The Hunter's Pledge

The Hunter's Pledge: Or, The Death Doom This dime novel by Edward Willett follows the murder of Robert Horton, a land-surveyor and agent in early Texas, shot while passing through Pedrocito creek. Horton, returning from surveying work with valuable papers and currency, is killed at twilight by an assassin who emerges from the woods—a wild, unkempt man with red hair who discovers his victim is the "wrong man" and robs the corpse anyway, taking a gold watch, pistol, and bulky pocket-book before vanishing into the forest. Moments later, Bill Syce, an elderly backwoodsman and patriot preparing to join General Sam Houston against the Mexicans, discovers the body and is immediately arrested by other tavern patrons who arrive on horseback. Though Syce's rifle is fully charged and no plunder is found on him, circumstantial evidence—his presence at the scene and earlier remarks about the dangerous pass—convinces them of his guilt. Syce insists of his innocence as they bind and lead him away.