They made an ill-assorted crowd. The pious citizens of Baptist's Hollow. Major Ellwood, mayor and town marshal. Doc Thornett's medicine show, with Madame Fiona, woman bare-knuckle boxer, her daughters, and Elwin, the boy who wanted to be a juggler. Sergeant Magoon, the wild Irish soldier who had brought his men. Chet Bronson and Harris, going to the Stockade for life. Big Em, the female fist-fighting champion of Fort Owen. The miners driven from the hills by Lobo Colorado's Apache warriors.
There were four Texans also. Three were tall, eye-catching men. Yet when the chips were down and a leader was needed they called on the fourth Texan—a small insignificant, soft talking man. His name was Dusty Fog.