Nat Fowler, a fifteen year old African-American boy raised on his family farm in a predominately white part of Missouri in the late 1800's, runs away from his family farm when he's accused of a murder and joins the United States Army. He ends up at Fort Missoula, Montana with the all-black 25th Infantry where a white officer organizes the 25th Infantry Bicycle Corps. Nat goes on a historic trek by bicycle from Missoula, Montana to St. Louis, Missouri. During the journey he falls in love, discovers bigotry and hatred, finds friends and comrades but also grows up as he enters the 20th century.