The theme is the trials and tribulations suffered by the early settlers, the pioneers, in the lands to the east of the Rockies, in particular in the Red Riverbasin, where it flows northwards into Lake Winnipeg. There are problemswith bad men of their own settlement; bad men from the other main furcompany (our heroes worked with the Hudson Bay Company), theNor'westers; Sioux and Salteaux Indians; a plague of grass-hoppers; aplague of mice; storms that destroyed fishing-gear such as nets; CreeIndians as well as the other two tribes; bad decisions and actions bythe advisors of Lord Selkirk, who was in charge of the whole operationof settlement; accidental wounds. The heroes of the tale are two youngboys, one of whom is "disabled" and weak, but both are shining examplesof goodness and bravery. The women of the tale are of course allbeautiful and devoted members of their various households. The men ofthe tale vary between the competent and the incompetent; the lazy andidle, and the industrious; the cunning, and the stupid.