The Signal Fire

 April 18, 2026

   Working on a sequence today. About a cavalry patrol out of Fort Bowie, headed for the border. 

A U.S. Cavalry patrol heads out from Fort Bowie

I intend to give this guy some attention that he normally doesn't get.

Chiricahua Chatto

The Signal Fire

   A U.S. cavalry officer looks across the border with field glasses. "What the hell is that fire out there supposed to mean?"

   First Sergeant: "Looks like a signal fire of some kind, sir."

   "Who are they signaling?"

   "I have no idea."

   "What are they saying?"

   "I don't have a clue."

   Mickey Free steps up. “That is definitely Chatto. He’s warning us about something up ahead and we need to proceed carefully.”

The One-Eyed Scout Mickey Free

   "How in the hell are you getting all of that out of that piddly flame out there?"

   "Easy. That’s clearly Chatto’s signature—see the curl at the bottom—and the overall message is pretty damn clear to me."

   He walks away. 

   The next day, Mickey runs into Chatto and says, “That was some signal fire you had out there last night.”

Chatto: “How did you know it was me?”

“Nobody but you is brazen enough to put a warning in front of an entire regiment of White Eyes.”