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Zane Grey의 "The Last Trail"은 1909년에 출판된 서부 소설로, Ohio Valley Trilogy의 마지막 작품입니다. 이 소설은 18세기 말 오하이오 강 유역을 배경으로 하며, 개척 시대의 끝자락을 그리고 있습니다.

작품의 주인공은 Jonathan Zane과 Lew Wetzel로, 둘 다 숙련된 정찰병이자 인디언 전사입니다. 이들은 정착민들을 보호하고 약탈자들로부터 마을을 지키는 임무를 수행합니다. 소설은 이들이 Helen Sheppard라는 여성을 납치된 상황에서 구출하려는 과정을 중심으로 전개됩니다.

Grey는 이 작품을 통해 개척 시대의 마지막 순간들을 포착하며, 변화하는 시대와 함께 사라져가는 삶의 방식을 nostalgic하게 그려냅니다. 동시에 개척자들의 용기, 생존을 위한 투쟁, 그리고 원주민과의 갈등 등 서부 개척 시대의 복잡한 현실을 다룹니다.

소설은 액션과 모험으로 가득하며, Grey 특유의 생생한 자연 묘사가 돋보입니다. 오하이오 강 유역의 울창한 숲과 험준한 지형이 이야기의 배경으로 효과적으로 활용됩니다.

"The Last Trail"은 Zane Grey의 초기 작품임에도 불구하고 그의 서부 소설의 특징적 요소들 - 영웅적인 인물, 역동적인 액션, 로맨스, 자연에 대한 경외 - 을 잘 보여줍니다. 이 작품은 Grey의 작가로서의 성장을 보여주는 중요한 작품으로, 그의 후기 작품들에 영향을 미친 여러 테마와 스타일을 확립하는 데 기여했습니다.


Zane Grey's "The Last Trail" is a western novel published in 1909 and is the final work of the Ohio Valley Trilogy. The novel is set in the Ohio River Valley in the late 18th century, depicting the end of the pioneer era.

The main characters of the novel are Jonathan Zane and Lew Wetzel, both skilled scouts and Indian warriors. They are tasked with protecting settlers and defending their villages from marauders. The novel centers around their attempt to rescue a woman named Helen Sheppard from kidnapping.

Through this work, Grey captures the last moments of the pioneer era, nostalgically depicting a way of life that is disappearing with the changing times. At the same time, it deals with the complex realities of the pioneer era, such as the courage of the pioneers, the struggle for survival, and the conflict with the natives.

The novel is full of action and adventure, and Gray's characteristically vivid descriptions of nature stand out. The dense forests and rugged terrain of the Ohio River Valley are effectively used as the background of the story.

Although "The Last Trail" is one of Zane Grey's earliest works, it displays many of the hallmark elements of his Westerns - heroic characters, dynamic action, romance, and a reverence for nature. It is a significant work that demonstrates Grey's development as a writer, and helped establish many of the themes and styles that influenced his later work.

Summary
Twilight of a certain summer day, many years ago, shaded softly down over the wild Ohio valley bringing keen anxiety to a traveler on the lonely river trail. He had expected to reach Fort Henry with his party on this night, thus putting a welcome end to the long, rough, hazardous journey through the wilderness; but the swift, on-coming dusk made it imperative to halt. The narrow, forest-skirted trail, difficult to follow in broad daylight, apparently led into gloomy aisles in the woods. His guide had abandoned him that morning, making excuse that his services were no longer needed; his teamster was new to the frontier, and, altogether, the situation caused him much uneasiness.
"I wouldn't so much mind another night in camp, if the guide had not left us," he said in a low tone to the teamster.
That worthy shook his shaggy head, and growled while he began unhitching the horses.
"Uncle," said a young man, who had clambered out from the wagon, "we must be within a few miles of Fort Henry."

Contents
CHAPTER I. Twilight of a certain summer day
CHAPTER II. Well, well, Sheppard, no doubt it was a thrilling adventure to you
CHAPTER III. Supper over, Colonel Zane led his guests to a side porch
CHAPTER IV. To those few who saw Jonathan Zane in the village
CHAPTER V. In the misty morning twilight Colonel Zane
CHAPTER VI. Happier days than she had hoped for
CHAPTER VII. This June morning in the wild forest was significant
CHAPTER VIII. "Jack," said Colonel Zane to his brother next morning
CHAPTER IX. On Sunday morning under the bright
CHAPTER X. The weather gave Helen an excuse
CHAPTER XI. The savage had just emerged from the river
CHAPTER XII. The sun had begun to cast long shadows
CHAPTER XIII. Jonathan traveled toward the east straight as a crow flies
CHAPTER XIV. "Good morning, Colonel Zane," said Helen cheerily
CHAPTER XV. In forty-eight hours Jonathan Zane was up
CHAPTER XVI. The longest day in Jonathan Zane's life, the oddest
CHAPTER XVII. Will and Helen hurried back along the river road
CHAPTER XVIII. A black weight was seemingly lifted from Helen's weary eyelids
CHAPTER XIX. A dense white fog rose from the river
CHAPTER XX. The bordermen watched Legget and his band disappear
CHAPTER XXI. Next morning, when the mist was breaking
CHAPTER XXII. In Legget's rude log cabin a fire burned low
CHAPTER XXIII. At daylight Jonathan Zane rolled from his snug bed
CHAPTER XXIV. Colonel Zane paced to and fro on the porch
CHAPTER XXV. A year rolled round