Blood Rising — William M. James

It had finally happened...the death the Apache had waited for since he was a warrior of eighteen. With the first plunge of the mighty golden knife into Cyrus Pinner's evil flesh, Cuchillo Oro had released his pent-up hatred for the horsesoldier, sending the fatally wounded cavalry officer over the cliffs and into the cold waters of the river.Now that it was over—the blood feud between himself and Pinner—he should be filled with a great satisfaction. He had prayed for it, longed to make the last atonement for his wife and child.... Yet, oddly, he felt empty, drained. The expected elation was not there. Cuchillo was suddenly angry. Somehow, he felt cheated. Was this all there was?Avenging his dead wife and child is not enough for the embittered brave. As long as there are white eyes left to ravage the land of his ancestors, the warrior must continue his battle. With his proud blood rising, Cuchillo Oro, the grandson of the great Indian chief Mangas Coloradas, renews his promise for revenge. This time there is no turning back—not for the Apache, and not for those who have persecuted his people!