In a well-researched retrospective tale, people cope with the pitfalls of living on the cusp of a new era in American History. As Nell Miggins organizes her last cattle round up and sale, a group of men attacked by Mexican bandits shows up in need of shelter, and Nell is forced to hire a shady character from Alabama for help in herding her cattle to town. Plot twists are full of action and will hold readers spellbound.