บท 95: Chapter 95

“Captain, to what do we owe the courtesy of this call?” James’s voice was cordial, holding no note of irony.

“Been another raid. Wagon was ambushed on the road twixt Teacher’s Mead and Yanube City.” As he spoke, the group behind him broke apart and headed in different directions.

James paid no attention to them. “Casualties?” He sounded like a superior officer taking a report from a subordinate.

“No, but a horse was shot down, stranding the party in the middle of a storm.” His eyes slid to me. “It was Injuns, of course. You know anything about it, boy?”

James spoke before I could respond. “My man knows nothing about it. How big was the raiding party?”

“Dunno. It was raining like the Flood, so they ain’t sure.”

“Raining? So, it occurred two days back. I’d like to question the immigrants. Where are they?”

“Bought a horse to replace the one that was down and headed for Oregon this morning.”

“This is a little off the Oregon Trail.”

“Ain’t my business what trail they take.”