From bestselling author Ralph Compton--the extraordinary saga of a death-defying mission across the Texas border into the blazing heart of the Mexican war.

There are a thousand ways to die on a trail drive through Mexico. But a pair of bold Texans are willing to risk their lives, even take on Santa Anna's army, to lead a herd of wild longhorns northward--and save a convicted man's life.
Set on rescuing a friend trapped inside war-torn Mexico, Gild and Van Austin, nephews of Texas founder Stephen Austin, cross the border and soon discover half of Mexico's army wants them dead. Taken prisoner by Santa Anna's soldiers, the brothers make a daring escape and head into Durango county, where they stumble upon a valley full of longhorns--and a chance to build a future north of the border. All they have to do now is break their friend out of prison and drive their cattle to safety. But faced with outlaws, soldiers, and one dangerous woman, the Austins are finding out that this isn't a trail drive, it's a battle to reach the Bandera Range alive. And the only way to do it is the Texan way--fighting every bloody, dusty mile ahead.