As he flees to the sanctuary of Mexico, Chacho Fernandez is unaware of the fuel he has added to the already simmering racial hatreds in and around the quiet town of Domingo, Texas. Through events set in motion by a misunderstanding, Chacho becomes a folk hero to his people and a dangerous fugitive to a group of zealous lawmen.

First published in 1974 by Ballantine Books, "Manhunters", the tale of Chacho's legendary flight, was inspired by the story of controversial Mexican fugitive Gregorio Cortez. In 1901 Cortez, a young horseman, shot a sheriff during an argument, leading to the largest concerted manhunt in Texas history.

This novel is alive with the idiom of Kelton's native West Texas and freely punctuated with his trademark wry humour. His characters, both the ignorantly petty as well as the quietly strong, ring true to life.