"THE RIDER OF THE RUBY HILLS" - читать интересную книгу автора (L'Amour Louis)

money he can outrun that beauty of yours, here to Soledad."
Her eyes flashed. "Why, you idiot! Flame is the fastest horse in this country. He
comes of racing stock!"
"I don't doubt it," Haney agreed. "He's a fine horse. But I'll bet my saddle against
a hundred dollars that this Appaloosa will kick dust in his face before we get to
Soledad!"
She laughed scornfully, and her head came up. "You're on!" she cried, and her red
horse gave a great bound and hit the trail running. That jump gave the bay the start,
but Ross knew his gelding.
Leaning over he yelled into the horse's ear as they charged after
13
THE RIDER OF THE RUBY HILLS 7
the bay. "Come on, boy! We've got to beat that bay! We need the money!" And Rio,
seeming to understand, stretched his legs and ran like a scared rabbit.
As they swept into the main road and in full sight of Soledad, the bay was leading
by three lengths, but despite the miles behind it, the Appaloosa loved to run, and
he was running now.
The gelding had the blood of Arabians in his veins, and he was used to offhand, cow
camp style racing. The road took a small jog, but Ross did not swing the gelding
around it, but took the desert and mountain bred horse across the stones and through
the mesquite, hitting the road scarcely a length behind the big red horse.
Men were gathering in the street and on the edge of town now and shouting about the
racing horses. With a half mile to go the big red horse was slowing. He was a sprinter,
but he had been living too well with too little running. The gelding was just beginning
to run. Neck stretched, Ross leaning far forward to cut the wind resistance and lend
impetus with his weight, the mustang thundered alongside the bay horse, and neck
and neck they raced up to the town. Then, with the nearest building only a short
jump ahead, Ross Haney spoke to the Appaloosa:
"Now, Rio! Now!"
With a lunge, the spotted horse was past and went racing into the street leading
by a length.
Ross eased back on the reins and let the horse run on down the street abreast of
the big red horse. They slowed to a canter, then a walk. The girl's eyes were wide
and angry.
"You cheated! You cut across that bend!"
Ross chuckled. "You could have, ma'am! And you got off to a running start. Left me
standing still!"
"I thought you wanted a race!" she protested scornfully. "You cheated me!"
Ross Haney drew up sharply, and his eyes went hard. "I reckon, ma'am," he said, "you
come from a long line of sportsmen! You can forget the bet!"
The sarcasm in his voice cut like a whip. She opened her mouth to speak, but he had
turned the Appaloosa away and was walking it back toward the center of town.
For an instant, she started to follow, and then with a toss of her head, she let
him go.
14
8 Louis
Chapter 11 Hunting Trouble
Several men were standing in front of the livery stable when he rode up. They looked
at his horse and then at him. "That's a runner you got there, stranger! I reckon
Sherry Vernon didn't relish getting beat! She sets great store by the Flame horse!"