Ronicky Doone by Max Brand (1922)

The narrative follows a man named Bill Gregg, who arrives in a town desperate to reach Stillwater within a limited time. He is exhausted and seeks a horse to make the journey, specifically the renowned bay mare owned by Ronicky Doone. Despite his offers of payment, the townsfolk refuse to let him take the horse without Doone's permission, as he is highly respected in the community. In his desperation, Gregg takes the mare without consent, leading to a confrontation with Doone, who pursues him. During their encounter, a fight ensues, resulting in Gregg being shot in the leg by Doone. Despite the injury, Doone helps Gregg, showing a sense of honor and camaraderie. They bond over their shared experiences, and Gregg reveals his motivation for the journey: to meet a girl he loves. However, he is haunted by the fact that he may have lost her due to his delay. As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Doone is a complex character, a gambler with a reputation for skill and bravery. He is drawn into the conflict surrounding Gregg and the girl, Caroline Smith, who is under the influence of the manipulative John Mark. Mark has a hold over Caroline and her brother, Jerry, using threats to control them. The narrative explores themes of loyalty, love, and the struggle against oppressive forces. Doone and Gregg decide to work together to rescue Caroline and Jerry from Mark's grasp. They devise a plan to confront Mark, but the stakes are high, and danger looms. The tension builds as they navigate the treacherous world of gambling and crime, with Doone's skills as a gambler and fighter being put to the test. Ultimately, the story is a tale of friendship, sacrifice, and the fight for love against overwhelming odds. It highlights the resilience of the human spirit and the lengths one will go to protect those they care about, even in the face of danger and betrayal. The characters' journeys intertwine, leading to a climactic confrontation that will determine their fates.

By Max Brand · First published 1922 · Genre: Western, Adventure, Fiction · 28 chapters · 70,101 words

First lines

He came into the town as a solid, swiftly moving dust cloud. The wind from behind had kept the dust moving forward at a pace just equal to the gallop of his horse. Not until he had brought his mount to a halt in front of the hotel and swung down to the ground did either he or his horse become distinctly visible. Then it was seen that the animal was in the last stages of exhaustion, with dull eyes and hanging head and forelegs braced widely apart, while the sweat dripped steadily from his flanks into the white dust on the street. Plainly he had been pushed to the last limit of his strength.

What this Textopian page supports

Ronicky Doone is listed on Textopian as a novel by Max Brand, dated 1922 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

• Work type: Novel
• Author: Max Brand
• Date: 1922 CE
• Language: English
• Genres: Western, Adventure, Fiction, Romance, Drama
• Length: 70,101 words
• Structure: 28 chapters, 1,681 paragraphs
• Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)

Good citation fit

• Work identity for Ronicky Doone by Max Brand
• Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
• Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
• Readability and classroom-planning context
• Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph

Discussion starters

• What should a reader notice first when entering Ronicky Doone?
• How does this novel by Max Brand fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
• Where does Western first become important in the reading?

Similar titles

• Trailin by Max Brand
• Black Jack by Max Brand
• Blakes Burden by Harold Bindloss
• The Mexican by Jack London
• The League Of The Leopard by Harold Bindloss
• The Treasure Of Pearls by Gustave Aimard

Genres

• Western — The book features classic Western themes such as outlaws, gunfights, and the rugged individualism of the American frontier.
• Adventure — The plot involves thrilling escapades and the protagonist's journey through dangerous and unpredictable situations.
• Fiction — The narrative is a work of fiction, creating a story that explores human experiences and relationships.
• Romance — Elements of romance are present, as personal relationships and emotional connections play a role in the character's motivations.

Tags

Western · Adventure · Fiction · Romance · Action · Drama · Outlaw · Frontier · Pioneer · American West · Cattle Ranching · Gunfighter

Contents

• *a Horse in Need*
• *Friendly Enemies*
• *at Stillwater*
• *his Victim's Trouble*
• *Macklin's Library*
• *the New York Trail*
• *the First Clue*
• *Two Apparitions*
• *a Bold Venture*
• *Mistaken Identity*
• *a Cross-Examination*
• *the Strange Bargain*
• *Doone Wins*
• *her Little Joke*
• *the Girl Thief*
• *Disarming Suspicion*
• *Old Scars*
• *the Spider's Web*
• *Stacked Cards*
• *Trapped! *
• *the Miracle*
• *Mark Makes a Move*
• *Caroline Takes Command*
• *the Ultimate Sacrifice*
• *Unhappy Freedom*
• *Hills and Sea*
• *the Last Stand*
• *Hope Deferred*

More by Max Brand

• Hole-in-the-Wall Barrett (1919)
• The Ghost (1944)
• The Hair-Trigger Kid (1931)
• The Seventh Man (1930)
• Harrigan (1920)
• Riders of the Silences (1930)
• Way of the Lawless (1920)
• Black Jack (1922)
• All works by Max Brand