Cover of The White Scalper: A Story of the Texan War

The White Scalper: A Story of the Texan War

  • Free to read
  • 6 hours to read
  • 27 chapters
  • Reading level: 8th & 9th grade

"The White Scalper: A Story of the Texan War" by Gustave Aimard is a historical novel written in the mid-19th century. The story centers around Colonel Melendez, who journeys through the turbulent years of the Texan War, facing both external enemies and internal dilemmas. The narrative promises elements of adventure and conflict, particularly revolving around themes of loyalty and honor in a time of revolution. At the start of the book, Colonel Melendez rides along the deserted coastal road to Galveston, contemplating the validity of a report he received about a daring attack led by a rebel named the Jaguar. As night falls, he approaches a rancho hoping to find transportation across the bay. Meanwhile, a tense scene unfolds inside the rancho where a passionate debate among insurgents reveals the moral conflicts at play during the rebellion. The Colonel's encounter with John Davis, an American who becomes crucial to the unfolding conflict, hints at deeper political machinations and personal rivalries that will drive the story forward. The opening segment sets a vivid stage for the ensuing drama, expertly blending action with the moral quandaries of war.

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  • Texas · History · Revolution, 1835-1836
  • Western stories

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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.

While reflecting thus, the Colonel had gradually slackened his horse's speed; the animal, feeling that it was no longer watched, had insensibly passed from a gallop into a canter, then a trot, and by a perfectly natural transition, fell into a walk, with drooping head, and snapping at the blades of grass within its reach.

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Contents

Show all 27 chapters
  1. Front Matter
  2. Chapter I
  3. Chapter II
  4. Chapter III
  5. Chapter IV
  6. Chapter V
  7. Chapter VI
  8. Chapter VII
  9. Chapter VIII
  10. Chapter IX
  11. Chapter X
  12. Chapter XI
  13. Chapter XII
  14. Chapter XIII
  15. Chapter XIV
  16. Chapter XV
  17. Chapter XVI
  18. Chapter XVII
  19. Chapter XVIII
  20. Chapter XIX
  21. Chapter XX
  22. Chapter XXI
  23. Chapter XXII
  24. Chapter XXIII
  25. Chapter XXIV
  26. Chapter XXV
  27. Chapter XXVI

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About this edition

This free edition of The White Scalper: A Story of the Texan War by Gustave Aimard comes from Project Gutenberg eBook #41172, released 2012-10-25. It is in the public domain in the United States, so you can read it here in full at no cost, on any phone, tablet or computer. Genre: Historical Novels, Adventure.

Summary provided by Project Gutenberg (automatically generated).

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