The Gunhand — Archie Joscelyn

Robbed of their horses, Jud Longstreet and his handsome, ambitious cousin, Hassayampa -- Hass for short -- Honeycutt, enter the small western town of Maderia after trudging for three days on foot, each to take his separate course, having soured of their hardships together.

Hass would continue to pursue Lady Luck, who favored him both at the gambling table and with the possession of a mysterious weapon -- a gun once owned by a feared murderer and which promises its owner both in wealth and power; Jud would take a job with stagecoach owner Dennison and fall in love with Dennison's daughter, the beautiful Martha.

Luck continues to nudge Hass. Not able to stand by and see his cousin Jud's easy success with the Dennison's, he plots to take over Jud's position.

Jud is forewarned of his cousin's intention, but he realizes he is a poor match for a man with no ethics, Hass, Jud's sure, will stop at mothering to satisfy his vanity.

And Hass has another advantage -- all the forces of evil gathered together in an organization called “the Association!”

Now only Jud Longstreet remains as the stumbling block to the attainment of his ambitions.