Chapter 109

The house was a wreck by the time they finished, but they found nothing. That merely enraged Smith further. His face was almost black by the time he led his men down the trace toward the Tiller place.

Worried, I retrieved my rifle and trailed them by foot, keeping far enough to the rear to remain out of sight. I watched from hiding and observed they treated the Tillers with a modicum of respect. I could not hear their words but saw Andre shake his head.

I slipped back to my own place as they trailed out of Andre’s yard and headed north. Grass Dancer and his family had had ample time to reach the badlands by now. They could have already negotiated the breaks and moved on west. Nonetheless, worry played with my mind and put a chill on my back. I left a note in case James returned to find the place in a high state of disorder before saddling Patch.