Reviewed by Zalman Velvel (Stu)

This warm and vivid story centers around an old Texas cowboy named Sam and his younger friend Slim. The two go off on a cattle buying trip from Texas to lands beyond. Their last stop is at Willy's, another old cowboy who has become coyote ugly and coyote dirty from living alone too long.

Once again, this author captures the character of an old Texas cowboy perfectly. Every page has a saying that is pure poetry, some of which are:

(1) If Sam Carter gave you his word an' his hand on something he'd stick by it even if it meant a long ride across hell.
(2) There ain't nothing between Texas an' the north pole but a barbwire fence.
(3) The grub was a bad saddle with a loose cinch.
(4) He smells 'bout like death eatin' on a cracker.
(5) He ain't likely to die of no disease. He's done made friends with ever' damn germ there is.

The characters have a Lonesome Dove feel to them, and I pay that as a high compliment. The ending is touching and revealing and well worth the wait.

My comment on craft concerns the pace. The pace is slow. It's slow because the author writes in a genuine and realistic manner, and old cowboys are slow. I would suggest the author either make Sam as young as the characters in Lonesome Dove, or as active, or introduce a younger character to kick the old cowboys in the ass to get 'em started. Granted, cowboys spend a lot of time sittin' on the porch, swappin' lies. But they also go out on manhunts and wild adventures.

Lest the writer think I have been too harsh, I would add that I enjoyed reading this story, and look forward to the next installment. If the author can add some gut wrenching action, I have a supply of quills as a reward.

And I'm sure there are a of number of men's magazines who will have their wallets open too.