Parse

[donny48]

A clue in an old times crossword book reads,
Packet held back, oddly, for American native.
Answer is given as bobcat which apart from realising a bobcat is an American native I cannot parse.
Help please ?

[mallyh]

boat = packet and B aC k odd letters

[mac44]

packet is BOAT, put in BC, odd letters of back.

[donny48]

Thanks , my mind did not connect packet and boat, I must try harder as my headmaster used to tell me.