A lynching is performed and as the mob arrives back to town they find out that murdered three innocent men and that the real guilty men are still on the loose. Men all over town feel horrible for what has happened and the town slumps into a depression, which causes the two main characters to get up and leave again. " "I"ll be glad to get out of here," as if he"d let it all go"(Clark 217).
There are really only two main characters in that are described at any depth. Of these two characters there is one that is even more a main character because he is narrating the story from his point of view. Art Croft is a simple quiet man that wants nothing more than to fit in. Art is easily persuaded to one side or the other of an argument depending on the amount of people on each side. Although he is easily persuaded it is not because he lacks intellect or sensitivity but because he wants to fit in. "I thought about it. "I can see how the time would count," I said"(Clark 48). A few characters in the book see that he really is a good man, and come to him when they are having personal battle with themselves. They ask him for advice and for him to tell them whether they are a good or bad person. Gil Carter is Art's best friend and riding partner of five years. Gil in comparison to Art is a complete opposite in that he is not very book smart but very smart when it comes to keeping himself on the right track and knowing where to go and when. Gil is very aggressive and insensitive, and likes to fight when he is drunk. "I knew the look; he was going to pile Farnley and hammer him."(Clark24). Although this is Gil's natural personality, on the inside he does really truly care about Art's well being.
The theme of this novel is saying that there is always a constant need for law and control and a decision maker. In this book, the people of the town do not have much of a law to keep them in line.
