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In a powerful evocation of the spirit and drama of the American West, the harrowing story of the feud that ignited the Apache Wars. In February 1861, the twelve-year-old son of Arizona rancher John Ward was kidnapped by Apaches. Ward followed their trail and reported the incident to patrols at Fort Buchanan, blaming a band of Chiricahuas led by the infamous warrior Cochise. Though Ward had no proof that Cochise had kidnapped his son, Lt. George Bascom organized a patrol and met with the Apache leader, who, not suspecting anything was amiss, had brought along his wife, his brother, and two sons. Despite Cochises assertions that he had not taken the boy and his offer to help in the search, Bascom immediately took Cochises family hostage and demanded the return of the boy.