Silver City Massacre (27 page)

“Blackfoot,” Coldiron said. “They was Blackfoot. They ain't Sioux or Cheyenne. They most likely were movin' too fast to bother with captives.”

“Huh,” Duncan grunted. “How do you know they were Blackfoot? We were told they were Sioux. Them and some Cheyenne renegades have been attackin' some farms along the Yellowstone for the last two months.”

“The Injuns that hit Benson's Landing was Blackfoot,” Coldiron stated matter-of-factly. “I seen 'em when they came down the river last week. I figured they was lookin' to steal horses or raid homesteaders, but there ain't no homesteaders on the Gallatin, so I reckon they moved on. They was a long way from home, if they were from that bunch up near the Judith. I thought that mighta been them comin' back when you soldier boys came ridin' up my trail.”

“Maybe so,” Duncan allowed. “Don't make much difference, though. Injuns is Injuns. Where's that haunch of deer meat you was braggin' about?”

Coldiron chuckled again. “Still on the deer,” he said, and pointed to a tree by the stream on the far side of the cabin where a carcass was hanging from a limb. “I was just fixin' to butcher it when I heard you boys comin' up my trail, soundin' like a freight train. I hadn't kilt it more'n fifteen minutes before that.”

His comment surprised Bret. “We didn't hear a shot,” he said. “If we were that close, I woulda thought we'd have heard the shot.”

“Most likely because you boys was makin' so much noise comin' up through them bushes,” Coldiron said, then waited for a few moments before explaining. “Coulda been 'cause I shot it with my bow, though.” He looked at Duncan and laughed heartily. “If one of your boys can give me a hand, I'll go saw us off a haunch. Wouldn't be a bad idea if we smoked a supply of meat to take with us. We don't know how long it'll take to catch up to that raidin' party.”

Duncan nodded toward Private Weaver, motioning for him to follow Coldiron.