This film is a heritage item from Library and Archives Canada and is only available in English. In a cabin in a glade in the Canadian northwoods live French Canadians Dolores LeBeau (Nell Shipman) and her father (Roy Laidlaw) surrounded by woodland animals she has tamed. One day Peter Burke (Wheeler Oakman), "a naturalist and government inspector," chances on the isolated cabin while "in search of material for a new book" and meets Dolores. After being a guest at the LeBeau home Burke leaves to continue on his way but not before Dolores, to ensure his return, removes from his briefcase the manuscript of the book he is writing. At the same time Rydal (Wellington Playter), a "lawless trading vessel master" wanted for murder, is in the vicinity. He is apprehended and arrested by a Mountie (William G. Colvin) but his accomplice (Charles B. Murphy) shoots and kills the officer. Rydal, having changed into the policeman's uniform, comes upon a secluded pool where Dolores is bathing naked. His interest aroused, he pretends to be injured to ensure that he will be asked to stay overnight at the LeBeau cabin. The following day, while her father is outside, Rydal attempts to have his way with Dolores. Hearing her cries for help Dolores' father comes to her aid but in the ensuing struggle accidentally kills the accomplice. Rydal 'arrests' him and leads him away in handcuffs. Dolores hurries after them only to see Rydal push her father off a cliff into a raging torrent far below. She attempts to save her father but she is too late. Meanwhile Peter has returned to retrieve his manuscript and, finding the cabin deserted and in disorder, sets out, following the route taken by Rydal. He finds Dolores in time to help her pull her father's lifeless body from the river. The scene now moves to the Montréal home of Peter and Dolores. A year has passed and they are happily married. He is working at his writing while she daydreams of a return to her happy existence in the forest surrounded by the animals she loves. A telegram arrives from the Department of the Interior advising Peter that arrangements have been made for them to sail from Halifax on the trading ship "Flying Moon" that will take the couple north past Baffin Island into the Arctic. Some weeks later, on board ship, the couple are somewhat anxious because they have not yet seen the captain. When the captain does appear he is none other than the evil Rydal who has decided that he will yet have his way with Dolores. As a first step in achieving this end, he orders a sail to be dropped on Peter who is seriously injured and confined to his bunk. The ship eventually arrives at a remote Arctic trading post run by one "Sealskin" Blake (Charles Arling). Rydal deliberately elects to stay over for the duration of the winter. Dolores goes ashore to appeal to Blake for help, finds his native helper whipping a ferocious dog, and intervenes. This is her first meeting with "Wapi, the Killer". She fearlessly approaches the animal and it responds immediately to the first human kindness it has ever experienced. Blake is in league with Rydal - providing him with the services of Eskimo women for his crew, as well as the more usual items furnished by a trading post - and at first refuses to help Dolores to escape. But upon reflection he agrees to provide dogs and a sledge to take Dolores and Peter to Fort Confidence some 200 miles distant. This, however, is a scheme to dispose of Peter. Dolores overhears Blake and Rydal discussing their plans and takes some precautions. At the moment of departure she produces a revolver and shoots Blake in the arm. Rydal follows them with a second team of dogs and manages to shoot her lead dog after she has lost her revolver in the snow. Now Wapi, who has followed, is her only hope. She sends the Great Dane back to attack the pursuing dog team. Wapi proceeds to kill or cripple Rydal's dogs, arresting his pursuit. After four days Dolores and Peter reach the safety of the Mounted Police post at Fort Confidence. Later Wapi, shot by Rydal, comes limping in, while Rydal, pursued by the Mounties, falls to his death in the icy Arctic waters. At the close Dolores is back with Peter, living in the 'northwoods' surrounded by the animals she loves. A baby completes the picture of idyllic happiness. Source: Library and Archives Canada. John Cunningham fonds, 1985-0260. IDC: 178893.

• published: 13 Apr 2015
• views: 1993