The Phantom Horseman

About this issue

This is a catalog entry for the 1888 dime novel The Phantom Horseman; or, The Mad Hunter of the Mohawk by Edward S. Ellis, published by Beadle and Adams. The narrative opens during the American Revolution in the Mohawk Valley, where British forces and Tories are attacking settlers. A group of frightened fugitives—Mr. Kingslake, his son Edward, Mr. Vreeland, and the dim-witted Dutch farmhand Hans Van Waddleyauh—flee in a covered wagon toward the Vreeland house to protect Vreeland's family, including his daughter Edith (Edward's betrothed). When a painted Mohawk warrior leaps toward their party across a field, young Kingslake shoots him dead. Shortly after reaching shelter, Edward encounters another Indian who reveals himself as Miutu, a friendly Seneca warrior known to the families, who has adopted war-dress not to join the hostile Iroquois but to protect his white friends.