Beadle's Pocket Library No. 469: Donald's Death Shot

This issue of Beadle and Adams' dime novel contains "Donald's Death Shot; or, The Marked Miner" by Lieutenant Colonel Hazeltine, a mining adventure serial.

The story introduces a camp of six gold prospectors at Fall River, California: Donald Mylne, a Scottish-born leader; "Fatty" Jan Weber, a heavyset Dutchman; Enoch Mozey, a suspicious forty-year-old of unclear background; Timothy Jenkins, a Connecticut Yankee with distinctive ungainly features; Willie Herbert, an eighteen-year-old youth; and Dan Tipberghien, a red-headed Irishman. They employ a Chinese cook, Soo Chin.

After supper, Jenkins discovers his gold dust cache—worth nearly $2,000—has been stolen. Subsequent investigation reveals all miners have been robbed except Mozey, who reveals he kept a second "bank" hidden through an elaborate system of marked saplings and cord measurement. Mozey generously offers to divide his remaining forty ounces equally among them. Jenkins accepts coldly, arousing Donald's suspicion and concern about the Yankee's true character.