At that juncture Bostil suddenly shoved back his plate and turned his face to the open door. "Don't I hear a runnin' hoss?" Aunt Jane stopped the noise she was making, and Lucy darted to the door. Then Bostil heard the sharp, rhythmic hoof-beats he recognized. They shortened to clatter and pound--then ceased somewhere out in front of the house. "It's the King with Van up," said Lucy, from the door. "Dad, Van's jumped off--he's coming in ... he's running. Something has happened.... There are other horses coming--riders--Indians." Bostil knew what was coming and prepared himself. Rapid footsteps sounded without. "Hello, Miss Lucy! Where's Bostil?" A lean, supple rider appeared before the door. It was Van, greatly excited. "Come in, boy," said Bostil. "What're you flustered about?" Van strode in, spurs jangling, cap in hand. "Boss, there's--a sixty-foot raise--in the river!" Van panted. "Oh!" cried Lucy, wheeling toward her father. "Wal, Van, I reckon I knowed thet," replied Bostil. "Mebbe I'm gettin' old, but I can still hear.... Listen." Lucy tiptoed to the door and turned her head sidewise and slowly bowed it till she stiffened. Outside were, sounds of birds and horses and men, but when a lull came it quickly filled with a sullen, low boom. "Highest flood we--ever seen," said Van. "You've been down?" queried Bostil, sharply. "Not to the river," replied Van. "I went as far as--where the gulch opens--on the bluff. There was a string of Navajos goin' down. An' some comin' up. I stayed there watchin' the flood, an' pretty soon Somers come up the trail with Blakesley an' Brack an' some riders.... An' Somers hollered out, 'The boat's gone!'" "Gone!" exclaimed Bostil, his loud cry showing consternation. "Oh, Dad! Oh, Van!" cried Lucy, with eyes wide and lips parted. "Sure she's gone. An' the whole place down there--where the willows was an' the sand-bar--it was deep under water." "What will become of Creech's horses?" asked Lucy, breathlessly. "My God! ain't it a shame!" went on Bostil, and he could have laughed aloud at his hypocrisy. He felt Lucy's blue eyes riveted upon his face. "Thet's what we all was sayin'," went on Van. "While we was watchin' the awful flood an' listenin' to the deep bum--bum--bum of rollin' rocks some one seen Creech an' two Piutes leadin' the hosses up thet trail where the slide was. We counted the hosses--nine. An' we saw the roan shine blue in the sunlight." "Piutes with Creech!" exclaimed Bostil, the deep gloom in his eyes lighting. "By all thet's lucky! Mebbe them Indians can climb the hosses out of thet hole an' find water an' grass enough." "Mebbe," replied Van, doubtfully. "Sure them Piutes could if there's a chance. But there ain't any grass." "It won't take much grass travelin' by night." "So lots of the boys say. But the Navajos they shook their heads. An' Farlane an' Holley, why, they jest held up their hands."