Rip Campbell squinted through the desert haze, sweat beading on his forehead. His hand rested on the worn handle of his Colt Peacemaker. Dust swirled around him as he faced down a gang of ruthless outlaws in the blazing noonday sun.
“Rip,” sneered the gang leader, a scarred man named Cutter, “you should’ve stayed gone. Ain’t no place for you here.”
Rip didn’t flinch. “This land belonged to my pa, and I ain’t letting the likes of you take it.”
The tension hung heavy in the air, the town of Dusty Ridge silent, awaiting the inevitable standoff. Cutter’s gang spread out, fingers twitching near their trigger guards.
Rip’s eyes met Cutter’s. “Draw.”
The word hung in the scorching air, and with a blur of motion, six irons cleared leather. Gunfire erupted like thunder. Bullets whizzed past Rip, but his own shot found its mark. Cutter crumpled, a red stain spreading on his chest.
“Damn you, Rip!” Cutter’s second-in-command yelled, taking aim. But Rip’s reflexes were faster. Two shots, and the outlaw dropped like a sack of potatoes.
The remaining gang members fled in terror, leaving their wounded comrades behind. Dusty Ridge erupted into cheers, but Rip knew this wasn’t over.
Weeks passed, and the gang regrouped. They rode into town one fateful morning, guns blazing. Dusty Ridge was under siege.
Rip rallied the townsfolk, leading them into the firefight. Bullets flew, and Rip’s heart pounded as he fought to protect his home. He couldn’t let Cutter and his gang win. Not here, not now.
“Rip! We can’t hold ’em much longer!” a voice shouted.
Rip’s eyes scanned the battlefield, his mind racing. A risky idea formed, and he knew it was their only chance. He yelled for a volunteer and a brave cowboy named Hank stepped forward.
“Cover me, Hank!” Rip yelled as he made a mad dash for the town’s explosives shed.
Bullets whizzed by, and Hank returned fire, providing the cover Rip needed. He reached the shed, grabbed a handful of dynamite sticks, and lit the fuse.
With the explosives in tow, Rip raced back to the front line, sweat stinging his eyes. Hank continued to lay down fire, giving Rip precious seconds.
He tossed the dynamite, the explosion a deafening roar. The ground shook as the gang members were sent flying. Dusty Ridge was safe.
As the dust settled, Rip surveyed the wreckage. Cutter and his gang were no more. The town was free, and the townsfolk cheered, lifting Rip on their shoulders.
Days turned into weeks, and life in Dusty Ridge returned to normal. Rip Campbell, the man who refused to let his home fall to outlaws, became a legend.
One evening, as the sun dipped low on the horizon, Rip saddled his horse. The townsfolk gathered to bid him farewell.
“Where you headin’, Rip?” a young boy asked.
Rip smiled. “There’s always trouble brewin’ somewhere, kid. Gotta make sure folks like Cutter never get the upper hand.”
He tipped his hat and rode off into the sunset, a lone cowboy on the endless frontier, ready for the next adventure.
Grab the next action packed full length novel below:
The Rip Campbell Western Adventures Series
1. Noose Fever — a classic wild west adventure
2. Five Beans in the Wheel — a classic western adventure
3. Tinhorn — a classic old west action adventure
4. Cowpoke — a classic old west adventure
5. Bone Orchard — a classic wild west adventure
6. Cowboy Trouble — a wild west adventure
7. Six Gun Destiny — a classic western adventure
8. Beats Dying — a Wild West Action Adventure
9. Holster Holiday — classic western action adventure
10. Eating Iron — a wild west action adventure
11. Cowpoke — wild western action adventure
12. Out and Out — a wild west adventure
13. Pan Out — a classic western action adventure
14. Crowbait — a classic wild west adventure
15. Noose Bait — classic wild west adventure
16. Bangtail — an action packed western adventure
