In the year 1774, fifteen-year-old Henry Cochrane is captured by a party of Seneca Indians near his home in central New York State. Adopted by the young Seneca, Hiokoto the Hawk, Henry grows to love the Indian ways and becomes Dundiswa - the White Seneca. When Henry is captured by an enemy tribe, he must rely on all the skills he has learned from the Indians, as well as his own courage and determination, as he attempts to escape from them and rescue fellow captive, Constance Leonard. Meanwhile, the Revolutionary War has begun and conflict escalates between the Indians, who have sided with the British, and the settlers. Eventually Henry must choose between his love for the Senecas and his loyalty to his own people.