Miriam is a 14-year-old Puritan girl from New Hampshire who is suddenly forced into a grueling captivity journey by Abenaki warriors. A talented seamstress, she uses her practical skills and quick wits to adapt to unfamiliar and dangerous situations. Initially relying on her sister's strict moral compass, Miriam gradually learns to trust her own judgment and adapt to both Abenaki and French societies as she struggles to survive.

Susanna is Miriam’s older sister, a devoted mother and wife who is heavily pregnant when her family is captured. She serves as the moral anchor of her family, steadfastly refusing to abandon her Puritan beliefs or adopt Abenaki or French customs. Her deep love and respect for her husband sets a high standard for marriage that Miriam observes closely.

James is a militia captain and Susanna's husband. Educated and practical, he manages the family's survival during their capture and forced march, often placing his family's comfort above his own. He leverages his military rank to negotiate for his family's move to Montreal and subsequent ransom attempts, spending much of his time separated from them to secure their freedom.

Phineas is a serious and gentle young man from New Hampshire who intends to attend Harvard and become a minister. He joins the militia due to the outbreak of war but remains devoted to the prospect of a shared future with Miriam. His memory and letters serve as an emotional anchor to Miriam's past life.

Pierre is a wealthy, handsome, and arrogant French fur trader (coureur de bois). He embodies the adventurous spirit of Montreal and courts danger both in the wilderness and in high society. He takes an aggressive romantic interest in Miriam, which challenges her Puritan sensibilities with his bold and unpredictable behavior.

Madame Du Quesne is the wealthy and socially ambitious mistress of a Montreal household. She purchases Miriam's labor primarily to appease her husband's charity, treating Miriam with haughty disdain. She expects complete subservience and is quick to turn vindictive when her vanity or her daughter's social standing is threatened.

Sylvanus is the six-year-old son of Susanna and James. Young and impressionable, he quickly adapts to his circumstances during the forced march. Upon arriving at the St. Francis settlement, he eagerly embraces Abenaki customs, hunting practices, and language, which shows how easily young captives adopt new cultures.

Polly is one of James and Susanna's young daughters. After arriving in Montreal, she is sold and adopted by the wealthy wife of the mayor. Despite being given a life of luxury and a new name, Alphonsine, she vehemently rejects new customs and pines deeply for her biological mother.

Sue is the middle daughter of James and Susanna. When the family is separated in Montreal, she is adopted by two French women and attends school at the convent. Unlike her sister Polly, Sue adapts reasonably well to her new environment and finds comfort in Catholicism, though she still misses her family.

Captive is the infant daughter of Susanna and James, named for the circumstances of her birth. Her arrival tests the family's physical endurance on the trail, and she is the only child permitted to remain continuously with Susanna throughout their captivity.

Hortense is a hardworking French servant in the Du Quesne household. Unable to read or write, she has lived a life of hardship but remains generous and devoted to her family. She forms an unlikely but genuine friendship with Miriam, teaching her French and offering crucial shelter when Miriam faces homelessness.

Felicité is a pampered, fashion-conscious noble girl around Miriam’s age. She initially treats Miriam as an intriguing novelty and companion, allowing the captive glimpses into French high society. However, her friendship is superficial, easily discarded when social pressures or her mother's anger intervene.

Peter is a neighbor of the Willard-Johnson family in Charlestown. He is captured alongside them and shares the grueling march north. He assists the family where he can, carrying the baby at times, before being separated from them in Canada.

Mehkoa is a young Abenaki brave who participates in the raid on Charlestown. He initially taunts the captives but develops a quiet respect for Miriam's resilience, eventually offering her marriage in his village, an offer that tests the cultural divides between them.

The Marquise is the elegant and gentle wife of the Governor of Montreal. Suffering from lingering health issues, she requires new clothes and hires Miriam. She provides Miriam with a peaceful working environment, refined guidance, and genuine kindness that helps heal the young captive's spirits.

The Governor of Montreal is a powerful French political and military leader. While generally harsh and unyielding in matters of state and war, he displays profound tenderness and concern for his sickly wife, modeling a depth of marital devotion that deeply impresses Miriam.

Monsieur Laroche is Pierre's elderly and immensely wealthy grandfather. He carries significant social weight in Montreal society. Unlike many of his peers, he respects Miriam's courage and directness, viewing her as a potentially suitable match for his reckless grandson.

The Mayor's Wife is a wealthy French woman in Montreal who purchases Polly Johnson. She provides the child with every material comfort and attempts to rename her Alphonsine. She desperately desires a daughter but struggles with Polly's fierce rejection of her new life.

Jules is Hortense’s fiancé. He is a French commoner who frequently acts as an information conduit, bringing news about the English prisoners and the war's progress to the women. He joins the French military campaign against the English.