Thrust into the Montana Territory wilderness near Musselshell by the death of his parents in the 1880's, a 14-year-old boy, home schooled in isolation, is forced to survive through winter alone. Reaching primitive civilization in the Yellowstone Valley in early spring, he is poorly prepared to socialize within pioneer and railroad culture, and must learn to live anew in an even more hostile environment. This emotional character development is laced with suspense, humor and history around the advancement of the Northern Pacific Railroad.