Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 696

Broadway Billy in Texas This serialized dime novel by J. P. Cowdrick features the continued adventures of Broadway Billy and his partner Skinny in Texas. The pair, urban youths who have spent five months learning ranch life at the Millwall Ranch, encounter a stampede of cattle heading toward neighboring Maxwell's property. Billy and Skinny race to intercept the herd, discovering that Judge Maxwell and his daughter Vida are caught in the stampede's path. Judge Maxwell's horse falls, and Vida stands her ground with a revolver to defend her father. While Billy and Skinny pursue the main herd with lassos, cattle overseer "Lariat Louie" Raymond also rides to rescue the Maxwells. The narrative emphasizes action, humor in dialogue, and multiple characters converging on a moment of peril.