The Black Giant; or, Dainty Lance in Jeopardy

This 1880 dime novel by Joseph E. Badger Jr. features the recurring character Dainty Lance in a mountain-wilderness action story. The narrative opens with two young trappers, Hardy Zeph and Lancelot "Dainty" Daintree, traversing a snowy trail when four assassins ambush them from above. Hardy Zeph deliberately throws himself and Lance down a treacherous ravine, narrowly dodging rifle fire. Though Lance lies seemingly lifeless in the snow, Hardy Zeph manages to kill two assassins before a massive boulder nearly crushes him. A mysterious giant Black man wielding a club and bow-wielding girl in white fur intervene, the man savagely eliminating the remaining assassins at the girl's command. Lance revives to find this strange couple awaiting them, with the woman—described in detail—revealing urgent business requiring immediate attention.