This classic collection by Bret Harte centers on the iconic title story, in which a group of social outcasts—expelled from a California mining town during the Gold Rush—are stranded in the wilderness, where they face hardship, sacrifice, and unexpected humanity. Alongside this poignant tale are stories that blend humor, irony, and adventure, portraying gamblers, miners, and drifters navigating love, loss, and survival in the rugged American West. Harte’s vivid characters and rich storytelling capture the moral complexity, camaraderie, and harsh realities of frontier life. Combining sentiment with sharp observation, these tales helped define the Western genre and remain enduring examples of American regional literature and the art of the short story.
