Rangers Standler and Barnes pretended to be the two outlaws they had caught and waited for the rest of the Tindale gang. Carter and half-starved kid appeared. Barnes made a friend of the boy, which caused heartache and bloodshed.
This is one of those books I bought for the title, the only one I could find with 'alfalfa' in it (don't ask). I was somewhat surprised to find that it was a western, more of a novelette really. I was even more surprised to find I actually enjoyed it. It's certainly nothing profound--two Texas rangers encounter some outlaws, a prostitute-with-a-heart-of-gold and her little boy--but it's told well, moves along quickly, and leaves a bittersweet aftertaste.