Hell. It was nice to be loved.
End Note
The chain of events in Sure as Shooting was inspired by the writings of Lafayette Bunnell, a surgeon who traveled with the Mariposa Battalion in 1851 as they tried to corral the marauding Indians. Bunnell rhapsodized so about the “discovery” of the Yosemite Valley that his messmates began to call him “Yosemity.” It was Bunnell who named many important features of the Deep Grassy Valley.
The monolith the Indians named Tokoya (“The Basket”) is now known as North Dome.
Huntley Ashbury was based upon Major James Savage, a trader who was elected to lead the battalion since he knew the area so well and spoke the languages. Galen Clark said that Savage “had been the leading figure in the war against the Indians, and perhaps their best friend while [the Indians were] in captivity.” He lost his life defending them in 1852 when a squatter named Harvey shot Savage four times for having the nerve to call an inquiry into the massacre of more Indians in the King’s River Reservation.
Alas, a knave of Harvey brand
(Ignoble was his aim)
Laid poor Jim low in Tulare land
There ended all his fame.
—W.F.S., Jim Savage: A Frontier Clamper Man
Tenaya, “Chief of the Grizzles,” was never happy on the reservation. The hot weather of the plains made him ill, and he begged to return home. He returned with a remnant of his band, but was killed in a dispute with some Mono Indians in 1853, crushed in the head with a rock. Galen Clark wrote, “It was fitting that he should meet his death in the valley which he loved, and which he had so long defended against his enemies.”
THE END
WWW.KARENMERCURY.COM
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Karen’s first three novels were historical fiction, involving pre-colonial African explorers. Since she was always either accused or praised (depending how you look at it) for writing overly steamy sex scenes, erotic romance was the natural next step.
She is currently writing about the rough-and-tumble life of the California gold rush and lives in Northern California with her Newfoundland dog.
Also by Karen Mercury
Ménage Amour: Going for the Gold 1: Working the Lode
Ménage Amour: Going for the Gold 2: Either Ore
Ménage Amour: Going for the Gold 3: A Good Prospect
Available at
BOOKSTRAND.COM
Siren Publishing, Inc.
www.SirenPublishing.com
Sure as Shooting Page 20