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

Touch the Clouds led the way to what had been Red Cloud’s house before the agency moved up on the Missouri. We dismounted and sat on the planking of the porch around Touch the Clouds’ chair. We remained silent while he considered what to say.


“There was trouble over at the fort this morning. Sergeant Hanlihan got his stripes cut off for beating you.” He gave a dry laugh. “Most likely, for messing up Steffington’s plans. Hanlihan’s a skunk. A lizard. He went outa his head and threatened the Colonel. When Steffington said he was throwing him in the guardhouse with you two, Hanlihan lost whatever brains he had. He went and got his rifle and started for the guardhouse.” The tall man paused and glanced at each of us. “He was gonna kill you. Hughes stopped him, so Hanlihan shot him. That’s why his arm was all wrapped up like that.”


“Then Hanlihan run off. Stole a horse and run off into the buttes.”


Chapter 99