Beadle's Dime Novels No. 258: The White Brave

About this issue

This issue of Beadle's Dime Novels (No. 259, July 2d) features "The White Brave," a frontier romance by Wil Dezthr, author of "Antelope Abe." Set in 1799, the story follows two hunters—young Reginald and his older guide Baptiste—crossing toward the Muskingum River. They witness an Indian in a ferryboat overturn in the swollen current, horses and rider entangled. Reginald plunges in despite Baptiste's protests, rescues the drowning man, and receives a scalp wound from a horse's hoof. The Indian—War-Eagle—reciprocates gratitude, and the two forge brotherhood. The narrative emphasizes physical prowess, frontier hardships, and interracial respect. Baptiste recognizes War-Eagle but keeps silent about his identity. The story contains hunting scenes, river action, and character development contrasting refined manhood with frontier skill.