Chapter II Summary

They trap that first winter, trade their furs to a traveling trader, and are still working their trap lines when their camp is attacked by Indians. Yeager is killed, but Strader and Simon escape, though with no provisions and without clothing. Both men had just returned from running their trap lines and had taken off their clothing to allow it to dry. They are wrapped in blankets as the attack begins but lose those in their dash to safety. When they encounter the Greathouse party after walking for several days with no food, Strader passes out. John Reese, a member of the party, asks if anyone knows the men. Greathouse recognizes Simon and says that he believes there will come a time when everyone knows him.

John Briscoe, a land speculator who has funded a current expedition of surveyors, is a...