Thomas D Clagett

The Pursuit of Murieta Thomas D Clagett

It's 1853. The notorious bandit Joaquin Murieta and his gang of desperadoes have ravaged infant state of California for the last three years. Now, Murieta has had enough and wants to return to his wife in Mexico. Skirting the small adobe town of Los Angeles, he has no idea that a small band of California Rangers led by Ambrose Quick, a politically ambitious man of strong conscience and moral fiber, are after a suspect who murdered a deputy sheriff. They have good reason to believe that murderer is Murieta. After an exhausting chase through the Santa Susanna Mountains, the Rangers grievously wound Murieta that hot August evening, but he refuses to tell them his name or answer their questions-until the brandy they give him for the pain loosens his tongue and he tells them he didn't kill any deputy but that he is Joaquin Murieta. But, not all of the Rangers believe him! Reward-hungry Ned Needle is convinced they have the real Murieta. Addie Moody, a prostitute with vengeance in her heart who demanded to come with the Rangers, desperately wants to believe for her troubled soul's sake. But Quick must decide. And all he has is Murieta's word -- his "confession" -- which Murieta has given him to take to a priest because the bandit knows he's dying. In an ironic twist, Quick's decision costs him dearly.

This fast-paced historical Western re-imagines the legend of Murieta, California's first infamous outlaw.