Trail of the Red Butterfly

By Karl H. Schlesier

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In 1807, a Cheyenne warrior named Stone learns that his twin brother, Whirlwind, is missing after leading a raid into northern New Spain. Stone organizes a group of warriors from different tribes, including wives and children, to ride south to locate and bring back his brother. They are traveling into an unknown territory, faced with meeting people who speak a different language, not to mention confronting Indian tribes who could be hostile to their small band.

As the small band of Indians travel in their quest, encountering pitfalls along the way, the author is able to draw on his background in anthropology. He creates a tale of individual endurance and introduces the reader to unusual characters and provocative landscapes. This is a different kind of Indian story, a time when Indians roamed the Southwest for wild horses and buffalo, before the Americans moved into their territory and took away their hunting grounds and food sources. This novel is not just for those who enjoy a good Western tale. I recommend this book to anyone who likes to read stories of compassion and human ingenuity while embarking on a dangerous and difficult journey.