Chapter Twenty-ThreeThe splashing grew louder, the sound of horses moving through the shallow waters, a man's voice urging the animals on. Dodd waited, biding his time, knowing once he made his play it needed to be quick and decisive.
More urging, horse flanks being slapped, hooves digging into the muddy bank.
“Come on, goddamnit.” White men's voices. The knowledge brought Dodd a tiny relaxing of the shoulders, as his worst fear was to encounter Indians out here. He sucked in a breath, gritted his teeth and sprang to his feet.
He took a bead on the lead rider, shooting him in the chest with the carbine, blowing him rearwards over the saddle and pitching him in the water.
All hell broke loose.
Both horses reared up, panicking, eyes wild, screaming, desperate to flee. The riderless hors
