Oregon Sol; or, Nick Whiffles's Boy Spy

This 1884 Beadle and Adams dime novel, Nick Whiffles and Calamity: The Boy Spy, by Captain J.F.C. Adams, follows two trappers in the Northwestern wilderness and their Indian ally Marunyo. The story begins with Nick Whiffles and Oregon Sol discussing the suspicious behavior of the young Blackfoot Marunyo on a remote rock, while their dog Calamity warns of approaching danger. Nick relates lengthy anecdotes about his gullible grandfather and eccentric relatives to justify his distrust. Marunyo arrives with urgent news: Modocs led by Captain Jack are traveling northward toward Saskatchewan with two captives. He departs swiftly to follow them. The narrative then tracks Marunyo as he scouts the Modoc camp from a ridge overlooking a river, spots their smoke signal, and launches a hidden canoe to pursue them upriver under cover of darkness, apparently aiming to infiltrate their camp.