Set in Oregon during the Civil War, this novel chronicles the attempt by Copperheads to bring the state into the Confederacy or have it at least break away from the Union and become an independent state. Adam Musick is the captain and part owner of a riverboat that takes goods up the Columbia River from Portland. His main competitor is a much larger company which has plans to put him out of business.

On top of the tense political situation and his business issues, Adam thinks he is love with one woman but the reader can see that he really relishes another.

Haycox really shows his romantic side in this novel not only in the love story but in his descriptions of the mountains and pioneer city of Portland. It reminded me a bit of Zane Grey. ( )