The Marrow Thieves: The Other Indians Summary & Analysis

Frenchie's family catches the men by noon. They discovered tracks and trash on the way to them and when Frenchie and Chi-Boy scout around their camp, they see that the man in the red hat is carving wood. The other seems to be napping. Miig is concerned by this and privately says they need to keep the girls in their sights at all times. He tells Chi-Boy to have his knife ready and gives Frenchie the loaded rifle. The three return to the others and announces that they're going to go meet the men, but if they're dangerous, they need to take care of each other.

Miig leads his family toward the men and one of the men yells at them. This is concerning; people who are confident enough to yell are possibly Recruiters. Miig begins speaking in Cree, introducing himself and trying to ascertain what nation these two are part of. The men introduce themselves in broken Cree as Travis and Lincoln and Miig leads his family into the clearing. The short man with the hat, Travis, greets Miig and bows to Minerva. Minerva is thrilled to hear the language spoken, and Frenchie thinks that if he weren't so anxious, he'd be hanging on every word. When Travis sees Wab, he visibly reacts. Frenchie steals a glance at Wab. Her eye is narrowed at Travis.

Miig cautiously says that he's going to travel on, but Travis invites them to stay and share in their stew and bread. Slopper exclaims at the sight of food and Frenchie wonders if Miig saw Wab's reaction. He's also distracted by the food, but he knows he needs to act maturely. Travis says that he was just in Espanola to get supplies. Miig agrees to stay; Frenchie tells the reader that Miig is desperate for news from a town. Everyone sits down except for Wab and Chi-Boy, who slips off to scout the area. Frenchie wants to be useful, so he gets up to look around too. Lincoln calls to Frenchie but lets him go. Frenchie can't figure out why he feels nervous around Lincoln.

Frenchie walks around the clearing and discovers that it's in the shape of a big spoon, with a cliff at the top of the handle. He peers over the tall cliff and Chi-Boy startles him. They decide to head back, but Chi-Boy stops and asks Frenchie if he noticed how Travis looked at Wab. He says they need to keep an eye on it. Frenchie feels very adult and tries to imitate Chi-Boy's silent way of moving. As they step into the clearing, they see Lincoln swallow something from his palm. They slip into the circle next to Rose and Miig, and Chi-Boy whispers quietly in Miig's ear.

Travis talks about Espanola and says that it's the last town in the region. He hands out bread, and Frenchie is hungry enough that he doesn't follow through on his plan to let the girls eat all the food. Travis says that Espanola is the link between the new residential schools and supplies from the south. Miig notes that he's heard that there's an Indigenous resistance group outside Espanola. Frenchie sits up and notices that Lincoln stops carving and Travis makes a defensive movement. Travis says that the group is fighting, but they'll be hauled in soon. Lincoln declares that resisting is stupid; people need to run or find other ways to fit in. Miig asks what they're supposed to do to fit in, and Frenchie checks the gun. Frenchie knows that Miig is remembering being betrayed.

Chi-Boy stands and looks ready to fight as Miig stares down Lincoln. Travis assures Miig that Lincoln is talking about hiding and tries to get Slopper to agree that there are Indigenous people who look white. Slopper leans away. Travis continues and says that he's happy to stay in the forest, since cities bring out the worst in people. Wab starts to pace, and Travis says that he used to have bad habits, but he would've never done what he did if he'd known what the outcome would be. He says he didn't want people to get hurt and looks up at Wab. He explains that he's different now and now that he's teamed up with Lincoln, he'll never go back. Slopper points out that none of them can go back because of the Recruiters.

Travis laughs and invites Miig to camp in the clearing for the night. Miig seems nervous to stay, but Frenchie knows that leaving this late is also dangerous. Travis assures Miig that they don't mind sharing and claps Lincoln on the shoulder. Lincoln's eyes are glassy, and he seems cloudy somehow, but he tells Rose and Wab to stay close for safety. The girls turn away, but Frenchie says they didn't know then how dangerous Lincoln would turn out to be.