Matthew Pearson is a typical farmer in the wild soldier's settlement of Portuguese Creek, who, like many others, becomes involved in some atypical events. He comes to the settlement with his wife, Maude, whom he marries shortly after the first World War , and fathers two children. He, like many others, is filled with both awe and terror toward the land he is expected to settle, as is proven when he states that

When [he] first set eyes on [the] logged-off stretch of second-growth timber [he was] expected to turn into [a farm], [he was] shaken with the extravagant beauty of the green Pacific world. Snow-peaked mountains, thick underbrush

Charlie also witnesses Matthew Pearson at his worst, bandaged and burnt after the fire. Instead of becoming violent and angry, like Tanner, Charlie offers Matthew his support and friendship. The final book in this novel deals with life sixty years after the fire, and describes how everyone's life turns out. Charlie, instead of being totally ruined like Tanner, dedicates his life to helping the community. He becomes the editor of the local newspaper, and a historian on what becomes known as "The Great Fire Of '22". Charlie takes all the negative aspects of his life in the forested settlement, and channels them into positive achievements.

The cruel environment that Portuguese Creek has to offer changes the lives of all those who are around it. Even though each resident of the settlement is affected differently, the one constant is that their lives are forever altered by the wild land.

Perhaps if Tanner could receive the emotional support he needs, his problems would end. Unfortunately, his father becomes, as Charlie would say, "an empty shell of a man." (Book 3, Chapter 2, P 329), and his mother is too preoccupied with taking care of his father. His psychological problems continue to worsen, to the point where he runs away from home and lives alone in the forest. It is ironic that he chooses to live in the same environment that ruined his life. He becomes involved in all sorts of criminal activity, from robbing trains to bootlegging. The dire surroundings this small boy is subjected to results in totally corrupting his mind, while at the same time, destroying his fragile spirit.

Charlie MacKintosh, though just as affected by his surroundings as Matthew Pearson and his son, turns the tragedy in his life into something positive. He suffers just as much, if not more, than the other villagers in Portuguese Creek, but never lets it get to him. In the first chapter he and his father go off on a routine "stumping" quest in the forest (stumping is the term used to describe the blowing up of tree

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Approximate Word count = 1355
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)