
Ike Harper narrates the tale of his fast‑talking partner, Magpie Simpkins, and the dazzling yellow boots that have become Magpie’s pride and, oddly enough, his curse. Fresh from a wild Totem stampede where they tried to clean up the loot, the duo rides the rails with a mix of swagger and nervous anticipation. Their banter‑filled camaraderie sets the stage for a gritty, humor‑spiced western adventure that never takes itself too seriously.
When a train screeches to an abrupt halt, Magpie’s vanity and Ike’s quick draw collide with a chaotic showdown. A mysterious bundle, a sudden burst of gunfire, and the uncanny squeak of those prized boots turn the moment into a frantic scramble. Amid the smoke, shouted commands, and rattling coal, the pair must decide whether to chase danger or protect what matters most—while the absurdity of trading a pair of boots for something far more fragile keeps the story lively and unpredictable.
Language
en
Duration
~41 minutes (40K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
United States: The Ridgway Company, 1919.
Credits
Roger Frank and Sue Clark
Release date
2021-07-28
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1883–1969
Best known for lively Western stories filled with humor, mystery, and ranch-country adventure, this Montana-born writer created the popular cowboy sleuths Hashknife Hartley and Sleepy Stevens. He also worked in Hollywood, writing for films from the silent era into the 1940s.
View all books