by Robert Eugene Chandler

Eleven-year-old John Hawthorne runs away from his pa's Pennsylvania farm in the middle of the night. His dream is to become a mountain man. John's hardships begin almost immediately when he hooks up with unsavory Honaker Havermore en route. Havermore is killed in a saloon fight and leaves his belongings to John, namely a pittance, a rifle, a six gun, and a horse with saddle. In St. Louis, John joins a wagon train as he presses toward his goal. In Denver, he outfits himself with warm clothes, a pack horse, and beaver traps before he ventures into the wilderness to fulfill his dream. He quickly learns that Indians can be both unfriendly and friendly. Through a series of misadventures John loses his horses, guns and supplies, is befriended by a Paiute chief, meets an Indian princess, and is confronted by Arapaho braves. More adventure ensues as this coming-of-age story continues and a man's quest in life is fulfilled.