Bounty Hunter (9781101611975) by Bill Yenne Page A

she spoke.
    Demonstrating no particular urgency, she worked her way through the camp toward the cluster of wooden buildings.
    At last, he watched as her head turned directly, though very briefly, toward him. Her quick, though characteristically graceful hand gesture indicated that it was time for the
nápikoan
to ride into town.
    Following her lead, he came slowly and casually, winding his way, rather than riding directly toward the building near which she stood. His heart skipped a beat, however, when he saw her go inside.
    *   *   *
    G IDEON AND E NOCH P ORTER SAT AT A TABLE EATING A porridge of venison, while Jimmy Goode poured a cup of coffee—a distinct rarity in Blackfeet country—near a cookstove, which was another rarity in this country. Double Runner, wearing a white man’s shirt and vest, sat at the table with the Porter boys.
    Their conversation stopped when the door opened and a young woman stepped in.
    â€œ
Oki, i’taamikskanaotonni
,” Double Runner said, greeting her and bidding her good morning.
    â€œ
Tsa niita’piiwa, Isoko-yo-kinni
?” she said politely and appropriately for a young person speaking to an elder, asking after his health.
    â€œ
Tsiiksi’taami’tsihp nomohkootsiito’toohpa, Natoya-I-nis’kim
,” he said, recognizing her, and knowing that she was a relative of O-mis-tai-po-kah, whom he knew well, and saying that he was pleased to have her visit his home.
    â€œ
Tsiikaahsi’tsihp nito’toohs
,” she said with a smile, replying that she was happy to be there.
    The white men sat in stunned silence, reacting to Natoya’s uncommon beauty as Bladen Cole had when he first met her.
    â€œWho’s this pretty little thing that’s just walked in here?” Enoch Porter said, pushing the tin plate of porridge aside and rising to his feet.
    â€œSit down and finish your goddamn breakfast,” Gideon snarled at his impulsively brazen younger brother.
    â€œTo hell with eatin’ breakfast,” Enoch said, taking a step toward Natoya. “I’d be wanting me a little taste of
squaw
.”
    â€œ
Tahkaa kiisto?
” she said angrily, demanding to know who he thought he was.
    â€œGot a tongue on ya, doncha?” Enoch laughed. “Betcha this squaw knows how to buck.”
    â€œSit down and leave her be!” Double Runner demanded, standing up and reaching for his rifle.
    â€œDon’t do it,” Gideon said, firmly gripping the gun and pulling it away from its owner.
    Turning to Enoch, he repeated his demand that his little brother sit back down.
    Again, his brother ignored him.
    â€œGimme little kiss,
squaw
,” he said, grabbing her arm.
    As his face neared hers, the disgusting odor of his breath nearly gagged her, but she managed to let fly and spit into his face with as much force as she could muster.
    He staggered backward, momentarily stunned.
    â€œOh, you
are
a fighter, you little bitch,” he said as he wiped his face with his sleeve. “If it’s a fight you want, a fight you shall have!”
    With a laugh, he seized and twisted her wrist, and her buffalo robe fell to the floor.
    With her other hand, she drew her old Colt.
    Without hesitation, as his eyes grew to the size of the plate from which he had been eating porridge, she squeezed the trigger.
    Cli-ick.
    The sound of the misfire echoed through the room, which was suddenly devoid of all other sound.
    Enoch angrily snatched the gun from her small hand and threw it hard across the room.
    Pushing her onto the floor, he grabbed roughly at her clothing and drew his knife.
    â€œWhen I’m finished with this pretty little doe . . .” he said, licking his lips and touching her cheek with the steel blade. “I’m gonna mess up this pretty little face so’s I’m the last one who ever lays eyes on—”
    His words were swallowed by the thunder of an explosion, followed