 Mary Ingles (Sheryl Lee) is pregnant when she and her small son, younger sister, and farm hand are captured from their homestead in Virginia s Blue Ridge Mountains by Shawnee Indians. Her husband, Will (Tim Guinee), narrowly escapes death during the attack. Impressed by her grace under the pressure of captivity, Wildcat, the Shawnee chief (Eric Schweig), confers special privileges on Mary and her children, eventually proposing that Mary become his mate. Surprised by her attraction to the handsome brave, Mary nonetheless opts to remain faithful to Will and engineers a plan for her escape. Separated from her children and sister, Mary joins another female settler, and together they embark on a harrowing homeward trek.