The first man dismounted from his horse and explained. “We stop here and wash our faces. When he is close, we make her scream.” He gestured to me. “Then we ride to Cobane. For her, he will follow us into Cobane, but we will get there first. We will alert the Guard.”

“I see,” the second man said, smiling again. He held up the poster. “He is now a wanted man, and the Kongo Guard is in Cobane in great number for the Joust.”

“Yes!” agreed the first man. “Two, he will overpower, even ten. But no man can best a Guard ten thousand strong—not even Crane the Conqueror.”

The Teacher’s Pet

THE TEACHER’S PET

Hearing William’s name made my heart stop. They were not just White-Face soldiers; they were hunters after William for bounty. Without my help, they would catch him unawares and his life would be forfeit. Grasping this, I took action. I didn’t think or plan. I hooked two fingers in my peephole and ripped open my hiding place. I shouted, “Ahhh!”

My captors fumbled for their weapons.

Acting on instinct, I jumped from the horse and slapped its rear as I shouted, “Hiyah!”

The horse spooked, just as I hoped. It reared with a scream and galloped into the wadi. My first captor flipped into the air and came flying toward me, pulled by the tie on his waist. I hopped over his skidding body with keen agility, landing on the balls of my feet. I heard him cry out. I felt the spray of sand against my back, but I didn’t stop.

I ran forward, aiming for the next man. He was ready. He squatted in a wide stance to catch me, a sneer on his white face. I put my head down and ran directly toward his trap. At the last moment, I veered left and walloped the horse at his side. It screamed and took off running. Distracted, the second captor called the horse back as I pivoted, in search of the last steed. It was yards away. I started toward it.

Realizing my plan, the man stopped chasing the runaway horse. He turned toward me. I had a head start, but he gained ground quickly. I heard him at my back. I was yards from the mount when he lunged at my feet—too late.

I leapt onto the horse, landing on my stomach. He was bigger than Mary, but Finch had taught me well. I lifted a leg over the horse’s haunch and pulled myself up by the mane. I slapped its hindquarters. “Hiyah!” And I was off.

* * *

The flanks of my horse heaved beneath me as I reached the gates of Cobane. Patting my mount, I bent low against his neck. “Come on, boy. Just a bit farther.”