Review - To the River's End - 5 stars

In this novel entitled "To the River's End"  by the William and J. A. Johnstone family, the reader will be introduced to an ongoing story of American mountain men and fur trappers. Luke Ransom is the main protagonist in this book.  Luke had a hard life with his parents deserting him and being raised by his aunt and uncle.  He felt a need to be on his own and at the tender age of 18 answered an ad published in a St. Louis paper to sign on with The American Fur Company.  This was a life-altering moment for him.

He is a handsome and large young fellow and becomes quite adept at following and trapping the elusive beaver.  After working for the Company for five years he decides it is time to go free-trapping.  He discovers that his company team has been attached and killed by the Blackfeet braves who are not keen on whites in their territory, although this is where the beaver are plentiful.

He helps another fellow trapper who is under attack by this same tribe, and they successfully fight off the only two braves in this attack.  After going to the rendezvous, he and the trapper whom he saved become partners.  The older man takes Luke under his wing and as they say, "let the adventure begin." And indeed, it does. Starting with a fellow American Fur colleague who seems to want to kill or punish the young man.

Overwintering in the high mountains where beaver stand at your door waiting to be trapped might be stretching it a bit but they do find plentiful game and beaver with prime pelts.  However, they are in the middle of Blackfeet territory and that brings its own dangers.  The interactions between the trappers and Indians is exciting but not safe.  Good to read about but not experience.

This book gives a reader the vicarious experiences of living in those days in the early 1830s.  Full of adventure and excitement going from calm and placid to death defying feats the next moment.  An enjoyable book for sure and I highly recommend it.