It was the next day when LeRue and Jed returned. They were dumbfounded by what they saw. LeRue read the sign, as he circled around the burnt building. When he saw the stakes in the ground and the cut ropes, he was sure he knew what had happened to Francisca. Urging his mount further out and circling, he found the trail of the murderers. LeRue found what he was looking for; the prints of a single horse to one side. Crow was tracking the killers. LeRue returned at a gallop to where Jed stood silently staring in shocked silence at the ruins of what yesterday had been his happy home.
“Jed, we gotta ride to the Batista"s for help. Your father has gone on the warpath. If we are to save him, we must ride now.”
nowWithout hesitation, Jed rushed to his horse and mounted up. LeRue and Jed rode as
