The forties of the 19th century were turbulent in the history of Mexico. The head of the state is General Lopez de Santa Anna - an intelligent, energetic man, but cruel and domineering, intolerant of any dissent. The young American Frank Hamersley, who arrived in Mexico on trade business, will have to find himself in the very abyss of the turmoil that has engulfed the country and unravel the mystery of a strange dwelling hidden in the very heart of the disastrous Llano Estacado desert. The historical adventure novel “The Lonely Ranch” is published for the first time in Russian language in full translation, made from the revised and supplemented edition by the author. Mayne Reed himself considered this book his best work. This volume also includes the story “The Yellow Chief,” which takes place in the vast expanses of the Wild West during the era of the gold rush.