DOWN THE RIVERS-WESTWARD HO!

Pioneers against, the Indians, and the elements go by boat one thousand miles to Big Salt Lick; among Col. Donelson's group is thirteen-year-old Isam Massingale, his grandpappy and grandmammy, and. his pregnant sister-in-law Nancy. His brother, Josiah, taking She overland route, has set their final destination as their first rendezvous. Donelson's Diary, reproduced as an afterword, mentions the major events of the story, but the history is fictionalized and enlarged. Trouble comes in superabundance: Nancy's birthing and an Indian attack; Isam knocked out, grandmammy overboard and grandpappy nearly drowned. Perpetual excitement (death, disease, danger) and a boy's growing up will hold the attention of those who don't retreat at the local accent and barrage of cliche (""pshaw...I just knew'd ye be too dang mean to die!"")