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Lion’s muzzle. Luckily Annie and her calf were still eating quietly.
    â€œI’ve been sickly all winter, since my baby was born.”Momma chatted away in a loud voice. “I do believe this warm sun is the only thing that will keep me alive before I head back East.”
    Charlie heard footsteps running here and there. “There’s nothing in the barn,” one of the men yelled. “Where’s your stock?”
    Momma laughed, as if she didn’t have a care in the world. “Oh, my husband took our oxen to town with him. All he’s left with me is some tough, old chickens. You’re welcome to them.
    â€œHe built that stable with dreams of being successful enough to own hogs, horses, and cows. But I’m afraid he’s a poor farmer. Believe me, gentlemen, if I have anything to say about it, we will leave Kansas before the summer is over.”
    Momma’s trying to convince the border ruffians we have nothing to steal,
Charlie thought.
    He heard a low murmur of voices.
    â€œYou want these chickens, or not?” one man called.
    â€œNaw,” said another. “The lady’s right. They’re tough old birds.”
    And then Charlie heard footsteps. Footsteps coming right to the door.

    Lion heard the footsteps, too. He began wiggling in Charlie’s arms. He struggled and gave a low whine. Charlie held him more tightly.
    Momma’s voice came again, loud and cheerful. “Sir, I wonder if you could get me a dipper of water from the pail by the door there? I would get up from my chair, but my legs are still weak. Are you by chance married with a babe of your own?”
    A pause. Charlie tried with all his might to keep Lion quiet.
    The man said, “Yes, ma’am. We have a little girl.”
    â€œOh! Then you must worry about your loved ones when you leave them alone.”
    The footsteps started up again. But this time the man was walking away from the house.
    â€œThank you, sir. That water tastes good,” Momma said.
    Charlie heard the man call out, “Come on, boys. We’re wasting our time here.”
    Then the man said something else to Momma in a low voice, but Charlie could not make out what it was.
    Momma let a full twenty minutes pass after the men left before she called to Charlie. “It’s safe now.”
    Charlie and Lizzie scrambled out of their hiding places. They opened the door and let Annie and her calf out.
    Momma gave Charlie a big hug. Her eyes were wet with unshed tears.
    Momma wiped her forehead with her white handkerchief. “Go and find Sadie and Ida Jane, Charlie.”
    But Sadie and Ida Jane were already coming over the hill. Sadie ran and buried her head in Momma’s skirts.
    Ida Jane let down her sacks of chickens. “We fooled them, didn’t we? I knew we could do it!”
    Lion was happy to be loose. He jumped up and down. He licked Charlie on the face and raced around, barking.
    â€œMomma, what did that man say to you just before he left?” Charlie asked later.
    â€œThat man suspected I was play-acting,” said Momma. “I was so frightened. I felt sure he would burst right through the door and find you.
    â€œHe looked me straight in the eye and said, ‘Ma’am, I do believe you are hiding something—or someone. But I will spare you this time, for the sake of your baby. And perhaps someone will do the same for
my
wife and child.’”

CHAPTER EIGHT
 
    A few days later Papa slipped home on foot, under the cover of darkness.
    Charlie thought Papa seemed worried. He went to the cabin door again and again, looking out.
    â€œLion keeps watch outside now,” Charlie told him. “He’ll bark if anyone comes.”
    But even with Lion as a watchdog, no one slept much. Charlie heard Momma and Papa talking late into the night.
    â€œJames, I fear for your life if you stay here at Spring Creek,” Momma said softly. “If the border ruffians find you