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Show 20 It was then I reminded the chief of the Code of the Hills. From his growl I took it he didn't want to hear of it. But his people had heard me say it. An' he couldn't deny it, honor said. The Code of the Hills is a rule that says a captive can earn his freedom by besting his captors in three contests of their choosin'. If'n he does, then the captive gets to run the Death Chase. The first contest began immediately. In this ordeal, before the sun reached high noon, me an' one of the mules had to get from the council fire, which was in the middle of the camp, to the camp's outboundry. Only problem was, we were to be hooked to a wagon. And the wagons was full of stones! The chief, who I was quickly learnin' was a devious sort, had extra stones added, so it would be near impossible to pull. The chief nodded for me to get my mule and to get over to the council fire. I selected Zeke. So there we were. First me, harnessed to Zeke, who in turn was harnessed to the wagon. The chief gave a command. The Indians began to taunt us. The contest was on. Instead of pullin' forward, me and Zeke began pushin' backwards. |