FRANK, THE YOUNG NATURALIST ***

Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Asad Razzaki and PG Distributed Proofreaders

FRANK AND ARCHIE SERIES

* * * * *

FRANK THE YOUNG NATURALIST

BY

HARRY CASTLEMON,

AUTHOR OF "THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN SERIES," "THE GO-AHEAD SERIES," ETC.

1892

[Illustration]

THE GUN-BOAT SERIES.

FRANK, THE YOUNG NATURALIST, FRANK ON A GUN-BOAT, FRANK IN THE WOODS, FRANK ON THE PRAIRIE, FRANK BEFORE VICKSBURG, FRANK ON THE LOWER MISSISSIPPI.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I. THE HOME OF THE YOUNG NATURALIST

CHAPTER II. AN UGLY CUSTOMER

CHAPTER III. THE MUSEUM

CHAPTER IV. A RACE ON THE WATER

CHAPTER V. A FISHING EXCURSION

CHAPTER VI. THE REGULATORS

CHAPTER VII. THE REVENGE

CHAPTER VIII. HOW TO SPEND THE "FOURTH"

CHAPTER IX. THE COAST-GUARDS OUTWITTED

CHAPTER X. A QUEER COURSE

CHAPTER XI. TROUT-FISHING

CHAPTER XII. A DUCK-HUNT ON THE WATER

CHAPTER XIII. A 'COON-HUNT

CHAPTER XIV. BILL LAWSON'S REVENGE

CHAPTER XV. WILD GEESE

CHAPTER XVI. A CHAPTER OF INCIDENTS

CHAPTER XVII. THE GRAYHOUND OUTGENERALED

FRANK, THE YOUNG NATURALIST.

* * * * *

CHAPTER I.

THE HOME OF THE YOUNG NATURALIST.

About one hundred miles north of Augusta, the Capital of Maine, the little village of Lawrence is situated. A range of high hills skirts its western side, and stretches away to the north as far as the eye can reach; while before the village, toward the east, flows the Kennebec River.

Near the base of the hills a beautiful stream, known as Glen's Creek, has its source; and, after winding through the adjacent meadows, and reaching almost around the village, finally empties into the Kennebec. Its waters are deep and clear, and flow over a rough, gravelly bed, and under high banks, and through many a little nook where the perch and sunfish love to hide. This creek, about half a mile from its mouth, branches off, forming two streams, the smaller of which flows south, parallel with the river for a short distance, and finally empties into it. This stream is known as Ducks' Creek, and it is very appropriately named; for, although it is but a short distance from the village, every autumn, and until late in the spring, its waters are fairly alive with wild ducks, which find secure retreats among the high bushes and reeds which line its banks. The island formed by these two creeks is called Reynard's Island, from the fact that for several years a sly old fox had held possession of it in spite of the efforts of the village boys to capture him. The island contains, perhaps, twenty-five acres, and is thickly covered with hickory-trees; and there is an annual strife between the village boys and the squirrels, to see which can gather the greater quantity of nuts.

Directly opposite the village, near the middle of the river, is another island, called Strawberry Island, from the great quantity of that fruit which it produces.

The fishing-grounds about the village are excellent. The river affords great numbers of perch, black bass, pike, and muscalonge; and the numberl...

Show full text: 311,310 characters