The Outcast by David Thompson Page B

her rest. She kept looking at him, but he ignored her.
    The Outcast came out of the trees and drew rein at the base of a steep talus. To go up it would be foolhardy. The loose stones and dirt would give way. Many a mount had broken a leg on talus, which was why men who cared about their animals avoided them.
    But the man who was after him, eager to save the female, might cast caution aside, especially if the Outcast gave him cause. With that in mind, the Outcast started up. He went only a short way, enough to suggest to his pursuer that he braved the slope and to get him to do the same. Then he reined to the right and rode in a loop that brought him down to the bottom.
    It was not much of a trick. Anyone with keen eyes would see that he had not gone all the way up. But he counted on his pursuer’s worry for the woman making the man careless. It was worth trying, even if all it did was cripple the man’s horse. An enemy afoot was easier to slay.
    The Outcast circled the talus slope until he came to firm ground and turned up the mountain. The sun was bright on the rocky ramparts. High above, an eagle soared, its head white against the blue.
    The Outcast liked this valley. It was abundant with life. It had occurred to him that if he killed the white men and the breed and whoever lived in the lodge at the east end of the lake, he would have the valley to himself. He liked that idea.
    He had wandered far since being banished from his tribe. It wasn’t that he wanted to, so much as he liked breathing. Lone warriors were inviting targets. That he had lasted so long spoke well of his prowess. But he was tired of always being on the move. It would be nice to have a place he could stay where others wouldn’t bother him. It would be nice to have a lodge over his head once more.
    Lou looked at him again. She needed rest. If he didn’t stop soon, she would fling herself from the pinto, and the devil be damned. But just as she was girding herself, they reached the top of the talus and he reined along the upper edge a dozen yards and stopped. Raising a leg, he slid off, then reached up and lowered her to the ground. He wasn’t gentle about it. She winced when a rock gouged her ribs. Rolling onto her side, she gazed down the slope.
    Lou suspected he was up to something. The move he did at the bottom must be a ruse, but if it was, he was in for a surprise. Zach and Shakespeare were too savvy to climb a talus slope. They would go around.
    Lou struggled to sit up. Her wrists were chafed from the rope, and her ankles were sore. She hated the gag. She worried she might accidentally swallow it and choke. Glancing at her captor, she made noise and bobbed her head, trying to get him to look at her.
    The Outcast was deep in thought. The trick alone might not be enough to get the rider out on the talus where he wanted him. An extra lure was called for. The sounds the woman was making gave him an idea. He put his hand on his knife, and she recoiled.
    Lou thought he was going to stab her. She tensed, prepared to sell her life and the life inside of her as dearly as she could. He stepped around behind her and she went to pivot, when suddenly the strip of dress tied over her mouth fell away. He had cut it.
    The Outcast came back around. He motioned for her to open her mouth wide. When she did, he carefully stuck two fingers in and pulled out the gag. He thought she might try to bite him, but she didn’t.
    Lou was so relieved, she smiled. She opened and closed her mouth, working her jaw muscles. Then she said, “I’m obliged.” She knew he couldn’t understand her but maybe he would take her meaning.
    The Outcast grunted. He could tell she was grateful. It was silly of her to think he had done it to ease her discomfort. He wanted her able to make noise. He wanted her to help lure the rider onto the talus slope.
    Lou tried talking to him in Shoshone. Zach had taught her enough to get by when they visited their