In the rough 1880s coal mining town of Jericho, West Virginia, young Jonas McNabb is unjustly accused of knifing a man and is forced to flee into the mountains, one step ahead of the law, but in spite of this, he doubles back, in a daring move, to assure Laura Becker of his innocence, and his love. Now, Jonas faces a treacherous winter in the Appalachian Mountains and must call upon every ounce of his courage and resolve to survive, driven by the need to somehow clear his name and return for Laura. His chances for success rely heavily upon a fortuitous encounter with a crusty old mountain man, Jebediah, and the wondrous wolf/dog, Savage, who with uncanny insight, always seems to be in the right place at the right time. Includes Readers Guide.