Hard Times, a town in the Dakota Territory, becomes a cemetery after the vendetta of the Bad Man from Bodie and its few survivors await his return- spooked by the fear which immobilizes them- all except Mayor (""just come by the title"") who hopes to build up the town and bring up an orphaned youngster with it. The months pass- in the vigil for the visitation to come- and at the end Mayor is alone with his memories of destruction and devastation and guilt.... A Western, with a difference, and something more (the publishers hope to sell it outside this market) this is a parable of violence and has an effectively stark and savage impact.