“I’d prefer to be with my men,” was the answer.
“Anyhow,” put in Dunbar, “we’ll see that you and your men have supper.”
Benner went back to his men, and the latter began caring for their horses. Guards were posted to command all approaches to the Star-A ranch, and rifles were kept within easy reach.
Preparing supper for thirty or more was something of a task, but Dunbar helped his wife, and Little Cayuse carried out the food when it was ready.
There was peace on that part of the Brazos, albeit an armed peace. Real peace could not come until Red Steve was captured, and had been forced to confess all he knew about Ace Hawkins and Jake Phelps.
Following supper, the scout and his pards smoked with Benner in front of the cabin. At a late hour Benner went to his blankets under the trees. Cayuse bunked down at the corral by the horses, and the others hunted berths on the floor of the ranch living room.
It was in the small hours of the morning that Little Cayuse crept into the living room and crawled to the scout.
“Come, Pa-e-has-ka!” he whispered.
The scout sat up.
“What’s wanted?” he asked.