BILLY STEELE: KID RANGER, CHAPTER THREE

I helped you last time! Let me carry the flag on this mission, sir."

"No, son," Col. Tim advised. "I cannot risk your life. These are the West’s worst killers. You’ll be safe here. Besides you have to defend your spelling championship against all comers," Tim smiled as he hugged his son goodbye.

Again, Billy reluctantly followed orders like the good soldier he was training to be. But an impetuous Billy had a plan in his mind as his head hit the pillow.

The following day, from his bunkhouse window, Billy watched Holt’s Rangers and the rest of the squad head out to meet a mysterious band of cowboy super troopers to begin a great roundup of outlaws.

"Beware the angels of death, Col.," Lester yelled while peeling potatoes as Billy crouched down to avoid being seen by anyone at the barracks.

But Billy was already in his cavalry uniform. And as soon as dawn broke, Billy sneaked out of the barracks and saddled up Swifty and with ‘Lasses by his side, they headed to White Eagle’s camp Billy made sure he had White Eagle’s magical gift, the black arrowhead, tucked away safely. For the arrowhead’s magic had the power to turn the adolescent Billy into the Great Native American super god, The Lightning Warrior.

"I know I should not be disobeying Dad’s direct orders," Billy confessed to his flop eared dog. "But the Col. promised he’d ride with me today and if something happens, I can help him and the troop." Billy planned to secretly follow his Ranger family in their hunt for the Axis of outlaws.

Billy enlisted White Eagle’s grandfatherly aid in his quest. This nearly 80-year old wizard of the wilderness grew weak in body, but stronger in wisdom. His long gray hair and wearing simple, withered attire of his braves ensured that only a select few knew of the great power of Indian magic he possessed.

White Eagle, Billy’s mentor, his teacher and the Native American superhero of old, The Manitou, wanted to speak with the Indian leaders recruited by The Trinity Of Terror. White Eagle was determined to convince Geronimo, Cochiese, Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse to lay down their arms and negotiate with the white man before more innocent blood was spilled on both sides.

Billy wanted to use his magical gifts and super warrior alter ego to help his ranger family in times of crisis. Billy and White Eagle would follow Holt’s Rangers to their rendezvous point. And perhaps Billy would find his Trinity Of Terror adversaries at long last. After Billy helped his ranger family rid the West of these terrorists of the trail, the cavalry crusaders could find Billy’s legacy and lost mine.

Both Billy and White Eagle clashed with their respective cultures. Although commissioned to keep the peace between red and white men, Billy’s adopted father, Col. Tim, frowned upon his son spending time with a member of a race of people considered by many to be "heathen savages." Turbulent relations between the races invariably led to gossip and finger pointing and accusations of treachery on both sides. The Col. was aware of Billy’s secret, forbidden friendship with the "crazy old Indian medicine man," and the symbol of American supremacy had warned Billy to keep away from the Native American wizard, for the boy’s own protection.

Simultaneously, members of White Eagle’s tribe began to brand him a traitor for the Indian’s friendship with "the son of a white eyes." White Eagle’s tribesmen harbored a canyon deep resentment of the white army of long knife soldiers who drove them from their birth lands.