The winter of 1826 finds young Sam Ogden living with the Mandan Indians in their village on the Missouri River. Life in the Slanted Village is built on the traditions of several hundred years. Sam and his mentor, Clyde Patterson have gradually become part of this complex network of practices and ceremonies. Sam has taken a wife, the daughter of Chief Rolling Thunder, her name is Little Fire. In the few months that they have been married, the young...