# Trampas — The Virginian character guide > Trampas in The Virginian by Owen Wister. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Therefore Trampas, Saving Trampas, Mr. Trampas **First appearance:** 0004-ii-when-you-call-me-that-smile ## Snapshot A sullen cowboy whose grudge against the Virginian hardens into open feud once the Judge promotes his rival to foreman and strips away his protection. ## Who they are Trampas is the man at the ranch who lost a powerful friend when Roberts went, and the men around him sense that he has no shield left between himself and the Virginian. When Judge Henry appoints the Virginian foreman on the spot, Trampas finds himself plump at his enemy's mercy, and the cowboys cheer while the Judge washes his hands of the particulars. His sulking spreads through camp like leaven, and everyone waits to see what he will do when the time arrives. ## Relationships ### [The Virginian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/the_virginian) _rivalry_ Trampas is the Virginian's primary enemy, a dishonest cowboy whose antagonism leads to a final showdown. ### [Scipio Le Moyne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/scipio_le_moyne) _rivalry_ Scipio and Trampas are adversaries, with Scipio often opposing Trampas's dishonesty and bullying. ### [Shorty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/shorty) _rivalry_ Shorty and Trampas are often at odds, with Trampas bullying Shorty and leading him astray. ### [Scipio Le Moyne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/scipio_le_moyne) _rivalry_ Scipio and Trampas are adversaries, with Scipio often opposing Trampas's dishonesty and bullying. ### [The Virginian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/the_virginian) _rivalry_ Trampas is the Virginian's primary enemy, a dishonest cowboy whose antagonism leads to a final showdown. ### [The Virginian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/the_virginian) _rivalry_ Trampas is the Virginian's primary enemy, a dishonest cowboy whose antagonism leads to a final showdown. ### [Shorty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/shorty) _rivalry_ Shorty and Trampas are often at odds, with Trampas bullying Shorty and leading him astray. ### [Shorty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/shorty) _rivalry_ Shorty and Trampas are often at odds, with Trampas bullying Shorty and leading him astray. ### [Scipio Le Moyne](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/scipio_le_moyne) _rivalry_ Scipio and Trampas are adversaries, with Scipio often opposing Trampas's dishonesty and bullying. ## In the story ### [The Virginian](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/chapters/the-virginian) Appears as a rival cowboy, setting up future conflict with the Virginian. ### [II: “When You Call Me That, Smile!”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/chapters/ii-when-you-call-me-that-smile) Antagonistic poker player who insults the Virginian, leading to a confrontation. ### [III: Steve Treats](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/chapters/iii-steve-treats) Mentioned as losing money to the Virginian at poker; the Virginian gives him time to recoup his fortunes. ### [IV: Deep Into Cattle Land](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/chapters/iv-deep-into-cattle-land) Not directly present in this chapter. ### [X: Where Fancy Was Bred](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/chapters/x-where-fancy-was-bred) Present at the barbecue, makes a snide comment about the Virginian's ranking among Molly's suitors. ### [XI: “You’re Going to Love Me Before We Get Through”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/chapters/xi-you-re-going-to-love-me-before-we-get-through) Not directly mentioned in the excerpts, but present in the broader context of the chapter as a member of the community. ### [XIII: The Game and the Nation—Act First](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/chapters/xiii-the-game-and-the-nation-act-first) Not directly present, but referenced implicitly as part of the ranch crew; the Virginian's new authority contrasts with their previous equality. ### [XIV: Between the Acts](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/chapters/xiv-between-the-acts) Mentioned as the man Shorty lost his job and horse to. ### [XV: The Game and the Nation—Act Second](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/chapters/xv-the-game-and-the-nation-act-second) Antagonistic crew member; tries to recruit Shorty for Rawhide and questions the Virginian's authority. ### [XVI: The Game and the Nation—Last Act](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/chapters/xvi-the-game-and-the-nation-last-act) Attempts to challenge the Virginian but is outmaneuvered; laughs derisively but is drawn into the tale. ### [XVII: Scipio Moralizes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/chapters/xvii-scipio-moralizes) Remains sullen and isolated after being humiliated. He stays with the outfit only to collect his pay, and is seen as trusting in the partiality of the ranch foreman to protect him from the Virginian. ### [XVIII: "Would You Be a Parson?"](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/chapters/xviii-would-you-be-a-parson) Attempts to provoke the Virginian by taking his rope and later dropping it, but avoids direct confrontation. ### [XX: The Judge Ignores Particulars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/chapters/xx-the-judge-ignores-particulars) Mentioned as having lost a powerful friend in Roberts; now stands man to man with the Virginian. ### [XXI: In a State of Sin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/chapters/xxi-in-a-state-of-sin) Trampas lies sullenly on his bed reading a newspaper, avoiding the joking and preparations for church, and is clearly brooding over his rivalry with the Virginian. ### [Various Points](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/chapters/xxiii-various-points) Antagonistic cowboy; poisons Shorty's mind and plans to leave the ranch; seen riding with Shorty in the distance. ### [Progress of the Lost Dog](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/chapters/xxv-progress-of-the-lost-dog) Mentioned as having won Shorty's money in a poker game at Drybone. ### [A Stable on the Flat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/chapters/xxx-a-stable-on-the-flat) Mentioned in whispers during the posse's council, possibly connected to the gang of thieves. ### [The Cottonwoods](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/chapters/xxxi-the-cottonwoods) Mentioned as having taken Shorty into the rustling enterprise. ### [Superstition Trail](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/chapters/xxxii-superstition-trail) Not directly present in this chapter, but the pursuit is connected to the events involving him and the hanging of Steve. ### [With Malice Aforethought](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/chapters/xxxv-with-malice-aforethought) The antagonist whose presence looms over the chapter; he is seen riding ahead and is the subject of the town's gossip about the coming confrontation. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters/trampas - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_virginian_se/characters