<DIV>In Bitter Trail, Kelton tells the story of a tough teamster named Frio Wheeler whose wagons haul cotton from Texas to Mexico.<BR><BR>Sounds like a peaceable enterprise?<BR><BR>The problem is that the Civil War is raging throughout the South and Wheeler's cotton is to be sold for gold--gold used to buy guns and ammunition for the Confederate army.<BR><BR>And, added to his balky mules, the broiling heat, and killing drought of the Mexican dessert, Wheeler has even more serious matters to contend with: His wagons are attacked, his cotton bales are burned, he is captured and tortured by <I>bandidos</I> in league with Union sympathizers, and he is betrayed by his best friend--his former partner and brother of the woman he loves!<BR></DIV>