The Half-Blood; or, The Panther of the Plains

1882 · 16 pages

The Half-Blood: The Panther of the Plains Edward S. Ellis's serialized western novel begins in 1824 on the Kansas River, where trappers Edward Murtel (an English deserter from the War of 1812) and Harry Harmer (a Kentuckian) set traps and exchange tales. While awaiting prey, Harmer recounts a twenty-year-old adventure from Wisconsin when, as a young man, he and companion Tom Haberly separated during a hunt. Harmer stumbled upon a sleeping Native American by a campfire; attempting to knife him, Harmer's misstep alerted the warrior. What followed was a dramatic chase through wilderness involving three armed Native Americans pursuing Harmer toward a fifty-foot river bluff. Harmer leaped into the water; Haberly, positioned opposite, began shooting the pursuers. The narrative breaks mid-climax as the trappers prepare to attend their actual traps.

The Half-Blood; or, The Panther of the Plains — page 1 of 16 — 1 / 16

The Half-Blood; or, The Panther of the Plains — page 2 of 16 — 2 / 16

The Half-Blood; or, The Panther of the Plains — page 3 of 16 — 3 / 16

The Half-Blood; or, The Panther of the Plains — page 4 of 16 — 4 / 16

The Half-Blood; or, The Panther of the Plains — page 5 of 16 — 5 / 16

The Half-Blood; or, The Panther of the Plains — page 6 of 16 — 6 / 16

The Half-Blood; or, The Panther of the Plains — page 7 of 16 — 7 / 16

The Half-Blood; or, The Panther of the Plains — page 8 of 16 — 8 / 16

The Half-Blood; or, The Panther of the Plains — page 9 of 16 — 9 / 16

The Half-Blood; or, The Panther of the Plains — page 10 of 16 — 10 / 16

The Half-Blood; or, The Panther of the Plains — page 11 of 16 — 11 / 16

The Half-Blood; or, The Panther of the Plains — page 12 of 16 — 12 / 16

The Half-Blood; or, The Panther of the Plains — page 13 of 16 — 13 / 16

The Half-Blood; or, The Panther of the Plains — page 14 of 16 — 14 / 16

The Half-Blood; or, The Panther of the Plains — page 15 of 16 — 15 / 16

The Half-Blood; or, The Panther of the Plains — page 16 of 16 — 16 / 16