At the end of the Civil War, June 2, 1865, Captain David Dancer sets out on an exploration of the countryside with his horse and his mule. Along his journey, he meets a Confederate officer who teaches him the ways of making jerky.
While traveling the South, making his way to Nashville, David decides to pay a visit to his fallen officer's wife, Maggie Wagner. He had made a promise that he would take care of Maggie if something happened to the officer.
During his travels, David finds himself in several gunfights, as well as befriending an Indian tribe, its chief, and his grandson. The adventure continues along the route through Louisville, then Indiana, and ends in Madison, where he meets up with Maggie and her friends, and a settlement is built.
