The days did not pass swiftly at Bostil's Ford.

And except in winter, and during the spring sand-storms, the lagging time passed pleasantly.
Lucy rode every day, sometimes with Van, and sometimes alone.

She was not over-keen about riding with Van--first, because he was in love with her; and secondly, in spite of that, she could not beat him when he rode the King.

They were training Bostil's horses for the much-anticipated races.
At last word arrived from the Utes and Navajos that they accepted Bostil's invitation and would come in force, which meant, according to Holley and other old riders, that the Indians would attend about eight hundred strong.
"Thet old chief, Hawk, is comin'," Holley informed Bostil.

"He hasn't been here fer several years.