The Bar-20 Three

"The Bar-20 Three" by Clarence Edward Mulford is a Western story set in the early 1900s that tells of Johnny Nelson and his friends as they journey through the Wild West, dealing with the troubles of cowboy living, like run-ins with officers and the hard world around them. The book's main points involve friendship, staying true to what you believe, and making it through tough spots, all set amongst the scenes of ranching and the cowboy way. Right away, we meet Johnny Nelson in town after a cattle drive, who soon finds himself in a fight when he steps on Sheriff Ward Corwin's foot, causing a heated argument and showing there's already tension in the town because of Corwin and his deputy, Bill Trask. While Johnny talks with other cowboys, talking about their lives and problems, a clear image of life on the frontier comes to light, hinting at the problems he'll soon face in gambling spots and clashes with the sheriff.