As Heyward and Gamut move closer to the Huron camp, they come across a group of naked children playing in the fields. Upon seeing the two strangers, the children let out a loud cry of warning to their elders.

Because of the recent complete victory of the Huron over Munro's troops, this tribe of Indians is not in a state of alertness. They expect no surprise attacks by the British as so many of the British soldiers have been killed. So although the adult Hurons hear the children's warning yells, they merely come to the door of the community lodge and watch Gamut and Heyward approach.

Inside the lodge, Heyward does his best to keep from showing any signs of distress, although he is tremendously fearful of being surrounded by so many savage-looking Hurons. Hawkeye has warned Heyward that the Huron are very clever and observant. If Heyward falters in his role and is found out to be a British spy, the Huron will more than likely kill him. The only consolation Hawkeye could offer was that if the Huron do murder Heyward, Hawkeye will avenge his death.

Heyward observes the expressions on the Huron men's faces. He hopes to detect whether his disguise has the affect that he intends. However, all the faces of the men are expressionless, showing no emotion that Heyward can read.

When he is questioned by one of the Indians, Heyward speaks in French so he can pass as a Canadian. As he answers the Indian's questions, there is a sudden loud cry outside the lodge. The cry is so piercing that all the Huron men inside the lodge disrupt their meeting to go and see what is happening.

Outside, Heyward watches as a group of Huron warriors enter the encampment from the forest. A couple of Indians are carrying a long pole to which is attached several scalps of their enemies. At the sight of the scalps, the crowd cries out loudly.

At the end of the parade of warriors, Heyward sees two Indians who appear to have quite contrary moods to the celebratory sounds of the other Huron Indians. Heyward suspects that these last two Indians are captives.

Heyward sees the crowd form into two lines including women and children as well as the men. Everyone, including the small children, holds some form of weapon. At the end of the two columns stand the two Indian captives.

It becomes apparent to Heyward that what is forming before him is a line of torture. The captive Indians are supposed to run between the two lines and receive the random blows of the other Indians.

One of the two captives stands very tall and shows no fear. The other's head is bent in shame. The braver of the two men, rather than running between the two lines, seeks a means of escape and heads back for the forest. He is unable to go very far and is soon led back to the crowd. He takes his punishment without showing any pain.

At the end of the ordeal, Heyward passes by the brave Indian and is shocked to discover his friend Uncas. Meanwhile the other captive, a Huron man, is convicted of cowardice and stabbed to death. Heyward later learns that Uncas is safe for now, but the next day the tribal leaders will decide if Uncas is to live or die.