The Go Ahead Boys and Simon's Mine

In Short

This novel is a classic entry in the turn-of-the-century "boys' adventure" genre, emphasizing moral character and outdoor skills as much as plot. It follows a quartet of friends known as the Go Ahead Boys as they navigate the perils of the Colorado River and the harsh terrain of the desert to find a lost mine. Its enduring quality lies in its commitment to the ideal of self-reliance, capturing a spirit of exploration that reflects the optimistic, rugged American frontier values prevalent in early twentieth-century juvenile literature.

The Story

The story begins with a grim discovery: the Go Ahead Boys—Fred, John, George, and Grant—unearth the skeletal remains of an old prospector, Simon Moultrie, while exploring the desert. Among the remains, they find a coat and a diary that hint at the location of a hidden mining claim. Almost immediately, the boys attract the attention of two sinister, unnamed strangers who are desperate to get their hands on whatever secret the dead man left behind. The strangers’ greed and aggressive pursuit turn a simple mapping expedition into a high-stakes race through the treacherous canyons of the Colorado River.

The boys and their seasoned guide, Zeke, quickly realize that the danger is not just from the rugged environment but from human adversaries who stop at nothing, including theft and sabotage. During a tense river journey, the party is split, leading to a series of near-fatal accidents. George survives a terrifying fall down a sheer canyon cliff, while others must navigate the desert’s extremes, battling hunger, exhaustion, and the psychological weight of being "lost." Throughout this, the boys encounter Navajo scouts, adding a layer of cultural mystery to the landscape.

As the narrative progresses, the lines between friend and foe blur. The boys are forced to rely on their wits and their adherence to the "Go Ahead" motto—a creed of persistence and quick thinking. They are joined in their trek by the two Navajos, Thomas Jefferson and his companion, who possess local knowledge that becomes essential to the survival of the party. The tension culminates in the deep, winding reaches of Thorn's Gulch, where the group attempts to follow the precise, cryptic instructions left in Moultrie’s diary. They face the constant threat that the two villains are lurking nearby, waiting for the boys to reveal the mine's location so they can swoop in and claim it for themselves.

In the final act, the boys confront the realities of their quest. The search for the mine becomes less about the riches and more about testing their resolve against the elements and the duplicity of the adults around them. After a final confrontation at the site, the mystery of the mine is resolved, proving that the true value of the journey lay in the maturity and self-reliance the boys earned through their shared struggle. They return from the wilderness changed, having learned that the most important claims one can stake are those involving one's own character and resilience.

How It Unfolds

The discovery of the past The boys encounter the remains of the prospector Simon Moultrie and secure his diary, an event that sets the plot in motion. This discovery immediately brings them into conflict with two mysterious and greedy men who witness the find.

The river journey begins Zeke, the guide, leads the boys down the dangerous Colorado River, where they face the constant threat of capsizing. During this phase, their equipment is sabotaged and their party is divided, forcing the boys to fend for themselves in the wilderness.

The desert struggle Separated and struggling, the boys deal with the physical toll of climbing cliffs and navigating the desert without adequate supplies. They must reconcile their modern, scientific perspectives on the landscape with the local superstitions and knowledge held by their Navajo companions.

The race to the claim The climax involves the party deciphering the map and pacing out the location of the mine while the villains shadow their every move. The tension peaks as the boys reach the end of their search, realizing that the treasure they seek may not be what they initially imagined.

The People

The Go Ahead Boys—Fred, John, George, and Grant—are defined by their youthful optimism and their drive to prove their worth. Fred is often the most vocal and restless, eager to push forward despite the danger. John, the "tall" one, provides a steady, often sarcastic presence, while George and Grant round out the group, each contributing their own blend of caution and ambition. They are not superheroes, but rather normal, healthy teenagers learning to handle the burdens of decision-making.

Zeke serves as their gruff, experienced guide. He acts as the moral and practical anchor for the boys, often using his dry wit to humble them when they become overconfident or reckless. He is the personification of the frontier spirit, valuing pragmatism over theories.

The two unnamed strangers serve as the primary foils to the boys. Motivated purely by greed and dishonesty, they represent the antithesis of the "Go Ahead" creed. Their presence forces the boys to confront the reality that not every adult or explorer operates with integrity.

Thomas Jefferson, a young Navajo who has spent time in an Eastern school, represents a bridge between two worlds. He brings a unique perspective to the group, combining his ancestral knowledge of the canyon with the skills he learned in modern education.

In Its Own Voice

"I leave this rule for others when I'm dead: Be always sure you're right--THEN GO AHEAD."

The author introduces the guiding philosophy of the boys through this Davy Crockett-inspired motto, which serves as the thematic foundation for their actions.

"The difference between a man and a lump of earth was that one was living and was able to use his will and brain, while the other was a clod always to remain a diminishing bit of the surface of the earth."

Fred reflects on this internal monologue while struggling to survive in the canyon, highlighting the book's focus on the necessity of mental and physical fortitude.

What It's Really About

At its heart, the book is an argument for the transformative power of the wilderness on the developing American character. The plot functions as a crucible: the harsh, unforgiving geography of the American Southwest is used to strip away the boys' superficial expectations, forcing them to rely on their own willpower. The story poses a central question: what does it mean to be a "man" in a world that demands quick action and sound judgment? The answer provided is that true value is found in the ability to persist through adversity rather than in the material wealth of a mining claim. It is an exploration of the transition from childhood to independence, framed by the rugged, epic scale of the Colorado River and its surrounding canyons.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy the classic "boy adventure" style—reminiscent of Tom Sawyer or the works of Henty—will find this a rewarding, straightforward narrative. It captures a specific, nostalgic version of the American frontier that feels both vast and intimate. Reading it today provides a window into the values of 1917, particularly the intense focus on "character building" and the belief in the inherent superiority of a self-reliant, "go-ahead" spirit.

However, modern readers should be prepared for the period-typical attitudes that permeate the dialogue. The treatment of the Navajo characters, while intended to be respectful within the context of the era, reflects the paternalistic and essentialist racial attitudes of the early twentieth century. Additionally, the pacing is reflective of its time; the narrative does not rush, preferring to spend time on the minutiae of camp life, pacing off distances, and internal moralizing. If you are looking for a fast-paced, modern thriller, the deliberate, measured cadence of the prose may feel slow. But for those interested in a wholesome, atmospheric story that celebrates the grit and endurance of youth in a grand, unforgiving landscape, this book remains a charming and sturdy relic of its genre.