THE WAGER

chapter 5

It was during his second year at Peach, when Daniel was having dinner with Aaron in the dinning room, that Jaime and his friends entered and sat at a table near them.

"Micheal, look at what I've just read," Jaime said in a voice louder than necessary as he unfolded his newspaper.

"Bad news?" his friends asked, unaware of Jaime's motive.

"No, this is good news,"

"What happened?" 

"It seems a certain colonel Moss killed more than 250 Indians in a raid out west " Jaime was smiling with open pleasure.

"Were they cheyenne?" Philip asked.

"No."

"Too bad."

Murderous rage swept through Daniel.

"I wonder if colonel Moss will get a promotion?" Jamie said and laughed.

"Defenseless women and children were murdered!' Daniel snarled as he attacked.

Jamie's bravado faltered, then failed him completely. A battle ensued, ending only when Daniel had Jamie flat on his back and his hands tight around his throat. If Daniel had had his knife, he would have used it. Only the the sudden, calming weight of Aaron's hand on his shoulder stopped him from doing Jaime great harm.

"He's not worth it." Aaron's words penetrated the red haze of fury that was coloring Daniel's thinking

Daniel stared down at the choking Jaime. "You're right,' he answered, his head clearing. "he's not." Daniel let go of Jamie abruptly and stood up, looming over him. " Stay away from me." His words were spoken quietly, but with deadly intent. He turned and stalked from the dinning room with Aaron by his side.

Jamie turned to Micheal in disbelief as he struggled to his feet. "Did you see that? did you see what he did? He almost killed me!" he gasped, his throat aching and bruised. "He's an animal! There is no telling what he'll do next! They shouldn't let his kind in Peach."

"Maybe it's time to stop pushing him," Philip  suggested, cowed by what he'd  just seen. Daniel had had Jaime by the throat, he'd borne no resemblance to the Daniel they were familiar with. The half breed was not someone  to toy with, and Philip believed it was time Jamie  realized it.

 Jamie, however, was not about to give up. He gave him a black look as he stormed away. His hatred for the Indian had grown even stronger.