Mary is a 23-year-old frontier woman from Philadelphia living in the settlement of Draper's Meadows. She is pregnant and caring for her two young sons when Shawnee warriors attack the village. Possessing strong survival instincts, she memorizes the terrain and natural landmarks while being transported into captivity. She displays remarkable stoicism, quietly giving birth in the woods to protect her standing with her captors.

Will is a strong, proud farmer and Mary's devoted husband. During the raid on Draper's Meadows, he evades capture by fleeing into the woods, an action that causes him intense shame and guilt. He immediately dedicates his resources to finding his family, organizing search parties, and traveling deep into hostile territory to negotiate ransoms.

Gretel is an elderly German woman who was captured near Fort Duquesne prior to the attack on Draper's Meadows. Missing most of her teeth and speaking very limited English, she connects with Mary at the Scioto River settlement. She is a talented cook who uses memories of baking for her large family in the old country to lift the spirits of her fellow prisoners.

Captain Wildcat is a tall, handsome, and imposing Shawnee chieftain from Kispokothas. He orchestrates the attack on the British settlers but also demonstrates a capacity for care, providing medicine for his captives' injuries. He admires Mary's strength during the march and propositions her to live with him, reacting with hurt pride when she refuses.

Bettie is Mary's young sister-in-law and closest friend. The raid severely traumatizes her, as she suffers a broken arm and witnesses the death of her newborn baby. During the forced march, she struggles with the physical pain and horrific conditions, relying heavily on Mary for medical care and emotional support before being separated in the Shawnee village.

John is Mary's brother and Bettie's husband. He works the fields at Draper's Meadows and escapes the initial violence of the raid. Following the attack, he joins Will in spending their funds on whiskey and trade goods to secure a ransom for their kidnapped wives and family members.

Tommy is Mary and Will's four-year-old son. He is captured by the Shawnee warriors during the attack on Draper's Meadows and forced to ride horseback during the march to the Ohio River.

Georgie is Mary and Will's two-year-old son. He endures the long journey to the Shawnee settlement and is eventually placed in Captain Wildcat's care alongside his older brother.

Elenor is the mother of Mary and John. Originally from County Donegal, Ireland, she moved to the American frontier to be close to her family. She is killed during the initial Shawnee raid while watching over Tommy and Georgie.

Henry is a white settler living in Draper's Meadows. He is taken hostage by the Shawnee warriors and is kept separated from the female captives during the march to the Ohio River.

LaPlante is a French trader who does business with the Shawnee at the Scioto River settlement. He and his partner purchase the labor of the white captives to sew shirts and harvest salt. He views the captives primarily as assets for his business operations.

Goulart is a French trader operating in Indigenous American territory. He employs Mary to make checked cloth shirts for him to sell. He acts aggressively toward the captives, viewing them as property and posing a constant physical threat to Mary.

Otter Girl is a Shawnee woman living in Lower Shawnee Town. When Mary is put to work sewing shirts for the French traders, Otter Girl steps in to look after Mary's newborn infant.

Bettie Elenor is Mary's infant daughter, born while Mary is a captive of the Shawnee. She is carried on a cradleboard during the remainder of the journey to Lower Shawnee Town.

Captain Buchanan is a military officer who brings troops to search for the Draper's Meadows hostages. Concerned about riding into an ambush, he sets a strict time limit on the search before returning his men to the fort.

Gander Jack is a half-white, half-Cherokee tracker hired by the Ingles family. He uses his skills to trace the Shawnee war party's path and acts as a translator for Will and Johnny during their negotiations with the Cherokee.

Snake Stick is a Cherokee leader whom Will approaches to act as an intermediary with the Shawnee. He is highly suspicious of the English settlers, holding grudges over territorial disputes, but is willing to entertain negotiations when offered whiskey and trade goods.