Soberly Andy said, “My brother saw a vision. It told him the old ways are almost gone. He said I have to walk the white man’s road whether I want to or not.”

“Think you can?”

“He didn’t say I’d like it. He said I don’t have a choice.”

Rusty made a sweeping motion with his arm. “You like this place and the Monahans, don’t you?”

“They’re good people. But I don’t want to stay here while you and Len go back home.”

“There’s no tellin’ what we may run into.”

“But it’s home—at least the nearest thing to home that I have.”

“I may end up in jail.”

“Me and Tanner will bust you out.”

Rusty smiled. “Aidin’ and abettin’ a fugitive is what caused all this trouble in the first place.”

“So I ought to be gettin’ pretty good at it.”

Rusty ached to see the farm where he had spent the larger part of his life, but he knew he must defer that visit until he learned how things stood with him and reconstruction law. His first destination, then, was the Tom Blessing farm.

He and Andy and Tanner tried to be vigilant, but their vigilance was compromised by the excitement of nearing home. Consequently they almost ran into an armed band of riders. Just in time they dropped into a dry creek bed and dismounted to avoid being seen.

“Soldiers?” Rusty asked.

Andy’s eyesight was the keenest. He said, “No, they ain’t wearin’ uniforms.”

Tanner said, “State police. They got the look of high authority and meanness. Maybe they’re huntin’ for you, Rusty.”

“I wouldn’t think so. The Oldhams don’t know but what I’m still at the Monahans’. But that bunch is sure on the hunt for somebody.”

Tanner grimaced. “I’d hate to be the one they’re after. They look serious enough to shoot him on sight.”

Rusty added, “Then claim he tried to get away.”

The three remained in the creek bed until the posse passed out of sight. Later they cautiously dismounted in timber and watched the Tom Blessing place for a while before showing themselves. No one was working in the fields. The only sign of life Rusty saw was a thin rise of smoke from the cabin’s chimney.

He said, “No sign of trouble, and I don’t want to stay here ‘til dark.” He mounted and moved his horse out into the open. Andy and Tanner followed.

A dog announced their coming. Tom Blessing’s wife came to the edge of the dog run and held her hand over her eyes. When Rusty hesitated fifty yards out, she shouted, “It’s all right. Come on in.”

Rusty dismounted and took off his hat. “Kind of spooked us a little, not seein’ Tom or Shanty or anybody.”