Boys of The Fort; Or, A Young Captain's Pluck Read online

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  BOYS OF THE FORT

  _Or, A Young Captain's Pluck_

  FLAG OF FREEDOM SERIES

  By CAPTAIN RALPH BONEHILL

  AUTHOR OF "THE YOUNG BANDMASTER," "WHEN SANTIAGO FELL," "A SAILOR BOYWITH DEWEY," "OFF FOR HAWAII," ETC.

  GROSSET & DUNLAPPUBLISHERS NEW YORK

  COPYRIGHT, 1901, BYTHE MERSHON COMPANY

  DEFENDING THE FORT.]

  PREFACE.

  "BOYS OF THE FORT" is a complete story in itself, but forms the fifthvolume of a line of works issued under the general title of "Flag ofFreedom Series."

  In penning this tale I had it in mind to acquaint my young readers withthe ins and outs of military life at one of our Western forts of to-day,showing what both officers and privates are called upon to do, and whattroubles the Indians and the bad men of that locality are still in thehabit of making. The field is one about which little has been written,although abounding in interest, and one which is worthy the attention ofall who have the proper development of our country at heart.

  To some, certain scenes in this book may appear overdrawn, yet such isfar from being the case. In this wild territory there are those who havelived all their lives beyond the pale of civilization, men who grow updwarfed and crooked in mind, and who resent every effort made to bettertheir condition.

  The young captain is a fine specimen of the wide-awake American armyofficer, yet he is no more brave and dashing than are thousands ofothers, officers and privates, who serve under our Flag of Freedom. Heis trained to do his duty, and he simply does it, regardless of possibleconsequences.

  Once more I take this opportunity to thank my young friends for thekindness with which they have received my former stories, and Iearnestly hope this present tale merits equal commendation.

  CAPTAIN RALPH BONEHILL.

  _July 1, 1901._

  CONTENTS.

  I. BOUND FOR THE FORT

  II. CAVES IN THE MOUNTAIN

  III. AN IMPORTANT CONVERSATION

  IV. LOST IN THE FOREST

  V. THE BIG BLACK BEAR

  VI. DARRY MAKES A DISCOVERY

  VII. AT HANK LEESON'S CABIN

  VIII. THE STEALING OF THE HORSES

  IX. ARRIVAL AT THE FORT

  X. THE RESULT OF A SWIM

  XI. SOMETHING ABOUT DRILLING

  XII. DEER HUNTING

  XIII. A FISH AND A SNAKE

  XIV. OVER THE MOUNTAIN TOP

  XV. THE RESULT OF A HURRICANE

  XVI. CAPTAIN MOORE'S ADVENTURE

  XVII. THREE PRISONERS

  XVIII. BENSON PUTS SOME MEN IN A HOLE

  XIX. ESCAPING IN THE DARKNESS

  XX. SOMETHING ABOUT WHITE OX

  XXI. A TRICK OF THE ENEMY

  XXII. IN THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY

  XXIII. A PANTHER IN CAMP

  XXIV. THE SKIRMISH IN THE BRUSH

  XXV. A LUCKY MEETING

  XXVI. THE ENEMIES WITHIN THE FORT

  XXVII. SIGNALS AND WHAT FOLLOWED

  XXVIII. THE DEMANDS OF THE ENEMY

  XXIX. OPENING OF THE BATTLE

  XXX. SIGNALS IN THE DARK

  XXXI. BURNING OF THE STOCKADE

  XXXII. RELIEF AT LAST--CONCLUSION

  List of Illustrations

  DEFENDING THE FORT.

  "NOW DARRY'S RIFLE SPOKE UP, AND THE BEAR WAS HIT AGAIN"

  "AT LAST HE PUT THE GUNS IN THEIR HANDS AND LET THEM MARCH WITH THEPIECES."

  "HE LEAPED BETWEEN THEM AND CAUGHT THEIR RIFLES."

  BOYS OF THE FORT.