News of the World

By morning, Johanna and the Captain are about one mile from the Brazos River. The Captain recognizes the area; it’s known as Carlyle Springs. He notices a path that leads up to a ravine that looks down over the river and decided it’s a good place to make camp.

He maneuvers the wagon uphill, searching for a good place for some cover. Atop a ravine, he finds a flat area covered in sumac and stumps, providing concealment, and a rocky embrasure for cover. He hands Johanna some bacon and she tells him she will cook. Her English is better than before.

As she is cooking, the Captain notices smoke off in the distance. Then, all of a sudden, the stove, whereat Johanna is cooking, erupts from a fired rifle round. The Captain takes cover among the rocks and Johanna underneath the cart. Rounds pop around them from time to time. The Captain remains calm and cool-witted, thinking out the situation and how best to deal with the attackers. He remarks how it isn’t the first time someone has wanted to kill him, but the first time he has been so outnumbered and outgunned. He recognizes the report of their rifles as that of larger, Henry rifles.