Chapter 110

The gunfire continued unabated while I lashed the six militia horses together before remounting the palomino. Leading the horses up out of the gully, I emerged into the open, easily within view of Smith and his men. I was out of range of a handgun, but a rifle still posed a risk. Nonetheless, I pointed my Henry into the air and fired. It took three shots to claim their attention. The startled militiamen grew careless. One stepped into the open, rifle to his shoulder and toppled over, shot dead by Panther or Star. The militiamen scrambled for cover and began firing at me. I turned my back and led the horses down into the gully again.

Half a mile later, I emerged from the ravine so I could once more be seen. Then I rode hard to the north, putting distance between the enraged killers and myself. The gunfire had ceased, so I assumed Panther and his family had taken the opportunity to slip away from the stranded militiamen.