Ben Adams, a surly, spoiled, lazy boy of fourteen, is looking for adventure. The Texans, fighting a war with Mexico, are looking for soldiers. Ben and his best friend, Sammy, join the Alabama Red Raiders and travel to Texas to find their great adventure. Instead they find themselves digging ditches, lugging rocks, taking orders, and no glory, just suffering and death. The command he serves with is defeated by the Mexican Army and imprisoned in a small chapel. Ben is rescued by a Mexican angel one day before all of his comrades are executed. Through many dangers and difficulties, he finds his way to General Sam Houston’s army where he plans to avenge the deaths of his comrades.