Short Bow's Big Medicine — James Willard Schultz

The year is 1880 and the buffalo herds are disappearing from the Great Plains. Yet, deep in Blackfeet territory, in the valley of the Big River (Missouri) near the mouth of the Musselshell River there are still many thousands of the animals to be found. The white traders, Kipp and Apikuni, agree with the Pikuni, Blood and Siksika tribes to build a post in the middle of this plentiful land. Others have learned about the rich hunting to be found here, though, and the traders find that a large number of Cree and Red River metis have arrived to hunt and trade as well.By spring, Apikuni becomes embroiled in a disturbing challenge, when he is asked to help a young Blood girl overcome the unwanted affections of a Cree named Short Bow. Using a powerful Cree love medicine, he is trying to draw her to him, against her will. Filled with scenes of buffalo hunting, warfare and a powerful war party sent to punish the Crow tribe for their depredations, Short Bow's Big Medicine describes the soon-to-disappear way of life of the Blackfeet on the Plains.Originally published in 1940, Short Bow's Big Medicine was the last book that James Willard Schultz published during his lifetime. This is the first time the original edition has been reprinted and includes a detailed introduction and footnotes by Bryan R. Johnson.