She had no enemies and she liked everybody.

It was even gossiped by the women of Bostil's Ford that she had more than liking for the idle Joel.

But the husbands of these gossips said Lucy was only tender-hearted.

Among the riders, when they sat around their lonely camp-fires, or lounged at the corrals of the Ford, there was speculation in regard to this race hinted by Joel Creech.

There never had been a race between the King and Blue Roan, and there never would be, unless Joel were to ride off with Lucy.