Part 1, Chapter 9 Summary

Another summer has come and Bessie goes into the town to trade. Bessie brings four baskets. Bessie is not afraid of the sheriff or the sawmill man. While in town, Bessie encounters other Indian women and they tease her about liking Blue Elk. Bessie tells them he stole calico material from her last time she saw him and they acknowledge him scornfully as a thief. The Indian women tell Bessie that Blue Elk is not in town but at the reservation. Bessie works with them for awhile, gathering wood in return for their information about Blue Elk.

At Mr. Thatcher's store, she trades the baskets for a red blanket. Mr. Thatcher tells her he knows Blue Elk stole the skirt cloth from her last summer and warns her to avoid him. Mr. Thatcher also tells her that Blue Elk had nothing...