The Keepers of the Trail: A Story of the Great Woods

Оглавление

Altsheler Joseph Alexander. The Keepers of the Trail: A Story of the Great Woods

FOREWORD

CHAPTER I. HENRY IN HIS KINGDOM

CHAPTER II. THE BIG GUNS

CHAPTER III. THE INDIAN CAMP

CHAPTER IV. THE DEED IN THE WATER

CHAPTER V. THE FOREST JOKER

CHAPTER VI. THE KING WOLF

CHAPTER VII. THE FOREST POETS

CHAPTER VIII. THE PATH OF DANGER

CHAPTER IX. THE KEEPERS OF THE CLEFT

CHAPTER X. BESIEGED

CHAPTER XI. THE SHIFTLESS ONE

CHAPTER XII. ON THE GREAT TRAIL

CHAPTER XIII. FIVE AGAINST A THOUSAND

CHAPTER XIV. HOLDING THE FORD

CHAPTER XV. THE GREAT CULMINATION

Отрывок из книги

A light wind blew over the great, primeval wilderness of Kentucky, the dense, green foliage rippling under it like the waves of the sea. In every direction forest and canebrake stretched in countless miles, the trees, infinite in variety, and great in size, showing that Nature had worked here with the hand of a master. Little streams flashing in silver or gold in the sunlight, flowed down to the greater rivers, and on a bush a scarlet tanager fluttered like a flash of flame.

A youth, uncommon in size and bearing, stepped into a little opening, and looked about with the easy, natural caution belonging to the native of the forest who knows that danger is always near. His eyes pierced the foliage, and would have noticed anything unusual there, his ear was so keen that he would have heard at once any sound not a part of the woods.

.....

The five enjoyed the wilderness, every one in his own way, Henry and Paul because their souls were stirred by it, Shif'less Sol because it was always unfolding to him some new wonder, Tom Ross because it was a hunting ground without limit, and Long Jim because nearly every kind of game found in it could be eaten, after it had been cooked by his master hand.

But they did not speak now. The people of the border, save in their homes, never talked much. The caution bred by the necessity of the woods became a habit. They acquired an extraordinary power over voice and nerves. Like a Hindu, a man could lie silent and motionless for hours. In this respect they had the quality of the Indian and the five at least could match his native cunning and training, and, in addition, bring to their own aid a superior intellectual power. That was why they were kings of the woods.

.....