The Journada Del Muerto (The Journey Of The Dead Man) begins where Black Hand Over Kansas ended. While each story can be enjoyed individually, a prior reading of Black Hand Over Kansas provides in-depth background. The final book in the Black Hand Trilogy, The Victors, will follow.

In 1865, Malcolm and Steffi Frazier acquire ownership in a potentially valuable Arizona copper mine. With high hopes, they leave Kansas for Arizona to claim their fortune. It will prove to be a journey destined to test the outer limits of their sanity and their will to survive. They'll travel the Santa Fe Trail to New Mexico, then on to the unforgiving Journada Del Muerto.

You'll ride the trails and live the life of terror, fear, and love, as the adventurers rise again and again to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles. You'll plunge into the Canyon Of Bones to discover how it got its name--then hear throbbing war drums under a darkened moon and share the wrenching pain in a mother's heart as she prepares her tiny sons to meet a savage horde.

In this story of non-stop adventure, a never-to-be-forgotten cast of characters will come together, form unbreakable bonds, and change their lives forever.

You'll meet Ben Wang and Su Chang, Fraziers' unlikely partners, who are running for their lives; Angus McDougal, the giant blacksmith; Peg Leg Charlie, the wise prospector; Kai Mang, ruler of The Tong Of The Black Hand; Magda, the beautiful Gypsy girl; Dr. Maroni, who holds the key to a Mexican treasure; Naije, the Apache chief, and his traitorous brother, Black Dog; Shorty Jollie and Tall Ned, Cornish miners who become heroes on the high seas; Harrison Hathaway, the British investor; Yellow Wolf, a Yaqui chief; Montoya, the Comanchero; Standing Bear, the Comanche; Sheng Tai, the eunuch; Lupe, Carmen and Rosa from Nogales; and others who come together to provide the rich fabric to weave the tightly knit story into one of epic proportions.

Ernie Frazier, a grandson of Kansas pioneers who came west in a covered wagon, was raised near old Dodge City, the infamous cow town that helped make the west wild.

He has also lived in Arizona and Texas and travels extensively in many of the areas he writes about, touring mines and ancient ruins in the U. S. and Mexico.

His experiences--some of which are vividly revisited in his writings--provide much of his inspiration. As a young soldier he was exposed to the underbelly of life while stationed on the Arizona-Mexico border. Later he began a career which provides financial products and services to estates and business owners. His knowledge of banking comes from having served on a bank's board of directors, feeding cattle, and by selling operating businesses to investors.

(Chapter 28)

Hearing the warnings, Smythe looked back. The distance between their wagons was closing at breakneck speed and he could see the wild terror in Gibson's face. Without brakes, Gibson had no choice but to give his mules full rein.

All Smythe had to do to save himself was pull over and the runaway wagon would pass by, but he quickly abandoned that idea. He had to stop the wagon. He'd be signing Gibson's death warrant if he let him pass. Without brakes, the wagon couldn't make the next turn in the trail. It would go over the cliff!

The runaway mules thundered down the trail in a wild panic, racing madly to keep ahead of the massive load as it swerved out of control.

Gibson, an expert teamster, was fighting a losing battle with his reins and whip. Closing swiftly on Smythe, he too screamed the warning, 'Runaway! Runaway!' in an effort to save his friend.

Without hesitation, Smythe braked hard and reined his team to the right, directly in the runaway's path.

(Chapter 33)

As evening approached, the drums picked up their beat, accompanied by frenzied war whoops. Even from a distance of some two miles, the sounds struck terror into everyone's heart. For the next hour or so, the incessant rhythm and shrieks continued, a warning that the attack would be starting soon. An hour or so later, the drums fell silent.

'Git ready!' Peg Leg, grabbed Malcolm's arm. 'They're goin' to be on us before we know it!'

'Take your positions!' Malcolm shouted.

His riflemen scattered like quail. They bolted to their wagons. Flooded with adrenalin, they knew they would be facing death in a matter of minutes!

Malcolm and Smythe did a quick turn through the area, offering encouragement, checking to see that each man was ready.

Shorty Jollie volunteered to act as a roving messenger. His job would be to move among the wagons and fortress, carrying orders from Malcolm and spreading news among the combatants.

Angus, by far the tallest man in the group, had positioned himself on top of his wagon. Standing there, he could see for miles around.

Suddenly he bellowed, 'Here they come! They're leavin' camp right now! I'll try get a head count when they get closer. They're ridin' at a slow trot.'

In the makeshift fortress, Steffi and the other women worked feverishly to finish stacking the last of the timbers, creating a little playhouse for Colin and Hugh. Electrified by Angus' warning, they dropped the last timber, grabbed pistols and knives and steeled themselves to fight to the death.