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Updated: May 20, 2025
They gave to Provenso a burro whose pack was nearly empty, what food and water they could spare, and he left them. They started on dejectedly. Provenso had told them where Kut-le had camped ten days before. They could only find that spot and attempt to pick up the trail from there. "Just the same," said Billy, "it's just as well he didn't get away with Miss Rhoda. He's a tough pill, that Provenso.
Gradually under their eager eyes the dot grew into a man who staggered as he walked. When he observed the horsemen coming toward him he sat down and waited. "Jim Provenso! By the limping Piper!" cried Billy. "Thought you was in Silver City." Jim was beyond useless speech. He caught the canteen which Jack swung to him and drank deeply.
"There isn't a cent in the camp." Kut-le turned to Rhoda. "You get the point of the conversation, I hope?" Rhoda's eyes were blazing. She had gotten the point, and yet Jim was a white man! Anything white was better than an Indian. "I'd take my chances with Mr. Provenso," she said, joyfully conscious that nothing could have hurt Kut-le more than this reply. Kut-le's lips stiffened.
"Tell us what happened, for heaven's sake," cried DeWitt, eying Provenso disgustedly. Jim told his story in detail. "That Injun Alkus," he ended, "he tied a rag over my eyes, tied my hands up and, say, he lost me for fair! He took all day to it. At night he tied me up to a tree and I stood there all night before I got my hands loose. I was sure lost, now, I can tell you!
"You take my advice and let me take the girl back to her friends and you make tracks down into Mexico as fast as the Lord'll let you." Kut-le shifted the Navajo that hung over his naked shoulders. He gave a short laugh that Rhoda had never heard from him before. "Let her go with you, Jim Provenso! You know as well as I do that she is safer with an Apache! Anything else?" "Yes, this else!"
She'd better be with the Injun than him!" "Provenso must be a bad lot," said Jack. "He is!" replied Billy grimly. The camp was made that night near a smooth-faced mesa. Before dawn they had eaten breakfast and were mounting, when Carlos gave a low whistle. Every ear was strained. On the exquisite stillness of the dawn sounded a woman's voice which a man's voice answered. Rhoda gave a cry of joy.
Jim's voice rose angrily. "If ever we get a chance at you, we'll hang you sky high, see? This may go with Injuns but not with whites, you dirty pup!" Suddenly Kut-le rose and, dropping his blanket, stood before the white man in his bronze perfection. "Provenso, you aren't fit to look at a decent woman! Don't put on dog just because you belong to the white race.
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