It's the late 1940s, and Audie and his family decide to leave the West and settle on a farm on the Illinois River in rural Oklahoma. Life on the farm brings hard work, and young Audie must learn how to milk cows, ride a horse, and navigate the river. Audie has one adventure after another near the river which gives him confidence, and a few bumps and bruises along the way. As he learns how to help his family survive on the river homestead, he discovers a mystery that involves a famous outlaw and perhaps a message from an ancient time. The setting is of a bygone era in Eastern Oklahoma, and weaves a compelling story of determination, adventure, and family.