The somnolence of Somers

"The Somnolence of Somers" by Frank N. Stratton is a story set in the American West, that tells of a newcomer named Somers who gets mixed up in conflict and the struggle between what's right and wrong. Somers visits a ranch and quickly learns of a search for a cattle thief called Sonora Jack. He is initially only seeking relaxation, but soon reunites with an old friend, Tubby Haines, who is in the middle of a risky standoff. At the height of the conflict, Haines makes a stand alone against rustlers, and Somers tries to help by offering the fastest horse on the ranch for Haines to escape. During this vital moment, Somers unknowingly falls asleep, leading to a showdown. In the end, Somers has to come to terms with what happened because he did nothing, and understands the uncertain behaviors of both people and animals within the vast and unforgiving Western setting.