Everyone is gone—everyone except young James and Sarah Dyer and their faithful companion, Duke. It's the spring of 1758, and the Dyer children find themselves alone in their settlement on the Virginia frontier. Fort Seybert has been destroyed by Indians, and their mother and the other settlers are missing, feared captured. Now James, Sarah, and Duke are the only ones who can help. They must follow the forbidden Seneca Trail, but many mountains tower before them. Is Mother out there somewhere—hidden in the mountains? Will they be able to find her? James and Sarah know they must try!