One of the cart men spoke to Andy in Spanish, but Andy could not understand. Martinez groaned. “I knew we should have gone on.”

Andy saw that Martinez had been knifed in the shoulder. He had another wound on the side of his head, probably administered by a club. “I could not stop them,” Martinez wheezed. “They wanted the whiskey.”

“I could’ve told you that. It was a mistake, bringin’ it in the first place.”

“I need no lectures, boy”

Andy said, “I found out about Billy. He was here. That other bunch took him with them. I believe I know where they went.”

Martinez was incredulous. “You think we can go after them now?”

“We have to.”

“Look. Look what they have done to the camp. The trade goods. They took two of the oxen for beef. And see what they have done to me. I have not the strength to go on.”

“But you promised.”

“A dead man cannot keep promises, and I am nearly dead. If I live to get back to Anton Chico, I will never go among the Comanches again.”

“You’re quittin’?”

“What else is to be done? If this time is not the death of me, the next will be.”

Andy saw that argument was futile. Clearly, Martinez was in no condition to continue the search. He would be fortunate to get away from here with one cart and perhaps most of the horses and mules for which he had traded earlier. He would be doubly fortunate if his small crew did not have to bury him in some unmarked grave betWeen here and his valley home.

Andy said, “I’m sorry. I had hoped we could get Billy without things comin’ to this kind of pass.”

“You should give up and come with us, or go home. You see here what can happen.”

“I kept my mouth shut when I should’ve talked, and Billy got taken because of it. I promised myself I’d bring him back or never go home at all.”

“You are a fool.”

“I don’t doubt that. But I’m goin’ on by myself.”

Martinez gave him a look of despair. “You do not have to be by yourself.” He spoke in Spanish. A cart man removed a crucifix and chain from Martinez’s neck. Martinez handed it to Andy.

“It has been blessed by a priest in Santa Fe. Wear this and you will not be alone.”

“Doesn’t look like it helped you much.”

“I am alive. I do not ask more of God.”

At first light, Andy saddled Long Red and was on his way. The tracks were many and easy to follow.

CHAPTER

FIFTEEN

Rusty Shannon stood on the bottom rung of the corral fence, studying three riders approaching from the north. He recognized James Monahan, Evan Gifford, and Len Tanner. He could not see Andy. He blinked in an effort to sharpen his sight, but still he saw only the three. Dread built a knot in his stomach.

Josie Monahan climbed up beside him. “What you lookin’ at?”