Chapter 6: Chapter 6

“‘That’s the truth, and a carbine’s longer than a handgun. And we tote them both.”

“What do you judge their strength to be?”

“Near to our own. If they come all the way from Ramson, their boys is tireder than ours.”

Our attention had been diverted to the plains south of us. “Well, that battle’s theirs,” I said. “Ours is up here. Keep an eye out. Those Cherokee are close.”

“You can bet on that.”

Just then, a figure rose to the left of Miles. I jerked up my rifle and pulled off a shot, catching the warrior in the throat as he raced to bring his tomahawk down on the soldier’s head. I immediately threw myself to the side and twisted around. A second man popped up from behind the hill and loosed an arrow. It passed through the space I had occupied a moment before. I got off a second shot but wasn’t sure if I hit the man.