"In my world, you wouldn't be smart, either." "That is good. The way is " "How so?" He nodded toward a scrawny mesquite tree that had sprung up in a cluster of rock. "He plants dead trees in the earth, and the trees fall over. That tree does not." Loretta's stallion did a restless sidestep. She shifted her weight and reined him back into line, stroking his neck as she squinted to see through the dust the other horses were stirring up around them. "No, it doesn't fall over, but it's not where it needs to be for a fence, either." "A fence says the earth belongs to the ? He will become dust in the wind, the fence will rot, and the earth will still be. Another will come, and he will plant more dead trees. It is sure enough " "But the buys the land. It belongs to him. He puts up the dead trees so others will know where his boundaries re, so his livestock won't run away." "He cannot buy the land. Mother Earth belongs to the true People." Loretta gazed after the other warriors, silent and thoughtful. "The true People. Your people?" "Yes." "That is your belief. But according to ours, the land be bought. And fenced. You understand? No one means to steal from you. They're just taking what's been given to them by the government or what they've paid for. You must learn to be open-minded. There's lots of land, plenty for all." Hunter grunted. "Let the find the lots of land, plenty for all, and plant dead trees there. This is Comanche land, and it cannot be given or bought." "And we say it can. As you're so fond of saying, it is not wise to fight when you cannot win. We are the stronger. We have better weaponry. When you're outnumbered and outflanked, you must surrender your ways and accept the new." He looked over at her. "Strong is right?" "Well, yes, I suppose you could say that." "You say a woman cannot be bought. I say she can. I am strong. I am right."