
Two weather‑worn cow‑punters roll into a bustling frontier town, shedding their saddles outside the best hotel and instantly drawing the attention of the local marshal. Their easy banter and quick‑draw charm mask a purpose: a mission from their friend Buck that promises both profit and adventure. As they settle in, they meet the town’s smooth‑talking lawyer, Jeremiah T. Jones, who offers them a drink and a vague warning about a place called “Bar‑20.”
Curiosity gets the better of them, and the pair set out to locate the mysterious bar, guided by a mix of local gossip and their own restless instincts. Along the dusty streets they encounter colorful townsfolk, a hardware store peddling fresh rifles, and the ever‑watchful eyes of a marshal who seems both amused and wary. Their first day hints at hidden rivalries and a brewing conflict that will test their wits as much as their guns, promising a classic Western tale of loyalty, danger, and the open range.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (382K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Dagny; John Bickers; David Widger
Release date
2006-04-22
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1883–1956
Best known as the creator of Hopalong Cassidy, this American writer helped shape the classic Western with stories full of range life, dry humor, and hard-riding adventure. His books introduced a cowboy hero who became even more famous on screen, but the original character was very much his own.
View all books