JUDITH OF THE GODLESS VALLEY BY HONORÉ WILLSIE Author of "The Enchanted Canyon," "The Forbidden Trail," "Still Jim," "The Heart of the Desert," etc. 1922 CONTENTS I LOST CHIEF SCHOOLHOUSE II OSCAR JEFFERSON III THE GRADUATION DANCE IV THE HOUSE IN THE YELLOW CANYON V THE HUNT ON LOST CHIEF VI LITTLE SWIFT CROSSES THE DIVIDE VII THE POST-OFFICE CONFERENCE VIII JUDITH AT THE RODEO IX THE TRIP TO MOUNTAIN CITY X WILD HORSES XI THE LOG CHAPEL XII THE FIRST SERMON XIII PRINCE GOES MARCHING ON XIV THE BATTLE OF THE BULLS XV THE FLAME IN THE VALLEY XVI THE TRAIL OVER THE PASS XVII BLACK DEVIL PASS XVIII ELIJAH NELSON'S RANCH XIX HOME JUDITH OF THE GODLESS VALLEY CHAPTER I LOST CHIEF SCHOOLHOUSE "To believe in a living God; to preach His Holy Writ without fear or favor; to sacrifice self that others may find eternal life; this is true happiness." --_The Rev. James Fowler_. It was Sunday in Lost Chief; Sunday and mid-winter. For the first time in nearly ten years there was to be a sermon preached in the valley and every one who could move was making his way to the schoolhouse. Douglas Spencer drove his spurs into Buster and finished the last hundred yards at a gallop. Judith, his foster sister, stood up in her stirrups, lashed Swift vigorously over the flanks with the knotted reins and when Buster slid on his haunches to the very doorstep, Swift brought her gnarled fore legs down on his sweeping tail and slid with him. She brought up when he did with her nose under his saddle blanket. The boy and girl avoided a mix-up by leaping from their saddles and jerking their mounts apart. "Now look at here, Jude!" shouted Douglas, "you keep that ornery cow-pony of yours off of me or I'll make you sorry for it!" Judith put her thumb to her small red nose, and without touching the stirrups leaped back into the saddle. Then she looked calmly about her. "First ones here!" she said complacently. "Even the preacher hasn't come." "I suppose,"--Doug's voice was bitter--"that if I rode over toward Day's to meet Jimmy you'd have to tag!" "I sure-gawd would. Swift would like the extra exercise." Douglas swept Judith's thin bay mare with a withering glance. "That thing! Looks like the coyotes had been at it!" Judith wore but one spur and this had a broken rowell, but she kicked Swift with it and Swift whirled against the nervous Buster and bit him on the cheek. Buster reared. "Take that back, you dogy cowboy you!" shrieked Judith. Douglas brought Buster round and raised his hand to strike the girl. She eyed him fearlessly. The boy slowly lowered the threatening hand and returned her gaze, belligerently.