A stranded colt and a young Native American girl, brought together in the aftermath of a hurricane, develop a strong bond as they both work to survive in the harsh conditions of coastal Carolina in the sixteenth century.

Gray Squirrel is forewarned through a series of dreams of the arrival of a strange people with skin as pale as the moon. She tells the tribal elders about her dreams. They believe Gray Squirrel has been signaled out by Creator to prepare for the arrival of the white men. With unhappy past experiences with the Spanish explorers, the leaders disagree on how to prepare for the event. The final decision is to greet the visitors in peace.

When the first English explorers invade the world of the Paspatank and other coastal tribes peace does not last very long. Soon tension leads to violence, and Gray Squirrel feels she has failed in the task given her.

Empowered by the speed and stamina of the horse, Gray Squirrel plays a major role in the protection of an abandoned English colony. Shrouded in mystery to this day, the demise of John White's colony remains the secret of Heita Hoonoch and Gray Squirrel.