Close to the Clearwater Mountains of North America the Nez Perce Indians live at peace by the Snake River. The story opens at the birth of Chief Long Bows daughter, Wet-Khoo-Weis. The Chiefs brother, Black Eagle, has always been jealous of him believing he should be rightful leader of the tribe. Chief Long Bows wife dies and he marries the girl his brother loves. Black Eagle is bitter and vows revenge.
Time passes and Wet-Khoo-Weis is almost grown. To punish his brother Black Eagle abducts her, taking her far over the mountains towards the Great Plains. She escapes by the intervention of a Sioux Brave. They marry and have a son, but when the white man raids their village many are killed including her husband and son. She is captured and taken to a Fort but manages to escape.
She has many adventures before returning to her native home. On the death of her father she is made Chief of her tribe. Black Eagle returns, having mellowed over many moons, and now supports Wet-Khoo-Weis in her struggles.
Gold is found in the nearby hills, now it is required that the Indians give up their lands and live in Reservations. Wet-Khoo-Weis refuses. In the dead of night she flees with her small son, Conquering Bear, Black Eagle and her people towards the borders of Canada, where history was made. |
