Seven -states se-ceded from the Union in the first half of 1861, and South-ern-ers in the United States Navy were forced to affirm their loyalty either to their home states or to the federal government. In this tale, Will Ashton opted for the Southern cause and, using a new let-ter-of-marque, went to sea as a Confederate officer commanding a new pri-va-teer. Rattlesnake was ideal for such a use, having been designed to be easily disguised, able to outfight most merchant ships, and also able to outsail most warships. With Ashton, Rattlesnake has a capable commander trained by the enemy. He knows federal tactics and strategy, and is able to make the best use of this awesome vessel. Moreover, because Ashton's Northern fiancee has broken their engagement in response to his Southern loyalties-Rattlesnake has a commander who seethes with desire to promote the Southern cause, to damage the hated Yankees, and to ruin his erstwhile fiancee, Bostonian Fluta Winchester. This is the back-ground for Ned -Buntline's Rat-tle-snake-slav-ery is the law of the land, the war is be-com-ing criti-cal for both sides, and a formidable weapon is being prepared to fight for vengeance and profit. Note also that the lan-guage and per-son-al-ities of this vol-ume are of 1862 and have not been -changed to a more mod-ern idiom.
Used availability for Ned Buntline's The Rattlesnake