The Kentucky Ranger   By: Edward T. Curnick

By

EDWARD T. CURNICK, A.M.

Author of A Catechism on Christian Perfection.

The Christian Witness Co. Chicago, Ill.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

The story, "The Kentucky Ranger," to a large extent is built around the life and character of one of the most famous early pioneer preachers of the West.

Many of the incidents in his career are recorded, but have been treated as to time, place and authorship according to the demands of the work with the freedom belonging to the writer of fiction.

A number of years ago some of the chapters in the narrative were printed in "The Epworth Era," of Nashville, Tennessee. Thanks are hereby extended to the paper for releasing the copyright.

Copyright 1922 THE CHRISTIAN WITNESS CO.

Transcriber's Note: The Table of Contents was not contained in the text. It has been generated for the convenience of the reader.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I. The Ranger.

CHAPTER II. An Old Time Camp Meeting.

CHAPTER III. Swapping Stories.

CHAPTER IV. The Trail of the Serpent.

CHAPTER V. Rowdies in Camp.

CHAPTER VI. Under the Pine Trees.

CHAPTER VII. The Horse Race.

CHAPTER VIII. Prayer In a Dance Hall.

CHAPTER IX. Wanted, a Mission School.

CHAPTER X. The Mission School Established.

CHAPTER XI. A Kentucky Feud.

CHAPTER XII. The Shameful Plot.

CHAPTER XIII. Into a Pit (or Pitch).

CHAPTER XIV. Returning Thanks.

CHAPTER XV. Cupid's Chariot.

CHAPTER XVI. Horse Thieves.

CHAPTER XVII. Lynch Law or the Gospel.

CHAPTER XVIII. Apple Blossoms.

CHAPTER XIX. A Proposal Without Words.

CHAPTER XX. Kidnapped.

CHAPTER XXI. The Search.

CHAPTER XXII. The Rescue.

CHAPTER XXIII. A Battle With Moonshiners.

CHAPTER XXIV. "I Thee Wed."

THE KENTUCKY RANGER

CHAPTER I.

The Ranger.

"Glory to God! another sinner's down! Glory! Hallelujah! Amen; Pray on, brother; you'll soon be through. Glory! Glory!"

These words were shouted by two young men and a young woman who were returning through the Kentucky woods from a camp meeting. They were riding in a smart spring wagon drawn by two good horses. The young man who was not driving would fall into the wagon, crying for mercy, and the driver shouted: "Glory to God! another sinner's down!" and the young lady added: "Keep on praying, brother; you'll soon be saved. Glory! Glory to God!" Then the young men would change places, and the other would shout: "You'll soon get through, brother; pray on. Glory!"

These persons acted thus to tantalize a camp meeting preacher who was riding on horseback ahead of them. He detected their mockery and tried to outride them; but his horse being somewhat lame he could not escape them.

The preacher remembered that at a little distance beyond the road ran through a swamp but that a bridle path wound around it. Putting spurs to his horse he made for this path but the driver, keeping on the road, whipped up his horses. Driving into the swamp in his haste and excitement he did not notice a stump at the side of the road. Crash! went the fore wheel against the stump, and mounting to its top over went the wagon into the mud and water. The two young men took a flying leap into the swamp, and the young lady was thrown out. She was almost smothered before she was rescued by the young men. While they were in this predicament the preacher rode up to the edge of the morass. Raising himself in his stirrups he shouted at the top of his voice: "Glory to God! Glory to God! another sinner's down! Hallelujah! Glory! Glory!" Then he added: "Now you poor, miserable sinners, take this as a judgment from God upon you for your meanness, and repent of your wicked ways before it is too late." With this he left them, covered with mud and shame, to their reflections.