An Excursion by Canoe

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 Blank Day , A Change of Programme , A Cloud on the Cliffs , A Foiled Ambuscade , A Horrid Spectacle , A Man Nearly Mad , A Pathless Plain , A Repentant Sinner , A Resurrectionist , A Ruffian Triumphant , A Scouting Party , A Strayed Traveller , A Straying Traveller , A Suspected Servant , A Suspicious Surveillance , A Transformation , A Wild Farewell , Across the Ford , 'Across the Sabine' , Alone With the Dead , An Oath to be Kept , An Uncanny Skulker , An Unexpected Visitor , At Length the 'Dead Shot' , 'Brasfort' , Coyote Creek , For the Rendezvous , 'Help! Help!' , Helpless and Hopeless , Hostile Cohorts , Hours of Agony , Is it a Corpse? , Locked In , Massacre Without Mercy , Mestizo and Mulatto , Opposite Emblems , Planning a Capture , Riding Double , Shadows Behind , Spectral Equestrians , Surrounded and Disarmed , The Hand of God , 'The Live-Oak' , The Prairie Caravan , The Prairie Stocks , The Scout's Report , The Voice of Vengeance , Tired Travellers , Waiting the Word