The White Chief: A Legend of Northern Mexico: Classic Book Guide and Free Edition
The White Chief: A Legend of Northern Mexico: author and translator credits, catalogue synopsis, subjects and links to the Gutenberg reading formats.

The White Chief: A Legend of Northern Mexico is catalogued by Project Gutenberg with author credits for Reid, Mayne (1818–1883).
Catalogue synopsis
Project Gutenberg supplies this automated synopsis of the opening text:
"The White Chief: A Legend of Northern Mexico" by Captain Mayne Reid is a historical novel written in the mid-19th century. The narrative draws from the author’s real experiences during the war between America and Mexico, serving as an early example of the Wild West genre. The story primarily revolves around Carlos the cibolero, who seems to embody the spirit of a free and adventurous life against the backdrop of a beautifully depicted but harsh landscape. The opening portion of the book presents an elaborate and vivid description of the setting, particularly focusing on the Sierra Blanca and the contrasting valley of San Ildefonso. It introduces the reader to the remnants of a once-thriving settlement that has succumbed to the ravages of time and conflict. As the narrative unfolds, we meet diverse characters attending the San Juan festival, highlighting social dynamics and aspirations amidst the historical context. Carlos is introduced as a remarkable horseman, poised to take part in risky challenges, setting the stage for conflict, romance, and exploration in the chapters that follow.
Book and edition facts
- Title: The White Chief: A Legend of Northern Mexico
- Author credits: Reid, Mayne (1818–1883)
- Catalogue language: English
Catalogue subjects
- Southwest, New -- History -- Fiction
Gutenberg collections
- Category: Adventure
- Category: Historical Novels
- Category: Novels
Read this edition
View the complete Gutenberg catalogue record. Project Gutenberg identifies this edition as public domain in the United States; that designation does not establish its copyright status in every country.
Source notes
Catalogue metadata is public domain and is supplied through Gutendex, which imports Gutenberg's machine-readable catalogue. The automated synopsis is source-supplied, not an independently verified review. Author dates above describe the credited people; no ebook release date is presented as the book's original publication date.


