The Conscripts' Hollow

Name: The Conscripts' Hollow
Author: Mary Noailles Murfree

The narrative unfolds in a mountainous region where two boys, Nicholas Gregory and Barney Pratt, embark on an adventure to search for a missing turkey. Their exploration leads them to a secluded area known as the Conscripts' Hollow, a site with historical significance from the Civil War, where conscripts once hid from the draft. Nicholas, driven by curiosity and a sense of adventure, descends to the hollow, discovering remnants of household items and realizing that they belong to a recent robbery at a nearby store. As Nicholas grapples with the moral implications of his discovery, he becomes increasingly anxious about the potential consequences of revealing what he knows. He fears being implicated in the crime, especially since he had previously been in the area. In a moment of cowardice, he decides to keep silent, which inadvertently places his innocent friend Barney in jeopardy. Barney, unaware of Nicholas's secret, is later arrested when a piece of his coat is found near the crime scene. The narrative explores themes of friendship, betrayal, and the moral dilemmas faced by the boys. Nicholas's internal conflict intensifies as he witnesses the repercussions of his silence on Barney, who is wrongfully accused of the robbery. As the story progresses, Nicholas suffers a fall while trying to escape his guilt and the consequences of his actions. He breaks his arm and finds himself stranded on a cliff, reflecting on his cowardice and the harm he has caused to Barney. Meanwhile, Barney, despite his innocence, faces the threat of imprisonment due to the circumstantial evidence against him. In a twist of fate, Barney is ultimately exonerated when a member of the actual burglary gang turns state's evidence, revealing that he was the one who slipped through the window to commit the crime. This revelation clears Barney's name, but the emotional toll of the ordeal weighs heavily on both boys. The climax of the story occurs when Barney, having initially harbored feelings of resentment towards Nicholas for his betrayal, ultimately decides to help him down from the cliff despite his anger. This act of forgiveness signifies a turning point in their friendship, highlighting the complexities of loyalty and redemption. The narrative concludes with both boys returning home, where they are welcomed back into their families. The experience has changed them, instilling a deeper understanding of courage, responsibility, and the importance of honesty in their friendship. The story encapsulates the trials of youth, the struggle between right and wrong, and the enduring bonds of friendship forged through adversity.

By Mary Noailles Murfree · First published 1890 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Regional Fiction · 5 chapters · 14,234 words

First lines

"I'm a-goin' ter climb down ter that thar ledge, an' slip round ter the hollow whar them conscripts built thar fire in the old war times."

Nicholas Gregory paused on the verge of the great cliff and cast a sidelong glance at Barney Pratt, who was beating about among the red sumach bushes in the woods close at hand, and now and then stooping to search the heaps of pine needles and dead leaves where they had been blown together on the ground.

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The Conscripts' Hollow is listed on Textopian as a novel by Mary Noailles Murfree, dated 1890 CE.

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Work type: Novel
Author: Mary Noailles Murfree
Date: 1890 CE
Language: English
Genres: Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction, Regional Fiction, Adventure, Romance
Length: 14,234 words
Structure: 5 chapters, 309 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Literary Fiction — The book explores complex themes and character development, typical of literary fiction.
Historical Fiction — Set in a specific historical context, it reflects the social and cultural issues of the time.
Regional Fiction — The narrative is deeply rooted in the geographical and cultural specifics of the region depicted.
Adventure — The plot involves elements of adventure and exploration, common in the genre.