I quickly settled back into reservation life, becoming an apprentice to my father. I anxiously waited for any word from Chavez. Even as the seasons changed without so much as a telegram, I never gave up hope. It wasn't in Chavez's nature to go back on his word, so I trusted him completely.

The rest of 1878 passed fairly uneventfully. But as 1879 began, troubling rumors reached my ears. Governor Axtell had been forced to resign by President Hayes, replaced by Lou Wallace. Wallace's intention was to bring all parties who'd so much as fired a shot during the Lincoln County War to the New Mexico Territory and try the individuals for their crimes. Upon hearing this, I decided to be a hell of a lot more careful about setting foot outside tribal lands.

Another rumor passed to me through the Indian communication system (which was a hell of a lot more efficient than the Pony Express): Billy the Kid was still running wild through New Mexico. The law couldn't seem to track him down, so the bounty had been increased to a thousand dollars. With such a hefty price tag, Billy had to be running out of places to hide. I wondered how long it would take for him to seek refuge in Warm Springs; no white lawman would think to look here.

Our paths wouldn't cross again until midwinter. On morning, I was shaken awake earlier than I would have liked by Father. He told me it was my turn for sentry duty. I frowned, slightly confused. "I'm allowed?" I asked.
Women were never asked to stand sentry; we usually cooked or sewed.

"Yes," Father replied. "You have the courage of fifty braves and are very handy with weapons. Now get up, Daughter, and take your post at the burial ground."

I was honored to be chosen as sentry, but spending hours in open ground was the last thing I wanted to do on a raw, frosty morning. Still, I knew better than to disobey an elder. Grudgingly, I left my bed of fur blankets and prepared myself for the day. I put on a fresh shirt and tied Chavez's bandanna around my forehead, then gathered my supplies: Father's knife, a bow, a quiver of arrows, and an apple.

I settled myself in a secluded spot near the canyon, fixing my eyes on the entrance to the burial ground. After a few hours passed without a sign of any intruders, I began to succumb to boredom. Hunger hit, so I bit into the apple. Suddenly, I heard the sound of approaching hooves. I squinted down at the burial ground. A group of horsemen stood near the graves. My heart leapt as I noticed Chavez leading the group; Billy and Doc were the only guys I recognized.

I remained at my post, munching my apple. Perhaps they were lost and would move on. But then one of the men I didn't recognize rode over to a grave and began to dig through the rocks covering it. I jumped to my feet and snatched up my bow. I threw the apple with all my might; it pegged the grave robber in the head.

"Where the hell did that come from?" he wondered aloud, rubbing the back of his head.

Then Chavez, screaming with rage, jumped from his charging horse on top of the other man. I watched the progress of the fight closely as I scrambled down from the rocks. Chavez and the other man wrestled on the ground for a while, then the grave robber pulled out a thick bone-handled knife. Chavez pulled a double-ended blade from inside his boot and twirled it expertly. The pair danced about for awhile, trying to avoid being stabbed. The other man threw dirt in Chavez's face and knocked him to the ground, then he drove his knife to the hilt through Chavez's arm.

'Bastard,' I thought.

I swallowed sickly as Chavez lay motionless, knife stuck in him. He regained his vision and slashed out at the other man. The blade tore the man's shirt and opened a gash on his stomach. It took the other man a minute to realize he'd been injured.

"Shit, shit," he cursed, reaching for his pistol.

I crept behind him, nocking an arrow into my bow. I pulled the string taught and said, "Not one more move."

I heard guns cocking all around the cemetery. Billy's voice said lightly, "I don't think so, Dave." Then he chuckled. "Serena Riddle. I'll be damned."

"Nice to see ya again, Billy," I said, turning to address him, but keeping one eye on Dave.

"Wow," breathed a kid who barely looked thirteen. "Billy, is that Rampaging Riddle?"

I bent over Chavez to check how much damage had been done. It looked bad; I had to get him to Father right away. I helped Chavez to his feet, and he managed a grin. "Querida," he said faintly.

"Don't try to talk," I said. "You'll be all right as soon as I get you to my father."

"What about me?" whined Dave. "I'm bleedin' too."

I rolled my eyes disgustedly; Dave had no more than a glorified scratch. Before I could say anything, Billy spoke up. "Ain't nobody gonna help ya, Dave. Nobody can stand the way you carry on with that hatefulness. You got what was comin' to ya, way you're always insultin' Chavez and his family."

He continued in this vein as I led Chavez away. He leaned against me so hard he damn near broke my back before we reached Father's tent. Using my native tongue, I explained to Father that my friend Chavez Twice had been injured while trying to protect our burial ground from robbers. (I called him Chavez Twice because his full name pretty much meant that).

"Wait outside, Daughter," said Father. "This is not for you to see."

Now, if I had stomached witnessing the injury, I could sure as hell witness the treatment. But I knew I had to do whatever Father said. As I left the tent, Father instructed me to gather moss and some clean cloth. When I returned from my mission, I sat on the ground outside the tent until Father emerged. He was covered in blood. I questioned him with my eyes; he beckoned me in.

I gasped. Chavez was slumped against the tent, eyes closed, his whole arm soaked in blood. "Is he dead?" I worriedly asked Father.

Father shook his head and began to clean himself up. "He lost much blood, but he will be all right," he said with absolute conviction. "He has a warrior's strength."

I knelt next to Chavez and began to bandage his arm. I had to stop several times to collect myself, as tears kept clouding my vision. I decided to remain with him until he came to again.