The Riders of Ramapo Pass

Excerpt: There was a time in the West when hard men lived hard—and died hard! The mountains and ravines were pouring out their long-hoarded treasures with reckless prodigality and the lure of gold like a magnet drew creatures of every description and nationality. So rapid was the invasion of eager fortune-hunters that law and order unable to keep pace were left far behind. On the strength of a mere rumor towns sprang up overnight flourished feverishly and briefly and expired. Fortunes were hourly lost and won on the turn of a card. A hasty word produced a hasty funeral. Men came to accept strangers at their face value; nor did they inquire too closely into the past life and antecedents of even their best friends. Every one was a law unto himself. The long-barreled six-shooter was the accepted judge jury and executioner in all controversies and the slowest of tongue the quickest of arm the surest of eye were the longest of life. It was an everyday affair for a man to be a beggar at morn a millionaire at noon and a corpse at night!