Beadle's Dime Library No. 280

Black-Hoss Ben; or, Tiger Dick's Lone Hand by Phillip S. Warne, serialized in Beadle & Adams's weekly (Vol. 280, March 5, 1884).

This Western adventure opens at a mountain inn where the dashing buckskin-clad "Black-Hoss Ben" assists stranded Eastern passengers—invalid John Holyoke and his daughter Beatrice. Despite Beatrice's haughty rejection of his gallantry, Ben impresses with his magnificent black stallion, Black Diamond, executing acrobatic feats and pistol tricks. Ben reveals his true identity: "Tiger Dick," a man of criminal past seeking redemption through love. When the Holyokes resume their journey to "Demon Dukes's" ranch, Ben follows, vowing reformation if he can win Beatrice's heart.

The coach encounters a violent thunderstorm and armed road-agents. During the attack, a mysterious silent passenger aboard fires upon the masked bandit in desperate resistance. The narrative continues with escalating danger and romantic tension between Ben and Beatrice.