| Zenas Leonard became a fur trapper, heading up the Missouri and trapping through to the Pacific Coast in the 1830's. He left home as a young man and was given up for dead by his family--but returned after five and a half years in the wilderness.
Leonard travelled with the famous Joseph Walker and Captain Bonneville. He fought grizzlies, Indians, hunger, and blizzards. He lived amongst the Crows for a time and was horrified by their their torture of prisoners. He spent time on the coast of California, learning horse riding and roping from the Spanish. Not all the men on the expedition returned, and misfortune reduced their numbers. Each separation for trapping or exploration meant a grueling good-by as danger lurked in every canyon. Leonard and his companions risked life and limb each day, but few returned to the States with the fortunes they had envisioned. | ||
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Plot & Themes Outdoors story Yes Exploring: - colonizing new territory Period of greatest activity? - 1600-1899 Subject of Biography Gender - Male Profession/status: Ethnicity - White Nationality - American Setting How much descriptions of surroundings? - 5 () United States Yes Mountains/Cliffs Yes Forest? Yes Prairie? Yes Century: - 19th century Writing Style Book makes you feel? - like laughing How much dialogue in bio? - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog |
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