Beadle's Half Dime Library, Vol. 1, No. 2

This Beadle and Adams publication (copyrighted 1877) features "The Pouderee" by Joseph E. Badger, a Western adventure serial. The narrative follows an emigrant wagon train traversing Shicha-chetish Pass when a catastrophic summer storm—a "pouderee"—strikes with devastating force. The train, led by guide Chris Camp and containing settlers including John Warren, Frank Maynard, and sisters Minnie and Ada Warren, attempts to reach shelter. The hurricane destroys wagons, kills animals and men, and hurls a light spring wagon (democrat) carrying the Warren sisters into an adjacent canyon. Maynard pursues on horseback through the blinding snow and hail to rescue them, glimpsing Ada but uncertain of Minnie's fate as the runaway horses race toward what appears to be a precipice. Chapter II introduces a mysterious chief figure. The story emphasizes frontier survival against natural disaster.