All day long Maria has waited for her father to return. Where did he go and why didn't he let her know he was going?

Finally her father returns on foot. His horse stepped into a hole and broke it's leg. He had to shoot the horse and walk back. He explains to Maria that he was out searching for Paulo, but Maria doesn't really believe him.

Father promises that they will start back to town in the morning. Maria wants to continue her search for Cord, but without food and water she knows she must do as her father suggests.

Has Cord returned to town? Did the posse find the gold thieves? What will tomorrow bring?