Westward Bound, Alone by David Leonard

Author:David Leonard [Leonard, David]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781475944310
Publisher: iUniverse
Published: 2012-08-23T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

Well Away

The old flintlock rested on the ground near to the older man. Both men snored.

Dan was filled with rage but knew he had to think and go slow. He had to get away from these vultures—and quick!

Drawing up one plan after another, he finally reached out to touch Sam who was behind him. But he wasn’t there! His eyes searched everything he could see in the firelight. Nothin’. Then he felt a hand touch him on the shoulder. Dan swung back, and the boy pointed behind him where the two horses stood!

Dan was never able to convince himself that the boy had been able to retrieve the horses unheard, but he never again doubted the ability of Indians to steal horses. They were masters! That night would always be a joyous memory for Dan. He quietly collected his gear while Sam fetched the flintlock without a whisper of sound.

Dan tightened the cinches, and they were well away with not a sound from the sleeping men except their snoring.

He felt a grim satisfaction as they rode. They’d been held up by arrogant thieves behind guns. Now he was regretting leaving that Hawkins Jethro was carrying. But they’d done well, Dan knew, and because of Sam.

Riding till the sun was straight up, they ground hitched the horses, ate meat, and drank water. As they sat, Dan reached over to Sam with an outstretched arm. He solemnly shook Sam’s hand as the lad grinned. They’d come out on top because of Sam, and Dan knew it.

They had horseflesh! The miles flew behind them. Dan had learned a lesson and kept a keen eye on their back trail. He suspected that the two men might well hesitate to follow because of Sam. They were sure not wantin’ to meet up with Sam’s tribe and had no idea where that might be.

But I don’t know where that might be, either! Dan shook his head and followed Sam’s lead. The boy went swiftly, knowing exactly where he was going.

Two days later, they’d climbed close to the mountains. The snow came and they moved through large snowflakes. Dan had only his light buckskin jacket and shivered constantly. Sam was surely cold, he thought, but the lad rode on seeming unconcerned.

Sam smelled smoke! He soon saw tepees; Sam began a mad gallop into the village. He was yipping at the top of his lungs as he galloped through the village and back to Dan. Indians appeared among the tepees with mouths open in astonishment. It was a total bedlam as Indian children began jumping up and down and screeching loudly among yapping dogs. The galloping boy and the white man had the village in a state of amazement.

Sam led Dan to a tepee with a muscled Indian and a beaming squaw. Sam had turned solemn while speaking to the large man. He turned and nodded at Dan and gestured for him to step near. The large Indian pulled Dan close in a bear hug. The Indian woman ran to Sam and was hugging him and laughing in her joy.

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