The Prairie Scourge

# The Prairie Scourge; or, The Jaguar Pet

By W. J. Hamilton, this dime novel installment follows Tim Badger, a trapper and guide, across the western prairie. The story opens with Badger observing a hunted stranger fleeing four Arapaho warriors. Hidden in the grass, Badger kills two of the pursuing Indians with his rifle—settlers who stole his traps the previous winter. The fleeing man, Gabriel Sanborn, is impressed and hires Badger as guide to track Richard Ingoldsby, his enemy, who lives hidden in a mountain gulch. Badger reluctantly agrees to lead Sanborn there, insisting on being "boss" of the expedition given Indian pursuit. After dismissing scalping rewards, the two men ride southeast through changing terrain, stopping for venison and bread at midday. Sanborn appears grim and vengeful regarding Ingoldsby.