Set in southeastern Mississippi during the Civil War era, the narrative follows Leon Sprague, his father, and fellow residents of a timbered county who resist secession and conscription by organizing local resistance. The story traces covert meetings, raids, and clashes with Confederate forces as they seize supplies, conduct night expeditions, and face imprisonments and reprisals. Episodes emphasize loyalties, frontier resourcefulness, and communal bonds among lumbermen, with personal tests of honesty and courage shaping relationships. The plot advances through skirmishes and strategic maneuvers toward a resolution that addresses both individual fates and the community’s stance amid civil conflict.