Strike of the Mountain Man Author:William Johnstone with J.A. Johnstone Malcolm Thedore Puddle is a 21 year old shipping clerk- from way back east. What is he doing out here? The Mountain Man's former neighbor, Humbolt Puddle has died and left his crumbling 600-acre ranch to,his only living heir, just as a greedy and ruthless cattle barin is circling the Humbolt ranch like a ravenous vulture.