better
than the published book, although it is certain there are still some
errors in our text. It does make a very nice audiobook, taking almost
fifteen hours to read. At the time of writing this I have heard it
twice, and enjoyed it thoroughly.

After some thought I decided to replace his coy Victorian "G--d",
"H--l", "D--n" and "D--d" with their intended words. Doubtless there
are some who will not be happy with this, but this book was written 130
years ago, and times have changed.

It has been suggested that this book was entirely re-written by the
author, this being his final version. Although it is an unusual piece
of writing it flows very well, and the author could well have been
unhappy about the poor printing. Let us hope that he is looking down
upon us with a gleam of pleasure in his eye.

As regards the subject matter, it is really very strange. There are
murders with no body, murderers on the run with no evidence against
them, murdered persons who are perfectly alive and well, Red Indians
who are no such thing, a body which is buried and comes to life again,
being dug up by a dog, and all the time against a truly beautiful
description of the terrain, and a considerable tenderness towards the
somewhat strange persons who form the cast of this unusual book.

________________________________________________________________________
THE DEATH SHOT, A STORY RETOLD, BY CAPTAIN MAYNE REID.

PREFACE.

Long time since this hand hath penned a preface. Now only to say, that
this romance, as originally published, was written when the author was
suffering severe affliction, both physically and mentally--the result of
a gun-wound that brought him as near to death as Darke's bullet did
Clancy.

It may be asked, Why under such strain was the tale written at all? A
good reason could be given; but this, private and personal, need not,
and should not be intruded on the public. Suffice it to say, that,
dissatisfied with the execution of the work, the author has remodelled--
almost rewritten it.

It is the same story; but, as he hopes and believes, better told.

Great Malvern, September, 1874.

PROLOGUE.

Plain, treeless, shrubless, smooth as a sleeping sea. Grass upon it;
this so short, that the smallest quadruped could not cross over without
being seen. Even the crawling reptile would not be concealed among its
tufts.

Objects are upon it--sufficiently visible to be distinguished at some
dis