Zephaniah: Mountain Man: The Medal: A Mountain Man Adventure
Mike Mackessy

A rumor of war sparks Zeph’s desire to ride as a soldier once again. After outshooting the best rifle and pistols shot at the closest recruiting center, Zeph is excused from service for two reasons. First for his age. After losing his two white wives, Zeph loses track of birthdays. He has forgotten how old he really is. Second, because the gold medal with the blue ribbon covered in stars hangs on his faded blue shirt. Zeph explains to the gathered soldiers the actions that resulted in the award of The Medal.
On the first assignment as leader of Crow scouts, he led a bitter officer and newly minted soldiers through Blackfoot lands but they failed to listen to advice. Teaching the soldiers during the ride, in spite of the officer’s duplicity, Zeph carries out the mission and proves his men truly are worthy to be called Scouts.
Zeph explains those surviving the Blackfoot attacks are not heroes. The true Heroes are the one who did not return home.