"We're going to fight for you tomorrow."
"Fight for me?"
Gene nodded, "Yep winner takes all."
"You mean a fist fight?"
Gene shook her head. "Naw, running Deer ain't that stupid! He's seen my use my firsts before. Nope we'll use knives. I got my trusty ol' Arkansas Toothpick, so I ain't a bit worried. Wa'l, not too much," she amended hastily.
"Heavens! What if he wins?"
"then he gets you. At any rate, I'll be dead so I won't be able to heop you!"
"You mean he intends to kill you?"
Gene nodded. "Yep but not to worry, I'm pretty good with a knife too!"
To herself, 'You'd best hope yer better'n him!"
"and if you win?" Nancy persisted.
"Then we ride on out of here,"
"But I heard him call me a berdache. What's that?"
"It means a man who lives as a squaw."
"Oh." Nancy fell silent. Then, "Miss Baker?"
"Yes, Miss Burdette?"
"There's something you ought to know."
"I know," Gene replied, not having a clue as to Nancy's intent.
"You know?"
"Yep. Now get some sleep. It'll be a long day tomorrow."