The Silent Call

by Edwin Milton Royle

"The Silent Call" by Edwin Milton Royle is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story unfolds in a Western setting, focusing on the lives of Native Americans and their relationship with white settlers, captured through the experiences of the main character, Hal Calthorpe, who serves as the chief of Indian police. The narrative likely explores themes of identity, cultural conflict, and compassion, particularly through the lens of Calthorpe and an Indian girl named Wah-na-gi. At the start of the novel, readers are introduced to Calthorpe as he traverses through a desolate landscape with a band of Indian police under his command. The wildlife and harsh conditions evoke a sense of weariness among the men, yet Calthorpe finds humor and beauty in his surroundings. Interactions between Calthorpe, the Reverend Dr. John McCloud, and various characters hint at tensions between the Indian community and external forces, particularly the agent David Ladd, who appears to have ulterior motives concerning the lands. The opening chapters lay groundwork for complex relationships, notably highlighting Wah-na-gi, a young woman caught between her Native identity and her experiences after attending a white school, thereby setting the stage for ensuing conflicts and explorations of selfhood.