Fourteen-year-old Clay Beckley comes of age in the Great American West in the 1890s. Leaving his home in La Porte, Indiana, Clay hops trains heading west to join in an expedition to study the flora and fauna of the San Francisco Peaks of Arizona. This undertaking is headed by Dr. C. Hart Merriam, recently appointed head of what would become the Bureau of Biological Survey, the forerunner of today's U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.These rugged naturalists and scientists would battle . . . . . . THE ELEMENTS . . . "Suddenly, from around the bend to the west came a wall of muddy water that was well over ten feet high. The two braced themselves as best as they could as they were pounded into the river by the powerful wall of murky water. Thrown under the water, Clay was not sure which way was up. He swirled in a mass of confusion trying to right himself.". . . NATURE . . . "As the bear reared to come down again on him, Carlos managed to roll away from under the bear. The bear's right front paw tore a bit of Carlos' back as he rolled away. Carlos screamed, 'Clay '". . . DISEASE . . . "'Clay, I think you have consumption.' Another momentary pause to let his diagnosis sink in. 'Do you know what consumption is, Clay?' Dr. Merriam's tone was caring and sympathetic. Do I know? Yes, it's a death sentence Clay tried to hide the thoughts that were filling him with fear.". . . AND MAN HIMSELF . . . "Clay did not see the nod from Black Jack Ketchum, but once again Ben delivered a severe blow to Clay's stomach. This time, however, before Clay could hit the ground, Ben delivered a second blow from underneath that caught Clay's chin and sent him lurching backwards."