Outlander Book Club: Drums of Autumn Chapter 61 breakdown

Just the Outlander chapter

We start with Claire heading into the hut. She’s allowed to see Jamie, and she also then sees Roger. There’s a moment where Roger clings to Claire, making it clear that part of him thought he’d never see Claire again. He’s also scared of what’s still to come.

Jamie pulls Claire to one side to say that he didn’t say anything about the pregnancy. He couldn’t let Roger know that Brianna is pregnant with possibly Bonnet’s child due to rape. However, Claire isn’t sure this is the right thing to do. She does tell Roger that Bree is pregnant, but does end up leaving out the rape for the time being.

Roger explains that he doesn’t think history can be changed. That’s why he never told Brianna about the death notice that he found. He didn’t want her coming to the past and putting herself in danger.

Jamie respects that, but Claire is angry. She believes that history can be changed; at least, some of it.

The focus has to move onto what’s to come. Claire explains that the Sachem is trying to decide what to do next because a man was killed in the fight that broke out. However, she also shares that the men found the whisky casks, and that means the trade has happened. Roger is allowed to go free for the trade, but someone needs to be adopted into the Mohawk tribe to replace the man killed.

Jamie says it should be him, but Claire points out that the Sachem hasn’t decided yet. That’s when Young Ian turns up with some of his hair plucked out and tattoos on his face. He is going to be adopted into the Mohawk tribe, and there is no way for Jamie to talk him out of it. This will give him purpose and a place.

The book has always hinted to this. Ian loves the Native American culture, so being adopted into a tribe with a woman he has feelings for is a positive thing for him. Yes, it means he can’t see his family again, but he has the chance to start a new life and make up for a wrong he committed against Roger.

Claire, Jamie, and Roger get to witness the ceremony although they’re not exactly invited for it. Ian gets the name Wolf’s Brother, with Rollo standing by his side.

After that, the three can head back to Fraser’s Ridge. Along the way, Claire explains that she suggested Brianna head back through the stones. Roger shares that he’s found a stone circle in the colonies, and it’s about eight days away from Fraser’s Ridge. There isn’t enough time to get back to Brianna and get her to the stone circle before the baby will be born. Bree is now stuck here.

But what about Roger? This is when Jamie tells Roger that Brianna was raped because he left her over a fight. Roger points out that he didn’t leave without the intention of coming back. He was going on the hunt for gems, and he’s angry that Brianna was raped by Stephen Bonnet of all people.

Now Roger has to make a choice. Will he stay with Brianna knowing that her baby is possibly Bonnet’s, or will he go back to his own time? Roger remains behind for the time being. He needs to think about it.