ten as you can. Bring a light saddle an'
let me put you up on Wildfire. You'll run him, train him, get him in
shape. Then the day of the races or the night before I'll go in an'
hide out in the sage till you come or send for Wildfire."

"Oh, it'll be glorious," she cried, with eyes like stars. "I know just
where to have you hide. A pile of rocks near the racecourse. There's a
spring and good grass. I could ride out to you just before the big
race, and we'd come back, with me on Wildfire. The crowd always stays
down at the end of the racecourse. Only the starters stay out there....
Oh, I can see Bostil when that red stallion runs into sight!"

"Well, is it settled?" queried the rider, strangely.

Lucy was startled into self-consciousness by his tone.

How strangely he must have felt. And his eyes were piercing.

"You mean--that I ride Wildfire?" she replied, shyly. "Yes, if you'll
let me."

"I'll be proud."

"You're very good.... And do you think Wildfire can beat the King?"

"I know it."

"How do you?"

"I've seen both horses."

"But it will be a grand race."

"I reckon so. It's likely to be the grandest ever seen. But Wildfire
will win because he's run wild all his life--an' run to kill other
horses.... The only question is--CAN you ride him?"

"Yes. I never saw the horse I couldn't ride. Bostil says there are some
I can't ride. Farlane says not. Only two horses have thrown me, the
King and Sarchedon. But that was before they knew me. And I was sort of
wild. I can make your Wildfire love me."

"THAT'S the last part of it I'd ever doubt," replied the rider. "It's
settled, then. I'll camp here. I'll be well in a few days. Then I'll
take Wildfire in hand. You will ride out whenever you have a chance,
without bein' seen. An' the two of us will train the stallion to upset
that race."

"Yes--then--it's settled."

Lucy's gaze was impelled and held by the rider's. Why was he so pale?
But then he had been injured--weakened. This compact between them had
somehow changed their relation. She seemed to have known him long.

"What's your name?" she asked.

"Lin Slone," replied the rider.

Then she released her hands. "I must ride in now. If this isn't a dream
I'll come back soon." She led Sage King to a rock and mounted him.

"It's good to see you up there," said Slone. "An' that splendid horse!
... He knows what he is. It'll break Bostil's heart to see that horse
beat."

"Dad'll feel bad, but it'll do hi