An epic coming of age novel about young Rat Hadley-an unwanted orphan who fights tooth and nail to escape his desperate circumstances and establish himself as a sheriff's deputy. Ultimately Rat must weigh his past friendships against his future prospects and decide the course of his own destiny.

G. Clifton Wisler is a Spur award winning author of over 60 westerns including Lakota and The Return of Caulfield Blake. He spent many years as a teacher before becoming a full time writer. He was a lifelong Texas resident.