Life's Lure

Set against the backdrop of the Black Hills gold rush, the novel explores the moral dilemmas faced by its characters, particularly through the lens of Louis Devlin, a charming gambler who seeks to lead two men astray: the financially ruined Samuel Drake and the naive Punkins. As the pursuit of wealth drives them toward a fateful confrontation, the narrative delves into themes of ambition, corruption, and the harsh realities of frontier life. Drawing from Neihardt's earlier short stories, it vividly portrays the complexities of human desire in the tumultuous environment of Deadwood.