The Culpepper Cattle Co.

A young, eager novice who wants to prove himself as a cowboy. He is proud of his handgun and naive about the dangers of the drive, which leads to mistakes and strained trust within the group. Over the course of the journey, he experiences brutal lessons that push him toward a more tempered understanding of courage and responsibility.

A reformed gunslinger who leads the cattle drive with grit and stubborn practicality. He commands respect through force when needed and pushes his hands to act decisively, even at the cost of others’ safety. His decisions reveal a frontier ethos that can be ruthless but is central to driving the action.

A hot-tempered rider who seeks to reclaim honor through demonstrations of dominance. His pride and willingness to engage in gunfights magnify the frontier’s brutal logic and contribute to the drive’s moral unraveling. He meets a violent end in the climactic clashes.

A religious leader among the settlers who believes God has guided their movement. He frames the land dispute in moral terms and offers a vision of peaceful settlement, even as violence encroaches. His eventual decision to leave reflects the tension between faith and the brutal pragmatism of frontier life.

A trapper encountered along the drive who becomes part of the frontier’s rough ecosystem. His presence accompanies the constant threat of theft and conflict, illustrating the perilous world in which the drive operates.

A cunning thief who distracts Ben and contributes to the drive’s perils. His appearance underscores how danger comes from both within the drive and from outside threats in the wild countryside.

The bartender encountered in a saloon where tensions flare and violence erupts. He represents the rough social texture of frontier towns and serves as a catalyst for the drive’s escalating conflicts.