
The story opens on the windswept Lonesome Prairie, where a ragged group of cow‑punters discovers a grisly pile of skinned beef hides—evidence that a gang of thieves has been stripping cattle from the Seventy‑seven brand. The seasoned foreman, Elmer Duffy, is furious and offers a hefty cash reward for anyone brave enough to track down the culprits. Amid the tension, the outspoken yet carefree Charlie Shaw is dismissed as a “shallow josher,” his reputation as a light‑hearted rider clashing with the seriousness of the crime.
As Elmer’s temper flares, Charlie’s pride is provoked, and he vows to stop joking and get serious. The uneasy partnership that forms between the hardened boss and the mischievous rider promises a chase across the open range, where skill, grit, and a bit of daring will be put to the test. Listeners will be drawn into the rugged world of cattle drives, betrayals, and the thin line between humor and danger.
Language
en
Duration
~50 minutes (48K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Original publisher
New York, NY: Street & Smith Publications, 1927.
Credits
Roger Frank and Sue Clark
Release date
2023-08-05
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1881–1972
Best known for vivid westerns and tough, place-rich novels of British Columbia, this Scottish-born Canadian writer drew on real experience as a cowboy, logger, and fisherman. His stories brought working landscapes and working people to the center of the page.
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