Outside a saloon in Evanston, Wyoming on July 2, 1889, a Cheyenne elder, Nahkohemahta'sooma, which means "Spirit Bear" in English, confronts Johnny Redarrow, the son of Johnny Redfeather, the principal character of Raven Mountain: A Mythic Tale, the previous book in the author's Green River Saga. Spirit Bear, who also calls himself Nesemoo'o, or Spirit Guide, urges Redarrow to abandon his job as a railroad mechanic and begin a search for his father's spirit. Nesemoo'o and Redarrow venture first to Eagle Canyon, where Johnny Redfeather is buried, and where Redarrow finds his father's arrows. They then travel to Redfeather's cabin on Raven Mountain, where Redarrow senses his father's spirit. They meet Mary White Eagle, the only surviving daughter of Tall Bull, a Cheyenne chief, at Fort Laramie. Guided by his father's spirit, Redarrow agrees to participate in a Cheyenne ritual of spiritual renewal, accompanied by Mary White Eagle. Includes Readers Guide.