Petra and her family come upon fresh water. As they drink and bathe, they realize that Petra’s baby brother Luisito’s forehead is very warm. Noticing a village nearby, Petra straps him on her back and carries him to the village to find a doctor. Once there, Petra is turned away for not having enough money to see the doctor. Desperate for help, she begs in the street. She is approached by a woman wearing pants, who wants to know what is wrong with the baby. Petra explains that Luisito is sick and she has no money for a doctor. The woman, Marietta, tells Petra to get on her mare—she will take her to a doctor and send for her family.

Marietta brings Petra and her brother to a nearby camp. When they enter, a slew of children addresses Marietta as “captain.” Marietta takes Petra to a doctor, who looks at Luisito and gives Petra some medicine for him. Afterward, Petra meets up with Amelia and Abuelita, who have been brought to the camp. They join a woman named Luz making tortillas who introduces them to her baby daughter, Chencha.