Beadle's Pocket Library No. 290

Rube, the Tenderfoot: The Boys of Torpedo Gulch By Major E. L. St. Vrain, this western serial begins in the rough mining town of Torpedo Gulch, Arizona, dominated by a lawless gang. A red-haired teenager named Reuben Redtop arrives by stagecoach and encounters Sam Lefferts, a local bully, at Mose Beldick's hotel saloon. When Lefferts mocks Redtop's appearance, the youth responds with witty composure rather than anger, infuriating the bully. As confrontation escalates, miner Moses Halpine intervenes but is shot by Lefferts. Halpine's daughter Zella rushes to her father's aid. Redtop defeats Lefferts in combat, then engineers an escape with Halpine through a rear window after shooting out the lights. Two Texas cowboys—Brown Ben and Jack Silver—assist them. The group resolves to return and rescue Zella, whom the roughs have bound to a post, planning a surprise night raid.