Eatin' Crow; and The Best Man in Garotte

In the mining camp of Garotte, a newcomer's welcome can turn into a test of nerve within minutes. Frank Harris's two short stories follow a community where reputation, quick tempers and the crowd's judgment carry unusual weight. In the opening tale, Charley Muirhead arrives at Doolan's saloon while the miners celebrate news of a promising strike. His clash with Bill Bent wins attention, but a later conversation with Dave Crocker reveals the humiliation behind his eagerness to answer every challenge.

Lawyer Rablay supplies a different kind of authority. His jokes and stories have made him the camp's unofficial judge, trusted to settle disputes as well as entertain the miners. When Bill Hitchcock, known for dangerous confrontations, enters Garotte, the saloon becomes a place of gathering tension. Colloquial dialogue and closely observed reactions give these frontier stories their shape. Readers interested in how groups define courage will find a contrast between physical force, patience and the power of good humour.