Forged from Elmer Kelton's 1950s observations of drought-ravaged West Texas, this Spur Award winner-written by the WWA's greatest Western writer-tells the compelling story of one rancher's struggle to maintain his independence. But as rainless years continue and farmers and ranchers sell their souls for federal hand-outs, Charlie finds himself under increasing pressure to compromise his principles. "One of the . best novels written by an American ."-American West in Fiction