Produced by David Edwards, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive) BOYS OF THE FORT _Or, A Young Captain's Pluck_ FLAG OF FREEDOM SERIES 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 COPYRIGHT, 1901, BY THE MERSHON COMPANY [Illustration: DEFENDING THE FORT.] 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. I. BOUND FOR THE FORT II. CAVES IN THE MOUNTAIN III. AN IMPORTANT CONVERSATION IV. LOST IN THE FOREST V. THE BIG BLACK BEAR VI. DARRY MAKES A DISCOVERY VII. AT HANK LEESON'S CABIN VIII. THE STEALING OF THE HORSES IX. ARRIVAL AT THE FORT X. THE RESULT OF A SWIM XI. SOMETHING ABOUT DRILLING XII. DEER HUNTING XIII. A FISH AND A SNAKE XIV. OVER THE MOUNTAIN TOP XV. THE RESULT OF A HURRICANE XVI. CAPTAIN MOORE'S ADVENTURE XVII. THREE PRISONERS XVIII. BENSON PUTS SOME MEN IN A HOLE XIX. ESCAPING IN THE DARKNESS XX. SOMETHING ABOUT WHITE OX XXI. A TRICK OF THE ENEMY XXII. IN THE HANDS OF THE ENEMY XXIII. A PANTHER IN CAMP XXIV. THE SKIRMISH IN THE BRUSH XXV. A LUCKY MEETING