Laura and her family move to Minnesota where they live in a dugout until a new house is built and face misfortunes caused by flood, blizzard, and grasshoppers.

1898. Ben Ward works with his Pa in a Minnesota logging camp, peeling potatoes and setting tables. Come spring, he signs up for the log drive with his friend Nevers. The head cook on the wanigan (the floating cook shack) is Pete Sardman, aka Old Sard, a cantankerous character with a greasy apron, an eye patch, one deaf ear, and plenty to say. As the team endures freezing weather, dangerous rapids, logjams, storms and floods, and a number of gripping...