Author's Note: It's yet another "next day" edition! We'll be back to a regular posting schedule for a while after this. Thanks to wotwasithinkin and Cathy for the great comments on Drabble 8! I'd love to hear your thoughts on the story, too.
Drabble 9: The Strange Gift
Two days later, Manolito spotted smoke rising from a nearby ridge. Approaching, he tied Mackadoo to a scrub and crept up the rise.
An old Apache medicine man in a black Bowler hat sat rocking on the ground next to the fire, looking directly at Mano as he topped the ridge. He signed for Mano to join him.
"Chief Tularosa learn John Cannon's woman with child. Cannon treat with honor and send gift when son of chief born. Tularosa now send gift to Cannon. Montoya deliver."
He handed Mano a cotton bundle tied with leather cord.
The Apache's rocking resumed.
~HC~
Follow-up Note: Also, if there are any fantasy/adventure readers out there, I'd love for you to consider reading my Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser story entitled "The Princess and the Hand Glass" that I finished yesterday or the earlier "fun" story entitled "Well Spent in Lankhmar." They're a lot different than this one but I think they're enjoyable in their own way. Thanks for considering them.