Part 1, Chapter 2 Summary

Thinking back to the summer of 1910, Bessie recalls their life on the Southern Ute reservation near Arboles. Bessie, her husband and several other friends go off on a fishing trip at the edge of the reservation. Spending the summer camping and fishing, they spend happy days living in the 'old way.'

Following the food, Serviceberries and fish, they slowly move up river, catching and smoking fish they do not eat. Killing two deer, they smoke the meat in the 'old way' and the women send the men up on Horse Mountain to bring back more venison to smoke for the winter. Preparing food stocks for the winter, they plan to return with them to the reservation soon.

Blue Elk finds them at their camp and tells them they are in trouble for leaving the reservation. George and Bessie accuse him...