truth. For them the joke was tremendous. And Joel Creech was exceedingly
sensitive to ridicule. The riders made life unbearable for him. They had fun
out of it as long as Joel showed signs of taking the joke manfully, which was
not long, and then his resentment won their contempt. That led to sarcasm on
their part and bitter anger on his. It came to Lucy's ears that Joel began to
act and talk strangely. She found out that the rider Van had knocked Joel down
in Brackton's store and had kicked a gun out of his hand. Van laughed off the
rumor and Brackton gave her no satisfaction. Moreover, she heard no other
rumors. The channels of gossip had suddenly closed to her. Bostil, when
questioned by Lucy, swore in a way that amazed her, and all he told her was to
leave Creech alone. Finally, when Muncie discharged Joel, who worked now and
then, Lucy realized that something was wrong with Joel and that she was to
blame for it.

She grew worried and anxious and sorry, but she held her peace, and determined
to find out for herself what was wrong. Every day when she rode out into the
sage she expected to meet him, or at least see him somewhere; nevertheless
days went by and there was no sign of him.

One afternoon she saw some Indians driving sheep down the river road toward
the ford, and, acting upon impulse, she turned her horse after them.

Lucy seldom went down the river road. Riding down and up was merely work, and
a horse has as little liking for it as she had. Usually it was a hot, dusty
trip, and the great, dark, overhanging walls had a depressing effect, upon
her. She always felt awe at the gloomy canyon and fear at the strange,
murmuring red river. But she started down this afternoon in the hope of
meeting Joel. She had a hazy idea of telling him she was sorry for what she
had done, and of asking him to forget it and pay no more heed to the riders.