The novel about the developing relationship between young Matt and an Indian youth named Attean. The importance of signs as expressed in Matt's language, especially in his written language system, is shown early in the book. Soon after twelve-year-old Matt has been left to guard his families new cabin in the Maine woods while his father returns home to bring the rest of the family, he encounters various difficulties. These problems include a dishonest visitor named Ben, who steals his rifle; a marauding bear, who scatters his flour and eats his molasses; and a swarm of bees, whose poison might have killed him if he had not been befriended by Attend and his grandfather Saknis. In return for the Indians' kindness, Matt offers them
