The Branded Brave

# The Branded Brave; or, The Trail of Death

By Paul Bibbs, this frontier narrative follows events near Montville on the Minnesota River. Jasper Arfort, a wealthy but vain settler, plans a public whipping of Kegonsa, a young Indian caught trespassing. However, an old squaw interrupts and whispers a warning to Arfort, causing him to abruptly cancel the punishment. Meanwhile, a young stranger named Amboy arrives seeking work. The frontier hand Rollo informs him that Arfort needs a writer for manuscript work. Amboy, a New Yorker traveling for health and intending to document his journey, agrees to meet Arfort. The narrative explores frontier tensions between settlers and indigenous peoples, introducing complex characters including Maud, Arfort's sympathetic daughter who attempted to intercede on Kegonsa's behalf.