"Jonse Deerfield had seen some hard times after his family was killed by Indians. But now he was with his friend Silas Atwood and Silas' wife Bess. Silas treated him just like a son, and Jonse was mighty happy to be with him, helping to make a homestead in the beautiful Big Sandy country. Then Indians capture two children, and Silas and some of the other men set out to rescue them. The children are recovered, but at the cost of Silas himself being taken by Indians. Jonse and Bess are sure that somehow Silas will return, so they stay on in their wilderness cabin. Jonse does a man's work in providing food and fuel for the fire through the long winter. And he proves to be as brave as any man in this exciting story of pioneer days in Kentucky. " - front flap description.