- Jason befriends a missionary priest to the Comanche Nation. When the Comanche warriors demand a test of the pacifist priest's courage, Jason steps in to demonstrate a broader definition of courage.
- Attacked by drunken Commanches while traveling alone, McCord seeks shelter behind a wagon driven by a local priest. McCord kills 3 of the assailants, which puts the padre in a dangerous position: his mission has a school for the tribe's children. Ex-Cavalryman McCord and the minister are both named Jason, and immediately strike a bond when the pacifist Father Durant reveals he rejected Cavalry life for the cloth.—David Stevens
- I was riding one day when I saw a band of Commanches. I stayed calm and slowly rode past them, hoping they would leave me be, but I hadn't gotten far when they started to chase me. I clucked to my horse and hurried as fast as I could. I must say I was very happy to see a wagon coming about then. I lept over the wagon for protection, but the driver just sat there. I grabbed him and pulled him down to the ground. Then I gave him a rifle to use. I had to kill every blasted one of those Indians. The man wouldn't even shoot! After we were out of danger, I grabbed the man by his collar, all ready to give him what for. Then I noticed...he was a minister!
The minister, Jason, invited me to his home. There, he informed me he taught the Commanche children. I stayed to help the minister out for awhile. One day he asked me where I would go from here. I told him I had a surveying job in Sioux Falls. He didn't think I looked like the type that would make my goal at drifting, but I did. I told him that every choice a man makes opens some doors and closes others. He saw my broken saber and understood that was a closed door. He told me about his father and how he had been killed by Commanches a long time ago. I was sorry.
Some Commanches showed up. They told Father Jason their chief wanted him to come and explain what happened yesterday. I tried to talk him out of going. I warned him that he'd have to fight. He said he wouldn't fight. I told him if he didn't fight, they would kill him.
Trouble came to him right away. Wild Horse accused him of an ambush. The Chief couldn't believe that a white man could kill three braves. He spat at the minister. The Chief told Father Jason they would talk more the next day. The next day, I came. I asked the Chief to let me fight for Father Jason, but the Chief said no. He said Father Jason had to fight for himself. I had to prove that Father Jason would not fight - that he wasn't a coward. I punched him hard twice, and he didn't even flinch. Chief Looking Glass knew he would remain loyal to his beliefs. He said I could fight.
I fought Wild Horse, and I won. I had the chance to kill him but I let him live because I was fighting for the minister, and he'd want the Indian to live. Chief Looking Glass couldn't understand this, but he agreed to let Wild Horse live, and to let the children return to the mission.
My work was done there. I said goodbye, and went on my way.
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