Every second of the fight Bull Hunter had followed the actions of the horse as though he were directing them from the distance with some electric form of communication and control. When Hal Dunbar with a yell of despair was flung sidewise in the saddle as Diablo bucked1 in mid-air, Bull Hunter knew what was coming and lurched through the line of watchers. Straight across the open space of the circle he raced as he had never run before, and while the others stood frozen, while the man with the rope tugged2 futilely3, Bull came in front of the stallion as Diablo whirled to smash his late rider to a pulp4. There was no question of Dunbar crawling out of the way. He had rolled on his back with arms outstretched, helplessly stunned5. Even in the lightning speed of the action Bull found time to wonder what would be the result if the hoof6 of the wild horse crashed down into that upturned, handsome face, now stained with crimson7 and black with dust.
He had no time to imagine further. Diablo, red-eyed with anger, had whirled on him and reared, and swerving8 from those terrible, pawing hoofs9, Bull Hunter leaped in and up. His goal was not the tossing bridle10 rein11, but the stout12 strap13 which circled the head just above the bit, and his big right hand jarred home on this goal. All his weight was behind his stiffened15 arm, and under the blow the stallion lurched higher. A down-sweep of a forefoot gashed16 Bull's shoulder and tore his shirt to shreds17. But he pressed, expecting every instant the finishing blow on his head. In he went, with all his weight behind the effort, and felt the stallion stagger on his hind14 legs, then topple, lose balance, and fall with a crash on his side!
Bull followed him in the fall, for half a step, then whirled, scooped18 the nerveless body of Hal Dunbar in his arms, and rushed staggering under the burden to the edge of the circle. Diablo had regained19 his footing instantly, but as he strove to follow, the rope had drawn20 taut21 about his throat, and he was checked.
As for Bull Hunter, he laid the senseless burden down in safety, and turned toward the stallion. One haunting fear was in his mind. Had Diablo been sufficiently22 blinded in the excitement of the battle to fail to recognize him, or had the great horse known the hand that toppled it back? In the latter case Bull Hunter could never come near the black without peril23 of his life.
In a gloomy quandary24 he stared at the trembling, shining giant, who stood with his head high and his tail flaunting25, and all the fierce pride of victory in his eye. One knot of people had gathered over the fallen Hal Dunbar, but some remained, dazed and gaping26, looking at the form of the conqueror27. A wild temptation came to Bull to test the horse even in this crisis of excitement, with every evil passion roused in him. He stepped out again, his right hand extended, his voice soft.
"Diablo!"
The stallion jerked his head toward the voice, but the head was twitched28 away as the man with the rope brought it taut again.
"You fool!" he shouted. "Get back, or the hoss'll nail you!"
Unreasoning rage poured thrilling through Bull Hunter. He shook his great fist at the other.
"Slack away on that rope or I'll break you in two!"
There was a moment of amazed silence; then, with a curse, the rider threw the rope on the ground.
"Get your head broke then!"
Bull Hunter had forgotten him already. He had resumed that approach. At his voice the stallion turned that proud and terrible head—with the ears flattened29 against his neck. It gave him an ominous30, snakelike appearance about the head, but still Bull went steadily31 and slowly toward him with his hand out, that ancient gesture of peace and good will. There were shouts and warnings from the others. Hal Dunbar, his senses returned, had staggered to his feet; he had received no injury in the fall, and now he gaped32 in amazement33 at this empty-handed man approaching the stallion. And Diablo was no longer controlled by the rope!
But all the outcries meant nothing to Bull Hunter. They faded to a blur34. All he saw was the head of the stallion. Had he known and remembered that fall and the hand that forced him to it? He could not tell. There might be any murderous intent in that quivering, crouching35 form.
Just that name, over and over again, very softly, "Diablo! Steady,
Diablo!"
Now he was within two paces—within a yard—his fingers were close to the terrible head and the ears of Diablo pricked36 forward.
"Ah, Diablo! They'll never touch you with the spurs again!"
The stallion made a long step, and with his head raised he looked over the shoulder of Bull Hunter and snorted his defiance37 at all other men in the world! And down his neck the big, gentle hand was running, soothing38 his quivering body, and the steady voice was bringing infinite messages of reassurance39 to the troubled brain. That hand was loosening now the rope which was burning into his neck—loosening it, drawing it off. And now the bridle followed; and Diablo's mouth was free from the cruel taint40 of the steel. The head of the stallion turned—great, soft eyes looked into the face of Bull Hunter and accepted him as a friend forever.
"Get away from the horse!" he commanded. "Hey, Riley, grab Diablo for me again. I'll ride him this time."
He was too unsteady to walk in a straight line, but the fire of battle was in his eyes again. There was no doubting the gameness of the big man. Old Bridewell caught his arm and drew him back.
"If Diablo gets a sniff42 of you on the wind he'll come at you like a wolf. Stand back here—and watch!"
Hal Dunbar was too dazed to resist. Besides, he began to see that all eyes were focused on the black stallion and the man beside him. That man was the huge, cloddish stranger who had advised him to ride without spurs. Then the full meaning came to Dunbar. The rope was no longer around the neck of the stallion. The very bridle had been taken from his head, and yet the stranger stood undaunted beside him, and the stallion did not seem to be angered by that nearness.
The next thing Dunbar heard was the voice of Bridewell saying, "Nerviest thing I ever seen. I been putting this Bull Hunter down for a half-wit, pretty near. All his strength in his back and none in his head. But I changed my mind today. When you hit the ground, Diablo whirled on you, and he'd of smashed you to bits before they could choke him down and pull him away, but Bull came out of the crowd on the run, grabbed the bridle, made Diablo rear, took that cut on his shoulder, and threw him fair and square. Finest, coolest, headiest thing I ever seen done with a hoss in a pinch. And he saved your skin, Dunbar. You'd be a mess this minute, if it wasn't for Hunter! He threw Diablo and turned around and picked you up as if you was a baby and packed you over here. Then he went back—and you see what's he's doing?"
"He saved my life?" muttered Dunbar. "That big—He saved my life?"
Gratitude43, for the moment at least, was obscured in his mind. All he felt vividly44 was a burning shame. He, Hal Dunbar, the invincible45, had been beaten fairly and squarely in the battle with the horse; not only this, he had been saved from complete destruction only by the intervention46 of this nonentity47, this Bull Hunter whom he had scorned only a few moments before. He looked about him in blind anger at the bystanders. Worst of all, this was a new country where he was only vaguely48 known, and whenever his name was mentioned in these parts in the future, there would be someone to tell of the superior prowess of Hunter, and how the life of Dunbar was thrown away and saved by another. No wonder that big Hal Dunbar writhed49 with the shame of it.
He forgot even that emotion now in wonder at what was happening. Hunter had stepped to the side of the horse, raised his foot, and put it in the stirrup. Did the fool intend to climb into the saddle while that black devil was not blindfolded50, without even a bridle?
That, in fact, was what he was doing. The steady murmur51 of the voice of Hunter reached him as the big man soothed52 the horse. He saw the head of Diablo turn, saw him sniff the shoulder of his companion, and then Hunter lifted himself slowly into the saddle. There was a groan53 of excitement from the spectators, and at the sound rather than at the weight of his back, Diablo crouched54. It was only for a moment that he quivered, wild-eyed, irresolute55. Then he straightened and threw up his head. Bull Hunter, his face white and drawn but his mouth resolute56, had touched the shining flank of the stallion, and Diablo moved into a soft trot57, gentle as the flowing of water.
Before him the circle split and rolled back. He glided58 through, guided by a hand that touched lightly on his neck, and in an utter silence he was seen to turn the corner of the nearest shed and approach the corral. Hal Dunbar, rubbing his eyes, was the first to speak.
"A trick horse!" he said. "By the Lord, a trick horse!"
"The first time I ever seen him play that trick," gasped59 old Bridewell, his eyes huge and round, "except when Tod was up on him. I dunno what's happened. It's like a dream. But there's a saddle on him now, and that was something even Tod could never make him stand. I dunno what's happened!"
The little crowd broke up into chattering60 groups. Here had been a thing that would bear telling and retelling for many a year. In the confusion Dunbar's man, Riley, approached his employer.
Both gratitude and shame were forgotten by Dunbar now. He gripped the shoulder of this man and groaned61, "I've lost him, Riley! The only horse ever foaled that could have carried me the way a man should be carried. Now I'll have to ride plow62 horses the rest of my life!"
He pointed63 to the cloddish, heavy-limbed gray which he had ridden in his quest for the superhorse at the Bridewell place.
"I been thinking," said Riley. "I been thinking a pile the last few minutes."
"What you been thinking about? What good does thinking do me? I've lost the horse, haven't I, and that half-wit has him?"
"He has him—now," suggested Riley, watching the face of the big man for fear that he might go too far.
"Exactly," said Riley. "Because he has the black now, it doesn't mean that he's going to have him forever, does it?"
"Riley, you're a devil. That fellow saved my life, they tell me."
"I don't mean you're going to bump him off. But suppose you get him to come and work on your place? There might be ways of getting the hoss—buying him or something. Get him there, and we'll find a way. Besides, he can teach you how to handle the hoss before you get him. I say it's all turned out for the best."
Dunbar frowned. "Take him with me? And every place I go I hear it said, 'There's the man who rode the horse that threw Dunbar!' No, curse him, I'll see him in Hades before I take him with me!"
"How else are you going to get the hoss? Tell me that?"
"That's it," muttered Dunbar. "I've got to have him. I've got to have him! Did you watch? I felt as if the big black devil had wings."
"He had you in the air most of the time, all right," and Riley grinned.
"Shut up," snapped his master. "But the chief thing is, I want to show that big black fiend that I'm his master. He—he's beaten me once. But one beating doesn't finish me!"
"Then go get Hunter to come with us when we ride back."
Dunbar hesitated another instant and then nodded. "It has to be done."
He strode off in pursuit of Bull and presently found the big man in the corral rubbing down the stallion; the little bright-eyed Tod was close beside them. It had been a great day for Tod. First he had felt that his giant pupil was disgraced—a man without spirit. And then, in the time of blackest doubt, Bull Hunter had become a hero and accomplished65 the great feat—ridden Diablo, before all the incredulous eyes of the watchers. All of Tod's own efforts had been repaid a thousandfold when he heard Bull say to one of those who followed with questions and admiration66, "It's not my work. Tod showed me how to go about it. Tod deserves the credit."
That was the reason that Tod's eyes now were supernally67 bright when big Hal Dunbar approached. Diablo showed signs of excitement, but Charlie Hunter quieted him with a word and went to the bars of the corral. The hand of Dunbar was stretched out, and Bull took it with humble68 earnestness.
"I'm glad you weren't hurt bad," he said. "For a minute or two I was scared that Diablo—"
"I know," cut in Dunbar, for he detested69 a new description of the scene of his failure. Then he made himself smile. "But I've come to thank you for what you did, Hunter. Between you and me, I know that I talked rather sharp to you a while back. I'm sorry for that. And now—why, man, your side must be wounded!"
"It's just a little scratch," said Bull good-naturedly. "It isn't the first time that Diablo has made me bleed but now—well, isn't he worth a fight, Mr. Dunbar?"
And he gestured to the magnificent, watchful70 head of the stallion. The heart of Hal Dunbar swelled71 in him. By fair means or foul72, he must have that horse, and on the spot he made his proposition to Hunter. He had only to climb on the back of Diablo and ride south with him; the pay would be anything—double what he got from Bridewell, who, besides, was almost through with him, Dunbar understood.
"But I'm not much good," and Bull sighed reluctantly. "I can't use a rope, and I don't know cattle, and—"
"I'll find uses for you. Will you come?"
So it was settled. But before Bull climbed into the saddle and started off after Dunbar, little Tod drew him to one side.
"There ain't any good in Dunbar. Watch him and—remember me, Bull."
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收听单词发音
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1
bucked
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| adj.快v.（马等）猛然弓背跃起( buck的过去式和过去分词 )；抵制；猛然震荡；马等尥起后蹄跳跃 | |
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tugged
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| v.用力拉，使劲拉，猛扯( tug的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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3
futilely
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| futile（无用的）的变形； 干 | |
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pulp
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| n.果肉，纸浆；v.化成纸浆，除去...果肉，制成纸浆 | |
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stunned
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| adj. 震惊的，惊讶的 动词stun的过去式和过去分词 | |
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hoof
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| n.(马，牛等的)蹄 | |
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crimson
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| n./adj.深(绯)红色(的)；vi.脸变绯红色 | |
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swerving
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| v.（使）改变方向，改变目的( swerve的现在分词 ) | |
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hoofs
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| n.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的名词复数 )v.（兽的）蹄，马蹄( hoof的第三人称单数 ) | |
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10
bridle
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| n.笼头，束缚；vt.抑制，约束；动怒 | |
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rein
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| n.疆绳，统治，支配；vt.以僵绳控制，统治 | |
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strap
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| n.皮带，带子；v.用带扣住，束牢；用绷带包扎 | |
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hind
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| adj.后面的，后部的 | |
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stiffened
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| 加强的 | |
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gashed
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| v.划伤，割破( gash的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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shreds
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| v.撕碎，切碎( shred的第三人称单数 )；用撕毁机撕毁（文件） | |
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18
scooped
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| v.抢先报道( scoop的过去式和过去分词 )；（敏捷地）抱起；抢先获得；用铲[勺]等挖（洞等） | |
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regained
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| 复得( regain的过去式和过去分词 )； 赢回； 重回； 复至某地 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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taut
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| adj.拉紧的，绷紧的，紧张的 | |
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sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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quandary
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| n.困惑，进迟两难之境 | |
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25
flaunting
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| adj.招摇的，扬扬得意的，夸耀的v.炫耀，夸耀( flaunt的现在分词 )；有什么能耐就施展出来 | |
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26
gaping
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| adj.口的；张口的；敞口的；多洞穴的v.目瞪口呆地凝视( gape的现在分词 )；张开，张大 | |
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conqueror
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| n.征服者，胜利者 | |
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twitched
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| vt.& vi.（使）抽动，（使）颤动（twitch的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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flattened
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| [医]（水）平扁的，弄平的 | |
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ominous
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| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
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steadily
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| adv.稳定地；不变地；持续地 | |
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32
gaped
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| v.目瞪口呆地凝视( gape的过去式和过去分词 )；张开，张大 | |
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amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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blur
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| n.模糊不清的事物；vt.使模糊，使看不清楚 | |
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35
crouching
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的现在分词 ) | |
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pricked
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| 刺，扎，戳( prick的过去式和过去分词 )； 刺伤； 刺痛； 使剧痛 | |
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defiance
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| n.挑战，挑衅，蔑视，违抗 | |
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38
soothing
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| adj.慰藉的；使人宽心的；镇静的 | |
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reassurance
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| n.使放心，使消除疑虑 | |
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40
taint
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| n.污点；感染；腐坏；v.使感染；污染 | |
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41
groggy
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| adj.体弱的；不稳的 | |
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42
sniff
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| vi.嗅…味道；抽鼻涕；对嗤之以鼻，蔑视 | |
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43
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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44
vividly
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| adv.清楚地，鲜明地，生动地 | |
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45
invincible
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| adj.不可征服的，难以制服的 | |
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46
intervention
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| n.介入，干涉，干预 | |
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nonentity
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| n.无足轻重的人 | |
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48
vaguely
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| adv.含糊地，暖昧地 | |
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49
writhed
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| （因极度痛苦而）扭动或翻滚( writhe的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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50
blindfolded
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| v.（尤指用布）挡住（某人）的视线( blindfold的过去式 )；蒙住（某人）的眼睛；使不理解；蒙骗 | |
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51
murmur
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| n.低语，低声的怨言；v.低语，低声而言 | |
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52
soothed
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| v.安慰( soothe的过去式和过去分词 )；抚慰；使舒服；减轻痛苦 | |
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53
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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54
crouched
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| v.屈膝，蹲伏( crouch的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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55
irresolute
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| adj.无决断的，优柔寡断的，踌躇不定的 | |
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56
resolute
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| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
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57
trot
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| n.疾走，慢跑；n.老太婆；现成译本；(复数）trots:腹泻（与the 连用）；v.小跑，快步走，赶紧 | |
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58
glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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59
gasped
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| v.喘气( gasp的过去式和过去分词 )；喘息；倒抽气；很想要 | |
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60
chattering
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| n. （机器振动发出的）咔嗒声，(鸟等)鸣，啁啾 adj. 喋喋不休的，啾啾声的 动词chatter的现在分词形式 | |
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61
groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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plow
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| n.犁，耕地，犁过的地；v.犁，费力地前进[英]plough | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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64
queried
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| v.质疑，对…表示疑问( query的过去式和过去分词 )；询问 | |
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65
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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66
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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67
supernally
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| adj.天国的；神的；天空的；崇高的 | |
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68
humble
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| adj.谦卑的，恭顺的；地位低下的；v.降低，贬低 | |
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69
detested
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| v.憎恶，嫌恶，痛恨( detest的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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70
watchful
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| adj.注意的，警惕的 | |
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71
swelled
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| 增强( swell的过去式和过去分词 )； 肿胀； （使）凸出； 充满（激情） | |
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foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
参考例句： |
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