In this fourth volume of J.P.S. Brown's Arizona Saga series, the Cowden family continues its battle for grazing rights in Arizona Territory along the Mexican border. The family defends cattle country on the Santa Cruz river that the Apaches call The Enchanted Land in a war against an eastern syndicate that seeks to drive out all the region's original settlers. Through bribery, slave trading and heroin smuggling, the syndicate led by boss Duncan Vincent, increases its political influence and wealth and legitimizes a disciplined gang of thugs that calls itself the Arizona Rangers. The Cowden brothers have only their guns, fists, good horses, and good neighbors with which to defend themselves in the total range war that ensues. They separate during the battle and Les Cowden finds himself alone in the fight and in love with a girl who is one of his family's worst enemies.