Smith's farm is too high, his banker is getting restive, and an Indian who has killed a White man has shown up in a shack on his land. In the TV film, Chief Dan George got his first part. When he comes into Smith's cabin, he says memorably:Hello this place. My favourite book.

Paul St. Pierre does for ranchers in British Columbia what James Herriott does for animals in Yorkshire. He has a knack for turning some of the most insignificant events of daily life into interesting stories. His characters start out as impulsive oddballs, but by the end of the story they become quite rational folks. This is one of those books that sneaks up on you. The first time I read it I thought it was entertaining, but nothing to visit again. But every once in a while one of the characters from the book pops into my mind and I dwell on the character and story for a few days. I usually re-read it every couple of years (I have a worn 1987 edition, now in retirement.)