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Katherine's breath hitched. She couldn't think of it, her home, in flames.
Katherine busied herself in the kitchen; Joshua came in, glanced around, and sat down at the table. He ate then went back outside.
"He's a good kid, your brother?"
"Yes, but after what he's been through, I no longer consider him a child."
"Your folks...they dead?"
"Yes. The fever took them."
"I'm sorry ma'am. But...well, I don't understand you worryin' yourself over a half breed like that one in there, though ma'am," The Sergeant said, twirling the bread between his fingers. "After all, he's just a breed, more an animal than a man."
"I disagree, he's a human being? He bleeds red blood, just as we do," she insisted and then looked outside to see Josh talking to the young soldier. When they walked toward the barn she returned her attention to the Sergeant. "I'd nurse him, even if he were full blooded Indian."
"He's a breed...that ain't a man. Never had much use for his kind. Been through too many skirmishes, I guess." The Sergeant said matter-of-factly.
"What kind is that, sir?" she asked.
"Breeds, they turn on their Indian friends, help us soldiers. Seems almost wrong to turn on your own kind, if you know what I mean."
"Maybe, but if he's a breed, as you say, isn't he part white too?" Katherine said trying to keep the exasperation out of her voice.
"Got me there, ma'am." The Sergeant chuckled. He seemed to study the statement a while then added, "Never looked at it that way before. Guess you're right. Yeah, I reckon they could be pulled in two directions at once."
"It's merely the Christian thing to do, sir," she replied, and cast Chase a quick glance.
The Sergeant ate two plates full of stew, stretched, and put his hat on. Sweat marks ringed his hat, and a hole decorated the top.
"Indians put that hole in your hat?"
"Yes ma'am. Guess I was lucky that time. Better relieve the kid a spell. Thanks ma'am, that stew was the best I've eaten in some time." He smiled a toothless grin.
Katherine smiled and this time it was genuine. "My Ma's recipe."
He gave her a look, glanced at Chase, and went outside. The younger soldier came in, finished his meal, and didn't say one word. He wasn't much older than Josh, Katherine noted. Thin and auburn haired, he looked baked from the sun.
Katherine watched him closely. Where was his family? Why had he joined the army so young?
As he was about to leave he turned and looked at them both. Chase pretended sleep.
"We'll be beddin' down outside, ma'am. Thanks for the grub. If you need anything, you just give us a holler."
"Thank you and you're welcome, I'll get some blankets." she insisted, "It gets a might cold outside in the night."
He was about to open the door when an arrow flew past him through the window. He scrambled for cover, shoving her to the floor, and slamming the door shut while taking out his gun.
Hell suddenly broke loose as a loud yelp and arrows pierced the wood of the station. The sound was deafening. Chase glanced at Katherine once, to assure himself she was safe then began to eye his target. He rose from the bed in one leap.
The young soldier turned his gun on him, "What's this?"
But Chase easily took the gun from the young man and held it at his chin. "They would not have come, if you had not been here. You have put these two in danger. But rest assured, from now on I'll give the commands, understood?"
"Y-yes sir," the young soldier grimaced as the gun barrel tickled his throat.
"They are after the rest of the horses and the bluecoats. So we must leave here, tonight."
He knew and recognized the Indians. He took aim slowly and squeezed the trigger as though it pained him to do it.
