“My brother is with others. He comes soon.” Andy had a nervous eagerness about him. He walked to the edge of camp and stared off to the west. Rusty started to follow him but stopped when one of the warriors made a menacing gesture that told him to sit down. He sat.

There was no mistaking the arrival of Steals the Ponies. Apparently he had been told of Andy’s return, for he raced ahead of the other hunters and galloped into camp without regard for the dust he raised or the roasting meat that it settled upon. He leaped to the ground. Andy ran to him, showing but little of his limp. They threw their arms around each other.

Rusty had long been told that Indian men were too stoic to cry. He saw that he had been misinformed. Steals the Ponies pushed Andy out to arm’s length, tears in his eyes, and looked him over from head to foot as if he could not believe what he saw. Andy was telling him something in a language Rusty could not understand. He pointed to his leg, showing where it had been broken.

Tonkawa Killer broke into the joyous reunion. He pointed his finger at Andy, his voice loud and accusative. Whatever he said, it aroused anger and denial from Andy and a heated argument from Steals the Ponies. Watching, Rusty thought the quarreling men were about to come to blows. Steals the Ponies pushed himself in front of Andy and took a protective stance.

Tonkawa Killer pointed again, said a few words more, then turned on his heel and stalked away. Steals the Ponies shouted something after him, but Tonkawa Killer made a show of ignoring it. Several warriors followed him, evidently taking his side in the argument.

Cold dread settled in the pit of Rusty’s stomach.

Andy led his brother to where Rusty sat. Rusty stood up, trying to look as if he had no concern. Steals the Ponies stepped close and lifted Rusty’s hat from his head. His eyes widened.

Rusty asked, “What’s he lookin’ at?”

“Your hair. It is red. My brother say red hair big medicine.”

“Is that good or bad?”

“Good for me. You save me. Maybe not good for my brother.”

“Tell him I don’t mean him any harm. Tell him I want to be his friend.” Rusty dropped his voice. “Tell him I want to get the hell away from here.” He did not like the look of the conference Tonkawa Killer was having with his adherents.

Steals the Ponies and Andy went into another conversation while Rusty watched their faces and tried to decide whether it meant good news or not.

Andy turned. “My brother and me take you out of camp. We ride with you ‘til you are safe from Tonkawa Killer.”

“Tell your brother I am much obliged. I’m ready to start any time he is.” Right now would not be too soon.