In 1800s Texas three young girls are left at home when their parents travel to a distant Fort for supplies. On their way home a vicious storm approaches and they stop at the home of friends. When a tornado bears down they all take refuge in home-made storm cellar. The father of the girls is seriously injured, the fort decimated., most of the people killed. It takes months for the father to recuperate enough for them to walk home.

In the meantime, the girls face the same tornado and their cabin is destroyed. They anguish over their parents who fail to return home, but go about the necessary things required for survival. One day they spot smoke from over the top of a ridge. Investigating it, they find a burned out wagon train. In addition to the people they bury, they find an injured young Indian boy, who they take back to their valley to care for. On a second trip to pick up things they might use at home, two small children are found. The eldest girl worries about how they will all survive the coming winter.

This is the story struggle and faith to overcome a disaster, injuries, animals, and hunger.