The
crux of the conflict in Peter R. Decker’s novel The Go-Backer
illustrates the frustrations of “those who moved west and followed
the mandate of Manifest Destiny,” but who never succeeded in their
efforts and returned to their homes back East. As Decker notes,
“seven of ten of homestead seekers failed to attain their dreams.”
As
is the case with Decker’s other two novels, Saving the West and
Red, White, and Army Blue, The Go-Backer is well-researched and
enriched by details.
In
Saving the West, John Marlow – a fourth-generation Colorado cattle
rancher – is engaged in a struggle for the ownership of his
bankrupt family ranch, detailed by Decker’s specific and accurate
knowledge of ranch life in Colorado.
In
Red, White, and Army Blue, Hiram Marlow (same family) – the son of
an Iowa hog and grain farmer – ends up homesteading in Colorado
after serving in the army fighting Indians, detailed by Decker’s
knowledge of military protocol and the rough demeanor of frontier
army personnel.
In
The Go-Backer, Calvin Marlow (the father of Hiram Marlow) – a small
farmer from Vermont and a Civil War veteran – takes his family west
on a wagon train to start all over in Colorado, only to give up and
“go back” to where he came from.
Decker’s
narrative of this adventure includes details about the route the
family will follow on the wagon train west, the procedures to follow
on the wagon train, even a comprehensive list of exactly what to take
on the wagon train – a breech-loading rifle and a Colt revolver,
wool clothing, woolen socks, heavy boots, blankets, quinine, opium,
camphor, some cathartic medicine and brandy for snake bites.
Upon
arrival at their destination, Decker suggests a substitute for the
brandy might be a local product, “pilgrim whiskey”: “A
concoction of raw alcohol, red pepper, molasses, and a touch of
water.” “It takes a little getting use to,” they say, “but
once you do, it’s like mother’s milk.”
Also
included in Decker’s details are explicit instructions – laid out
by John Ferguson, the “captain” of the wagon train – the rules
to be followed in order to deal with any difficulties that might be
encountered on the trail, particularly regarding any Indians they
might encounter.
The
only serious obstacles the pioneers actually do encounter, however,
are the death from cholera of one of the wives on the train and the
rape of one of the young daughters on the train, perpetrated by
Ferguson himself.
This atrocity results in the killing of the captain
by Marlow – who discovered the act in process – putting Marlow in
fear of the law for the rest of his stay in the West.
One
of the most interesting characters Decker develops in the novel –
aside from the dastardly captain – is the Oglala Sioux, “Loud
Thunder,” who becomes a valuable help to Marlow once he settles in
Colorado. Thunder demonstrates how to efficiently cut sod bricks out
of the tough prairie soil, for instance.
Original review on: durangoherald.com
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