Following Army Scout, John Hawk on
his adventure described in the book Montana Territory by Charles West, is an
interesting adventure. The story looks
at a man who is tough and determined to see that right prevails sometimes at
great risk. This quest for good is
accomplished in a stepwise fashion even with risk to himself. He is a white man who had spent time with the
Native Americans in the area and learned much about honor from them as well as
how to track and survive in the wilderness.
He often scouts for the US Army not to help kill the native peoples but
to help them survive and not be killed without trying to make peaceful contact
and learning to live in the current world environment. He seems to understand
the hardships that all those living in Montana face. He also knows that there are the criminals
who try to take the easy way and steal from others often killing indiscriminately.
This story is primarily about Hawk
leading others by example and tracking down scoundrels who have killed just to
take money from other settlers. The
adventures takes him across the plains and into the mountains where there are
close calls and some tender moments as well. Montana forms a great backdrop for
the expansive story. Hawk and his well-trained
horse become the central focus of the story with supporting parts played by good
guys from Army troops to shopkeepers. Of
course the robbers have their adherents and those willing to look the other way
to get money. This is a classic good
versus evil. Hawk is one of the good
guys but he also has temptations to take the easy way but remembers his
teachings. The story comes to a climax in Helena, the new territorial capital.
The book is a quick read and is
hard to put down. If you like a
traditional western story, then this is a definite must read. The Hawk character is the epitome of the US
Western spirit of self-determination and honesty.
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