
E-text prepared by Al Haines
[Frontispiece: When Meldrum came in answer to her summons, he met the shock of his life.]
BY - WILLIAM MACLEOD RAINE
TO ROBERT H. DAVIS WHO WITH HIS USUAL GENEROSITY TO WRITERS MADE THE AUTHOR A PRESENT OF THE GERM IDEA OF THIS PLOT
A seasoned rider named Beaudry carries his five‑year‑old son through the rugged high country, guiding the boy toward a quiet creek where they hope to rest for the night. The landscape unfolds in vivid detail—emerald meadows, a silver ribbon of water, and distant violet‑hued peaks—while the father’s watchful eyes scan for hidden threats. He balances a hardened exterior with gentle moments, cradling his child and reassuring him that nothing will harm them.
As dusk settles, Beaudry carefully checks the ford and surrounding rocks, ever alert for an ambush. When the boy’s anxiety surfaces, the father lightens the mood with a playful, improvised lullaby about a horse and a mischievous cow, turning fear into comfort. Their bond, forged against the harsh frontier, sets the tone for a tale of survival, tenderness, and the quiet courage required to protect a child in an untamed world.
Language
en
Duration
~6 hours (357K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
Nov 11, 2005
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1871–1954
A prolific storyteller of the American frontier, he turned cow towns, mining camps, and border country into fast-moving Western adventures that kept readers hooked for decades. Though born in London, he became one of the best-known novelists of the Old West in the United States.
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