The Publishers, therefore, confidently anticipate that this enterprise will render GUSTAVE AIMARD'S works of Indian life the universal favourites they deserve to be, for the volumes will be appropriate as gift books at all seasons of the year. For it should not be left out of sight that, although the Author has thought proper to write his tales in different series, each volume can be read with equal interest separately. As he only records the incidents of his own life under assumed characters, it is but natural that the same Individuals should appear on the scene in a succession of volumes. But in this GUSTAVE AIMARD merely follows the example of his master, FENIMORE COOPER, and no complaint was ever, to our knowledge, raised to his introduction of the same hero through a lengthened series of volumes. On the contrary, the readers were pleased at it; and the same kind indulgence is asked for the present Author, who, if he may have erred in an artistic sense, has a brilliant example to fall back on. The first volume of the New Illustrated Edition will be published in October next, and procurable of all Booksellers throughout the kingdom. As the demand, however, is anticipated to be very large, intending Subscribers are requested to send in their orders early, so that any delay or disappointment may be avoided. _August_, 1861. CONTENTS. I. A RECONNOISSANCE II. A BARGAIN III. THE RETREAT IV. JOHN DAVIS V. BEFORE THE BATTLE VI. THE BATTLE OF CERRO PARDO VII. TO THE ATEPETL VIII. HOSPITALITY IX. THE MARRIAGE X. RETURN TO LIFE XI. THE PIRATES OF THE PRAIRIES XII. IN THE CAVERN XIII. A CONVERSATION XIV. TWO ENEMIES XV. THE AMBUSCADE XVI. THE SCALP DANCE XVII. THE MEETING XVIII. A REACTION XIX. A PAGE OF HISTORY XX. THE BIVOUAC XXI. SANDOVAL XXII. LOYAL HEART'S HISTORY XXIII. THE EXPIATION XXIV. IN THE DESERT XXV. THE LAST HALT XXVI. SAN JACINTO THE WHITE SCALPER CHAPTER I. A RECONNOISSANCE. Colonel Melendez, after leaving the Jaguar, galloped with his head afire, and panting chest, along the Galveston road, exciting with his spurs the ardour of his horse, which yet seemed to devour space, so rapid was its speed. But it is a long journey from the Salto del Frayle to the town. While galloping, the Colonel reflected; and the more he did so, the more impossible did it appear to him that the Jaguar had told him the truth. In fact, how could it be supposed that this partisan, brave and rash though he was, would have dared to attack, at the head of a handful of adventurers, a well-equipped corvette, manned by a numerous crew, and commanded by one of the best officers in the Mexican navy? The capture of the fort seemed even more improbable to the Colonel.