Beadle's Pocket Library No. 182

The Dark-Skinned Scout: The Freebooters of the Mississippi

This Beadle and Adams weekly story, by Lieut.-Col. Hazeltine, follows Francois Clanricard, son of pirate chief Lorenzo Clanricard, the legendary Rover of the Mississippi. Set during the early Mississippi River navigation era, the narrative opens with Francois discovering his sister Lola missing from their concealed riverside cavern fortress—an elaborately appointed hideout complete with furnished rooms, a throne, and supplies. Evidence of struggle remains: overturned furniture and a forged letter recommending Spanish gentleman Captain Hernando Cortini. Investigating further, Francois finds multiple murdered guards, including a dying man who confirms Cortini arrived with false credentials and abducted Lola after killing the sentries. The narrative establishes that Francois's father competes with rival Italian pirate Vestivalli Chireni for control of Gulf and Mississippi waters.