This is a classic western story written by Louis L’Amour telling the tale of a college educated man, his wife and son as they push out into the west trying to set up a homestead around Cherry Creek. Colorado (Denver). In the opening of the story Duncan McKaskel has self-doubts about their move west. It is morning and a stranger arrives and asks for coffee. The McKaskel’s accommodate the stranger and open their camp to him. The stranger informs them that their horses have been taken. The stranger explains what will happen when he goes to pick the horses up and what he should do. This is the first lesson for the eastern family and it could be the death of them all.
Surviving the first test only brings on more learning experiences and tests that will enable the family to survive in the west. Their teacher of western lore is Con Vallian, an experienced western survivor of all manor of western life happenings. He has seen the things unfold and lived through them. Now for many unknown reasons he is helping these tenderfoot easterners in their survival of the west.
Many important life lessons are shared in this story about the west. The author is trying to teach his readers these lessons too. We need to listen to his words because he is the western man who has lived through the many things in his life and he wants to share with use these things to make us true westerners.
This book is an easy read but it has many lessons to be learned. I recommend it to all readers if they have adventure in their soul and a lust to see what is over the next hill.
