Beadle's Half Dime Library, No. 178

1880 · 16 pages

This Beadle and Adams dime novel, "Old Solitary, the Hermit Trapper: The Dragon of Silver Lake" by Oll Coomes, is a frontier adventure set in 1846 on the northwestern prairie between the English River and Silver Lake. A mysterious young man, well-equipped with supplies, travels alone across the snow-swept plains toward unknown shelter, pursued unknowingly by an Indian warrior. Caught by an approaching blizzard, he camps among burr-oaks, erecting a canvas tent and tending his exhausted horse. Though appearing cultured and intelligent, he exhibits signs of fearful anxiety suggesting fugitive status. After the storm passes, moonlight reveals the landscape transformed by heavy snow. The traveler's horse grows increasingly alarmed despite no visible threat, and the man notices a snow-laden column seemingly moving closer—creating mounting suspense and terror as the narrative emphasizes the mysterious, hostile prairie environment.

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