A Fortune Hunter; Or, The Old Stone Corral: A Tale of the Santa Fe Trail

"A Fortune Hunter; Or, The Old Stone Corral: A Tale of the Santa Fe Trail" by John Dunloe Carteret is a historical novel written in the late 19th century. The book explores themes of adventure, loss, and the quest for fortune against the backdrop of life on the Santa Fe Trail. The story revolves around the Warlow and Moreland families, who embark on a journey filled with tragedy and the pursuit of stolen treasure. At the start of the narrative, the characters contemplate the tranquil yet haunting landscape surrounding the Old Stone Corral, a site tied to a tragic massacre that claimed the lives of many. Among these characters are young Clifford and Maud, who express sorrow over the past in which Bruce Walraven and his bride Ivarene were said to have perished. The malevolent history of the locale slowly unfurls as they consider the possibility of hidden treasure connected to these tragic events. Their new beginning in this prairie valley is layered with a sense of foreboding as they are drawn into the tales of their fathers, setting the stage for a blend of nostalgia and adventure that frames their journey ahead.