The brothers Hezekiah Jones and Washington Bryan Crumpton were born and raised in Lowndes County, Alabama. This book describes their childhood and travels. The book is divided into three sections as follows:

I. H.J. reminisces about his family and his own travel to California to find a fortune in gold mining. After his return to Alabama he undertakes a journey to Panama.

II. and III. W.B. also undertakes a journey to California and returns to fight for the Confederates in the Civil War. After the War has ended he sees his brother again.