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Pointing at Adam and Ben, “You both swore ‘She’s lying Pa. We didn’t put spiders on her.’ Whoa, be careful I says. Calling someone a liar get you shot where I come from, same as calling them a thief or a cheat. She’s stern, I’ll grant you that, but she doesn’t lie. You gone hog wild on her. She can’t leave unless you want to do all her chores. I found her slumped on her cot, crying. “I’m sorry they gave you a fit. You’re tired, been at this night and day with nary a complaint. Rest for a spell, I’ll see about dinner.” She rose to her feet, pressed her hands into the small of her spine, smoothed her apron and tucked wisps of hair behind her ears. “You will do no such, everything’s ready. We’s just waiting for you to straggle …show more content…

The big boss, Lawson, gave them his tent for the rest of the night. Come sunup, they both mounted Daisy bringing his water canteen and some dried meat. They rode hard all day not considering the wear on Daisy. When they reached a shallow creek, they let Daisy rest and drink. She brought out a ribbon bag with coins. They bought another horse and traded Daisy for a sturdy one. They tore her dress, dripped her blood on it, and left it behind for her Pa to find. She wore boy’s clothes for the rest of the trip. One night, they stopped at a Quaker’s sheep ranch and asked the owner if they could water their horses. His wife invited them to spend the night. She said, ‘If anyone, whatever their color, comes knocking at our door we share our food and shelter for the night no questions asked. Where they head the next day ain’t any of our business anyhow.’ Your Ma and Pa were grateful to rest indoors lying on faded quilts by the fire. My folks welcomed their new daughter in Virginy. Ma and me taught her everything we could. When your Ma died, me with no children, no husband, come here to care of you and your Pa.” She slapped her leg laughing, “Ain’t that a bucket of worms? Enough talking. You boys skedaddle off to bed. This ol’ woman’s bone weary, needs my rest.” As Adam passed the wet clothes on the line, he wiped his jelly-covered hands on the clean clothes. How she wished those boys had known their beautiful Ma. In her prayers, she

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