Suitable for children of ages 10-12, this is the story of a boy of mixed ancestry who, during a hunting trip to the Montana mountains, discovers something about himself and about his Indian heritage. Hugh Monroe (Rising Wolf) and his Blackfeet wife, Fox Woman, are the grandparents of Billy Jackson. From them, the boy learns the hard lessons of life in the wilderness. In early 1864, Billy's entire family leaves Fort Benton, Montana, to camp and hunt in the high country. In the months that follow, Billy survives an encounter with a grizzly bear and helps defend the camp from attack by a war party of Assiniboins. Along the way he spends time with his grandmother, Fox Woman, who teaches him much about customs and lore of the Indian people. She believes her grandson is guided by his Blackfeet blood. This book is inspired by the early experiences of William (Billy) Jackson who grew up to become a scout for General George A. Custer.

 

This book is part of a book series called Children Of the West .

There are 56 pages in this book. This book was published 2006 by University of New Mexico Press .

Marc Simmons is considered New Mexico's historian laureate and is a former Woodrow Wilson Fellow, a recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, he was granted membership in the knightly Order of Isabela la Catolica for his contribution resides in Cerrillos, New Mexico. Western artist and long-time working cowboy Ronald Kil lives near Santa Fe.