Travis Britt lives isolated in the mountains until he is conscripted into the Union Army during the Civil War. He returns home to find it gone and most of his family dead. He leaves the mountain seeking help for his injured daughter, but must abandon her when he cannot find work. Travis struggles to survive through life’s challenges (protecting his home and family, war, loneliness, finding a new love, guilt, gun fights, Indians, problems with children, death, injuries, and aging) during the latter half of the 1800s. Travis relies on God and remains faithful through these trials. The story is full of life application scripture and God’s faithfulness.
The book is full of scripture and the story keeps the reader engaged and wanting to read more.
This book began as a home school project with my granddaughter but God led me to complete this story of Travis's life. When I sat down at my computer I didn't know what would come next. It was exciting to listen to God as he told me about Travis, and his family, and pointed me toward scripture. As I wrote, I cried with Travis's pain and rejoiced with his victories. I hope you will feel this way too.
“Travis, we need supplies,” Mark injected. “We should be close to Fort Hays.”
“No, I’m not stoppin’.”
“Travis, we need guidance. We could be headed the wrong way?”
“No, I’m not stoppin’!” Travis was adamant.
“I’m not going to do this, Travis. I’m not just riding with the hope we’ll run into them. We need eyes. We need a plan.”
Travis’s eyes were focused hard on Mark. Mark couldn’t tell what Travis was thinking. Travis had that look on his face. The look that told Mark his deputy was serious.
Travis responded calmly, “Ya do what ya wanna do. I didn’ ask ya to come. Go back ta Harris, take care a the town. I’m gonna find Mary.”
Travis reached down and took the rabbit, ripped a chunk of meat off, and walked into the darkness to pray. God would tell him where to find Mary. He didn’t need the soldiers, or Mark, interfering.
Anyway, it would be easier to live off the land if he was alone. He wouldn’t have to worry about taking care of someone else, and he could travel faster. He wouldn’t be noticed as much either, if he was alone.
As Travis left camp, he recited scripture, “Now this I know: The Lord gives victory to his anointed. He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand. Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” (Psalm 20:6-7)
The next morning, Mark woke to the sound of Travis saddling his horse. It was still dark. There was no sign of the sun rising. The marshal started to slowly pull himself off the ground, but he turned quickly as he heard Travis ride off. Mark had not wanted it to end like this. He didn’t think Travis would be so impetuous.
But as Mark rode that morning, he thought about Travis and realized that Travis had told him what to do. He had told the marshal to go back to Harris. Travis hadn’t said it as an option or even a suggestion. He had given Mark a command. It was the same no-nonsense tone of voice his deputy used when he was dealing with hoodlums in town.
Mark realized that Travis had made a deliberate decision, and he had probably prayed about it too. Travis had started this journey alone, without asking or waiting for assistance, and that’s the way he wanted it.