Guide for Traitors: An Adventure Story

by Edward Price

In the middle of the afternoon of a muggy and muggy day in '54.

We draw the reader's attention to a scene that, if not romantic, is attractive and interesting; a train of emigrant wagons, as evidenced by the number of herded cattle, horses, oxen and sheep. The presence of women and children is further evidence.

He moved slowly and sadly over the wide, almost barren expanse of the flat plain, as if the day had almost been a day of hard and relentless work. Horses or mules, with drooping heads, drooping ears and tails, sweaty skin and covered with fine sand that is thrown into the air by trampled hooves or slowly turning wheels, hardly listen to the stabbing whip or the impatient exclamation of their drivers.

The wild animals stride sadly, healed of their morning tendency to step off the path to pluck a bite of grass or pinch the top of a bush while more than one of the boys whose job it is to keep them within reasonable limits, continues to doze her hard stool.

But there are three people who appear to be full of life and free from general fatigue of mind and body. one, one woman, one girl; other men.

The first one to roll several hundred meters ahead turns out, on closer inspection, to be an old man who has counted his half century or perhaps almost a decade longer. A close examination, let's say, for his figure was so upright and strong, his movements so free and supple, the fire of his pale gray eyes as clear and penetrating as it had been for generations.
His hair and long flowing beard were gray, though the thick, sticky dust effectively obscured it. From his position, his weapons, his actions, it was clear that he was serving as the guide for the carriage.

The following figure, about halfway between this man and the first chariot, was also a man and deserves a brief description from us for more than one reason.

He was of average height, rather slim, but muscular and actively developed, and wore a plain, well-worn gray suit. His dark, olive complexion, black hair and black eyes had earned him the nickname "Dusky Dick", a name that was already known across the West.

An adventure novel in the Old West. Price weaves a tale of betrayal and camaraderie. Difficult choices are made. Some call these choices self-preservation. Some call them selfish. Some call them treachery.

104 pages, Paperback

Published September 16, 2021