BOOK CLUB READER’S REVIEWS:
Dutchman’s Flat & The Trail to Crazy Man (Part 1) by Louis L’Amour Reviews by Ruby Simms Dutchman’s Flat “Johnny Webb was the fastest gunman in Spring Valley, but in the saloon, he prodded Chat Lock to a gunfight. Chat did not want trouble, nor would he back down. He was faster than Johnny Webb, who soon laid dead. A posse took off after Chat Lock and accused him of murder. They followed him a long distance. He irritated them periodically along the trail by leaving them notes. Chat led them to his ranch where his wife, Mary, was making them breakfast. Chat told her ahead of their arrival that a posse was looking for a killer and would be stopping for breakfast. He did not tell her that he was the man the posse was hunting for. The posse was surprised for his action by Chat, which was not the actions of a killer. Chat went outside as they were about to leave. He told them the truth and this time, they believed him. They decided to not arrest him. Some of the posse would be returning to visit his wife and him on a friendly basis.” The Trail to Crazy Man (Part 1) “In the middle of the ocean, the older man in the lower bunk on the ship, the Mary S, lay dying from a severe beating that he, Charles Rodney, had been given by Bully Borger, skipper of the Mary S. This happened due to Rodney’s begging to be let off of the ship. Charlie Rodney, Rafe Caradoc, Roy Penn, Rock Mullaney and Tex Brisco had all been referred to the Hong Kong Bohl’s Place in San Francisco by Bruce Barkow. There, they were shanghaied and became a close clique of men. Penn was a law student and prospector. Mullaney was an able-bodied seaman, hard-rock miner and cowhand. Tex Brisco was a Texas cowhand. Rodney trusted Rafe and, as he lay dying, he told Rafe that he wanted Rafe to have half of his ranch in Wyoming and asked him to watch over his wife and daughter. He gave Rafe the deed and a receipt that showed that a loan which Rodney had borrowed from Bruce Barkow had been paid in full. Rafe was as strong in personality as he was physically. Soon, the ship would be in sight of Cape Mendocino and Rafe would attempt an escape. Josh Briggs knew of Rodney’s death and that Rodney gave the deed to his ranch to Rafe. Josh Briggs started to fight Rafe for the deed, but Rafe won the battle. Rafe told the men that he had one more man to see before making their escape, and that man was the skipper, Bully Borger. Rafe told the captain that he was going to beat him within an inch of his life. Borger lunged for a pair of brass knuckles that were in a drawer. Rafe beat Borger severely. Rafe and friends got into a small boat and escaped to shore. They feared getting caught, as they could be hanged for mutiny. This Review will continue with Part II in the September edition of the Library Monthly. Join us for Book Club every Tuesday night at 5:00 pm at the library. We would love to see you there!
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Rebecca BassichAs Library Director here at our Malvern Public Library, you can count on me for all the latest on books, events, programs & more! Archives
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