Follow the River (1981) is a historical novel by James Alexander Thom. Thom wrote a number of historical novels set on the early American frontier, including From Sea to Shining Sea, about the Lewis and Clark expedition, and Panther in the Sky, about the Shawnee chief and warrior Tecumseh. In Follow the River, like his many other books, Thom relies on extensive historical and immersive research to relate the historical events of an ordinary woman, Mary Draper Ingles, surviving difficult circumstances to return to her beloved husband, Will, after being kidnapped by Shawnee warriors in 1755. The story, told from a third-person limited perspective, deals with themes of Human Fragility in the Wilderness, Relationships Between Settlers and Indigenous Americans, and Love and Faith as a Source of Strength.

This guide refers to the 1981 Ballantine Books paperback edition.

Content Warning: The source material and this guide include discussions of anti-Indigenous racism, suicidal ideation, torture, potential sexual assault, wartime atrocities, and physical and psychological suffering. The source material’s use of outdated, racist language for Indigenous Americans is replicated in this guide only in direct quotations.

Plot Summary

The story opens with Mary Draper Ingles, who is pregnant and enjoying a pleasant Sunday morning in her home, Draper’s Meadows. Suddenly, the settlement is attacked by Shawnee warriors. Mary, her sister-in-law, Bettie Draper, and her two sons are kidnapped by the Shawnee while her husband escapes. Bettie is injured. During their trip to the Shawnee settlement, Mary cares for Bettie and her children while also noting important landmarks so that she can one day escape back home. While traveling, Mary gives birth to a baby girl in the woods. Mary gains the respect of the Shawnee chieftain, Captain Wildcat, who admires her stoicism and dignity.

Upon reaching the Shawnee settlement, Mary meets other white settlers, including an elderly German woman she thinks is named Ghetel. Mary demonstrates her sewing skills and is employed by two French traders to sew shirts for sale. While measuring him for a shirt, Captain Wildcat proposes that Mary live with him. When she refuses, he is hurt. Soon after, Captain Wildcat takes Mary’s sons, Tommy and Georgie, as his own and leaves Mary with the French traders. The Frenchmen take Mary, Ghetel, and Mary’s newborn with them to harvest salt at a salt lick a few hundred miles away. While there, Mary and Ghetel resolve to escape. Mary leaves her newborn with a Shawnee woman, and they make a run for it.

For many weeks, Mary and Ghetel travel overland back to Draper’s Meadows. They face starvation, cold, and difficult terrain. While they travel, Mary’s husband, William “Will” Ingles, searches for her and makes contact with the Cherokee in the hopes that they will negotiate his family’s ransom with the Shawnee on their behalf. As their circumstances grow desperate, Ghetel and Mary’s relationship becomes increasingly volatile. One day, out of hunger, Ghetel attacks Mary with the intent of eating her. Mary escapes and crosses the river in a canoe to get away from her. They complete the journey walking on opposite banks of the river.

Eventually, Mary reaches the hunting cabin of a family she knows. They care for her and take her to a nearby fort. Will arrives, and they are reunited. Mary begs for them to go looking for Ghetel, and they find her. Mary forgives Ghetel for her actions and learns that her name is actually “Gretel.” Mary and Will leave the fort and travel to another one. When Mary has a feeling that Indigenous Americans are about to attack that fort, they leave again. Soon after, there is an attack, and everyone at the fort is killed. Mary tells Will about the baby she left behind, and he forgives her.

Many years later, Will returns home with Mary’s surviving son, Tommy, who has been raised by Captain Wildcat. Mary embraces him and welcomes him home.