The film""s screenplay was adapted by Frank S.Nugent (director Ford""s son-in-law) from Alan Le May""s 1954 novel of the same name, that was first serialized as a short story in late fall 1954 issues of theSaturday Evening Post, and first titledThe Avenging Texans.Her mood changed as she then described how her niece Catherine needed help due to her illness: "Madness.He had used the funding to engage in cocaine smuggling and was being brought to the US for trial on racketeering, bribery, and drug running charges.She denied mocking him by laughing at him for being so enamoured and lovesick with her.Hans told her of the frequent ridicule he often faced from ""big"" people: "They don""t realize I""m a man, with the same feelings they have.