Beadle's Pocket Library No. 471

# Catalog Note

This issue of Beadle's Dime Novels (No. 471, January 18, 1893) features "Custer's Little Scout; or, From the Plains to West Point" by T. C. Harbaugh, a Western frontier narrative. The story follows Roving Rifle, a sixteen-year-old scout of mixed background raised among Indians, who arrives at Camp Supply seeking employment with General Custer's Seventh Cavalry in November 1868. Impressed by the boy's knowledge of the Wichita country and Indian territories, Custer enlists him as a scout. Roving Rifle reunites with the colorful scout California Joe and meets General Sheridan. The narrative introduces complications: Roving Rifle maintains a secret brotherhood oath with One Belt, an Arapahoe youth, and covertly sends him a warning about Custer's impending military campaign against the hostiles, attempting to protect someone named Noreta from the coming conflict while ostensibly serving the general faithfully.