As spring begins, Pa has to go back to Independence to trade his furs for supplies. While he’s gone, the Native Americans gather in their camps and sing-chant so loudly that Ma and the girls can hear them the entire time that Pa is gone. It clearly makes Ma nervous, and Laura is both frightened and fascinated by the noises. Pa finally comes home and brings Ma and the girls presents—crackers and pickles for everyone, calico fabric for a new dress for Ma, and headbands for Laura and Mary. Pa tells Ma he heard rumors in Independence that the government would soon be ordering white settlers in the area to leave Native American territory, but he doesn’t put much faith in them. 

Pa begins plowing to create the family’s farm fields. Native Americans frequently pass by the house, using the existing trail that the Ingallses built their house next to. The natives begin to come into the house as well, and Ma gives them food and tobacco whenever they indicate they want some. The family begins to lock up most of their food to conserve it.