Slocum had made it halfway back across the plain when he saw a large cloud of dust, much greater than that kicked up by Deke’s band of rebels. It looked like it was headed his way. Could it be more of Deke’s recruits? If so, it would be impressive, indeed, and would prove Slocum wrong about Deke’s powers of persuasion. It couldn’t be the Apache; they didn’t have horses enough to kick up dust clouds to choke a dog.
“Who in the heck?” He slowed his horse as he continued to ride toward it, and it toward him.
But the closer he drew, and the closer it drew to him, the more he began to recognize the sounds of a battle-equipped mass of men, began to see telltale signs of . . . blue uniforms, heard precise orders barked in English, and finally, he saw the unmistakable sight of a U.S. Army cavalry guidon snapping overhead just as he heard a bugle cutting through the dust and haze.
And off to his left, high up on a rise overlooking the long plain, he saw a small band of ragtag Apache, silently watching as two fierce forces slowly made their way toward each other. And joining them from the east came a rider. Slocum couldn’t be sure, but at that distance, it looked to be the chief. Had he gone to the nearest outpost and tipped then off? Why now?
Slocum puzzled over this all as he rode northeastward, cutting a wide swath away from what was sure to be a battlefield soon. He headed toward the Apache contingent atop the far-off rise.
He reached them and rode up boldly. The chief nodded toward him, and he returned the gesture. Nothing more was said, but Slocum turned his attention to the battlefield. Now that he was sure the Apache were safe, he had to figure out if Julep was safe. The army’s arrival changed everything.
Soon the battle began in earnest, and any thoughts Slocum had of the U.S. Army putting an immediate halt to Deke’s army evaporated as hoofbeats, bugle blasts, and gunfire erupted. Slocum eyed the vicious collision from a distance with his spyglass. He could see no sign of Julep, and for that he was relieved. But where was she? Hopefully staying well back from harm’s way.
The chief rode up beside Slocum, who regarded the man without showing suspicion.
“It was my wife who finally convinced me, John Slocum,” said the chief, not looking at Slocum, but at the battle raging below. After a few more moments, he said, “She said that you are honorable and honest . . . even if she is not.”
Slocum felt his face redden.
The chief continued. “She also knows that her husband would not back down from a fight, no matter how much might the enemy had.”
“I’d say she’s a wise woman, then, Chief.”
“Perhaps. She also is . . . a handful.”
Slocum was tempted to say “two handfuls,” but he kept his mouth shut.