A lot of plain ugly things were happening to honest men lookin' to buy land in Moreno, Texas - accidents, stray bullets, even an invitation to be guest of honor at a necktie party. The new railroad town had brought its share of double-dealin' land-swindlers who had a sudden way of separating a man from his money, and if there were any complaints, Sheriff Tolliver would favor which ever law happened to suit his pocketbook best. Nick Blasingame was a newcomer to Moreno who didn't go looking for trouble, but if it came his way he could handle it. With Sheriff Tolliver up for re-election and the title to Nick's new-bought spread at stake, he knew it was time to make a stand for justice or tuck tail and run. The sheriff had imported a passel of flat-eyed gunsels to keep tabs on the ballot box, but this wouldn't be the first showdown Nick ever had with a nest of rattlers. One thing was sure - law and order would only come to Moreno after the gunsmoke blew away.
