A Waif of the Plains

"A Waif of the Plains" by Bret Harte is a story set in the 1800s American West, following two young children, Clarence and Susy, as they make their way to California in a covered wagon with other settlers. Clarence, an orphan under the care of the Silsbee family, and Susy, the Silsbee's daughter, confront the challenges of the open country, where they soon find themselves lost and alone, facing perils and loss that will end up changing them forever as they attempt to return to their families..