Nathan and Alexander — David Drake (1)

In 1870 Maryland, Nathan, age 17, and Alexander, 13, had been separated for four, long years while Nate apprenticed under a cruel master. Without warning, they suddenly found themselves orphaned and on their own. Almost immediately, they managed to have three angry, evil men pursuing them for three different reasons.
They work their way cross country, west from Maryland to Kansas in search of a long, lost uncle â€" an exciting, 1,600-mile trek. They meet a number of fascinating people, and find danger and adventure as they camp in unfamiliar forests, hike the old Cumberland Trail, and hitch rides on steamboats, trains and, finally, a stagecoach. A straggly, mutt of a dog, which gets them into huge trouble, befriends them and dependably protects them. The situations provide lots of things to think about â€" growing up, responsibility, right vs wrong, just vs unjust, good vs evil. They love to laugh and find ways of making the best of whatever comes their way. This thoughtfully written piece of historical fiction paints a sensitive picture of the time and places, and of brotherly love set against a backdrop of non-stop, action adventure. It is one of the good reads - young teen through adult.