E-text prepared by Al Haines Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this file which includes the original illustrations. See 18683-h.htm or 18683-h.zip: (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/8/6/8/18683/18683-h/18683-h.htm) or (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/8/6/8/18683/18683-h.zip) RALPH GRANGER'S FORTUNES by WILLIAM PERRY BROWN Illustrated By W. H. Fry [Frontispiece: "Grandpa!" cried Ralph. "You shall not shoot, I say!"] Akron, Ohio The Saalfield Publishing Co. New York ---- 1902 ---- Chicago Copyright, 1902, by The Saalfield Publishing Company TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER I. Ending the Feud II. Ralph and his Grandfather III. Ralph Continues his Journey IV. The Moonshiners and the Railroad V. Ralph's First Railroad Ride VI. Ralph in Columbia VII. An Enraged Photographer VIII. Captain Shard's Proposal IX. Ralph Arrives at Savannah X. The Captain Talks with Ralph XI. Aboard the Curlew XII. The Curlew Puts to Sea XIII. A Taste of Ship's Discipline XIV. Bad Weather XV. Boarded by a Cruiser XVI. Nearing the Gold Coast XVII. Up the River XVIII. A Brush in the Wilderness XIX. Left Behind XX. Ralph Stumbles on a Discovery XXI. At Close Quarters XXII. Trouble of Another Kind XXIII. Adrift XXIV. Ralph's Sufferings XXV. The Second Mate's Story XXVI. Hard Times XXVII. Uncle Gideon LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS "Grandpa!" cried Ralph. "You shall not shoot, I say!" . . . . . . . . . _Frontispiece_ "Mr. Duff," said Gary in his most grating tones, "who gave you the authority to interfere with my designs regarding this insolent youngster?" Ralph's Winchester cracked and the raised arm fell shattered and useless. "Quick, Ralph, pull me through by the arms." Ralph Granger's Fortunes. CHAPTER I. Ending the Feud. "Must I do it, grandpa?" "Of course you must! I'm afraid you ain't a true Granger, Ralph, or you wouldn't ask no such question." "But why should I do it, grandpa?" "Listen at the boy." The sharp-eyed, grizzled old man rose from his seat before the fire, and took down an ancient looking, muzzle loading rifle from over the cabin door. "I'll tell you why." He patted the gun, now lying across his knees. "This here was your father's gun. He carried it for many years. I had it when the feud betwixt the Grangers and the Vaughns first began. He had it with him when he was shot down at the Laurel Branch by John Vaughn, just six years ago today." "Today is my birthday," commented Ralph, a sturdy-limbed, ruddy-faced lad. "And you are fifteen. Think of that; 'most a man. I said I'd wait till you was fifteen, and as it happens, his son's a goin' to mill today." "What of that?" "You just wait and you'll see. All you've got to do is to obey orders."