Wildfire (1999)

by Grey, Zane

  "Say," said Slone, impulsively, "want to help me carry some grub an' stuff?"

  "Howdy!" replied Creech, raising his head. "Sure do."

  Slone sustained the queerest shock of his life when he met the gaze of those contrasting eyes. Yet he did not believe that his strange feeling came from sight of different-colored eyes. There was an instinct or portent in that meeting.

  He purchased a bill of goods from Brackton, and, with Creech helping, carried it up to the cabin under the bluff. Three trips were needed to pack up all the supplies, and meanwhile Creech had but few words to say, and these of no moment. Slone offered him money, which he refused.

  "I'll help you fix up, an' eat a bite," he said. "Nice up hyar."

  He seemed rational enough and certainly responded to kindness. Slone found that Vorhees had left the cabin so clean there was little cleaning to do. An open fireplace of stone required some repair and there was wood to cut.

  "Joel, you start a fire while I go down after my horses," said Slone.

  Young Creech nodded and Slone left him there. It was not easy to catch Wildfire, nor any easier to get him into the new corral; but at last Slone saw him safely there. And the bars and locks on the gate might have defied any effort to open or break them quickly. Creech was standing in the doorway, watching the horses, and somehow Slone saw, or imagined he saw, that Creech wore a different aspect.

  "Grand wild hoss! He did what Blue was a-goin' to do--beat thet there d--d Bostil's King!"

  Creech wagged his head. He was gloomy and strange. His eyes were unpleasant to look into. His face changed. And he mumbled. Slone pitied him the more, but wished to see the last of him. Creech stayed on, however, and grew stranger and more talkative during the meal. He repeated things often--talked disconnectedly, and gave other indications that he was not wholly right in his mind. Yet Slone suspected that Creech's want of balance consisted only in what concerned horses and the Bostils. And Slone, wanting to learn all he could, encouraged Creech to talk about his father and the racers and the river and boat, and finally Bostil.

  Slone became convinced that, whether young Creech was half crazy or not, he knew his father's horses were doomed, and that the boat at the ferry had been cut adrift. Slone could not understand why he was convinced, but he was. Finally Creech told how he had gone down to the river only a day before; how he had found the flood still raging, but much lower; how he had worked round the cliffs and had pulled up the rope cables to find they had been cut.

  "You see, Bostil cut them when he didn't need to," continued Creech, shrewdly. "But he didn't know the flood was comin' down so quick. He was afeared we'd come across an' git the boat thet night. An' he meant to take away them cut cables. But he hadn't no time."

  "Bostil?" queried Slone, as he gazed hard at Creech. The fellow had told that rationally enough. Slone wondered if Bostil could have been so base. No! and yet--when it came to horses Bostil was scarcely human.

  Slone's query served to send Creech off on another tangent which wound up in dark, mysterious threats. Then Slone caught the name of Lucy. It abruptly killed his sympathy for Creech.

  "What's the girl got to do with it?" he demanded, angrily. "If you want to talk to me don't use her name."

  "I'll use her name when I want," shouted Creech.

  "Not to me!"

  "Yes, to you, mister. I ain't carin' a d--n fer you!"

  "You crazy loon!" exclaimed Slone, with impatience and disgust added to anger. "What's the use of being decent to you?"

  Creech crouched low, his hands digging like claws into the table, as if he were making ready to spring. At that instant he was hideous.

  "Crazy, am I?" he yelled. "Mebbe not d--n crazy! I kin tell you're gone on Lucy Bostil! I seen you with her out there in the rocks the mornin' of the race. I seen what you did to her. An' I'm a-goin' to tell it! . . . An' I'm a-goin' to ketch Lucy Bostil an' strip her naked, an' when I git through with her I'll tie her on a hoss an' fire the grass! By Gawd! I am!" Livid and wild, he breathed hard as he got up, facing Slone malignantly.

  "Crazy or not, here goes!" muttered Slone, grimly; and, leaping up, with one blow he knocked Creech half out of the door, and then kicked him the rest of the way. "Go on and have a fit!" cried Slone. "I'm liable to kill you if you don't have one!"

  Creech got up and ran down the path, turning twice on the way. Then he disappeared among the trees.

  Slone sat down. "Lost my temper again!" he said. "This has been a day. Guess I'd better cool off right now an' stay here. . . . That poor devil! Maybe he's not so crazy. But he's wilder than an Indian. I must warn Lucy. . . . Lord! I wonder if Bostil could have held back repairin' that boat, an' then cut it loose? I wonder? Yesterday I'd have sworn never. To-day--"

  Slone drove the conclusion of that thought out of his consciousness before he wholly admitted it. Then he set to work cutting the long grass from the wet and shady nooks under the bluff where the spring made the ground rich. He carried an armful down to the corral. Nagger was roaming around outside, picking grass for himself. Wildfire snorted as always when he saw Slone, and Slone as always, when time permitted, tried to coax the stallion to him. He had never succeeded, nor did he this time. When he left the bundle of grass on the ground and went outside Wildfire readily came for it.

  "You're that tame, anyhow, you hungry red devil," said Slone, jealously. Wildfire would take a bunch of grass from Lucy Bostil's hand. Slone's feelings had undergone some reaction, though he still loved the horse. But it was love mixed with bitterness. More than ever he made up his mind that Lucy should have Wildfire. Then he walked around his place, planning the work he meant to start at once.

  Several days slipped by with Slone scarcely realizing how they flew. Unaccustomed labor tired him so that he went to bed early and slept like a log. If it had not been for the ever-present worry and suspense and longing, in regard to Lucy, he would have been happier than ever he could remember. Almost at once he had become attached to his little home, and the more he labored to make it productive and comfortable the stronger grew his attachment. Practical toil was not conducive to daydreaming, so Slone felt a loss of something vague and sweet. Many times he caught himself watching with eager eyes for a glimpse of Lucy Bostil down there among the cottonwoods. Still, he never saw her, and, in fact, he saw so few villagers that the place began to have a loneliness which endeared it to him the more. Then the view down the gray valley to the purple monuments was always thrillingly memorable to Slone. It was out there Lucy had saved his horse and his life. His keen desert gaze could make out even at that distance the great, dark monument, gold-crowned, in the shadow of which he had heard Lucy speak words that had transformed life for him. He would ride out there some day. The spell of those looming grand shafts of colored rock was still strong upon him.

  One morning Slone had a visitor--old Brackton. Slone's cordiality died on his lips before it was half uttered. Brackton's former friendliness was not in evidence indeed, he looked at Slone with curiosity and disfavor

  "Howdy, Slone! I jest wanted to see what you was doin' up hyar," he said.

  Slone spread his hands and explained in few words.

  "So you took over the place, hey? We all figgered thet. But Vorhees was mum. Fact is, he was sure mysterious." Brackton sat down and eyed Slone with interest. "Folks are talkin' a lot about you," he said, bluntly.

  "Is that so?"

  "You 'pear to be a pretty mysterious kind of a feller, Slone. I kind of took a shine to you at first, an' thet's why I come up hyar to tell you it'd be wise fer you to vamoose."

  "What!" exclaimed Slone.

  Brackton repeated substantially what he had said, then, pausing an instant, continued: "I've no call to give you a hunch, but I'll do it jest because I did like you fust off."

  The old man seemed fussy and nervous and patronizing and disparaging all at once.

  "What'd you beat up thet poor Joel Creech fer?" demanded Brackton.

  "He got what he deserved," replied Slone, an
d the memory, coming on the head of this strange attitude of Brackton's, roused Slone's temper.

  "Wal, Joel tells some queer things about you--fer instance, how you took advantage of little Lucy Bostil, grabbin' her an' maulin' her the way Joel seen you."

  "D--n the loon!" muttered Slone, rising to pace the path.

  "Wal, Joel's a bit off, but he's not loony all the time. He's seen you an' he's tellin' it. When Bostil hears it you'd better be acrost the canyon!"

  Slone felt the hot, sick rush of blood to his face, and humiliation and rage overtook him.

  "Joel's down at my house. He had fits after you beat him, an' he 'ain't got over them yet. But he could blab to the riders. Van Sickle's lookin' fer you. An' to-day when I was alone with Joel he told me some more queer things about you. I shut him up quick. But I ain't guaranteein' I can keep him shut up."

  "I'll bet you I shut him up," declared Slone. "What more did the fool say?"

  "Slone, hev you been round these hyar parts---down among the monuments --fer any considerable time?" queried Brackton.

  "Yes, I have--several weeks out there, an' about ten days or so around the Ford."

  "Where was you the night of the flood?"

  The shrewd scrutiny of the old man, the suspicion, angered Slone.

  "If it's any of your mix, I was out on the slope among the rocks. I heard that flood comin' down long before it got here," replied Slone, deliberately.

  Brackton averted his gaze, and abruptly rose as if the occasion was ended. "Wal, take my hunch an' leave!" he said, turning away.

  "Brackton, if you mean well, I'm much obliged," returned Slone, slowly, ponderingly. "But I'll not take the hunch."

  "Suit yourself," added Brackton, coldly, and he went away.

  Slone watched him go down the path and disappear in the lane of cottonwoods.

  "I'll be darned!" muttered Slone. "Funny old man. Maybe Creech's not the only loony one hereabouts."

  Slone tried to laugh off the effect of the interview, but it persisted and worried him all day. After supper he decided to walk down into the village, and would have done so but for the fact that he saw a man climbing his path. When he recognized the rider Holley he sensed trouble, and straightway he became gloomy. Bostil's right-hand man could not call on him for any friendly reason. Holley came up slowly, awkwardly, after the manner of a rider unused to walking. Slone had built a little porch on the front of his cabin and a bench, which he had covered with goatskins. It struck him a little strangely that he should bend over to rearrange these skins just as Holley approached the porch.

  "Howdy, son!" was the rider's drawled remark. "Sure makes--me--puff to climb--up this mountain."

  Slone turned instantly, surprised at the friendly tone, doubting his own ears, and wanting to verify them. He was the more surprised to see Holley unmistakably amiable.

  "Hello, Holley! How are you?" he replied. "Have a seat."

  "Wal, I'm right spry fer an old bird. But I can't climb wuth a d--n . . . . Say, this here beats Bostil's view."

  "Yes, it's fine," replied Slone, rather awkwardly, as he sat down on the porch step. What could Holley want with him? This old rider was above curiosity or gossip.

  "Slone, you ain't holdin' it ag'in me--thet I tried to shut you up the other day?" he drawled, with dry frankness

  "Why, no, Holley, I'm not. I saw your point. You were right. But Bostil made me mad."

  "Sure! He'd make anybody mad. I've seen riders bite themselves, they was so mad at Bostil. You called him, an' you sure tickled all the boys. But you hurt yourself, fer Bostil owns an' runs this here Ford."

  "So I've discovered," replied Slone.

  "You got yourself in bad right off, fer Bostil has turned the riders ag'in you, an' this here punchin' of Creech has turned the village folks ag'in you. What'd pitch into him fer?"

  Slone caught the kindly interest and intent of the rider, and it warmed him as Brackton's disapproval had alienated him.

  "Wal, I reckon I'd better tell you," drawled Holley, as Slone hesitated, "thet Lucy wants to know IF you beat up Joel an' WHY you did."

  "Holley! Did she ask you to find out?"

  "She sure did. The girl's worried these days, Slone. . . . You see, you haven't been around, an' you don't know what's comin' off."

  "Brackton was here to-day an' he told me a good deal. I'm worried, too," said Slone, dejectedly.

  "Thet hoss of yours, Wildfire, he's enough to make you hated in Bostil's camp, even if you hadn't made a fool of yourself, which you sure have."

  Slone dropped his head as admission.

  "What Creech swears he seen you do to Miss Lucy, out there among the rocks, where you was hid with Wildfire--is there any truth in thet?" asked Holley, earnestly. "Tell me, Slone. Folks believe it. An' it's hurt you at the Ford. Bostil hasn't heard it yet, an' Lucy she doesn't know. But I'm figgerin' thet you punched Joel because he throwed it in your face."

  "He did, an' I lambasted him," replied Slone, with force.

  "You did right. But what I want to know, is it true what Joel seen?"

  "It's true, Holley. But what I did isn't so bad--so bad as he'd make it look."

  "Wal, I knowed thet. I knowed fer a long time how Lucy cares fer you," returned the old rider, kindly.

  Slone raised his head swiftly, incredulously. "Holley! You can't be serious."

  "Wal, I am. I've been sort of a big brother to Lucy Bostil for eighteen years. I carried her in these here hands when she weighed no more 'n my spurs. I taught her how to ride--what she knows about hosses. An' she knows more 'n her dad. I taught her to shoot. I know her better 'n anybody. An' lately she's been different, She's worried an' unhappy."

  "But Holley, all that--it doesn't seem--"

  "I reckon not," went on Holley, as Slone halted. "I think she cares fer you. An' I'm your friend, Slone. You're goin' to buck up ag'in some hell round here sooner or later. An' you'll need a friend."

  "Thanks--Holley," replied Slone, unsteadily. He thrilled under the iron grasp of the rider's hard hand.

  "You've got another friend you can gamble on," said Holley, significantly.

  "Another! Who?"

  "Lucy Bostil. An' don't you fergit thet. I'll bet she'll raise more trouble than Bostil when she hears what Joel Creech is tellin'. Fer she's bound to hear it. Van Sickle swears he's a-goin' to tell her an' then beat you up with a quirt."

  "He is, is he?" snapped Slone, darkly.

  "I've a hunch Lucy's guessed why you punched Joel. But she wants to know fer sure. Now, Slone, I'll tell her why."

  "Oh, don't!" said Slone, involuntarily.

  "Wal, it'll be better comin' from you an' me. Take my word fer thet. I'll prepare Lucy. An' she's as good a scrapper as Bostil, any day."

  "It all scares me," replied Slone. He did feel panicky, and that was from thoughts of what shame might befall Lucy. The cold sweat oozed out of every pore. What might not Bostil do? "Holley, I love the girl. So I--I didn't insult her. Bostil will never understand. An' what's he goin' to do when he finds out?"

  "Wal, let's hope you won't git any wuss'n you give Joel."

  "Let Bostil beat me!" ejaculated Slone. "I think I'm willin--now--the --way I feel. But I've a temper, and Bostil rubs me the wrong way."

  "Wall leave your gun home, an' fight Bostil. You're pretty husky. Sure he'll lick you, but mebbe you could give the old cuss a black eye." Holley laughed as if the idea gave him infinite pleasure.

  "Fight Bostil? . . . Lucy would hate me!" cried Slone.

  "Nix! You don't know thet kid. If the old man goes after you Lucy'll care more fer you. She's jest like him in some ways." Holley pulled out a stubby black pipe and, filling and lighting it, he appeared to grow more thoughtful. "It wasn't only Lucy thet sent me up here to see you. Bostil had been pesterin' me fer days. But I kept fightin' shy of it till Lucy got hold of me."

  "Bostil sent you? Why?"

  "Reckon you can guess. He can't sleep, thinkin' about your red hoss. None of us ever seen Bostil have si
ch a bad case. He raised Sage King. But he's always been crazy fer a great wild stallion. An' here you come along--an' your hoss jumps the King--an' there's trouble generally."

  "Holley, do you think Wildfire can beat Sage King?" asked Slone, eagerly.

  "Reckon I do. Lucy says so, an' I'll back her any day. But, son, I ain't paradin' what I think. I'd git in bad myself. Farlane an' the other boys, they're with Bostil. Van he's to blame fer thet. He's takin' a dislike to you, right off. An' what he tells Bostil an' the boys about thet race don't agree with what Lucy tells me. Lucy says Wildfire ran fiery an' cranky at the start. He wanted to run round an' kill the King instead of racin'. So he was three lengths behind when Macomber dropped the flag. Lucy says the King got into his stride. She knows. An' there Wildfire comes from behind an' climbs all over the King! . . . Van tells a different story."

  "It came off just as Lucy told you," declared Slone. "I saw every move."

  "Wal, thet's neither here nor there. What you're up ag'in is this. Bostil is sore since you called him. But he holds himself in because he hasn't given up hope of gittin' Wildfire. An', Slone, you're sure wise, ain't you, thet if Bostil doesn't buy him you can't stay on here?"

  "I'm wise. But I won't sell Wildfire," replied Slone, doggedly.

  "Wal, I'd never wasted my breath tellin' you all this if I hadn't figgered about Lucy. You've got her to think of."

  Slone turned on Holley passionately. "You keep hintin' there's a hope for me, when I know there's none!"

  "You're only a boy," replied Holley. "Son, where there's life there's hope. I ain't a-goin' to tell you agin thet I know Lucy Bostil."

  Slone could not stand nor walk nor keep still. He was shaking from head to foot.

  "Wildfire's not mine to sell. He's Lucy's!" confessed Slone.

  "The devil you say!" ejaculated Holley, and he nearly dropped his pipe.

  "I gave Wildfire to her. She accepted him. It was DONE. Then--then I lost my head an' made her mad. . . . An'--she said she'd ride him in the race, but wouldn't keep him. But he IS hers."

  "Oho! I see. Slone, I was goin' to advise you to sell Wildfire-- all on account of Lucy. You're young an' you'd have a big start in life if you would. But Lucy's your girl an' you give her the hoss. . . . Thet settles thet!"