The Lone Star Ranger

"The Lone Star Ranger" by Zane Grey is a novel set in the late 19th century. The story explores the turbulent and lawless life along the Texas border, focusing on the main character, Buck Duane, the last of the Duane family line. Buck grapples with his inherited violent instincts in a world filled with outlaws. As tensions rise, he must balance personal honor and the burden of his family's legacy against the backdrop of the Old West.

At the beginning of the novel, readers are introduced to Buck Duane, whose uncle warns him about an impending conflict with a drunken gunfighter named Cal Bain. Unable to back down from a challenge to his pride, Duane confronts Bain, leading to a deadly shootout that drastically changes his life. Although he acted in self-defense, he is now a fugitive.

After this confrontation, Duane reflects on the nature of violence and law as he struggles with feelings of guilt and the reality of being an outlaw in a dangerous world. Ultimately, he decides to escape into the wilderness, seeking refuge from the consequences of his actions. His journey exposes him to the harsh and morally ambiguous landscape of a life on the run.