Apache Kid #18
Heritage!
The Apache Kid has rallied his fellow Apaches and has declared that they should go to war against the white man who have settled on their native land. Not far away Captain Bill Gregory and a fur trapper named Peters. Peters had heard of this sudden change in the Apache Kid's position and brought Gregory to hear it for himself. Gregory is shocked but has no choice but to consider the Apache Kid a renegade and put a reward on his head. On their way back they are greeted by Aloysius Kare who has also heard that there is a price on the Apache Kid's head and expresses interest in claiming it for himself. When Peters protests this Captain Gregory points out how tough the Apache Kid and suggests that the two men work together.
Aloysius and Peters ride toward the Apache camp but are attacked by Apache warriors along the way who have been tipped off from their approach. As the Apaches swarm Peters, Kare slips away to change into the Apache Kid. The Kid orders the Apaches to take Peters prisoner. Thrown into a teepee, Peters is surprised when Aloysius Kare manages to sneak in and help him escape. As they flee from the Apache camp on horse, Kare voices his suspicions that Peters is after something more than capturing the Apache Kid, but Peters won't talk. While Peters has his back turned, Kare changes into the Apache Kid once again and tries to attack but Peters flees. Suddenly Peters hears what sounds like the Apache Kid and Aloysius Kare fighting it out. Kare comes out of the bush and tells him that he defeated the Apache Kid but he managed to escape.
Finally trusting Kare, he admits that he has been trying to find the bear hunting ground that the Apaches are using and cull all the bear furs there. Kare tells Peters that he knows where the hunting ground is and agrees to take him there. Along the way, Peters plots to kill Kare so he can take all the furs for himself. When they arrive, Peters is about to shoot Kare in the back when a shot is fired, shooting the gun out of his hands. While Peters is whirling around to see who fired the shot, Kare changes into the Apache Kid once again and attacks. The Kid fights Peters into submission and he confesses his entire plot. Suddenly, Bill Gregory and some soldiers come out of the forest, and they all reveal that the Apache Kid's "going renegade" was all a ruse to expose Peters illegal activities.
Recurring Characters
Apache Kid
Bill Gregory
Nightwind
The Painted Peril!
A tribe of Sioux warriors led by Swift Buffalo are going on the warpath to drive the white men off their ancestral land. When this is spotted by some soldiers who send a reflected message across various outposts to warn Fort Madison and Captain Bill Gregory of the coming attack. While he puts his troops on alert, Gregory asks Aloysius Kare to do what he can to help, and get the aid of the Apaches even though Red Hawk has vowed not to go to war under any condition. Kare rides off to meet with the Sioux, changing into the Apache Kid along the way.
Arriving at his tribe, the Apache Kid convinces Red Hawk and his people to raise arms against the Sioux attackers. As the two Native American factions clash, the American army arrives to witness the battle. During the course of the fight, both the Apache Kid and Red Hawk are knocked out and taken prisoner to be used as hostages. With their leaders defeated, the Apaches agree to join forces with the Sioux and they flee leaving the soldiers confused and believing that Red Hawk has gone traitor.
That night as Swift Buffalo rallies for war, the Apache Kid breaks free from his bonds and frees Red Hawk and the pair quietly escape from the Sioux camp. When Swift Buffalo is informed of their escape, he rallies his troops to go after them. However the army is surrounded by soldiers who were brought by the Apache Kid and Red Hawk. When the Apaches and Sioux stand down, the Apache Kid attacks Swift Buffalo and defeats him in single combat. However when the Apache Kid shows Swift Buffalo mercy and spares his life, Swift Buffalo realizes the errors of his ways and agrees to end his warpath and work with settlers instead.
Recurring Characters
Apache Kid
Bill Gregory
Red Hawk
Nightwind
Cry of the Coyote
The Apache Kid rides past the ancient burial ground of the Sachems when the coyote idol that watches over it begins to howl, recalling the legends that the coyote idol howls when there are intruders on the Sachems land. The Kid goes up to the burial site to investigate and is shocked when the idols seemingly attack him, and call him the invader on the sacred lands. With the coyote no longer howling since he arrives, the Apache Kid manages to slip past the idols spears to investigate the idol closer.
Getting to the idol, the Apache Kid sends his horse Nightwind go to cover while he goes inside the coyote idol. Inside he finds that someone has been digging inside the idol. Suddenly the Apache Kid is attacked from behind by Big Wolf the leader of the Pohantos. The Kid easily evades the attack and Big Wolf gets knocked out. Suddenly, through a communication tunnel the other Pohantos inquire if Big Wolf has defeated the Apache Kid. This distracts the Kid long enough for Big Wolf to recover and try to attack again. During the struggle a torch is knocked to the ground causing a fire and lots of smoke.
The two struggle and the Apache Kid knocks out Big Wolf and drags him outside of the idol. While under the cover of smoke the Apache Kid changes into his alter-ego of Aloysius Kare and keeps Big Wolf at gun point. He tells the confused Big Wolf that both he and the Apache Kid work together. Defeated in combat the Big Wolf and his people agree to leave the Sachems burial ground and never desecrate it again.
Recurring Characters
Apache Kid
Nightwind
The River of No Return!
With a drought threatening to ruin the crops grown by the Apaches, Red Hawk believes that the gods are angry at his people. In order to appease them he has no choice but to send his adopted son the Apache Kid down the so-called "River of no Return" where many Apache brave has died. Riding down to the rivers edge, the Kid mounts a canoe and begins riding the rapids, however his boat crashes after the first fall. He is witnessed by Laki the madman who laughs as the current of the river sweeps him under the current, believing that this is the work of the gods.
The Apache Kid is surprised to find that he is being pulled through an underwater tunnel and manages to get to the other end and to the surface of a hidden lake. There Laki tries to attack him but the Apache Kid easily defeats him. Laki tells him that the gods will not allow it to rain until a white man finds the secret lake. The Apache Kid then slips away from the raving madman and changes into his alter-ego of Aloysius Kare and reveals himself to Laki. Laki is shocked to see a white man in the area, suddenly the area begins to shake and the lake rages wild. Grabbing a log, Kare takes Laki with him into the lake where miraculously the tunnels suction reverse and they are ejected into the river on the other side. Back on the surface, Kare allows himself to sink below the water so he can change back into the Apache Kid. When Laki pulls him up he is shocked that the Apache Kid is back.
Getting back to the shore and reuniting with the Apaches, Apache Kid and Laki are surprised to find that a storm has come in and it is beginning to rain.
Recurring Characters
Apache Kid
Red Hawk
Nightwind
