Zane Grey 
Wanderer of the Wasteland 

The 18-year-old Adam Larey shoots his brother Guerd after a confrontation near a gold mining town in the southwest. After he runs away into the desert in order to save himself from being hanged, Adam meets the gold miner Dismukes who teaches him the intricacies of gold mining. While exploring the desert Adam helps many people, but none of the brave deeds and acts of justice can wash away his sin. Will Adam return to the town he ran from 14 years ago to accept his punishment or he will continue his desert life? What or who will affect his decision? "Wanderer of the Wasteland" is a Western novel about adventure and romance which was first published in 1923. –