Ambush at Mustang Canyon
by Mike Kearby
Summary
The year is 1874 and the plains of Texas are on the brink of war. This final book of the Free Anderson-Parks Scott trilogy finds the men caught up in the conflict as the military and native people prepare to clash over societal rights. Free and Parks are in a fight for their lives at the battle of Adobe Walls and later as witnesses to the momentous battle of the Palo Duro Canyon. Ambush at Mustang Canyon provides the harsh reality of each side’s destiny in the settlement of the West.
Excerpt
“Seems to me that the trail a man rides toward easy money is always filled with prairie dog holes.” Free shook his head, sickened by the gruesome scene.
“They didn’t even get to their bite.”
Amos pulled a Big Fifty cartridge from the shirt pocket of one of the men. Parks moved close to Amos and studied the cartridge.
“Their bite?”
Amos placed the bullet back into the dead man’s pocket. “Every hunter I know, understands what happens if the Comanche catches him past the Cimarron hunting buffalo. They keep one cartridge filled with cyanide for that circumstance.”
Parks shook his head and stared grimly at the corpses.
“A guaranteed quick death.”
“And Comanche won’t mutilate a man they don’t kill.”
Free stared at the wagons. “How come the Comanche didn’t take the hides?”
Amos cut the rawhide on the second hunter and said, “Bad medicine. I’ll bet my hat that Esa-tai gave the war party a stern warning on removing any of the killed buffalo from this land.”
“Esa-tai?” Free asked.
“He’s the chief medicine man for the Kwahada’s. He supposedly holds powerful medicine and is in Quanah’s favor presently.”
Parks looked back to the southwest. “We best get these men in the ground and make our way to Adobe Walls.”
Amos nodded grimly. “The Comanche won’t be satisfied with just these two. They’ve never held with tradition like the Kiowa, so for the Comanche to perform the sun dance means they are asking the Great Spirit for powerful medicine.”
Reviews
"Read, enjoy-and learn!" - Cotton Smith, author, Blood Brothers
"Action-Packed Reading." Round-Up Magazine
"Engaging.” Historical Novels Review
Author's Biography
Mike Kearby, a retired high school English teacher has garnered high praise for his Free Anderson/Parks Scott trilogy. The Road to a Hanging (2006), Ride the Desperate Trail (2007), and Ambush at Mustang Canyon (2007), completes his Young Adult trilogy. Ambush at Mustang Canyon was a 2008 Spur Award Finalist.