Indians approached them the next day and Luke and the Wagon Master rode out to have a confab. The Indians demanded two beef animals, or two mules. The wagon master refused the request.
“That might not be wise, sir,” Luke advised him.
“Nonsense, I’m not giving up animals, but I’ll be happy to hold a meeting tonight. If anyone wants to surrender their property as tribute, then we’ll do it.”
Luke was in a sulk when he came for lunch. Alma almost told him about Cara’s visit, that she had told the woman the true story. But with his gloomy swearing, she held the confidence for later.
The meeting went as Luke had predicted. No one was willing to give up their precious animals. Water was short, feed was hard to come by. Luke advised them that it might be smarter to give the Indians a couple …show more content…
Luke finally found his voice, “No,” held out his elbow for her to take. She looked up at the man, taken aback by his peculiar actions. Boomer ran forward yelping excitedly, and Alma saw it was the birddog’s owner. She heard the man swear and kick at the excited hound, watched the female wag her hind quarters at him.
“A little too late to worry now,” Luke said.
The man swore again, then picked up his rifle and hat. When the dog refused to heel, he stalked off without her. He was almost to his wagons, when he turned to shout. “Horses are restless, keep your eyes open, boys.”
Alma ran forward to the rope picket and called for Amos. The tall old mule trotted over to her, braying. She touched his neck, petted him with caution, asking, “What’s the matter, old pal, what’s got you worried.”
He turned his head and brayed loudly in the distance, the stallion echoed his call. Luke noticed the mule’s ears and pointed to the left side of the enclosure. Alma raised her rifle, ready to fire. Sharply she yelled, Boomer. The hound complained, gave a last thrust, then dropped from the dog to turn quickly to run barking in the direction she
“That might not be wise, sir,” Luke advised him.
“Nonsense, I’m not giving up animals, but I’ll be happy to hold a meeting tonight. If anyone wants to surrender their property as tribute, then we’ll do it.”
Luke was in a sulk when he came for lunch. Alma almost told him about Cara’s visit, that she had told the woman the true story. But with his gloomy swearing, she held the confidence for later.
The meeting went as Luke had predicted. No one was willing to give up their precious animals. Water was short, feed was hard to come by. Luke advised them that it might be smarter to give the Indians a couple …show more content…
Luke finally found his voice, “No,” held out his elbow for her to take. She looked up at the man, taken aback by his peculiar actions. Boomer ran forward yelping excitedly, and Alma saw it was the birddog’s owner. She heard the man swear and kick at the excited hound, watched the female wag her hind quarters at him.
“A little too late to worry now,” Luke said.
The man swore again, then picked up his rifle and hat. When the dog refused to heel, he stalked off without her. He was almost to his wagons, when he turned to shout. “Horses are restless, keep your eyes open, boys.”
Alma ran forward to the rope picket and called for Amos. The tall old mule trotted over to her, braying. She touched his neck, petted him with caution, asking, “What’s the matter, old pal, what’s got you worried.”
He turned his head and brayed loudly in the distance, the stallion echoed his call. Luke noticed the mule’s ears and pointed to the left side of the enclosure. Alma raised her rifle, ready to fire. Sharply she yelled, Boomer. The hound complained, gave a last thrust, then dropped from the dog to turn quickly to run barking in the direction she