Bull Hunter - Max Brand

by Max Brand

It was the big central taproot which baffled them. They had hewed easily through the great side roots, large as branches, covered with soft brown bark; they had dug down and cut through the forest of tender small roots below; but when they had passed the main body of the stump and worked under it, they found that their hole around the trunk was not large enough in diameter to enable them to reach to the taproot and cut through it. They could only reach it feebly with the hatchet, fraying it, but there was no chance for a free swing to sever the tough wood. Instead of widening the hole at once, they kept laboring at the root, working the stump back and forth, as though they hoped to crystallize that stubborn taproot and snap it like a wire. Still it held and defied them. They laid hold of it together and tugged with a grunt; something tore beneath that effort, but the stump held, and upward progress ceased.

They stopped, too tired for profanity, and gazed down the mountainside after the manner of baffled men, who look far off from the thing that troubles them. They could tell by the trees that it was a high altitude. There were no cottonwoods, though the cottonwoods will follow a stream for more than a mile above sea level. Far below them a pale mist obscured the beautiful silver spruce which had reached their upward limit. Around the cabin marched a scattering of the balsam fir. They were nine thousand feet above the sea, at least. Still higher up the sallow forest of lodgepole pines began; and above these, beyond the timberline, rose the bald summit itself.

They were big men, framed for such a country, defying the roughness with a roughness of their own--these stalwart sons of old Bill Campbell. Both Harry and Joe Campbell were fully six feet tall, with mighty bones and sinews and work-toughened muscles to justify their stature. Behind them stood their home, a shack better suited for the housing of cattle than of men. But such leather-skinned men as these were more tender to their horses than to themselves. They slept and ate in the shack, but they lived in the wind and the sun.

Although they had looked down the stern slopes to the lower Rockies, they did not see the girl who followed the loosely winding trail. She was partly sheltered by the firs and came out just above them. They began moiling at the stump again, sweating, cursing, and the girl halted her horse near by. The profanity did not distress her. She was so accustomed to it that the words had lost all edge and point for her; but her freckled face stirred to a smile of pleasure at the sight of their strength, as they alternately smote at the taproot and then strove in creaking, grunting unison to work it loose.

They remained so long oblivious of her presence that at length she called, "Why don't you dig a bigger hole, boys?"



Download Bull Hunter Now!

Genres: Westerns, Fiction, Adventure

132 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1921

About the author

Frederick Schiller Faust (see also Frederick Faust), aka Frank Austin, George Owen Baxter, Walter C. Butler, George Challis, Evin Evan, Evan Evans, Frederick Faust, John Frederick, Frederick Frost, David Manning, Peter Henry Morland, Lee Bolt, Peter Dawson, Martin Dexter, Dennis Lawson, M.B., Hugh Owen, Nicholas Silver

Max Brand, one of America's most popular and prolific novelists and author of such enduring works as Destry Rides Again and the Doctor Kildare stories, died on the Italian front in 1944.

Reviews

[Debbie Zapata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jul 30, the reread ends ~~ I enjoyed the story just as much this time around. Bull Hunter reminded me a little of Hoss Cartwright, at least as far as the fact that both were big men. But Hunter was much more child-like, having been treated as a worthless half-wit from the time he was taken in by his uncle and two cousins. He liked to read, and to dream, and did whatever he was told to do, because he did not really even try to think for himself. He did not feel he could.

This is a pattern in many of MB's books. An oversized man not really sure of himself, ridiculed by others even though they are always a bit afraid of what might happen if the giant wakes up. I don't always like the stories where Brand uses this trick, but in this case it was perfect and as we follow Bull's story we see just how genuine he is and what that simple honesty in his being creates for him. And I still loved the chapters about Diablo, they show what is possible with a little patience and gentleness between human and horse.

Another one for the Favorites list!


Jul 26, the reread begins Next up in my Max Brand project is this one I first read in 2015. I don't remember the plot at all and it seems I did not used to babble as much as I do now, so it will be interesting to see what I think of the story this second time through. lol

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Original review, March 2015
Great story and Brand shares the secret of the proper way to connect with a horse's spirit.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

BULL HUNTER is the story of a young man who goes by the name of "Bull" who is of unusual size, and has been put down because of it. Finally reaching the point where he's had enough of it from his relatives, he decides to move on. Fate enters and Bull crosses paths with a famous gunfighter who trains him to use a gun, and Bull grows and learns much about life and his abilities in ways that he never would have known had he stayed back home. Enjoyable story that would appeal to those who like to see someone who's been bullied get a chance to rise above self doubt and circumstances.
4 stars.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great Max Brand western, first written in 1921. The story follows a cousin who was taken in by his uncle and his two sons. They make fun of him, and use his size and strength to do the hard chores they can't do. He loves to read, and they think he's slow, when he's actually a gentle, simple man.
Bull is forced to grow up quickly after his uncle is hurt, and he takes to the trail to find the desperado responsible. Along the way, he learns to shoot a gun and stick up for himself. He befriends a young boy, Tod, who shows him how to befriend a black stallion, Diablo, who is a match to Bull's size.

[Jerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bull Hunter was the start of the legend of the "gentle giant". The man who started out in life being ridiculed because of his size and "slow" nature. He became fast with the gun, because partners with the black stallion "Diablo", and is just now beginning to find out what he can become.

I do not know whether or not his story continued in later books, but I would like to see another story of this gentle giant.

[Russ Dick · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great western

The character development of "Bull" Hunter is a marvelous thing. Unique and Western at the same time. There could be many stories written about this guy. This is a fine story as well.

[William · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an OK fun read. Nothing too deep. I have never read westerns before so this was my first foray. Bull could make an interesting recurring character but unless Mr. Brand thought of that it is a little late now. Brand died in 1944.
I remember my parents reading Brand, Grey and L'Amour when I was a kid but I never went down that path. I was cleaning in the basement recently and did come across a box of old western paperbacks. I am set for a while!
Bull was a character that is a little hard to imagine. The descriptions place him in the HUGE category but what that actually means is ill defined. He can't ride a standard horse, he can't sit or sleep on regular furniture, and eats enough for three men. He is described as mentally slow but doesn't really seem to be. I think he would be better described as backwoods, innocent and naïve.
While this read wasn't stellar, it was still a pleasant book. I will read more in this fashion as the mood grabs me.

[Linda Lazenby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read i enjoyed this book and would recomend it to any western readers

I would recommend this book to all western readers I enjoyed the story and I like
Max
Brands books very much

[Jake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great all-around

This is the first I've read of Max Brand, and it did not disappoint. Great action, good story line, and easy following. Definitely be reading more of Brand.

[Mack · Rating 5 out of 5]

I forget how my heart is drawn to the old Westerns. Many of Max Brand’s books are free on iBooks.

[Jeremy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a hankering for a pulp western and found a well talked about public domain one by Max Brand.

It's very different from any other western story I've had experience with. Bull is a giant of a man that everyone assumes is simple. Throughout the story he continually proves folks wrong as he shows gentle insight into the various situations he finds himself in. His character is a fantastic contrast to the macho bravado of a lot of westerns.

The twist on the typical revenge story was fantastic as well, which is all I'll say to avoid spoilers.

I really enjoyed this book and I'm interested in reading the follow up, as I loved many of the characters and would like to see their story continued.

[READERSBEWARE · Rating 4 out of 5]

I gotta say for a western it really was more about a fella that was not so bright that was more bright than he appeared. Starts with revenge and then friendship and even ends with love I truly hope there’s a sequel because I actually was invested in Bull! Great story

[Jennifer Ritchie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book on a Sunday afternoon, and just getting caught up in the story. Honestly, it’s not particularly well-written (though not terrible either), but I liked some of the characters and wanted to see how things turned out. It’s a satisfying (if far-fetched) story, and clean as well—not always the case with a western. I’m not giving it a high recommendation or anything, but I honestly enjoyed it. And if I come across the sequel, I’ll probably read it too.

[Connie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Big Charles “Bull” Hunter lived with his uncle and cousins who took wrong advantage of his bulk strength and treated him with disdain. As a result, simple, gentle Bull considered himself to be worthless. Only after getting out from under these men and receiving genuine respect did his confidence grow. Great story! Thank you, Warren!

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining western

A very will written thriller western novella with interesting will developed characters. The story line is fast moving with lots of action leading to a great conclusion. I would recommend this novella to anyone who is looking for a quick read. Enjoy reading 2020

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written book and FUN to read.

Wish this book was longer. The growing up of Bull was well written. The description of the surrounding made you think you were there. The writing about the black horse was very real and understanding. I’ve broke horses and trained horses. Horses that are trained come around quicker and are better. Read and enjoy.

[Mitchell H. Bernstein · Rating 5 out of 5]

This short novel just got better and better as it went along and as I got to learn about the main character. In many stories, the characters stay the same throughout. In this story, the main character grew and changed as he encountered new situations. It was a fun read.

[Kate S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book I’ve read it a few times and want to read it again soon. It might seem slow at first for some, but I really enjoy the thinking process in this book. Love to see how Bull grows up and becomes a man yet has that gentle spirit. Very enjoyable book. Will definitely read it again!

[Lynn Ogilvie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't care for the end of the story after the buildup. Judging by his descriptions of horses and women, I'd say Brand's interests were more equestrian in nature. May say more about the year this was written than the author.

[Mike Grady · Rating 3 out of 5]

A shorter story by Max Brand. It has a slow start, but picks up the pace and is over as it hits its stride.

[Ronald]

from two "novellas"

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bull is a kind-hearted mighty giant of a young man, living in the mountains with his uncle and cousins, who treat him like dirt and have convinced him he is a worthless fool. This story takes us through the unlikely influences that come into his life to reveal his true merit to himself and others

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

this one was great.just could not put it down.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it

[David Braly · Rating 5 out of 5]

In a nut shell, Big guy gets his confidence.
Discovered who he was and who he wanted to be.

[Robbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

WESTERN
Jim read this on 6-6-16 and rated it 4.8 stars.