Duane Howard

The Trail at Hand Duane Howard

ZACK CLAYTON is a man hardened by the perilous life of a fur trapper in the Rocky Mountains. When Zack's partner is killed by a bear he vows to his share to the next of kin in Cairo, Illinois. Zack encounters horse stealers, river pirates, rogues and romance while fulfilling his promise. His life makes a dramatic change when he meets ANN BELL and later has to rescue her from twin scoundrels who believe he is keeping a fortune in gold from them. Travel back to 1825 when St. Louis was the thriving capital of the fur industry, slavery was an institution, and the trail to the Shining Mountains were long and arduous.