Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 442

About this issue

This issue features "The Lynx of the Leona" by "Buckskin Sam" (Major Sam. S. Hall), a Western adventure serial. The narrative opens with detailed geographical description of the Leona River region in Texas, depicting its natural abundance of game, timber, and camping grounds before transitioning to the story proper. Captain Lemuel La Grange, an aging Texan and former soldier, has established a ranch on the Leona's bend with his orphan nephew Leon, age fifteen. Leon, skilled with pistol and lasso despite his slight frame, provides La Grange companionship. The captain employs half-breed horses, enslaved Black workers experienced in cattle operations, and skilled Mexican mustangers. La Grange faces two threats: his dissolute brother Bill, who might return to claim inheritance and harm Leon, and the outlaw Juan Cortina, who has sworn vengeance against La Grange and now organizes bandits in Mexico for invasion into Texas. The fortified log dwelling includes corrals, slave quarters, and supplies for ranching operations.