With Ralph’s expert hand at the wheel, the truck struggled back onto the trail.
After receiving “thank yous” from all concerned, the Navajos stood aside and waved in silence as the column drove away.
This time, Sandy asked to ride with the driller because, as he explained, “I’ve got a lot of questions about things.”
“Shoot,” said Ralph.
“Why didn’t anyone offer to pay those people for helping us?”
“They would have been insulted. That’s how Cavanaugh got in bad with them in the first place—by insisting that they take money for everything. Navajos are proud. Next question.”
“Why did you hand out cigarettes in that funny way, instead of just offering your pack?”
“You never point anything at an Indian. It might be a gun.”
“Oh....”
“Anything else on your mind, Sandy?”