Apache Raiders

Fargo #4

by John Benteen

The Mexicans needed guns and Fargo needed money—so they made a deal. Getting the arms past the cavalry patrols along the border would take some doing, but Fargo thought he could handle it. There might be a problem later with the Mexicans—you never knew which way the sons of senoras were likely to jump—but as always Fargo figured to take it one man, one bullet at a time. The kind of trouble he didn’t count on when he took the job turned out to be the worst trouble of all-the Apaches. Geronimo was dead, and the big wars were over, but deep in the mountains the last of the Mescaleros still prowled like rabid wolves.

Genres: Westerns

127 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 1974

About the author

Pseudonym used by Ben Haas.

Reviews

[Jo Walpole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy the Fargo books. This one was a little bit different, I thought. I wondered how it would end and I was surprised, in a good way.

[Jonathan Ammon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Characteristically excellent action scenes, but this is the weakest FARGO novel I've read so far. The setting and most of the ideas we've seen done better in the earlier FARGO novels. Still a fun time, and the battles, gun, and knife fights are as good as any of the oter volumes.

[Christopher Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best in the series, but still entertaining. Fargo is gun running in 1915 to Mexican rebels when he runs into what he knows cannot be real but is right in front of him. The story is sort of meandering, like Benteen wasn't sure what to do with Fargo this time. He doesn't even get any work until late into the book, but it wraps up well in the end.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast, tough, thrilling action.

[Josh Hitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fargo is always a fun character. I do believe, however, that this was a weaker volume compared to the first 5. Still great and is filled with typical Fargo bravado and cunning. Still violent and fast paced as well, just seemed slightly off. Seems everything was too well played, too coincidental, giving the book a slightly false feel.

Again highly recommend any Fargo novel, they are fun. But try one of the first 5 before this one to get a better feel of how good the series is.

[S.wagenaar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another rock-solid Fargo adventure. Chock full of violence; fistfights, knife fights and gun battles. Set in the Big Bend wilderness on the Texas/ Mexico border, Fargo tangles with Mexican revolutionaries, U.S. Army troops, a group of wild Apache warriors and the unforgiving desert itself. Fargo has his hands full…

[Michael D. Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fargo wins again!

Benteen, always a prolific writer! Even after all these years I'm a "FAN"! Always returning to old novels I've read!

[Jon · Rating 5 out of 5]

More Fargo awesomeness. If you aren't reading Fargo get on it.

[Eddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another adventure with a slight twist. Know when it was written and enjoy. I plan to read one a year, bold I think I will live that long.

[Barbara Lee Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

HAVE GUN WILL TRAVEL

Fargo involved in another solder of fortune escaped. A gun runner for Poncho Villa, a definite money maker. Runs into a couple of shifty Calvary men, who are on the take for the guns that are entering Mexico. A sister trying to rescue her brother, an engineer working in Mexico, whose been kidnapped and the ransom is ten thousand dollars. Then we meet Indians who've been existing in the Sierra Madre Mountains, a lost TRIBE of Chiricahau Apaches, a portion of Geronimo tribes that didn't accompany him on his last attacks. Bushwackers, kidnappings, gun running, deserters from the U.S. Army. Stolen gold, torturing. Just your everyday events..should make for lively reading..Fargo is a cold individual whose skills will always be for hire..from solder of fortune to mercenary..

[Randy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Making his way north, after escaping a double crossing band of Mexican revolutionaries, Fargo sees something that can't possibly be: a band of wild Apaches in 1915. Backtracking, he finds five white men tortured and slaughtered. Except one is not quite dead yet. He tells Fargo where they hid fifty thousand in gold just before he passes.
Once north of the border, he makes plans to return and find that gold. All he has to avoid is American army patrols looking for gunrunners, the Mexican revolutionaries, this unknown wild band of Indians- and an Eastern school teacher that wants him to help her deliver a ransom to the Mexicans for her brother!
He fails on all counts, then has to figure a way to squirm out with his life, the gold, and the school teacher.

[Jeff Dickison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fair western of gun runner trying to recover hidden gold and avoid Apaches. Problem is with the main character. Fargo is not a very likeable person and makes a poor hero. In fact, he's a pretty nasty guy with few reasons to care if he wins or loses his quest.