An Arkansas pioneer family journeys from devastation to rebirth in the years after the American Civil War, a period marked by the destruction of a family home, self-reinvention, guilt-induced tyranny, and explorations into mysticism and mental illness.

Born in a time of violent upheaval, young Odion and his little sister, Tutelo, live in fear that one day Yellowtail Village will be attacked. When that day comes, and Odion and Tutelo are marched away as slaves, Odion's only hope is that his parents are coming to rescue them. They are. But War Chief Koracoo and Deputy Gonda think they are tracking an ordinary war party herding captive women and children to an enemy village. Instead, they are following...

"On the shores of the sparsely populated American wilderness, a small group of intrepid settlers have landed, seeking freedom to worship and prosper far from the religious strife and political upheaval that plague a war-ridden Europe... 500 years before Columbus set sail. While it has long been known that Viking ships explored the American coast, recent archaeological evidence suggests a far more vast and permanent settlement. It is from this evidence...

Third in the saga of the first North Americans. In this sweeping epic of the dawn of agriculture, a courageous young woman is torn between ways of life, men to love, and driven above all to pursue her special dream. "A smooth blend of superb archaeology and wonderful story".--Andrew M. Greeley. The Gears have over 30 years' combined experience in archaeology.