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The Scalp Hunters: Classic Westerns
• Two of author Mayne Reid's classic books are bound together in this Kindle edition: The Scalp Hunters or, Romantic Adventures in Northern Mexico (1851) & The Quadroom, A Lover’s Adventures in Louisiana
The Scalp Hunters or, Romantic adventures in northern Mexico (1851)
A Creole is hired by a Scalp Hunter to hunt Navajos and Apaches and finds himself rescuing the Scalp Hunter’s daughter from the Indians. This is Mayne Reid’s second novel and is written for a more sophisticated audience of Wild West tales.
The Quadroom, A Lover’s Adventures in Louisiana
A college boy goes westward in search of romance and finds it in its most attractive form under the glowing skies of Louisiana. An American adventure novel and best-seller of its time.
About The Author
Scots-Irish American writer Thomas Mayne Reid (1818 – 1883) was a known as . Captain" Reid. He wrote many adventure novels taking place primarily in the American West, Mexico, and South Africa. He is perhaps best known for the classic The Headless Horseman (1865).
Other books by the same author:
The White Chief, A Legend of Northern Mexico (1856)
An exciting thriller by Mayne Reid based on his exploits during the war between America and Mexico in the 1840s.
The Boy Hunters (1853)
Set in Texas and Louisiana, this is western writer Mayne Reid’s "juvenile scientific travelog" at its best. The book would become a favorite of young Theodore Roosevelt, a huge Reid fan.
The Rifle Rangers or Adventures in South Mexico (1850)
Set in Vera Cruz, Mexico during the Mexican War (1846–48), this novel depicts the plight of American soldiers stationed in Mexico during the war and their effect on the native population. It follows the life of protagonist Captain Jack Haller as he helms the newly formed American battalion, dubbed the "Rifle Rangers". Accompanying Haller is a small band of fellow soldiers whom he leads on several missions through the Tierra Caliente portion of Mexico. The Rifle Rangers was Reid's first novel and is reflective of the author's wartime duty as a lieutenant in the First New York Volunteer Infantry, with which he traveled to the parts of Mexico.
The Headless Horseman or A Strange Tale of Texas (1866)
Set in Texas and based on a south Texas folk tale, The Headless Horseman is a story about an Irish adventurer in the War with Mexico. The story takes place soon after the War with Mexico. Louise Poindexter, a beautiful newcomer, is courted by two men - the arrogant and vindictive Cassius Calhoun and the dashing but poor mustanger Maurice Gerald. Calhoun plots to eliminate his rival when tragedy strikes: Louise's brother, the young Henry Poindexter is murdered. All clues point to Maurice Gerald as the assassin. At the same time a headless rider is spotted in the environs of the Poindexter plantation.
The Scalp Hunters or, Romantic adventures in northern Mexico (1851)
A Creole is hired by a Scalp Hunter to hunt Navajos and Apaches and finds himself rescuing the Scalp Hunter’s daughter from the Indians. This is Mayne Reid’s second novel and is written for a more sophisticated audience of Wild West tales.
The Quadroom, A Lover’s Adventures in Louisiana
A college boy goes westward in search of romance and finds it in its most attractive form under the glowing skies of Louisiana. An American adventure novel and best-seller of its time.
About The Author
Scots-Irish American writer Thomas Mayne Reid (1818 – 1883) was a known as . Captain" Reid. He wrote many adventure novels taking place primarily in the American West, Mexico, and South Africa. He is perhaps best known for the classic The Headless Horseman (1865).
Other books by the same author:
The White Chief, A Legend of Northern Mexico (1856)
An exciting thriller by Mayne Reid based on his exploits during the war between America and Mexico in the 1840s.
The Boy Hunters (1853)
Set in Texas and Louisiana, this is western writer Mayne Reid’s "juvenile scientific travelog" at its best. The book would become a favorite of young Theodore Roosevelt, a huge Reid fan.
The Rifle Rangers or Adventures in South Mexico (1850)
Set in Vera Cruz, Mexico during the Mexican War (1846–48), this novel depicts the plight of American soldiers stationed in Mexico during the war and their effect on the native population. It follows the life of protagonist Captain Jack Haller as he helms the newly formed American battalion, dubbed the "Rifle Rangers". Accompanying Haller is a small band of fellow soldiers whom he leads on several missions through the Tierra Caliente portion of Mexico. The Rifle Rangers was Reid's first novel and is reflective of the author's wartime duty as a lieutenant in the First New York Volunteer Infantry, with which he traveled to the parts of Mexico.
The Headless Horseman or A Strange Tale of Texas (1866)
Set in Texas and based on a south Texas folk tale, The Headless Horseman is a story about an Irish adventurer in the War with Mexico. The story takes place soon after the War with Mexico. Louise Poindexter, a beautiful newcomer, is courted by two men - the arrogant and vindictive Cassius Calhoun and the dashing but poor mustanger Maurice Gerald. Calhoun plots to eliminate his rival when tragedy strikes: Louise's brother, the young Henry Poindexter is murdered. All clues point to Maurice Gerald as the assassin. At the same time a headless rider is spotted in the environs of the Poindexter plantation.
697 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1860
32 people are currently reading
137 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Mayne Reid
781 books175 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