“I’ve heard of horses like that,” nodded Chuck, “but I never knew anyone that owned one.”
“There’s only one Lightning. At first I trained her so she wouldn’t let anyone else ride her, but the other boys on the ranch didn’t like it very well so I broke her of that habit. If I hadn’t done that, she’d never have been ridden away from here this afternoon. It used to be she’d lash out with her feet whenever anyone came near, but that was kinda dangerous on the ranch.”
“How do you suppose the fellows that were gunning for me got her?” asked Chuck.
“All they had to do was to walk up and climb on, she was that gentle. Believe me, if I ever get her back, she’s going to be a one-man horse from now on.”
“I’m afraid there isn’t much chance you’ll ever get her back,” said Chuck, “if this country is as sparsely settled as you say.”
“I’ll get her back somehow,” replied Slim in a tone that brooked no good for the men who had taken Lightning.
They were silent for a time, both thinking of the long walk down the Sky High trail that faced them with the coming of the dawn.
“Funny I didn’t see you ahead of me when you went over the summit,” said Slim.
“I must have crossed a good hour ahead of you. My horse was pretty badly winded and I didn’t try to make much time for the first half hour coming down this side. Fact of the matter is, I stopped a little above here for water and to let the cayuse graze.”
The fire was dying and there was no need to put on fresh wood for they were ready to roll into their blankets. Slim kicked his boots off, pulled the blanket up around his shoulders, and said good night to his new-found companion.