Synopsis
The Barfield family, Arkansas sharecroppers, are heading west with their sons Jeffrey and Todd. In far West Texas their camp is attacked by Comanche raiders and the elder Barfields are killed and scalped. The younger boy, Todd, is taken captive by the Indians. The older son, Jeffrey, manages to hide and is rescued by the militia men. Jeffrey is taken in by a home-steading family, while Todd is sold, for a rifle and gunpowder, to a Comanchero trader named January.
Both become caught up in the turbulence of the Civil War, which even in remote West Texas, the border country with New Mexico, pits Confederate sympathizers against Unionists. The brothers, separated by violence, are destined to be rejoined by violence. Will they meet as friends or deadly enemies?
Publishers Weekly
In 1855, young Jeffrey and Todd Barfield are orphaned in West Texas when their parents are killed by Comanches: Todd is carried off as a Comanche captive; Jeffrey is rescued by a Texas posse. For the next seven years each boy survives by his wits, hard work and good fortune-and each thinks the other is dead. When the Civil War arrives, the boys wind up on opposite sides during the Confederate Texas invasion of Union-held New Mexico, where meeting might mean death. As usual, Kelton (Hard Trail to Follow) provides stirring action and gripping suspense. His portrayal of the chaotic and bloody Battle of Glorieta Pass in 1862 is thrilling, especially his chilling depiction of the murderous Union Major Chivington. This is vintage Kelton, a solid western story well-told. (June)
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