good reading
Just finished reading this second book in "The Texas Ranger" series. As usual Elmer Kelton brings you into the time with some great story telling. It had been awhile since I had read the first book "The Buckskin Line", but Kelton is such a good storyteller that it all came back to me reading the second book in the series, as he is so vivid in his story telling. I like the main character Rusty Shannon and the other characters that surround him. They introduce a new character "Badger Boy" who was captured at a young age by Indians, and grew up with the Comanche's, learning their way of life. Rusty Shannon who himself was captured and later rescued by his adoptive white parents, totally understands the situation, and they connect by a matter of circumstances later in the story. Also Rusty reconnects with friends ties after the Civil war and returns to his adoptive parents farm with the disbandment of the Texas Rangers. I love the way Kelton depicts the hard times and you can almost feel their pain. A great story and it continues on, so I can dust off the next book in the series on my book shelf and continue with the saga!
I can't believe it took me so long to discover Kelton. This book is great. Realistic Texas setting and it's not you're normal, shoot-em-up type of western. There's life to the characters, and Kelton takes you on a ride with them through their wide range of hopes and dreams and fears. I'll be reading more of Kelton, you can bet on that.
