Over the next few weeks, the Comanches attacked with a vengeance. News came that the mercenaries, en route to attack another village, were all killed. Tales of Hunter filtered to the Masters farm, some horrible, some heartbreakingly familiar. As fiercely as the Indians waged war, Hunter still spared women and children. Loretta's eyes filled with tears when she was told by the border patrol from Fort Belknap that somewhere along the Red River, Hunter had ridden up to a yellow-haired woman and saluted her. Loretta knew Hunter hoped she would somehow hear the tale and understand the message he sent to her.
In the following weeks, the Comanche launched brutal attacks, with reports revealing that mercenaries sent to target another village had been annihilated. Amidst these violent events, stories about Hunter circulated, filled with both horror and a sense of familiarity. Despite the fierce nature of the assaults, Hunter maintained a code of honor by sparing women and children, which contrasted sharply with the prevailing chaos.
Upon hearing from the border patrol at Fort Belknap, Loretta was moved to tears when she learned that Hunter had encountered a yellow-haired woman along the Red River and had shown her respect. This act was a poignant message from Hunter, intended for Loretta, conveying his hope that she would recognize and understand his gesture amidst the turmoil that surrounded them.
