THE BLUE FEATHER THE BLUE FEATHER | Page 359

350 JUAN FRANCISCO BLANCO fence around more horses...they’re following the leader into the mouth of the cave...it’s working, your plan’s working,” Viviana radioed their success. “Great, keep them moving now, and don’t let them stop,” Tital told his crew. Kuó and Tital kept the horses pushed from the north and the crew of Lena, Jonathan, and Ronú all held the flank, while Bardala rode along the flank to check on the group’s progress. She reported, “There are no problems now, all the horses are walking south. Over fifty percent have already gone into the cave. Just keep them coming.” “I’m going to launch those pesky coyotes into the river,” Jonathan reported over the radio, “it’s bath time.” Tital looked over his shoulder and saw the seven wily coyotes flying in the air, and then they dropped like stones into the cold water. Each of their stunned heads popped to the surface like corks, and they all started swimming towards the far shore. Jonathan rode up next to Tital to help keep the pressure from the rear on the stragglers. “Over seventy-five percent have passed into the cave. Just keep the rest of them moving south,” Bardala radioed, “just a half kilometer more to go.” Tital picked out two horses that showed their age. They were slow, skinny, rough-coated, and slow-footed. Perfect candidates, for the makeover project, that Mahucutah could do in an instant. “Jonathan, cut out those two horses, the old paint with the floppy feet, and the old black horse, the one with its swayback and bones showing. Build an invisible corral around them. We’ll hold those two back for Moka and Eegh.”