This is a short story from the pen of Louis L’Amour from his collection in The Outlaws of Mesquite. This story confronts a mans fear and the craziness of a wild horse. Was it really fear or common since? As a boy this top rider had seen this horse kill a perfectly good saddle horse that he had been riding by stomping him to death not by accident but on purpose.
Marty Mahan was an outstanding rodeo rider and his competition was Yannell Stoper who was only interested in wining and specifically beating Marty. Marty was also pressured to earn more money so he could buy the ranch that he had his eye on and his girl Peg was applying that pressure. Marriage was on the line. The Ghost Maker was here but he would not ride him because he knew what the horse could do.
This story sums up some of the traits of western men and how the good ones were able to overcome the opportunities that a man can encounter even today. How we face up to our demons that mark us it stamps our identity on the community around us. This was a very significant short story written I hope to bring mans spirit closer to what Louis L’Amour had of a vision where man should be.
I recommend this short story to those who believe that they lack resolve and need some reassurance that the path is there for the man that looks.
