"Historical Fiction at its Best"

In 1736, Indians are watching Nathan Blake through the windows of Blake's cabin. When Blake leaves to get something outside, he is surrounded. "You have come too early," says Blake, "I've not had a chance to eat." One Indian surprises Blake by saying in English, "It must be a poor Englishman who cannot go to Canada without his breakfast."

This really happened to Nathan Blake of present-day Keene, New Hampshire. His captors keep Nathan as a slave. Ten years later, Nathan' wife ransomed him. Free again, he lived to be 100 and was buried along with six generations of his descendants near the site where he was captured. An inscribed stone marks the spot. Not much else is known except that Nathan was very happy during those ten years.

Intrigued with this true story, Ernest Hebert wrote a historical novel about it. Hebert is a professor at Dartmouth and knowledgeable about early American history He added interesting fiction to the bare facts and turned out an interesting novel that reveals a great deal about the Indians. He describes how they lived and shows their truly human side. Hebert singles out one Indian as the captor. He names this Indian "Caucus-Meteor," and portrays him as the son of King Philip and king of the remnants of King Philip's tribe. A King Philip really lived during pioneer times. At that time, the Indians were called "Americans." Hebert develops the character of Caucus-Meteor in greater detail than the character of Nathan Blake. Caucus-Meteor, the Old American is the main character.

Caucus-Meteor is a deeply human and interesting person who will earn your compassion and respect. The Indians made Nathan and two other captives run the gauntlet. Nathan's bravery going through the gauntlet wins the Indian's admiration. They adopt him. Another captive who lost his temper and started to fight didn't fare so well. Caucus- Meteor becomes fatherly toward Nathan and treats him kindly and with compassion. He takes Nathan to his home village of Conissadawaga in Canada. Caucus-Meteor is the village chief. Caucus-Meteor decides to improve Nathan's standing in the tribe. He Declares Nathan no longer a slave. Nathan carries the title "Provider of Services" (a willing servant). Nathan first has to be tested in advance to see if he is worthy. First test is wrestling. Second test is racing. Nathan does well in both and becomes fully accepted by the Indians.

The characterization of Caucus-Meteor and some of his tribal friends opens a new perspective on the life and customs of these fascinating people. If you like historical fiction about pioneer times and the American Indians, you will like this book.

Reviewed by Maurice A. Williams
Posted November 2, 2003

Summary

A long-awaited new novel set in the period of the French and Indian Wars brings a new dimension to the region's history.