Kid Montana #9 (1957)

Jo and a group of friends recall their first solo camping trips, with one sharing a humorous tale of nearly breaking all his teeth trying to eat a can of beans without a can opener. Later, Jo discovers Danny sitting on the stove, pretending to ride a horse, much to everyone’s surprise.

Jeff Norse rides into the rugged Rockies, pursued by Sioux warriors who block the mountain trail to protect their land from encroaching settlers. Though outnumbered and facing a deadly gorge, Jeff proves his skill with both horse and gun, narrowly escaping a fatal fall before confronting the ambushers with quick thinking and sharp aim.

Jeff Norse arrives in Braddock seeking Mister Burner, only to be met with suspicion after saving a townsman from a runaway horse. As tensions rise and a vigilante band forms, Jeff is quickly accused of being a road agent when a stolen gold dust sack is found on his saddle—leaving him trapped in a town where justice is swift and unforgiving.

Jo, known for his gentle nature, surprises his friend Gopherface by revealing he bought his girlfriend two leather gifts—both made from the same cow, since he couldn’t bear to separate the calf from its mother. Later, Jo meets Insurance Agent Agar, who confesses he was fired not for poor sales, but because he talked a customer to death while closing a deal.

Jo, the town’s quiet frontier life feels dull until she decides to liven things up by pretending to be a doctor—only to be startled when the real thing shows up, claiming she’s just graduated from medical school. The townsfolk react with surprise and confusion, caught off guard by her sudden, dramatic claim.