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"Get those mules in here!" He shouted at Pete, and ran toward Cassie "Get down!"

She dropped to the sand as a hail of bullets whistled above her head Nurain sacks they had put up as a barricade It was actually happening The Indians were attacking the Oblivious to her frozen stare, his black eyes fixed on Bordeaux as he dashed for cover His back to the danger, Bordeaux was unahen the Indian lifted his hatchet for the kill Cassie opened her mouth to warn him, but no sound came out She lifted her rifle and frantically cocked it The barrel waved unsteadily on the chest of the Indian as he closed in on Bordeaux Suddenly she was calm She took careful aim and squeezed off a shot

The body fell from the horse at Bordeaux's feet, but he barely noticed as he plunged to the sand on his chest He fired at another figure trying to force its way into the circle The space inside the wagons was a din of screa mules and men The air was filled with the sunfire

Cassie squinted into the darkness, searching for a target, but all she could see was dust and an occasional hoof The rifle fire abated and the ground shook with the dru theh for tagons

Her gaze stopped on the dead Indian and her sto It didn't matter that she had no choice, the outcome was the same She dropped her rifle and cupped a hand over herliquid scalded her throat She fell to her knees, retching

Gentle hands lifted her froround, and she buried her face in Bordeaux's chest, sobbing He held her without speaking, probably sensing there was little he could say to make her feel better Yet his presence reminded her that he was alive because she had taken another life It

She lifted her head and wiped the tears from her eyes This was exactly why they didn't want a wo

"I' away fro to say

It was a gri of firelight Two mules had to be shot That left only a dozen mules and the bay Even the spare horses had been lost in the raid