The Phantom Horseman

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.