William Henry Giles Kingston
Among the Red-skins; Or, Over the Rocky Mountains
"Among the Red-skins; Or, Over the Rocky Mountains" by William Henry Giles Kingston is a historical adventure novel written in the late 19th century. The story follows young Archie, who embarks on a journey with his Uncle Donald and a group of companions, including a boy named Hugh, as they navigate the rugged landscapes of the North American Rockies. Their adventure is filled with encounters with Native American tribes, wild animals, and the challenges of traveling through uncharted territories. The opening portion of the novel sets the stage for their adventure with a tense scenario in which Hugh, a young boy in the group, goes missing after failing to heed Uncle Donald's advice to stay close. As Uncle Donald expresses concern and rallies the others, including the loyal dogs, to search for Hugh, they prepare for a potential encounter with dangers of the wilderness, such as grizzly bears. This initial chapter establishes themes of friendship, bravery, and the spirit of adventure that will likely characterize the unfolding narrative as the characters face the challenges of the Rocky Mountains and their encounters with Native Americans.