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Shots were being exchanged opposite Benteen’s position It was the side closest to the herd, whichfired on The first rush of the horses had passed, leaving gaps that would allow hiht

Sta the remuda had been a diversionary tactic to create chaos in the calance at Lorna, huddled tightly against a wagon wheel Her gaze was frantically searching the confusion for Webb and Arthur He was saying a silent prayer for them himself, but he knew his men They would have put the boys’ safety over their own lives

“They got the boys out of the way Don’t w about them!” he shouted to Lorna “Just stay w you are”

Waving his hat at an oncoed to run through the tangle of bedrolls and saddles, trying to keep one eye on the loose horses and the other on the fight in progress

“Grab some of those horses!” he shouted to Vince Garvey They couldn’t let all the horses scatter, or they wouldn’t be able to mount a pursuit

The ca the gunfire of a fleeing band of Indians He was conscious of the weight of the pistol in his hand without being aware he’d drawn it The hat was back on his head The air was tainted with the sunsmoke He had tie

Automatically he reached for more bullets to reload “Start throwin’ saddles on those horses!” He threw the order at the ca that very thing Benteen glanced to see ith him as he pushed new bullets into the empty chambers Barnie was nearest hi for the horses at a running trot “What about the boys? Do you know if they’re okay?” Benteen asked as he shoved his pistol back in its holster

“Saw Zeke scoop up Webb I think Rusty grabbed the little tyke,” Barnie answered “One of them raiders with the Injuns had a beard and a buffalo coat”

Benteen cursed hier, only there hadn’t been any reason to suspect the Indians would raid a ical to believe his family would be safer in the company of twenty armed cowboys than left alone at the cabin But he hadn’t counted on the Indian raids being instigated by a white renegade, either

Only eight of the horses froht No ti out saddles and owners Zeke handed Benteen the reins to a big Roman-nosed chestnut the instant he entered the camp

“Where’s Webb?” Benteen stepped a foot into the stirrup

“Just returned him to his mamma,” Zeke answered

Benteen’s gaze swept the camp, a jumble of men on foot and on horseback He was briefly torn by a desire to make certain his family was unhar driven that much farther If he wanted to recapture the bulk of his herd, immediate pursuit was imperative It was halfdark now

The decision was ave the order, but it was his action thechestnut

When Benteen made that mad dash between horses to the other side of caainst the chuck wagon There was soon that she couldn’t separate it all