This book chronicles the journey of an orphan young man and his personal growth among the bewilderment of civilization. He learns to make friends and to value them; a concept initially foreign to him. An orphan, Joseph, from the backwaters of Southern Florida and friend of the Seminole Nation, has an encounter with a giant crocodile. The crocodile loses. Joe's adventurous spirit takes him on the evolving railway system to Prescott, Arizona, where he meets Anaconda Phil, Cactus Pete and Allegany Alice. The four go west to San Francisco, sail to Alaska and back (almost) and then traveling east they discover Gold, survive sandstorms and deal with train robbers and hostile Indians. Along the way Joe is amazed at civilization in the dawn of the 20th Century. He changes from a solitary boy to a man who sees and appreciates other's uniqueness and talents.