The surprise was swift and complete. The white men were unaware of danger until the three Comanches were within easy arrow range. By then it was too late even to bring a rifle into play. They fell, and the two younger men had a scalp apiece to show off when they returned in triumph to the larger group.

Buffalo Caller gave the two bodies but a quick glance, for the white men were of little interest to him once they were dead. The young warriors tied the fresh scalps to their horses’ manes and took the reins of the two mounts they had just acquired. They led them into a trot, then into a lope as Buffalo Caller set the pace. They were a long while in catching up to the rest. He slipped the bridles from the horses’ heads so the animals would not trip on the reins. He tied the bridles to the saddles, which he left in place. He did not like white-man saddles himself, but probably he could trade them to someone who did.

They were within half a day of the river when a group of horsemen appeared without warning over a low hill and fanned out in challenge. Buffalo Caller had begun to hope he and his party would escape unscathed, but he saw that it was not to be. He stopped and counted the horsemen, who were as yet far beyond arrow range. They might simply be aroused citizens, who sometimes fought bravely but usually not well. On the other hand they might be rangers, better organized and savage in a fight, tenacious as hungry wolves.

Several of the young warriors gathered around him, eager for combat. Buffalo Caller counted the white men a second time and knew they fell well short of the Comanches in number. He pointed to several of the warriors, including his son, and told them to put the horse herd into a run. “The rest of us will stay behind and hold back the Texans.”

The young men protested. They all wanted to participate in the battle. Buffalo Caller reasoned, “We have traveled far and endured much for these horses. Do you want to lose them now?”

The young men quarreled over who should stay with the horses and who should seek the glory of killing more Texans. Buffalo Caller saw that his arguments were useless. There would always be more horses. One sought battle honors wherever the opportunity presented itself. He took a long look at the herd, which was becoming more strung out and more scattered as it pulled away from the quarreling warriors.

He could understand the young men’s wish for glory. He had known it himself when he was their age. Now he had gained glory enough over the years, and he had a high appreciation for the value of horses.

Reluctantly he said, “Let us make a quick fight of it, then, so we do not lose everything we came for.”