At Sault Sainte Marie, drunken, lustful traders discover Jazelle is a woman and she's put up for bids. A storm on Lake Superior destroys their canoe. To reach Minnesota, they must cross the Savannah Portage-six days mired in swamp to their waists. At Rice Lake Pierre deserts them. There they meet Charles's cousin, Paul Bruneau, and are taken in by the friendly Chippewa at Mud River. Paul teaches Charles to trap, but they are lied about and driven from the village.
Captured by Hadatsa Sioux, they realized they will be tortured and killed. Anishanaabe rips Jazelle's tunic from neck to waist. Will the amulet save them?