The Kiowas provided what Andy thought was the perfect opening. They were curious about him, for he was clearly white though he possessed many Comanche characteristics. With sign language Martinez told them that Andy had been stolen as a boy.

Impatiently Andy said, “Now’s the time to ask them about Billy.”

But the Kiowas moved on to other interests, and the question went unasked. Andy sat chafing, trying to control his frustration. At length he attempted to break into the hand-signal conversation, but the Kiowas ignored him.

Martinez quietly shook his head. “They get suspicious when you push. In time I will give them a little whiskey. It loosens the tongue. Go now, water your horse or something.”

Andy forced himself to pull away from the conversation and put his trust in Martinez. But he kept looking back, trying to read the sign language from a distance, picking up only fragments of it. He watched Martinez produce a jug from beneath the stack of goods in one of the carts and pass it among the Indians. From the high level to which they had to I’llt it, he knew Martinez had been careful not to give them a full container.

It took only a short time for the Kiowas to fall into a celebratory state. Not long afterward, they began falling to sleep, one by one.

Martinez appeared cold sober. He had made a show of drinking with them, but Andy doubted that much whiskey had gone down his throat. He walked up to Andy, nodding in satisfaction. “They told me they came across some Comanches yesterday, with many horses and mules.” He pointed northwestward. “A boy was with them. The Kiowas thought the boy was white. He seemed to be a prisoner.”

Andy’s spirits lifted. “That’d be Billy for sure.”

“Not for sure. Could be some other boy.”

Andy dismissed a fleeting uncertainty. “After we’ve come so far, it’s got to be Billy. When are we gettin’ started?”

“Daylight.”

“We could go a long ways in the dark.”

“And get lost. You are like the Texans, too much hurry. If we do find the Comanches, and the boy is with them, do not show much interest. They would ask more ransom.”

“I don’t care about the price. I just want to get Billy back.”

“You must care. What if they ask more than your friends can pay? You do more harm than good.”

“I have a knack for that.”

“That I have seen for myself.”

More than once, Martinez warned Andy not to set his expectations too high. Riding along ahead of the carts, he said, “We may find they have moved on.”

“Then we’ll follow ‘til we catch up.”