
CHAPTER I - AN ENEMY IN A TREE
CHAPTER II - WHAT A RIFLE-SHOT DID
CHAPTER III - ON THE BANK OF THE MISSISSIPPI
CHAPTER IV - THE VISITOR FROM THE OTHER SHORE
CHAPTER V - AROUND THE CAMP-FIRE
CHAPTER VI - NIGHT AND MORNING
CHAPTER VII - A SURPRISED FISHERMAN
CHAPTER VIII - BEHIND THE TREE
CHAPTER IX - A TIMELY ARRIVAL
CHAPTER X - AT BAY
Set against the rugged woodlands of early‑spring Kentucky, the story follows Jack Carleton, a sturdy seventeen‑year‑old raised on the frontier. Clad in hand‑stitched wool and armed with a flint‑lock rifle, Jack moves confidently along a well‑worn trail that leads toward the mighty Mississippi. His keen eyes notice every detail—from the towering oaks to the delicate purple blossoms that cling to their branches—painting a vivid picture of a world both beautiful and unforgiving.
When the calm is shattered by a horse suddenly breaking into a frantic trot, the regular spacing of the hoofprints swells to alarming distances, hinting that something—or someone—is fleeing in terror. Jack’s training in woodcraft kicks into high gear as he scans the forest for hidden threats, aware that an unseen enemy may be stalking the path ahead. The mounting suspense promises a daring chase through untamed wilderness, where skill, courage, and quick judgment will be put to the test.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (376K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Sean Pobuda
Release date
2004-11-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1840–1916
A remarkably prolific 19th-century writer, he turned frontier adventure, history, and biography into fast-moving reading for generations of young Americans. Before becoming known for hundreds of stories and articles, he also worked as a teacher, school administrator, and journalist.
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