The days were long and hot. Pa and four of my brothers  went to find the cows that had wander off, last night. Ma, and my two sisters were busy tending to all their chores. There was washing and soap making.  Even tho none of us were under ten, the work seemed to go on and on in the heat of day. Pa and the rest got back before dark. They cleaned up and sat down for dinner. They talked about hunting and maybe get a white tail or mule deer. They agree Matt and I would go to the canyon. We had to get an early start tho. The canyon was a distance away, might make it by night fall. After we had left, the rest of them did chores. They heard the hawks cry. Ma always like the call of the hawk. Then they saw dust not to far away. Pa and Ma, grab the girls and told them to go to the hiding place. They took Jimmy the youngest boy. They ran and climbed into the rocks. There was a cave there that was hidden. They slipped into the cave and waited quietly. Pa and Ma waited for awhile then took  covering with the rest in the wood house. They remained quite and listen to the sounds of dusk. The cows were crying out. Pa grab his old shotgun and went to where the cows were. They heard a shot then another. The door was kicked in and Ma, tried to protect the boys. She was dragged out of the house. Yelling and screaming. They took turns with her. Then they left her dying in her own blood after slicing her with a long knife. The boys fought hard, But two against  fifteen wasn’t a fair fight.  The girl and youngest boy stay all night and part of a day hiding. They all decided to go see what happened. Pa and Ma didn’t come for them. They were rushing down the rocks when they saw the smoke. The house was burnt down and there was nothing left except the two brothers burnt bodies. They found Ma a few feet away. The cries from the girls was story enough. No need to talk about it. They found their Pa near the cow pens. They didn’t talk about him either or what the savages had done to the family. They just buried their dead and tried to hide the foot prints leading to the cave. They had water in a barrel, some cans of peaches. They also found the potatoes that were not smashed all the way. The family had kept supplies in the cave, so they could stay cool. There was onions,eggs from the chickens that they had. Only two live chickens left.There was some flour. some jerky but not much. Well it could be worst the oldest girl said. But well wait for Matt and Thomas to get back from hunting. Two days later Mat and Thomas show up with not one but two deer. They rode up and couldn’t believe the site they saw. nothing but burnt wood and four graves with rocks on top. They didn’t say a word just headed to the cave, hoping there was someone alive.  Now they could add one dumb mule and a horse. They enter the cave and one of the sisters grab a rifle. she took aim and was getting ready to fire, when she saw the fear and terror in Thomas eyes. They Grab each other and hugged.They spoke of what happen this time but they wouldn’t repeat the story ever again. They cut the deer up and ate deer stew. The rest was hung to dry. They all talked about what to do. It became pretty heated. Some wanted to wait until spring when the wagons were heading west. Some wanted to leave now. Thomas and the oldest sister Clair were the oldest. They talked and agreed to wait until spring. If nobody came by June, he would go get more horses and help for the others. It would be 7-8 days to the nearest town for help. They picked someone to watch the cave morning and at night. The youngest wanted to watch at night but they were afraid he would fall asleep. Everyday they had problems with rattle snakes, scorpions, tarantulas, fire ants. But that was living in west Texas, that is what they had become use to. From the cave, looking north they even seen a Storm pretty far away ,then they saw a whirring cloud of dust and rocks close to the ground. They all had a job to do and everything ran smooth for awhile. Daniel was on night watch when he saw camp fire light , not to far away. He quietly woke the others to the news. They all became the calm of the cave. Not a sound was heard. They continue to watch, as the dawn came to be ,they saw a group of Indians. They must be on their way to the hunting grounds. About mid morning they were gone. Thomas watched the direction they had gone. He didn’t stop until he was sure they were gone. The next few days they didn’t burn the fire. They all were much more aware of where they went and the things they did.  One day Clare and Beth were getting some nuts and berries from a patch not too far away. They came across a Brave. he was near death. He had been shot. Leave him for the birds, Beth yelled. No! Ma and Pa didn’t raise us to be like animals. This Indian might have been the tribe that attack our home. We are not going to leave him here to die. The sisters had a hard time getting him back to the cave. Thomas was mad and the others were too.  Then they calmed down while Clair repeated what Ma always said, Show kindness and you’ll get kindness back. Show hatredand it’ ll come back the same way. They all smiled remembering what seemed like a lifetime ago. They took turns watching the Brave. He had a fever that lasted a week. They use medicine they were taught to use. They made sure the Indian had cold water rags for his head. They watched him like a hawk. His  fever finally broke, Clare announced. He was awake and he seem to not like his arms and legs bound. But they didn’t quit know what to do with him now. Nobody thought that far in advance. He spoke broken English. From what he said his name meant  fighting cougar. He was from a village seven days from here to the west.  He said he wouldn’t hurt them but they didn’t want to take a chance. They fed him and washed him down.  Thomas, Clare yelled! Thomas woke up and saw Clare looking at him. The Indian is free.  What do you mean free? They went to the mouth of the cave and saw the brave there with Daniel. Hey guys.! Did we wake you. They both laughed and then they knew they were safe. He said in a few days that he would return to his people. He considered them family. He took off a bone necklace and put it on Clare. For my sister who found me. Clare blushed. Beth stood back and the Brave gave her some beads. My little sister. The day came and went , the Brave had returned to his people and they remain waiting for the wagons to come. They gather food,  nuts and berries and lots of meat. We are fixed for the winter. We have plenty of food. But we need more wood. The boys took off and pretty soon they had the back of the cave filled with wood. The cold soon came.  The wind blew and it felt like a cutting knive, and they remained safe in their cave. Every critter tried to get to a spot where they wouldn’tbe seen. Like spiders hiding behind pieces of wood. The rattlers would be so far back in the rocks you couldn’t reach them. The weather broke and the boys were planning their first hunt. They would leave tomorrow at first light. They left before everyone was awake. There was some  Berries to gather. Maybe a rabbit too, laughed Beth. Everyone was happy and in a good mood. Four days had come and went before Thomas and the others returned. At dusk a few , yelps were heard. Thomas grabbed the rife and took a look. Outside was the Cougar Brave and his friends. We invited them in and had dinner. Fresh deer stew was always good. The Brave said his family wanted to help them. They would take the family back to the white town. The next day the girls and the rest had packing to do. The food was gather. The rest of the supplies were packed. Cougar Brave had brought extra horses for them to ride. The other Braves helped carry the food and supplies on the other horses. After many days they arrived at his village. His father was one of the council. He was wise and was well liked among the people. His Mother was a good woman. Always caring for other members. they were treated like family. The day came and they all had to leave. It was sad leaving. Everyone was kind. Cougar Brave led the way with four other Braves. The trip was dry and long. It seemed the dust and heat followed us. Cougar Brave told us several days ago we would  be close. He had A little humor about being inpatient. Cougar Brave said we were only half day away. He pointed us towards town. He couldn’t go no further. The white man still shoots, before he say’s hello. We shook hands and headed for town. We said we will always be family and one day we will see our friends again. The towns people all stopped and stared. Their mouths dropped open. Aren’t you the Mc Daniels? We said yes and they thought we had pass on to the afterlife. There was some Indians on the warpath for almost an year in a half. They killed everyone in their path. After they put us up, we told the short version of what had happened. They contacted my Pa’s brother. He came down from Wyoming to get us. He was sort of like Pa and his wife was a fat jolly woman. We will leave for now, but we will be back. At least I will returned, Thomas thought. He did return. ten years later, He came back and joined the Texas Rangers. Clair married a sheriff in Wyomingand Beth married a Minister. Matt became a lawman in New Mexico, Daniel died protecting the stagecoach from being held up. The cave is still there. Its blended in the west Texas mountains. Along with stories from long ago. lost gold, ghost towns.  lost in the dust of time…