Jack Crabb, as described by Ralph Fielding Snell, is "a cynical man, uncouth, unscrupulous, and when necessary, even ruthless" (p.439). However, as the narration unfolds it becomes evident that Jack Crabb is much more than that. He is a colorful character, with a well full of experiences and adventures to draw from. Throughout his life (the first thirty four years in particular) Jack Crabb plays many roles on the frontier such as adopted an Cheyenne, a buffalo hunter, an Indian scout, a gunfighter, and an uncle. What differentiates Jack from his fellow frontiersmen is that while in appearance he is wholly white, inside he is also spiritually and emotionally connected to the Indian way of life.
             From the beginning, Jack is placed in a strange and vaguely defined world. His father is a preacher who ironically gives his sermons in a saloon to a rough crowd of "pickpockets, bullyboys, whores, and suchlike" (p.1) As they travel in the open country, Jack, his family, and the pioneers they are traveling with encounter a band of Cheyenne Indians. With good intentions they offer them whiskey, which results in chaos. In the confusion thereafter, Jack and his sister are 'taken' by the Indians and forced to leave their mother and brother behind. Although Caroline escapes the night after arriving at the Indian camp, Jack stays and is adopted into the tribe of Cheyenne and their culture.
             In most cases it is hard to clearly define Jack's hopes and achievements because, as stated in the introduction, "Jack's achievements are Cheyenne, and his aspirations are white" (p.xviii). The word 'achievement' is subjective. For example, Jack is the only white person to survive the Battle of Little Big Horn, which in itself is a huge accomplishment, but when it is viewed from the Indian aspect it takes a different twist due to the fact that this battle also marks the end of the Plains I...