Nan of Music Mountain

by Frank H. (Frank Hamilton) Spearman

"Nan of Music Mountain" by Frank H. Spearman is a frontier novel written in the early 20th century. The story is set in the rugged landscapes of the American West and revolves around the lives of characters involved in gunfights, stage line management, and rivalries. The plot is driven by the interactions of characters such as Henry de Spain, a marksman caught in competition, and Nan Morgan, a skilled young shooter who bests him in a shooting contest, igniting a rivalry that blends intrigue and attraction. At the start of the novel, we are introduced to Henry de Spain, who arrives in Sleepy Cat during a lively Frontier Day celebration. He faces humiliation after losing a shooting match to Nan Morgan, who is noted for her marksmanship. This defeat sets the stage for his acceptance of a job managing the Thief River stage line amidst the dangers posed by outlaws and tensions with the Morgan family. The narrative not only establishes the setting and character dynamics but also hints at future conflict as de Spain navigates his feelings towards Nan and the threatening environment of their frontier society.