The sun was beating down on Death Valley. Water was nowhere in sight. The food had run out days before. Other oxen bucked, kicked, and ran off, but Old Crump trudged on, carrying four children across the desert. This picture book is based on a true story of party of forty-niners who were unlucky to have taken the wrong shortcut, but fortunate to have brought an ox with them that was as courageous as he was faithful. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.