The Half Dime Library, No. 1061

This 1897 Beadle and Adams dime novel serializes "Silver Star, the Boy Knight: A Prairie Romance" by Oll Coomes. The story opens with Silver Star, a noted young vigilante of Dakota Territory, riding the prairie under moonlight after receiving a mysterious note from "the Hidden Spy" warning of outlaw Paul Osman's schemes. While investigating near the White Earth woods, Silver Star witnesses a hot-air balloon descending erratically with two quarreling aeronauts aboard. He observes them lowering a bundle wrapped in blankets, then watches in horror as one man hurls his companion from the basket to his death below. Silver Star discovers the bundle contains a beautiful, wealthy young girl of sixteen, dressed in civilized finery, who has been drugged and kidnapped. He learns she was transported via balloon from somewhere far distant. After comforting the terrified maiden, Silver Star pledges his protection and offers to escort her to the nearby fort.