The Rifle Rangers; or, Adventures in Southern Mexico

"The Rifle Rangers," serialized adventure fiction by Captain Mayne Reid, depicts the American-Mexican War period of 1846-1847. The narrative follows Captain Haller, who witnesses a street brawl in New Orleans where he kills a robber and befriends the rugged frontiersman Bob Lincoln. Haller volunteers as a rifle ranger and competes against a Creole rival, Dubroc, for captain's position through fencing combat—Haller triumphs. The rangers muster into service and sail toward Mexico. Chapter III moves the action to Lobos Island, a staging ground fifty miles north of Vera Cruz, where regiments train in the jungle before operations commence. The text emphasizes frontier characterizations and military preparation for the campaign.