36 So Mad Cat and his followers then fled to the
desert. By some act of fate they had met The High Chieftain of The
Bandits, and he had welcomed them to his desert fortress. "You know
what has happened since then.We raid the caravans, elude the soldiers,
live like animals. It is a life not fit for dogs."
37 As they were about to bed down, another group of bandits entered
the shelter. Mad Cat explained to them who Swift Deer was, and the
proposal he carried.
38 "Blah!" cried the leader of the other Bandits, "It's all a lie!
What land would give us freedom, even if we fought for them? As soon as
they didn't need us anymore ..." he made a slashing sign across his
throat. "I say we kill them now, and be done with it. No sense in
taking this to council! Most of the Chieftains will only laugh."
39 He drew his sword and stepped towards Swift Deer, but Mad Cat rose,
seized the man by the throat, and slammed him against the cave's wall.
"I said I was interested in his proposal! Come near him again, until
The Council decides, and I'll rip your heart out with my bear hands!"
40 The other bandits dropped his sword and Mad Cat threw him
down."Someday," the man growled, "Someday!"
41 "Not today!" snapped Mad Cat, "Shut up!"
42 They all bedded down and got some sleep. "How great are The Lords,"
thought Swift Deer, "that of all the Bandits in the desert They bring
this one to me!"
43 It was nearly sunset when they journeyed on again. "We will journey
on for a few hours," explained Mad Cat. "There is an outpost up ahead,
one of our meeting places. You will be more comfortable there.
And we will journey on in the morning. The trail beyond
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