The young tracker looked sharply toward Two Feathers, who had just reached them.
The older warrior stopped.
He heard enough to understand.
His expression changed.
Elias turned toward him.
"Do you know what she's talking about?"
Two Feathers lowered his gaze.
For a moment, no one spoke.
Then he nodded.
"Yes."
Elias felt anger rise.
"Where is it?"
The warrior looked toward Ren.
Then toward the tracker.
Finally, he said, "Your father gave me something before he disappeared."
Elias stared.
"What?"
"A packet of papers."
"Where are they?"
Two Feathers hesitated.
Elias took one step forward.
"Where?"
The older warrior looked directly at him.
"Buried near the old spring."
Ren went still.
"Which spring?"
Two Feathers looked toward the eastern ridge.
"The one beneath the split rock."
The young tracker drew a sharp breath.
Elias turned.
"What?"
She looked at Ren.
"Your grandmother used to take us there."
Ren stared.
Then slowly reached toward the embroidery along the edge of her torn wedding dress.
A line of small beads marked the river.
A blue bead marked the summer channel.
And beneath it, hidden among the geometric designs, was a small silver-colored bead.
Ren's breathing quickened.
She looked at Elias.
"My grandmother told me never to forget the place where the river goes underground."
He stared.
She continued.
"I thought it was just a story."
Two Feathers lowered his head.
"No."
His voice was barely audible.
"That was where your father's work was hidden."
They did not immediately return to the spring.
Crane's men were pursuing them.
The riders had to reach the horses before darkness made the canyon dangerous.
Ren walked beside Elias, refusing to be carried.
He offered his arm when the trail became steep.
She accepted it.
But she continued moving under her own strength.
The young tracker led them through the western rocks.
Two Feathers remained behind, listening for pursuit.
As they approached the upper bend, a rifle shot echoed through the canyon.
The bullet struck stone several yards ahead.
Everyone dropped behind cover.
Elias drew his revolver.
Ren crouched beside him.
Two Feathers shouted from farther down the trail.
"Go! I'll hold them!"
Elias looked toward the sound.
The older warrior had taken position behind a fallen boulder.
Two men approached from the station.
Another moved along the eastern wall.
Elias hesitated.
Two Feathers looked back.
"Take her home!"
Ren grabbed Elias's arm.
"No."
He stared.
She shook her head.
"We're not leaving him."
Elias looked at her.
"Renβ"
"Those men have his sister's children."
Her voice was firm.
"He made terrible choices. But leaving him here won't bring anyone justice."
Elias studied her.
Then nodded.
The tracker pointed toward a narrow passage through the rocks.
"We can reach the horses from there."
Elias looked toward Two Feathers.
Then toward the approaching guards.
He made his decision.
"We don't split up again."
They moved carefully along the rock wall.
The tracker guided them through the narrow passage.