Footprints in the Forest

The story picks up where Jack Carleton’s first misadventure left him tangled in the wilderness, this time paired with Deerfoot, a keen‑witted Shawnee warrior. Guided by the boy’s determination and Deerfoot’s knowledge of the forest, they set out to track down their missing companion, Otto, whose horse vanished along a dusty trail from Kentucky to the Missouri frontier. Their campfire nights are filled with quiet strategy and whispered legends, while the surrounding woods pulse with the sounds of unseen creatures and distant tribal drums.

As the pair push deeper into untamed territory, they must navigate a web of rival bands, uneasy alliances, and the harsh realities of frontier life. Their friendship is tested by cultural misunderstandings and the lingering threat of capture, yet each step brings new clues about Otto’s fate. Listeners will find a vivid portrait of courage, loyalty, and the thin line between hunter and hunted in this early‑chapter adventure.