Jewel O'Connor is the main character of the novel.
The story begins in Ireland, in 1845, when Jewel is only ten years old. The country is struck by the Great Famine, after an outbreak of mildew destroys the entire potato harvest.

Jewel must then learn how to survive in a ruthless world and the many dangers that it presents. At thirteen she leaves the country with her mother Maggy, setting off for America.
In the slums of New York, she is confronted with prostitution and violence. Although still only a teenager, she gives birth to a child named Charley. Shunned by the community, she joins a convoy of pioneers.

In the meantime, far away in South Dakota, Little-Snake (who'll be named "White-Mane-In-The-Wind" later) grows up amongst the Sioux Indians. Unlike Jewel’s, his childhood is very peaceful until his mother is murdered by the Pawnees.
In the following years, the young boy undergoes many trials which will make him a man.

The novel follows the parallel evolution of these two characters, who remain in their own separate worlds until meeting in dramatic circumstances. Jewel is rescued by tribe chief Wolf-who-sees-Far and White-Mane-in-the-Wind. The chief will then help her recover her dignity and give her the will to live.
An intense friendship develops between the old man and the young woman. He teaches her how to control her future and her fate.
Both she and her son are adopted by the tribe by which she is given the name of Fire-Hair, Peta Pehin (because of her red hair).

A new character then enters the scene: his name is Mathias Peterson.
He's a cattle conveyer following the track with Dylan, a young half-breed. Mat is an embittered and solitary being who hates the Indians. However, when Dylan is attacked in a small town in Dakota and when Mat undergoes an unexpected mystic experience, the latter will be forced to question his beliefs. He is imprisoned in an army fortress along with a Cheyenne Chief (Bull-Horn), whose tribe has been entirely massacred.