Charles and Greg hold a meeting at Whitecross with leaders of nearby settlements to try to come to some co-operative agreements. The event is interrupted by the news that the wife of one of the leaders has been killed by a sniper. It is soon learned that the sniper targets young women and seems to be travelling towards Whitecross. Jenny, bravely volunteers to act as bait to bring the sniper out into the open...

Jenny is searching for Greg alone. Not far away Greg is travelling with Agnes when they come across an old woman in distress. She introduces herself as Mrs Butterworth and explains that she is being plagued by what she terms 'red indians'. Greg investigates and discovers a community of children are behind the raids on her house. They are led by a tough boy called Eagle who does not want Greg to interfere, despite the fact that many of their number are dying of a mysterious illness...

Greg is looking for a Dr.Adams who he thinks is being held captive. He is attacked by four men who steal all his notes on the settlements he has visited. He survives the encounter but runs into further danger when he finds Dr.Adams, who has contracted smallpox. Greg must now wait until the incubation period is over to see if he has contracted the disease...