Tykota's Woman(81)

"Makinna, I don't think that's solely why he passed rule to his brother, although it may have played a big part in his decision. I truly believe he thought it was for the best of the tribe. I know my son; he must be feeling devastated at the moment. I am sure he feels he failed both you and his people."

"He must go back." Makinna closed her eyes to settle her thoughts. "Where is he? I will make him go back."

Hannah gave a helpless gesture with her hands. "I don't know where he is." Her eyes were swimming with tears. "You should have seen him when he read your letter, Makinna. I have never seen him so distraught."

"It wasn't meant to bring him pain. I had intended only to set him free to live his life as he wished to."

Suddenly, there was a banging on the door, and Hannah hurried to answer it. Makinna heard her speaking to one of the ranch hands.

When Hannah reentered the room, her face was white, and she looked terrified. "Mangas just rode in. He's been wounded and is asking to see me."

"Mangas. Wouldn't he be with Tykota?"

"Yes. That old Indian never stirs from my son's side. Something is terribly wrong."

Makinna grasped Hannah's hand. "May I speak to him?"

"They have put him in his cabin. Let us hurry!"

Makinna held the lamp for Hannah while she removed the bullet from the old Indian's chest. Mangas met Makinna's gaze and moved his mouth. She grasped his hand, knowing he was in pain.

"She has the bullet out now," Makinna told him. "She has only to clean and bandage the wound."

He blinked his eyes, and she would have sworn his mouth curved into a smile. "I have had worse wounds and lived."

"And I've taken worse bullets out of you, you old Indian," Hannah said with affection. "I think you will live this time, too."

Suddenly Mangas's grip tightened on Makinna's with a strength that startled her. "Tykota. He is in trouble. He needs help."

Makinna held her breath while Hannah spoke to Mangas. "What has happened to my son?"

"After I was shot, Tykota was too, or he never would have left me. I saw the blood, and I saw Santo's dead body. There were hoofprints. I believe Tykota has gone to the sacred caverns, and I do not know where they are. No one knows but Tykota and perhaps Coloradous."

"I know!" Makinna cried. "At least I was there. I'm not sure if I could find them again on my own. But if someone could take me to the mesa where the Apaches held me captive, I believe I could find the cave from there."

Mangas rose up, his eyes bright. "Send John Kincaid to me. I will tell him how to find the mesa. You must hurry!"

Hannah took Makinna's arm. "You are my son's only hope. I would go with you, but I would only slow you down. I will prepare food and everything you will need if you find him wounded."

Makinna felt fear for the man she loved. What if she never found him, or found him too late? "Pray for me that I might find him alive."

Makinna rode away from Biquera just before sunup. John Kincaid and two heavily armed ranch hands galloped at her side. One of the men led a packhorse. Makinna wished she was riding an Indian pony so she could simply race across the desert to Tykota.

On the third day out, they were in sight of the wide mesa. Makinna halted her mount and studied the lay of the land. She looked to the south. She remembered Tykota telling her that the cave was two days' ride south of this mesa.

"In the morning we ride south," she told John.

He nodded and prepared to make camp with the ranch hands.

"John, wait. I have to tell you something, and I don't know if you will understand."

"I will try, Miss Hillyard."

"Tomorrow we will ride for a day and a half. Then I must ride on alone."

He looked worried. "It could be dangerous for a woman alone."

"That's the way it has to be, John. You and the others can't come with me."

"This cave Mangas and you were talking about-could it be the sacred cave of the legendary Perdenelas?"

"I don't know. It could be."

"And Tykota took you there?"

"I saw nothing of value there. But I know Tykota has strong feelings about that place. And if there is the slightest chance that it is the sacred cave, I can't take you or anyone else there." She looked into his clear, honest eyes and knew she could trust him. "Do you understand, John?"

"I do. And I surely don't want those two"-he nodded to the cowhands, who were drinking coffee from tin cups-"to learn about the cave."

"Neither do I." She was quiet for a moment. "I ride the last few miles alone."

"Yes. But what will you do if Tykota is injured?"