Fans who are familiar with my McIntyre Adventure series of novels will be happy to learn I’m well on my way with the next release in the popular storyline. I expect it to be released sometime next month.
In Fighting Back, Gus McIntyre and Walter Hamilton are rushing back to Texas after an extended stay in Colorado when they receive an ominous telegram from the Circle H Ranch that says: “Hurry home, Junior. We’ve got trouble!”
Making it through the mountainous wilderness isn’t easy, but the best friends are making it with the help of Don Eduardo Santiago, a Mexican charro they met in Del Norte. Of course, Naomi Brown is at McIntyre’s side, and Walt has a new bride, Jessie Prescott Hamilton, to protect. Young Henry Perez accompanies Eduardo.
The path from the mountains to the prairies of Texas is long and treacherous. There are no real roads, as we know them today.
The entourage must negotiate the Raton Pass, barren wilderness, and trails that are frequented by buffalo hunters, outlaws, and Indian war parties.
Here is an excerpt that describes what faces the travelers in their rush to return home:
Walt seemed to ignore his friend’s comments. His mind focused only on his father’s message. The only son of Walt and Gert Hamilton looked at Eduardo and asked, “How far away from San Angelo do you think we are, Eduardo?”
“Six or seven hundred miles through rough country, my friend,” he replied. “It will be a difficult journey at a moderate pace. To ride a lo loco (wildly) would be unwise. Your horse will never make it, and, without a horse, neither will you.”
Jessie grabbed her husband’s arm and pleaded, “Think about what they are telling you, Walt. Your parents wish for you to hurry, but they want you alive and well; so do I. I want us to begin a new life in Texas together.”
“Tell us what lies ahead, Eduardo,” Gus asked, looking to the newest addition to their traveling party. Eduardo had traveled the route north when he left Mexico and joined his brother in Del Norte.
“As you know, we must cross the Raton Pass,” Eduardo explained. “Like the Diablo Gorge, it is strewn with boulders and rocks that are ideal for ambush. Because we are many, we should pass without harm. Because of its elevation, the pass is prone to high winds that trigger unexpected landslides, making it treacherous. The footing will be a problem for our horses. In most areas, it will be best if we walk the animals through. The real problem is getting to the pass and then descending. Both trails are steep.
“On top of that, the weather is unpredictable. There is already snow on the tops of the mountains ahead. The pass descends to the small railroad town of Raton. Beyond Raton is Llano Estacado (the Staked Plains). It is a vast, flat landscape with little water. As you might know, when we enter Texas, we must cross the Canadian and Pecos Rivers. Then we will follow the Rio Grande to your home.”
“I don’t like the sound of the flatlands with little water,” Gus said. “How vast is it?”
“They say it is several hundred miles across, but we will not be crossing it entirely. We should be able to cross in five days,” Eduardo explained.
“That is a long time without water,” Gus said, looking at Walt, who was listening but in deep thought.
“Oh, there is water, but it’s just hard to find,” Eduardo replied.
“Can you find water?” asked Naomi.
“I did the last time I crossed, but the land changes. We must make the crossing slowly and preserve the water we carry and the energy of our horses. The journey is much longer on foot,” Eduardo added and chuckled at his own joke. Nobody laughed.
“Will we need extra horses?” Gus asked.
“Not if we travel at a casual pace,” Eduardo replied. “There are places, although far apart, where water is available for travelers. If I wanted to cross in three days, I would want two extra horses.”
“Once we navigate the pass, we can gather water and supplies in Raton, right?” Gus asked.
“Yes, we can stop in Raton. From there, we will travel southeast through the Llano Estacado to get to Texas,” Eduardo said.
“Well, let’s get through this pass,” Walt said. “When we get to Raton, I will send another telegram to my father to assure him we are on our way.”
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Watch for the next installment of the McIntyre Adventures, FIGHTING BACK, scheduled for release this summer. Click the link below to order any of the more than thirty books in my Amazon catalog.