"The house on the hill in Merridan belonged to Captain Slocum. It was regarded as a house of mystery, and it was protected by dogs that ran the grounds at night and armed men who allowed no visitors, even when the captain was away from the house, which he often was. At just twelve years old, Don Grier braved the terrors of the captain's domain to steal a watermelon - a feat that made him a local hero. Don lives with his mean-spirited Aunt Lizzie,...

When rancher Tom Baldwin is mortally wounded by an old enemy, he leaves his ranch and his money to the six industrious sons who have helped build it into a successful enterprise. To Flash, his never-do-well seventh son, Baldwin leaves a six-gun, a thoroughbred, and the task of avenging his death.

"Doc Willis, despite the nickname, is just an unemployed cowboy in The Valley of Jewels. Daggett Valley holds many secrets from the past, including a now deserted mining camp. It is there that Buck Logan lures Willis with the promise of great riches to be gained. What Doc doesn't even suspect is that he is to play a part in a most subtle feat of deception in which an old man, William Daggett, will be conned into believing that he is reliving his past....

"In three western stories, men risk their hero status in the community in order for truth to prevail"--

"A young man with a bad reputation and many aliases helps a rancher in his battle with a clan of rustlers"--

A young boy invades a camp of slumbering outlaws, and manages to create so much havoc that he routs all but one of them... Sleeper and his chestnut stallion Careless are rescued from a flash flood by a man named Bones. When Bones is captured by a sheriff's posse for killing two claim-jumpers, it's time for Sleeper to return the favor... Driven from his hometown, Snoozer Mell chooses the life of a gambler. But he has to return-- and his past will pursue...

Prairie Pawn tells the story of Paul Torridon, called White Thunder by the Cheyenne Indians holding him hostage. They believe that he cured Whistling Elk's son from a menacing illness and brought rain when others had failed to do so. Though Paul has been rewarded with many riches, he still seems unhappy, and the Cheyenne chief decides to undertake a dangerous mission to kidnap Nancy Brett from Fort Kendry. The Cheyennes believe that will make White...