15 year old Nathan resents having to leave Kentucky where he wants to learn to be a doctor under his grandfather's guidance.But Nathans father wants to get away from civilization so they pack all their belongings on horseback and head for Missouri.Nathan has a special knack for doctoring and when his horse gives birth two weeks too early and the filly is unable to walk because it's bones are too soft,Nathan fixes bark splints to allow it to walk and eventually it can walk on its own.The real test for Nathan comes when his father must travel to enter their land at the land office several days journey away and doesn't return.Rumors of small pox reach the family and Nathan must decide toleave his mother and sister to find his father before winter sets in.My children begged me to read "just one more chapter" every night.A real pioneer story!