After a near accident with his Great Lakes tug, it looks as if Dougal MacGregor may be losing his eyesight. But the stubborn old codger won't admit he's having recurrent blurred vision.

Two years ago Eli Rocque accompanied Billy's father on a plane into the bush from which neither returned. Now he is back and the whole community is alive with speculation. But Eli seems to be under a spell. Can he tell what he knows about the past? Is Billy's father still alive?