Hours passed as Vinnie and Mandy rode along the trail with the cowboys and cattle.
But then, another group of cowboys approached.
As they passed each other, the cowboys nodded silently to one another.
Some said a simple "Howdy," but none of them waved.
"Those cowboys are dressed differently," remarked Mandy to Cookie.
"They are Spanish cowboys from California.
They know horses better than anyone in the West," explained Cookie.
"On this trail, we meet cowboys from all over."
"Why don't you wave at each other?" Vinnie asked Frank.
They were riding next to Cookie's wagon.
"That's a cowboy rule," said Frank.
"You see, if we raise our hand, the horses might get scared.
So we nod instead."
"What other cowboy rules are there?" asked Vinnie.
Frank thought for a moment.
"We don't ride another man's horse.
And we never wear another cowboy's hat."
The cowboys continued along the trail.
Vinnie was beginning to get bored when his horse began to whinny.
Other horses shook their heads and snorted nervously.
"What's the matter?" asked Vinnie.
"Something or someone is coming," said Frank.
He put a hand on his gun and looked around.
Suddenly, six men on horses appeared.
Vinnie could tell immediately that they were not cowboys.
"It's a Cherokee hunting party," explained Frank.
The cowboys lined up their horses in front of the cattle.
They pulled out their guns.
The Cherokee slowed down and stopped.
Their leader called out, "We come in peace."
"What can we do for you?"
asked Frank, motioning his men to put down their guns.
Mandy noticed that the Cherokee dressed differently from the Iroquois.
Vinnie and Mandy had met the Iroquois on an earlier trip.
"We wish to speak with you,"
said the Cherokee man, getting off his horse.
Frank and another cowboy went to speak with him.
Vinnie noticed a young boy in the hunting party.
Vinnie got off his horse and smiled at the boy.
"Hello," Vinnie said.
"Hello," the boy answered without smiling.
Vinnie introduced himself.
The Cherokee boy, still on his horse, moved closer to Vinnie.
"Tell your father to give us some of his cattle," he said in a threatening voice.
"Who? Frank? He's not my father," Vinnie said.
"And why should he give you anything?"
Still on his horse, the boy circled Vinnie slowly.
Vinnie felt frightened.
"Your people have taken everything from us," he said angrily.
"Those animals belong to the people of this land. That's us!"
Vinnie thought about Magua, his Mohawk friend.
His people were angry with whites too.
Vinnie did not know what to say.
"And besides," continued the Cherokee boy.
"If you don't give us cattle, we will attack.
We will kill all of you."