Subject
Scouts (Reconnaissance) -- West (U.S.) -- Fiction Books
Best books
George L. Aiken
The Antelope Boy; or, Smoholler the Medicine Man A Tale of Indian Adventure and Mystery
"The Antelope Boy; or, Smoholler the Medicine Man" by George L. Aiken is a novel written in the early 19th century. The story presents a thrilling Indian adventure that unfolds in the American West, primarily following two boys, Percy Vere and Percy Cute, who are on a quest to find Vere's missing father, a rather eccentric man. They find themselves entangled in a conflict with Native Americans, led by the enigmatic Prophet Smoholler, and confront various challenges and supernatural elements in their pursuit. At the start of the novel, the surveying party, which includes two surveyors and American soldiers, is camped near the Columbia River. The two Percys, introduced as chain-bearers of the expedition, are characterized by their contrasting personalities, with Percy Vere being skilled and earnest, while Percy Cute provides comic relief and mischief. The camp is lively and infused with danger, as they receive a dire warning from an arrow message sent by Smoholler. The chapter sets the stage for a supernatural encounter, blending humor, adventure, and suspense, as the boys prepare to venture into the potential conflict with the Native Americans, quaking between their quest for the truth about Vere's father and the unpredictability of their surroundings.
Maro O. (Maro Orlando) Rolfe
The Phantom Rider; or The Giant Chief's Fate: A tale of the old Dahcotah country
"The Phantom Rider; or The Giant Chief's Fate: A Tale of the Old Dahcotah" by Maro O. Rolfe is a novel written in the early 1870s. The story unfolds in the North-west during a period when settlers faced dangers from both nature and native tribes. The plot centers around Vinnie Darke, the daughter of a frontier hunter, and her struggles against an Indian chief, Ku-nan-gu-no-nah, who is determined to claim her as his wife. At the start of the tale, the bleak atmosphere reflects the challenges faced by Vinnie and her father, Emmett Darke, as they prepare for a stormy night. Vinnie displays a courageous spirit as she confronts the chief's advances, while Emmett is depicted as a protective father, ready to defend his daughter against any threats. Their home, a log cabin nestled within the forest, serves as a backdrop for growing tensions, especially as Vinnie contemplates the danger posed by the chief's obsession with her. As the chapter unfolds, the reader is introduced to a rich landscape of peril and bravery, setting the stage for a gripping narrative filled with suspense and conflict.
Arthur L. (Arthur Livermore) Meserve
Death-Dealer, the Shawnee Scourge; or The Wizard of the Cliffs
"Death-Dealer, the Shawnee Scourge; or The Wizard of the Cliffs" by Arthur L. Meserve is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. The story centers around a scout named Dick, known as the Death-Dealer, who traverses the perilous landscapes of early America, confronting threats from both Native American tribes and the wilderness. As he navigates danger, his character is defined by his relentless pursuit of vengeance against those who threaten the settlers and his estranged camaraderie with the rifle he affectionately names Susannah. The opening of the novel introduces readers to Dick in a deeply atmospheric setting, as he seeks refuge from the oppressive summer heat of a century long past. Lying concealed in the woods, he is described as a grotesque yet formidable figure, nearly indistinguishable from the very wilds he inhabits. His reputation as the Death-Dealer stems from his lethal aptitude for tracking and hunting down indigenous foes. However, a sense of foreboding hangs in the air, as Dick senses that the local tribes are plotting something sinister against the settlers. The arrival of a savage draws him into a tense confrontation, indicating that the stakes of survival and combat will be crucial as the story unfolds.
Edward Sylvester Ellis
Lightning Jo, the Terror of the Santa Fe Trail: A Tale of the Present Day
"Lightning Jo, the Terror of the Santa Fe Trail: A Tale of the Present Day" by Capt. J. F. C. Adams is a historical novel written in the mid-19th century. The story is set against the backdrop of the American West, where the central focus revolves around the heroic efforts of Lightning Jo and a group of frontier men as they attempt to rescue beleaguered families from a brutal Comanche attack. The novel captures themes of courage, survival, and the fierce struggle between settlers and Native American tribes during a tumultuous period in history. At the start of the novel, a desperate message arrives at Fort Adams, detailing a harrowing situation where a group of settlers, including women and children, are under siege by Comanche warriors at Dead Man’s Gulch. The messenger, Jim Gibbons, relays the urgent need for help after a fierce two-day battle that has left many casualties. Colonel Greaves of the fort decides to send a hundred men, led by the renowned scout, Lightning Jo, to assist the beleaguered group. As the story unfolds, readers are introduced to the mounting tension of the rescue mission amidst the perilous conditions of the frontier, setting the stage for a gripping narrative of heroism and relentless conflict against overwhelming odds.
Edward Sylvester Ellis
Colonel Crockett, the Texan trailer
"Colonel Crockett, the Texan Trailer" by Edward Sylvester Ellis is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. The book follows the adventures of Colonel Davy Crockett, a famed hunter and folk hero, who embarks on a bear hunt in Texas. As the story unfolds, it presents themes of courage, survival, and the rough-and-tumble life of the American frontier during a time of significant conflict with Native American tribes. At the start of the book, Colonel Crockett is quickly drawn into an amusing interaction with a Dutchman in the woods while searching for a bear. The dialogue reveals Crockett's character as a quick-witted and bold hunter. However, the mood shifts as he becomes keenly aware of a bear he wants to hunt. He leaves the Dutchman in pursuit of the bear, but his quest soon intertwines with a more serious narrative when he encounters a young woman in distress, whose peril escalates into a fierce bear attack inside her cabin. The opening portion introduces both lighter moments and the dangers of the wilderness, setting the tone for the thrilling encounters and challenges Crockett and the others will face ahead.
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