Wolf's Head 1911

"Wolf's Head" by Charles Egbert Craddock is a novel written in the early 20th century, likely during the 1910s. Set in a remote, wild region filled with dense forests and rugged terrain, the story explores themes of law, survival, and human connection amidst the backdrop of an outlaw's life. The plot primarily revolves around the character of a fugitive, known as the "wolf's head," who is hiding from the law in a tree and the young woman who becomes intricately involved in his fate. The narrative unfolds through the perspective of a group of sportsmen who are camping in the wilderness when they learn of the outlaw's presence in the area. Central to the story is Meddlesome, a young woman who embodies a unique blend of curiosity and empathy. Upon encountering the fugitive, she manages to maintain his trust while devising a plan to help him escape the dangers posed by law enforcement. The tension escalates as Meddlesome's meddling unwittingly leads to dramatic encounters with the law, all while dealing with the rustic charm and challenges of her environment. As events unfold, the moral complexities of loyalty, justice, and human compassion come to the forefront, ultimately revealing characters' true natures in the face of dire stakes. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Mary Noailles Murfree was an American author of novels and short stories who wrote under the pen name Charles Egbert Craddock. She is considered by many to be Appalachia's first significant female writer and her work a necessity for the study of Appalachian literature, although a number of characters in her work reinforce negative stereotypes about the region. She has been favorably compared to Bret Harte and Sarah Orne Jewett, creating post-Civil War American local-color literature.