Young Jacob Wheeler dreams of adventure. Leaving his family behind, he joins renowned mountain man Jedediah Smith on an expedition to California. Meanwhile, a young Lakota man, Loved By The Buffalo, receives disturbing visions.

The changes in the west take their toll on the Native people. Some choose to cast their lot with the white man, others stay traditional. Jacob and his wife, Thunder Heart Woman, return to Virginia, but soon a new life in California entices Jacob.

Gold fever spreads throughout the land bringing thousands of prospectors to California, and leaving a wake of destruction across Lakota sacred land.

The race is on as the Central Pacific and Union Pacific Railroads lay down track across the U.S. bringing east and west together. Jacob Wheeler’s one son, Abe, joins the railroad crew, while his other son Jacob Jr. becomes a scout for the army.

When gold is discovered in the Black Hills, the Lakota’s most sacred land is threatened. The government wants mining rights, but Chief Sitting Bull refuses. He later has an ominous dream that gives hope to the Lakota.

Loved By the Buffalo believes he has found the foretold prophet when a mysterious Indian named Wokova inspires his people with the Ghostdance and a vision of their restored land.