They reach the Powder River. Newt has felt numb since Deets’s death, and he often wonders about Gus’s remark that Call is his father. Call scouts and finds the tracks of at least forty people. They leave the river after a week. They see a grizzly that spooked a horse. All the animals are scared and scattering. The Texas bull charges the bear, and they fight. Eventually, they separate, and the bear leaves. Po Campo mends the bull. Now the men are scared of bears in addition to the warriors.

Lorena doesn’t know how to answer the girls’ questions about her past, but she deflects them as best as she can. Lorena’s admiration for Clara grows every day. She is surprised at how little she thinks about Gus, although when she does miss him, it is intense. She does worry about Blue Duck, and still feels that only Gus can protect her from him.

When Bob dies, Clara tells the girls about the death. July is now living in a room by the shed and is in love with Clara. When Lorena tells him Bob is dead, Clara notices that he seems more cheerful, but his love annoys her.