Chapter 58

My attention jerked back to Gideon when he asked about Matthew. Pa said he wasn’t back from riding shotgun for Dusty to Fort Ramson. Gideon pursed his lips and paused a moment before asking permission to dismount his men alongside Strobaw’s Crick. While the lieutenant cared for his troopers, Crow greeted the family, shaking hands all around like a white man.

“You shoulda come back to the Mead,” Pa said. “John and Matthew are about to set off to rebuild Otter’s old cabin. James left the place to John.”

Crow’s features hardened. Otter had been his friend. “Maybe I oughta. But I’m signed up for a year of scouting. You think they’d come haul me back if I stayed here?”

Pa grinned. “Like as not.”

“This here’s Raven Strongbow. He’s a new scout at the fort.”

Pa confirmed my judgment. “Didn’t know the Crow and Cheyenne rode together.”

The young man spoke up. “They do nowadays. Can’t find no other bloods to ride with around here.”