THE OREGON TRAIL

BY

FRANCIS PARKMAN

=

EDITED WITH AN INTRODUCTION AND NOTES BY CLARENCE WALTON VAIL, A. M., INSTRUCTOR IN THE DEPARTMENT OF ENGLISH IN THE MANUAL TRAINING HIGH SCHOOL, BROOKLYN

C·E··M⋅
Co

NEW YORK

CHARLES E. MERRILL COMPANY

65.71217

Harvard University

Dept. of Education Library
Gift of the Publishers

Fduel 565.750.580

MAY 18 1911

Merrill's English Texts

THIS series of books includes in complete editions those mas-
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CHARLES E. MERRILL COMPANY

COPYRIGHT, 1910

BY

CHARLES E. MERRILL CO.

TRANSFERRED TO

HARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY

JUN 13 1921

PREFACE

THIS masterpiece of Parkman's-The Oregon Trail—should appeal to secondary-school students through its direct narration of life in the wilderness nearly seventy years ago, through its graphic and accurate representation of Indian manners and customs, and through its strict veracity and lucidity of style. The present editor has restored the text of The Oregon Trail as it appeared originally in The Knickerbocker Magazine in 1847-1849, feeling that Parkman, in revising his work for later editions, was unfortunate in omitting portions which gave greater virility and freer expression of self than are found in the revised form. The notes have been arranged with the view of relieving the student of needless search for explanations and of adding such comments as would stimulate interest in this "plain tale from the hills."

November 1, 1910.

C. W. V.