"But Papa, we need to wait for Wolf, he was right behind us, I saw him." Turning to David, she pleaded, "You saw him too, didn't you?"

Not giving David a chance to answer, Johnny said, "Look honey, knowing Wolf he's probably waiting out there to make sure you weren't followed, that you're safe. He'll come in when he knows it's clear. Now let's go to Erin's, you can have a nice meal and take a bath."

Her eyes brimming with tears again, he was reminded of the terrible ordeal she had just undergone. Holding her close, he whispered, "If he doesn't arrive soon, I'll go and find him, okay? But I know he's fine."

Kimberly searched her father's eyes intently. Finally satisfied she smiled and kissed his cheek, "Thank you Papa, I love you."

Closing his eyes momentarily, he heaved a sigh of relief. He hoped he wouldn't need to lie to his daughter again. If Wolf was captured, he knew the Mexican's wouldn't go easy on him.

David watched the preparations for departure, obviously unsure of what to do or where to go. "You're welcome to come too," said Tony. "I wouldn't recommend traveling through this area alone, the Mexican's aren't the only danger. There's also the Apache, sand storms, rattlers, scorpions, prairie dog holes, the searing sun, flash floods."

Laughing, David said, "Thank you Tony, your warnings are duly noted."

"Damnit David," Tony laughed back. "Sometimes I don't get what you're saying at all. You talk just like a politician."

The others joined in with David's deep and infectious laughter as they rode away from the river.


Johnny spurred his horse hard and galloped out of the yard, scattering chickens as he went. Tony and David scrambled to keep up with him. This was a punishing pace to set the horses for a long trip and Tony hoped Johnny would soon calm down enough to rest the mounts.

Erin had been almost as anxious as Kimberly as to Wolf's fate and had manipulated Jack into leaving immediately to find him. Wrapping Kimberly in her arms, she soothed the sobbing girl by saying, "Shhh, your Pa's leaving right now to go get Wolf and they'll be back before you know it." Her eyes not leaving Johnny's, it was a direct challenge and Johnny found himself powerless against it and Kimberly's hopeful gaze.

With Tony and David insisting to come too, the three men had selected fresh horses from the barn. Erin was waiting in the yard with muslin bags of food but Johnny ignored her as he sped out the gate. It was left to Tony to grab the bags with a muttered thanks as they hurried off.

Arriving at the river they were pleased to see Johnny had waited for them. He was walking his horse in the shade of the cottonwoods, her lathered sides still heaving from the over-exertion. After waiting for them to water their horses, Johnny swung up into the saddle and began across the river. He still hadn't spoken but at least now the pace was kinder.

It wasn't long before they saw the buzzards circling overhead. All three spurred their mounts forward, anxious to see the horse and fallen rider. The horse shied away at their approach, they could see it had been arrow shot low in its belly. A Mexican had been tied to the horse's tail on a short rope so the horse could kick out at him as he was dragged. His privates had been hacked off and no doubt stuffed into his mouth, but now the privates and the eyeballs were missing; presumably taken by the buzzards.

"Apache!" spat Tony.

"Bastards!" muttered Johnny.

"Tarnation!" exclaimed David. "This must be the rider Kimberly saw following us."

The horse wouldn't allow them to get close. His eyes rolling back in fear and pain, he snorted when Johnny tried to approach. Part of it's gut hung out in a blue, green coil from the arrow wound to his belly and already the flies were feeding. Taking out his rifle Johnny put the horse out of its misery. Suddenly thankful that Erin had forced his hand, he and the others hurried onwards. Perhaps they wouldn't be too late to save Wolf.