The Great Slave by Zane Grey (1911)
The narrative follows a young Native man born under a prophetic voice that foretells he will become a chief to save his dwindling tribe and lead his people to a new land. As a skilled hunter attuned to the ways of the forest, he grows into a prodigious warrior whose talent is proven when he impressively uses a mysterious firearm-like “shooting stick” presented by white men. Initially, he defends his tribe from starvation by providing much-needed game, and his renown spreads far and wide. After an encounter with strangers in a boat, he learns of new tools of war that transform his ability to hunt; his newfound weapon augments his natural prowess and cements his status as a chosen leader. When his people are thrust into desperate times and his tribe faces both internal hardship and external threats, he defies fear and refuses to back down from challenges, whether battling nature, rival Indians, or the unfamiliar ways of the white men. Captured by a longstanding enemy tribe, he endures brutal slavery while his spirit remains unbroken for the sake of his people. During his enslavement, an unexpected bond forms with the daughter of his captor, a delicate yet determined young woman whose name and destiny are intertwined with his own. Their forbidden love becomes both a personal solace and a symbol of hope, as it stokes his determination to restore honor and freedom to his kin. Using the extraordinary shooting stick, he rises to the occasion during times of famine, delivering record-breaking hunts that not only stave off starvation for the enemy tribe but also force grudging respect from captors and adversaries alike. His feats of skill and indomitable will eventually compel his former captors to grant him a measure of freedom, though not without continued subjugation of his own people who remain in chains. Haunted by visions and ancient voices on the wind, he waits for the moment of destiny while grappling with loyalty, honor, and the heavy burden of leadership. As he leads his people northward, guided by both prophecy and the unyielding call of the wilderness, he fulfills his destiny by founding a great new nation. His journey—from a boy chosen by fate, through trials of enslavement and heartache, to a warrior who reclaims freedom for his people—cements his place in legend as a god-chosen leader whose life is marked by trials, triumphs, and enduring defiance against all odds.
By Zane Grey · First published 1911 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Adventure Fiction, Western · 7,387 words
First lines
A voice on the wind whispered to Siena the prophecy of his birth. "A chief is born to save the vanishing tribe of Crows! A hunter to his starving people! " While he listened, at his feet swept swift waters, the rushing, green-white, thundering Athabasca, spirit-forsaken river; and it rumbled his name and murmured his fate. "Siena! Siena! His bride will rise from a wind kiss on the flowers in the moonlight! A new land calls to the last of the Crows! Northward where the wild goose ends its flight Siena will father a great people!"
What this Textopian page supports
The Great Slave is listed on Textopian as a short story by Zane Grey, dated 1911 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Zane Grey
- Date: 1911 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Adventure Fiction, Western, Native American Fiction, Romance
- Length: 7,387 words
- Structure: 1 section, 165 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Great Slave by Zane Grey
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Genres
- Historical Fiction — Set in a richly detailed past, the narrative portrays Native American life, tribal destiny, and cultural conflict.
- Adventure Fiction — The story is an epic quest filled with battles, hunts, survival trials, and a hero’s journey driven by prophecy.
- Western — Embodying the frontier spirit, it reflects the rugged wilderness, encounters with white settlers, and the ethos common to Zane Grey’s works.
- Native American Fiction — The narrative centers on indigenous characters, myths, and traditions, emphasizing Native American identity and struggle.
Tags
historical · adventure · drama · western · freedom · conflict · survival · romance · betrayal · courage · struggle · resilience