Four Color #1261

In "The Lone Rustler," a lone rider named Favor encounters a young boy caught in the act of stealing a calf. After a brief but telling exchange, Favor lets the boy go—only to find himself in need of help when the boy returns with crucial information about three hidden rustlers. Written by an unknown hand and illustrated by an unknown artist, this 1961 western tale unfolds with quiet tension and a moment of unexpected trust.

In "Hard Knock Trail," young Jim Howard hits the dusty trail with seasoned cowhands Favor and Yates, sent by his rancher father Dave Howard to learn the ropes of the cattle drive. The open range tests more than just grit—it’s a chance for Jim to prove he’s got what it takes, one hard mile at a time.

In "Tribal Trouble," Wishbone finds himself caught in a sudden cross-cultural twist when a ride to her camp for the chief’s daughter leads to an unexpected marriage demand. With a brave challenging him to combat and Rowdy scheming to spirit him away without provoking the tribe, Wishbone must navigate the tense waters of tradition and survival.

In the post-Civil War frontier, longhorn cattle—once so common they were considered worthless—suddenly become prized assets as food shortages drive demand. With the rise of cattle drives, their value skyrockets, turning a forgotten herd into a symbol of new economic hope.