Hondo

Based on his short story “The Gift of the Cochise” published in Collier’s magazine in 1952, Hondo is the 1953 novelization of the eponymous film written by American author Louis L’Amour. Set in 1870 Arizona, the story follows Hondo Lane, a U.S. Army scout who comes across a secluded homestead in Apache territory. When he arrives, Hondo meets a woman named Angie Lowe and her six-year-old son Johnny, who are unaware of the danger that surrounds them. When the U.S. breaks its treaty with the Apache natives, Hondo vows to protect Angie and Johnny from violent attacks. However, Hondo’s loyalties are challenged, as he was once married to a Native American woman and lived among her kind for five years. The 1953 movie Hondo, from which the novel is derived, was directed by John Farrow. It stars John Wayne as Hondo, Geraldine Page as Angie, and Lee Aaker as Johnny.

Narrated in the third-person past tense perspective, the story begins in a secluded ranch in 1870 Arizona. A pioneer woman named Angie Lowe and her six-year-old son Johnny carry out chores on their homestead when a strange man suddenly approaches on foot. With his saddle bags and rifle in tow, the man tells Angie and Johnny that his name is Lane, and that he is a military messenger for the U.S. Army Cavalry. Lane declares that he’s lost his horse after a skirmish with natives. Angie tells Lane that her assistant quit before training her two horses to be ridden. Lane offers to train the horses himself, as he can see from the disheveled home that Angie’s husband has been absent for some time. Angie admits as much. At nightfall, Angie offers Lane a place to sleep at in her house. Angie spots the name “Hondo” Lane engraved on Lane’s rifle and recognizes it as the man who killed three people the year prior. Angie attempts to shoot Hondo, but the gun has no bullets in the chamber. Unharmed, Hondo loads the gun and tells Angie not to point it in his direction. Before he leaves, Hondo tells Angie that she reminds him of a woman from his past.

Angie and Johnny are attacked at their ranch by Apaches, who are led by Chief Vittoro and his first in command, Silva. The Apache begin roughhousing Angie. Johnny appears and fires a pistol at Silva. As Silva resolves and retaliates, Johnny hurls the pistol at him. Vittoro is so taken with Johnny’s bold actions that he anoints him an Apache blood-brother. Vittoro inquires about Angie’s husband, telling her she must marry an Apache if he doesn’t return soon, as a boy needs a father. Meanwhile, Hondo returns to his Cavalry station and unites with his pal Buffalo Baker. Hondo explains to his superiors that C-Company has been annihilated by Apaches on their mission to transport settlers north. Later, Hondo severely beats a man in a saloon. Baker tells Hondo the man is named Ed Lowe, whom Hondo assumes is Angie’s husband. Vittoro presents potential Apache suitors for Angie to choose, telling her that if her husband doesn’t return by the time the crop rain comes, she must marry an Apache.



Hondo feels badly enough to return Angie’s horse. Lowe and his scout trail Hondo, who camps beside a river with the suspicion he’s being tracked by Indians. Lowe and his scout arrive at camp and are ambushed by Apaches. Lowe’s scout is killed, but Hondo manages to save Lowe. Temporarily thankful, Lowe turns his gun on Hondo in response for the beating. A melee ensues and Hondo is forced to kill Lowe. Afterwards, Hondo finds a picture of Johnny on Lowe’s person, confirming his identity. Later, Hondo stumbles upon an Apache clan and is captured. As Hondo is tortured for info about the Cavalry, Vittoro arrives and finds the picture of Johnny. Vittoro assumes Hondo is the boy’s father. Silva avenges his brother’s death by stabbing Hondo in the shoulder. Hondo holds Silva to the ground, giving him the option to take back the blood rite or die. Silva chooses the former. Vittoro guides Hondo back to Angie’s ranch. When Vittoro asks Angie if Hondo is her husband, she lies and says yes to protect Hondo. Vittoro demands Hondo to raise Johnny by Apache code and departs. Before the Apaches disband, Silva kills Hondo’s dog, Sam, and leaves its corpse on the porch as a message that their rivalry is still alive.

As Hondo heals from his wounds, he and Angie become closer. Hondo is about to explain what happened to Angie’s husband, but Vittoro arrives and interrupts his chance. Vittoro declares that the pony soldiers are on their way back. Vittoro asks Hondo to refrain from joining the Apaches and keep their location a secret. Hondo agrees on the first part, but not the second. Vittoro appreciates Hondo’s sincerity. Angie confesses her love for Hondo. Later, the Army storms the ranch, led by Commander Lieutenant McKay and scouts Baker and Lennie. McKay insists on transporting settlers in the area to the nearby Army post and defending them from Apache attacks along the way. Lennie admits to finding Lowe’s corpse and notices the matching tracks between Lowe’s horse and Hondo’s horse. Lennie blackmails Hondo into giving him his rifle in exchange for keeping quiet about Hondo killing Lowe. Even so, Angie overhears the conversation.

Before Hondo departs, he tells Angie the truth about her husband. Hondo attempts to tell Johnny as well, but Angie convinces him otherwise, claiming she’s no longer in love with Lowe anyway. Hondo responds with an impassioned plea by using the Native American word “Varlabania,” which means forever. Hondo in essence proposes marriage to Angie and vows to stay with her at the ranch while his Cavalry moves deeper into Apache territory. Hondo tells Baker that McKay is leading them into a massacre. Hondo and the others join the Cavalry and head to the fort once the Army returns and forces the Apaches to retreat. The troop is ambushed by the Apaches. During a counterattack, Hondo loses his horse and is ambushed by Silva. A skirmish ensues and Hondo kills Silva. When the Apaches retreat, McKay claims General Crook will arrive shortly with reinforcements to fight the Apache. Hondo laments the end of the “Apache way of life.” In the end, Hondo takes Angie and Johnny to live with him as a family on his California ranch.