Cordially yours, HARRISON ADAMS. _May 1st, 1913._ [Illustration] [Illustration] CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE PREFACE v I. CAUGHT IN HIS OWN TRAP 1 II. THE BIRCH-BARK MESSAGE 13 III. FROM ONE PERIL TO ANOTHER 22 IV. AT THE MERCY OF THE FLOOD 35 V. FRIENDS IN TIME OF NEED 48 VI. SIMON GIRTY, THE RENEGADE 61 VII. THE FLINT-TIPPED ARROW ON THE ROOF 73 VIII. THE TREASURE BOX THAT WAS FORGOTTEN 87 IX. THE SPIRIT OF THE PIONEER 97 X. THE CABIN THAT BRAVED THE FLOOD 109 XI. DANIEL BOONE, THE PILOT OF THE SETTLERS 120 XII. STARTING FOR THE NEW WEST 131 XIII. BLUE JACKET GIVES WARNING 148 XIV. A TARGET FOR ARROWS AND BULLETS 157 XV. A HUNT FOR FRESH MEAT 169 XVI. THE FIGURES AGAINST THE SKY 179 XVII. SIGNAL SHOTS 189 XVIII. THE MAN WITH THE CHARMED LIFE 199 XIX. KENTON, THE RECKLESS BORDERER 209 XX. THE TWO-LEGGED WOLF 218 XXI. BAGGING A BUFFALO 228 XXII. AT THE SETTING OF THE EVENING STAR 241 XXIII. WHAT THE DEAD ASHES OF A FIRE TOLD 258 XXIV. A NEW HOME ON THE MISSISSIPPI 268 XXV. THE PERIL OF KATE 278 XXVI. THE DRIFTING DUGOUT 288 XXVII. ON THE TRAIL 298 XXVIII. CREEPING UP ON THE QUARRY 307 XXIX. THE MISSING WAMPUM BELT 317 XXX. THE MYSTERY SOLVED--CONCLUSION 327 NOTES 339 [Illustration] [Illustration] LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS