Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-26


an old gent surviving those times and
that journey, having enjoyed scanty
schooling, could possibly sit down and
in somewhat quaint language indite
q volume of 900 pages. Readers of
Richard Carvel" and similar preceding
emi-biographies wondered at the same
thing. However, what else was the
author to do? Such q story simply
must be told in the first person
modest, yet brave; simple, yet serious;
conscientious, yet comical--so Mr.. Rob-
erts just went ahead along accepted
lines. II this be his first novel, read
ers Of his periodical contributions will
feel q sense Of deprivation during the
preparation Of his second, but In the
end should be recompensed. The volume
Is not illustrated, but does contain, as Is
the growing custom, on its inner cover
a simple map Of the country in which
the scenes are laid. That he who
peruSes the book frequently revertS
thereto is to his distinct advantage
and testifieS to the anticipatory good
Judgment Of the spinner Of the yarn.
r. M. x.
GRAND CANYON COUNTRY. BY
M. r. Tillotson, superintendent of
Grand Canyon National Park, and
Frank ]. Taylor. California: Stan
ford University Press.
INTELLIGENT and expert manage
ment can round a deal of useful and
interesting matter to small bulk and
compass. Here is book of only hun
dred pages. But here Is the history of
the canyon country in its description
in the scientific theories Of its forma-
ton, in the legends and myths that
the Indians possess in respect to the
origin Of this stupendous natural fea-
ture. Here also Is q brief account of
the discovery Of the region. A story,
too, Of the heroic role played by Maj.
John Wesley Powell in the exploration
Of the canyon-played by him and his
intrepid assistants. After this there
comes the story Of the park, of its wild
life and its greatly impressive appear
ances of gigantic forms and beautiful
or grotesque formations. From this
point the record becomes a guide book,
specific In direction, exhaustive in
scope, complete In its directions for the
comfort and pleasure of the tourist.
The book closes on the high note Of
more to come-Something new every
day, for the people of this great coun-
try to see with ease, and in prideful
glow over the grandeur of the home
Canyon Country" A foreword by Hor-
ace M. Albright, director, National Park
Service, United States Department of
the Interior, gives high credit to these
two authors, both for their intimate
knowledge of the region and for their
practical experience in dealing with 1t
for the benefit and advantage of trav-
elers to the Grand Canyon country.
+ X y y
THE LAST STAND OF THE PACK.
BY Arthur Carhart, author of "The
Ordeal of Brad Ogden" and Stanley
p. Young. United States Biological
Survey. New York: J. H. Sears
81 Co.
THIS Is the story Of nine desperate and
fierce renegades whose determination
became the object Of the adventures set
down here. These nine stood, relics
Of the gray wolf pack that claimed the
Western plains as their own. But, with
the coming of the white man, with the
increase of settlements, the lobo wolf
was crowded farther and farther away
from his feeding grounds along the
trail of migrating bison and moose. 1t
was then, under the spur of hunger,
that the lobo became hunter of the
settlers herds, then that he became
menace, sealing his own fate at the
hands Of organized Government forces.
This Is the story Of hunting the lobo.
A more summary business 1t might
have been had not the big wolf learned,
by bitter experience, the white mans
cunning, his strategy, his arts of lure
and deception, his treachery and per-
sistence. ITO the men who have made
these true stories with their own hands,
to those who lived these stories day by
day, the predatory animal hunters of
the United States Biological Survey,
this book Is dedicated" So runs the
tribute to these ofilcial hunters, so runs
the warrant for the dependable quality
OF these records Of determination. Hard
reading. Through the clear excitement
Of each Of the adventures one goes
along In protest. Not in q sentimental
protest against that which seems a
necessary measure, but in regret that
so much of courage, of fierce and splen-
did fighting power, that so much of in
telligence and foresight, so much of
parental care for the young at all cost,
at any cost, should be so clearly doomed
TO failure. Necessary failure-oh, to be
sure. But so much Of gallantry in the
playing Of the lone hand, in the very
face Of disaster and ruin--these COM
mand respect and admiration. So one
reads here In suspense, In q tense en-
grossment Of interest in q sympathy for
"Lobo"-even though the greatest good
to the greatest number, and all the
rest of the civilization business urge
him to step over to the other side.
AS true record, this book is unassail-
able. AS sheer adventure of the most
active and absorbing sort 1t Is surpass-
| ing. As tragic example Of some OF the
| cast-offs of progress and of the SUI
| premacy of the man-animal it Is deep
ly interesting. Absorbing tales, wherein
truth gives direct challenge to the
| marve1S Of the most experk invention