'Lengthening Shadows', are dark clouds forming over the country with the threat of civil war looming on the horizon. For the last six months or so in Comanche, Oklahoma, the only war that was being waged was the war against a man named Devlin Wade. He has waged war against the people of Stephens County. The man was ruthless, clever, and heartless in his dealings with the folks of Comanche and the surrounding county area. Wade had caused one grievous act after another only to be exonerated, due to lack of evidence. He kept everyone in Comanche on edge, and well aware of his ruthlessness. What folks didn't know was, what would Wade do next, and when would he do it. In the midst of this turmoil is the Siringo family and anyone associated with them, such as Mike Eagan and his drovers. Mike sold the cattle that Wade wanted delivered, but Mike sold the Texas scrub cattle to Richard Siringo.
Flynn McDonagh, Seamus O'Neil, and Casey O'Connor had finally reached Waco, Texas at last. They could not find their connections in Waco as of yet. They were in a hurry to get rid of the wagon of weapons to their contacts in Waco. Taking their weapons wagon to Etsy's barn, and a man to guard the wagon, the other three went to the Buckhorn saloon to wet their throats, but primarily to find their contacts. Prior to Etsy's barn, they had gathered a crowd around their wagon wondering what was on it. When asked what was on the wagon, Clancy told them he didn't know, it wasn't his wagon. He was just getting paid to guard it and not let anybody take a look see. This caused a stir with a few men, and it wasn't long until the sheriff A.K. Masters came on the scene. They kept the contents of the wagon from everyone, especially the U.S. Cavalry. They did not want the guns confiscated due to threat of civil war.
2nd Lieutenant Jamie Carlson and his ragtag detail of troopers, who were now afoot after a Comanche Indian ambush of the 4th Cavalry, D troop. Wounded and mercilessly in pain from their wounds, they finally made it to Whitesboro, Texas. They were taken to a doctor named, Larry Crittenden by a man named, Charley Biggers and his wife, Rea, who come upon them in their buckboard just out of Whitesboro. Sergeant Major Del Dickerson sent a telegram to Fort Richardson letting the Colonel know what had happened, where they were, and asking for help. The troopers were given rooms at the hotel awaiting troops from Fort Arbuckle where it was easier for Doc Crittenden to care for his charges. Waiting for help from Fort Arbuckle was somewhat a blessing because it afforded the troopers however that much time to recover from their wounds, and it allowed Doc Crittenden to administer his aide to their wounds.
These accounts are intertwined in this, the 5th book of the Slim Siringo series. The everyday accounts of three undertakings at the same time herein, affords the reader of life in three aspects of life on the frontier. A story inside a story, inside a story. One of war before a civil war, and one of hurried secrecy, and yet, another one being a story of determination of will and rescue. You will enjoy all three accounts.
