“Those men could be far away by now,” Juan Pablo pointed out.
“That’s true. And that’s all the more reason to try to pick up their trail now, before they get even farther away.”
“You are set on doing this thing?”
“I am.”
“Caballo Rojo said that you may leave the canyon whenever you wish.”
Sam nodded.
“I know. But I want to tell him where I’m going and why, and make sure it’s all right with him if Matt stays here while he recovers from his wounds.”
“You are going to leave your friend?” Juan Pablo didn’t sound happy about that.
“He’s not going to be fit to travel for a week or more,” Sam explained. “I don’t want to wait that long to go after the bushwhackers.”
A put-upon sigh came from Juan Pablo. He set the bow aside.
“Come,” he said as he stood up. “We will talk to Caballo Rojo.”
They walked through the canyon to the large hogan that belonged to the chief. Sam had been here long enough now that the novelty of having him around had worn off for the most part. Some of the children still followed him wherever he went, and some of the young, unmarried women eyed him with open interest and speculation that he was careful not to return. Making some warrior jealous was one of the last things he needed.
Caballo Rojo was sitting outside his hogan enjoying the morning sun. He greeted Juan Pablo in Navajo, then gave Sam a solemn nod and said, “Two Wolves.”
Sam was pleased that the chief used his Cheyenne name. He considered that a good omen.
“Good morning, Caballo Rojo,” he said. “My friend Matt Bodine is better this morning. The fever no longer consumes him.”
Juan Pablo repeated that in Navajo. Caballo Rojo nodded again and spoke. Juan Pablo translated, “Caballo Rojo says this is a good thing and that your heart must be lightened.”
“It is,” Sam replied. “Tell him that it’s due to his great mercy and generosity that Matt survived at all, and that we are indebted to him.”
Juan Pablo complied.
Sam went on, “But now I must ask him for even more of that mercy and generosity, because I want to leave Matt here to recover while I search for the men responsible for hurting him.”
Juan Pablo spoke the words, and Caballo Rojo considered them gravely. For a long moment he didn’t reply, and when he did, it was at great length. Sam knew not to read too much into that. The Navajo could be as wordy and obsessed with formality as any other tribe.
Finally Juan Pablo turned back to him, and the warrior’s translation was predictably brief.
“Caballo Rojo says that this is agreeable to him, and he promises that your friend will continue to be cared for and kept safe.”
“Please express my deepest gratitude to the chief.”
Juan Pablo did so. Caballo Rojo acknowledged that with another grave nod and a slight wave of his hand.
Juan Pablo asked, “When will you go?”
“As soon as I can,” Sam said. “Now that Matt appears to be out of danger, I don’t see any reason to wait. I want to pick up the trail before much more time goes by.”
“Can you find the place where you were attacked?”
“I think so,” Sam said with a smile. “I kept my eyes open while we were on our way here, and I’m pretty good at remembering landmarks.”
“I can take you back to the place where we found you.”
Sam was a little surprised by the offer. He hadn’t expected Juan Pablo to be so cooperative.
“I appreciate that, but it’s not really necessary.”
Juan Pablo shrugged.
“If you change your mind ...”
“I don’t reckon I will.”
The familiar sneer appeared on the warrior’s face.
“Now you sound like a white man,” he said. “Always convinced you are right.”
Sam shrugged and turned to head back to the hogan where he’d left Matt. That was where he’d been staying, too.
Sam gathered his gear, checked the place where the bullet crease was healing on the animal, and then saddled his horse, which was picketed on a grassy stretch beside the creek with the Navajo ponies. When he was ready to go, he returned to the hogan and found Matt sitting up, eating a bowl of stew.
Matt’s face was a little thinner from his ordeal and pale under his permanent tan. But he seemed to have a healthy appetite, and that was a good sign. He finished the stew, set the empty bowl aside, and said, “You look like you’re ready to ride.”
“I am,” Sam said with a nod.
“You’re really gonna leave me here?”
“Caballo Rojo has given me his word personally that you’ll be taken care of.”
Matt made a face.
“I don’t much cotton to being taken care of.” He glanced across the hogan, where Elizabeth Fleming sat with Juan Pablo’s wife, each of them weaving a blanket. Elizabeth wasn’t the only one doing the teaching during her stay with the Navajo. “Even when the surroundings are pleasant most of the time.”
A worried frown creased Sam’s forehead.
“I trust Caballo Rojo,” he said as he folded his arms across his chest and gave Matt a stern look. “Can I trust you?”
“Trust me to what?” Matt asked in apparent innocence.
“Behave yourself.”
“Me? Why, I always behave myself, Sam, you know that.”
Sam grunted.
“I’m not joking here, Matt,” he said. “You’d better take care of yourself and let those wounds heal up.”
“I have a strong constitution,” Matt said with a smile.
“You’ve got a strong something.” Sam held out his hand. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“You’d better be back in a week or less,” Matt said as he clasped Sam’s hand.
“Why’s that?”
“Because by then I’ll be strong enough to come after you, and that’s exactly what I plan to do if you haven’t shown up by then.”
So that was a new worry, Sam thought. But Matt had a point. In a week’s time, he probably would be strong enough to leave. Matt had always healed quickly and had a vast core of inner strength. He might joke on the outside, but on the inside he was steel and whang leather.
“Fine. If I’m not back in a week, you can come pick up my trail.”
Matt nodded.
“Darn right I will.”
“So long.”
Matt started to get up.
“I can come outside—”
Sam waved him back down onto the blankets.
“Just sit there and rest, blast it. The more you do that, the sooner you’ll get well.”
Sam started to duck out through the hogan’s door. Matt stopped him by saying, “I suppose it’d be too much to ask for you to save a couple varmints for me.”
“I reckon that’ll be up to them,” Sam said.
Chapter 9
Juan Pablo was waiting next to Sam’s horse.
“You are certain you do not want me to come with you?” he asked.
Sam thought quickly. He remembered the looks of dislike that Juan Pablo had given both of them. He didn’t think Matt would do anything to cause trouble while he was gone, but it might be better to have Juan Pablo where he could keep an eye on him.
Sam considered the situation, then said, “Juan Pablo, I’ve changed my mind. I appreciate your offer, and I accept.”
Juan Pablo’s expression was as flinty as ever, but Sam thought he saw a flash of satisfaction in the man’s eyes. Juan Pablo nodded and said, “I will tell my woman and get my pony.”
“I’ll be waiting right here,” Sam told him.
Navajo warriors traveled light. Less than ten minutes later, Sam and Juan Pablo rode away from the hogans. Several barking dogs followed them for a while before turning back.