Devastated by the death of both his parents young John Kilrain sells off the family estate and goes to America. Alone in a strange land, he is befriended by George Lucas who persuades him that his future awaits him in the mountains of western North Carolina where homesteads are free for the taking. He travels to the mountains with George and his slave, Daniel, and established a thriving cabinetmaking business. Then years later while cutting wood, he and George are attacked by savages and as they fight for their lives an event takes place that starts him on an incredible journey that forever changes his life.