Gambler's Instinct — S.J. Stewart

Concern about the whereabouts of his absent brother-in-law brings Jake Lockridge to the Arizona town of Piedmont. Upon arriving in Piedmont, he realizes his concern was well-founded. Miguel has been framed for the murder of the son of a powerful rancher named Thurston and is condemned to hang. Jake breaks Miguel out of jail and the two of them head for the mountains, where they're pursued by the rancher, his sons, and a crooked sheriff. Along the way they find allies in an old friend named Decker and a rancher named Gebhardt. Jake is determined to expose Wade Thurston's real killer, but first he has to survive. After a confrontation that ends in Miguel's capture, Jake is left for dead. He rallies and goes on the offensive. Back in Piedmont, he confronts his enemies in order to save Miguel, once more, from the hangman's noose.