The story revolves around Solomon Kane, a shrewd and unscrupulous assayer in the mining town of Micaville, who desires to acquire the mining claims of old Cale Winters. Kane, known for his deceitful practices, has amassed wealth by cheating prospectors out of their claims. However, he is unable to obtain Winters' property, which he suspects holds a valuable vein of gold. Kane's right-hand man, Bush Cleveland, suggests hiring a gunman to eliminate Winters, allowing Kane to acquire the claims through the widow and daughter, Jennie Winters. The Piegan Kid, a wandering cowboy, inadvertently becomes involved when he is mistaken for the hired gunman due to his arrival in town on a pinto horse. Kane and Cleveland offer him five thousand dollars to kill Winters, believing him to be the gunman they hired. The Kid, realizing the mistake, takes the money but does not intend to commit murder. Instead, he warns Winters of the plot against him. Meanwhile, Buck Helm, the actual gunman hired by Kane, arrives in town and learns of the mix-up. Helm plans to carry out the job, but the Kid intervenes. The Kid confronts Helm, leading to a physical altercation where the Kid ultimately overpowers Helm, preventing the murder of Winters. In the end, the Kid reveals the location of the rich vein on Winters' property, which he overheard during a conversation between Kane and Cleveland. The Kid leaves town, having thwarted Kane's plan and secured Winters' future. The story concludes with the Kid riding away, leaving behind a legacy of unexpected heroism and integrity.
By W. C. Tuttle · First published 1923 · Genre: Western, Adventure, Historical Fiction