Wagontongue

By: Elmer Kelton

Narrated by: Jack Garrett

As a slave, Isaac Jefford went to war and saved the life of his master, Major Lytton. As a free man, Isaac became one of the major's top cowhands, respected - but never totally accepted - by fellow cowboys: when they gathered around the fire to eat their dinner, Isaac took his food and sat on the wagontongue alone. When Pete Runyan, a bitter southerner, joins the crew, Isaac has to swallow his rage more than once.

But then Pete and Isaac are assigned the task of getting cash - profits from the sale of the herd - safely to the Fort Worth bank before a foreclosure deadline. Time and three gunmen on their trail are against them, and their journey becomes a race to prove who is the better man.

©1972 Elmer Kelton (P)2017 Recorded Books

I love Kelton but...

I don't recommend this book; try the good old boys or the smiling country instead.

This story plods along toward only one long expected ending despite a rather good narration. There is nothing new here, no interesting interpretation or unexpected twist to this telling of America's struggle with prejudice. It is slow, repetitive and the language so simplistic it made me cringe. Better to spend your money elsewhere and leave this one on the shelf.