The Roar of the Falls: My Journey with Kaya

I hold on tightly to Kaya’s wrist as I whisper that Toe-ta told us to hide. We should follow his instruction. Kaya nods and we dive behind a big rock, its surface cool against my back. The raiders have spread out to try to drive away the herd. The horses plunge and circle in confusion, their hooves kicking up dust. Then, Little Girl runs out in the chaos in front of us. One of the raiders follows her, but is looking away and doesn’t see us.

Kaya says she wants to whistle to the filly. She’ll come to us. I remind Kaya, my voice barely a whisper, that the raiders may see us, so we should wait until it’s safe and then go back to camp. Kaya insists that the raiders and Little Girl will be gone by then, her eyes fixed on the frightened filly.