In 1946, Teague was paired for the first time with Luke Short, to illustrate Short’s western serial Fiddlefoot.  Fiddlefoot is the coming-home story of protagonist Frank Chess who, after many years of drifting, inherits his father’s ranch.  Standing in Frank’s way is his old boss Rhino Holst.  Holst has framed Chess for a murder that Holst himself committed.  Holst is threatening to go public with the accusation unless Chess meets Holst’s terms, which include title to half the ranch.

Teague focuses on the human drama to illustrate the story.  Exteriors and interiors seldom catch one’s attention; only two horses appear in the entire series.  Fiddlefoot contains one of my favorite Teague western illustrations, the bathtub scene with Rhino.  Fiddlefoot is presented in its entirety below.  Story text has been omitted for a cleaner presentation.