Beadle's Pocket Library, Vol. IV, No. 43

Old Hickory; or, Pandy Ellis's Scalp This frontier adventure serial by Harry St. George features established characters in the western action-adventure mode. The opening chapter, "The Forest Chase," depicts hunter Blue Beans and Comanche chief Powder Flash evading hostile Indians in the forest, displaying their frontier skills and camaraderie as they elude pursuing warriors through woodland obstacles. Chapter II introduces three renowned rangers—Rocky Mountain Joe, Roaring Ralph Rockwood, and Bolly Wherrit—who discover a placard nailed to a tree offering substantial rewards for the scalp of "Heavy Knife," otherwise known as Pandy Ellis, a celebrated prairie ranger. The reward, posted by Sioux chiefs including Buffalo Horn and Crazy Horse, includes buffalo robes, furs, weapons, and whiskey. Bolly expresses delight at his old friend's notoriety while remaining unaware that Ellis himself lurks nearby, silently observing their discovery and reaction to the bounty notice.