We meet a lot of the Manleys' neighbors in this volume, the first being their newest: Mr. Tyson is the new owner of the 4 Bar Circle ranch a few miles to the south of the X Bar X. He and his "adviser," Hal Draper, pay a call on Bardwell Manley to announce that Mr. Tyson is organizing a huge rodeo and county fair for all the local ranches. There will be shows and contests for all kinds of ranching skills, from riding to cooking to sewing. Punchers and womenfolk from miles around come in for the fun, including from the X Bar X. In a subplot, a worn-out horsewoman from a circus comes to rest up at the X Bar X, bringing with her a hidden tragic story. But when prize cattle begin to disappear, the serious adventures begin.

Writing: 5
Characterization: 6
Plot: 6
Overall score: 5.66