The narrative follows Kit Carson, a young draftsman and musician whose home life and musical gifts contrast with his technical work. After leaving familiar moors and drawing-office routines, he travels westward, earning passage and playing music to sustain himself. Along the way he meets various figures—friends, rivals, and a woman who absconds—and confronts wilderness hardships, storms, and moral tests. Episodes alternate between domestic scenes, travel adventures, and local schemes, culminating in competing claims over reward and resolution of rivalries. The book balances humor and hardship while tracing the protagonist’s growth through music, loyalty, and practical courage.