A squalid shack several miles from Concho City was the home of Judd Daggett, his wife Hetty, and a thin undernourished boy of sixteen whom they called their son. Judd was known through the district as a drunkard, bully and a petty thief. His wife, pale and silent, lived in constant fear of her husband, and the boy - Billy - knew little but harsh commands and worked too much for his strength. One afternoon, Judd, lurching to his feet, roared at his wife...