Norman A. Fox

Set in Montana in 1886. Mark Sabin is sent back to his hometown by the Stock Growers' Association to stop some cattle rustling. he finds his Father's old homestead occupied by a small rancher and his large family. His return is made difficult by the memories of his father being hung for rustling by men who still ranch in the area. There is also the woman he loved whose father had ordered the hanging.

As events happen, he learns his brother has wounded a ranch employee while rustling some horses. Plus the woman he loved has fallen for Garth Trenchard who generates mysterious vibes in some folks. When ordered to stop the elopement of the daughter and Trenchard, mark sets off a rash of events that lead to the solution of the rustling.

However, all of this is overshadowed by the winter blizzards of that year. Thousands of cattle starved and froze to death forcing many ranches into receivership. On the plus side it illustrated to cattlemen that they had to cut the size of their operations and only run the number of cattle that they could guarantee to be able to feed.

A reasonable fast paced novel that combine chasing rustlers with history of cattle operations in Montana.… (mehr)

Clint Tracy returned to Montana after receiving a letter from his father asking for his help. On entering the valley where his father's ranch was located, he is accosted at gunpoint by the foreman, Ramage, of a neighbouring ranch. It turns out that this man has planned to ruin other ranchers by rustling their cattle, staging shootings and raids thus frightening them into leaving.

When Tracy tries to help another rancher and his daughter, it comes out that he had killed the rancher's son who they are hoping is on his way home to help save their ranch. The fight had been fair and Tracy had found the letter pleading for the son's return on his body and decided to come back to assist.
All is forgiven when Tracy breaks up the the foreman, Ramage's hired guns and plans to take over the valley. A fast paced story that follows Louis L'Amour's advice to start with action on the first page.… (mehr)