Joe, the Rover Sport

This issue of Beadle and Adams' Weekly (May 4, 1892) contains the opening serial "The Fortune Hunter," written by A. H. Post, author of "Roving Joe." The story begins with young trapper Roving Joe and his experienced partner Sabe Sollars discovering their bear-trap has been stolen. Investigating, they determine an injured Indian has taken it. Following his trail and confronting him, Joe prevents Sollars from killing the helpless, cornered Indian whose leg is mangled in the trap. Despite the Indian's attempted treachery with a concealed knife, Joe insists on bringing him to their camp rather than leaving him to die in an approaching storm. Against Sollars's bitter objections, Joe prepares to perform an amputation to save the man's life. The narrative emphasizes conflict between the pragmatic, Indian-hating Sollars and the younger, more merciful Joe.