' with the hosses!"

Lucy jumped up, trembling and agitated. "Oh! ... Where? Where?"

Creech pointed carefully with bent hand, like an Indian, and Lucy
either could not get the direction or see far enough.

"Right down along the base of thet red wall. A line of hosses. Jest
like a few crawlin' ants' ... An' now they're creepin' out of sight."

"Oh, I can't see them!" cried Lucy. "Are you SURE?"

"Positive an' sartin," he replied. "Joel's comin'. He'll be up hyar
before long. I reckon we'd jest as well let him come. Fer there's water
an' grass hyar. An' down below grass is scarce."

It seemed an age to Lucy, waiting there, until she did see horses
zigzagging the ridges below. They disappeared, and then it was another
age before they reappeared close under the bulge of wall. She thrilled
at sight of Sage King and Sarchedon. She got only a glimpse of them.
They must pass round under her to climb a split in the wall, and up a
long draw that reached level ground back in the forest. But they were
near, and Lucy tried to wait. Creech showed eagerness at first, and
then went on with his camp-fire duties. While in camp he always cooked
a midday meal.

Lucy saw the horses first. She screamed out. Creech jumped up in alarm.

Joel Creech, mounted on Sage King, and leading Sarchedon, was coming at
a gallop. The other horses were following.

"What's his hurry?" demanded Lucy. "After climbing out of that canyon
Joel ought not to push the horses."

"He'll git it from me if there's no reason," growled Creech. "Them
hosses is wet."

"Look at Sarch! He's wild. He always hated Joel."

"Wal, Lucy, I reckon I ain't likin' this hyar. Look at Joel!" muttered
Creech, and he strode out to meet his son.

Lucy ran out too, and beyond him. She saw only Sage King. He saw her,
recognized her, and, whistled even while Joel was pulling him in. For
once the King showed he was glad to see Lucy. He had been having rough
treatment. But he was not winded--only hot and wet. She assured herself
of that, then ran to quiet the plunging Sarch. He came down at once,
and pushed his big nose almost into her face. She hugged his great, hot
neck. He was quivering all over. Lucy heard the other horses pounding
up; she recognized Two Face's high whinny, like a squeal; and in her
delight she was about to run to them when Creech's harsh voice arrested
her. And sight of Joel's face suddenly made her weak.

"What'd you say?" demanded Creech.

"I'd a good