Grey Eagle could see why his son Wolf wanted to be Jamie's lover. She was not only a beautiful woman, but she was one who took pleasure seriously. Grey Eagle told Jamie, she would always be welcome in their village. He & Wolf would teach Jamie the ways of the Apache people. Jamie would become Apache. In the days that followed, Jamie began to learn Apache history. Grey Eagle & Wolf also taught her how to speak as they do. They would take Jamie out for rides. Point towards something and say it's name in Apache. Jamie would then repeat what was said. Other times, Wolf would say something in English before saying it in Apache. During this same time, Jamie was getting the letters which Thomas promised to send. Dispatch riders came into the fort everyday carrying letters which told of the journey. Thomas wrote of how the nights were cold, but thoughts of Jamie kept him warm. Thomas and his men had to travel quickly. They didn't take any tents, or other items of comfort. The men were living off the land during their time away. The letters changed once Thomas reached Utah. He spoke of meeting the Navajo Chief Manuelito. At first the chief wasn't very trusting of these long knives. The term long knives was a generic meaning for cavalry soldiers. It came from the fact that all cavalry soldiers carried swords ether on their hips, or horses. Thomas, who always wore his saber on at his side, assured the chief they were here to help.
Thomas didn't have to wait to prove himself. A short time after reaching the Navajo village, a band of Arapaho attacked. Thomas jumped onto Shadow and swung him around. He then ordered his own attack. The Arapaho were taken by surprise. It was like someone had worked black magic and summoned these long knives to do their bidding. The Arapaho had been driven off. Thomas and his men were then welcomed with open arms into the village. A camp had been set up outside the village. This is where Thomas and his men would stay while in the area. Thomas continued to write Jamie everyday. As the days passed and more fighting took place. Thomas sent his wounded back to Fort Apache. These soldiers told of how ferrous the Arapaho were as warriors. They also told how great Thomas was as a leader. The tales of Thomas's bravery spread throughout the fort and into the Apache village. Grey Eagle told Jamie that her husband was not only a man if his word, but he was also a great war chief. He said Thomas was like a great bear stalking the land. A fearsome figure who could strike fear in those who faced him.
One day, during a heated battle with the Arapaho. Thomas saved Manuelito's life. This was no small favor for the grateful chief. He then decided to reward the great white war chief with a very special gift. A gift that would forever link Thomas & his family to the Navajo people, just as Jamie was linking then to the Apache. The soldiers were sleeping in teepees just as there Indian allies did. Thomas had one for himself. He was laying there under a buffalo robe when his gift arrived.