The men called to one another and laughed as they gazed around at the empty lodges. They were enjoying themselves immensely, Raoul thought. This time of year most of them would be breaking their backs doing spring plowing and planting. Now they could earn twenty-one cents a day while going on something like an extended hunting trip.
Most men would rather fight than work any day.
Eli Greenglove, on a brown and white pony, trotted up beside Raoul. His silver lace captain's stripes glittered on the upper arms of the blue tunic Raoul had bought for him. A long cavalry saber hung from his white leather belt.
Eli grinned, and Raoul had to look away. It seemed that every other tooth in Eli's head was missing, and the ones that were left were stained brown from years of chewing tobacco.
And now Clarissa had taken up pipe smoking, making it even harder for Raoul to enjoy bedding down with her.
If only Nancy—
But Nancy had made it plain that she despised him.
Damn shame. Of course, old Eli here would slit his throat if he had any idea what Raoul was thinking.
Eli said, "You figger the Prophet's Town Injuns have joined up with Black Hawk's bunch?"
"Of course," said Raoul. "And that means Black Hawk now has about a thousand warriors behind him."