This morning, I have a historical fiction novel to share! Learn about The Apache Kid: Army Apache Scout, the first volume in The Apache Kid Chronicles by W. Michael Farmer. Read an excerpt from the book & be sure to enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post.
ARMY APACHE SCOUT (The Apache Kid Chronicles-Volume 1)
Fiction / Indigenous / Historical Fiction / Native American
Date Published: 06-03-2015
Publisher: Hat Creek
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From Army Scout to Outlaw, from Hero to Legend.
He survived the embers of the fires and murders at the Camp Grant Massacre of the Apache. Young Has-kay-bay-nay-ntayl ("brave and tall and will come to a mysterious end"), a child known by many names but later feared and revered as the Apache Kid-grows up in two cultures where survival means choosing between loyalty and betrayal, his people and their overseers. Trained by the legendary Al Sieber and other former military officers, the Kid makes a meteoric rise to prominence as a First Sergeant of scouts, a warrior whose skill and leadership helps win the U.S. Army's fight against renegades and maintain peace between Apache bands at San Carlos Reservation.
But neither war nor peace are ever simple. When forced to make an impossible choice between his own People or the Army, he chooses his People. His choice leads the Army to imprison him at Alcatraz. Released early by the Army, Arizona Territory tries to imprison him again but he, with seven other Apache on the way to Yuma Penitentiary, escape and become the object of the greatest manhunt in Arizona history. The only one to survive the manhunt, Kid becomes both a ghost and a legend, the most feared border outlaw for the next ten years before vanishing into Mexico.
Seen through Kid's eyes, The Apache Kid: Army Apache Scout brings to life the thrilling and tragic journey of Apache Kid as a young man and the best of the Army's Apache scouts.
hear bats swooping through the cool night air collecting insects. Off toward the north, Wolf
howled and then Coyote. It was a beautiful night, one that lives in my memory.
Sieber said, “Kid, I wanted to talk to you about what you plan to do when your six-month
enlistment is up. Do you think you’ll reenlist? Do you plan to be in the scouts a while? I expect
the Chiricahuas are gonna be runnin’ wild after they heal up from that beatin’ we gave ’em. I
understand General Crook is gonna be comin’ back to command Arizona Territory and maybe
even New Mexico. I hope so, cause he knows what he’s doin’.”
I took a swallow of coffee and, staring at the fire, said, “I be scout. Wait for Hashke Bahnzin
daughter, Chita, to have her womanhood ceremony. Then we marry. She already strong, wise
woman I think of many times. Why you ask, Sieber?”
“I watched how you fought against the Chiricahuas. You did just like I thought you would.
Cool under fire and still a great shot. If you stay in the scouts, I want you to become a first
sergeant.”
I raised my brows in surprise and Sieber grinned.
“That’s a step up from the time to become a first sergeant as we talked about earlier. You
knew all the drill commands and how to do them when you joined. I never saw you make a drill
mistake when you drilled after signing up. You know the rules and you’re a natural leader. It’ll
mean extra pay if you’re also a first sergeant. What do you say?”
W. MICHAEL FARMER blends over fifteen years of research into 19th-century Apache history and Southwest living to create richly authentic stories. A retired PhD physicist, his scientific work included laser-based measurements of atmospheric aerosols, and he authored a two-volume reference on atmospheric effects.
His fiction and essays have earned numerous honors, including three Will Rogers Gold and six Silver Medallions, multiple New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards, and a Spur Finalist Award. His novels include The Life and Times of Yellow Boy, Legends of the Desert, and the award-winning Geronimo duology. His latest novels include Trini! Come! and the Chato Duology, featuring Desperate Warrior and Proud Outcast.
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