Mary Austin
Mary Austin, the narrator, is a nature lover, as she has spent many years in the regions around Death Valley. She has outstanding observation skills and is able to accurately describe what she sees, which includes flora, fauna, people living in the desert, and the relationships between these elements. Moreover, she considers the wonders of nature God's work, thus following a romantic tradition of worshipping God by appreciating and glorifying nature. Logically, she idealizes the Indians and people who live a simple life without exploiting nature, and despises the civilized people who have lost their connection with nature.
Petite Pete
Petite Pete is a shepherd. Austin compares him to his dogs, "who are possibly as intelligent, certainly handsomer." However, Austin enjoys his company and feels close to God when he camps, as the shepherd's idyll reminds her of the scene of Nativity.
Seyavi
Seyavi is an Indian woman who lost her mate when the Paiutes made their last stand at the border of the Bitter Lake. Henceforth, she was forced to raise her little son on her own. She is a woman of extreme endurance, and against all odds, she and her son survived the pillage. Now she makes artistic cooking pots and sells them for money.
The Pocket Hunter
Austin describes the Pocket Hunter, whose real name she does not reveal, as a small, bowed man, with a face and manner and speech of no character at all. Living in his own little world, he walks around with his mouth open, humming an endless tune. He has traveled great distances with one or two donkeys and always carries with him only the most elemental items of pots and pans. Austin likes listening to the myriad of stories he has to tell. She also highlights that he does not use modern tools such as a rifle to hunt for food; instead, he uses traditional things such as snares to catch birds and a line to catch fish. The pocket hunter started his profession when he hit a thousand-dollar pocket of gold; now he continues his search for another one. After luck brought him some more money, he briefly lived in England, but soon returned to Southern California, which Austin claims is his destiny.
