"Oh, aren't they lovely!" cried Erie.
A Son of Courage
By
Archie P. McKishnie
Author of Love of the Wild,
Willow, the Wisp, etc.
The Reilly & Lee Co.
Chicago
Copyright, 1920
By
The Reilly & Lee Co.
All Rights Reserved
Made in U. S. A.
A Son of Courage
To my sister,
Jean Blewitt, who knew and
loved its characters this book
is lovingly dedicated.
The Author.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER
1 Billy Wilson's Strategy
2 A Shower of Fish
3 Appraising the New Teacher
4 The Message Croaker Brought
5 A Wilderness Merchant
6 The Ruse That Failed
7 The Rabbit Foot Charm
8 Luck Rides the Storm
9 Moving the Menagerie
10 In Lost Man's Swamp
11 Educating the New Boy
12 Old Harry Makes a Find
13 Erie of the Light-House
14 Old Harry Turns a Trick
15 Billy's Problems Multiply
16 Billy Meets a Divinity
17 The Dread Day Dawns
18 The Mettle of the Breed
19 Croaker Brings a Gift
20 Billy Meets a Lovely Ghost
21 A Day with the Ducks
22 Teacher Johnston Resigns
23 Mr. Hinter Proves a Puzzle
24 Billy to the Rescue
25 Mr. Hinter Makes a Confession
26 A Golden Wedding Gift
A SON OF COURAGE
CHAPTER I
BILLY WILSON'S STRATEGY
Mrs. Wilson lit the coal-oil lamp and placed it in thecenter of the kitchen table; then she turned toward thedoor, her head half bent in a listening attitude.
A brown water-spaniel waddled from the woodshed intothe room, four bright-eyed puppies at her heels, and stoodhalf in the glow, half in the shadow, short tailingratiatingly awag.
"Scoot you!" commanded the woman, and with a wildscurry mother dog and puppies turned and fled to thefriendly darkness of their retreat.
Mrs. Wilson stood with frowning gaze fastened on thedoor. She was a tall, angular woman of some forty years,heavy of features, as she was when occasion demanded it,heavy of hand. Tiny fret-lines marred