The Texas Firebrands

"The Texas Firebrands" — *The Original Buffalo Bill Library* This installment of the *Buffalo Bill Library* (Maine Series, No. 291) features a detective adventure starring young Buffalo Billy (Bill Cody). Disguised as an Indian with hawk feathers and face paint, Billy infiltrates an outlaw camp in Texas and discovers a band of white men—also disguised as Indians—plotting to raid cattleman Brace Benson's property. Riding to warn Benson, Billy arrives to find the outlaws attacking the house with flaming arrows, setting the roof ablaze. He attempts a rescue but is captured. When the outlaws breach the house, they find not residents but a strongbox containing silver coins—their actual target. The outlaw leader interrogates the youth, who identifies himself as "Buffalo Billy" and feigns opportunism. Suspecting deception, the leader orders Billy bound and carried away, intending his execution. The narrative breaks off with Billy captive.