"I know," the Finn replied to her. "These people just have different ways of viewing things. We must still do good, whether people like it or not," he told her. He didn't care if Samuel couldn't let his appreciation known. Deep down, Torsten was sure that the man [i]did[/i] appreciate it. Society would always appreciate men like Torsten -- people who stood up and fought for those who did not. However, that did not necessarily mean that society was going to go out of its way to show their appreciate or even have the ability to do so.

Torsten nodded his head, though there was a little apprehension, "I am not so good with semi-automatic pistols or new rifles," he lied. To tell the truth, there were few better in the entire Finnish Army. Even in competition, when the Finns were invited, against NATO he performed well above his peers. The army, for what it was worth, had turned him into a killing machine. The tall Finn simply did not wish to admit to that, though. If he didn't have to touch these weapons -- he could keep living the lie that he was just like everyone else. When Allison looked away, he peered down at her for some time. He was responsible for her. He had accepted that responsibility. If the deputy had a semi-automatic pistol -- or even a rifle -- it would help level the playing field to his advantage. 

So distracted was he, that he didn't notice Samuel's return. The old Amish man was leading two horses. They were both saddled and loaded with bread, cheese and canteens of water. Both of them were American quarter horses. Big horses that were able to carry a large burden. Most importantly, however, they were sure of foot. They wouldn't lose their footing or grow stressed in the Cascades. Torsten looked up with a start. Samuel handed the reigns to Torsten, before handing a pair of old, well-worn leather boots to Allison. They looked as though they had already seen hundreds of miles -- and were ready to see hundreds more. He frowned, "These should fit you."

Torsten reached a hand out, patting one of the horses on its wet nose, "Thank you, Samuel. I'll bring them back once I drop her off.." He motioned towards Allison. He was shocked the Amish man would give him [i]horses.[/i] They were the life-blood of the Amish. Without them, they couldn't plow their fields or harvest in an economical fashion. Torsten knew these were Samuel's personal livestock. Even if the old man couldn't say 'thank you', he knew this gesture was what that meant. "I'm sorry to have to ask... where's the deputy? He would have had a gun on him. I'd like to take it with us, to protect her.." He motioned to Allison.

Samuel sighed. He motioned with his hand towards his house, "Some of the men put him in my barn. We pushed his automobile in there, too. You're welcome to it. If you do find his people.. tell them we buried him.." Samuel turned to walk away, before he paused. He turned his head, looking at Allison and then to Torsten. "You two be careful around them English." He sauntered away.