Chapter 13 - The Journey West
Samuel left the ranch under Red Willow's protection.
Three Apache riders accompanied them.
The journey took days.
They avoided main roads.
Mercer's men were searching for Samuel.
Along the way, Red Willow explained why he trusted him.
"You fed strangers."
Samuel smiled.
"I was hungry once."
Red Willow looked surprised.
"My father believed hunger made people honest."
"And did it?"
"Sometimes."
They reached a small settlement near the border.
There they found Henry Vale.
He was seventy-two.
Blind in one eye.
His hands shook.
When Samuel introduced himself, Vale immediately knew the name.
"Nathaniel's boy."
Samuel nodded.
Vale pulled an old metal box from beneath his bed.
Inside was a survey map.
The original.
It showed that the spring beneath Samuel's ranch connected to several underground channels.
More importantly, the map proved that Rourke's proposed water transfer violated an old territorial agreement.
But Vale warned Samuel.
"Paper won't save you."
"What will?"
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Vale looked toward the door.
"People willing to stand beside you."
