Regular print version originally published in the U.S. by Five Star.

"The fugitive's mission" originally published in Western Story Magazine (14 January 1922). "The strange ride of Perry Woodstock" first published in Dime Western (March 1933) in an abridged version under the title "Death rides behind". "Reata" first published in Western Story Magazine (21 August 1933), under the byline George Owen Baxter.

The title story in this Western trio is the desperate tale of Bill Rafferty. Recently released from prison, he wants to dig up the loot he served time for before his partner is freed and wants his share. But the man from whom the money was stolen is making it virtually impossible for Bill to leave the town of Jasperville. In "The Strange Ride of Perry Woodstock," Perry comes into possession of a coded message that tells the location of a buried treasure and is pursued by a gang ready to kill him for it. And one of Max Brand's most popular characters, a man who did not carry a gun, but who was a master of the rawhide rope, was first introduced in the final member of this trio, "Reata." Apprehended as a pickpocket, Reata manages to escape jail with the help of master criminal Pop Dickerman--but there is a price for Dickerman's help.