The action begins on the Navajo Indian Reservation. Davey's father Will has persuaded the local Navajos to sell many of their ponies, which through overgrazing have helped to impoverish the reservation's soil. Without grass to hold it down, the soil blows away. After buying a large number of the ponies, Uncle Eph and Mr. Smart take Davey with them as they load their horses onto a train and then drive to Texas to sell the ponies. In Texas, Eph puts on shows to attract customers to his horse sales. At first he does well, but most Texans do not seem interested in dealing with him. Indeed, some bear grudges against him. The land is hot and dusty, the motels are dirty and disreputable; Davey encounters aspects of life totally new to him.