Ralph Compton Ralph Compton, born in St. Clair County, Alabama, on April 11, 1934, was an American cowboy writer. The talent he possessed is the best. He had the uncanny ability to make readers feel as if they were riding alongside his cowboys. Compton stood six foot seven inches tall without his boots or cowboy hat. He delivered stories as big as his frame. He brought the western way of living to life. Compton's road to literary fame was not as smooth compared to other authors. First, he spent time as a musician. When playing music was not successful for him anymore, he became a radio announcer. However, that did not suit him either. His last experiment in the music industry was as a songwriter. This too, failed him, and he turned…show more content… The Goodnight Trail was chosen as a finalist for Western Writers of America “Medicine Pipe Bearer Award.” This novel also was the start of his most successful series of books. The series, "The Trail Drive Series" told the stories of the millions of cowboys who tested their luck by chasing their fortunes in the stockyards of the Midwest. The series includes The Western Trail, The Chisholm Trail, The Bandera Trail, The California Trail, and many more. The Goodnight Trail is about these Texas Rangers Benton McCaleb, Will Elliot, and Brazos Gifford that are having to drive cattle to Colorado to make a living. The men join Charles Goodnight on their long journey. The men go through so many trials that they struggle to continue on. They come in contact with flooded rivers, deserts, and Comanches. They also find themselves involved with gunslingers. The Rangers pursue on in hopes of making all of their dreams come…show more content… After being kicked out of a boarding school in St. Louis, Ten returns to Texas to gather a herd of longhorn cattle. He is only equipped with a rifle and a bowie knife. One problem stands in the way of his cattle drive. He has fallen in love with the daughter of a New Orleans gambler. The father has already promised his daughter to a wealthy man that she does not even want to marry. Ten vows to return to the daughter and make her his wife. He first has to survive dangerous situations like outlaw attacks and crossing treacherous rivers before he can keep his promise. The Bandera Trail is about two nephews of Texas founder, Stephen Austin, who want to rescue their friend, Clay Duval. The two men cross the Mexican border in search of Clay. This was not a good idea because now most of Mexico’s army wants them dead. The two men are eventually taken prisoner, but they escape. They do not know how they are going to make a living until they come upon some longhorns. They decide to use the cattle to make their future. All that is left for them to do is rescue Clay from prison. However, it is much harder to them than they