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Reluctantly she relinquished hi and watched as he carried hiood-bye to Arthur

It was a sad and solemn procession that set out for the headquarters with the body of the small boy wrapped in a quilt and carefully laid in the back of the chuck wagon

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Lumber from the new house was used to make little Arthur’s coffin The carpenters would have done it, but Zeke insisted it was his right He’d ether the cot that had been the boy’s bed He’dplace, too

The grave was dug under the shade of the cottonwood trees by the river where he had played sopreacher trying to save some sinners at Frank Fitzsimmons’ place in Blue Moon They hadn’t wasted tied him out of the saloon and shoved him onto his horse

A cowboy could be put under the earth with a si, the little boy—Mrs Calder’s little boy—needed so their deep respect and loyalty for Benteen, too

Word of the tragedy had spread beyond the boundaries of the Triple C Besides Mary and Ely and the cowboys, there were a couple of neighboring ranchers, Frank Fitzsi of rave site

It was a crisp, tartthe dried brown leaves of the cottonwood trees There wasof a loved one in the air The cold breath of revenge had brought its scent, visible in the guns strapped to Benteen’s hip and to the hips of hisat the corral

The minister took note of this when he finished his prayers, with a request for forgiveness “And may God have mercy on the souls of those who perpetrated this deed Amen”

First Benteen, then Lorna stepped forward to throw a handful of dirt into the grave One by one, the cowboys began filing past Lorna’s eyes were bright with tears, but she kept her shoulders squared Benteen stood straight and tall beside her The minister came quietly over to offer his condolences

“My deepest sympathies to both of you,” he murmured

“Thank you, Reverend Worth,” Lorna replied with a faint nod of her head “My husband and I are extrerateful that you are here”

“It is my work,” he insisted

“We would like to build you a church as … as soon as all this is over …” She faltered slightly “This country is in need of churches … and schools I’m sure Mr Fitzsimmons will be happy to help you choose a site”

“You are enerous, Mrs Calder,” the reverend declared “And you, Mr Calder”