Boys of the Fort

by Ralph Bonehill

BOYS OF THE FORT

Or, A Young Captain's Pluck

BY

CAPTAIN RALPH BONEHILL

AUTHOR OF "THE YOUNG BANDMASTER," "WHEN SANTIAGO

FELL," "A SAILOR BOY WITH DEWEY," "OFF

FOR HAWAII," ETC.

GROSSET & DUNLAP

PUBLISHERS :: :: NEW YORK

DEFENDING THE FORT.—Frontispiece.

PREFACE.

"Boys of the Fort" is a complete story in itself, but forms the fifth volume of a line of works issued under the general title of "Flag of Freedom Series."

In penning this tale I had it in mind to acquaint my young readers with the ins and outs of military life at one of our Western forts of to-day, showing what both officers and privates are called upon to do, and what troubles the Indians and the bad men of that locality are still in the habit of making. The field is one about which little has been written, although abounding in interest, and one which is worthy the attention of all who have the proper development of our country at heart.

To some, certain scenes in this book may appear overdrawn, yet such is far from being the case. In this wild territory there are those who have lived all their lives beyond the pale of civilization, men who grow up dwarfed and crooked in mind, and who resent every effort made to better their condition.

The young captain is a fine specimen of the wide-awake American army officer, yet he is no more brave and dashing than are thousands of others, officers and privates, who serve under our Flag of Freedom. He is trained to do his duty, and he simply does it, regardless of possible consequences.

Once more I take this opportunity to thank my young friends for the kindness with which they have received my former stories, and I earnestly hope this present tale merits equal commendation.

Captain Ralph Bonehill.

July 1, 1901.

CONTENTS.

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CHAPTER		PAGE
I.	Bound for the Fort,	1
II.	Caves in the Mountain,	9
III.	An Important Conversation,	17
IV.	Lost in the Forest,	25
V.	The Big Black Bear,	33
VI.	Darry Makes a Discovery,	41
VII.	At Hank Leeson's Cabin,	48
VIII.	The Stealing of the Horses,	56
IX.	Arrival at the Fort,	63
X.	The Result of a Swim,	71
XI.	Something about Drilling,	79
XII.	Deer Hunting,	87
XIII.	A Fish and a Snake,	95
XIV.	Over the Mountain Top,	104
XV.	The Result of a Hurricane,	113
XVI.	Captain Moore's Adventure,	122
XVII.	Three Prisoners,	130
XVIII.	Benson Puts Some Men in a Hole,	137
XIX.	Escaping in the Darkness,	144
XX.	Something about White Ox,	151
XXI.	A Trick of the Enemy,	158
XXII.	In the Hands of the Enemy,	166
XXIII.	A Panther in Camp,	175
XXIV.	The Skirmish in the Brush,	182
XXV.	A Lucky Meeting,	189
XXVI.	The Enemies within the Fort,	198
XXVII.	Signals and what Followed,	205
XXVIII.	The Demands of the Enemy,	212
XXIX.	Opening of the Battle,	219
XXX.	Signals in the Dark,	226
XXXI.	Burning of the Stockade,	235
XXXII.	Relief at Last—Conclusion,	243