"Are you taking two, Pete?" Gramps asked.
"No. Just one. Cindy's riding the other roan to the telegraph office to let John know the Run is on."
"John's our other son," Granny said softly. "He wasn't born for the West, but he does very well in New York." She followed Pete with her eyes. "Pete is young, and he feels as the young do. That is good."
Pete came back with his two saddled ponies. "Which one do you want, Cindy?" he asked.
"You take the best one," Cindy said anxiously.
"There's no choice between 'em. Here," he handed the reins of one pony to Cindy, "you take Sparkle."
Granny came with a sack much like the one Ann Simpson had prepared for her husband, and Pete tied it to his saddle bow. He strapped the flag to one side, so that his legs would go over it. Then he embraced his parents.
"I'll send for you," he promised.
"We know," Granny said calmly.
"We'll be waiting," said Gramps.