During the winter of 1825, richard hamilton--a timid harvard philosophy student--arrives in st. Louis on business for his father. Robbed and beaten, desperate to save his life, he reluctantly joins the crew of the maria,...During the winter of 1825, richard hamilton--a timid harvard philosophy student--arrives in st. Louis on business for his father. Robbed and beaten, desperate to save his life, he reluctantly joins the crew of the maria, a Fur Trader's keelboat.