Joshua Bean, the son of an itinerant gunsmith, is in his 14th year when the story opens. He and his father have been traveling together for two years (since Mrs. Bean passed away) and Joshua has learned everything his father could teach him about the gunsmithing trade. Then, just outsidethe small town of Broken Spring, South Dakota, his father is stricken with a heart attack and dies. Joshua is taken in hand by the Kaufmans, a kind local family who run a general store and bakery. Josh does his best to be helpful to them. Mr. and Mrs Kaufman are killed by robbers in Joshua's presence. Joshua, who escapes, then learns that there wasmore to their murders than at first appeared. A larger plot is in process. Joshua is now in danger and his adventures begin in earnest. In the course of the story hereceives a number of nicknames. But it is through his friendship with Tonkweyah, a Sioux warrior who befriends him, that he comes to realize his need to find his true identity-his own name that is the key to his inner being."