Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 30

Beadle's Half-Dime Library, No. 98 This issue contains "Roaring Ralph Rockwood, the Reckless Ranger" by Harry St. George, a Western action serial. The opening chapters depict Ralph Rockwood, a skilled marksman, ambushed on the prairie by mounted pursuers but escaping via superior horsemanship. Concurrently, a wagon train encamped on the open prairie is infiltrated by Arkansaw, the hairy-faced guide, who is secretly allied with "Arizona Dave" and the "Prairie Pests"—a criminal gang intent on robbing the train. The train carries gold belonging to returning miners and a mysterious seventh wagon under heavy guard whose contents are unknown. Major Handy, a young soldier, grows suspicious of activity around camp and confronts an outlaw spy. By midnight, Arkansaw reveals his treachery to Dave, plotting to steal the treasure wagon. The narrative weaves together pursuit, frontier conflict, and hidden criminal conspiracy.