The Forest Runners: A Story of the Great War Trail in Early Kentucky

"The Forest Runners: A Story of the Great War Trail in Early Kentucky" by Joseph A. Altsheler is a historical novel written in the early 20th century. The narrative centers around two young protagonists, Paul Cotter and Henry Ware, as they navigate the treacherous wilderness of early Kentucky during a time of conflict with Native American tribes. The story captures their adventure and growth as they undertake a mission that involves both physical challenges and the looming threat of danger. At the start of the book, we are introduced to Paul and Henry as they journey through the expansive Kentucky wilderness, delivering gunpowder to a nearby settlement. Paul, a scholarly boy, feels out of place in the wild compared to his more adept friend Henry, who is a true child of the forest. The opening sets up Paul’s initial struggle with being lost, immediately establishing a tense atmosphere, which escalates when Paul finds himself captured by Shawnee warriors. Just when hope seems lost, Henry finds and rescues him, showcasing their strong bond and setting the stage for a series of thrilling encounters with the enemy as they work to survive and fulfill their crucial mission amidst the surrounding dangers. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Joseph Alexander Altsheler was an American newspaper reporter, editor and author of popular juvenile historical fiction. He was a prolific writer, and produced fifty novels and at least fifty-three short stories. Thirty-two of his novels were part of his seven series:The Civil War Series The French and Indian War Series The Gold Series The Great West Series The Texan Series The World War Series The Young Trailers Series