Benny and the Bank Robber — Mary C. Findley

First in the Historical Adventure series: Benny rebels on the journey away from his beloved life in the city and the influence of the university community where his dead father taught. Benny quickly learns that his traveling companion John Clancy carries disguises, a long, sharp knife, and too many secrets to make him a safe traveling companion. Benny can't shake the Scripture's promise that God "will never leave thee nor forsake thee." A card-playing, knife-throwing bank robber, a savage black stallion, and a "cougar evangelist" all play a part in Benny's journey into acceptance of God's will when it isn't at all humanly sensible or safe. Benny faces an implacable bully and finds an unlikely friendship and a long-lost treasure through his dead father.