THE BRIGHTWOOD EXPEDITION

It will give you a pretty good idea of the level at which this novel operates to learn that its heroine attempts to ride sidesaddle into the wilderness dressed as if she were going for a canter in the park. The time is 1842 and Marlette Brightwood is part of an expedition into the Oregon Territory trying to find a passable route for settlers. Obviously this is not the job for the poorly prepared tenderfoot crowd which Marlette exemplifies. Nor is it very likely that a seasoned scout would consent to take such a group on this kind of mission into hostile Indian areas. The party, of course, is wiped out except for Marlette and the scout, Ross Chestnut, who spend the winter with a French-Canadian trapper and his pet bear, sewing, dancing and playing cards. Eventually nature does take its course but by then it's all right because Chestnut has demonstrated that he has not just the strength of Tarzan but the understanding of Dr. Reuben as well. And Marlette has proven that beneath that fluff is a spine of steel. There are separations, misunderstandings, a search for Chestnut's true identity, and finally, happy reunion. Mrs. McDonald knows her territory; it's her people who are troublesome.