In the 1870s thousands of Europeans looked for a way to get to North America. Christian Schulz slipped out of Germany in the middle of the night in a snowstorm. It took a lot of courage to board the illegal, rickety old sailing ship bound for Texas. The smelly, ruthless captain warned the 177 passengers that half of them would probably die. They would face disease, pirates, rats, hunger, thirst and the sting of the Captain's whip. Time would later prove him right. Upon arrival in Texas, Christian was emaciated and broke. He was persuaded to wait with five women who'd been sent tickets by men who were willing to marry women, sight unseen. In his journey north he experienced trials and triumphs - extreme heat, outlaws, insects and snakes. Bound for Fredricksburg, circumstances caused him to change directions. Christian fell in love with an adventurous gal, who had a way with horses, could butcher a hog, and shoot a gun as well as a man. Determined to have only two children she found birth control in 1872. In the post-Civil War days, freed slaves were confused about what do do next. Christian came to their aid. The reader will see real life situations of sadness and happiness, keeping them turning the pages to the very end.