Will Poole, a resident of New Meadow Plantation, His Majesty's Connecticut Colonies at the edge of the North American wilderness, finds everything about his home confining and longs for the freedom of the untracked forest. After meeting Squamiset, an English-speaking native, while hunting, Will is imprisoned for fraternizing with heathens. After Squamiset rescues him, Will flees and his life takes a radical turn as he discovers his fate is linked with the native people.