Shadow Warrior: A Novel of the Old West - Softcover

Gotcher, J. C.

4.18

11 ratings by Goodreads

9781493039272: Shadow Warrior: A Novel of the Old West

Softcover

ISBN 10: 149303927X ISBN 13: 9781493039272

Publisher: TwoDot, 2019

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In this captivating Western novel, a wagon train scout runs afoul of a band of Apaches, who are determined to hunt him down, no matter the cost. The scout, who they dub "Shadow," turns the tables, and the Apaches become the hunted, as well as the hunters. This suspenseful tale captures the dust and grit of the trail and the fear and danger that faced both emigrants and native peoples during the uncivilized days of the Old West.

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From the Back Cover:

His square face a mask chiseled from stone, Gunsi's dark eyes glinted with rage as he knelt over the body of Sotli. Gunsi was not an attractive or pleasant man. He led others by sheer force of will, size, and an utter ferocity that stemmed from his total freedom from fear. The one weakness of Gunsi was Sotli, and the adoration the fourteen-year-old boy bestowed upon his older brother. But now, Sotli would not see his fifteenth year because Gunsi had made a mistake.

Kos-nos-un-da, Gunsi's father, had protested when Gunsi offered to take Sotli on the raid. But Gunsi held firm, saying the boy had earned the right to go. As is common with young warriors of all colors, they dreamed dreams of victory and of inflicting suffering on their enemies, and never of defeat or suffering themselves.

Toh-Yah returned from burying his brother, Kitchi. Toh-Yah and Gunsi were friends, and fierce rivals. Gunsi wanted to grieve for his friend's loss, but was too angry with the dead Kitchi to feel any sorrow now. Toh-Yah's eyes showed his anger at Gunsi for sending Kitchi with the boy instead of with a more capable brave. The two men exchanged a short nod of wordless agreement. Together, they would revenge their brothers--and settle their argument afterward.

Gunsi was tall for an Apache, broad and powerful. Of all the warriors, only Toh-Yah, on occasion, had been able to defeat Gunsi in games of cunning and skill. It was the reason the two were friends. They presented each other with a challenge, one worthy of complete respect. They both possessed the intelligence, strength and courage to become the Llanero's next leader, yet leadership could fall to one only. Toh-Yah had once spoken to Gunsi of a belief he held that one of them would die in battle, remembered by the tribe with stories and songs. The other would become leader. Gunsi had not mentioned it, but he held the same belief. Both friends were too powerful and capable to be less than chief. An honorable, warrior's death was the only fitting reward for the one who did not become leader of the Llanero.

Doc's body trembled as he watched the Apaches emerge from the brush. He wasn't afraid, it was cold in the mountains.

About the Author:

The late J.C. Gotcher was a life-long Texan and a graduate of the University of Texas. He worked for twenty-six years in the oil and gas industry, first as a roughneck, then as a surveyor, and for twenty years, as a landman. As a child and young man, he spent time in both his West Texas hometown of Midland and the Texas Hill Country ranches of his extended family, beginning his lifetime involvement with horses, hunting, fishing, and "seeing new country."

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