Mohawk

In late 18th-century upstate New York, Cynthia Stanhope travels with her Aunt Agatha to Fort Alden to surprise her fiancé, the artist Jonathon Adams. They arrive to find Adams away from the fort, busy painting Greta Jones, a local barmaid with whom he has a more-than-professional relationship.

Butler, heir of the valley's earliest white settlers, despises white settlers and the Indians alike. He goes to Iroquois chef Kowanen to warn him about a party of armed white settlers heading toward the area. Kowanen remains unconcerned, but his teenage son Keoga and the warrior Rokhawah feel differently and plot a raid.

With Onida's help, Keoga and Rokhawah plan to steal muskets from the fort. They enter the fort through a tunnel built by the garrison, but as they are leaving with the muskets, they are discovered and several attackers are killed.

Onida is trapped inside the fort and is later discovered by Adams hiding in his quarters. He helps her escape in his wagon the next morning, and while escorting her back to her people, he begins to feel a romantic pull toward her.

In the village, Adams defeats knife-wielding Rokhawah, earning Kowanen's respect and Keoga's admiration. Adams also offers to paint the chief's portrait to show the whites how the Indians live.

Butler tries to incite Captain Langley to attack the fort; Langley initially refuses. After more agitation by Butler, Langley goes to the village and explains the situation to Adams and Kowanen.

Kowanen, seeking peace with the whites, offers to have his son Keoga accompany Langley and Adams back to the fort as a sign of good faith. This gesture is meant to show the whites that the Indians wish to avoid conflict.

Langley returns to the fort with Adams and Keoga following later in a wagon. Butler ambushes them and shoots Keoga. Adams takes Keoga's body back to his tribe, and Kowanen contemplates war.

Rokhawah, at Rokhawah's suggestion, intends to burn Adams at the stake. Onida helps him escape, killing Rokhawah in the process.

Adams reaches the fort as the Indians close in and the settlers retreat to safety. The Indians burn homes and crops in retaliation. Butler tries to leave the fort as well.

Adams confronts Butler and exposes his knowledge of the murder that sparked the war. As the siege continues, Butler is cast out of the fort and killed by an arrow in his back.

The Indians attack, and after several assaults they begin to breach the fort. Just in time, reinforcements arrive to turn the tide and drive them back.

Adams convinces Kowanen that Butler was responsible for inciting the war. With the threat neutralized, a truce is declared and hostilities cease.

Cynthia returns to Boston with the paintings, while Adams remains behind to be with Onida. The two couples part ways as peace settles over the valley.

With the truce in place and Adams choosing a life with Onida, the valley moves toward a fragile peace. The frontier tension eases as the fort stands as a symbol of a hard-won coexistence.