Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 825

"Runaway Ralph's Rough Rustle: A Tale of Southern California" by Col. Prentiss Ingraham This serial adventure chronicles Ralph Rollo, an orphaned youth raised by retired Captain Scott Cameron, who accepts a dare from Old Ben Bowline to spend a night in the supposedly haunted Harcourt Hall. Upon arrival, Ralph discovers a deadly plot: Sir Gurney Gladden and gamekeeper Barney, conspiring with Old Ben, plan to murder the boy to secure an inheritance. Overhearing their scheme from behind curtains, Ralph confronts them with his shotgun. During the confrontation, he fires both barrels, killing Sir Gurney and wounding Barney, then flees on horseback. Desperate and believing he faces execution for the killings, Ralph steals Old Ben's well-provisioned fishing sloop and sails into a violent storm. After weathering the night at sea, he awakens at sea one hundred miles from the English coast, adopting a false story to explain his circumstances should rescue arrive.