About this story
S. Behrman, the road's agent, shapes a freight rate against the growers, corners the wheat, and ends buried to the chin in a relief ship's hold. At the ditch the ranchers' League and the marshal's line spend ninety seconds settling the century. Forty chapters carry a Western song from a night sheep crossing to ships feeding a famine.
How it opens
September heat had baked the San Joaquin plain through four months without rain.
HoovenSeven years on Los Muertos should count before the Derricks dismiss every tenant.
You stopped beside a county water tank newly painted with railroad agent Behrman's name.
HoovenHarran hears management, but your friendship with the family may make him listen.
Choose
I will carry the request, but Harran must judge what work remains.
Come to the ranch house and state the case yourself.