pulps
The Peon Prince; or, The Yankee Knight Errant
Catalog Note *The Peon Prince; or, Putnam Pomfret's Mexican Fortunes* by A. J. H. Duganne is an adventure tale set in autumn 1845 Mexico. The narrative opens at the mountain stronghold of notorious brigands near the coast, where the corrupt local military profits from "protecting" merchant caravans. The brigand captain, a fierce, commanding figure, rules his band through terror. When drunken Spaltro pursues the young woman Berta and quarrels with the brigand Lopez over her, the captain forces reconciliation by threatening to shoot both men. When they refuse to shake hands, he executes Spaltro. The captain then orders Lopez to kneel, preparing to shoot him as well, but Berta pleads for Lopez's life and the captain relents. The captain then orders the brigand Pedro to infiltrate the wealthy Murillo's farm disguised as a minstrel to scout it for a planned night raid, pledging his men to plunder Murillo's riches.