The Riflemen of the Miami

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

27231

Title

The Riflemen of the Miami

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set in the rugged wilderness of the early 19th century, this adventure follows the legendary Riflemen of the Miami, a band of skilled frontiersmen led by the noble Lewis Dernor. Blending intense action with romantic tension, the story chronicles their daring rescue missions, complex relationships with Native Americans, and the perilous life on the border.

Summary up to 500 words

Set against the rugged frontiers of Ohio and Kentucky, Edward Sylvester Ellis's *The Riflemen of the Miami* chronicles the exploits of a legendary group of hunters and scouts known as the Riflemen. Led by the shrewd and courageous Lewis Dernor, the confederation includes the taciturn but skilled Tom O'Hara, the impulsive Dick Allmat, and George Dernor. Their primary mission is to protect settlers and rescue captives from hostile Native American war parties. The narrative opens with a tense ambush where the Riflemen track a Shawnee party carrying a captive woman, Edith Sudbury. Utilizing superior woodcraft, Tom O'Hara employs a daring ruse involving thrown stones to draw the warriors' attention away from the river crossing. This stratagem allows Lewis Dernor to signal Edith and facilitate her escape. During their perilous flight, Dernor and Edith develop a deep romantic bond, sharing moments of intimacy amidst the constant threat of pursuit. After reaching safety, the party encounters a wounded Huron warrior who, despite Dernor's efforts to heal him, refuses aid and retreats to collect scalps, highlighting the brutal reality of frontier life. A significant subplot concerns the identity of Edith's companion, Ferdinand Sego. Initially presumed to be a fellow ranger, Sego is revealed to be Edith's father, who had been wandering the woods grieving his wife's death and fearing for his daughter's safety. This revelation resolves the romantic tension between Dernor and Edith, allowing Dernor to pursue her hand in marriage. The story concludes with the Riflemen participating in the great border war. Tom O'Hara and Dick Allmat fall in battle at Anthony Wayne's victory in 1794, ending the organization. Lewis Dernor and Edith live happily into old age, leaving a legacy of respect in Southern Ohio.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Adventure
• Fiction
• Frontier and pioneer life
• Indians of North America