Chapter 65

Yellow Puma surprised me by appearing stronger than a month ago. “My son,” he greeted me warmly. “The provisions you supplied are welcome.”

“Thank you, Yellow Puma. You are looking better.”

“I am feeling fit. I will be with you for a long time to come.”

“That is good. On my journey back through the land of the Pipe Stem, I learned Great Bull has traveled on. Carcajou leads his people now. Also, an officer at Fort Yanube informed me the detachment from Fort Ramson will pass this way any time now. Probably on the other side of the river.”

The rest should be said as well.

“I received a visit from the Sioux after I got back. They know of the soldiers’ coming. They also asked about dragoons who passed on this side of the river heading east. I told them the troop was on its way to recover the bodies of the settlers massacred last winter. Cut Hand told you of that?”

“Yes. What is the mood of the soldiers?”