The kidnappers Bill and Sam plan to kidnap a boy and ransom him for $2,000. They succeed in kidnapping a boy named Red Chief from the village of Summit. However, Red Chief is not afraid and instead torments the kidnappers, calling one a "snake-eyed spy" and hitting the other with stones. The kidnappers send a letter to Red Chief's father asking for ransom, but are shocked when the father demands $250 for them to take the misbehaving boy back. Relieved to be rid of Red Chief, the kidnappers hurry away while the boy clings to one of them, unhappy to be returning home.

1. THE RANSOM OF RED CHIEF
- O. Henry
Presented by
J.Devasumathi
Department Of English (SF)
S.B.K.College
Aruppukottai

2. 1. The kidnappers, Bill and Sam plan to kidnap a boy for
ransom of two thousand dollars so as to buy some land
and settle in life.
2. They come to a village called Summit and succeed in
kidnapping a boy.
3. They take him to a secluded cave surrounded by thick
forest.
4. The boy is not at all afraid of either the kidnappers or the
secluded place; instead he likes to enjoy the surroundings.
5. The boy calls himself Red Chief and names Sam as
snake-eyed spy. He takes a stick-rifle in his hand and
threatens both bills and Sam.

3. 11. To make things worse, the boy hits Bill again with a stone.
12. Sam tries to pacify the boy. The boy agrees on condition
that he is allowed to play Black Scout.
13. Sam goes to popular Cave, a village near Summit to sent a
letter to Mr. Dorset, the boy’s father seeking ransom from
him.
14. The kidnappers mention in the letter that the boy will be
released soon after they received the ransom.
15. To get rid of the rogue-boy, they even reduce the ransom
to fifteen thousand dollars. They mention the place where
the ransom shall be placed.

4. 16. Bill complains to Sam that the boy made him a horse and
rode on him miles together.
17. Bill who cannot bear the torture of the boy anymore sends
him home. But the unwilling boy returns.
18. Meantime, the kidnappers receive a letter from Mr.Dorset,
the boy’s father.
19. The kidnappers are astonished to find in the letter that the
boy’s father has demanded two hundred and fifty dollars for
taking back his son home.
20. The boy’s father wants his son to be brought home at night
time, otherwise his neighbours will object the return of the
violent boy

5. 21. At last the boy is taken home. The boy clings to Bill’s legs
and refuses to leave him. The father drags the boy from the
kidnapper.
22. Relieved from the clutches of the horrible kid, Bill and Sam
hurry towards Canada.

6. Thank YouThank You

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