Dancing Devil range

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

76049

Title

Dancing Devil range

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

In the dusty, economically devastated Dancing Devil Range, drifters Hashknife Hartley and Sleepy Stevens arrive to investigate a string of violent crimes. As a bank robbery and multiple shootings plague the valley, the duo uncovers a conspiracy involving a syndicate attempting to buy ranches cheaply. With the help of local lawmen and ranchers, they expose the culprits behind the murders and bank heist, restoring order before Christmas.

Summary up to 500 words

In W. C. Tuttle's *Dancing Devil Range*, wandering cowboys Hashknife Hartley and Sleepy Stevens arrive in Northgate, a railroad hub within the Dancing Devil Range, following a violent incident involving a freight train. Their arrival coincides with the shotgun killing of Oren Blakely, a bank robbery at the Cattleman's Independent Bank, and the subsequent murder of Chiquita Morales. The community is reeling from economic collapse; the bank's failure has left many ranchers unable to meet mortgages to the new owner, Harry Colton, plunging the valley into poverty and fear. Hashknife and Sleepy are ostensibly hired by Bob Marsh of the Cattlemen's Association to inquire about cattle prices, a task that masks deeper suspicions. They assist Sheriff Nick McGarvin and his deputy, Frenchy Arnett, in an investigation that quickly reveals a sinister plot. It becomes clear that Harry Colton is part of a syndicate, alongside Sam Hack and Gus Staley, aiming to drive out current ranch owners to purchase their land cheaply. To facilitate this, the syndicate orchestrated the bank robbery and the murders to eliminate witnesses and secure leverage. The investigation uncovers that Colton's son, Trent, was killed in a shootout, and that Colton himself was being coerced by the syndicate, who operated under the alias James Morrison. A pivotal moment occurs when Hashknife discovers a turquoise ring belonging to Chiquita Morales in Colton's possession, linking him directly to the crimes. During a tense confrontation at Colton's home, Sleepy neutralizes one gunman while Hashknife captures another. Gus Staley confesses that the group's goal was to break the local economy to buy the land back at a fraction of its value. With the conspirators arrested and the stolen money recovered from a valise hidden near Colton's property, the truth is revealed. Johnny Davidson, who had been wrongly accused, is freed to marry Nell Frawley. The community celebrates the restoration of peace and justice. Hashknife and Sleepy choose to stay in the valley to help rebuild the fractured society before Christmas Eve, embodying the story's themes of justice over rigid law and the enduring spirit of helping others in need.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Western Fiction
• Mystery Fiction