Raised in the same desolate village in the Rocky Mountains as Jonnie Goodboy Tyler, Chrissie is a very pretty girl, about eighteen, with large black eyes in strange contrast to her corn-silk hair.

She loves Jonnie and his decision to leave their disease-ridden village in search of a better place practically crushes her.

In retaliation, Chrissie threatens to go after Jonnie if he does not return in a year—much to his dismay. She carries out her promise when almost a year later his horse, Windsplitter, wanders into the village, alone and with a fresh scar on its back—putting dread in her heart that Jonnie is injured and helpless.