Border Bandit

by Ray Hogan

Men had already died for it. Men had died by the guns of the bandits who stole it. More men would die before it could be recovered. And the job of recovering it fell to one man -- Poe Harper. The mission -- which took him across the dangerous Mexican border -- was impossible. To find the thieves Harper had to fight renegade Apaches, cross broiling deserts . . . and battle his own conscience. For among the bands of crooks was his own brother, Chris. He had no real choice. If he didn't bring back the gold, he would lose the ranch he had slaved to build. But could he face his brother at all . . . much less in the crosshairs of a gun?

Genres: Westerns

150 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1967

About the author

Ray Hogan (1908-1998) was born in Missouri but spent his life in New Mexico.
His father was a Western marshal and lawman.
He has written over 100 books. His work has been translated into 16 languages and filmed.

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

read this book and was a quick read. I am going to take it to a resident where I work he enjoys reading western books.

[Tim Deforest · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poe Harper, though a citizen of the U.S., owns a ranch just south of the Mexican border. His wayward brother and five of his brother's companions stay over one night before riding north for the brother.

The next day, Poe discovers his brother is part of a gang that robbed a mine and killed four guards. They are fleeing north with 20 grand in gold.

Now the Mexican army is threatening to take Poe's ranch away for harboring criminals. The only way he can save his ranch is by catching the outlaws and returning the gold. That one of the outlaws is his brother is something Poe forces himself to discount.

Thus begins an epic pursuit, through searing desert landscape and encounters with Apaches. Once Poe starts on his journey, the action becomes more-or-less non-stop. The outlaw gang is whittled down, but the gold and Poe's brother remain one step ahead of him.

The final resolution depends on how strong the ties of family blood stand up against the need to save the ranch Poe has spent his life building. The eventual outcome is unusual and dramatically satisfying.