The Adventures of Nathan T. Riggins Series by Stephen Bly

Nathan T. Riggins panicked as he hurried from one empty building to the next. Where was everyone? How could everybody in a whole town just disappear?In the deserted Post Office, bags of unopened mail lay everywhere. With increasing dread, he looked through the stacks of letters. There it was--his own letter to his parents telling them he was coming. No wonder they hadn't waited for him here in Willow Creek... moreNathan T. Riggins panicked as he hurried from one empty building to the next. Where was everyone? How could everybody in a whole town just disappear?In the deserted Post Office, bags of unopened mail lay everywhere. With increasing dread, he looked through the stacks of letters. There it was--his own letter to his parents telling them he was coming. No wonder they hadn't waited for him here in Willow Creek. Now what should he do?Nathan set out across the Nevada desert in search of his parents only to come face to face with one danger after another--Indians, a masked gunman, a blinding sandstorm, a rattlesnake. Meanwhile, a strange dog that seemed to adopt him kept coming to his rescue. less

Nathan couldn't believe it. He and his dad and his friend Colin were going on a cattle drive. But as they set out, the trip began to take unexpected turns. Nathan's dad had to leave them to hunt down an escaped crook and would have to join the group later. Then Colin's friend Leah finagled her way along.When Pepper the cook hurt his foot and had to return to camp, the three kids were on their own... moreNathan couldn't believe it. He and his dad and his friend Colin were going on a cattle drive. But as they set out, the trip began to take unexpected turns. Nathan's dad had to leave them to hunt down an escaped crook and would have to join the group later. Then Colin's friend Leah finagled her way along.When Pepper the cook hurt his foot and had to return to camp, the three kids were on their own. How would they round up cattle when they had never done it before? And how should they deal with the coyote family living beneath their cabin?Soon their situation turned ugly. Nathan found himself face to face with the hungry coyotes trying to take a newborn calf. Worse yet, in a terrifying encounter the escapee found their camp and threatened to kill Nathan, ambush Nathan's dad, and hold Colin and Leah for ransom. less

Onepenny is exactly the kind of horse Nathan dreamed of owning. He's smart, loyal, and easy to handle. What's more, this unusual horse with the spotted rump can do tricks. So Nathan works out a trade with Onepenny's owner, Temple Cholach. To his delight, the spotted horse becomes his.Before he can even show his parents his new horse, Nathan encounters a posse looking for a stagecoach robber who had ridden a spotted horse. It seems Temple Cholach is not the drifter he claimed to be... moreOnepenny is exactly the kind of horse Nathan dreamed of owning. He's smart, loyal, and easy to handle. What's more, this unusual horse with the spotted rump can do tricks. So Nathan works out a trade with Onepenny's owner, Temple Cholach. To his delight, the spotted horse becomes his.Before he can even show his parents his new horse, Nathan encounters a posse looking for a stagecoach robber who had ridden a spotted horse. It seems Temple Cholach is not the drifter he claimed to be. And when Nathan discovers Onepenny can lead him to Cholach's home, he wonders what he will do if he actually bumps into the outlaw again. But the biggest problem appears with the strange feelings stirred in him by Cholach's daughter, Tashawna, with her teasing eyes and cute smile. less

For only a dollar, Thunder is a terrific bargain. But what does a boy do with a dangerous 2,500-pound buffalo that can break out of any corral ever built? Nathan Riggins has to find some way to keep Thunder from killing someone or being killed. He finally decides to donate his buffalo to the Carson City Zoo. But getting him there will be a problem. Thunder has already destroyed one rail car and damaged the train's engine. The railroad refuses to ship him again... moreFor only a dollar, Thunder is a terrific bargain. But what does a boy do with a dangerous 2,500-pound buffalo that can break out of any corral ever built? Nathan Riggins has to find some way to keep Thunder from killing someone or being killed. He finally decides to donate his buffalo to the Carson City Zoo. But getting him there will be a problem. Thunder has already destroyed one rail car and damaged the train's engine. The railroad refuses to ship him again. The answer comes in a surprising way. less

Nathan's got a real job for the summer. He'll be helping Push-Bill Horn freight supplies to the booming, brawling mining town of 10, Nevada. However, his dog Tona's disastrous fight with a bobcat on the second trip out thrusts Nathan into a dilemma. He wants revenge. And he desperately wants to save Tona's life... moreNathan's got a real job for the summer. He'll be helping Push-Bill Horn freight supplies to the booming, brawling mining town of 10, Nevada. However, his dog Tona's disastrous fight with a bobcat on the second trip out thrusts Nathan into a dilemma. He wants revenge. And he desperately wants to save Tona's life. Will he take Push-Bill's advice to do the kind thing and put Tona out of his misery?Then, later in a chilling face-off at gunpoint, Nathan confronts two bushwhackers intent on stealing his gold. He also meets new friends: the six Rialto sisters who are trying to made a go of a ranch by themselves. This complicates his relationship with his good friend, Leah. less