She warned him to keep his distance and stay out of her wagon, her bed, and her bodice. He didn’t argue, but he didn’t agree, either. Finally she turned her back on him to go to the edge of the clearing, where she meant to stay until Gunn returned, if it took all night. She intended to explain everything the minute she saw him. But nearly an hour passed and there was still no sign of him. Suddenly gunfire and shrieks erupted through the forest. By dawn the six murdering Indians lay dead, a testament to Gunn’s rage and frustration. But Alice knew only that the man she loved was somewhere out in the woods fighting. What if something terrible had happened to him? She had all but lost hope when she heard the sound of a horse’s hooves down the trail. A moment later she saw him. “Gunn’s back!” she cried out to the others, too relieved to try to hide her excitement. She ran toward his oncoming horse, ready to welcome him with open arms.
