The Campers Out; Or, The Right Path and the Wrong

"The Campers Out; Or, The Right Path and the Wrong" by Edward Sylvester Ellis is a fiction novel written in the late 19th century. The story centers on a group of boys—Jim McGovern, Tom Wagstaff, and Billy Waylett—who concoct a mischievous scheme to run away for adventure in the West, driven by wild dreams of hunting Native Americans and grizzly bears. As they get caught up in their plans, their actions lead to unintended consequences that put them in precarious situations. The opening portion of the book introduces us to the boys' instigating plot while they are still in school. Jim receives a secret note from Tom, urging him to meet at the crossroads for a serious matter regarding their dissatisfaction with school and a bold plan to become "Indian slayers." As the story progresses, the boys share their questionable methods of gathering funds for this adventure, revealing their mischievous nature and the naivete that comes with youth. This sets the stage for their antics, which ultimately lead to a personal crisis, involving petty theft and the complexities of their moral decisions. The brief opening serves to capture the enthusiasm and recklessness of childhood while foreshadowing the trouble that lies ahead.

The Campers Out; Or, The Right Path and the Wrong, by Edward Sylvester Ellis. Republished by OpenStories from Project Gutenberg eBook #42504.