The Californios - Paperback

by Louis L'Amour (Author)

Captain Sean Mulkerin comes home from the sea to find his family home in jeopardy. After the death of his father, Sean's determined mother, Eileen, took it upon herself to run the sprawling Rancho Malibu--until a fire destroyed her hard-earned profits. Now, on the edge of financial ruin, Eileen hopes Sean can help them find a way out. The rumor is that her late husband found gold in the wild and haunted California hills, but the only clue to its whereabouts lies with an ancient, enigmatic Indian.

When Sean and Eileen set forth to retrace his father's footsteps, they know they are in search of a questionable treasure--with creditors, greedy neighbors, and ruthless gunmen watching every move they make. Before they reach their destination, mother and son will test both the limits of their faith and the laws of nature as they seek salvation in a landscape where reality can blur like sand and sky in a desert mirage.

Front Jacket

In 1844 nobody believed there was gold in California. Nobody, that is, except the Mulkerina and an old Indian with mystical powers. The Mulkerins needed a treasure to settle the debt on their Malibu ranch. The Indian was willing to lead them to one. But riding hard on their trail was the greediest band of cutthroats north of the Baja. Killing was their business. Doing it for gold would only make it sweeter.

Author Biography

Our foremost storyteller of the American West, Louis L'Amour has thrilled a nation by chronicling the adventures of the brave men and woman who settled the frontier. There are more than three hundred million copies of his books in print around the world.