Patrick McCarty and his wife Kathleen and kid sons Billy and Joe moved from Ireland to New York in search of fortune, but found only poverty, so desperately join an organized trail of wagons to an obscure town in Kansas. They spend their last cash on a reduced rate Billy arranged by charming Mr. Moss, the eldest driver, who mentors him on the way in Western life, including shooting. Alas the 'promised land of opportunity' is just a muddy dump somewhere in nowhere, yet exploited by the least poor charging for dubious lodging and employing at miserable terms. Having lost a brave uncle, shot by horse thieves on the way, crafty, good-natured Billy -then twelve- starts developing his own sense of justice, protecting weaker kids, and rebellion against the abusive strong.
—KGF Vissers