The Dare Devil; or, The Winged Witch of Sea

"The Dare-Devil; or, The Winged Witch of the Sea" By Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. A maritime adventure serialized in this Beadle & Adams complete novel issue. Fisherman Carter Hayes rescues a young orphaned boy from a drifting boat and raises him as his son with the gold found aboard. Ten years later, the boy—now fifteen-year-old Dudley Dash—proves himself a fearless sailor, rescuing a twelve-year-old blonde girl from smugglers on a remote Maine island. Upon returning to shore, Dash witnesses two ruffians abducting Louise Raynor, a twenty-year-old maiden, and her companion Paul Dunstan from a cliff path. Dash intervenes decisively, killing one assailant and hurling the other over the cliff. Dunstan, humiliated at being rescued by a fisherman's son, vows revenge and challenges Dash to a duel. The narrative emphasizes Dash's bravery, skill, and moral character against class prejudice and criminal elements.