Wacousta

A war of musket and tomahawk in colonial America.

In the minds of many, the close of the French and Indian War—the Seven Years War as it was fought in the New World—meant an end to the aspirations of France for imperial possessions in the west and a close of hostilities between the British, their colonies and Indian allies, and the French and theirs. The Revolution and the War of American Independence was but a decade and a half into the future, and all the turmoil that led to the first exchange of fire was already boiling in the pot of colonial discontent. But this is merely an effect of the condensation of history.

In 1760, there were yet Frenchmen, French colonists, and those white men and red on the continent of North America who espoused the cause of the Oriflamme and who thought that cause was yet far from lost. Pontiac, the mighty warrior chieftain of the Ottawa's and a mighty figure of influence over other tribes, nursed grievance and hatred against the King's redcoats and the farmers who had come to settle a wilderness under protection of their muskets and bayonets. The frontier was still sparsely garrisoned in timber forts and blockhouses, and that which could not be achieved or taken by direct assault could be won by stealth and treachery.

Such is the factual background to this essential, substantial, and exciting historical novel by John Richardson, originally published in three separate volumes, all of which are brought to Leonaur readers in one special volume available in soft cover and hard cover for collectors. For those who love fiction of spirit, such as The Last of the Mohicans or Drums Along the Mohawk, this will be a welcome addition to their libraries.