Three of the Apaches concentrated their attack on Ike and Ben. Fists flew and knives flashed. It happened before the two men had a chance to wield and fire their weapons. Both Ike and Ben fell off the wagon with the three Apaches on them.
Quemada and Secorro rode off on the wagon with the Henry rifle still onboard.
On the ground over and under the bodies tumbled, grappling in the dirt, twisting, with Ike and Ben warding off thrust after thrust of Apache knife blades while delivering blow after blow—smashing noses, jaws and throats of the red men until two of them lay unconscious while Ben grabbed hold of the third and pinned his arms behind him.
Ike drew his gun, cocked the hammer and pointed it directly at the temple of the Apache, who was certain he was about to be killed.
Instead, Ike’s other hand clutched the thong at his throat and held out the eagle claw.
Ike said only one word.
“Colorados.”