They had been right. It was boring, but they both enjoyed riding. The sun was out but a cool breeze eased the heat. After a few hours noting the repairs that needed to be done, they set out to return to the little grove where they had parted.
Ben noticed the flitting shadows that came and went behind the tall rock-face that bordered the path. He put out his hand to his sons and they came to a halt.
"Do you see?"
"What?" Joe hissed. He did not know why he was lowering his voice.
"Up there," said Ben, nodding skyward towards the top of the rocks.
Joe craned his neck and strained his eyes, but could see nothing. He was still inexperienced compared to his brothers and father. "Who do you think it is?"
"I don't know."
"Are they trailing us?"
"They may be."
"Paiute?"
"They've been peaceful lately, Pa," said Hoss.
"There's only a couple of them. I don't know, but I don't think it's the Chief. It may be renegades."
"How can you know, Pa?" Joe asked.
"I don't." Ben turned to him and smiled. "I'm guessing. Experience, Little Joe."
It was at that moment that they heard a whizzing through the air. Hoss gave a terrible cry and clutched at his chest, swaying on his horse. Before Joe and Ben knew what had happened, he tumbled to the ground.