title: The Prairie: A Tale
author:  James Fenimore Cooper 
description: James Fenimore Cooper (September 15, 1789  September 14, 1851) was a prolific and popular American writer of the early 19th century. His historical romances of frontier and Indian life in the early American days created a unique form of American literature.
zlib_text: 
  
  
  
  
  
  ![cover](resources/_cover_.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  p.header {font-size:18; font-family:arial, garamond; text-align:center}
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  # The Prairie, Volume 1
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  ### James Fenimore Cooper
  
  
  This page copyright © 2001 Munsey's.
  
  
  http://www.munseys.com
  
  PREFACE.
  
  
  CHAPTER I.
  
  
  CHAPTER II.
  
  
  CHAPTER III.
  
  
  CHAPTER IV
  
  
  CHAPTER V.
  
  
  CHAPTER VI.
  
  
  CHAPTER VII.
  
  
  CHAPTER VIII.
  
  
  CHAPTER IX.
  
  
  CHAPTER X.
  
  
  CHAPTER XI.
  
  
  CHAPTER XII.
  
  
  CHAPTER XIII.
  
  
  CHAPTER XIV.
  
  
  CHAPTER XV.
  
  
  CHAPTER XVI.
  
  
  CHAPTER XVII.
  
  
  
  
  
  * * *
  
  
  
  
  
  ### PREFACE.
  
  
  
  
  
    
  The manner in which the writer of this book came into possession of
  
  
  most of its materials, is mentioned in the work itself. Any well bred
  
  
  reader will readily conceive that there may exist a thousand reasons,
  
  
  why he should not reveal any more of his private sources of
  
  
  information. He will only say, on his own responsibility, that the
  
  
  portions of the tale for which no authorities are given, are quite as
  
  
  true as thos