Chapters 1 through 5 Summary and Analysis

The story opens with Bruce Olson talking to an Motilone Indian chieftain Ayaboquina, when an outlaw named Humberto Abril rushes up and interrupts their conversation. He says he has the right to claim and settle the land the Motilone Indians are living. Though Abril is talking to Bruce, another Motilone Indian named Bobby calmly interjects, saying that Abril has been given land and that he chose to sell it, and that they won't give him any more. Bruce, Bobby and Ayaboquina know that Abril won't just give up and they take a moment to pray, giving the issue over to God. Bruce's mind wanders back. He'd been in the country just a few hours, having arrived from America by plane in Rio de Oro. He is met by Bobarishora, called Bobby by Bruce. Bobby calls Bruce Bruchko. Bobby seems...