Beadle's Pocket Library, No. 40

This 1884 Beadle and Adams dime novel installment features "Nick Whiffles's Pet; or, In the Valley of Death" by Captain J. F. C. Adams. The narrative, set in the Northwest, reunites aging trapper Nick Whiffles with Ned Hazel, now a young English-educated gentleman of nearly twenty who has returned early from England, unable to endure separation from Miona, a young woman they left behind four years prior. Ned reveals that Miona faces betrothal to Red Bear, son of chief Woo-wol-na, contrary to his promised return. Nick and Ned resolve to intervene and rescue her from this arranged marriage. After checking traps for beaver and hunting antelope, they proceed downriver with six Hudson Bay Company men toward the village, cautiously watchful for hostile Northwest tribesmen.