Rod Cameron Western #17

Rod Cameron arrives in the lawless town of Hawk Falls to help the wounded sheriff restore order, only to befriend a seemingly innocent young stranger—who is actually the baby-faced leader of a gang planning to rob the bank. Using his youthful appearance to gain Cameron's trust, the outlaw sets a clever trap, but Rod proves too quick and too clever to fall for deception. Cameron tracks down the robbers and brings them to justice, proving that a harmless face can hide a criminal heart.

When Ambling Andy runs into the boastful Bart Thespy, the self-proclaimed great performer is eager to explain his recent departure from the Old Opry House show—but Andy has a clever way of turning Thespy's own words against him in this quick-witted frontier comedy.

Sheriff Sam is convinced that Professor Swamee Reever is a phony mind reader working the frontier town, and he's determined to prove it—or run the charlatan out of town. When the Professor challenges Sam to test his abilities with the help of his mysterious assistant, the Sheriff thinks he's finally caught the con in action, but Professor Swamee Reever always seems to have a clever answer for every accusation. In the end, Sam gets the last word in a way the Professor never saw coming.

In "Substitute Target!", Rod Cameron takes on the dangerous role of mine guard after a robbery leaves a fellow guard unconscious. With the real culprits still at large and only a fading memory to guide him, Rod must stay sharp and vigilant in a town where trust is as scarce as water.

Two prospective cooks show up at Tompkins's door looking for work, and he decides the fairest way to pick between them is to quiz each on their culinary know-how. As the candidates trade increasingly tall tales about their shopping savvy and meat-selection expertise, the interview takes a hilariously absurd turn—with stories about meat so tough it fights back and chickens that talk back to their would-be employers.

Rod Cameron rides into Centerville just as a crooked gambler named Geero returns to pull off the same swindle that left Joe Weeler dead in Riverton—offering odds on a sure loser to lure townsfolk into betting their life savings, then robbing the safe while they're distracted. When Rod discovers the scheme at Pop Titus's general store, he finds himself tied up with dynamite set to go off, and must use his wits to break free and pursue Geero and his partner before they escape with the town's money.