A great book, providing a fascinating window into the world of the cowboy West. My only complaint is that the story leads inevitably toward a grand showdown that never happens. The situation is resolved without the promised fight. I'm not exactly spoiling for a fight, but everything was leading up to that, and then... poof, nothing-burger. Still a satisfying ending, but not as satisfying as the implied action that never was. Otherwise, it was a wonderful book and a delight to read.