The Scout's Prize

Museum Catalog Note This Beadle's Dime Novels issue contains two frontier and Revolutionary War stories. The main serial, "Quindaro; or, The Heroine of Fort Laramie" (No. 77), by the author of "The Silver Bugle," centers on a female protagonist at Fort Laramie confronting the Sioux with courage and subtlety, while a mother's devotion provides emotional depth amid frontier action. The complete story "The Scout's Prize; or, The Old Dutch Blunderbuss: A Tale of 1776" (No. 76) by Herrick Johnstone is set during the American Revolution in New York. Young Continental soldier Joseph Wilder courts Katrina, daughter of tavern-keeper Gotlieb Von Snooze. After earning a lieutenant's commission, Wilder is recruited by General Washington for dangerous reconnaissance—he must infiltrate British lines near Long Island to eavesdrop on General Howe's plans. Washington promises a captain's commission for success. The narrative emphasizes Wilder's patriotic motivation alongside his romantic devotion to Katrina.