'Yes, you'll very definitely have to talk to him,' Jon said gravely.
'And carefully, Jamie. Nalte will not be easy to deal with. He's watched
wars and treaties go by for years, and he is a law entirely unto
himself. He eschews everything white--except for the white men's guns,
horses and women.
He moved his people into the mountains when the white men took over the
plains, rather than have to deal with them.
'He keeps to the old ways. His women do not buy cotton for their
dresses, and his scouts do not wear cotton shirts. He moves about in a
breech clout as do his braves in summer, in winter he warms himself with
hides and furs.
He is also intelligent, astute and very dangerous--an Apache to the
core.'
Hank had come in.
'You need the cavalry,' he said. Jamie shook his head.
'No, Hank. No. If I do that, they might ?dll her. If I don't catch up
with them before they hand her over to Nalte, I'll have to speak with
him personally and convince him to give her back. I_t's our only
chance.' Listen Hank, yon Heusen is going to think that he has both Tess
and me out of the picture. If anyone comes around, act as if you haven't
seen either of us. That lawyer will let out the information about the
will, and that will stall yon Heusen for a little while.'
He paused, then strode over to the big desk, sat and drew out a piece of
paper. He wrote on it quickly.
'Now Hank, you make sure that this telegraph gets out today, you
understand?
It's real important.'
'Yes, Lieutenant Slater, I understand.'
'Good. Jon will be back soon, and if I've any luck at all, I'll bring
Tess home to you again.' He paused.
'If not, Hank, you hold tight. Help will come. Von Heusen isn't going to
win this one.' He stood again, gritting his teeth.
I'll be damned in hell a thousand times over before I let yon Heusen win
this one!' He strode around the desk again in his bare feet.
'Hank, I need a pair of boots that will fit me.'
'Sure thing, Lieutenant.
I'll find you something.' Jamie nodded.
'Jon--I need new guns.'
In silence, Jon left to fulfill the request. They'd come with plenty of
guns, and he would know what Jamie wanted and what he needed.
Twenty minutes later the guns were assembled and Jon and Jamie were
ready to ride out. Dolly had made some coffee, and Jamie drank some
quickly, wincing as the hot liquid filled him. He felt a twitch at his
temple and felt the stitches there for the first time.
'You sewed me up, Dolly?'
'As pretty as a young girl's ball gown, Jamie.'
'Thanks.'
They moved outside. Jamie and Jon mounted with the others looking on.
'You bring Tess home now, you hear?' Hank said. 'Please, please, bring
her home!' Jane added, her large doe eyes wide and damp.
