CH. 13

Catch and Release

The wild horses milled about on the other side of the small narrow canyon, that served as Adrian's theater, after leading the Skinheads away and circling back to their heard. Randy let Daniel down to rest on the ground but remained on his newfound friend and herd leader. Leland also remained mounted on his horse but held his rifle in his lap ready to go to Adrian's rescue. He positioned his ride near the rocks so he could watch the action from a safe, unseen distance. The pickup pulled to a stop several yards from where Adrian was. They looked up to the sky to pinpoint where their possible prey might be. Tommy and Charlie slowly looked around the area.

Then Tommy saw him. "Hey Charlie, looks like Dad got the Half Breed." He walked up to Adrian's bloody and supposedly lifeless body.

"He got him good," Charlie snickered. The skin head kicked Adrian's leg. No response came. "Too bad we couldn't hang him," he sighed.

"Who says we can't?" Tommy asked. "Make this one an example. Go get the rope. We'll haul him to the cave and hang him there to keep the rest in line."

Leland's horse sensed the mountain lion and shuffled nervously, giving Leland's position away. Tommy raised his weapon toward the disturbance. Leland's horse snorted and bolted, causing Leland to lose his seat and fall to the ground.

Tommy moved forward, rifle trained on Leland. "Don't even go for it," he warned as Leland reached for his dropped weapon. Charlie joined him. Leland ventured a peek to the rock ledge above and saw the Mountain Lion make its way quietly down, closing in on the men. Adrian was behind the boys now and opened an eye to see what was taking place. He remained in his position listening. Charlie moved in next to Tom.

The cat made a snarling cry, ready to pounce. Charlie turned with his shotgun to fire, but Leland rolled, grabbed his rifle, and fired at Charlie, knocking him back to the ground with a bullet in his heart. Tommy turned just as the big cat landed on him, knocking him to the ground. Adrian sat up and pressed himself against the rocks as the hunter screamed, then was silent. Adrian froze as the big cat walked casually by him toward Leland.

It was Leland's turn to have that strange, peaceful feeling and sense of connection. This was his guide and she had saved his life. She stopped ten feet in front of him and looked at him. She licked her lips then made a "huffing' sound that big cats make when they are content.

Leland looked into the eyes of the cat and nodded to her. "Thanks," he said, almost feeling foolish for talking to the animal, especially one who could eat him. She sauntered away and effortlessly jumped, rock to rock, back to the top of the canyon. Leland let out a sigh and slumped his shoulders slightly.

Adrian got up and walked to Leland. He smiled at him, offering his arm. Leland grasped his forearm and pulled his friend into a manly hug. "I think that went well, don't you?"

Adrian cringed at his bloody shirt. "Nothing will be well until I get a shower!" He stepped back and shook his arms at his appearance for emphasis.

They walked to Randy's position and found their horses waiting there, and the young Lieutenant with a big grin. "Daniel, let's get you to a doctor," Leland said.

They put him on Randy's horse and the four men rode to the camp.

When they arrived, Ben was waiting there with food and medicine to prepare Daniel for the trip to the Reservation clinic. The Indian looked at the haggard men before him with pride. As they drove to the clinic, Adrian told Ben everything.

The bullet was removed from Daniel's shoulder, and he was kept overnight, to make sure the bleeding was stopped. Adrian's cuts and abrasions were treated and his ribs x-rayed. He was cleared to go home, and all three men were granted the use of the shower in Daniel's room. Leland demanded that Adrian shower first because he knew if he didn't, they'd never hear the end of it. The demand for him to hurry would put pressure on him to finish quicker.

To their delight and surprise, he only took an hour and a half. He emerged looking refreshed and bright, barring the cut on his cheek and lip, and the black eye. He was grateful for clean clothes and threw everything he'd been wearing in the trash. He plopped down in a chair in Daniel's room and waited for Randy and Leland to finish their showers, which were accomplished in ten minutes for each of them. Adrian shook his head at them, knowing they surely couldn't have done a thorough job in such a short amount of time.

Daniel was brought from surgery two hours later and was placed in his room. Adrian greeted him when he awoke and grasped his arm. "Hwii'ts'zinnii," Daniel said quietly. "Thank you."

Adrian smiled at the man before him. "You're welcome, Little Wolf."

"My bag," Daniel indicated. Leland looked around the room for the bag that contained his clothing. After locating it he handed it to Daniel. Daniel felt through it with his good hand and smiled when it touched the item he was looking for. He pulled Adrian's feather from the bag and handed it to him.

"That's twice now." Adrian took the feather, retied the leather neck piece and placed it over his head. "Thank you."

Daniel closed his eyes with a smile and went to sleep.