The Wolf and the Buffalo / Elmer Kelton 149 p.

The Civil War has just ended. Ex-slave Gideon Ledbetter is drawn into serving in the cavalry by the lure of $13 a month. Kelton skillfully weaves the story of the Ledbetter and his Commanche nemesis Gray Horse Running as he tells of the Texas Comanche wars. Not being a fan of the Western genre, I was surprised how much I enjoyed this story. This may be of interest to the Larry McMurtry readers and fans of historical fiction. Louis L'Amour readers may find this too character driven.