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Minutes later, after the firing had stopped, Deneen appeared. He said it once. "Goddamn it they all look alike. How did I know who it was?" That, by way of an apology.
Fly
They moved a few yards to where there was more protection-the brush was heavier and a fallen tree formed a natural barrier on the side that faced deeper into the trees, and out from it there was a fifteen foot clearing to help some. The other side looked out on the open meadow they had started to cross. Fly
Madora moved next to Fly
"They'll come soon as there's a hint of light."
Fly
"How would you figure it?" Madora said.
"Come from the inside, through the trees. If they can count to five three times they've got us."
"Be all over before we could reload."
"Did you take Three-cents' gun?" When Madora nodded he said, "That'll help some. How many rounds you got?"
"About thirty, plus the loads in Three-cents' gun."
Fly
"Hell yes. What side do you want?"
Fly
"Then you get this," Madora said, handing him the extra pistol.
"If you want to use it sometime, it's all right."
"Maybe next week," Madora said.
Now Fly
His left pistol came up and fired. Count them! One. Another shape coming across the clearing, stumbling with the report. Two. A Mimbre darted from one tree to another and he missed him. Three. Don't throw them away! The same one came on, in view for a longer time, and he knocked him flat. Four. Madora's firing the other way. Don't look around. There…off left! The slamming report and powder smell. Five. Now wait…you're starting to reload…here they come!
He stood up suddenly, pointing the other pistol, firing, seeing them go down…four blasts from the pistol and two Mimbres dropped, one hit twice. Others were coming out of the trees! No…split-second indecision and they were going back in. Hurry up, reload! He inserted two cartridges, looked up, and when there was no movement he loaded three more; then the other gun.
The firing had stopped on both sides. "What did you have, Joe?"
"Ponies. Didn't you hear them?"
Fly
"They were for attention," Madora said. "Your side's the one."
"Don't tell me."
"You want to trade off?"
"I'm used to it now."
Turning toward Deneen, Madora said, "You want to help out next time?" He stopped, his eyes narrowing into a frown. "You feel all right?"
Fly
"We're not going to get any help from him," the scout said. He looked out over the meadow in the dawn light. Fly
His eyes followed Madora's outstretched arm through the early morning haze, out across the meadow. There, at the edge of the trees two hundred yards off, stood three Mimbrenos. They were looking toward the pines; then one of them motioned and others appeared, carrying something.
"David…that's a man."
Fly
Madora said, "Do you recognize him?"
Fly
"Get Deneen's glasses."
Deneen was staring at Fly
"Take it easy. Let me have your glasses."
Deneen's left hand felt the case hanging at his side. "I'll look first!"
Fly
Deneen looked through the glasses. When he brought them down his face was drawn tighter than before and for a moment Fly
Fly
Looking through the glasses Madora said, "Scalped. And nekked as a jaybird." He was silent. Then, "He's alive, David."
"You're sure?"
"Positive."
"What's that?" Fly
"They got knives," Madora said. He grunted. "You see that?"
"Enough," Fly
"They cut the tendons in his arms." Madora waited, and winced holding the glasses to his eyes. "Now both his legs."
Deneen turned away.
Fly
"You bet it is." Madora lowered the glasses. "They're telling us what's coming up about an hour from now."
"Next time they'll rush until they get us," Fly
Madora nodded up and down. "The first time they found out what they wanted to know…though it cost them more than they figured. Your side was the natural, cuz of the cover, just fooled around mine. Next time they'll come mounted, all of them…like a twister and run right through us."
Fly
"Which way?"
"Back." He nodded into the trees.
"We wouldn't get ten feet." Mildly, Madora said, "David, the only thing we can do now is think about all the things we shouldn't of done before."
Fly