But there is a chance one of them came out of it though. Didn't Tell say that he had not seen nor heard from J Battles and was not sure if he survived or not? That leaves it open that he might have survived, just hadn't shown up yet. But then again, you would think he would have during the time Tell got back, was in jail, working the mine, etc..

Oh, you never did give your opinion: Do you think Laura made it out or was captured by the Apaches? The story just sort of left it hanging. I hope she was. Serve her right to be a slave for the squaws to work, or some Brave's squaw! Almost funny if you think of it.
Later,
Pistolero

What do I know of cultured ways, the gilt, the craft and the lie?
I, who was born in a naked land and bred in the open sky.
The subtle tongue, the sophist guile, they fail when the broadswords sing;
Rush in and die dogs--I was a man before I was a king!
---From The Road of Kings

LD Pederson

What do I know of cultured ways, the gilt, the craft and the lie?
I, who was born in a naked land and bred in the open sky.
The subtle tongue, the sophist guile, they fail when the broadswords sing;
Rush in and die dogs--I was a man before I was a king!
---From The Road of Kings

******************************************

May we live to learn well, and learn to live well.
May you live as long as you want,
and never want as long as you live.

Tennessee Dave

What do I know of cultured ways, the gilt, the craft and the lie?
I, who was born in a naked land and bred in the open sky.
The subtle tongue, the sophist guile, they fail when the broadswords sing;
Rush in and die dogs--I was a man before I was a king!
---From The Road of Kings