Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 711

*Beadle's Dime Novels*, Vol. XXVII, No. 98 This issue contains "Broadway Billy at Santa Fe: The Romance of a Blunder" by J. C. Cowdrick, author of the Broadway Billy series. The adventure opens with Billy and his thin partner Skinny arriving at Santa Fe, where they encounter Mother Bruja, an aged Mexican-Indian half-breed woman who claims prophetic powers. She warns them of imminent death in the city, recounting a dream in which she saw them riding in, then discovered them dead in a nearby gorge. Despite her insistent pleas, Billy dismisses her warnings and insists they stay to investigate. The landlord confirms Mother Bruja's reputation as a prophetess whose dreams are credited locally. Billy's curiosity is piqued—he notes feeling "detective fever" coming on—suggesting he intends to uncover the danger himself rather than heed the warning.