16 FEBRUARY 1929, Page 29

HOMER IN THE SAGE-BRUSH. By James Stevens. (Knopf. 7s. 6d.)—They

are very savage old teamsters, cow punchers, miners, and lumbermen in Mr. Stevens' short stories of the old North-West. Satsle Henry tries to bite Black Larrity's ear off, but Larrity is ahead of him and pops out his eye. Hard drinking and hard fighting is scarcely a fit description for such mighty creatures. There are softer moods, too ; but the whole book is full of vigour and vivid description. The publishers describe Mr. Stevens' work as " epic " ; but we feel that even Achilles could not pass Us a he-man in such company.