Arty's Tough Trail by Mark Redmond

Author:Mark Redmond
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: childrens book, christian, childrens adventure, childrens story, dodge city, cattle drive
Publisher: Sword of the Lord Publishers

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Both Bill and Madison had warned me about some of the dangers we might run into while we were on the trail. I knew what those dangers were, but I can't say I was ready for them when they came. Maybe twenty-some boring days in the saddle had made me forget the warnings. Every day had been the same as the day before. This day had started the same way.

I had traded places with Bo and was riding swing when I saw riders coming from the east. As they rode closer, I could see that there were five of them. They were Indians. Bill rode from the path of the herd to talk to them. Madison turned in his saddle and motioned for me to come. I galloped Champ to join him.

"Take my place, Boss," he said. "Keep moving with the herd, and I'll see what's happening. Looks like those braves want to collect a toll."

"You mean for letting us move the herd across their land?" I asked.

"Exactly," said Madison.

"How many head will they take?" I asked.

"I reckon that's what Bill's discussing with them now," he replied. "I'll let you know when I come back." As Madison turned his horse, I felt a knot begin to form in my stomach.

"Madison, is there going to be trouble?" I asked.

"I don't reckon there will be," he said. He looked over his shoulder and touched the brim of his hat. "You be ready for it just the same, Boss. And you pray while we're talking to those braves."

As I watched Madison ride away, I did pray. I also slipped the leather thong from the hammer of my six-gun and loosened the gun in its holster.

Following the herd brought me slowly closer to the small group of riders. Bill was talking and using sign language all at once. One brave seemed to be the leader. He was using sign language too. I could see him shaking his head and holding his right hand toward Bill. He was holding up four fingers. Madison and the other four braves sat quietly on their horses, facing each other and listening.

When I was within twenty yards of them, I could see that Bill was offering the braves one steer. Their leader shook his head again and held up three fingers. Bill spoke again and signaled some things I didn't understand; then he held up two fingers.

I was close enough by then to get a good look at the braves. They were all a dark brown, but several shades lighter than Madison. Their leader and one of the others wore fringed buckskin shirts. The other three wore bright-colored shirts. Two of them carried bows and arrows, and the other three had rifles. The leader also had a revolver stuck in a bright red sash around his waist. None of their faces had any expression on them. Even the leader showed no emotion as he talked with Bill.

I slowed Champ as much as I could. Turning in my saddle, I saw Bill hold up two fingers again.

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