Where the West Ends

Synopsis

A mountain man trapper named Jesse Tipps travels to California when the beaver give out and, after being wounded in an Indian attack, recuperates at the Russian colony of Fort Ross. Jesse learns about the peaceful coexistence of Russians, otter-hunting Aleuts and the Pomo Indian tribe. His adventures there include a grizzly bear hunt and a brief dalliance with the Russian Commandant’s beautiful wife, Princess Elena. He also meets a young immigrant from Boston named David Dowell, who has sailed around Cape Horn by ship. The two travel with the Commandant and his wife to John Sutter’s New Helvetia. When the Russians sell to Sutter and depart, Jesse becomes the caretaker of Fort Ross and David goes to work for Sutter. A few years later, David gets Jesse embroiled in the Bear Flag Revolt that later led to California’s statehood. The two participate in this underhanded action instigated by the glory-seeking Captain John Fremont until it turns violent and they realize that he is not the man they thought him to be.

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