The Headless Horseman: A Strange Tale of Texas is a novel by Mayne Reid, first published in 1866. Based on the author's adventures in the United States, it tells the story of Louise Poindexter, who is being courted by the arrogant and vindictive Cassius Calhoun and the dashing but poor mustanger Maurice Gerald.
Calhoun plots to eliminate his rival when tragedy strikes: Louise's brother, the young Henry Poindexter, is murdered. All clues point to Maurice Gerald as the assassin. At the same time, a headless rider is spotted in the Poindexter plantation.