In which the settlers at Astoria, distressed by the loss of the Tonquin and surrounded by potential enemies, employ a clever ruse involving the dread of small-pox to maintain uneasy peace with the native tribes, while industrious efforts continue to build and equip their isolated outpost. As October’s rains signal the approach of winter, the arrival of hardy individuals from diverse backgrounds enlivens the colony, culminating in a spirited New Year’s celebration marked by cheer and resilience amidst the wilderness.