Chapters 27, 28, 29 and 30 Summary

Will and Johnny return to Draper's Meadow with Gander Jack after their visit with Snake Stick. Will isn't confident and admits that it might have been a waste of time. He considers what Mary might be going through at the hands of the Indians and is furious at his thoughts. He is tortured by the idea that an Indian might rape her, but is also tortured by the idea that Mary might go willingly into an Indian brave's arms. Will knows that Johnny is obviously sharing his thoughts. When the two reach the fork in the road leading to Draper's Meadow, they decide to go instead to the relative safety of the make-shift fort at Drunkard's Bottom.

Mary and Ghetel continue their trek down the river. Mary says she can hear Ghetel's bell and that it's once again a "pretty sound...