Bright Morning’s father asks the soldiers where they are leading his people, and the soldiers tell him Fort Sumner is their destination. Bright Morning meets a young girl, Little Rainbow, who carries two small children. Bright Morning offers to carry one of the children for Little Rainbow. More and more Navajo join the traveling group, driven by other contingents of soldiers. Tall Boy rejoins the group, unnoticed but ashamed.

Bright Morning continues to carry one of Little Rainbow’s children. One night, Little Rainbow does not come back for the child. Tall Boy and Bright Morning attempt to find Little Rainbow without luck. Bright Morning keeps the child, naming it Meadow Flower. The older people in the group begin to falter because of the grueling journey, but the Long Knives only laugh. Bright Morning’s father says he is happy to be alive, but her mother says they are going to their death.

The marching group grows, eventually comprising thousands of members of the Navajo and other tribes. Some die, including Bright Morning’s grandmother, who they bury along the way. Food is scarce, and people resort to eating pets; Bright Morning keeps a close eye on her black dog.