The Black Rider

The Black Rider by Max Brand is about the adventures of rancher Senor Francisco Torreno, who lives only for his son and daughter-in-law. One day, Senor Torreno and his son hear a flute in the distance, only to find a mysterious and mute Native American with fateful advice. Excerpt: "«I mean that the horse is my slave, señor.» «By the heavens!» broke out Torreño. «The fellow speaks French, also. Better French than I use myself!» «Wait, wait!» said the girl in a hurried voice, raising her hand to stop interruptions, and staring fixedly at the Indian. «He has something more to say.»