A thirteen-year-old boy and his mother help apprehend one of the notorious outlaws in the history of Oklahoma, William Coe, in this historical adventure story. "The Black Mesa country of Western Oklahoma, less than one hundred years ago, was a gateway to the great riches of the gold lands of New Mexico, the pass over which the huge cattle drives yearly crossed. Ruled by lawless men and pioneers as strong as they were, determined to protect their homes and families, this Cimarron region was a scene of strife and bloodshed.... Helen Rushmore, a native of Oklahoma, writes of pioneer life with spontaneity unique to this genre. Despite the fact that this is essentially a story of banditry, she incorporates much interesting detail of the human motives and day by day practices which distinguished this colorful period of American history." -- Kirkus Reviews