The tribe needed water before another attack. Ethan led Red Hawk and several villagers toward the hidden spring. Together, they began clearing the rocks blocking the water channel. The work continued for hours. Everyone helped.
Warriors carried stones. Older villagers cleared dirt. Even children gathered small pieces of rock and moved them aside. Finally, Ethan removed the largest stone blocking the spring. Water rushed forward.
For the first time in weeks, clean water began flowing toward the village. People gathered around it in disbelief. Children reached toward the stream, but Red Hawk raised his hand and asked everyone to wait until the water had been tested. When it was finally declared safe, the tribe drank. Ethan watched quietly.
He had arrived with almost nothing, yet now an entire village had hope again. But before anyone could celebrate for long, a scout came running from the hills. Mercer was coming back. This time, he was bringing many more men. Red Hawk reached for his weapon.
Ethan stopped him. "If we fight them in the open," Ethan said, "your people may not survive. " He looked toward the canyon. "We need another plan. " Ethan studied the valley while Red Hawk prepared his warriors for another attack. The tribe finally had water, but most of the people were still too weak for a long fight. Mercer had more men, better weapons, and enough supplies to wait them out.
"We cannot beat them by fighting harder," Ethan said. "We have to make them believe they have already won. " Red Hawk listened carefully. Ethan explained his plan. The Apache would hide among the hills while Ethan rode toward Mercer's camp alone. He would pretend that the tribe had abandoned the valley and claim that he knew where the hidden water source was located.
Red Hawk immediately refused to let him go. Ethan reminded him that Mercer was searching for the valley, not simply trying to kill them. If Ethan could make Mercer follow him, the Apache would have time to move their families to safety. After a long silence, Red Hawk finally agreed. Ethan rode away before sunset.
Mercer's men spotted him almost immediately. Several riders surrounded him and ordered him to surrender. Ethan raised his hands. "I know where the water is," he said. The men took him to Mercer.
Silas Mercer was a tall, cold-looking man with expensive clothes and a silver watch. He studied Ethan for several seconds before asking why a lone cowboy would help the Apache. Ethan shrugged. "Maybe I do not like watching people die. " Mercer laughed. Then his expression changed.
"You found something in that valley," he said. "Something my family has been searching for. " Ethan said nothing. Mercer ordered his men to tie Ethan to a tree. He then revealed the truth. Years earlier, Mercer's father had learned that the valley contained valuable land and water.