A magnificently sweeping tale of the American West in the aftermath of the Civil War that is heroic in scale, rich in dramatic action, and filled with brilliant characterizations. Horgan's three-dimensional pageant of the daring and dangerous frontier life has been termed "the finest historical novel in American literature" (Gorham Munson) and "the finest novel yet on the Southwest."

Nearing 50 and flat broke, Jacob Gamble, Rough Rider and outlaw, bends his own rule about robbing trains. But by the time he reaches the payroll safe on a Rock Island train, he finds another thief there first with a bullet in his head. Jacob is caught holding the bag - and turned into a hero. Shackled by unwanted fame, Jacob listens to a woman, Olivia Weathers, who knows of a treasure hidden in a cave along the Jornada del Muerto - a merciless hundred...

The son of the Texas governor has been kidnapped by a band of Apaches who want to ransom him for guns. Knowing there is little chance for an exchange, Ben Allison heads to Mexico to steal the boy back from his captors.

Pancho Villa befriends Henry Fountain, a bandit betrays him, Apache Kid challenges him, and a wealthy hacendado, and Apache Elias try to kill him. Riveting historical fiction that reveals the hidden world of the Sierra Madre Apaches.