The volume contains humorous sketches and short stories from May's early creative period. The title story tells of a distracted professor who has devoted himself entirely to the study of the indigenous peoples of America. This is linked to memories of an episode from Old Shatterhand's own life. The volume includes the following tales: 1.) Professor Vitzliputzli; 2.) When Two Hearts Part; 3.) The Lucky Stallion; 4.) The War Chest; 5.) At the Ernstthal Regulars' Table; 6.) The Wool Devil; 7.) Fisher Jacob and the Water Barrel; 8.) The False Excellencies; 9.) The Two Night Watchmen; 10.) The Bewitched Goat; 11.) The Unwilling Heirs; 12.) Pankraz the Matchmaker; 13.) How Councilman Epperlein Was Helped Out of a Jam. The title is also available as an e-book.