The Proud Rebel

In the post American Civil War era, ex-Confederate soldier John Chandler who has put the war behind him, his adolescent son David Chandler, and David's faithful border collie Lance, a trained sheepdog, are traveling north via horseback. John is desperate in looking for any medical assistance for David to restore his voice, he who became mute in the trauma in watching his mother die in a fire while John was away fighting in the war a year ago. In Aberdeen, IL, John confers with Dr. Enos Davis, who, beyond the power of hope and faith, says he knows of of a colleague in Minnesota who may be able to help. John also gets into a confrontation with the Burleighs, a sheep ranching family consisting of patriarch Harry, and his two young adult sons Jeb, the hot headed one, and Tom, the follower. John's confrontation with the Burleighs are only exacerbated when he is assisted in that confrontation by spinster farmer Linnett Moore, the Burleighs' neighbor, they who are trying to push her off that land in wanting to expand their ranching operation. As that assistance is partially financial, John, David and Lance end up staying on Linnett's farm as John works for her until he pays off his debt to her and as he earns enough money to continue their journey to Minnesota. The longer John and David stay, the longer a bond forms between them and Linnett. John ends up being torn between doing what he believes is best for David, his singular goal in that matter to have David's voice restored, and feeling a loyalty and a debt not only of gratitude to Linnett, which includes in what ends up being their joint battle with the Burleighs. Lance ends up being a pawn in the proceedings.