THE HERITAGE OF THE SIOUX
up on an easier trail. But if you want to do it, it will save some cut-backs and put another little punch in here. Either way it's up to you."
The voice of Annie-Many-Ponies did not rise to a higher key when she spoke, but it had in it a clear incisiveness that carried her answer to Ramon and made him understand that she was speaking for his ears.
"I come down with big punch," she said.
"Where Jean came? You're riding bareback, remember."
"No matter. I come down jus' same." And she added with a haughty tilt of her chin, "That's easy place for me."
Luck eyed her steadfastly, a smile of approval on his face. "All right. I know you've got plenty of nerve, Annie. You mount and ride up that draw till you get to the ridge. Come up to where you can see camp over the brow of the hill—sabe?—and then wait till I whistle. One whistle, get ready to come down. Two whistles, you come. Ride past camera, just the way Jean did. You know you're following the white girl and trying to catch up with her. You're a friend and you
86
