British Captain Taylor Shields' brother William and wife Elizabeth have traveled to Fort Bennington to make a new life, but when Taylor fails to secure trading contracts, William holds the family inheritance over his head, pushing Taylor to take him out and only Hawkeye witnesses the truth.

Elizabeth picks berries in the woods, but is frightened by a bear. Running back toward the fort, she runs into the arms of Hawkeye. She has nightmares about it, realizing she should take Hawkeye's advice and learn how to take care of herself. The first step: learn to shoot. She trades services with Hawkeye; he teaches her to shoot and she teaches him how to read.