Sam swallowed the angry retort that almost sprang to his lips. He and Matt were guests of the Navajo, after all. Anyway, he should be used to Juan Pablo’s surly nature by now, he told himself.
“I’d like to speak with Caballo Rojo.”
That drew some interest from Juan Pablo. He looked up with a frown and asked, “Why?”
“Because I want to find those men who bushwhacked us and make them tell me what it was all about.”
Juan Pablo grunted again.
“Probably they were thieves who wanted to rob you. All white men are thieves.”
“I suppose they could have been, but Matt and I didn’t look like very tempting targets for a robbery.”
That was true. Despite the fact that neither of the young men had to worry about money because of the ranches they owned in Montana, nobody could tell that by looking at them. They had good horses, and their guns were relatively new and well-cared-for, but other than that they appeared to be typical, down-on-their-luck drifters and grub-line riders.
“Those men could be far away by now,” Juan Pablo pointed out.
“That’s true. And that’s all the more reason to try to pick up their trail now, before they get even farther away.”
“You are set on doing this thing?”
“I am.”
“Caballo Rojo said that you may leave the canyon whenever you wish.”
Sam nodded.
“I know. But I want to tell him where I’m going and why, and make sure it’s all right with him if Matt stays here while he recovers from his wounds.”
“You are going to leave your friend?” Juan Pablo didn’t sound happy about that.
“He’s not going to be fit to travel for a week or more,” Sam explained. “I don’t want to wait that long to go after the bushwhackers.”
A put-upon sigh came from Juan Pablo. He set the bow aside.
“Come,” he said as he stood up. “We will talk to Caballo Rojo.”
They walked through the canyon to the large hogan that belonged to the chief. Sam had been here long enough now that the novelty of having him around had worn off for the most part. Some of the children still followed him wherever he went, and some of the young, unmarried women eyed him with open interest and speculation that he was careful not to return. Making some warrior jealous was one of the last things he needed.
Caballo Rojo was sitting outside his hogan enjoying the morning sun. He greeted Juan Pablo in Navajo, then gave Sam a solemn nod and said, “Two Wolves.”
Sam was pleased that the chief used his Cheyenne name. He considered that a good omen.
“Good morning, Caballo Rojo,” he said. “My friend Matt Bodine is better this morning. The fever no longer consumes him.”
Juan Pablo repeated that in Navajo. Caballo Rojo nodded again and spoke. Juan Pablo translated, “Caballo Rojo says this is a good thing and that your heart must be lightened.”
“It is,” Sam replied. “Tell him that it’s due to his great mercy and generosity that Matt survived at all, and that we are indebted to him.”
Juan Pablo complied.
Sam went on, “But now I must ask him for even more of that mercy and generosity, because I want to leave Matt here to recover while I search for the men responsible for hurting him.”
Juan Pablo spoke the words, and Caballo Rojo considered them gravely. For a long moment he didn’t reply, and when he did, it was at great length. Sam knew not to read too much into that. The Navajo could be as wordy and obsessed with formality as any other tribe.
Finally Juan Pablo turned back to him, and the warrior’s translation was predictably brief.
“Caballo Rojo says that this is agreeable to him, and he promises that your friend will continue to be cared for and kept safe.”
“Please express my deepest gratitude to the chief.”
Juan Pablo did so. Caballo Rojo acknowledged that with another grave nod and a slight wave of his hand.
Juan Pablo asked, “When will you go?”
“As soon as I can,” Sam said. “Now that Matt appears to be out of danger, I don’t see any reason to wait. I want to pick up the trail before much more time goes by.”
“Can you find the place where you were attacked?”
“I think so,” Sam said with a smile. “I kept my eyes open while we were on our way here, and I’m pretty good at remembering landmarks.”
“I can take you back to the place where we found you.”
Sam was a little surprised by the offer. He hadn’t expected Juan Pablo to be so cooperative.
“I appreciate that, but it’s not really necessary.”
