American heroes . . . self-reliant . . . believing in themselves . . . torn by events . . . and guided by faith. What if everything you owned and loved was on log rafts traveling 2,000 miles on the big American rivers to the frontier? Follow four families as they confront dangers, thrills, tragedies, and conflicting emotions during the 1830s. This book magically weaves together a warmhearted story with historical events as pioneers carve out new lives on the prairie. Meet Captain Renke Vogel and Andres Sommer. One is strong and adventurous; the other is dependable and thoughtful. One is embittered by Indian atrocities; the other is a man of values. From Indian hater to defender, Captain Vogel's transformation is marked by confrontations with enemies and friends . . . and himself. Sail with them along the fast moving rivers from Ohio to Missouri as they encounter new wonders set against the backdrop of President Andrew Jackson's 1830 Indian Removal Act.