In 1858, Found Grace Church in northeastern Illinois decides to relocate to Kansas. There they will vote to keep the state free, rather than allow it to fall to those who supported the abomination of slavery. The pastor, Preacher Larrimer, declares the wagon train trip a Holy Crusade. Eighteen-year-old Addison John Freeman has another concern. He wants to marry Lizbeth, and he is sure she is attracted to him, too. But he needs his father's permission. After Pa refuses, Addison spends the night in despair rather than in sleep. A dozen wagons embark on the journey, but their progress is excruciatingly slow. Larrimer appoints Joshua Reedley as Wagon Master, and just in time. Not only does he spur the crusaders to make more miles every day, he knows how to organize defense against abolitionist haters. The crusaders encounter a number of these on the way to their destination, but it is nothing compared to their reception in Bloody Kansas. Addison Freeman turns out to be a good wagon train scout. However, he struggles to get over the loss of Lizbeth, and wonders if he will ever find a woman to love, who will love him in return

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