A Cousin's Conspiracy

I listened to an audio recording by Librivox. Very good read/listen. As it says a boy’s struggle for an inheritance. Like your normal story of a poor boy finding out his background is much more than he expected. But in this book, the journey is set in the west. And surprisingly, the lad doesn’t actually set out to claim his inheritance, though he knows how his father was swindled out of it. Before leaving Iowa, Earnest nearly loses what little he has when a thief holds him at gunpoint. But his friend Luke comes to his aid. Together, they decide to head for California, which is actually the opposite way from the estate that should have been his. As they travel, walking and mostly living off the land, they encounter interesting experiences. Luke doesn’t want to depend on Earnest’s money, so at one place, he takes on the job of bank detective. Earnest is made a messenger for the bank, too. The problem is the threat of bank robbery! Another bank in a nearby place has been robbed, and it is expected that they will be next. While there, Earnest makes friends with some unlikely people, including an Indian and the son of a notorious outlaw. Eventually, they get to California where Luke and Earnest try their Luke as miners. Of course, adventures follow them their also. When the reader begins wondering where the struggle for inheritance is going to come in, eventually the author changes scene. We meet the Cunning cousin enjoying his life, full of his right of position and ownership. His son, around Earnest’s age, seems to be similar. But someone knows a bit more, and is willing to stand for right. I enjoyed the book. Sure, It is a bit ‘Boy’s Own’, but an enjoyable adventure. The volunteer reader read the story very well. She was able to give it life.