The Free Rangers: A Story of Early Days Along the Mississippi

The Young Trailers #5

by Joseph Alexander Altsheler

The Free Rangers tells of the experiences and adventures of a journey down the Mississippi River to New Orleans in order to interview a Spanish Governor-General.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Westerns

Paperback

First published January 1, 1909

About the author

Joseph Alexander Altsheler was an American newspaper reporter, editor and author of popular juvenile historical fiction. He was a prolific writer, and produced fifty-one novels and at least fifty-three short stories. Thirty-two of his novels were part of his seven series:

The Civil War Series (8 volumes)
The French and Indian War Series (6 volumes)
The Gold Series (2 volumes)
The Great West Series (2 volumes)
The Texan Series (3 volumes)
The World War Series (3 volumes)
The Young Trailers Series (8 volumes)

Although each of the thirty-two novels constitutes an independent story, Altsheler suggested a reading order for each series (i.e., he numbered the volumes). The remaining nineteen novels can be read in any order. [Note, however, that A Knight of Philadelphia was later expanded through the addition of nineteen chapters and some minor tweaks to become Mr. Altsheler's novel In Hostile Red.]

The short stories, of course, can be read in any order. However, some readers might prefer to read them in the order in which they were published. The short story list below is displayed in chronological order with the publication dates shown alongside the titles.

Reviews

[Alicia]

A little hard to follow Sols speech patterns lol

I liked the story but want it to continue to Kintuck and to the eastern war perhaps, in series... I wish the grammar and spelling; not of Sols lingo, was corrected in this old book though, it drives me nuts that through print after print it is not corrected! Proofreaders must be a dead art...

[Burke F. Ray]

Wonderful

A truly unique and interesting Read.I urge everyone who has an interest in exciting and fun stories,without a lot of bad language,to try this Author

[Loree Brown]

Good Read

This was an excellent novel, full of suspense. It took you right into the heart of the beginning of the Spanish-American war.

[Randy Garry]

Actually 3 1/2 stars. Second book I’ve read in this “series”. Enjoyable, warming book. Written in the style of long ago, b/c it was written long ago, 1909.

[lisa polcyn]

Interesting

It was a great read. I took my time in reading this story. Enjoyed it so much. Everybody needs to read this book.

[Gary Land]

I return again to a favorite childhood author, who once more does not disappoint. In this volume, the trailers (to use the series name) come into conflict with a Spanish expedition in the Ohio valley and learn of the intention of its leader to make an alliance with the Indians. The five then make their way down the Mississippi to warn the governor in New Orleans of the treachery, for Spain is not an enemy of the Americans. Their travels include more conflicts with the Spanish intruder who is also hastening to New Orleans, and encounter with a Spanish priest who aids them when some of the group are captured, dealing with political intrigue in New Orleans, and the start of a trip back up the Mississippi with an American force taking supplies to the American settlers in Kentucky and Western Pennsylvania. This book may be more interesting to contemporary readers, for it has more continual action and fewer conversations among its actors.

[Bob Evans]

Exciting illustration of early western expansion

Well written. Story elements follow historical facts, & bring a mental picture of the early western expansion to the reader. Recommended

[Stacie]

pretty boring read for me. I think this is more of a "guy" book.

[Christopher Gage]

Interesting

Enjoyed the detail as if I was actually there. I will definitely be reading this book again. No reason not to read this.

[Robert Van Hoveln]

Interesting

seemed like you were with them their entire journey. not sure if it was taken from history or entirely fictitious,but held my attention.

[Anthony]

A great story. Must read.

[Barbara Harman]

Interesting, especially for a male youth

[Tom]

Great story of adventure.