The Deadly Snake

Pecan jumps from her horse and grabs Poppy’s cradle board from the travois bed. Dream Keeper wakes with a startle and tries to scramble to the ground, but Winona senses that something is wrong, and she holds onto him tightly. Pecan places the cradle board on the ground and rushes to Blue Bird; taking a stick he has been dragging behind his pony for several miles. White Eagle sees Paints-With-Words gallop forward and then leap from her father’s horse with a knife waving in her hand. White Eagle comprehends little from the front of the trail, but Paints’ face looks aghast. Then, they both appear to be attacking the child, Paints’ blade slashing wildly and Pecan’s stick hitting repeatedly while the baby cries out with a frantic shriek. When White Eagle gallops back, he sees the venomous snake on the ground in three pieces. Pecan is on her knees, striking the lifeless head.