Born into slavery in 1854, Nat Love had an itch to travel early in his life. Soon after slavery was abolished, Nat left for the Wild West in search of his fortune. He worked on cattle drives and as a ranch cowboy. He found that the American West was indeed wild, open, and free. Nat made a name for himself as a cowboy and crack pistol shot. In fact, after one contest, Nat earned the nickname ?Deadwood Dick.? Nat's famous autobiography, The Life and Adventures of Nat Love, a mix of fact and fancy, helped to create the legend that the American cowboy enjoys to this day in our cultural heritage.