A love between two very different men is put to the test. John Strobaw, a young mixed-blood, grows up in the relative security of a family farm after the Civil War. His mother raises her family as Americans, but his foster brother, Matthew Brandt feels his red blood more keenly and leaves to ride with Crazy Horse. John doesn’t understand the longing he feels for his absent companion until he has his first sexual experience with a man and he only thinks of Matthew. After the murder of Crazy Horse, Matthew makes his way back home. John fights hard against a growing lust for Matthew, but when he ultimately succumbs, he is lost to this handsome, dusky warrior. Just when the future looks bright, another suitor appears -- a handsome Cheyenne army scout, and trouble looms on the horizon.

Echoes of the Flute

Joseph Strobaw Otter—who was known as River Otter to the few surviving Yanube and had always been and always would be Otter to my family—walked out of the cabin as I crossed the bridge and rode into the yard. He gave the open-handed greeting.


Otter had called all Cuthan Strobaw’s kids “grandchild” for as long as I could remember. Cuthan was Pa’s American name. I greeted Otter fondly with an Indian handshake, grasping forearms instead of palms.


He looked me over and nodded. “You are becoming a man, War Eagle.” He usually used my natural name when nobody was around.


According to you and Pa, I did that last year when I turned seventeen.”


“What brings you all the way out here? Is anything wrong?”


Chapter 4