The Riflemen of the Ohio: A Story of the Early Days along "The Beautiful River"

"The Riflemen of the Ohio: A Story of the Early Days along 'The Beautiful River'" by Joseph A. Altsheler is a historical novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around the experiences of Henry Ware and his companions as they navigate the dangers of the Ohio River while transporting supplies for settlers in the wake of conflicts with Native American tribes. The narrative captures the tension between the advancing settlers and the indigenous peoples, emphasizing the challenges faced by pioneers in a still wild and perilous landscape. At the start of the book, the fleet of boats carrying supplies enters the majestic Ohio River, prompting reflections among the main characters, including Henry Ware and Paul Cotter, who anticipate the threats posed by local tribes such as the Shawnees and Wyandots. While Henry takes on the heavy responsibility of keeping watch for dangers during their journey, Paul expresses a sense of hope about the expedition's success. The opening section escalates with the group's first encounter with the wilderness' ominous silence, signifying that unseen challenges lie ahead. After Henry and a small hunting party encounter hostile Indians, Henry is captured but remains resolute, displaying bravery and a keen awareness of his surroundings, which sets the tone for his character's development throughout the narrative. (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