Loco and the Wolf

by Willis Todhunter Ballard

The red glow of the fire brightened the dark skins of twelve Apaches dancing around a stake where a naked white man was tied. The prisoner's head hung forward as if he were unconscious. One Indian went to the stake and yanked the head up by the hair. He shook it, then dropped it in disgust.

Wolf Garrison said from his hiding place, "No fun badgering a man when he don't know it!"

Then the Apaches began another game, taking up lances and throwing them at a target close to the ground. A head! The Wolf thought it had been cut off the second prisoner until the third lance drove into the ground inches from it and the head jerked away. It was still attached to a live man buried up to his chin....

Paperback

First published January 1, 1973