An Apache and a Zulu

Forty Lashes Less One by Elmore Leonard (1972)

Another outstanding novel by Elmore Leonard. An Apache and a Zulu escape from Yuma prison. The two hate each other from the start but become friends through shared adversity. An example of how long distance running builds character.

Refreshing because the white guys get outsmarted. The new warden is a religious moron with good intentions. The head of the guards is a moron devoid of good intentions. The white cons (who actually run the prison) escape, but because they disrespected the Apache and the Zulu, the white cons all come to a bad end. Excellent.

Rumor is that Quentin Tarantino wrote a screenplay based on the novel, and he called it Forty Lashes. Was supposed to be a Miramax movie. Some rumors say that it was filmed but never released. Weird.