Next to barbed wire, there was nothing a cattleman hated more than sheep. It wasn't surprising then, that the ranchers in Hard Rock County would react in anger to Chance Abelard's decision to turn over a portion of his ranch to sheep herding. Under the leadership of Pearce Jerome, owner of the largest ranch in the area, the Cowmen's Protective Association was formed. With the single exception of Chance Abelard, every rancher joined it. Tempers flared, and besides the threat of force, the Association meant to black-list Abelard's Two C Ranch. It was a tough deal, but Chance Abelard knew he was right and meant to prove it--even if someone got hurt in the bloody fight that loomed ahead.