"The Free Rangers, a Story of the Early Days Along the Mississippi" is a 1909 historical novel written by Joseph A. Altsheler. The fifth novel in the "The Young Trailers Series", this exciting adventure romp in the American Old West is highly recommended for children with an interest in history and is not to be missed by collectors of classic Western fiction. Joseph Alexander Altsheler (1862 - 1919) was an American journalist, editor and author famous for his of popular historical fiction aimed at children. Altsheler wrote a total of fifty-one novels during his life, as well as over fifty short stories. Other notable works by this author include: "The Sun of Saratoga, a romance of Burgoyne's surrender" (1897) and "In Circling Camps, a romance of the Civil War" (1900). Many vintage books such as this are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. We are republishing this volume now in an affordable, modern, high-quality edition complete with a specially commissioned new introduction and biography of the author.