Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 65

About this issue

This 1878 dime novel by Jos. E. Badger Jr. features two American frontier scouts, Hurricane Bill of the Cherokee Nation and Mustang Sam (the "Mad Rider"), who arrive unannounced at a Mexican hacienda hosting a feast day celebration. The story opens with spectacular horsemanship displays—bull-tailing competitions and feats of daring riding. When the scouts reveal their identities, initial Mexican suspicion turns to respect; the men were formidable adversaries during the recent war. At the festivities, both scouts perform extraordinary equestrian stunts before the assembled senoritas. Mustang Sam receives a scarlet ribbon from Isidora as a lady's token. Hurricane Bill and Mustang Sam subsequently compete against local Mexican riders, executing increasingly elaborate and dangerous feats of strength and horsemanship to impress the watching women. Romantic tensions emerge, particularly involving Don Blas Cavello's apparent jealousy over attention paid to the Mexican ladies, setting up further conflict.