Bill Dugan_War Chiefs 04 Read Online Free PDF Page B

own purposes.”
    “Inside?”
    Nocona nodded. “Yes. Inside. And out. But if you work against the people, it makes no difference whether you are inside or out. The result is the same. I can’t let that happen. It will probably happen one day soon anyway, but I don’t want to make it easier for anyone.”
    Nocona lapsed into silence, and it seemed to Black Snake that it was permanent. He had nothing to say that could help, and he realized that, rather than helping Peta Nocona as he had intended, he succeeded only in blackening his friend’s mood still more. He didn’t understand what Nocona was concerned about, but thought maybe that one had to be a chief to see far enough into the future, where troubles moved like shadows at the bottom of a deep well. One needed sharp vision to distinguish the shades of darkness. It was all well and good for him to be cheerful, and to tell Nocona there was nothing to worry about, buthe didn’t have to make the decisions Nocona had to make. All he had to do was keep his arrows sharp and his arm strong. The rest would take care of itself.
    Reluctant to let the conversation end on such a bleak note, he said, “At least we will be home tomorrow. We can rest. Maybe things will not seem so bad when you have had time to be with White Heron and Little Calf. A man’s wife and son help him forget about things he can’t control.”
    Nocona laughed. “Maybe you are right, my friend. Maybe what I need is something I already have.”
    Just then they heard a shout, and Nocona stiffened. Black Snake pointed toward a high ridge far ahead, where the silhouette of riders could be seen heading toward them. The riders were moving fast, kicking up a cloud of thick dust from the dry ground.
    “Apache?” Black Snake wondered.
    “No,” Nocona said. “If they were Apache, we would not know they were there until it was time for them to spring their trap.”
    “Maybe it is a trick.”
    “I don’t think so. Those people are in a hurry. And they are heading right for us. They must have seen us, must know who we are. I wonder … “
    Others in the Comanche raiding party had spotted the riders now, and started yipping, jabbering excitedly and stabbing at the oncomingriders with the tips of their bows. Nocona realized he had better do something.
    “Take three men,” he said, “and see who those people are. And be careful!”
    Black Snake dug in his heels and peeled away, shouting to the nearest group of warriors. Three of them waved their bows high overhead as their ponies leaped forward. Black Snake led the small band at a full gallop, the sturdy Indian ponies making good time as they raced downhill into the broad shallow valley between the Comanche raiding party and the advancing newcomers.
    Nocona slowed his own pony to a walk, then turned and shouted for a halt. It was best, he thought, to wait and see what Black Snake learned before heading down into the valley. If trouble were coming, better to face it from high ground.
    He saw the small advance party closing rapidly on the distant strangers. In a matter of minutes, Black Snake had reached them, pulled up and held a hand overhead for the three warriors with him to stay quiet. He saw Black Snake turn then and look back up the hill toward him. He squinted, trying to read his friend’s features, but at that distance they were just a copper blur in the sunlight.
    But there was no mistaking the urgency as Black Snake wheeled his pony then and broke back across the valley floor. He left the three warriors with the newcomers, and charged backthe way he’d come, glancing back over his shoulder once or twice, either to make certain his orders were being followed, or as if he feared something unseen on his trail might be gaining on him.
    He was yelling long before his words were intelligible. Nocona knew now that something was wrong and told the raiders to stay put while he headed downhill to meet Black Snake in the middle of the slope.
    “What is