Chapter 2They traveled much of the night, coming at the first flush of dawn to a village deep in the mountains that bordered the northern edge of the Rancho Estrada. Rita had never traveled so far into the wilds. The small primitive village seemed to be inhabited only by Indians. They poured out of huts and shacks to greet the band. One elderly man, who seemed to be the chief, conferred with Carlos for a few moments in a language Rita could not understand.
A younger man at the chief’s side took her when Carlos lifted her free of his saddle and handed her down. The young Indian held her easily but as reverently as one might hold the effigy of a saint. Still groggy from the long, cold ride, Rita looked up at Carlos, unable to hide her confusion and alarm. “What is this about?”
“It’s all ri
