When Joe hunt meat for her, white man take woman. XXX Jim reckoned he’d best study on some simpler things. Vickie had been sitting there trying to read his face as these thoughts had run through his mind. The saddle-worn Ranger had been leading the mule back toward San Antonio for the last four days; Joe’s latest futile escape attempt had been made only the night before. He had evidently let his empty stomach, his fatigue, and the beer get to him because he didn’t remember her having helped him into bed. “If she’s within twenty miles of here, that slick injun horse thief’s probably smelled out her spots by now.” He thought that idea over as he leisurely poured himself a tall beer.
