Synopses & Reviews
From bestselling author Ralph Compton—the extraordinary saga of a death-defying mission across the Texas border into the blazing heart of the Mexican war…
There are a thousand ways to die on a trail drive through Mexico. But a pair of bold Texans are willing to risk their lives, even take on Santa Annas army, to lead a herd of wild longhorns northward—and save a convicted mans life…
THE BANDERA TRAIL
Set on rescuing a friend trapped inside war-torn Mexico, Gild and Van Austin, nephews of Texas founder Stephen Austin, cross the border and soon discover half of Mexicos army wants them dead. Taken prisoner by Santa Annas soldiers, the brothers make a daring escape and head into Durango country, where they stumble upon a valley full of longhorns—and a chance to build a future north of the border. All they have to do now is break their friend out of prison and drive their cattle to safety. But faced with outlaws, soldiers, and one dangerous woman, the Austins are finding out that this isnt a trail drive, its a battle to reach the Bandera Range alive. And the only way to do it is the Texan way—fighting every bloody, dusty mile ahead…
“A sweeping, historically accurate [series] that makes Americas trail drives come alive.”
—Artesia Daily Press (New Mexico)
Review
"Compton offers readers a chance to hit the trail and not even end up saddle sore."--
Publishers Weekly
Review
“Its a great story about Texas independence and the struggle of cowmen with Mexico, as well as the prevalence of outlaws.” - The Dublin Citizen"Compton offers readers a chance to hit the trail and not even end up saddle sore."--Publishers Weekly
Synopsis
The only riches Texans has left after the Civil War were five million maverick longhorns and the brains, brawn and boldness to drive them north to where the money was. Now, Ralph Compton brings this violent and magnificent time to life in an extraordinary epic series based on the history-blazing trail drives.
Set on rescuing their old friend Clay Duval who is trapped inside war-torn Mexico, Gill and Van Austin, nephews of Texas founder Stephen Austin, cross the border after him and soon discover half of Mexico's army wants them dead. Taken prisoner by Santa Anna's soldiers, the brothers make a daring escape and head into Durango country, where they stumble on a valley full of longhorns--and a chance to build a future north of the border. All they have to do now is break Duval out of prison and drive the cattle to safety.
But faced with outlaws, soldiers and the cunning plans of a beautiful woman, the Austins are finding out that this isn't a trail drive, it's a war to reach the Bandera Range alive. And the only way to do it is the Texan way--figting for every bloody, dusty mile ahead.
Synopsis
From bestselling author Ralph Compton—the extraordinary saga of a death-defying mission across the Texas border into the blazing heart of the Mexican war…
About the Author
Ralph Compton stood six-foot-eight without his boots. His first novel in the Trail Drive series, The Goodnight Trail, was a finalist for the Western Writers of America Medicine Pipe Bearer Award for best debut novel. He was also the author of the Sundown Rider series and the Border Empire series. A native of St. Clair County, Alabama, Compton worked as a musician, a radio announcer, a songwriter, and a newspaper columnist before turning to writing westerns. He died in Nashville, Tennessee, in 1998.