Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 1054

This issue of Beadle and Adams from October 1897 contains "Mustang Merle's Merciless Foe: The Accursed Brand," by Major Sam S. Scott, a Western romance. The narrative follows Coral Lemon and her father, refugees from Santa Leo traveling through a dangerous gorge bearing an ominous warning. They encounter drifters Joe Bundy and Red Hawk, an Apache tracker, who bring them to Mesquite Ranch, owned by the young Mustang Merle. Coral's father, a former Government detective, receives mysterious letters confirming that outlaw Captain Dolores Dick seeks to prevent their settlement in the region. At the ranch, Merle reveals his battle against border bandits who have been mysteriously branding his cattle with chemical marks at night. Merle vows to end the brigandage through an armed round-up, refusing Lemon's assistance. The story concludes with reports of another nocturnal branding, escalating the conflict.