Deathwatch (book)

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Deathwatch is a book authored by Robb White and published in 1972. It features a skilled, successful hunter and business man, Madec, who goes to the desert after receiving a rare permit to shoot bighorn in the desert. He hires a 22-year-old college student named Ben, who is to help show Madec where the bighorn are.

After the third day of the venture, Madec accidentally shot an old prospector, and he wanted Ben to keep it a secret, as he was a man of importance who did not have time to sit in jail or whatnot. Ben said that the honest thing to do was for the two of them to report the accidental shot, but Madec had other ideas. Ben was stubborn and refused to comply with Madec. As a result, Madec gave Ben two choices. Madec could shoot Ben on the spot, or Ben could make an attempt to escape the desert by walking 45 miles to the nearest highway without clothes, food, or water. And worst of all was that Madec would make sure Ben wouldn't make it and that he would be watching him the whole way.

By the end of the book, Ben escaped the desert, and Madec was put to justice. Ben discredited Madec by explaining how Madec had lied about several things. One included the clothing of Les, the game warden. Madec claimed that Les was wearning the game warden uniform. However, according to Ben, Les wore a purple shirt, yellow shorts, and white shoes, which was different from the game warden uniform. After that no one in the court believed what ben said. The doctor that examined Ben and Madec proved that Madec shot the old man.