The big bay was breathing hard when they stopped to rest. Bordeaux pulled the saddle off and rubbed him down with the blanket. Pouring water from one of the canteens into his hat, he watered the horse. They rested for less than an hour and then he saddled the horse again. They walked for a while.
Cassie glanced at Bordeaux. He looked tired. He paused and pulled a weed from between some rocks and fed it to the bay. She kept a keen eye out for the same kind of weed and was surprised at how much they found. Gathering the weeds took precious time, but the energy the horse would sustain from it might save their lives in the near future.
As the sun reached its zenith, they stopped to rest in a saddle of rock overlooking a sandy gully. The heat settled around them like a hot breath. The gully shimmered in heat waves. The landscape around them was bleak, almost as devoid of plant life as the white sands had been. But the black rocks sucked the heat in and held it close to the earth.
Cassie lifted her hat and mopped her brow.
"You're right. It's worse here."
Bordeaux nodded and removed his hat, wiping sweat from the band. He squinted as he surveyed the black oven surrounding them.
"We'll be out of this soon."
"What about the Indians? Will they follow us?"
He shrugged. "I don't think they're with us any more."
As if challenging his statement, the bay jerked his nose up and sucked in a breath. Bordeaux cupped a hand over its muzzle, silencing the horse. The bay's ears were perked toward the wash below them. As they watched, three Indians rode around a bend in the gully and passed below them.
Cassie shrank back against the rocks, hoping the Indians wouldn't look up. They were in plain view, where they rested. She tore her gaze from the group. They might instinctively feel her terrified regard.
Bordeaux stepped from behind the rock and called to the Indians.
Cassie gasped, staring at him. Had he lost his mind?
The big Indian in the lead stopped his horse and squinted up at him. Then he motioned to the others and pointed up at Bordeaux, speaking in guttural tones. The only word she understood was Bordeaux.
Bordeaux led his horse down the embankment and Cassie hesitantly followed. Obviously they knew him. It even appeared that they were friendly. Bordeaux helped her down the hill and they joined the Indians.
The big Indian eyed her with appreciation and said something to Bordeaux. Then he laughed. Bordeaux gripped her elbow and helped her up on the bay, swinging up behind her. Without further conversation, the Indians started down the gully. Bordeaux urged the bay after them.