Andrew Apperley is in the East, visiting with his brother David, who he has persuaded to join him on his ranch in the West. Accompanying Andrew is a giant wolf dog named Comanche who is so wild that he has to be chained up at all times. But after Comanche saves escaped prisoner Single Jack Deems from drowning, Deems wants the dog for himself, and he follows the Apperleys west. Everything Andrew Apperley owns is imperiled by Alex Shodress, a clever and dangerous cattle thief who has learned how to steal with immunity from the law, hiding behind his gang of thugs. When Deems shows up at the Apperley ranch to negotiate a way in which Andrew Apperley will allow him to take Comanche, Andrew Apperley tells Deems there is just one way he can win possession of the wolf dog, if he is willing to do it. -- From cover p. [2]