Chapter 28My partner had no sooner disappeared down the trail than I became aware of another presence. A man stepped out from around the rear of the cabin.
“I see you, River Otter.”
“I see you too, Dull Lance.”
For a moment I feared my thoughts had conjured an image of the man, but he was real enough. James would soon return from running down Lt. Simmons’s patrol, and Lance could not be here when he returned. James was unarmed, as was I. Dull Lance held a repeating rifle in his arms and had a handgun strapped around his waist. Streaks of red dye lined his brow and cheeks. Red. The color of war.
“The major will be back soon. You cannot tarry.”
“I saw him go after the Silver Bar Chief and his soldiers. No doubt he’s telling them the warrior, Dull Lance, is in the area.”
“He does his du
