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around his friend in order to examine each of the eight mustangs which Neeheeowee led on a lariat. “I have never seen such fine-looking animals. It must have taken you much to accumulate such wealth. Where did you get them?”
    “In our favorite spot,” Neeheeowee responded, while he shifted his position on his mount. “I met with no trouble there.”
    “That is good,” Mahoohe said. “Runners reported that you were approaching. I decided to come out and greet you before you came into camp.”
    Neeheeowee nodded, and, turning his head, he settled his gaze over each pony that he led before he gave his attention back to Mahoohe.
    Mahoohe said, “It has been a long time.”
    Again Neeheeowee nodded.
    “You will stay in my lodge?”
    “I would be honored.”
    “Good, then,” Mahoohe said, “that is settled. You intend to trade all of these at the Kiowa fair for…?” Mahoohe raised an eyebrow.
    Neeheeowee sat forward stiffly, hesitating to put his purpose into words. But Mahoohe was a friend as well as his brother-in-law and so, at last, Neeheeowee said, “I will trade all this wealth for the new fire-sticks of the white man. I have long been on the path of revenge. I would see the matter settled soon. This new weapon will enable me to do this.”
    Mahoohe nodded. “So. You are still on the same path. It is good, this revenge that you feel, and I understand that you must do this, but—”
    Neeheeowee glanced up swiftly at his friend.
    “But,” Mahoohe continued, “do you not think it is time to settle down again?”
    Neeheeowee shifted in his seating, unwilling to share his thoughts with his friend. What could he say?
    “I came out here to welcome you because I wanted you to know that all here feel that you have done your duty toward my sister,” Mahoohe continued. “All in our family have a glad heart to see what you have done. But it is time now to give it up. Do you not think so?”
    Neeheeowee hesitated. His glance skimmed briefly over his brother-in-law, then over the land around them. “I will never rest,” Neeheeowee said at last, speaking the words quietly, though firmly. “Never. Not until each and every one of my wife’s murderers is brought to justice. I do not expect you to understand. I do not think anyone could understand. This is something I must do. It is something I will do.”
    Mahoohe shook his head. “It is over, my brother. It has been over for five years. You have done your duty toward my sister. There is none who would question your loyalty toward her.”
    “What others think has no meaning to me.” Neeheeowee stared ahead of him. “This is something I have to do. I do not care if anyone agrees with me. What I do is what I must do.”
    Mahoohe sighed, and, looking back toward Neeheeowee, he said, “The Kiowa and Cheyenne trade fair goes well this year. I believe you will find what you want.”
    “This is good,” Neeheeowee said, letting out his breath. “I am glad the Kiowa and Cheyenne have reached a peace at last. I have been waiting for this trading fair a long time, ever since I realized it is the Kiowa who live close enough to the Mexicans to bargain for the best weapons. But I have been unable to trade with the Kiowa because we have been at war with them. Now, however, I am ready. The Kiowa do not have what the Cheyenne can obtain so easily: these fine horses. And I am counting on the Kiowa being willing to trade away those weapons of the white man in exchange for…” He raised his chin, “…my ponies.”
    Mahoohe grinned. “Then it is a good thing we are at peace with the Kiowa now.”
    Neeheeowee nodded. “Yes, it is a good thing.”
    “Come, then, my good brother-in-law. Let me take you to my lodge. We have camped close to the trading fair.”
    Neeheeowee looked back upon his wealth of eight ponies before, with a turn of his head, he nodded his assent to his friend.
    Both men clicked their own separate mounts forward, Neeheeowee’s gray mustang surefooted