Rigdon Pierce was sent to ride south to the Texas-Mexico border in search of a missing ramrod, Monte Davis, and to scout new cattle trails and steers. Soon he found out just what kind of trouble a man can get into, especially in Texas - trouble that nearly claimed him and Monte. Upon returning to Montana, Rigdon learned that he had been given a half interest in the Crooked J cattle herd by Clete Nolan, the man who raised him. Then danger and death showed up on the trail, along with word that Nolan, a man known for his abstinence, was on a bender and likely to give or gamble away ownership of the Crooked J. Rigdon had to convince other ranchers to make a stand and help him take down a scheming sheriff who wanted all the land. After becoming the owner of the Crooked J, Rigdon found that he once again had to fight to stay alive. While fighting off a traitor from the past and his band of outlaws, he found some redemption and perhaps happiness. Yet, as was the norm in his life, death continued to follow him.