In the latter part of the nineteenth century the west was changing rapidly. East Texas In particular, was becoming intolerant of lawlessness. One farmer said: "If you spit on a sidewalk, you better get a bucket of wash-water and get busy, or go to jail." That summed it up very well. Industry was becoming more widespread in major cities such as Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston and Jefferson, "The city at the end of the river." By the late 1860s and 1870s, Jefferson was second only to Galveston in commerce. The Red River, with its upstream natural log jam, created a back water bayou that made Jefferson an inland port, and thus connected it to the Mississippi river and all points north and south. The huge stern wheeler traffic supported much commerce activity and growth to East Texas. It is in this setting that a cotton farmer's son leaves his home seeking his own fame and fortune. Unfortunately, he gets involved with youngsters that are a part of an outlaw gang. Their retired father was planning one last bank robbery that would set them up for life.

Jay Morgan gets unwillingly involved in their plans and must join their illegal activities. The old man says he knows too much and must join them, "or else." Jay Morgan gets into an adventure he could never have dreamed of.

This story, while being mostly fiction, has many events based upon fact. The character "Alex Shaffer" and his immigration to America, and thus to Southeast Texas, is based on fact. Also, the story is linked to the early development of the timber and lumber industry of Southeast Texas. Unlike many stories written about this era that seem unbelievable, this audiobook takes you on a journey that could, and has most likely happened in similar ways in real life. This audiobook is designed to entertain as well as to inform about late nineteenth century East Texas, and Southeast Texas lumber and timber industry in particular.