopenedthesteel—grilleddoorandletthemthrough。
　　"EdCollier，"hesaidinatoneofrecognition。"Iheardhewastrailing——"
　　"Forgetit，Jimmy。Ifthesheriffasksabouthim，sayhegotout。Now，Ed，I’mgoingtotakeyouovertoMrs。Hanson’s。
　　She’llkeepaneyeonyouforawhile。"
　　Eddiewaslookingatthedeadmanonthefloor，andtremblingsothathedidnotattempttoreply；andbywayofJimmy’sbackfenceandthewidowHanson’sbarnandcorral，BudgotEddiesafeintothekitchenjustasthatdeterminedladywasleavinghomewithashotguntohelpdefendthehonorofthetown。
　　Budtookherbytheshoulderandtoldherwhathewantedhertodo。"He’sMarian’sbrother，andtooyoungtobewiththatgang。Sokeephimhere，safeandoutofsight，untilIcome。
　　ThenI’llwanttoborrowyourhorse。ShallItiethekid？"
　　"Andmeanable—bodiedwomanthatcouldturnhimacrostmyknee？"Mrs。Hanson’seyessnapped。
　　"It’smorelikelytheboyneedshisbreakfast。Getalongwithye！"
　　Budgotalong，slippingintothebankbythereardoorandtakingahandinthedesultoryfiringinthestreet。Thesheriffhadacoupleofmenironedandonemandownandthelandlordofthehotelwasdoingagreatdealofexplainingthathehadneverseenthebanditsbefore。JustbywayofstimulatinghismemoryBudthrewabulletclosetohisheels，andthelandlordthereupongrovelledandweptwhileheprotestedhisinnocence。
　　"He’sadamnliar，sheriff，"Budcalledacrossthehoof—
　　scarredroad。"Hewastalkingtothemabouteleveno’clocklastnight。Therewerethreethatchasedmeintotown，andtheygothimupoutofbedtofindoutwhetherI’dstoppedthere。Ihadn’t，luckilyforme。IfIhadhe’dhaveshowedthemthewaytomyroom，andhe’dhavehadadeadboarderthismorning。Keeprightonsheddingtears，youoldcut—
　　throat！Iwassittingonthecourt—houseporch，lastnight，andIheardeverywordthatpassedbetweenyouandtheCatrockers！"
　　"I’vebeensuspicioningherewaswheretheygottheirinformationrightalong，"thesheriffcommented，andslippedthehandcuffsonthelandlord。InvestigationprovedthatJeffHallandhisfriendshadsuddenlydecidedthattheyhadnobusinesswiththebankthatday，andhadmountedandgallopedoutoftownwhenthefirstshotwasfired。WhichsimplifiedmattersabitforBud。
　　InJimmyLawton’skitchenhereceivedhismoney，andwhentheprisonerswerelockeduphesavedhimselfsometroublewiththesheriffbyhuntinghimupandexplainingjustwhyhehadtakentheCollierboyintocustody。
　　"Youknowyourselfhe’sjustakid，andifyousendhimovertheroadhe’sacriminalforlife。IbelieveIcanmakeadecentmanofhim。Iwanttotry，anyway。Soyoujustleavemethisdeputy’sbadge，andmakemycommissionregularandpermanent，andI’llkeepaneyeonhim。GivemeapapersoI
　　cangetarequisitionandbringhimbacktostandtrial，anytimehebreaksout。I’llberesponsibleforhim，sheriff。"
　　"Andwhoinblazesareyou？"thesheriffinquired，withagrintoremovethestingofsuspicion。"Namesoundedfamiliar，too！"
　　"BudBirnieoftheTomahawk，downnearLaramie；TelegraphLaramieifyoulikeandfindoutaboutme。
　　"GoodLord！IknowtheTomahawklikeabook！"criedthesheriff。"Andyou’reBobBirnie’sboy！Say！D’yourememberdraggingintocamponthesummitonetimewhenyouwasabouttwelveyearsold——beenhidin’outfromInjunsaboutthreedays？Well，say！I’mthefellerthatpackedyouintothetent，andfedyuhwhenyuhcometo。RememberthetimeIrodedownandstayedovernightatyoreplace，thetimeBillNyecomedownfromhisprospectholeupintheSnowies，bringin’
　　wordtheInjunswasupagain？"ThesheriffgrabbedBud’shandandheldit，shakingitupanddownnowandthentoemphasizehiswords。
　　"FolkscalledyouBuddy，then。Irememberyuh，helpin’yourmothercook’n’washdishesforusfellers。IkindafeltlikeIhadaclaimonyuh，Buddy。
　　"Say，BillNye，he’sfamousnow。Writin’booksfullofjokes，andallthat。Healwayswasacomicalcuss。Don’tyourememberhowthebunchofuslaughedathimwhenhedriftedinaboutdark，himandfourburros——thatonehecalledBoomerang，thathenamedhispaperafterinLaramie？I’vetoldlotsoftimeswhathesaidwhenhecomestoopin’intothekitchen——howColorouhadsenthimwordthathe’dgiveBilljustfoursleepstogetoutathere。An，’Hell！’saysBill。’Ididn’tneedanysleeps！’An’weallturnedtoandcookedahullbeefyoredadhadbutcheredthatday——andBillloadedupwiththefirstchunkswehadready，andpulledhisfreight。Hesuredidn’tneedanysleeps——"
　　"Yes，youbetIremember。JesseCummingsisyourname。Isureoughttorememberyou，foryouandyourpartnersavedmylife，Iexpect。IthoughtI’dseenyoubefore，whenyoumademedeputy。Howaboutthekid？CanIhavehim？LewMorris，themanthatkepthimonthewrongsideofthelaw，isdead，I
　　heardthedoctorsay。Jimmygothimwhenhepulledhisgun。"
　　"Why，yes——ifthetowndon’tgitontometurnin’himloose，I
　　guessyoucanhavethekidforallIcare。Hedidn’ttakeanypartintheholdup，didheBuddy？"
　　"Hewasoverbythecustomers’deskwhenLewstarted，toholdupthecashier。"
　　"WellIgotenoughprisonerssoIguesshewon’tbemissed。
　　Butyoulookouthowyuhgithimoutatown。Betterwaittilkindalateto—night。Isurewouldliketoseehimgitashow。
　　ThemtwoCollierkidsneverdidhaveasquaredeal，farasI’veheard。
　　Butbecareful，youngster。IwantanothertermoffthiscountyifIcangetit。Don’tgogetmeinbad。"
　　"Iwon’t，"BudpromisedandhurriedbacktoMrs。Hanson’shouse。
　　ThatestimableladywaspattingbutterinawoodenbowlwhenBudwentin。Sheturnedandbrushedawispofgrayhairfromherfacewithherforearmandsh—shedhimintosilentstepping，motioningtowardaninnerroom。Budtiptoedandlooked，sawEdCollierfastasleep，swaddledinablanket，andgrinnedhisapproval。
　　Hemadesurethatthesleepwasgenuine，alsothattheblanketswaddlingwasefficient。Moreover，hediscoveredthatMrs。Hansonhadveryprudentlyattachedathinwiretothefootoftheblanketcocoon，hadpassedthewirethroughaknotholeinacupboardsetintothepartition，andtoasheepbellwhichshenodoubtexpectedtoringuponprovocation——suchasaprisonerstrugglingtoreleasehisfeetfromagrayblanketfastenedwithmanylargesafetypins。
　　"Hewentrighttosleep，theminuteI’dfedhimandtiedhimsnug，"Mrs。Hansonmurmured。"Hewasasulkydivvleandwouldn’tgiveadecentanswertometillhehadhisstomachfilled。Fromthewayhewadedintothehamandeggs，Iguessasquaremealandhimhasbeenstrangersforalongtime。"
　　SleepandEdColliermusthavebeenstrangersalso，forBudattendedtheinquestofLewMorris，visitedafterwardswithSheriffCummings，whowasfullofreminiscenceandwantedtoremindBudofeverythingthathadeverhappenedwithinhisknowledgeduringthetimewhentheyhadbeenneighborswithnomorethanfortymilesorsobetweenthem。ThesheriffofferedBudahorseandsaddle，whichhepromisedtodelivertothewidow’scorralafterthecitizensofCraterhadgonetobed。AndwhilehedidnotsaythatitwouldbeEd’shorse，Budguessedshrewdlythatitwould。Afterthat，Budcarefullyslittheliningofhisbootstuckedmoneyandchecksintotheopeninghehadmade，anddidaveryneatrepairjob。
　　AllthatwhileEdCollierslept。WhenBudreturnedforhissupperEdhadevidentlyjustawakenedandwaslyingonhisbackbitinghislipwhileheeyedthewirethatranfromhisfeettothepartingofapairofcalicocurtains。HedidnotseeBud，whowaswatchinghimthroughacrackinthedoorattheheadofthebed。Edwasplainlypuzzledatthewireandabitresentful。Heliftedhisfeetuntilthewirewaswellslackened，heldthempoisedforaminuteanddeliberatelybroughtthemdownhardonthefloor。
　　Theresultwasallthathecouldpossiblyhaveexpected。
　　Somewherewasaviciousclang，therattleofatinpanandtheapproachingoutcryofawoman。Budretreatedtothekitchentoviewthedevastationanddiscoveredthatasheepbellnottoocleanhadbeendislodgedfromanailanddraggedthroughonepanofmilkintoanother，whereitwasrollingonitsedge，stirringthecreamthathadrisen。AsMrs。Hansonrushedinfromthebackyard，Budreturnedtotheangrycaptive’sside。
　　"I’vegothimsafe，"hesoothedMrs。Hansonandhershotgun。
　　"Hejusthadanightmare。Perhapsthatbreakfastyoufedhimwastoohearty。I’lllookafterhimnow，Mrs。Hanson。Wewon’tbebotheringyoulong，anyway。"
　　Mrs。Hansonwastalkingtoherselfwhenshewenttohermilkpans，andBudreleasedEddieCollier，guessinghowhumiliatingitmustbetobeayoungfellowpinnedintoablanketwithsafetypins，andknowingfromcertainexperiencesofhisownthathumiliationisquiteasapttobreedtroubleasanyotheremotion。
　　EddiesatupontheedgeofthebedandstaredatBud。HiseyeswerelikeMarian’sinshapeandcolor，buttheirexpressionwassuspicion，defiance，andwatchfulnessblendedintoonecompellingstarethatspelledFear。OrsoBudreadit，havingtrappedanimalsofvariousgradeseversincehehadcaughtthe"HAWNTOAD"，andseenthatlookmany，manytimesintheeyesofhiscatch。
　　"How’dyouliketotakeatripwithme——asakindofapartner？"Budbegancarelessly，pullingasplinteroffthehomemadebedforwhichMrs。Hansonwouldnotthankhim——andbeginningtowhittleittoasharppointaimlessly，asmenhaveawayofdoingwhentheirmindsareatworkuponaproblemwhichrequires——muchconstructivethinking。
　　"Pardnerinwhat？"Eddiecounteredsullenly。
　　"PardnerinwhatIamplanningtodotomakemoney。Icanmakemoney，youknow——andstayonfriendlytermswiththesheriff，too。That’sbetterthanyourbunchhasbeenabletodo。Idon’tmindtellingyou——it’sstalenews，Iguess——thatIcleanedupclosetotwelvethousanddollarsinlessthanamonth，offaworkingcapitalofthreethoroughbredhorsesandaboutsixtydollarscash。AndI’lladdtheknowledgethatI
　　wasplayingagainstmenthatwouldslipacolddeckiftheyplayedsolitaire，theyweresocrooked。Andifthatdoesn’trecommendmesufficiently，I’llsayI’madeputysheriffofCraterCounty，andJesseCummingsknowsmypast。Iwanttohireyoutogowithmeandmakesomemoney，andI’llpayyoufortyamonthandfivepercentbonusonmyprofitsattheendoftwoyears。Thefirstyearmaynotshowanyprofits，butthesecondyearwill。Howdoesitsoundtoyou？"
　　Hehadbeenrollingacigarette，andnowheofferedthe"makings"toEd，whoacceptedthemmechanically，hiseyesstillstaringhardatBud。Heglancedtowardthedoorandtheonelittlewindowwherewildcucumbervineswerethicklymatted，andBudinterpretedhisglance。
　　"LewandanotherCatrocker——theonethattriedtoropemedownintheSinks——aredead，andthreemoreareinjail。
　　Businesswon’tbeverybriskwiththeCatrockgangforawhile。"
　　"Ifyou’retryingtobribemeintosquealingontherest，you’readamnfool，"saidEddieharshly。"Iain’tthesquealingkind。Youcanleadmeovertojailfirst。I’drathertakemychanceswiththeothers。"Hewasbreathinghardwhenhefinished。
　　"Ratherthanworkforme？"Budslicedoffthesharppointwhichhehadsocarefullywhittled，andbegantosharpenanewone。Eddiewatchedhimfascinatedly。
　　"Ratherthansquealonthebunch。There’snootherreasoninGod’sworldwhyyou’dmakemeanofferlikethat。Iain’tafoolquite，ifmyheaddoesrunuptoapeak。"
　　Budchewedhislip，whittled，andfinallythrewthesplinteraway。WhenheturnedtowardEddiehiseyeswereshiny。
　　"Kid，you’rebreakingyoursister’sheart，followingthistrail。I’dliketoseeyougiveherachancetospeakyournamewithoutblinkingbacktears。I’dliketoseehersmileallthewayfromherdimplestohereyeswhenshethinksofyou。That’swhyImadetheoffer——thatandbecauseIthinkyou’dearnyourwages。"
　　Eddielookedathim，lookedaway，staringvacantlyatthewall。Hiseyelasheswereblinkingveryfast，hislipbegantotremble。"You——I——Ineverwantedto——Iain’tworthsaving——
　　oh，hell！Ineverhadachancebefore——"Hedroppedsidewiseonthebed，buriedhisfaceinhisarmsandsobbedhoarsely，liketheboyhewas。
　　CHAPTERNINETEEN：BUDRIDESTHROUGHCATROCKANDLOSESMARIAN
　　"You’llhavetoshowmethetrail，pardner，"saidBudwhentheyweremakingtheirwaycautiouslyoutoftownbywayofthetincansuburbs。"Icouldfigureoutthedirectionallright，andmakeitbymorning；butseeingyougrewuphere，I’llletyoupilot。"
　　"You’llhavetotellmewhereyouwanttogo，first，"saidEddiewithagooddealofsullennessstillinhisvoice。
　　"LittleLost。"Withoutintendingtodoso，Budputagooddealofmeaninginhisvoice。
　　Eddiedidnotsayanything，butveeredtotheright，climbinghigherontheslopethanBudwouldhavegone。"Wecantakethehightrail，"hevolunteeredwhentheystoppedtorestthehorses。"IttakesupoverthesummitanddownBurrobackValley。It’slonger，butthestageroadedgesalongtheSinksand——itmightberoughgoing，afterwegetdownapiece。"
　　"Howabouttheside—hilltrail，throughCatrockPeak？"
　　Eddieturnedsharply。InthestarlightBudwaswatchinghim，wonderingwhathewasthinking。
　　"How’dyougetnexttoanyside—hilltrail？"Eddieaskedafteraminute。"Youbeenoverit？"
　　"Isurelyhave。AndIexpecttogoagain，to—nigh！Ayoungfellowaboutyoursizeisgoingtoactapilot，andgetmetoLittleLostasquickaspossibe。It’llbedaylightatthat。"
　　"Ifyougotanotherdaycoming，itbetterbebeforedaylightwegetthere，"Eddieretortedglumly。Hhesitated，turnedhishorseandledthewaydowntheslope，anglingdownawayfromthewell—travelledtrailoverthesummitofGoldGap。
　　ThathesitationtoldBud，withoutwords，howtenuouswashisholduponEddie。Hepossessedsufficientimaginationtoknowthathisowncarefullydisciplinepast，shelteredfromactualcontactwithevil，hadgivenhimlittleenoughbywhichtomeasurethesoulofayouthlikeEddieCollier。
　　HowlongEddiehadsuppedandsleptwiththievesandmurderers，Budcouldonlyguess。FromthelittlethatMarianhadtoldhim，Eddie’sfatherhadbeenoneofthegang。Atleast，shehadplainlystatedthatheandLewhadbeenpartners——thoughColliermighthavebeenranchinginnocentlyenough，andignorantofLew’srealnature。
　　Atallevents，Eddiewasaladwellschooledininequitysuchasthewildernessfostersinsturdyfashion。Widespacesgiveroomforgreatvirtuesandgreatwickedness。Budfeltthathewasbettinglargeoddsonanunknownquantity。HewasplacinghimselfliterallyinthehandsofanacknowledgedCatrocker，becauseofthecleangazeofapairofeyes，thefinecurveofthemouth。
　　Foralongtimetheyrodewithoutspeech。Eddieinthelead，Budfollowing，alerttoeverylittlemovementinthesage，everylittlesoundofthenight。Thatwaswhatwerathernaivelycall"secondnature"，habitbornofBud’sgrowingyearsamongstdangerswhicheverypioneerfamilyknows。Alerthewas，yetdeeplydreaming；atenuousdreamtoosweettocometrue，hetoldhimself；adreamwhichheneverdaredtodreamuntilthecoolstars，andthelittlenightwindbegantowhispertohimthatMarianwasfreefromthebrutethathadownedher。Hescarcelydaredthinkofityet。Shylyherememberedhowhehadheldherhandtogivehercouragewhiletheyrodeindarkness；herpoorwork—roughenedlittlehand，thathadbeenoldwhenhetookitfirst，andhadwarmedinhisclasp。Herememberedhowhehadpressedherhandstogetherwhentheyparted——why，surelyitwaslongeragothanlastnight！——andhadkissedthemreverentlyashewouldkissthefingersofaqueen。
　　"Hell’stoogoodforLewMorris，"heblurtedunexpectedly，thethoughtofMarian’sbruisedcheekcominglikeablow。
　　"Wanttogoandtellhimso？Ifyoudon’tyuhbettershutup，"Eddiewhisperedfiercewarning。"Youneedn’tthinkalltheCatrockersaredeadorinjail。They’safewleftandthey’dkillyuhquicker’nthey’dtakeadrink。"
　　Bud，embarrassedattheemotionbehindhisstatement，ratherthanashamedoftheremarkitself，madenoreply。
　　MuchasEddiedesiredsilence，hehimselfpulledupandspokeagainwhenBudhadriddenclose。
　　"IguessyoucomethroughtheGap，"hewhispered。"They’sashorterwaythanthat——Sisdon’tknowit。It’sonethebunchusesalot——iftheycatchus——Icansavemyhidebymakin’
　　outIledyouintoatrap。You’llgetyours，anyway。Howmuchsandyougot？"
　　Budleanedandspatintothedarkness。"Notmuch。Maybeenoughtogetthroughthisscaryshort—cutofyours。"
　　"Youtellthetruthwhenyousayscary。It’ssodarncrazytogodownCatrockCanyonmaybetheywon’tthinkwe’dtackleit。
　　Andiftheycatchus，I’llsayIledyuhin——andthen——say，I’mkindabettin’onyourluck。Thewayyoucleaneduponthemhorses，maybeluck’llstaywithyou。AndI’llhelpallI
　　can，honest。"
　　"Fine。"BudreachedoverandclosedhisfingersaroundEddie’sthin，boyisharm。"Youdidn’ttellmeyetwhytheothertrailisn’tgoodenough。"
　　"IheardasoundintheGaptunnel，that’swhy。Youmaybedidn’tknowwhatitwas。Iknowthemechoestoafare—ye—
　　well。Somebody’sthere——likelypostedwaiting。"Hewasmotionlessforaspace，listening。
　　"Getoff—easy。Takeoffyourspurs。"Eddiewasdown，whisperingeagerlytoBud。"There’sadraftofairfromtheblow—holesthatcomesthisway。Soundcomesoutatherealoteasierthanitgoesin。SisandIfoundthatout。Leadyourhorse——iftheyjumpus，givehimalickwiththequirtandhideinthebrush。"
　　LikeIndiansthetwomadetheirwaydownaramblingslopenotfarfromwhereMarianhadguidedBud。To—night，however，Eddieledthewaytotherightinsteadoftheleft，whichseemedtoBudadirectionthatwouldbringthemdownOldmancreek，thatdryriverbed，andfinally，perhaps，totheracetrack。
　　Eddieneverdidexplainjusthowhemadehiswaythroughamazeofwater—cutpillarsandheapsofsandstonesobewilderingthatBudafterwardsworethatinspiteofthefactthathewasleadingSunfish，hefrequentlyfoundhimselfatthatpatientanimal’stail，wheretheyweredoubledaroundsomefreakishpillar。FrequentlyEddiestoppedandpeeredpasthishorsetomakesurethatBudhadnotlostthetrail。
　　Andfinally，becausehewasnodoubtworriedoverthatpossibility，heknottedhisropetohissaddlehorn，broughtbackalengththatreachedafullpacebehindthetailofthehorse，andplacedtheendinBud’shand。
　　"Ifyuhlosemeyou’reagoner，"hewhispered。"Sohangontothat，nomatterwhatcomes。Anddon’tyuhspeaktome。Thisishell’scorralandwe’rewalkingthetoptrailrightnow。"
　　HemadesurethatBudhadtheloopinhishand，thenslippedbackpasthishorseandwenton，walkingmorequickly。
　　Budadmittedafterwardsthathewasperfectlywillingtobeledlikeatamesquirrelaroundthetopof"hell’scorral"，whateverthatwas。AllthatBudsawwasanintricateassemblyofthoseterrificpillars，whoseheighthedidnotknow，sincehehadnotimetoglanceupandestimatethedistance。