Read Online Forty Guns West by William W. Johnstone - Free Book Online Page B

friends put a bounty on my head.”
    â€œUmmm,” Wind Chaser said. “Yes. This is true. My warriors have been close to their camp and heard them talk. But there is more.”
    â€œMore?”
    â€œYes. But my warriors did not understand it, and I do not understand it. There are men of great importance among those who hunt you and Ed-de. Men who have slaves who see to their needs. Cook for them, wash their clothes, and saddle their horses. It is all very strange.”
    Damn sure was. Preacher sat down by the fire and poured a cup of strong coffee. He took a sip and passed the cup around. It was returned empty and he poured more until the pot was empty. He stirred the stew. He shook his head. “I don’t understand it, Wind Chaser. It’s confusing to me, too. But it’s noble of you to offer to care for the boy whilst I scout the camp of my enemies.”
    Wind Chaser shook his head. “It is nothing. I remember a winter when Ghost Walker provided meat for my old father and my family while we were away at war. A debt is something that must be repaid.”
    Preacher had forgotten all about that. That had been a good fifteen years back. Preacher went and fetched the horse that Charlie Barnes had ridden. He handed the reins to Wind Chaser and spoke to the chief in his own tongue, using sign language when the Ute words did not come to him. “The boy is very sick and knows he is going to die.” Wind Chaser’s eyes widened at that. “Eddie wishes to have a set of buckskins like mine before he passes from this world to the next. Please accept this horse from me to you in exchange for the buckskins.”
    Wind Chaser rose and carefully inspected the horse, his eyes shining at the sight of the animal. “One small set of coverings is not enough for such a fine animal. I will have my woman make you a fine set of buckskins. Is that fair?”
    â€œThat’s fair.”
    â€œEddie is a brave boy,” Wind Chaser said, kneeling down and stroking the boy’s hair. He faces death like a Ute, without whimpering and whining. He will be warm and safe in my own lodge. When you return from your scouting, you will be welcomed in my village like my brother. We go!”
    â€œSee you, boy,” Preacher said to Eddie with a wink. “I’ll be back in a couple of weeks. You mind your manners, now, you hear?”
    Eddie smiled and nodded his head. This was a grand adventure for the boy, and he showed no signs of fear.
    Wind Chaser slashed down with a hand and a big brave picked up Eddie and gently carried him to Eddie’s paint pony, already saddled. That told Preacher that the Utes had watched every move he and Eddie had made since coming into the mountains.
    â€œI will not lead those men to your village, Wind Chaser,” Preacher said.
    Wind Chaser shook his head. “You come when and how you like, Ghost Walker. If those men hunting Ed-de come to my village, they will be fed a good meal and then we shall see how well they die. Do not worry yourself about Ed-de. He will be cared for.”
    The Utes left like wisps of smoke, flitting silently through the timber.
    Preacher sat for a time, eating the stew and drinking coffee. The Utes would take care of Eddie and defend his life to the last man. If an Indian gave his word on something, chisel it in stone. Preacher rose and began construction of a crude corral for the pack horses and a cache for his supplies. The animals had access to water and forage and if food ran out, or a puma or bear threatened them, they could easily break out of the brush enclosure. Preacher erased all signs of the camp, packed a few things, saddled up Thunder, and was gone that afternoon.
    * * *
    Dark Hand looked nervously around the camp. He had just returned from his afternoon’s prowling and did not like what he had seen, or rather, what he had not seen.
    â€œWhat’s wrong with you?” Van Eaton snarled at the Pawnee.