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

A moment later, the tip of his rifle barrel protruded cautiously around the rock at my left. He didn’t know I’d moved. I grabbed the barrel and jerked. The rifle went off, and the heat of the bullet racing through the metal seared my hand. But Blood was taken by surprise and lost the rifle as he stumbled into my line of vision.


Again, he was quick. Instantly, he launched himself at me, clawing for the knife at his waist as he came. I swung the stock of my Henry and caught him on the shoulder. His arm must have been near deadened, but he brought it up, lunging for my throat. I jerked back. His blade made a rasping sound on the phallus. While he was off balance, I smashed the rifle barrel against his head. He dropped to the ground flat of his back. I stepped on the knife and placed the bore of the rifle against his forehead.


Chapter 109