So it was in him, then-an inherited fighting instinct, a driving intensity to kill. He was the last of the Duanes, that old fighting stock of Texas. But not the memory of his dead father, nor the pleading of his soft-voiced mother, nor the warning of this uncle who stood before him now, had brought to Buck Duane so much realization of the dark passionate strain in his blood. It was the recurrence, a hundred-fold increased in power, of a strange emotion that for the last three years had arisen in him. "Yes, Cal Bain's in ...
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So it was in him, then-an inherited fighting instinct, a driving intensity to kill. He was the last of the Duanes, that old fighting stock of Texas. But not the memory of his dead father, nor the pleading of his soft-voiced mother, nor the warning of this uncle who stood before him now, had brought to Buck Duane so much realization of the dark passionate strain in his blood. It was the recurrence, a hundred-fold increased in power, of a strange emotion that for the last three years had arisen in him. "Yes, Cal Bain's in town, full of bad whisky an' huntin' for you," repeated the elder man, gravely. "It's the second time," muttered Duane, as if to himself. "Son, you can't avoid a meetin'. Leave town till Cal sobers up. He ain't got it in for you when he's not drinkin'." "But what's he want me for?" demanded Duane. "To insult me again? I won't stand that twice." "He's got a fever that's rampant in Texas these days, my boy. He wants gun-play. If he meets you he'll try to kill you." Here it stirred in Duane again, that bursting gush of blood, like a wind of flame shaking all his inner being, and subsiding to leave him strangely chilled.
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Add this copy of The Lone Star Ranger to cart. $10.36, new condition, Sold by Ingram Customer Returns Center rated 5.0 out of 5 stars, ships from NV, USA, published 2017 by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform.
What has traditionally been one of the best selling of Zane Grey's novels, and considered by some to be one of his best, I find far inferior to the two novels from which this book was created by the editors at Harper Brothers. The two novels, Last of the Duanes and Rangers of the Lone Star stand far above this book. There are too many missing events and characters in this version. The female love interest is completely missing in Part Two of the book and there are many other unanswered questions created by the melding of these two works. But, if one is to have a complete set of Zane Grey, then this book is collectable and readable; but NOT one of his best. It is however far superior to anything being published today. I'd say this book is average, or little below average.
readersreader
Jan 20, 2009
shades of the old west
Buckley (Buck) Duane has inherited his fathers skills with a gun. He is fast and accurate. He also has the hot blood of his father, and the pioneer spirit of his mother. He is called out by a half drunk loud mouth, but Buck refuses to fight. Buck doesn't want the reputation of being a gun fighter. The word is spred around that Buck is a coward. The next time he is called out he answers the challenge, and he kills the man after he lets the man draw first. In the rest of the first half of the book, Buck is on the run. He hides out with outlaws, but he never associates with them to the extent that he breaks the law. The second half of the book is about his life as a Texas Ranger. Captain MacNelly, of the Texas Rangers, has gotten a pardon for him from the governor with the proviso that Buck become a Texas Ranger and help clean up the gangs in West Texas. It's easy and exciting reading. If you like westerns, You should like this book.
