Life at Deacon Smith's Home for Waifs would be completely dreary if it weren't for Possum's best friend, Billy, who "e;thinks up lies faster than he can talk"e; and provides plenty of excitement for the other boys. When Billy hears that gold is hidden in the mountains-"e;Great big chunks of it, some of 'em big as your fist"e;-he plans to escape, taking Possum with him. The two runaways embark on a journey in search of their dream-the gold that will lead to a better life. To earn enough money for their adventure, they join Professor Alberto Santini, "e;savant of the healing arts,"e; and his road show. The professor teaches the boys how "e;spieling"e; can make a buck, but it's only the professor who seems to be earning any money. Just as Possum and Billy realize that they've been conned, they get tangled up in a murder. The boys try to keep ahead of the law as they continue their search for gold, but their friendship becomes strained as Possum begins to feel more and more "e;different in some ways"e; from Billy. Is the boys' friendship strong enough to carry them through to the end of their journey?.