The Antelope Boy; or, Smoholler the Medicine Man: A Tale of Indian Adventure and Mystery

"The Antelope Boy; or, Smoholler the Medicine Man" by George L. Aiken is a novel written in the early 19th century. The story presents a thrilling Indian adventure that unfolds in the American West, primarily following two boys, Percy Vere and Percy Cute, who are on a quest to find Vere's missing father, a rather eccentric man. They find themselves entangled in a conflict with Native Americans, led by the enigmatic Prophet Smoholler, and confront various challenges and supernatural elements in their pursuit. At the start of the novel, the surveying party, which includes two surveyors and American soldiers, is camped near the Columbia River. The two Percys, introduced as chain-bearers of the expedition, are characterized by their contrasting personalities, with Percy Vere being skilled and earnest, while Percy Cute provides comic relief and mischief. The camp is lively and infused with danger, as they receive a dire warning from an arrow message sent by Smoholler. The chapter sets the stage for a supernatural encounter, blending humor, adventure, and suspense, as the boys prepare to venture into the potential conflict with the Native Americans, quaking between their quest for the truth about Vere's father and the unpredictability of their surroundings.