An old friend of Hawkeye's shows up just after two Delaware Native Americans are murdered and scalped, and a third gets away, but is seriously wounded. Harry had found Hawkeye at age thirteen and taught him the ways of the woods, but Harry has changed and not for the better. His jealousy of Hawkeye and his past love leads to murderous intentions.

Elizabeth, Hawkeye and Taylor go on a quest with a trapper and conman to follow up on information given to them that William is alive.