The Old Ranger: A Texas Ranger Short Story

by Donald L. Robertson

This is a short story.


Chuck Nielson hung up his six shooter and retired from the Texas Rangers ten years ago, at one time the fastest draw west of the Mississippi. He loves two things, his wife and his ranch.


Now the Sunset Kid is in town. He’s killed seven men—all seven died with the sun in their eyes. Chuck is number eight and the Kid has sent word for him to be in the town street at sunset.


If Chuck meets the Kid, he risks everything; if he stays home he loses his self-respect, and the Kid goes on killing.


This is a short story by Donald L. Robertson, the author of Logan’s A Logan Family Western - Book 1.

Genres: Westerns, Short Stories, Fiction

23 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 31, 2014

About the author

I am a retired Southwest Airlines pilot. My wife Paula and I, live with our Chihuahua, Gabe, in Mesa, Arizona in a 55+ Golf Resort even though we don't play golf. It affords my wife a very active lifestyle while I spend my time writing. As a child, I enjoyed going to the Saturday matinee and spending the day watching westerns and daydreaming about the old west. I shared a passion with one of my aunts and read every western I could get my hands on. John Wayne was my favorite actor and Louis L'Amour my favorite writer. I miss those days where the good guys win, they treat the ladies right, have honor and are trustworthy. So, in about 2014, I started writing my own westerns and became quite shocked that people enjoyed them. I am so thankful to those of you who read my books, take the time to write reviews and email me. John Wayne said it best when he said "without you, I wouldn't be here". Please accept my deepest appreciation.

Reviews

[Charles van Buren · Rating 4 out of 5]

Killer vs Texas Ranger


Charles van Buren

Killer vs Texas Ranger

Reviewed in the United States on December 21, 2019

Verified Purchase

Format: Kindle Edition
Review of Kindle edition
Publication date: December 31, 2014
Publisher: CM Publishing
Language: English
ASIN: B00RNJLHS0
51 pages

Typical 1950's - 60's TV/movie western plot told in a short story. There is a twist which some will see coming but no spoilers here. The Kid is so young that he can't even grow a decent mustache but he has proudly killed 7 men. Now he wants to make it 8 with a famous, long retired, Texas Ranger. No reason given. Apparently he just likes to kill and wants to be famous for it. Maybe he thinks people admire killers. Given the amount of ink that has been used to tell the stories of history's killers one can see why he might think that. Maybe he would even be right.

[Clay Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written short story with a great surprise ending.

[Cindy B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this very much! Action, mystery and surprising end. 👍Highly recommended. 👍

[HornFan2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chuck Nielson's a retired Texas Ranger, who hangs up his six gun and retires to be a Rancher. Ends up being called out by the Sunset Kid, he's killed seven men and Nielson ends up strapping on the six gun to stop him by agreeing to a sunset draw.

Not a bad read, it's clean, reads like a movie, but just have read this storyline dozens of times in full Western books, predictable and good conquers evil.

[Charles · Rating 4 out of 5]

A retired Texas Ranger gets called out by a young gunfighter looking to make his name. You've probably seen something like that before. The originality comes in the twist at the end. I'm not completely sure the twist is believable but it was fun anyway. The whole story was well written and fun.

[Kaj Samuelsson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story. Usually short stories are too short and you don't really have time to know the characters, but in this one I did not feel like that, and the ending is so unexpected I could never have guessed it.

[kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short story with a kicker at the end. Loved it.

[Johnny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good clean story line, with a twist that you don't know until the end.

[D. E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Old Retired Texas Ranger and a Young Gunfighter

DLR has penned a short story about a retired Texas Ranger who was challenged to a gunfight by a newcomer. Th Ranger was t met the boy in to in the evening. The kid was using an old tactic. The sun at your back. The Ranger and his friend arrive to meet the challenge. The kid had the sun at his back when he drew. Then he died. The Range had no problems because he was blind. They is an excellent short story for the genre.....DEHS

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short story is a little bit of a different genre for me but as it was a free ebook I thought I'd give it a go.
An old Texas Ranger is spending his days happily sitting on his porch with his wife, drinking lemonade, when fresh blood arrives in their town and challenges him to a duel.
The story is written well and I enjoyed this, and would definitely be interested in trying more from this author in the future.
If you are a fan of westerns then this is good one to try. It's short but has abit of a surprise ending.

[Patsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Old Texas Ranger by Donald L Robertson. This is a very short story, the introduction to Mr. Robertson's Justice series. (Only 53 pages) A young gun slinger wants to kill the old seasoned gun slinger and calls him out at sunset. The old man holds a secret that he has acquired by his experiences through the years of living. This is a quick read which I enjoyed.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining listening 🎶🔰

Another will written western adventure thriller short story by Donald L. Robertson about a young gun 🔫 slinger who challenges retired ranger at sundown. The old ranger shows up at sundown and only one of them walked away. I would recommend this novella to readers of westerns. Enjoy the adventure of all kinds of novels and books. 2022

[Sandra Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quick read

A gun fighter, wanting to increase his reputation, calls out a retired Sheriff. The two men, meet for their gunfight. Retired man won, as the Sun in his face didn't bother him. He was legally blind, for the past eight years.

[Poppy · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE OLD RANGER

INTERESTING ENDING, NOT WHAT ONE MIGHT EXPECT FROM REGULAR SHOOT-EM-UP WESTERN LITERATURE... THERE WAS MUCH.MORE TO THE OLD RANGER THAN ONE MIGHT GUESS 1ST FIRST. I ENJOYED THIS PIECE.

[Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good story about the old ranger

A great short story with a surprise, at least for me, ending. I could hear the sounds and smell the smells Mr Robertson describes. A quick; satisfying read for a lover of western stories.

[Douglas Fugate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a genuine old western short story. Mr. Robertson hails back to the days of Zane Grey and Louis L'Amour. The characters, the settings, the landscapes are all pleasant to the senses. I thoroughly enjoyed the read.

[Diarmuid O'Sullivan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worth it if free

Nice little short story, but nothing really impressive. Worth reading if you're a western fan. I would definitely get more from this author based on this. Too short and generic to be worth paying even 99 cents for. You'll read this entire story in about 5 minutes.

[Kelvin Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Donald L. Robertson's "The Old Ranger: A Texas Ranger Short Story" is a free, 22-page, 2017 western about a retired former Texas ranger called out by a young, bloodthirsty quick-draw who has killed seven men. The kid in me enjoyed it immensely, especially the surprise ending. Totally recommended.

[Cheyenne larkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bud Woodson

The Old Ranger: A Texas Ranger Short Story was a great read by Donald L. Robertson. Will definitely reread it again.

[Paula Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great twist at the end. And it includes the first 3 chapters of another book.

[JACKSON · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good

Ok, but not as exciting as expected. I would still recommend that you read the book and form your own opinion.

[Lowell Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great short story with an ending that was very surprising. Looking forward to read more of Donald Robertson's books.

[Richard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Story

Love good story that sounds real & down to earth. Description of surroundings so real & true. A very good story line & characters.

[Dennis O'Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful short story- a good read

[Susan Molloy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun. This short fiction story was cleverly written, clear, and fun to read while I was waiting to be called for an appointment. It was good use of my time.

[Jackie L. Darnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not a fan of 'Short Stories', I enjoy more in a read. BUT I did enjoy reading this, I also enjoyed the surprise ending. I was surprised, and happy.

[Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

That got to me!

Short, intense and evocative. Mr. Robinson knows very well how to tell a tale that grabs you, holds you and takes you all the way.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Old but still young. This novel had hoped the old man survived. Hope from beyond. The end will leave a with your jaw hitting the ground.

[John Yelverton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun short story in the western genre with an ending unlike any that I have ever read. It's well worth your time to read, especially when factoring in its brevity.

[Connie Skief · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent short story.

Loved it. What a great turn of events. Never expected that ending. Highly recommended for all readers. Teenagers will love it.