A Horrid Spectacle

The Death Shot

by Thomas Mayne REID (1818 - 1883)

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.

Listen next episodes of The Death Shot:
A Change of Programme , A Foiled Ambuscade , A Man Nearly Mad , A Pathless Plain , A Resurrectionist , A Ruffian Triumphant , A Scouting Party , A Strayed Traveller , A Straying Traveller , A Transformation , A Wild Farewell , Across the Ford , Alone With the Dead , An Oath to be Kept , An Unexpected Visitor , At Length the 'Dead Shot' , 'Brasfort' , Coyote Creek , For the Rendezvous , 'Help! Help!' , Helpless and Hopeless , Hostile Cohorts , Hours of Agony , Mestizo and Mulatto , Planning a Capture , Riding Double , Shadows Behind , Spectral Equestrians , Surrounded and Disarmed , 'The Live-Oak' , The Prairie Stocks , The Scout's Report , The Voice of Vengeance , Tired Travellers