Lonesome Dove, Volume 2: Comanche Moon by Larry McMurtry

LAST HORSE was sitting idly by the fire, sharpening one of his knives on a whetstone, when it gradually dawned on him what the women were saying. The women were always talking some ribaldry or other. Last Horse didn't understand why they talked about coupling so much since most of them, including his two wives, were rarely eager to couple with him-but such was the talk of women, year in and year out. He had only been half listening until one of them mentioned Buffalo Hump. Even though Buffalo Hump was old now some of the women still speculated about coupling with him; but that was not what they were talking about this morning. It was only when he realized that the women were claiming that the old chief had left the camp that Last Horse suddenly realized that something important had happened.

What they said was true: Buffalo Hump's lodge appeared to be empty; there was no sign that he had used it for two or three days. Last Horse started to go inside the lodge and see if Buffalo Hump had left anything behind, but when he got to the entrance he stopped. Buffalo Hump was unpredictable; he might be in his lodge, waiting quietly for some fool to slip in and try to rob him. He might be waiting with his big knife.