Lynch Read Free Page A

Cheyenne. Even though their skin was darker and their uniforms different, he still knew soldiers when he saw them.
    Katie emerged from the cabin, wiping cornmeal from her hands. “To what do we owe the honor of this visit, Ohkom Kakit ?” she asked.
    Little Wolf shook his head. “This is no visit, Small Dove. I come to warn you.”
    Johnny frowned and put his arm about his wife’s shoulder. “Warn us? About what?”
    Little Wolf glanced at his men, and then took a deep breath. “Three moons past there was a great battle between the white man and the red man along the Greasy Grass.”
    â€œYou mean Custer,” Johnny Pearl said grimly. “I heard tell of it last time I was in town.”
    â€œYes. The yellow-hair,” Little Wolf nodded. “It was a great victory for the Cheyenne and the Sioux. We counted great coup against the pony soldiers.”
    â€œYou were there?” Pearl asked in surprise.
    Little Wolf nodded and smiled crookedly, trying to keep his pride from showing. “It was a great fight. But now the whites are angry and seek to hunt us down and punish us for this thing.”
    â€œThe U.S. Army don’t take kindly to gettin’ whupped,” Pearl sighed. “I can tell you that first-hand.”
    â€œThe pony soldiers are rounding up all Cheyenne, all Sioux—warriors, women, children, grandfathers—all of us! They seek to lock us away from our hunting grounds and our sacred places as punishment for daring to fight. They will try and take Katie away from you, Johnny Pearl.”
    â€œWhy would they do that? She ain’t full-blooded. Besides, she’s my wife.”
    â€œPerhaps you are right, Johnny Pearl,” Little Wolf conceded. “You know the mind of your people better than I do. But you would be wise to leave this place and come with us. We are headed for Dull Knife’s village. There we stand a better chance against the pony soldiers when they come.”
    â€œWe appreciate the concern, Little Wolf,” Pearl said. “But we’re staying put. Besides, Katie is in no condition to travel.” He smiled and patted his wife’s swollen belly.
    â€œAll the more reason to leave,” Little Wolf frowned.
    Katie glanced anxiously at her husband but said nothing. Seeing the fear in his kinswoman’s eyes, the Cheyenne chief’s grim demeanor softened.
    â€œDo not be frightened, little cousin. Your husband is a good man and a fine warrior. Farewell, blood-of-my-blood. And many blessings on your child.”
    â€œI thank you, Ohkom Kakit , “Katie replied, blinking back a tear. “You’re welcome to stay here as long as you like.”
    Little Wolf shook his head and pointed to the clear, cloudless sky on the horizon. “We must go. There is a storm coming.”
    Two days after Little Wolf and his followers left, the storm arrived.
    It wasn’t a storm that brought with it thunder and high winds and hailstones. No, the storm that bore down of Johnny and Katie Pearl was a mortal one—the kind that rains fire and hot lead.
    Pearl had just finished milking the nanny goat and was bringing the pail into the house when the thunder rose through this boots. It had been a long time since he last felt anything like that—but it wasn’t something a man could forget. Many men on horseback were coming their way—riding hard.
    Katie was in the front yard, throwing feed to the chickens. When she saw the look in her husband’s eyes, she let her apron drop and ran into the cabin, re-emerging seconds later with the carbine.
    â€œGit in th’ house and stay there!” Pearl ordered as he loaded the Winchester.
    Katie hesitated, placing a hand on her husband’s arm. “Perhaps it is only my cousin.…”
    Pearl shook his head, his mouth set in a grim line. “Whoever they are, they ain’t Cheyenne!” Katie gave his arm one last squeeze and disappeared