Ever since Lt. Smith joined Col. Courtney's command, unexplained Indian deaths have increased, threatening to ignite a war between the colonial forces and the Iroquois nation.
Army payroll messengers are found dead, murdered by a gang of bandits, and the payroll stolen. In order to find the killers, Hawkeye and Chingachgook go undercover as managers of a local trading post.
A series of thefts are falsely attributed to the innocent Mingo False Faces.
Hawkeye saves prospector from angry trapers.
Hawkeye takes accused lieutenant to trial.