campaigning in the contested Indian Territory, Jeff meets a headstrong and beautiful Cherokee girl, Lucy Washbourne, whose well-to-do family is proudly loyal to the Confederate cause. Despite their stark differences in loyalties, Jeff and Lucy develop a deep affection for one another. Lucy's brother Lee is captured while spying on Jeff's regiment and Clardy orders that the boy be executed. Jeff refuses to join the firing squad and arranges for Lee's body to be returned to the Washbournes. Impressed by Jeff's courage and ability, General James G. Blunt summons Jeff to be assigned as a plainclothes scout. Going behind Confederate lines in pairs, Blunt's scouts are assigned to gather intelligence regarding Confederate troop movements and report back. As they cross into Rebel territory in the dark, Jeff and fellow scout Bostwick blunder into a Confederate position and claim they are on their way to join the famous (and infamous) Confederate cavalry raider Stand Watie, only to find Watie's force is camped right there. Left with no other choice, the two follow up on the lie and enlist as Confederate cavalry. Jeff's name and straightforward manner lead him to develop mutual respect and trust with Watie's men. Jeff is called to join a guard for one of Watie's staff, who has been buying Spencer repeating rifles for Watie from a corrupt Union officer who is using an assumed name. As the latest shipment of rifles is sold, Jeff instantly recognizes the officer as Clardy and realizes he must escape before Watie can buy enough Spencers to rearm his regiment, but abruptly falls ill and instead sends word ahead via an enslaved boy, Lemon Jones, who agrees to escape and take Jeff's report on to General Blunt, hoping to join the United States Colored Troops when he gets there. On leave in a nearby town one night, Jeff happens to meet Lucy and reluctantly tells her he hasn't actually joined the Confederates but is there as a spy. Lucy agrees to keep his secret and promises to wait for him. Returning to camp, Jeff stumbles into Clardy in the dark and is recognized. Clardy raises the alarm and Jeff goes on the run, pursued every step of the way by Watie's men. Despite several close calls and steadily growing weaker from lack of rest and food, Jeff keeps heading back toward Union lines as Watie's men chase him with the aid of