exactly like the one Potter had grabbed.
“You go to hell, you bastard! You didn’t think I kept just one gun back here, did you?” the bartender muttered angrily.
June 25, 1927
MacCallister, Colorado
Falcon had walked back out to the front of his house with Zane Grey and Libbie Custer. He was standing alongside Zane Grey’s Packard automobile.
“My friend,” Zane Grey said. “That was quite a story. I do wish you would let me write it.”
“I’d rather you not,” Falcon said.
Zane Grey smiled. “Don’t worry, I gave you my word that I wouldn’t, and I won’t.” He chuckled. “Besides, even at your age now, I don’t think I would want to cross you.”
Falcon smiled as well. “At my age, I just depend upon the integrity of men who give me their word.”
“Among men of good faith, that is all that is needed,” Zane Grey said. “Well, Libbie, you were a little concerned about your schedule. It looks like we will have plenty of time to get you to the train.”
“Yes,” Libbie said. “And I’m so glad I came.” Libbie smiled at Falcon, then embraced him. “You know, Falcon, after my Autie, there never was another man for me. But if there had been.” She let the sentence hang. “Good-bye, my dear, old friend.”
“Good-bye, Libbie,” Falcon said.
Falcon walked back up onto the porch and stood there as the Packard drove away.
“Big Grandpa, what did Mrs. Custer mean when she said there had never been another man for her, but if there had been?” Rosie asked.
“She didn’t mean anything by it, darlin’,” Falcon said, putting his arm around his great-granddaughter’s shoulder.
Rosie laughed. “You know what I think? I think she was flirting with you.”
“Do you now?” Falcon asked, laughing as the two of them started back into the house.
Falcon began whistling “Garryowen.”
AUTHOR’S NOTE
Listed below are the known names of the officers, surgeons, civilians, and soldiers who died with Lieutenant Colonel (Brevet Major General) George Armstrong Custer at the Battle of the Little Bighorn.
Those who died with Reno are not listed here.
Bvt. Maj. Gen’l. G. A. Custer
CAPTAINS
M. W. Keogh • G. W. Yates • T. W. Custer
LIEUTENANTS
W. W. Cooke • A. E. Smith • Donald McIntosh • James Calhoun • J. E. Porter • B. H. Hodgson • J. C. Sturgis • W. Van W. Reily • J. J. Crittenden • H. M. Harrington
ASSISTANT SURGEONS
G. E. Lord • J. M. De Wolf
CIVILIANS
Mark Kellogg • Boston Custer • Autie Reed
SOLDIERS
W. H. Sharrow • Geo Eiseman • James Dalious • Gustave Engle • J. E. Armstrong • James Nathersall • Rich’d Rollins • Alpheus Stuart • Jnd Sullivan • Ignatz Stungwitz • T. P. Sweetser • Ludwig St. John • Rich’d Dorn • Garrett Van Allen • Jere Finley • D. T. Warner • August Finckle • Henry Wyman • T. J. Bucknell • Chas Vincent • Wm Kramer • Pat’k Colden • Geo Howwell • Edw’d Housen • Jnd Brightfield • Fred’k Hohmeyer • Christopher Criddle •Rich’d Farrell • Henry Voss • Nathan Short • Wm Moodie • John Thadus • G. B. Mask • W. B. Right • Edwin Bobo • J. S. Ogden • H. E. French • W. B. James • Jnd Foley • Thos Hagan • Dan’l Ryan • H. S. Mason • Jnd King • G. G. Brown • F. E. Allan • A. H. Meyer • Jnd Lewis • Thos McElroy • August Meyer • C. A. Moonie • Fred’k Meier • W. H. Baker • Edgar Phillips • Rob’t Barth • Jnd Rauter • Owen Boyle •Edw’d Rix • James Brogan • J. H. Russell • Edw’d Conner • S. S. Shade • Jnd Darris • Jere Shea • Wm Davis • Syker Henderson • James Garney • Jnd Henderson • Anton Dohman • Andy Knect • Timothy Donnally • H. T. Liddiard • Wm Gardiner • Pat’k O’Connor • C. W. Hammon • Henry Shele • Gustav Klein • Wm Smallwood • Herman Xnauth • James Smith 1st • James Smith 2nd • W. L. Liemann • Christian Madson • Benj Stafford • Joseph Monroe • Cornelius Vansant • Sebastian Omling • Mich’l Kenney • Pat’k Rudden • Fred’k Nursey • Rich’d Saunders • J. N. Wilkinson • F. W. Siglous • Chas Coleman • Geo Warren • Benj Brandon • Edw’d Botzer • Benj Brandon • Edw’d Botzer • J. R. Manning • Martin Considine • Thos Atcheson • James Martin • Lucien Burnham • Otto Hagemann
PINNACLE BOOKS are published by
Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street
New York, NY 10018
Copyright © 2009 William W. Johnstone
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
PUBLISHER’S NOTE
Following the death of William Johnstone, the Johnstone family is working with a carefully selected writer to organize and complete Mr. Johnstone’s outlines and many unfinished manuscripts to create additional novels in all of his series like The Last Gunfighter, Mountain Man, and Eagles,
