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The Scalp-Hunters (Classic Reprint): Or, Romantic Adventures in Northern Mexico
Excerpt from The Scalp-Hunters: Or, Romantic Adventures in Northern Mexico
About a year ago, I submitted to the public a book under the title of "The Rifle Rangers." It was prefaced as "truth poetically coloured;" truth for the groundwork, the flowering fancy; fact, enamelled by fiction: a mosaic of romance and reality.
Some have said that the "poetic colouring" was a thought too vivid. Perhaps it was so; but the general judgment upon that little effort not only satisfied but gratified me; and to you who have pronounced in its favour, I now offer "another of the same."
I shall be quite content if your sentence upon this be marked by no greater severity.
I regret that my book exhibits no higher purpose than to amuse; but I have endeavoured to enamel its pages with a thousand facts, the result of my own experience. I have endeavoured to paint scenes of a strange land as they are painted on my memory. If you cannot believe them true, may I hope that you will acknowledge their vraisemhlance?
But why should I contend for their truthfulness, after declaring myself guilty of no higher aim than to amuse you? I will not, then. Let it all pass for a fiction - a novel, if you will; but, in return for this concession on my part, permit me to ask you, do you not think it a "novel kind" of a novel? If you answer this question in the affirmative, then have I won my purpose.
Before going further, I have two words to say: one of warning to you, and one of apology for myself. My scenes are of a sanguinary nature; some of them extremely so; but, alas! far less red than the realities from which they were drawn.
About the Publisher
Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com
This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
About a year ago, I submitted to the public a book under the title of "The Rifle Rangers." It was prefaced as "truth poetically coloured;" truth for the groundwork, the flowering fancy; fact, enamelled by fiction: a mosaic of romance and reality.
Some have said that the "poetic colouring" was a thought too vivid. Perhaps it was so; but the general judgment upon that little effort not only satisfied but gratified me; and to you who have pronounced in its favour, I now offer "another of the same."
I shall be quite content if your sentence upon this be marked by no greater severity.
I regret that my book exhibits no higher purpose than to amuse; but I have endeavoured to enamel its pages with a thousand facts, the result of my own experience. I have endeavoured to paint scenes of a strange land as they are painted on my memory. If you cannot believe them true, may I hope that you will acknowledge their vraisemhlance?
But why should I contend for their truthfulness, after declaring myself guilty of no higher aim than to amuse you? I will not, then. Let it all pass for a fiction - a novel, if you will; but, in return for this concession on my part, permit me to ask you, do you not think it a "novel kind" of a novel? If you answer this question in the affirmative, then have I won my purpose.
Before going further, I have two words to say: one of warning to you, and one of apology for myself. My scenes are of a sanguinary nature; some of them extremely so; but, alas! far less red than the realities from which they were drawn.
About the Publisher
Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com
This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.
476 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1860
32 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Mayne Reid
781 books176 followers"Captain" Reid wrote many adventure novels akin to those written by Frederick Marryat and Robert Louis Stevenson. He was a great admirer of Lord Byron. These novels contain action that takes place primarily in untamed settings: the American West, Mexico, South Africa, the Himalayas, and Jamaica.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
January 18, 2018
The story of the search for and rescue of a scalp hunter's yellow-haired daughter from blood-thirsty, Quetzalcoatl-worshiping "Navajoes" almost gets lost in delirious descriptions of a lush, fantastic American West in this proto-western masterpiece.
January 7, 2015
A wonderful Western adventure.
When Haller meets up with the mysterious Seguin after picking up with some praire merchants he instantly falls in love with his daughter Zoe.
The innocent romance progresses to the point that he wishes to ask for her hand in marriage but when approached Seguin says that he will allow it if Haller helps him to rescue his other daughter Adele from the Indians.
So starts a rollicking adventure across the Western plains in pursuit of the Navajo Indians who abducted her when just a child.
Up against them as their main foe they also have to do battle with the elements, hunger, thirst and wild animals.
Fast paced from start to finish this exciting story will appeal to all old style Western fans everywhere.
When Haller meets up with the mysterious Seguin after picking up with some praire merchants he instantly falls in love with his daughter Zoe.
The innocent romance progresses to the point that he wishes to ask for her hand in marriage but when approached Seguin says that he will allow it if Haller helps him to rescue his other daughter Adele from the Indians.
So starts a rollicking adventure across the Western plains in pursuit of the Navajo Indians who abducted her when just a child.
Up against them as their main foe they also have to do battle with the elements, hunger, thirst and wild animals.
Fast paced from start to finish this exciting story will appeal to all old style Western fans everywhere.
July 5, 2017
Teddy Roosevelt read this book
I first came across this book in Teddy Roosevelt's autobiography. It intrigued me that he had read this as a boy. The book is very brutal and the whole tale is a bloodthirsty account of frontier life. Some parts reminded me of Fenimore Cooper's Hawkeye books, while the tale was similar to John Houston's epic movie, "The Searchers."
As a Western yarn the book was enjoyable with the usual stereotypes. It took a while to read which is why I gave it four stars.
I first came across this book in Teddy Roosevelt's autobiography. It intrigued me that he had read this as a boy. The book is very brutal and the whole tale is a bloodthirsty account of frontier life. Some parts reminded me of Fenimore Cooper's Hawkeye books, while the tale was similar to John Houston's epic movie, "The Searchers."
As a Western yarn the book was enjoyable with the usual stereotypes. It took a while to read which is why I gave it four stars.
February 2, 2019
Masterpiece!
Best Western I have read....which predates the heyday of the American Western novel. But all the elements are there which make a true Western. Some of the story comes off a bit cliche, but you must keep in mind that it was released in 1851. Many of these scenarios became cliche later.
Better than Blood Meridian, which was obviously inspired by this book. More brutal than much of the pulp that came later. It has a grittiness to it that you don’t see in say Zane Grey (whom I also enjoy).
Best Western I have read....which predates the heyday of the American Western novel. But all the elements are there which make a true Western. Some of the story comes off a bit cliche, but you must keep in mind that it was released in 1851. Many of these scenarios became cliche later.
Better than Blood Meridian, which was obviously inspired by this book. More brutal than much of the pulp that came later. It has a grittiness to it that you don’t see in say Zane Grey (whom I also enjoy).
June 7, 2018
I chose to read this book as it was Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's birthday on the 22nd May and this was his favourite childhood book. He probably read it aged about ten.
Full of adventure and all that good stuff but not for me I'm afraid, I couldn't finish it and only managed to reach chapter 12.
Full of adventure and all that good stuff but not for me I'm afraid, I couldn't finish it and only managed to reach chapter 12.
September 6, 2020
A good story and well written. Although the story is written from a educated 'civilized' point of view, it does tell a complete story of the early history of the differences between the eastern settlers and the American Indian and the clashes of difference between what it thought to be right or wrong. Of course history is primarily painted by the prevailing party.
November 11, 2023
a step back in time
At times brilliant, other times overly descriptive and long-winded. Definitely worth taking the ride. High drama throughout and an overall original and poetic work
At times brilliant, other times overly descriptive and long-winded. Definitely worth taking the ride. High drama throughout and an overall original and poetic work
Read
August 2, 2019full of adventure
June 24, 2021
Amazing!
October 14, 2021
One of my favorites, but I've read it when I was about 16. Therefore, I'm not sure more grown people would find it that amazing.
February 8, 2021
El Salvaje Oeste. Eso, y solo eso. No busca lo artificial sino que simplemente nos muestra una cacería.
June 21, 2015
This is an audiobook from LibriVox.
https://librivox.org/laughter-limited...
https://librivox.org/laughter-limited...
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews