The Shaming of Broken Horn by Bill Gulick

As dark came on and the fires burned low, they sat huddled together, their backs against a wagon for safety’s sake, listening to the drums in the Indian village. Mary was frightened now, but looking around, seeing the grim looks on the faces of her menfolk as they balanced their rifles across their knees, she was sure of one thing—her men would act like men if the need arose, and she was proud of them all.

The “shaming” is a serio-comic event that occurs in the course of a wagon train journey. Many of the familiar themes are here: the stoic and wise Westerner, the “too sure of himself” Easterner, the inquisitive young ‘un, the proud and beautiful damsel.

All the elements are familiar, it’s done well, but it has the leftover flavor of watching an episode of Wagon Train. Fans of that TV show should find this enjoyable tale.