Beadle's Pocket Library No. 201: Dandy Darke's Pards

"Dandy Darke's Pards: The Hawks of High Pine" by W.M. Eyster is a Western serial. A ragged traveler's mustang is shot by an unseen rifleman near High Pine camp. Investigating, he discovers a wounded man in a ravine, still alive despite a forehead wound, and takes his canteen. The narrative shifts to High Pine, a mining town plagued by outlaws and Apache raiders, where a supply train led by Geyser Joe approaches. Among the travelers is Alan Argado, a treacherous Mexican, and his daughter Raquel. Argado has been hired to assassinate someone on the journey, but Raquel, who harbors her own revenge against the target, intervenes to protect him and threatens to betray Argado to Joe. That night, Joe scouts for danger and discovers a fresh Indian trail. Argado follows and attacks Joe with a knife, shouting for revenge, but Joe—skilled in combat—throws him and draws his own blade. The knife fight ensues as the chapter ends.