Rusty said, “Try again. You’ll get the hang of it.”

This time Badger Boy took a step without feeling that he was about to fall. Gaining confidence, he took another and another. The two men relaxed their holds, though they did not relinquish them altogether.

Shanty declared enthusiastically, “You’re doin’ fine, boy. The Lord is lookin’ down and smilin’ on you.”

Badger Boy reasoned that the Lord must be one of the Texans’ gods. He had heard Preacher Webb talking to Him from time to time, though he had never heard a reply. The Comanches’ spirits often spoke to them in the voices of birds and animals. He reasoned that the Texans’ gods must dwell farther away, though if that were the case he did not understand how they could hear Webb speak.

They were a strange lot, these Texans.

After a few steps the men released their hold entirely, though Rusty remained near enough to catch him if he fell. Badger Boy ventured out onto the dog run and felt the coolness of the breeze. The bright sun made his eyes pinch at first, though he found the light pleasant once they had accommodated to it. He had spent too many days in the room’s close confinement.

Tanner said, “Beats hell out of stayin’ indoors, don’t it?”

Not sure of the proper reply, Badger Boy said, “Beats hell.”

Rusty grinned at Tanner. “Good thing Preacher Webb has gone away to sermonize. He’d scorch you good for corruptin’ an innocent boy.”

Tanner said, “First things I ever learned as a young’un was the cuss-words. A few damns here and there don’t hurt anything. Sometimes they’re like a tonic.”

Badger Boy understood only the general meaning of what they were saying, but he sensed that it was in good humor. He allowed himself a faint smile. It had been awhile since he had felt like smiling about anything.

Tanner noticed. “He’s tryin’ to grin. Some people don’t think Indians have got any humor at all.”

Rusty said, “They just don’t know.”

“The trouble is, what an Indian is most apt to grin about don’t bode no good for a white man.”

Shanty was not smiling. “Preacher Webb wouldn’t like to come back and hear this boy usin’ mean language. We need to teach him proper so he’ll find favor in the eyes of the Lord.”

There was the Lord again, Badger Boy thought. If these Texans put so much store in Him, perhaps he should learn a little about Him, too. He needed all the gods and beneficent spirits he could summon, for he would require help to get away from here and return north where he belonged.