The Outpost

by Paul Lederer

In a lonely army outpost, a group of misfits waits for rescue—or deathA few minutes before midnight in the barren New Mexico desert, Big John leads a prisoner to his doom. Although only nineteen years old, the boy is a killer, and will be hanged as soon as they reach the next town. But between these men and civilization lies an expanse of hell.Not far from the outpost, they find a family slaughtered by the Comanche. The outpost should mean safety, but the army has gone to hunt the Indians, leaving behind no one but a tubercular corporal, a green lieutenant, and a group of wandering ladies. The party hunkers down to pray for reinforcements, but there will be more arrivals at the outpost before the Comanche strike. As Big John waits for deliverance, he wonders where the real danger lies—in the moonlit desert sands, or inside the walls of the fort.  

114 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Paul Joseph Lederer wrote more than 250 novels, many of them Westerns. He was born in Ocean Beach, CA, attended San Diego State University, served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War, and lived in La Mesa, CA, until he passed away in 2016.

His work can also be found under the names Paul Joseph Lederer, Logan Winters, Owen G. Irons, C. J. Sommers, and Elizabeth Wolfe. In recent years, many of these books have been reprinted as by Paul Lederer.

Lederer wrote most of the adult western series Shelter as Paul Ledd and Ruff Justice as Warren T. Longtree. He also wrote for the Easy Company and Lone Star series.

Reviews

[Lloyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent western adventure of people forced together by circumstances to aid one another for all to survive. In this case, the circumstance that draws people together is a Comanche Indian uprising. A few dozen Comanches have left the reservation and are raiding in New Mexico. Travelers in the area have sought refuge in a small army outpost/stockade. Unfortunately, most of the cavalry soldiers are out looking for the renegades. There is only a Lieutenant and his pregnant wife, plus one corporal left. Other cavalry personnel left behind initially deserted, but now three have returned because the renegades forced them back to the outpost. Added to this mix are three camp following ladies who are now stuck at the fort, a gunfighter fleeing bounty hunters, a sheriff escorting a prisoner back to stand trial for murder and eventually the bounty hunters who had been seeking the gunfighter. Provisions are low and the pregnant wife is in labor. The renegades are outside the fort looking for an opportunity to get in as they need the additional guns and ammunition stored at the fort. Some members respond well to this dangerous situation, others don’t. This story is about how everyone handles the tension and danger and how working together may be the only hope they all have of surviving.

[Bob Cantrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sort of like Stagecoach

This story deals with a group of strangers trapped by Comanches at a deserted army fort. You have to think Stagecoach without the stagecoach. There is a certain feel to the story of will they make it or not. When I read a story like this I always wait for the twist at the end. You know when it looks like things are going to reach a happy ending and then it doesn't. Just how this one ending I will leave to you to find out. Oh if you like Westerns this one reads well.

[Mike Bradford · Rating 5 out of 5]

another great book

I have throughly enjoyed reading many books by this author. I highly recommend any of his books. You will find them well written and stories and adventures worth your time