Chapters Twelve through Thirteen Summary

In Chapter Twelve, the couple head to Grouard on orders of transfer from the Government. One night, while Katherine thinks of the person she has inside of her, she feels her first cramp from the pregnancy. She is angry with Mike because of the thought that she will have her baby on the trail, not the city and because she wants a woman to help her. Mike shakes off Kathy's anger and rationally tells her that if she were near birth, her pains would be fast and close together. The two make it to Peace River Crossing, where a former female nurse named Mrs. Mathers is there to help.

When they reach Peace River Crossing, Mrs. Mathers does not give a good first impression. She states that Katherine is not made for child-bearing; she doubts if she...