第6章

"Dad, I don't believe Joel is--perfectly right in his mind," Lucy said, solemnly.

"Haw! haw! Fine compliments you're payin' yourself.""Listen.I'm serious.I mean I've grown to see---looking back-- that a slow, gradual change has come over Joel since he was kicked in the head by a mustang.I'm sure no one else has noticed it.""Goin' batty over you.That's no unusual sign round this here camp.Look at--""We're talking about Joel Creech.Lately he has done some queer things.

To-day, for instance.I thought I gave him the slip.But he must have been watching.Anyway, to my surprise he showed up on Peg.He doesn't often get Peg across the river.He said the feed was getting scarce over there.I was dying to race Buckles against Peg, but I remembered you wouldn't like that.""I should say not," said Bostil, darkly.

"Well, Joel caught up to me--and he wasn't nice at all.He was worse to-day.

We quarreled.I said I'd bet he'd never follow me again and he said he'd bet he would.Then he got sulky and hung back.I rode away, glad to be rid of him, and I climbed to a favorite place of mine.On my way home I saw Peg grazing on the rim of the creek, near that big spring-hole where the water's so deep and clear.And what do you think? There was Joel's head above the water.Iremembered in our quarrel I had told him to go wash his dirty face.He was doing it.I had to laugh.When he saw me--he--then--then he--" Lucy faltered, blushing with anger and shame.

"Well, what then?" demanded Bostil, quietly.

"He called, 'Hey, Luce--take off your clothes and come in for a swim!'"Bostil swore.

"I tell you I was mad," continued Lucy, "and just as surprised.That was one of the queer things.But never before had he dared to--to-""Insult you.Then what 'd you do?" interrupted Bostil, curiously.

"I yelled, 'I'll fix you, Joel Creech!'...His clothes were in a pile on the bank.At first I thought I'd throw them in the water, but when I got to them Ithought of something better.I took up all but his shoes, for I remembered the ten miles of rock and cactus between him and home, and I climbed up on Buckles.Joel screamed and swore something fearful.But I didn't look back.

And Peg, you know--maybe you don't know--but Peg is fond of me, and he followed me, straddling his bridle all the way in.I dropped Joel's clothes down the ridge a ways, right in the trail, so he can't miss them.And that's all....Dad, was it--was it very bad?""Bad! Why, you ought to have thrown your gun on him.At least bounced a rock off his head! But say, Lucy, after all, maybe you've done enough.I guess you never thought of it.""What?"

"The sun is hot to-day.Hot! An' if Joel's as crazy an' mad as you say he'll not have sense enough to stay in the water or shade till the sun's gone down.

An' if he tackles that ten miles before he'll sunburn himself within an inch of his life.""Sunburn? Oh, Dad! I'm sorry," burst out Lucy, contritely."I never thought of that.I'll ride back with his clothes.""You will not," said Bostil.

"Let me send some one, then," she entreated.

"Girl, haven't you the nerve to play your own game? Let Creech get his lesson.

He deserves it....An' now, Lucy, I've two more questions to ask.""Only two?" she queried, archly."Dad, don't scold me with questions.""What shall I say to Wetherby for good an' all?"Lucy's eyes shaded dreamily, and she seemed to look beyond the room, out over the ranges.

"Tell him to go back to Durango and forget the foolish girl who can care only for the desert and a horse.""All right.That is straight talk, like an Indian's.An' now the last question--what do you want for a birthday present?""Oh, of course," she cried, gleefully clapping her hands.I'd forgotten that.

I'm eighteen!"

"You get that old chest of your mother's.But what from me?""Dad, will you give me anything I ask for?""Yes, my girl."

"Anything--any HORSE?"

Lucy knew his weakness, for she had inherited it.

"Sure; any horse but the King."

"How about Sarchedon?"

"Why, Lucy, what'd you do with that big black devil? He's too high.Seventeen hands high! You couldn't mount him.""Pooh! Sarch KNEELS for me."

"Child, listen to reason.Sarch would pull your arms out of their sockets.""He has got an iron jaw," agreed Lucy."Well, then--how about Dusty Ben?" She was tormenting her father and she did it with glee.

"No--not Ben.He's the faithfulest hoss I ever owned.It wouldn't be fair to part with him, even to you.Old associations...a rider's loyalty...

now, Lucy, you know--"

"Dad, you're afraid I'd train and love Ben into beating the King.Some day I'll ride some horse out in front of the gray.Remember, Dad!...Then give me Two Face.""Sure not her, Lucy.Thet mare can't be trusted.Look why we named her Two Face.""Buckles, then, dear generous Daddy who longs to give his grown-up girl ANYTHING!""Lucy, can't you be satisfied an' happy with your mustangs? You've got a dozen.You can have any others on the range.Buckles ain't safe for you to ride."Bostil was notably the most generous of men, the kindest of fathers.It was an indication of his strange obsession, in regard to horses, that he never would see that Lucy was teasing him.As far as horses were concerned he lacked a sense of humor.Anything connected with his horses was of intense interest.

"I'd dearly love to own Plume," said Lucy, demurely.

Bostil had grown red in the face and now he was on the rack.The monstrous selfishness of a rider who had been supreme in his day could not be changed.

"Girl, I--I thought you hadn't no use for Plume," he stammered.

"I haven't--the jade! She threw me once.I've never forgiven her....Dad, I'm only teasing you.Don't I know you couldn't give one of those racers away?

You couldn't!"

"Lucy, I reckon you're right," Bostil burst out in immense relief.

"Dad, I'll bet if Cordts gets me and holds me as ransom for the King --as he's threatened--you'll let him have me!""Lucy, now thet ain't funny!" complained the father.