I was living with my parents in pre Civil War Illinois when they are killed by an outlaw. I killed the outlaw and was forced to flee Illinois to avoid retribution from his family who are known robbers and killers. In Joplin, Missouri I meet Mary Wilson, a fifteen year old runaway from an abusive orphanage. We travel to Phoenix where we meet Tommy Red Feather, a nine year old orphaned Indian boy living by his wits. The three of us form a family.