Part 1 (1/2)

Boys of The Fort

by Ralph Bonehill

PREFACE

”BOYS OF THE FORT” is a complete story in itself, but foreneral title of ”Flag of Freedo this tale I had it inreaders with the ins and outs ofwhat both officers and privates are called upon to do, and what troubles the Indians and the badThe 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 bookthe case In this wild territory there are those who have lived all their lives beyond the pale of civilization, row up dwarfed and crooked in mind, and who resent every effortcaptain is a fine specimen of the wide-awake A than are thousands of others, officers and privates, who serve under our Flag of Freedoardless of possible consequences

Oncefriends for the kindness hich they have received my former stories, and I earnestly hope this present tale merits equal commendation

CAPTAIN RALPH BONEHILL

_July 1, 1901_

BOYS OF THE FORT

CHAPTER I

BOUND FOR THE FORT

”How many miles have we still to ride, Benson?”

”About fifty, Joe But the last half is pretty much uphill, lad”

”Can we ht?”

”Well, we can try,” answered the old scout, who sat astride of a coal-black horse and rode slightly in advance of his two youthful companions ”It will depend somewhat on what the weather does”

”Why, do you think it is going to rain?” put in Darry Ger what the weather will do in this valley,” answered Sans don't exactly p'int that way,” and he shook his head gravely

”A little rain wouldn't hurt,” said Joe Moore ”A couple of miles back the road was fearfully dusty”

”The trouble is, when it rains out here it rains,” answered the old scout ”The clouds co over yonder mountains, and inside of half an hour you'd fancy the water was going to drown out everything”

”Then if it rains we'll have to put up somewhere,” said Darry Germain