
Alvin Landon, a bright‑eyed seventeen‑year‑old on the cusp of a West Point appointment, finds his confidence tested on a moonlit walk through the pine‑laden woods of Maine. The quiet night, the rustle of leaves, and an unexpected hoot from an owl turn an ordinary stroll into a tense, almost cinematic moment where imagination runs wild with hidden dangers. Alongside his steadfast friend Chester, Alvin reflects on the rugged landscape, the old‑world legends of Native artisans, and the lingering presence of the untamed wild that still roams the forest’s edges. The narrative captures the mix of youthful bravado and the subtle, creeping fear that even the most daring teen can feel when night deepens.
As the shadows lengthen, the boys’ adventure begins to unfold beyond the safety of the shoreline, hinting at a larger quest that will test their courage, loyalty, and resourcefulness. Their camaraderie, set against the backdrop of Maine’s serene yet mysterious waterways, promises an engaging tale of discovery and growth, inviting listeners to experience the thrill of early summer evenings and the promise of daring exploits ahead.
Language
en
Duration
~5 hours (293K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2012-11-21
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1840–1916
Best known for fast-moving adventure stories for young readers, this prolific 19th-century American writer helped shape the dime novel era. He also wrote history, biography, and school texts, showing a much broader range than his frontier tales might suggest.
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