Good Water — John D. Nesbitt

A Booklist Best Mystery 2016


Tommy Reeves and his pal Red Armstrong make friends with the Mexican people who live near the ranch where Tommy and Red work. The boys take an interest in the Mexican girls, and their foreman tells them to stay away. When he boys do not heed the warning, they get fired. When they go to visit the Mexican people again, they find out that Vinch Cushman, their recent employer, is trying to force the Mexican people to leave their houses and land behind.


 In order to drive the Mexicans away, Cushman has a crew of men dam up a creek and cut off the people's water. Red goes to sabotage the dam, and he is shot dead.


 Tommy goes to stay with the Mexican people, and before long he is helping them pack their belongings.


 The first night out on the trail, the people look back and see that Cushman has burned their village. The people press on, only to be attacked in the night, first with a cattle stampede and then with marauders who come to club the sheep.


Before long, Cushman and his men stage the third offensive, this time with a prairie fire. As the men go out to fight the fire, Tommy and his girlfriend Anita go to the creek for water. They are accosted by one of Cushman's men. Tommy rises to action and clubs the man.


Back in camp, Cushman and another hired hand get the drop on Tommy and Anita. During a scuffle, Tommy has a showdown with Vinch Cushman.