Beadle's New York Dime Library, No. 104

This issue contains the opening installments of "Montezuma, the Merciless; or, The Eagle and the Serpent," a romance serial by Colonel Prentiss Ingraham, presented as a sequel to his earlier work "Merle the Mutineer."

The narrative, set in New Orleans, concerns the rivalry between Merton Ainslie and Captain Wilber Sebastian for the affections of wealthy heiress Mildred Monteith. Ainslie, a mysterious newcomer of apparent fortune, maintains stolen jewels—a diamond necklace, rubies, and a gem-studded dirk—in his desk. After abandoning his romantic pursuit of the humble Fidele Chandeleur, who enters a convent in despair, Ainslie plans to propose to Mildred. However, a youth in his employ—revealed to be someone seeking vengeance—murders Ainslie by stabbing him with the ornate dirk, steals the jewels, and flees. Meanwhile, Sebastian, unaware of these events, awaits Mildred's response to his own proposal.