Chapter 79

“I fear you are too farsighted,” Cut observed with a sigh as he leaned against the bank and settled himself more comfortably in the pool.

“How so?”

“Many of the things you have foretold have taken place.” That cried out for no answer, so we sat in silence until he spoke again. “And the buffalo too?” he asked his perennial question in a low, half-believing voice.

“Even the buffalo.” I rendered my stock response. “If I could change it by denying it, I would do so.”

“I know, my friend. I know.”

We talked about our lives and the events beginning to shake this beautiful land, one of which had just seen its culmination. We spoke of everything except our personal desires. When I lay beside him in my blankets that night, my erection was painful. I wager his was no less urgent.

We made the village the following day. After bestowing the criminals’ weapons and ponies as gifts, Cut stood in view of all who were assembled and scornfully dropped the two medicine bags into a fire.