Beadle's Dime Library No. 619

# The Border Detectives; or, The Big Wipe Out at Hermit-Dome

By Oll Coomes

This Western serial installment follows Old Tom Rattler and One-Armed Phil, border detectives traveling through a canyon. They encounter Wild Gypsy, a fearless fourteen-year-old sharpshooter who shoots the cup from Rattler's hand, kills a catamount threatening them, and warns of approaching outlaws—the Red Vultures, identifiable by flaming red collars and vulture-headed caps. Before the warning, the men glimpse a mysterious woman's face reflected in a spring, which vanishes immediately. Gypsy disappears after alerting them to danger. The chapter concludes with Rattler and Phil fleeing on horseback as the Red Vultures pursue them down the canyon, exchanging gunfire. Rattler declares his fighting strategy involves leading pursuers forward before counterattacking.