Frank on the Prairie Read online

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  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 thathad transpired during their visit at the trapper's cabin. Theparticulars of Frank's desperate fight with the moose had become knownthroughout the village, and the "Young Naturalist" enjoyed an enviablereputation as a hunter. He was obliged to relate his adventures overand over again, until one day his thoughts and conversation wereturned into a new channel by the arrival of an uncle, who had justreturned from California.

  Uncle James had been absent from home nearly ten years, and duringmost of that time had lived in the mines. Although the boys had notseen him since they were six years old, and of course could notremember him, they were soon on the best of terms with each other.Uncle James had an inexhaustible fund of stories; he had crossed theplains, fought the Indians, was accustomed to scenes of danger andexcitement, and had such an easy way of telling his adventures, thatthe boys never grew tired of listening to them. The day after hisarrival he visited the museum, gazed in genuine wonder at the numerousspecimens of his nephews' handiwork, and listened to the descriptionsof their hunting expeditions with as much interest as though he hadbeen a boy himself. Then he engaged in hunting with them, and enteredinto the sport with all the reckless eagerness of youth.

  The winter was passed in this way, and when spring returned, UncleJames began to talk of returning to California to settle up hisbusiness. He had become attached to life in the mines, but could notbear the thought of leaving his relatives again. The quiet comforts hehad enjoyed at the cottage he thought were better than the rough lifeand 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 soonas he could "close it up," would return and take up his abode inLawrence. The cousins regretted that the parting time was so near, forthey looked upon their relative as the very pattern of an uncle, butconsoled themselves by looking forward to the coming winter, when hewould 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 amuskrat hunt, "there's something in the wind. Just now, as I camethrough the sitting-room, I surprised our folks and Uncle Jamestalking very earnestly about something. But they stopped as soon as Icame in, and, as that was a gentle hint that they didn't want me toknow any thing about it, I came out. There's something up, I tellyou."

  "It's about uncle's business, I suppose," replied Frank. But if that_was_ the subject of the conversation, Archie came to the conclusionthat his affairs must be in a very unsettled state, for when theyreturned from their hunt that night the same mysterious conversationwas 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 announcedhis intention of returning to Portland at once, as his business neededhis 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 UncleJames?"

  "Hurrah!" shouted Archie, springing to his feet, and upsetting hiscoffee-cup. "Did you say we might go?"

  "Be a little more careful, Archie," said his father. "No, I did notsay so."

  "Well, it amounts to the same thing," thought Archie, "for fathernever would have said a word about it if he wasn't intending to let usgo. I knew there was something up."

  We need not stop to repeat the conversation that followed. Suffice itto say, that Uncle James, having fully made up his mind to return tothe village as soon as he could settle up his business, had askedpermission for his nephews to accompany him across the plains. Theirparents, thinking of the fight with the moose, and knowing thereckless spirit of the boys, had at first objected. But Uncle James,promising to keep a watchful eye on them, had, after considerableargument, carried the day, and it was finally decided that the boyscould go.

  "But remember," said Mr. Winters, "you are to be governed entirely byUncle James; for, if you have no one to take care of you, you will bein more fights with bears and panthers."

  The boys readily promised obedience, and, hardly waiting to finishtheir breakfast, went into the study to talk over their plans.

  "Didn't I tell you there was something up?" said Archie, as soon asthey had closed the door. "We'll have a hunt now that will throw allour former hunting expeditions in the shade."

  As soon as their excitement had somewhat abated, they remembered thatDick Lewis, the trapper, had told them that it was his intention tostart for the prairie in the spring. If he had not already gone, wouldit not be a good plan to secure his company? He knew all about theprairie, and might be of service to them. They laid the matter beforeUncle James, who, without hesitation, pronounced it an excellent idea."For," said he, "we are in no hurry. Instead of going by stage, wewill buy a wagon and a span of mules and take our time. If we don'thappen to fall in with a train, we shall, no doubt, want a guide." Assoon, therefore, as the ice had left the creek so that it could betraveled with a boat, Uncle James accompanied the boys to thetrapper's cabin.
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br />   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 theprairy onct more."

  "Well, Dick," said Frank, "we're going, too, and want you to go withus."

  The trapper and his brother opened their eyes wide with astonishment,but Uncle James explained, and ended by offering to pay the trapper'sexpenses 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' Ishould like to show 'em a bit of prairy life."

  Uncle James and the boys remained at the cabin nearly a week, duringwhich their plans were all determined upon, and, when they arrived athome, they at once commenced preparations for their journey. Theirdouble-barreled shotguns were oiled, and put carefully away. They werevery efficient weapons among small game, but Uncle James said theywere not in the habit of using "pop-guns" on the prairie; they wouldpurchase their fire-arms and other necessary weapons at St. Louis.

  The first of June--the time set for the start--at length arrived, andwith it came the trapper, accompanied by his dog. Dick carried hislong rifle on his shoulder, his powder-horn and bullet-pouch at hisside, and a knapsack, containing a change of clothes and othernecessary articles, at his back. He had evidently bestowed more thanusual care upon his toilet; his suit of buckskin was entirely new,and even his rifle seemed to have received a thorough rubbing andcleaning preparatory to its introduction into civilized life. Frankand Archie meeting him at the door, relieved him of his rifle andpack, and conducted him into the house. But here the trapper was sadlyout of place. He sat on the edge of his chair, and was constantlychanging the position of his feet, and looking down at the richcarpet, 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 makehim feel at his ease, and, to some extent, succeeded; but he breathedmuch more freely when the farewells had been said, and the party wason its way to the wharf. In due time they arrived at Portland, wherethey remained nearly a week. Here the trapper again found himself inhot water. He was installed in a large, airy room in Mr. Winter'selegant residence; but he would much rather have been assignedquarters among the trees in the yard. The sights and sounds of thecity were new to him, and at every corner he found something to wonderat. When on the street, he was continually getting in somebody's way,or being separated from his companions, who found it necessary tokeep a vigilant watch over him. But it was on the train that hisastonishment reached its height. He had never before traveled in thecars, and, as they thundered away, going faster and faster as theyleft the city behind, the trapper began to clutch his seat, and tolook wistfully out the window at the woods, which appeared to bedancing by, as if he never expected to be permitted to enter hisnatural element again. He would have preferred to "foot it," as heremarked, and, when at last they reached St. Joseph, he drew a longbreath of relief, mentally resolving that he would never again temptdestruction by traveling either on a steamboat or railroad car.

  It was midnight when they reached the hotel. Being very much fatiguedwith their long journey, they at once secured rooms and retired, andwere soon fast asleep.