Ben is the protagonist of the story. He was raised by his uncle after his parents died. He works as a hunting guide in the little desert town where he grew up to pay for college so that he can become a geologist. He is well known in town for his knowledge of bighorn sheep and their range. He has also worked on search parties for tourists that have gone missing in the desert.

Madec considers Ben to be “an honest, law-abiding young man” (36). Ben does not consider himself to be “in the same world” (12) as Madec and plans to never be in that world. Ben is an analytical thinker. He breaks things down into smaller parts to figure them out. For example, to decide on a route to reach the catch basin, he stands “measuring distances with his eyes and gauging the pain in his body” (57).

Ben’s experience with Madec results in his loss of innocence, as Ben begins the story passively evading Madec, but he ends the story by actively attacking him with the slingshot. Still, Ben’s values and morals do not change, and he refuses to press charges against Madec, despite his violent behavior.