DEAD MAN

Luke listened when the captain returned to tell the skinny corporal that there was nothing that could be done to learn the fate of Foster and Rivers. The news was not well received by the small group of soldiers gathered about the fire, with some faintly subdued grumbling about the responsibility of their officers to recover the wounded and dead after every battle. The Indians’ penchant for mutilating bodies of their enemies was well known among the troopers. “I don’t like it, either,” Captain Egan told them, “but we were ordered to move on.”

“I reckon I could go back and see if I can find out what happened to your two men,” Luke volunteered. His announcement brought forth looks of surprise on the faces of those gathered around the fire. He had made no comment up to that point.

“That might not be such a good idea,” Egan said, “riding back into that swarm of Indians. The minute they see you, you’re a dead man.”

“I don’t plan on lettin’ ’em see me,” Luke replied.