News of the World: Chapter 12 Summary & Analysis

Reloading the gun, Captain Kidd praises Johanna for her ingenuity; but soon, rifle shots explode in front of them and the Captain is hit with shrapnel above the eye. He’s disoriented and can barely remember how many men there are and which are wounded. Johanna brings him the water bottle, and he wonders whether they should make a run for it on the horses. Showing Johanna his slim supply of ammunition, he motions for her to mount the horse and ride away; he will stay and provide cover. But she refuses to go, and he puts his head in his hands.

Johanna pushes the useless shotgun into Captain Kidd’s hands. He doesn’t understand what she’s doing until she shows him a shell, which is loaded with dimes from the Captain’s readings. It’s very heavy, and he knows it will turn the gun into a small cannon. Suddenly the Captain feels invigorated. To lull Almay into complacency, he fires into the ravine with the real ammunition, causing the man to laugh. The Captain urges him to come closer and fight, while Johanna loads more shells. But Almay is stalling for time, clearly waiting for Caddos to crawl up the ravine.

Almay slowly walks into the open. As soon as he’s close enough, Captain Kidd shoots; the dimes lodge in his face and he falls backward down the ravine. He spins around and turns the gun on the Caddos, who are running away. Laughing, Johanna hands him another shell, but he reminds her they still need money to buy supplies.

As Captain Kidd breathes heavily, Johanna jumps to her feet and begins a Kiowa chant of triumph. Hearing the fierce song, the wounded Caddos hasten to retreat. Then she climbs down the cliff. She’s almost reached Almay’s body when the Captain realizes she intends to scalp him. Catching up with her, he restrains her gently and tells her that scalping is “considered very impolite.”