Snow Bound at Eagle's Court. A Frontier Confrontation.
In a stormbound mountain hideout Hale and Falkner debate trust and exposure as Manuel and a partner plan theft. Lee restrains the would‑be robbers, discards pursuit, and hides the escape with tactical bravado. Hale later seeks help from the Eagle’s Court outpost led by an ostler, meeting Zenobia and Zeenie who defend George Lee’s reputation and hint at higher stakes in their mountain world.