Milo Talon, narrator, knows Rossiter, blind seven years, was hand his ma Em nÔee Sackett caught stealing cattle. Now Rossiter loses stock as do Balch, Saddler, and Major Timberley. Neighbors suspect each other. Pretty daughters Barby Ann Rossiter and Ann Timberley, and Baker half-sister Lisa cause trouble at box-lunch dance. Who is shooting to kill Milo, and why?