Red Coyote is a Shoshoni native. His father died at Custer's Last Stand. William Anderson's father suffered the same fate. They meet as enemies. They will save the lives of hundreds as friends. Assisted by unlikely sources, William's and Red Coyote's unsung tale could rewrite the history of the Wild West.
Excerpt:
The pale light of dawn was starting to tint the gray sky. The sun cautiously brought its head above the mountains, a wolf howled in the distance. Overall, it was a beautiful morning on the plains at Little Bighorn. However, beauty hid the fatal dangers the day would bring.
General Custer rode on his horse over the crest of a hill. It was a dramatic moment as he paused on the crown of the rise. The sun came over, and someone looking directly at him would only have been able to make out his silhouette. Then the moment was gone, and Custer was joined by the rest of his troops. He gave a signal, and they all rode down the slope, the hooves of their horses like thunder in storm.
Suddenly, they were ambushed. The hunters had become the hunted. Custer’s troops never stood a chance against the Native Americans who attacked. However, there was one man that was holding out against the sea of enemies. His name was Nicholas Anderson, second in command to Custer. He was a handsome man, with wavy, blonde hair and piercing blue eyes.
He was the voice of reason for Custer. Nicholas never supported the murder of innocent women and children, but he had to obey orders. He had seen men who disobeyed, and it was not a pretty sight. But it was not for himself that he fought. Nicholas feared for his son, feared that he might grow up without a father. That was the only reason he obeyed orders.
Anderson sensed someone coming behind him. He spun, pointing his musket towards the person. The point of an arrow was an inch from his face, but his gun was the same distance from his attacker’s head. Holding the bow was Eyes of Eagle, one of the Shoshoni braves fighting. He had a typical Native American complexion, but his eyes were a window to his soul. They took in everything, leaving no detail unnoticed. Right then, they showed not fear, but a grim determination.
Anderson knew he could not survive the onslaught. He thought it would be best to leave this world bested by one he saw as an equal. Pulling away his musket, he said, “Tell my son I said goodbye.”
Something in Eyes of Eagle softened. He only understood some English, but he understood this. In broken English he whispered, “I too have a son.” With that he pulled away his bow, and for the first time, they saw each other as friends. They smiled in the middle of the battle.
“I will not kill you today, my friend,” said Anderson as he thrust out his hand. Eyes of Eagle took his hand in his own. This lasted only a moment.
Eyes of Eagle’s hand went slack, and his eyes looked surprised. He fell into the arms of Nicholas Anderson. He looked down to see a red stain blooming on Eyes of Eagle’s back.