Mathias Blacklund was a young boy who dreamed of high adventure. After completing the eighth grade his greatest desire was to travel out west and partner up with his hero, Kit Carson. However, he was conflicted because he was at the same time in love with a childhood sweetheart who believed him to be a dreamer. He set out to earn money to purchase a team of horses for which to come courting. A fellow classmate convinces him to sign up for the Union army as a drummer boy. As with the best laid plans, they often go awry. Mathias Blacklund, now Matt Black was reassigned to the artillery. It was while serving in the artillery he acquired a superb horse, sword, red kerchief and reputation as the infamous Red Rider. At the wars end he was a decorated commissioned officer. His plans to lead a cavalry troop out west were dashed when to army wanted to demote him and make him a recruiting sergeant. Disillusioned and dismayed he and his famous horse, Ragnar, head to Texas in search of adventure. Along the way he meets Abby, the love of his life, and lifetime partner. Arriving in Texas, they settled on a small ranch. Matt supplemented his income by first becoming a Texas Ranger, and then a US Marshal. With his partner, Virgil Cameron they would become two of the most feared law enforcement officers of Texas. This is a saga of their lives and of their families.