As we approached the town, I saw people starting to gather. News of our approach had clearly spread. Men emerged from shops and houses, many of them armed. The atmosphere was tense, expectant, like the moment before a thunderstorm breaks.
Captain Hollis stood in the center of Main Street, backed by at least 30 soldiers in formation. His face was red with fury. "Garrett, what the hell do you think you're doing?"
I dismounted, and Kuruk did the same. The warriors stayed mounted, ready to move. "Chief Kuruk has come under a flag of truce to address the people of Silver Ridge. He's going to tell them what really happened at the Morrison ranch."
"I know what happened. Apache raiders burned it and murdered the family."
"The Morrisons left two months ago. There was no family to murder. And the tracks at the ranch tell a different story."
"Shod horses. Army boots. Someone burned that ranch to start a war, and we both know who."
A murmur ran through the crowd. People were listening now, uncertain. Hollis's hand went to his pistol. "That's slander against the United States Army."
"It's the truth. And if you're so sure I'm wrong, let Kuruk speak. Let people hear his side. What are you afraid of?"
"I'm not afraid of anything. But I won't let a savage address civilized people."
Kuruk spoke for the first time, his English clear and carrying. "I am Chief Kuruk of the Mescalero Apache. My people have lived on this land for more generations than your people can count."
"We have fought you, yes, when you took our hunting grounds and broke your treaties. But we did not burn the Morrison ranch. We had no reason to."
"The family was gone. The land was empty. Why would we waste fire on empty buildings?"
"To terrorize us," Hollis snapped. "To send a message."
"What message? That we burn abandoned property? If we wanted to terrorize you, there are many ways more effective."
Kuruk looked around at the gathered townspeople. "I came here today to offer peace. To say that my people want to live without war."
"We are tired of death. We are tired of watching our children go hungry because we cannot hunt. We are tired of being blamed for every bad thing that happens in this territory."
An old man in the crowd called out, "What about the cattle that went missing from my ranch last month?"
"Did you find Apache tracks? Or did you find tracks from men wearing shoes, riding shod horses, who took your cattle and sold them in the next town over?"
"There are many thieves in this territory. Not all of them are Apache."
Hollis stepped forward. "Enough of this. Chief Kuruk, you're under arrest for inciting violence and conspiracy against the United States."
"On what evidence?" I demanded.