Lt. Doane takes over leadership of the military escort from Capt. George Tyler, who took half of the assigned soldiers of Company F with him to fight hostile Sioux in Montana. Doane loses his bearings while leading the Hayden group to Bridger Creek (the Upper Yellowstone River). The irascible lieutenant ignores Makawee’s experience as a guide and confronts Graham when the young man questions whether they are traveling in the right direction.