Golden Face: A Tale of the Wild West

by Bertram Mitford

"Golden Face: A Tale of the Wild West" by Bertram Mitford is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. The book explores themes of friendship, conflict, and the interactions between Native Americans and white settlers in the American West, focusing on the lives of two main characters, Smokestack Bill, a rugged scout, and Rupert Vipan, a mysterious Englishman with a hidden past. As they navigate the harsh realities of frontier life, they find themselves entangled in political intrigue and moral dilemmas regarding loyalty and survival. At the start of the novel, the narrative introduces Smokestack Bill and Rupert Vipan as they take shelter in a log cabin amidst a fierce winter storm in the Black Hills. The men are alert to the sounds of potential danger outside, suspecting the presence of a war party of Native Americans. Their conversation reveals the tensions surrounding their lives as prospectors in a territory claimed by Native American tribes. The scene shifts with the entrance of War Wolf, a young Sioux warrior who brings a message from tribal chiefs, revealing the complexities of their relationships and the impending conflicts, as Vipan contemplates the possibilities of wealth and retribution against those who have wronged him. The vivid depiction of their surroundings and the characters’ thoughts sets the stage for the thrilling adventures and moral choices that lie ahead.