Page 36 of Working the Lode

He shrugged carelessly a few times, just as Valenzuela had. He hoped that his knowing smile told Zelnora what she needed to know.

Quartus came to the open cabin door, his round spectacled eyes like beacons in his skull. He clutched the doorjamb with white knuckles. “Zel, Cormack. I believe Mr. Valenzuela and his guerillas are saying something about Elder Brannagh. All I could make out was ‘Brannagh nos dijo entrar las montañas.’ Why would Brannagh be telling them to go into the mountains? I didn’t even know they knew Brannagh, unless they recently robbed him.”

Zelnora stood in the doorway, moonlight illuminating her figure as she squinted at the group of bandits, Three-Fingered Jack and Feliz among them. “Maybe they did rob Brannagh.”

Quartus pointed at the ground. “Their plans is plain as beaver sign!”

Bowmaker frowned. “Plain? What’s plain?”

Quartus sank his fists into his pockets. “I don’t know. I just like it when you say that. ‘Their plans is plain as—‘”

Bowmaker shoved the cartographer by the shoulder. “Go, stand by, and eavesdrop like you’re just looking for—”

Quartus brightened. “Beaver sign?”

“Joaquin!” Zelnora called to the highwayman who now headed their way after seeing the others off. “What’s going on?”

Valenzuela waved casually. “Nothing, Señorita. Just men acting like boys.” He jammed his slouch hat onto his head but appeared agitated, obviously in a rush to strike out after his boys. “I will be over tomorrow morning to take you to your claim, si?”

“Si,” Bowmaker agreed vaguely, watching Valenzuela swagger off to his horse. His next question spilled from his mouth before he had time to think. “What were you discussing about Ward Brannagh?”

With his back to the Americans, Valenzuela paused stock still. He turned tightly, and his smile was just as artificial. “We must have been saying braña. The summer pastures in the mountains where we like to make camp.”

Saluting in a military fashion, he mounted his richly caparisoned horse. He rode steadily off into the redwoods as the three Americans looked blankly at each other.