Come in the shade," he whispered, and with his arm round her he led
her to the great tree-trunk. "Is it safe for you here? An' how long can
you stay?"

"I had it out with Dad--left him licked once in his life," she replied.
"Then I went to my room, fastened the door, and slipped out of my
window. I can stay out as long as I want. No one will know."

Slone's heart throbbed. She was his. The clasp of her hands on his, the
gleam of her eyes, the white, daring flash of her face in the shadow of
the moon--these told him she was his. How it had come about was beyond
him, but he realized the truth. What a girl! This was the same nerve
which she showed when she had run Wildfire out in front of the fleetest
horses in the uplands.

"Tell me, then," he began, quietly, with keen gaze roving under the
trees and eyes strained tight, "tell me what's come off."

"Don't you know?" she queried, in amaze.

"Only that for some reason I'm done in Bostil's Ford. It can't be
because I punched Joel Creech. I felt it before I met Bostil at the
store. He taunted me. We had bitter words. He told before all of them
how the outfit I wore you gave me. An' then I dared him to race the
King. My horse an' my life against YOU!"

"Yes, I know," she whispered, softly. "It's all over town.... Oh, Lin!
it was a grand bet! And Bostil four-flushed, as the riders say. For
days a race between Wildfire and the King had been in the air. There'll
never be peace in Bostil's Ford again till that race is run."

"But, Lucy, could Bostil's wantin' Wildfire an' hatin' me because I
won't sell--could that ruin me here at the Ford?"

"It could. But, Lin, there's more. Oh, I hate to tell you!" she
whispered, passionately. "I thought you'd know.... Joel Creech swore
you cut the ropes on the ferry-boat and sent it adrift."

"The loon!" ejaculated Slone, and he laughed low in both anger and
ridicule. "Lucy, that's only a fool's talk."

"He's crazy. Oh, if I ever get him in front of me again when I'm on
Sarch--I'll--I'll...." She ended with a little gasp and leaned a moment
against Slone. He felt her heart beat--felt the strong clasp of her
hands. She was indeed Bostil's flesh and blood, and there was that in
her dangerous to arouse.

"Lin, the folks here are queer," she resumed, more calmly. "For long
years Dad has ruled them. They see with his eyes and talk with his
voice. Joel Creech swore you cut those cables. Swore he trailed you.
Brackton believed him. Van be