Eagle People by W.R. Benton Page A

then Ora asked, “What happened?”
    “Ambushed. What happened with Alonzo on point?”
    “He's dead, and killed by a trap. None of your injuries are fatal, so do you think you can ride?”
    “She tried to kill me. Ride? Hell no, not hurting like I am.”
    “We'll let you have some of the whiskey or marihuana we took from the Eagle People, if you think it'll kill your pain.”
    “I ain't much of a smoker or drinker, but right now I'll try anything.” he replied through clenched teeth. “If we can kill the pain enough, I might be able to ride.”
    Byron said, “Give him two cups of whiskey right now, and then we'll remove the arrows. I want the rest of you mutton heads to establish some sort of security to prevent her from injuring more of us.  She didn't want you dead, Ezra, but injured, so we'd have to take the time to doctor you. She's as cunning as a wolf.”
    As the men circled the injured man, Byron said, “Ora, remove the arrows and once they're out, feed him two more cups of whiskey and let him smoke two pipes of the weed. I don't like how the weed or alcohol makes me feel, but both do help with pain. You might be forced to cut the arrowheads out.”
    The tracker laughed and said, “I've pulled my share of arrows out of folks, so relax. I know what to do, but Ezra may not care for the treatment much.”
    “You just do the job, you old fool, and I'll handle the pain if you give me the medicine.”
    Ora pulled the whiskey from his supplies and a ceramic cup. Filling the cup to the brim, he handed it to the wounded man and said, “Put this down and I'll give you another. Once the drinks are down, I'll fill your pipe with the weed.”
    There sounded a sound like a hand slapping leather, followed by a loud scream, and looking to his left, Byron saw Luke drop to the soil with an arrow in the center of his chest. The man continued yelling, as his feet kicked frantically and his fingers clawed at the dirt. Blood was already pooling under his back, and his eyes were moving in all directions.
    “Did anyone see where that arrow came from?” Byron asked.
    “I spotted movement to my left, but never really saw anything.” Lum said.
    “Lum, I want you and Nimrod to pack Luke to the trees off our left. The rest of you, once in position, prepare for an attack. We may have ran into a group of Eagle warriors.” Byron said, then he scanned the countryside carefully but saw nothing out of place. It can't be just one woman doing all of this to us, he thought.

Chapter 5
    MONGOOSE WAS POSITIONED BEHIND a large log on the western side of the village, facing where Uriah had claimed danger was coming. Coming from the west it was likely the attackers were Dark Mountain People and they were a fierce tribe; the arrow in the back of the Dog Soldier Uriah clearly stated they were on the war path. Uriah had died shortly after the shaman arrived, but it was yet to see if his self-sacrifice would save his people.
    Mongoose divided half her fight force to guard the women and children, along with the old, while the rest would do battle. The non-combatants were in the very center of the village in trenches dug years ago. Long sharpened stakes were pointed up and away from the trenches, to prevent any horses from getting too close.
    Suddenly, about fifty Dark Mountain warriors rode over a small crest and sat mounted on their horses. Mongoose yelled, “Ella, tell the younger Levi to watch our flanks. I suspect while this bunch hits us, others will strike when and where we are least prepared.”
    Ella quickly ran from the boulder she was hiding behind.
    One of the Mountain warriors raised his spear and gave a loud war cry. The mounted braves rode straight for the Eagle warriors. Mongoose waited until the riders were close and then screamed, “Now!”
    Eagle archers, who their had their long bows ready, released arrows and men began to fall from their mounts. Some screamed, but others fell almost silently, their feeble cries unheard in