Beadle's Dime Novels No. 204: Metamora; or, The Forest King

About this issue

This dime novel by Edward Willett, published by Beadle and Company in 1870, presents a frontier narrative set in colonial New England. The protagonist is Enoch Andrews, the "Plymouth Scout," a skilled woodsman of mixed dress and reputation who has earned respect through warfare against Native American tribes, notably killing Chief Canaanset of the Narragansets. Andrews encounters Namattah, a Wampanoag chief formerly known as Agawam of the Mohegans, who reveals that a confederation of New England tribes under Chief Metamora (King Philip) is forming to attack colonial settlements. Metamora, celebrated as the "Forest King," is gathering warriors at Pocasset for a grand council. Meanwhile, the newly arrived colonial official Lord Fitzarnold makes courtly advances toward Maud, Sir Guy Godalmin's daughter, arousing jealousy in Reuben Esmond, the governor's secretary. The narrative interweaves frontier warfare, romance, and tribal politics.