"The house on the hill in Merridan belonged to Captain Slocum. It was regarded as a house of mystery, and it was protected by dogs that ran the grounds at night and armed men who allowed no visitors, even when the captain was away from the house, which he often was. At just twelve years old, Don Grier braved the terrors of the captain's domain to steal a watermelon - a feat that made him a local hero. Don lives with his mean-spirited Aunt Lizzie,...

A trio of Western stories. In the title story, Chuck Neilan, who has struck it rich, buys an emerald ring from a pawnbroker. Curiosity drives him to find the original owner and in this way he meets Kate Harvey whose ranch is being ruined by a bandit. Agency"--Title page verso.

A young boy invades a camp of slumbering outlaws, and manages to create so much havoc that he routs all but one of them... Sleeper and his chestnut stallion Careless are rescued from a flash flood by a man named Bones. When Bones is captured by a sheriff's posse for killing two claim-jumpers, it's time for Sleeper to return the favor... Driven from his hometown, Snoozer Mell chooses the life of a gambler. But he has to return-- and his past will pursue...

"A young man with a bad reputation and many aliases helps a rancher in his battle with a clan of rustlers"--