Charlie Maguire comes into the story in the middle when Hawthorn is attempting to recover from the serious injuries inflicted by the wounded moose. Charlie arrives at Carmack's cabin with a party of approximately eight men, one of which is Charlie's uncle. The group was on its way from Dawson City back to the US after discovering that they were not going to make their fortunes in the Golden City. They arrived in a flurry of activity, carrying young Charlie. Hawthorn did not know what was wrong with Charlie, just that there was an issue with his leg and that it needed to be amputated immediately.