"After the Manner of Men" by Francis Lynde is a novel written in the early 20th century. It follows the journey of Vance Tregarvon, a Philadelphia native, who confronts a range of challenges as he attempts to work on the Ocoee coal mine in Tennessee. The story explores themes of class, civilization versus barbarism, and personal ambition, as well as Tregarvon's interactions with various characters, including a spirited young woman named Richardia and his wealthy friend Poictiers Carfax. At the start of the novel, Tregarvon finds himself under fire in the Tennessee mountains, experiencing a shocking initiation into the perilous nature of his new environment. Mistakenly believing he is under attack, he confronts the humorous reality of having stumbled upon a group of women practicing their shooting skills for sport. This encounter leads to the introduction of key characters, including the charismatic Richardia, as Tregarvon navigates the complexities of his new venture and the feuds that accompany it. The opening sets the stage for both personal and professional conflicts as Tregarvon grapples with the realities of the Ocoee mine, which is shrouded in a mysterious past and local hostility. (This is an automatically generated summary.)