Beadle's Half Dime Library No. 323

This issue of Beadle and Adams' weekly (October 2, 1883) features the opening installment of "Arkansaw Jack, of the Man-Hunters; or, The Scourge of the Mines" by Harry Hazard. The narrative follows young prospector Ned Payson, who encounters the titular frontiersman Arkansaw Jack (Gabriel) in a mountain valley. After Jack fires a greeting shot—his peculiar custom—the two men strike up a friendship. Jack invites Payson to join his gang of rough mountaineers engaged in hunting down the notorious outlaw Joaquin Murieta and his band of criminals. The story establishes the man-hunters' camp and introduces their colorfully-named members. A scout named Whistling Dick returns with news of locating Joaquin, promising significant developments. The narrative emphasizes frontier action, dialect-heavy dialogue, and adventure in mining country.