THE DAY FORT LARKING FELL: The Legend of the Last Great Indian Fight

Will Henry comes straight from the wild west, sacred-cow poking with rambunctious energy. The injuns, all stray youngsters, are a fumbling breed and the Preacher, a self-appointed redeemer and almost-reformed alcoholic, can cuss like hell, mostly at the cavalry. The Bleek household (Preacher and Indian orphan collection) crosses a caricature officer (Captain Julius Caesar Strinker), triggering the shenanigans, and Wee Katie, a ""lissome"" two hundred pounds, comes to their rescue--she wants Preacher's scalp on her pillow. A surprise supply of Old Crow adds to the punch-drunk confusion--a raid on the store, men in women's clothing, the escape of Bleek et al., a full moon hint of impending marriage. The characters are sheer exaggerations but nevertheless diverting, and dialects--in narrative and dialogue--add to the robust tone. A sequel to Maheo's Children.