Michael’s reaction was different from Andrew’s, as James would expect it to be. Michael continued his work, but he did it with a nervous energy, attacking the ground with the plow as if it were a weapon of war. Like James, he paused often to look to the horizon. James had learned to recognize the symptoms. One morning Marie would rise up to find herself in bed alone, her husband gone to God knew where, to return God knew when. She must sense that herself, for she had been through it before. But Marie gave no sign, nor did Petra and Annie betray any foreboding of the events that were rapidly overtaking them.

James wondered sometimes if the women might not be the strongest of them all.

The crops were almost in when Elizandro Zaragosa arrived one Sunday afternoon with his son Manuel. All the Lewises were gathered at Michael and Marie’s cabin. Michael strode out in front of the others to greet his old friend. “Mighty happy to see you, Elizandro. Get down and join us. We’ll be havin’ supper directly.”

Zaragosa dismounted wearily, his face dark with trouble. “I am not happy to be here, Miguel. It is a bad wind that has blown us to this place.”

Mordecai rushed shouting to the side of his young friend Manuel, then went quiet as he sensed the gravity in the boy’s manner. He shook Manuel’s hand and asked, “What’s the matter?” Manuel looked to his father.

Zaragosa stared westward, in the direction from which he had come. “We left in the middle of the night. Ugartechea is in the garrison in Bexar. He has a list—men to be arrested—men who have spoken out—men to be shot as traitors to Santa Anna.”

Michael and Andrew exchanged knowing glances. Michael said, “You’re on the list?”

Zaragosa nodded.

“And what of the boy? He’s not old enough to’ve gotten mixed up in politics.”

“He is sixteen. He is old enough to be shot in my place if they do not find me.” To Andrew’s and James’s doubting looks, he said, “You do not know them. But I have been a soldier. I know them much too well.”

Michael asked, “What about the rest of your family?”

“I do not believe they will harm Elvira or the young ones, but I fear for Manuel.”

Andrew said, “You’re mighty welcome to stay here with us until the storm blows over.”

Zaragosa shook his head. “The storm is barely begun. It will come here if we cannot stop it.”

“Then where do you plan to go?”

“I am not sure. Resistance is building in many places. I go to find that resistance and join it.”

“But your boy,” James argued. “He’s not old enough to go a-fightin’.”

Manuel stood firm. “I am old enough to fight beside my father.”

Zaragosa studied his son with pride. “He thinks he is, but of course he is not. I would leave him here if you would keep him. Even if the soldiers come, they do not know him. He can use another name.”