Trumpet on the Land: The Aftermath of Custer's Massacre, 1876

Assistant Army Surgeon Dr. Valentine McGillycuddy, nearing end of horse-meat march to the Black Hills. (Courtesy Little Bighorn Battlefield Nanonal Monument)

Posed photo of soldier shooting played-out cavalry horse in march south from Slim Buttes. (Courtesy Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument.)

Miniconjou chief “American Horse” and wife. (Courtesy South Dakota Historical Society.)

Buckskin lodge captured at Slim Buttes (note Keogh’s I Company guidon recaptured). (Courtesy Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument.)

LAST STAND

Pushing the Sharps lever down, Donegan ejected the empty cartridge, then replanted a live round in the breech. “Seems those warriors dogging our tails was just a little too anxious to close the trap, don’t it?”

“Lucky us,” grumbled Finerty as he crabbed up to join the three, whining lead following the white men into the timber.

Grouard rolled on his back and found Sibley, then instructed, “Lieutenant, tell your boys not to fire a shot until they got a good target.”

“These men have fought before,” Sibley snapped.

“Just remind ’em!” Donegan added. “We’re going to need every last bullet we have before this day’s done.”

Nodding, a grim Sibley responded, “All right.”

“And … Lieutenant,” Seamus said, causing the officer to halt in a crouch, “tell your men it’s a good idea to keep one last round in their pistols for themselves.”

BOOKS BY TERRY C. JOHNSTON

Cry of the Hawk

Winter Rain

Dream Catcher

Carry the Wind

Borderlords

One-Eyed Dream

Dance on the Wind

Buffalo Palace

Crack in the Sky

Ride the Moon Down

Death Rattle

SON OF THE PLAINS NOVELS

Long Winter Gone

Seize the Sky

Whisper of the Wolf

THE PLAINSMEN NOVELS

Sioux Dawn

Red Cloud’s Revenge

The Stalkers

Black Sun

Devil’s Backbone

Shadow Riders

Dying Thunder

Blood Song

Reap the Whirlwind

Trumpet on the Land

A Cold Day in Hell

Wolf Mountain Moon

Ashes of Heaven

Cries from the Earth

Lay the Mountains Low

for all the miles and memories

we have shared together,

this hook is affectionately

dedicated to my

Canadian saddle partner,

BRIAN TAYLOR

Cast

of

Characters

Seamus Donegan                                              Samantha Donegan

Army Scouts

Frank Grouard (“The Grabber,” Yugata)