They of the High Trails

Gold in the Sierra Blanca country keeps Sherman Bidwell returning to the hills, though his years of prospecting have brought little reward. At Maggie Delaney's restaurant, his request for another supply of food meets sharp resistance from the woman who has repeatedly supported him. Hamlin Garland's collection of Western stories begins with this uneasy mixture of hope, affection and unpaid bills, placing mountain ambitions beside the practical costs of keeping them alive.

The stories turn to cow bosses, wandering riders, prospectors, outlaws and forest rangers in the high country. In one scene, an injured Alice faces a snowbound night in a remote cabin, where a fugitive's skill at tending the fire and preparing food makes him a source of reassurance. Rugged trails and bad weather test people's ability to rely on themselves and each other. Readers interested in frontier fiction will find both outdoor danger and close attention to work, solitude and personal loyalties.