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

I returned to Buffalo Leg’s camp at sundown, and contributed a chicken I’d bought at the sutler’s store on Robber’s Row at the edge of the post. I hadn’t known such traders dealt with anyone other than soldiers, but my silver was as welcome as anyone’s. Now, my presence need not be a burden on Buffalo Leg’s larder. Before we retired that night, the old man and his son asked a few more tentative questions. Even so, the time had not yet arrived for blunt talk.


The next morning, I returned to the fort and joined a group of young men my age sitting around on the ground talking and smoking. It was a mystery how these people survived. No one seemed to have any industry. They hung around the fort as if this was all that mattered in their lives. I sat where I had a good view of the front of the guardhouse.


Chapter 92