Buffalo Caller remembered this log house. He had picked up several horses and mules here once, adding them to a large band taken farther to the east. Now the chance of discovery had forced his warriors to stop riding in daylight, and they had taken cover along the edge of the river, waiting for darkness to hide them as they traveled. He had been studying the house awhile, trying to determine how many might be living there and how strong their defense might be. So far he had seen only one man, and by the way he walked he was old. He had seen two women and two or three children. He thought it probable that the young men of the family were away to the big war.

“I say we go farther, because once we strike, there will be no more surprise. Everywhere else, they will gather and wait for us. The spirits have favored us so far, but if we are foolish they will turn away.”

Tall Eagle acknowledged the logic but hated to pass by an easy prize for a larger yet chancier one. “You dream. The white men will never give up our lands. There are too many, and they keep coming. We can no more kill them all than the wolves can kill all the buffalo. But we can do like the wolves and feed from them. We can take their horses. We can even take their cattle and trade them to the Mexican Comancheros.”

Buffalo Caller had never understood that defeatist sentiment. He had never doubted that The People could defeat the Texans if only they would steel their hearts and minds to accept the high cost of the fight. Nothing of value was gained without work and sacrifice.

Steals the Ponies said, “My father is right. Why be content with the hooves and tail when we can have the whole animal?”

Buffalo Caller turned, pride warming him. His son was not inclined to speak often, but when he spoke he showed he had inherited his father’s wisdom.

Tall Eagle gave in reluctantly. “The next time we find many horses, we will take them and turn back.”

The band remained in the timber, waiting for darkness to cover their movement. Shortly before dark, another white man arrived at the cabin. Several of the people inside came out to greet him. He and the old man led the new arrival’s horse to the barn and turned him loose.

The young men were pleased, because this meant one more horse for the taking. Buffalo Caller was pleased because this was one more white man to die when the time came.

CHAPTER

SEVENTEEN

Rusty Shannon was brushing Alamo’s back when he saw a rider approaching the ranger camp in a lope, his horse lathered with sweat.

Private Tanner was leading his own horse back from the water. He jerked his thumb over his shoulder. “Feller comin’ yonder must be carryin’ a powerful message. He’s fixin’ to kill his horse.”