Chapter 73

Gideon gave a fingertip to the hat salute. “Anybody hurt?”

“Just a broken finger.” Pa motioned to Christian.

“Naw,” Jacob said. “Dislocated. I fix it.”

He grabbed his brother’s hand and jerked on the finger before anyone had any idea of what he intended. Christian gave a howl, stowed his wounded digit back in his armpit again, and did a little dance.

“Lucky timing,” Alex said to Gideon.

“Not luck. We’ve been out since yesterday when word came of the attack on the way station. Tracked them into the Little Islands and found their camp. They’d left two to guard the horses they stole, but they gave up without a fight. Crow and Raven found their trail down out of the mountains. We were in the foothills when we heard shooting.”

“Don’t see Crow,” Pa said.

“He went back with the detail taking prisoners to the fort.”

“You might have your men take a look around,” Pa said. “Some of the raiders were hit.”

“There’s a wounded man over here,” Matthew called from beside my cabin.