Disappointed in not finding Billy, Andy was nevertheless pleased that Horse Runner’s party was not responsible for killing Vince Purdy. He had a friendly feeling toward these warriors. He had been revulsed at the thought of their having another friend’s blood on their hands.

Yet his basic problem remained. If this group did not have Billy, who did? Where were they?

“Do you know of other such parties that might have taken the boy?” he asked.

“We have not met any other parties except a few hunters. We saw a few Kiowas who fought the blue-coat reservation soldiers. They had no boy with them.” Horse Runner seemed little concerned. “Your friends who lost the boy, they have other children?”

“Just a little girl.”

“They should have another boy, then they can forget this one. He is better off with The People. You would be better off to stay with The People and not go back to the Texans.”

“It is not an easy thing, losing a child and a grandfather. Their hearts are on the ground.”

“Many times have our hearts been on the ground because of the Texans. I do not find it here . ..” he touched his chest, “. . . to weep for them.”

“It is my fault. . . my shame . . . that they lost him.” He explained that he had made it a point not to mention to anyone that he had seen Horse Runner’s raiders before he reached the Monahan farm. “I feared they would send out men to stop you, and there would be deaths on both sides.”

Horse Runner did not grasp the point. “What does it matter that you did not tell them about us? We are not the ones who took the boy.”

“But if I had told them there was danger the boy and his grandfather would not have gone out alone.”

“The spirits were against them. There was nothing you could do against the spirits.”

Andy saw that he could not explain his logic to Horse Runner.

Horse Runner said, “Forget the boy. Stay with us if you would like. Soon we will be in our own camp and celebrate our victories. There will be feasting and dancing and singing.”

“It is a matter of honor. I must find him.”

Honor was something Horse Runner understood. He said, “If you like, I will go with you. I know most of the camps.”

Andy explained in general terms about the agreement with Martinez and the Comancheros. “If I find the boy, I have nothing to trade for him. I must stay with the Mexicans.”