Frank in the Mountains

Frank and his cousin Archie have settled into a quiet mountain valley after a long trek across the plains. Their new headquarters is a sturdy brick ranch house perched near a bustling Indian trading post, with a well‑stocked library that instantly attracts Frank’s curiosity. Around them the landscape is a patchwork of cattle‑filled fields, trout‑clear streams and the towering Rockies, while a band of Indians practices their games just beyond the fence. The atmosphere feels oddly civilized for a place that was once considered untamed wilderness.

Life in the valley quickly proves lively: a buffalo hunt, a spirited chase after wild horses, and the clang of wagon wheels keep the days from slipping into monotony. The seasoned trappers in the camp grumble at the sight of Indians moving freely among the settlers, hinting at uneasy tensions beneath the surface. As Frank and Archie mingle with Captain Porter, the local trader Mr. Brent, and the younger hunters, they sense that the peace of the mountains may soon be tested by the clashing worlds around them.