In the mid-1800's, Oxford University accepts young Nathaniel Briggs to their medical college where he is expected to advance his existing skills. But first he must go to Tennessee. There cholera kills his father, brothers and sisters. Later his mother is murdered. Nat flees west with a slave, pursued by the killers. Frontiersmen offer to take him and his slave, Jeremiah, to Fort Laramie. On the way, he saves Secawa, a brilliant Native-American woman in her teens who is escaping Indian slavery. When they reach the fort, the Army hires him as a civilian medical assistant. Secawa serves as his interpreter to the tribes. They fall in love, but theirs is a forbidden love because of her race. Nat must choose either her or his dream of attending Oxford. He also doesn't want her endangered when he faces the men who murdered his mother and stole their property. Inspired by actual historical characters, places and events, it is a story of decency, love and courage. ForeWord Reviews and readers gave the story five out of five stars.