# LaGrinder — Cogewea, the Half-Blood character guide > LaGrinder in Cogewea, the Half-Blood by Mourning Dove. **Role:** major **Also known as:** James LaGrinder, Jim, Old Jim **First appearance:** 0003-i-cogewea-the-half-blood ## Snapshot Second to none among Flathead riders, this seasoned hand reads men and horses alike and guards Cogewea with a fierce, unspoken loyalty. ## Who they are LaGrinder moves through the Horseshoe Bend roundup as one of its most trusted and capable riders, a man whose skill with untameable bands earns quiet authority among the cowboys. He is protective of Cogewea and quick to bristle when the Eastern tenderfoot Densmore begins circling her, his compressed lips and muttered threats revealing a temper held on a short rein. His suspicion of outsiders gives the early chapters their friction and frames the question of who truly belongs on this land. ## Relationships ### [Cogewea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/characters/cogewea) _family_ Cogewea and LaGrinder are grandmother and granddaughter, with LaGrinder as the wise, traditional elder guiding Cogewea. ### [Sis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/characters/sis) _family_ LaGrinder is Sis's grandmother, providing guidance and traditional wisdom to her granddaughter. ### [Celluloid Bill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/characters/celluloid_bill) _friendship_ Celluloid Bill is a loyal friend and ally to LaGrinder, often assisting her in matters of the ranch. ### [Mary McDonald](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/characters/mary_mcdonald) _friendship_ LaGrinder and Mary McDonald share a friendship based on mutual respect and community ties. ### [Alfred Densmore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/characters/alfred_densmore) _rivalry_ Alfred Densmore is in conflict with LaGrinder, who sees through his deceptive intentions toward her granddaughter. ### [The Easterner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/characters/the_easterner) _social_ LaGrinder is wary of The Easterner but treats him with polite distance, viewing him as an outsider. ### [Bob](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/characters/bob) _friendship_ Bob respects LaGrinder and often helps her with ranch tasks, sharing a friendly rapport. ### [Cogewea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/characters/cogewea) _family_ Cogewea and LaGrinder are grandmother and granddaughter, with LaGrinder as the wise, traditional elder guiding Cogewea. ### [Sis](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/characters/sis) _family_ LaGrinder is Sis's grandmother, providing guidance and traditional wisdom to her granddaughter. ### [Cogewea](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/characters/cogewea) _family_ Cogewea and LaGrinder are grandmother and granddaughter, with LaGrinder as the wise, traditional elder guiding Cogewea. ### [Celluloid Bill](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/characters/celluloid_bill) _friendship_ Celluloid Bill is a loyal friend and ally to LaGrinder, often assisting her in matters of the ranch. ### [Bob](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/characters/bob) _friendship_ Bob respects LaGrinder and often helps her with ranch tasks, sharing a friendly rapport. ## In the story ### [Cogewea, the Half-Blood](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/cogewea-the-half-blood) Present as a key figure on the ranch, likely a relative or guardian. ### [II: The Roundup at Horseshoe Bend](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/ii-the-roundup-at-horseshoe-bend) Foreman of the roundup, works with little sleep, is tricked by Cogewea who leads his horse away, and later finds her after her mishap. ### [A Range Idyl](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/iii-a-range-idyl) Jim is in love with Cogewea, tries to be sociable, and lies awake thinking of her. ### [IV: Cogewea Hires the Tenderfoot](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/iv-cogewea-hires-the-tenderfoot) Warns Cogewea about riding Wanawish, shows concern. ### [V: The Tenderfoot's Bronco Riding](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/v-the-tenderfoot-s-bronco-riding) Jealous of Cogewea's attention to Densmore, he orchestrates the plan to saddle the outlaw horse Croppy for the tenderfoot, leading to Densmore's injury. ### [VI: The Fourth of July](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/vi-the-fourth-of-july) Jim organizes the morning preparations, rubs down Diamond, and accompanies Cogewea to the celebration, showing his support and admiration for her. ### [VII: The “Ladies’ ” and the “Squaw” Races](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/vii-the-ladies-and-the-squaw-races) Supports Cogewea, confronts the judge, and faces threats from the crowd. ### [VIII: The Indian Dancers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/viii-the-indian-dancers) Wins the bucking contest on Croppy, gives a blanket to Stemteemä, and rides home with Cogewea. ### [X: Lo! The Poor 'Breed'](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/x-lo-the-poor-breed) Recounts how cowboys deceived a woman writer, shows amusement at Densmore's discomfort, and grows angry at Cogewea's words, suspecting Densmore's influence. ### [XII: On Buffalo Butte](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/xii-on-buffalo-butte) Jim follows Cogewea to Buffalo Butte, determined to confront her about her attention to Densmore. His anger softens as he rides, and he expresses his love and jealousy. ### [XIII: A Visit to Stemteemä’s Teepee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/xiii-a-visit-to-stemteem-s-teepee) The foreman who reluctantly joins the boys on their trip to town. Cogewea admires his strength and skill, but her feelings are complicated by Densmore's presence. ### [XVII: Frenchy—Toy of the Cowboys](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/xvii-frenchy-toy-of-the-cowboys) Participates in the prank on Frenchy's breeches; leaves with the roundup outfit, giving Densmore opportunity. ### [XXI: A “Geezar” in Camp](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/xxi-a-geezar-in-camp) The foreman, Jim, spends a sleepless night worrying about Cogewea and Densmore, and is eager to return home. ### [Back to the Ranch](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/xxii-back-to-the-ranch) Returns with the outfit, teases Cogewea, and plans to outdo Densmore at the upcoming social event. ### [The Basket Social](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/xxiii-the-basket-social) Jim bids on the canoe basket, expecting to dine with Cogewea, but is tricked. He shows disappointment but also admiration for Cogewea's cleverness, and ends up sharing his basket with Mary. ### [XXIV: The Second Coming of the Shoyahpee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/xxiv-the-second-coming-of-the-shoyahpee) Summoned by the Stemteemä, he listens to her concerns and agrees to help watch over Cogewea, though they decide to let events drift for now. ### [XXV: Voice of the Autumn Leaves](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/xxv-voice-of-the-autumn-leaves) Learns of Densmore's scheme from the letter and plans to protect Cogewea. ### [XXVI: Stemteemä Consults the Sweat House](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/xxvi-stemteem-consults-the-sweat-house) Participates in the sweat house ritual, making a wish and showing respect for the old beliefs, which impresses Mary. ### [XXIX: Stemteemä’s Dream of the Soma-ash-hee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/xxix-stemteem-s-dream-of-the-soma-ash-hee) Jim is sent by Stemteemä to rescue Cogewea and rides off on Diamond, determined to confront Densmore. ### [XXX: The Cost of Knowing](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/xxx-the-cost-of-knowing) Jim rides desperately to find Cogewea, discovers her bound, and frees her. He expresses bitterness about the lack of legal recourse for 'their kind' and vows to leave the Flathead. ### [XXXI: A Voice from the Buffalo Skull](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/chapters/xxxi-a-voice-from-the-buffalo-skull) Brings the letter to Cogewea, confesses his love, and proposes to her. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/characters/lagrinder - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/cogewea_the_half_blood_se/characters