PREFACE. quot is a complete story in itself, but forms the fifth volume of a line of works issued under the general title of dom Series.quot quot Flag of Free In penning this tale I had it in mind to acquaint my young readers with the ins and outs of mili tary 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, certainscenes in this book may appeal- 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 con sequences. 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. Jtily I, 1 901. CAPTAIN RALPH BONEHILL. CHAPTER CONTENTS. PAGE I. BOUND FOR THE FORT i 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, . . . 7 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, i5 v VI CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXIV. THE SKIRMISH IN THE BRUSH, XXV. A LUCKY MEETING, . . XXVI. THE ENEMIES WITHIN THE FORT XXVII. SIGNALS AND WHAT FOLLOWED, XXVIII. THE DEMANDS OF THE ENEMY, XXIX. OPENING OF THE BATTLE, XXX. SIGNALS IN THE DARK, XXXI. BURNING OF THE STOCKADE, XXXII. RELIEF AT LAST CONCLUSION, PAGE 182 189 198 205 212 2I 9 226 235 243 quot sonquot quot BOYS OF THE FORT. CHAPTER I. BOUND FOR THE FORT. How many miles have we still to ride, Ben About fifty, Joe, But the last half is pretty much uphill, lad.quot quot quot Can we make the fort by to-morrow night Well, we can try,quot answered the old scout, who sat astride of a coal-black horse and rode youthful com slightly in advance of his t two panions. quot weather does...