Chapter Five Summary

Pasquinel is a French trader who travels among the Indians, trading for pelts. When he finds himself shot in the back by a Pawnee arrow, he coolly shoots back with his gun, killing two and causing the rest to run away. Unable to get the arrow out, he proceeds with the shaft sticking out of his back until he encounters the Cheyenne who come to his aid but are unable to remove the arrow. They cut off the shaft and Pasquinel continues on his journey as the wound heals with the arrow inside. It will be years before the arrow is cut out, and it continually pains him all during that time.

Pasquinel trades trinkets for pelts and plans to return to Saint Louis with his haul, but has his boat broken up by members of the tribe of Rude Water...