It's 1898, springtime in the badlands of South Dakota. Cable dam breaks and wipes out an entire settlement. As the flood rages through Whit Reston's ranch he pulls a young woman of mixed breed from its deadly waters. Her injuries are serious but not life threatening. When she regains consciousness she can't remember who she is nor where she came from. When Army Sergeant Carson MD attends her injuries he promises to try to find out what he can about her life before the flood. For some reason David Klouse, friend and housekeeper at the ranch, seems petrified of her presence in the big house. But days go by and he takes her under his wing, teaching her to trim lamps, churn butter, and the many uses of herbs. One night she's looking out the window at a full moon. David tags her with the name Bright as Day. He shared his memories of growing up a slave in Georgia, and later as a wagon train guide to the west. Ranch hands Jacob, and Canoe of Still Waters, lend what help they can as she struggles with the blankness of her mind. Days go by and memories of others eventually flood this barren canvas, including the kidnapping of her mother when Sioux Chief Moon Eagle decided he needed a wife. (some Siouan language used. researched at the Eudora Welty library in Jackson, MS)