In this first book of the Floating Outfit series the three core members of the of outfit meet for the first time. It directly follows J.T.'s Civil War series, most of which follow Dusty's career though the Ysabel Kid features in a few of the Belle Boyd titles. Dusty is sent to Mexico to bring back the Confederate soldiers who are fighting with the French forces so that the United States can officially assist the native forces without risking reigniting the Civil War. Along the way Dusty meets former smuggler the Ysabel kid who is looking to avenge the recent murder of his father. The kid in turn meets Mark Counter, one of the Confederate soldiers serving with the French. The three discover that they make a formidable fighting force and Dusty invites his new friends to join his uncle's floating outfit. The rest of the order of the floating outfit series is somewhat fluid as there are some chronological contradictions with various members overlapping when they shouldn't. All in all it remains my very favorite western series with lovable characters in the classic western style; it's a pity no one can write like this anymore!