One Jump Ahead

One Jump Ahead, written by Ray Humphreys and first published in 1748, is a Western short story that combines elements of crime and mystery. The narrative follows Sheriff Joe Cook and his deputy, Shorty McKay, as they investigate a suspicious box unearthed beneath a bridge, leading to rumors of buried loot. As they navigate local political pressures and uncover a scheme involving a paroled rustler, the story reveals the complexities of justice in a small town. This work is notable for its early contribution to the detective genre within Western literature.