Summary The novel is set forth in 1865 in Bridger's Wells, a town in Nevada. Art Croft and Gill Carter are two cowboys who ride together. They reach the Canby’s Saloon where they come to know that a large number of cattle has been stolen from a rancher, Drew, and one of his working hands, Larry Kinkaid, has been murdered presumably by the rustlers. Since there is no sheriff available at the time, 28 townspeople form a lynch mob under the leadership of Major Tetley . Seeing this, Davis sends Art to bring Judge Tyler who warns Tetley that the rustlers are to be brought back alive to stand trial. The mob finds three men , Donald Martin, Alva Hardwick and Juan Martinez, are found with the cattle bearing Drew's brand along with Drew’s gun. They