Book 1, Chapter 1 Toward the Sunset Summary

Per Hansa and his family are moving west from Filmore County, Minnesota to Dakota Territory. The family travels in a wagon pulled by a team of oxen with a second wagon tied behind the first. Per, the father, and his oldest son, Ola, walk ahead of the team of oxen. Beret, Per's wife, drives the team and Anna Marie, called And-Ongen, and Hans Kristian, called Store-Hans, ride beside their mother while Rosie the cow trails behind the small wagon train. For almost four weeks the family travels forlornly across the land heading for the distant sky line surrounded only by tall grasses that swish in the wind. Per has lost his way and is unsure of how to find their path again since the tall grasses do not leave a trail behind them. Beret realizes...