The story follows Barnaby Skye, a resilient and memorable character in Western fiction, as he navigates the challenges of survival during his formative years in the Rockies. This harrowing tale explores his experiences and struggles, highlighting the harsh realities of life in the wilderness and the strength required to endure them.
Collected here are all the Western short stories of Richard S. Wheeler, tales which span the Western landscape from Montana to Arizona and Washington to Wyoming in a period that covers the late 19th century through modern times. Here are a wide cast of characters -- madams, miners, morticians, detectives, newsman, and lawman. Some characters are drawn from history -- the Earp brothers, Mark Twain, William Wright, a reporter for the Territorial Enterprise, and Jim Fair, businessman and mining engineer. There are tales such as "The Last Days of Dominic Prince" and "The Business of Dying," both of which play out against a backdrop of changing times. An historical approach can be found in "Hearts" and "The Square Reporter," the latter of which includes a tall tale. The reader will encounter a coffin-maker par excellence in "Dead Weight," and a career criminal in "Mugs Birdsong's Crime Academy" who decides to school lawmen in the secrets of his profession in an effort to make money upon his latest release from prison
Throatlatch, Wyoming, is a sinister town that preys on travelers. One of them is No Name, a drifter who lives his life without purpose. Something about the little town obsesses No Name, and he finds himself drawn into a whirl of evil -- murders and cruelties all done in the name of virtue.
Gladstone Brass found out how to make his livelihood during the thirty years he prospected the arid wastes of the Nevada desert. He pried ore out of the few small deposits he discovered, then went to town-which he hated-only long enough to trade his bits of gold for the supplies he needed. Otherwise, he was devoted to keeping these arid, secret wastes all to himself, and that meant driving out rivals, invaders, interlopers, and adventurers. His only friend and companion was Tia Maria, a burro he'd caught in a desert canyon after his mule died from a snake bite. His great enemy was Bitter Bowler, a younger man, but run-down and dishonest. One day, Brass spotted buzzards circling, and curiosity led him to investigate. He found a dead burro and an injured Bitter Bowler with his revolver trained on Brass. Bowler claimed he had broken his leg and couldn't move. He wanted Brass' water. When Brass refused, Bowler shot Tia Maria, then told him the next shot would be for him if he didn't leave his water and supplies and get more water and something he could use for a crutch. Brass agreed and headed for Angel Cliff seep, the nearest water supply. He was debating whether he should go back to rescue Bitter Bowler when he arrived at the seep to find a stranger camped there who immediately turned, his gun pointed right at Brass.
At the beginning it looked as if Randy and Linda Van Pelt would have the most wonderful married life together. They had a perfect Montana ranch and the best stock of bulls, but their newlywed bliss was not destined to last. Randy died of pneumonia after their first hard winter and Linda, a transplanted Easterner, found herself alone in a desolate country.
"When Drogovich's gold was stolen and his daughter kidnapped in a daring train robbery, the ruthless gold king had big reasons and plenty of sharpshooters to make sure the case got solved pronto. But sheriff and doctor Santiago Toole learned that justice was not so simple when he discovered the secret connection between Drogovich and the robbers"--
"Richard Lamb was a peace-loving man hoping to live out the rest of his days with his Indian wife and their large extended family, but the Partridge brothers had other plans--deadly plans to advance their careers. All they needed was a little Indian resistance"--
"The story of a vaudeville troupe that makes its way to Western mining towns"--
This collection features two full novels by renowned Western author Richard S. Wheeler. "Rendezvous" explores themes of adventure and survival in the rugged frontier, while "Dark Passage" delves into the complexities of morality and justice in a lawless land. Together, these stories showcase Wheeler's skill in crafting compelling characters and vivid landscapes, offering readers an immersive experience in classic Western storytelling.
This edition combines two captivating tales of famous American explorers, penned by the acclaimed author Richard S. Wheeler. Through vivid storytelling, readers will embark on thrilling adventures that highlight the challenges and triumphs faced by these historical figures. Wheeler's masterful narrative brings to life the spirit of exploration and the rugged landscapes of the American West, offering an engaging glimpse into the lives of those who shaped the frontier.