Beadle's Pocket Library, Vol. IV, No. 49

# Museum Catalog Note

Hurricane Bill; or, Mustang Sam and his "Pard," A Romance of the "Evil Land" by Jos. E. Badger, Jr., published December 17, 1884.

This Western adventure serial opens with a fiesta in Mexico featuring equestrian stunts. Two American borderers—Hurricane Bill and Mustang Sam, both from the Cherokee Nation—arrive and participate in local games. In "El Gallo" (the cock-tailing contest), Mustang Sam outrides Mexican competitors including Don Blas Cavello, presenting the prize to Isidora. The visitors then demonstrate Northern skills: Hurricane Bill performs revolver marksmanship, accurately firing at a bowie knife held on Mustang Sam's head. Later, both men wrestle bulls—Hurricane Bill forcing one down by its horns, Mustang Sam riding a charging bull while blinded with his jacket, guided by his black mustang Tornado. The narrative establishes romantic interest as both borderers court Carmela and Isidora Munez, the host Don Munez's daughters, attracting the jealous attention of Don Blas.