"Night had fallen upon a wild Florida forest, and all was still save for the hooting of a distant owl and the occasional plaintive call of a whip-poor-will. In a little clearing by the side of a faint bridle-path a huge fire of fat pine knots roared and crackled, lighting up the small cleared space and throwing its flickering rays in amongst the dark, gloomy pines."
Night had fallen upon a wild Florida forest, and all was still save for the hooting of a distant owl and the occasional plaintive call of a whip-poor-will. In a little clearing by the side of a faint bridle-path a huge fire of fat pine knots roared and crackled, lighting up the small cleared space and throwing its flickering rays in amongst the dark, gloomy pines. At the edge of the clearing, two wiry little Florida ponies, tethered with rawhide ropes, browsed upon the short, dry wire-grass. Nearer to the fire lay a neatly done-up pack, and beside it a high-pommeled Mexican saddle, while the firelight gleamed on the polished barrels of a fine shotgun and rifle leaning against the pack. Close to the blaze a heap of glowing coals had been raked a little to one side, and upon them rested a coffee-pot and large frying-pan from which stole forth appetizing odors of steaming coffee and frying bacon. The man bending over the coals was heavily bearded and past middle age, but his broad shoulders and huge frame still gave evidence of great strength and endurance. There was about him an air of anxious expectancy, and from time to time he rose from his crouching position and with hand to ear listened intently.
Wilmer Mateo Ely was the American author of The Boy Chums' series which consists of eight volumes published between 1905 and 1916. The Boy Chums' series includes: The Boy Chums on Indian River; or, The Boy Partners of the Schooner "Orphan" (1905), The Boy Chums on Haunted Island; or, Hunting for Pearls in the Bahama Islands (1909), The Boy Chums in the Forest; or, Hunting for Plume Birds in the Florida Everglades (1910), The Boy Chums' Perilous Cruise; or, Searching for Wreckage on the Florida Coast (1911), The Boy Chums in the Gulf of Mexico; or, On a Dangerous Cruise With the Greek Spongers (1913), The Boy Chums Cruising in Florida Waters; or, The Perils and Dangers of the Fishing Fleet (1914), The Boy Chums in the Florida Jungle; or, Charlie West and Walter Hazard With the Seminole Indians (1915) and The Boy Chums in Mystery Land; or, Charlie West and Walter Hazard Among the Mexicans (1916).
Edward L. Stratemeyer (October 4, 1862 - May 10, 1930) was an American publisher, writer of children's fiction, and founder of the Stratemeyer Syndicate. He was one of the most prolific writers in the world, producing in excess of 1,300 books himself, selling in excess of 500 million copies. He also created many well-known fictional book series for juveniles, including The Rover Boys, The Bobbsey Twins, Tom Swift, The Hardy Boys, and Nancy Drew series, many of which sold millions of copies and are still in publication today. On Stratemeyer's legacy, Fortune wrote: "As oil had its Rockefeller, literature had its Stratemeyer."
"Golly! I'm getting powerful tired ob dis. Fish what just clusterers 'round youah bait an' won't bite at hit noways is jest trifling and noaccount. I reckon dey's too ornery an' too finiky anyway to be fit to eat. Well, here goes again, though hit ain't no use. I'se dun spit on mah bait fifty times, an' rubbed hit twice with my rabbit's foot, but hit doan' do a bit of good. Dey jes' look at hit an' grin like white folks at a nigger's wedding." The little ebony negro who had spoken let drop his daintily baited hook into the water again with a gesture of disgust.
Leo Tolstoy (9th september 1829-20th November 1910), the author, was a Russian writer and regarded as one of the greatest authors of all time. He also wrote short storys, plays, essays. His renowned works are 'War and Peace', 'The Death of Ivan Ilyich' and so on. His fiction includes dozens of short stories and several novellas (Family Happiness, After the Ball, Hadji Murad). This novel is divided into eight parts and major characters are more than a dozen. This novel is based on the themes of betrayal, faith, marriage, family, desire, rural life, urban life etc. The book is very interesting and focuses on an extramarital affair between Anna and Count Alexei Kirillovich Vronsky. The story takes place against the backdrop of the liberal reforms which were initiated by the emperor of Russia. In the start, the character named, Prince Stepan has been unfaithful to his wife, Princess Darya (Dolly). Dolly has come to know about her husband's affair with family governess. His sister Anna comes in a bid to calm the situation. But she herself engages with Alexei Vronsky. The author has very successfully narrated this family drama type situation, seems related to the societal systems, which is alarming. Also it concludes that humans makes mistakes.
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