Louis L’Amour said that the West was no place for the frightened or the mean. It was a “big country needing big men and women to live in it.” This volume presents seven more of L’Amour’s ever popular short stories—history that lives forever.
“Mistakes Can Kill You.” Johnny O’Day was half dead from pneumonia when he was taken in by the Redlin family. Now the Redlin’s son, Sam, has become involved with a red-haired singer, the woman of Loss Degner, gambler and saloon owner. When Sam is threatened by Degner and his hired gunman, O’Day may be the only one who can save him.
“The One for the Mohave Kid.” The Mohave Kid is deadly with a gun and vicious in all his dealings. His mother was a Holdstock, and there are nine branches of this clan, who protect the Kid because he is family. Ab Kale, marshal of the cow town of Hinkley, has told the family that the Kid is to stay away from town, and in this the clan has agreed. But the Mohave Kid sees this as a tempting challenge and decides to call the marshal’s bluff.
“The Man from Battle Flat.” Krag Moran rides for rancher Carol Duchin. A potential range war between nesters and ranchers has divided the townspeople. Bush Leason , the big nester, has brought the trouble to a head, killing several men, including Shorty Grimes—shot in the back with a shotgun. That killing is what has brought Krag Moran to where he is, sitting in front of the saloon, cleaning his double-barreled shotgun.
“Fork Your Own Broncs.” Mac Marcy is a small-time rancher whose cattle have always used the water hole on Jingle Bob Kenyon’s land. Now there is a heat wave, and Jingle Bob has fenced off the water hole. For Mac, the situation is complicated by trouble, in the form of two of Kenyon’s men: Ricker is a gun hand and Soley is whatever Ricker tells him to be. The only hope Mac has comes from Sally Kenyon, Jingle Bob’s daughter, who reminds him that he’s living in a fighting man’s country and reveals a secret about water high on the rim behind his ranch house.
“A Strong Land Growing.” Marshal Fitz Moore is a loner, disinclined to let anyone get close to him who might compromise his freedom to act in upholding the law. Word is out that the Fred Henry gang of outlaws intends to hit Fitz Moore’s town of Sentinel. The gang’s mode of operation is to kill the local lawman first, then loot the town. Moore knows what’s coming, but he intends to make his stand alone, rather than be blindsided by someone in town who may be spying for the gang.
“Barney Takes a Hand.” Barney Shaw is a small speck on the horizon when he is first seen by Tess Bayeux, standing in her doorway. Barney is afoot, hatless, gunless, and covered with dust. Tess heads inside for water, but for her, this is a distraction. Men of the H&C Cattle Company have an eviction notice for Tess and intend to move her off the property. Tess has been waiting for help from Rex Tilden, but he hasn’t responded. This Barney Shaw doesn’t look like he is in a position to help anyone, but in thinking that, Tess Bayeux is mistaken.
“Lit a Shuck for Texas.” The Sandy Kid is nineteen, new to this range, but brimful of news he is sure will please his boss, Jasper Wald—that he has found a rich-veined chunk of gold ore on Wald’s land. But Wald responds only with anger, says the Kid is mistaken, and orders him to mind his own business. But if the Sandy Kid is anything, he’s curious—and not one to be put off.
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“This collection of seven short stories begins with an informative biography of the author. Then, hang on to your earbuds—the first four stories take off with such rapid-fire narration that it’s easy to get left in the dust! Once adjusted to the swiftly moving plots, one can enjoy a multitude of characters. And then an unexpected and pleasant change of pace arrives in the last three stories, beautifully narrated with perfect timing that draws out the suspense of the gunfights and conveys the romance of the Wild West. The collection, while oddly assembled, is entertaining as a whole, showing that L’Amour’s writing can hold up to many narrative styles.”
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