Page 83 (2/2)

But when he saw the horses suddenly veering to the right, now galloping hard toward a cliff, he knew that he could not just sit there and watch the horses and the woe to their deaths

Although weak frohts, Thunder Horse sank his moccasined heels into the flanks of his steed He scraallop toward the stagecoach

When he drew alongside the tea like thunder in his ears, he steadied himself, then leaped onto one of the lead horses

He reached out and finally was able to grab the reins Pulling hard on theet the horses under control

Once the anily to them until they had quieted Thunder Horse then leaped froecoach door

The woh theas Thunder Horse opened the door

As she ca onto a face of pale pink perfection It was co sun, which flowed across her tiny shoulders and down her back

She was young, surely no e, and petite in every way Her tear-swollen green eyes were filled with fear as she looked upon him

Needing to make her understand that he was a man of peace, a man of honor, who had never harmed any white woman in his lifetime, who especially would not harm someone as tiny and helpless as this woman, Thunder Horse released his hold on the door and stepped back He spoke to her in good English, which he had learned long ago in order to be able to parlay hites

“I am a friend,” he said slowly “I saw your trouble I caht toward a steep cliff”

When she still didn’t say anything, but only sat there treain spoke to her

“You have nothing to fear fro at her loveliness She was like no other wo long past her shoulders from beneath a fancy bonnet

He looked back in the direction froain “Where is the driver?” he asked, iht dark eyes

He could not help her any further if she would not communicate with him Yet he did not want to leave her alone out here in the desert

“How is it that the horses got so spooked, they ca you to your death?” Thunder Horse asked, frustrated that the woh to answer his questions