Western Aces, November 1947

Badman Steals the Big Show (Novelette) by J. Edward Leithead

This Western tale concerns Vince Wycherly, a mustanger who is betrayed by his partner Shel Tustin during a wild horse-catching expedition in Rising Sun Basin. After a bad fall into a rocky crevasse, Wycherly emerges to find Tustin has fled with their captured mustangs and profits. Tracking him to Wagontongue, Wycherly confronts Tustin, only to be interrupted by Elaine Hubbard, a trick roper with Bronco Buckner's traveling rodeo show. The confrontation shifts when Tustin reveals he's joined Buckner's outfit and offers to split the mustang sale proceeds. Wycherly then attends the rodeo performance, impressed by Elaine's roping skills. Afterward, Buckner offers Wycherly employment with the show, drawing him away from mustanging despite his lingering tension with Tustin, who appears favored by Elaine.