By John Buchan
Buy it at Amazon
When looking for something to read on our trip to Virginia, I decided to limit myself to two books and skinny ones, at that. I always tend to overpack—at the airport I had to shift 1/3 of the contents of my huge suitcase into Gracie's smaller one, which still had plenty of room, so that I could stay at the weight limit and not have to pay extra when I checked in my bag. Knowing this about myself, I rejected the notion of bringing Kristen Lavransdatter, the novel I'm currently reading, which is over 1100 pages and too bulky to haul around. The novel I opted for is one I had read before, Salute to Adventurers by John Buchan.
I picked this book not just because it's a skinny (221 pp.) pocket paperback, but because it is set in latter-17th century Jamestown by one of my favorite authors. I don't remember where I first found it—probably lurking on the back shelves of an obscure used book store. It's not a well-known title. A previous owner jotted some notes inside the front cover: "Great fun! Reminiscent of Kidnapped and of Last of the Mohicans, but has its own value."
That little blurb is very appropriate. Most of Buchan's novels seem a bit formulaic, kind of like a grown-up version of Henty, but even so the settings are unique and the action, though predictable, is peppered with interesting characters who are quite human but get into and out of cliff-hanging adventures with alacrity and aplomb.
Andrew Garvald is the Scottish hero in Salute to Adventurers, a young man who frequently describes himself as prosaic. His gentleman father has died because of his associations with the Covenanters, leaving Andrew and his mother in straits which force Andrew to learn business in his uncle's Glasgow counting-house, from whence he emigrates to Virginia to become a merchant. There he becomes reacquainted with several people he knew in Scotland:
Muckle John Gib - Andrew's first meeting with this strange character takes place on a stormy night, when he stumbles upon the raving prophet and leader of the "Sweet Singers" after he loses his way. Muckle John is a collector of lost souls, mis-quoting Scripture interspersed with wild-eyed ranting and violent outbursts. When Andrew confronts the large man and manages to subdue him, John becomes almost normal for a time and even seems friendly. But his charismatic lunacy reappears across the ocean, and may lead to a great tragedy. This character reminds me a bit of Buchan's Prester John, another religious kook, whose megalomania is contrasted with the humble and courageous faith of the hero who is brave because of a dependance on God's providence in his life.
Ninian (Ringan) Campbell - The pirate with the heart of gold :-). Ringan is the presence who gives this book a bit of swashbuckling flavor, he lives a rootless life but finds his purpose in secretly organizing men of the Virginia colony to prepare for a coming Indian raid led by a mysterious figure.
Elspeth Blair - Niece of James Blair who was a real historical figure, one of several real people included in this fictional tale. Dr. Blair was one of the founders and a president of the College of William and Mary in Middle Plantation (Williamsburg), and rector of Bruton Parish Church there. He is a peripheral figure in this book, but Elspeth, of course, has a central role as a love interest for Andrew, and this young woman of high birth and strong opinions also serves as a foil for the hard-headed and sometimes proud Scotsman.
Shalah - An Indian who is a lonely figure, not fitting in with the settlers or the local tribes. There is an interesting incidental mention that perhaps his ancestors were from those white men (Celts?) who once visited the shores of America long ago, but who did not successfully settle in that region until the Englishmen founded Jamestown. This book is not politically correct and frankly portrays the brutality of the practices of some of the tribes of that time and place, but Buchan also portrays admiration for some of the traits of the native people and sadness over the conflicts between the white settlers and the Indians and the eventual loss of the Indians' homes. Shalah is Andrew's close friend. He says to him:
I have learned that a man may be a great brave, and yet gentle and merciful, as was the Master. I have learned that a man may be a lover of peace and quiet ways and have no lust of battle in his heart, and yet when the need comes be more valiant than the best, even as you, brother. I have learned that the God of the white men was Himself a man who endured the ordeal of the stake for the welfare of His enemies. I have seen cruelty and cowardice and folly among His worshippers; but I have also seen that His faith can put spirit into a coward's heart, and make heroes of mean men.
This story is set in the late 1600s, when William and Mary ruled England and Virginia was free to flourish after the oppressions of James II. But class distinctions and tobacco monopolies kept tensions high in the Tidewater region, complicated by concerns about Indian uprisings. Bacon's Rebellion had been quelled, but the rulers of the colony had to struggle with keeping it economically viable with the monocrop tobacco economy needing more and more land to grow and more markets to sell in, contend with ongoing political tensions as Virginia developed its own government, and constantly be worrying about relations with the Indians as more and more European settlers came to the New Land for a new life. All these conflicts are addressed in the story of Salute to Adventurers, as prosaic Andrew is forced to engage in intrigue and face danger to defend his new home. He learns some lessons in bravery as he leans on God's providence during times of peril, and lessons in humility as he is rudely rejected by the haughty gentlemen of Jamestown because of his humble merchant's profession. He proves to them, however, that God uses the humble things of this world to confound the wise, and this fact-filled work of fiction references God's Providence frequently, which made it the perfect book for my trip for the Quadricentennial, with its themes of Providence and Perseverance.
