Learning that Jack Boyd was one of the men assigned to guard the well from all intruders, Sandy borrowed the engine man’s car the next day and headed in the direction of Kitty’s school. The going was rough, as usual, but the machine was equipped with a heavy-duty transmission and rear axle, double shock absorbers, an oversized gasoline tank and other features which defied the chuckholes. He made good time and found the school trailer during the noon recess.
Twenty Navajo children of all ages were playing what looked like a fast game of baseball as he drove up. They flew into the trailer like a flock of frightened chickens, and came out trying to hide behind their teacher’s skirts.
Kitty greeted her visitor with considerable reserve, but when he told her that Ralph had asked him to come, she became much more friendly and invited him to share her lunch.
He found that the roomy trailer was well equipped for its purpose, with plenty of desks, books, a blackboard and other facilities. It was parked under tall pine trees near the first brook that he had found since he left the well.
“A good place to study,” he said to make conversation as he looked out of the big windows at the nearby Chuska Mountains.
“But it’s the shower that attracts the children at first,” she admitted. “I have a little pump in the creek, you see, so we have all the water in the world. They’ve never seen anything like it. Most of them live in gloomy hogans where the only light comes through the door and the smoke hole in the center of the room, and where water has to be brought in in buckets. Hot water is the greatest luxury they’ve ever known. They’d stay under the shower all day long, except that they are so eager to learn their lessons.”
“Navajos really like to study?” He tried to keep the surprise out of his voice.
“Of course they do. They’re bright as silver dollars. Now that they have schools, they’re going to surprise everybody with the speed at which they learn.”
“Do you ever teach them about Kit Carson?” he took the plunge.
“Why ...” she stared at him uncertainly. “I mention his name when I have to.”