[Illustration:
The GUNBOAT SERIES
BOOKS for BOYS, by a GUNBOAT BOY
FRANK, ON THE PRAIRIE.
R.W. CARROLL & CO.
CINCINNATI, O.]
_THE GUN-BOAT SERIES._
FRANK, THE YOUNG NATURALIST,
FRANK ON A GUN-BOAT,
FRANK IN THE WOODS,
FRANK ON THE PRAIRIE,
FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG,
FRANK ON THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI.
Price, $1.25 per volume, or $7.50 per set, in a neat box,
forming a most excellent and interesting LIBRARY FOR YOUNG
FOLKS.
_THE GUN-BOAT SERIES._
Frank ON THE PRAIRIE.
BY HARRY CASTLEMON, “THE GUN-BOAT BOY.”
WITH ILLUSTRATIONS.
CINCINNATI:
R. W. CARROLL & CO., PUBLISHERS,
117 WEST FOURTH STREET.
1869.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the years 1868, by R.
W. CARROLL & CO., in the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of
the United States, for the Southern District of Ohio.
STEREOTYPED AT THE FRANKLIN TYPE FOUNDRY, CINCINNATI.
Contents.
CHAPTER I. HO FOR THE WEST 9
CHAPTER II. THE WAGON TRAIN 18
CHAPTER III. ANTELOPE HUNTING 29
CHAPTER IV. THE BEST TRAPPER ON THE PRAIRIE 37
CHAPTER V. A FIGHT WITH THE INDIANS 56
CHAPTER VI. LOST ON THE PRAIRIE 73
CHAPTER VII. THE TRAPPER’S REMINISCENCE 85
CHAPTER VIII. THE “OLE BAR’S HOLE” 103
CHAPTER IX. ARCHIE’S ADVENTURE WITH A GRIZZLY 114
CHAPTER X. HANGING A BEAR 124
CHAPTER XI. A BUFFALO HUNT 134
CHAPTER XII. A NIGHT AMONG THE WOLVES 147
CHAPTER XIII. FRANK’S NEW ACQUAINTANCES 157
CHAPTER XIV. THE TRADER’S EXPEDITION 171
CHAPTER XV. THE OUTLAW’S ESCAPE 183
CHAPTER XVI. THE KING OF THE DROVE 198
CHAPTER XVII. HOW THE TRAPPER GOT HIS HORSE 209
CHAPTER XVIII. OLD BOB’S ADVENTURE 222
CHAPTER XIX. HOMEWARD BOUND 237
FRANK ON THE PRAIRIE.
CHAPTER I.
Ho for the West!
For two months after their return from their hunting expedition in
“the woods,” Frank and Archie talked of nothing but the incidents that
had transpired during their visit at the trapper’s cabin. The
particulars of Frank’s desperate fight with the moose had become known
throughout the village, and the “Young Naturalist” enjoyed an enviable
reputation as a hunter. He was obliged to relate his adventures over
and over again, until one day his thoughts and conversation were
turned into a new channel by the arrival of an uncle, who had just
returned from California.
Uncle James had been absent from home nearly ten years, and during
most of that time had lived in the mines. Although the boys had not
seen him since they were six years old, and of course could not
remember him, they were soon on the best of terms with each other.
Uncle James had an inexhaustible fund of stories; he had crossed the
plains, fought the Indians, was accustomed to scenes of danger and
excitement, and had such an easy way of telling his adventures, that
the boys never grew tired of listening to them. The day after his
arrival he visited the museum, gazed in genuine wonder at the numerous
specimens of his nephews’ handiwork, and listened to the descriptions
of their hunting expeditions with as much interest as though he had
been a boy himself. Then he engaged in hunting with them, and entered
into the sport with all the reckless eagerness of youth.
The winter was passed in this way, and when spring returned, Uncle
James began to talk of returning to California to settle up his
business. He had become attached to life in the mines, but could not
bear the thought of leaving his relatives again. The quiet comforts he
had enjoyed at the cottage he thought were better than the rough life
and hard fare to which he had been accustomed for the last ten years.
He had left his business, however, in an unsettled state, and, as soon
as he could “close it up,” would return and take up his abode in
Lawrence. The cousins regretted that the parting time was so near, for
they looked upon their relative as the very pattern of an uncle, but
consoled themselves by looking forward to the coming winter, when he
would be settled as a permanent inmate of the cottage.
“I say, Frank,” exclaimed Archie one day, as he burst into the study,
where his cousin was engaged in cleaning his gun preparatory to a
muskrat hunt, “there’s something in the wind. Just now, as I came
through the sitting-room, I surprised our folks and Uncle James
talking very earnestly about something. But they stopped as soon as I
came in, and, as that was a gentle hint that they didn’t want me to
know any thing about it, I came out. There’s something up, I tell
you.”
“It’s about uncle’s business, I suppose,” replied Frank. But if that
_was_ the subject of the conversation, Archie came to the conclusion
that his affairs must be in a very unsettled state, for when they
returned from their hunt that night the same mysterious conversation
was going on again. It ceased, however, as the boys entered the room,
which made Archie more firm in his belief than ever that there was
“something up.”
The next morning, at the breakfast-table, Archie’s father announced
his intention of returning to Portland at once, as his business needed
his attention; and, turning to the boys, inquired:
“Well, have you had hunting enough this winter to satisfy you?”
“Yes, sir,” was the answer.
“Then I suppose you don’t want to go across the plains with your Uncle
James?”
“Hurrah!” shouted Archie, springing to his feet, and upsetting his
coffee-cup. “Did you say we might go?”
“Be a little more careful, Archie,” said his father. “No, I did not
say so.”
“Well, it amounts to the same thing,” thought Archie, “for father
never would have said a word about it if he wasn’t intending to let us
go. I knew there was something up.”
We need not stop to repeat the conversation that followed. Suffice it
to say, that Uncle James, having fully made up his mind to return to
the village as soon as he could settle up his business, had asked
permission for his nephews to accompany him across the plains. Their
parents, thinking of the fight with the moose, and knowing the
reckless spirit of the boys, had at first objected. But Uncle James,
promising to keep a watchful eye on them, had, after considerable
argument, carried the day, and it was finally decided that the boys
could go.
“But remember,” said Mr. Winters, “you are to be governed entirely by
Uncle James; for, if you have no one to take care of you, you will be
in more fights with bears and panthers.”
The boys readily promised obedience, and, hardly waiting to finish
their breakfast, went into the study to talk over their plans.
“Didn’t I tell you there was something up?” said Archie, as soon as
they had closed the door. “We’ll have a hunt now that will throw all
our former hunting expeditions in the shade.”
As soon as their excitement had somewhat abated, they remembered that
Dick Lewis, the trapper, had told them that it was his intention to
start for the prairie in the spring. If he had not already gone, would
it not be a good plan to secure his company? He knew all about the
prairie, and might be of service to them. They laid the matter before
Uncle James, who, without hesitation, pronounced it an excellent idea.
“For,” said he, “we are in no hurry. Instead of going by stage, we
will buy a wagon and a span of mules and take our time. If we don’t
happen to fall in with a train, we shall, no doubt, want a guide.” As
soon, therefore, as the ice had left the creek so that it could be
traveled with a boat, Uncle James accompanied the boys to the
trapper’s cabin.
Dick met them at the door, and greeted them with a grasp so hearty,
that they all felt its effects for a quarter of an hour afterward.
“I ain’t gone yet,” said he; “but it won’t be long afore I see the
prairy onct more.”
“Well, Dick,” said Frank, “we’re going, too, and want you to go with
us.”
The trapper and his brother opened their eyes wide with astonishment,
but Uncle James explained, and ended by offering to pay the trapper’s
expenses if he would accompany them. After a few moments’
consideration, he accepted the proposition, saying:
“I have tuk to the youngsters mightily. They’re gritty fellers, an’ I
should like to show ’em a bit of prairy life.”
Uncle James and the boys remained at the cabin nearly a week, during
which their plans were all determined upon, and, when they arrived at
home, they at once commenced preparations for their journey. Their
double-barreled shotguns were oiled, and put carefully away. They were
very efficient weapons among small game, but Uncle James said they
were not in the habit of using “pop-guns” on the prairie; they would
purchase their fire-arms and other necessary weapons at St. Louis.
The first of June--the time set for the start--at length arrived, and
with it came the trapper, accompanied by his dog. Dick carried his
long rifle on his shoulder, his powder-horn and bullet-pouch at his
side, and a knapsack, containing a change of clothes and other
necessary articles, at his back. He had evidently bestowed more than
usual care upon his toilet; his suit of buckskin was entirely new,
and even his rifle seemed to have received a thorough rubbing and
cleaning preparatory to its introduction into civilized life. Frank
and Archie meeting him at the door, relieved him of his rifle and
pack, and conducted him into the house. But here the trapper was sadly
out of place. He sat on the edge of his chair, and was constantly
changing the position of his feet, and looking down at the rich
carpet, as if he could hardly believe that it was made to walk upon.
The inmates of the cottage used every exertion in their power to make
him feel at his ease, and, to some extent, succeeded; but he breathed
much more freely when the farewells had been said, and the party was
on its way to the wharf. In due time they arrived at Portland, where
they remained nearly a week. Here the trapper again found himself in
hot water. He was installed in a large, airy room in Mr. Winter’s
elegant residence; but he would much rather have been assigned
quarters among the trees in the yard. The sights and sounds of the
city were new to him, and at every corner he found something to wonder
at. When on the street, he was continually getting in somebody’s way,
or being separated from his companions, who found it necessary to
keep a vigilant watch over him. But it was on the train that his
astonishment reached its height. He had never before traveled in the
cars, and, as they thundered away, going faster and faster as they
left the city behind, the trapper began to clutch his seat, and to
look wistfully out the window at the woods, which appeared to be
dancing by, as if he never expected to be permitted to enter his
natural element again. He would have preferred to “foot it,” as he
remarked, and, when at last they reached St. Joseph, he drew a long
breath of relief, mentally resolving that he would never again tempt
destruction by traveling either on a steamboat or railroad car.
It was midnight when they reached the hotel. Being very much fatigued
with their long journey, they at once secured rooms and retired, and
were soon fast asleep.