HATCHET IN THE SKY

by Margaret Cooper Gay ‧ RELEASE DATE: Sept. 27, 1954

The rovings of David Bruce Alexander Caithris, instigated by Bonnie Prince Charlie, bring him to the land of promise in 1742 and encompass much of the new country, its Indian, French and English struggles and love of two women -- and provide a brightsom, whopping historical novel. Diddled by O'Hare out of New Orleans, saved by the Objibbeway, he becomes blood brother to Metig, falls in love with Catherine and learns much of the wilderness; his travels bring him on the scene of the massacre of the Stevens and he vows to find their daughter, Tranquillity, carried off by the Shawnoe. He achieves his goal, the French Fort Pontchartrain du Detroit, becomes established there when his fur smuggling trip to Albany is successful, due to the help and friendliness of Chapman Abraham, and with the threat of the English, Tranquillity is brought in, to be claimed by him. There's a trip ""en haut"" where smallpox strikes; the new English commandant brings sickness, death and war; the Indians rise and David joins them; he saves Catherine and gets Tranquillity again from the Indians, but Tranquillity's certainty that he is the father of Catherine's child turns him completely Indian with Catherine as his squaw. He follows Pondiac's dealings and downfall; he catches up with vengeance on O'Hare; Catherine's death sends him at last back to Detroit -- and Tranquillity. There's a dash to this and a tremendous (but never overwhelming amount of historical detail, with honor and understanding accorded the Indians and shame dealt to the English. Certainly a ""must"" for the Detroit area and a definite possibility for a popular audience. Warhoops and bluebonnets.

Pub Date: Sept. 27, 1954

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 1, 1954

Categories: FICTION