Two days after they lose the horse, Mary and Ghetel are out of food. Mary tells Ghetel that they are about halfway back home. They continue walking along the river. The next night, they still have not found any food. Ghetel says that they should go back and get the meat from the horse, but Mary tells her that it’s not a good idea. The next morning, Mary wakes to see that Ghetel has gone, taking the tomahawk with her. She finds Ghetel three miles away, “rocking back and forth, groaning and talking to herself” (209). Mary takes the tomahawk back, comforts Ghetel, and encourages her to continue.

They finally arrive at the confluence of the New River and O-y-o River. They will follow the New River through the Allegheny Mountains home. Mary feels confident because she knows that they will eventually reach familiar landmarks that she will recognize from her journey there. She urges Ghetel on.

Johnny, Will, and Gander Jack meet with the Cherokee Snake Stick and his men, who they hope will negotiate with the Shawnee for the hostages on their behalf. Snake Stick is a grouchy, shifty man who is suspicious of the “English.